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:
26.1 Mr Brookes, a resident of Gloucester, addressing the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, stated that by approving the Property Investment Strategy, the Council were exposing themselves to considerable risk. He went on further to express disappointment that the Council were able to undertake borrowing to generate revenue but could not do so to deliver affordable housing schemes. He concluded by requesting the Cabinet Member to petition the City’s MP to request Government to increase funding for local authorities.
26.2 Councillor D. Norman (Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources) thanked Mr Brookes for attending the Council meeting. He explained that decisions would only be undertaken following appropriate due diligence, noting that any borrowing would be regulated by the prudential borrowing rules. He noted that the primary focus would be the City, but if advantageous the Council would consider investing in other locations. He explained that housing had been included as a potential sector for investment. He reporting that Members of the Administration met regularly with the City’s MP and would be asking Mr Richard Graham MP to arrange a meeting with a Local Government Minister in advance of the funding settlement to discuss the grant the Council received. He confirmed that Mr Brookes would be supplied with a written response to his question.
26.3 Mr Gower, a resident of Gloucester, thanked Members for the opportunity of addressing the Council. He queried whether the providers of the Gloucestershire Entrenched Homeless Social Impact Bond (SIB) were working to towards the good practice template as published on the Council’s website. He went on further to question whether there was an independent organisation responsible for monitoring and reviewing the provider of the service and to whom complaints could be made. He requested that responses to his queries be provided in writing.
26.4 Councillor Organ (Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) confirmed that Mr Gower would be provided with a written response to his questions.