Decisions

This is a commercial decision to grant a new lease in a unit in Kingswalk Shopping Centre Gloucester. The identity and details of the letting are business sensitive at this stage and not for publication. However, the total contract term value is potentially £850,000.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the following activities areapproved to assist in achieving the delivery       and discharge of likely planning conditions for a newly refurbished      Kings Square by the Autumn of 2020-

a)    Procurement of a demolition contractor to remove the former Furniture Recycling Project part of Grosvenor House and the old bus station structures.

b)    Procurement of archaeological and soil investigations for the proposed sites of Plot 1, 2 and 4.

c)    Procurement of a below ground geotechnical survey to agree the foundation structure for a new substation on Plot 2.

d)     Procurement of a Construction Design Management (CDM) Principal Designer. This is a legal requirement and must be in place prior to commencement of works on Kings Square and the wider quarter.

e)    Satisfaction of various planning conditions associated with Kings Square likely to include archaeological surveys, ground investigations and detailed construction drawings to enable the procurement of the contractors by Autumn 2019.

f)     Appointment of a legal advisor to provide assistance with the development of the S106 agreement.

(2)       it is noted that subject to any necessary consents being obtained and        the bids from the procurements listed in recommendation (1) being in    budget, the Head of Place, in consultation with the Council Solicitor,     will award the contracts to enable those works to be undertaken before             determination of the planning application. 

(3)       it is noted that the cost of refurbishing Kings Square is included in the       Council’s draft capital programme to be presented to Full Council in   February 2019.  Further budget will need to be identified for the next    phases of the regeneration programme. Preliminary Enabling Works          associated with this have been listed in Appendix A Table 2 of the       report.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the reviewed Risk Based Verification Policy for verifying Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims be approved.

(2)  That the reviewed Risk Based Verification Policy as at December 2018 be approved for immediate implementation.

To consider an alternative approach to deliver community building across all parts of the City.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  Agree the vision, mission and principles for a longer-term approach to community building in Gloucester.

(2)  Approve the establishment of a formal partnership agreement with Barnwood Trust to deliver community building in the short-term and to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Partnerships) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods to finalise arrangements.

(3)  Note the budget, financing and the longer term financial approach to deliver community building in Gloucester.

(4)  Authorise the Corporate Director (Partnerships) to work towards setting up a separate legal entity such as a Community Interest Company (CIC) to undertake community building and to bring a further report back to Cabinet.

(5)  Authorise the Corporate Director (Partnerships) to explore the feasibility of transferring the Gloucester Lottery into a future CIC.

(6)  Commit the ‘Your Gloucester’ budget (£10k pa) to the project for two years

(7)  Commit £5k per annum of the Gloucester Lottery central fund to the project for two years.

(8)  Acknowledge that fundraising continues, but agree to cover any shortfall for the first two years as set out in section 8 of the report.

(9)  Undertake a piece of work on what input the community can have on community building

(10)         Organise a development session for Elected Members to explore Asset Based Community Development and Community Building more fully and that endeavours are made for it to include all Members.

RESOLVED that the Quarter 2 Performance Report 2018/19 at Appendix 1 be noted.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.   

RESOLVED that it be noted that:

(1)  The savings achieved in year to date total £150k with a further £197k in progress.

(2)  The forecast year end position is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £28k against a budgeted increase of £163k.

(3)  The details of specific budgetary issues identified by officers and the actions being taken to address those issues

(4)  The current level of Capital expenditure as shown on Appendix 2

RESOLVED that the Strategic Risk Register be noted and endorsed.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  That the assumptions contained in the Council’s draft Money Plan from 2019/20 to 2023/24 and revisions to the draft revenue budget be approved.

(2)  That the uncertainties regarding future incomes, as shown in this report and Appendix 1, and the need to update the Draft Money Plan when there is more certainty regarding Central Government financing, be noted.

To agree to the sale of the Council’s freehold interest in Bearland Lodge, 55 Longsmith Street, Gloucester.

To approve Gloucester City Council becoming lead authority for the service in accordance with Cabinet Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of the Gloucester City Council constitution.

To approve the appointment of Karen Taylor as Commercial Finance Director and James Head as Operations Director to the Board of the Company for GAL.

To sign the written resolution for the above.

To approve the granting of a new lease to Winget Bowls Club to increase the size of their demise to include additional land for them to build an extension to their current clubhouse.