To receive announcements from:
a) The Mayor
b) Leader of the Council
c) Members of the Cabinet
d) Chairs of Committees
e) Head of Paid Service
Minutes:
Mayor
74.1 The Mayor thanked all Members of the Council for their support during his year in office and wished those Members who were standing good luck in the forthcoming elections, and those Members who were retiring all the best for the future.
74.2 The Mayor announced that Richard Trelfa would be giving a talk on 8 April 2016 on ‘People who put Gloucester on the map – and kept it there’ in aid of the Civic Charities. The event would be free, with donations welcomed.
74.3 The Mayor announced that a 6s tournament would be held at Gloucester Spa Cricket Club on 10 April 2016 in aid of the civic charities and in memory of his friend Eddie Tomlinson. The event would be free, with donations welcomed.
74.4 The Mayor gave permission for Councillor Chatterton to address the Council. Councillor Chatterton announced that he would be travelling to Paju, South Korea in April 2016 to mark the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River and continue to strengthen the relationship between Paju and Gloucester. He advised that the Memorial Park would be extended, with plans for a Peace Park that would include a Gloucester Heroes Bridge.
74.5 The Mayor gave permission for the Sheriff to address the Council. The Sheriff reminded former Sheriffs about the forthcoming Annual Sheriffs Meal.
Leader of the Council
74.6 Councillor James (Leader of the Council) congratulated all those involved in the successful second stage Heritage Lottery Bids for Project Pilgrim and Llanthony Priory.
74.7 Councillor James announced that agreement had been reached between the City Council, Rokeby Merchant and Historic England regarding the development of the Bakers Quay site and that it was hoped work would begin on site during the summer.
74.8 Councillor James reported that agreement had been reached between the City Council and the Ministry of Justice in respect of the vacant land on Great Western Road and that it would be used to build a car park to service Gloucester railway station.
74.9 Councillor James noted that Councillor Llewellyn would not be seeking re-election. He thanked her for being a committed Councillor and wished her well for the future.
Group Leaders
74.10 The Mayor invited opposition Group Leaders to speak in respect of their retiring Councillors.
74.11 Councillor Hilton thanked Councillors Field, C. Witts, S. Witts and Jim Beeley for serving as Councillors and wished them well in their future endeavours.
74.12 Councillor Haigh praised Councillors Chatterton, Hobbs and Smith for their hard work during their time as Councillors wished them all the best for the future.
Members of the Cabinet
74.13 Councillor Porter (Cabinet Member for Environment) referred Members to the Members’ Information Briefing that had been circulated; it contained details of achievements within his portfolio over recent months.
Chairs of Committees
74.14 Councillor Lugg (Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) reported that the call in of the decision on regarding Voluntary and Community Sector funding 2014-16 and proposals for 2016-17 funding had not been referred back to the Cabinet to be reconsidered. She also report that the report of the Task and Finish Group on standards in the private rented sector had been praised by the Centre for Public Scrutiny and would feature in a forthcoming blog.
Head of Paid Service
74.15 The Head of Paid Service noted that Ross Cook, Corporate Director would formally leave the Council at the end of the week. He thanked Ross his service to the Council and wished him well in his new role at Wolverhampton City Council.