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:
The Mayor
76.1 The Mayor wished those City Councillors standing the forthcoming County Council elections good luck.
76.2 He reminded Members that the Mayor’s Charity Ball would be held in the Officers’ Mess at Imjin Barracks, Innsworth on Friday 21st April.
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure
76.3 Councillor Noakes, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure advised that the Culture Board had been successful in bidding for just under £1.5 million which had been the maximum amount available. She thanked all those who had worked on the bid and in particular she thanked Jonathan Lund, Corporate Director, for his help.
76.4 Councillor Noakes announced that the Tourist Information Centre was one of three finalists in the national tourism awards and the final result would be announced on 24th April.
76.5 Councillor Noakes announced that the King’s House Culture Hub had been opened and space was being filled quickly. She thanked all concerned and in particular Iona Lennon, Melanie Smith and other officers in Asset Management.
76.6 Councillor Noakes announced that the GL Card, which was intended to boost trade in the City centre, would be launched during Residents’ Weekend.
Cabinet Member for Environment
76.7 Councillor Cook, Cabinet Member for Environment, announced that there had been an increase of 360 tonnes of dry recyclables since the introduction of the enhanced scheme. He noted that 60 per cent of this was recycled plastics which were very bulky. He stated that over 3,000 tonnes of waste had been diverted from landfill and that there would be an increase in recycling credits and income from sales of recycled materials. He thanked the Environmental Services Team for this achievement.
76.8 Councillor Cook announced that he had won a spot prize of an I-pad mini in the very first Gloucester lottery draw. As the purpose of the lottery was to provide additional support to the Voluntary and Community Sector he proposed to present it to the Mayor to be auctioned at the Mayor’s Charity Ball in aid of Longfield Hospice Care.
76.9 The Mayor thanked Councillor Cook for his generosity.
Managing Director
76.10 The Managing Director reminded Members that, due to the forthcoming County Council elections, the restrictions on publicity known as ‘Purdah’ would come into force at midnight that evening and he drew Members’ attention to the guidance which had been circulated
76.11 The Managing Director advised Council that he had taken an executive decision to implement ‘Together Gloucester’ last week following the adoption of the Revenue Budget by the Council. He advised that a workshop or briefing would be arranged for Members following the County Council elections.