Issue - meetings

1.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR CHAMBERS-DUBUS

“This council is pleased that Ubico has been awarded the waste and recycling, street cleaning and grounds maintenance contract and will commence delivery of services in April 2022.

When bidding for the contract Ubico demonstrated their competency not only to deliver and improve existing services but also their willingness to consider the development of new initiatives that would benefit both the council and residents.

Many people in Gloucester use the Household Recycling Centre (HRC) at Hempsted to dispose of their household waste and recycling. Despite the impact of Covid and the current appointments only arrangements the service is widely used.

However, not everyone in Gloucester is able to access or have transport to use the HRC. Similarly, some people do not have enough rubbish to justify the expense of a full-size skip, or an adequate place to locate one.

Councils in other areas have identified this as an issue and have developed a ‘Big Wheelie Bin Scheme’ where residents can hire a large bin for a fixed period at a reasonable cost. This has been found to be a cost effective and convenient service and has had an impact and reduction in fly tipping.

This council is therefore instructed to hold discussions with Ubico and explore developing a ‘Big Wheelie Bin’ scheme for residents who wish to take advantage of such a service.”

2.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR BOWKETT

“This council notes the importance of planting more trees in Gloucester and understands that those saplings together with mature trees will also need to be maintained. It welcomes the guiding principles of the 2020 Gloucestershire Tree Strategy, valuing the many benefits that a high-quality green infrastructure brings to our communities, which includes growing trees near where people live and work.

This council recognises that while there are valuable contributions from development and external grants, for example, the Forestry Commission, there is a pressing shortfall in tree planting, maintenance and resources, the fixed budget per financial year is acutely inadequate, and this status quo has already placed increasing pressure on achieving the objectives of the 2020 strategy.

As such, this Council calls on the Cabinet Member to provide members with a written report, delivered in good time for members to consider before the next budget, that will:

(a)  identify ways we can do more to support tree planting and maintenance

(b)  identify further City Council funds for this purpose

(c)  encourage the County Council to boost funding for Highway trees, and

(d)  set targets and map them against such further funding so that the 2020 Strategy for Gloucester can be fulfilled.

In essence, this council agrees that preparing a more realistic annual budget to commence from the next financial year is vital to support the planting and maintenance of trees and increase biodiversity in Gloucester.”

3.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR HILTON

“This council notes the election on the 6^th of May of Chris Nelson as Gloucestershire’s new police and crime commissioner.

This council also notes that Chris  ...  view the full agenda text for item 37