The opportunity is given to members of the public to put questions to Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs provided that a question does not relate to:
· Matters which are the subject of current or pending legal proceedings or
· Matters relating to employees or former employees of the Council or comments in respect of individual Council Officers.
Minutes:
38.1 Mr Paul Harries asked the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources whether the Council would stand by while those in most need are denied their full benefits whether by the political agenda or by the Rent Officer or internally by the Housing Officer recommendations not being met by whoever gives out the discretionary housing payment.
38.2 Councillor D. Norman (Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources) thanked Mr Harries for his question and advised that he was not able to respond in respect of Mr Harries’ own case. He gave assurances that the Council worked to ensure that housing benefit was paid at the correct level to all who were entitled to it. The Council was required to comply with the relevant regulations when making Rent Officer referrals; these could only be made every 52 weeks and could not be made early. The only exception was if there was a contractual increase in the terms of the tenancy. The final decision in relation to discretionary housing payments rested with the Council, and was made based upon the information provided by the applicant. He gave a commitment to ensuring that officers would contact Mr Harries regarding his personal case.
38.3 Ms Jean Grigg asked the Leader of the Council to carry out essential maintenance to the memorials for Anna McGurk in honour of Anna and those who worked with her.
38.4 Councillor James (Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy) thanked Ms Grigg for bringing the matter to the Council’s attention and advised that he would ask officers to inspect the memorial and take any necessary maintenance action as a matter of urgency.
38.5 Mr Stephen McDonnell addressed the Council on behalf of Unison members and urged Members to support the Labour Group Notice of Motion, which objected to the Trade Union Bill currently passing through Parliament as it would result in the erosion of specific protections afforded to staff. He noted the positive relationship that Trade Unions had with Gloucester City Council and raised concerns about the impact the proposed legislation would have on this.
38.6 The Mayor noted that no specific question had been asked and advised Mr McDonnell that the matter would be debated later on the agenda.
38.7 Mr Peter Clarke highlighted concerns that the Trade Union Bill sought to prevent Trade Union members from having their subscription fees deducted from their salary and asked if the Council would agree to write to Richard Graham MP and call on him to object to those proposals when the Trade Union Bill reached the House of Commons.
38.8 The Mayor advised that the matter would be debated later on the agenda.
38.9 Councillor S. Witts declared a personal interest as she was a member of Unison.