Agenda item

Announcements

To receive announcements from:

 

a)        The Mayor

b)        Leader of the Council

c)        Members of the Cabinet

d)        Chair of Committees

e)        Head of Paid Service

Minutes:

            Mayor

 

16.1    The Mayor reminded Members that there were a number of key social and Civic events taking place over the next few months.

 

            Gloucester Carnival- 22nd July 2017:

The Mayor advised Members that the Animal Kingdom had been selected for the theme for this year’s Carnival. He noted that all those wishing to join the tour bus, departing from Westgate Coach Car Park would need to arrive by 3pm.

 

10th Anniversary of Gloucester Floods Commemoration Service- 25th July 2017:

The Mayor invited members of the public to attend the Service at Gloucester Cathedral that would begin at 5:30pm.

 

Sponsored Litter Pick at Robinswood Hill- 14th September 2017

 

The Mayor noted that a Dementia Awareness Session, led by Councillor Hawthorne, was also being organised with further details to follow. He concluded by encouraging all Members to attend the Dinosaur Exhibition at the City Museum and congratulated officers for their work in this regard.

 

Deputy Leader of the Council

 

16.2    Councillor Watkins congratulated the Leader of the Council, Councillor James and his wife on the birth of their daughter. She noted that this was first Council meeting that Councillor James had missed in 21 years.

 

            She reported that the sale of the Kings Walk Shopping Centre to Reef Estates had completed on the 2th July 2017 and improvement works would begin shortly, with a planning application expected in the near future.

 

            Councillor Watkins expressed disappointment at the damage sustained at the historic Fleece Hotel site as a result of fire earlier that day. She confirmed that the Edwardian block within the site had sustained significant damaged and advised that structural engineers were currently assessing the rest of the site. She assured Members that the recent developments would not deter the proposed regeneration of the area.

 

            She concluded by reminding Members that applications for the Community Youth Grants were now open and encouraged Members to put forward submissions for youth groups in their wards.

 

Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources

 

16.3    Councillor Norman wished the Head of Policy and Resources a happy birthday and thanked him for his continual support.

 

            Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure

 

16.4    Councillor Noakes noted that the City was host to a number of exciting events over the summer months, including the Blues and Gloucester Goes Retro Festival. She explained that bookings for the History Festival would open on Monday 24th July 2017 and all Councillors had been provided with a programme of events in relation to this.

 

            Councillor Noakes reported that Gloucester Culture Board had made its final three Trustee appointments and would continue the development of the Gloucester Culture Trust.  She confirmed that following an interview and assessment process, Jill Shonk had been appointed to be Head of Cultural and Trading Services.

 

            Cabinet Member for Environment

 

16.5    Councillor Cook announced that Barnwood Park and Arboretum, Robinswood Hill Countryside Park and Saintbridge Balancing Ponds and Allotments had been awarded Green Flag status.