Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Civic Suite, North Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2EP

Contact: Democratic and Electoral Services 

Items
No. Item

82.

Declarations of Interest

To receive from Members, declarations of the existence of any disclosable pecuniary, or non-pecuniary, interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any agenda item. Please see Agenda Notes.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

83.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 144 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12th January 2022.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12th January 2022 are confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair in due course.

 

84.

Public Question Time (15 minutes)

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.

 

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to

democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by Friday 4th February 2022 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

 

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

 

85.

Petitions and Deputations (15 minutes)

To receive any petitions or deputations provided that no such petition or deputation is in relation to:

 

·       Matters relating to individual Council Officers, or

·       Matters relating to current or pending legal proceedings

 

Minutes:

There were no petitions or deputations.

 

86.

Leader and Cabinet Members' Question Time (15 minutes) pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Any Member of the Council may ask the Leader of the Council or any Cabinet Member any question without prior notice, upon:

       

·       Any matter relating to the Council’s administration

·       Any matter relating to any report of the Cabinet appearing on the summons

·       A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities

 

Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.

 

Questions must be submitted to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 4th February 2022. Responses to questions will be published in an addendum to the agenda by 12 noon on the day of the Cabinet Meeting.

 

 

Minutes:

In respect of question 2 Councillor Wilson asked if the other sources of funding and earmarked reserves referred to in the response had been identified yet.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources confirmed that the route to recovery and its requirements were still being formulated.  She reassured Councillor Wilson that these would be shared with Group Leaders when known.

 

In respect of question 3 Councillor Wilson sought clarification on whether the cyber incident review would be independent.  The Leader of the Council replied that although he believed an independent review might be beneficial, the decision would be taken when the recovery stage had progressed.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources pointed out that independent advice was being received as part of the recovery process so that an independent element might well be seen in any kind of review.

 

In respect of question 4 Councillor Hilton enquired if any other projects such as the redevelopment of the Herbert Kimberley and Phillpotts (HKP) warehouses, Eastgate Shopping Centre or Council offices relocation were expected to be delayed.  The Leader of the Council invited the Managing Director to respond.  The Managing Director confirmed that he was unaware of any delay other than the City Plan modifications whose postponement until April 2022 was a backstop measure which might not be necessary in which case a decision could be taken in March.

 

In respect of question 5 Councillor Hilton asked if all sixty-six modifications to the City Plan proposed by the Inspector would be accepted.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy reassured Councillor Hilton that she would consult officers and respond directly.

 

In respect of question 6 Councillor Hilton noted that government bodies appeared content to communicate with the Council by via the `gloucester.gov.uk’ email domain name and queried whether Gloucestershire County Council should continue blocking it.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources made it clear that in her opinion they should remove the embargo.

 

RESOLVED that the written questions submitted and corresponding responses are noted.

 

87.

Money Plan 2022-27 & Budget Proposals 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 185 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking review of the Council’s Money Plan for recommendation to Council.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)       the proposals for the 2022/23 budget included in the report are approved and recommended to Council

 

(2)       it is noted that consultation has been undertaken on budget proposals.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought Members to review the Council’s Money Plan for recommendation to Council.

 

The Leader of the Council summarised the proposed plan and placed it in the context of the challenging circumstances regarding COVID-19 and local government finance.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources outlined some of the detail, especially in her own portfolio, and reiterated the uncertainty around the impact of the pandemic and recent cyber incident.  She advised Members that the final Local Government Finance Settlement had been received after the report had been published but reassured them that the relevant sections would be amended before it is submitted to Council.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources drew Members’ attention to the public consultation (Appendix 7) and the top five priorities identified by respondents as the most important to them.  She expressed thanks of Cabinet and her own personal gratitude to all officers but especially the Director of Policy and Resources and the entire Finance Team for their work and support. 

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment commented on the £500,000 increase in income from recycling achieved over just five years brought about by both residents and improved processing from the contractors, the latter despite the constraints of the pandemic.  He thanked all people involved.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)       the proposals for the 2022/23 budget included in the report are approved and recommended to Council

 

(2)       it is noted that consultation has been undertaken on budget proposals.

88.

The Gloucester City Monuments Review pdf icon PDF 133 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council providing the results of the Monuments Review and its recommendations.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that approval is given to implement the recommendations outlined in Appendix A of the report.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that provided the results of the Monuments Review and its recommendations.

 

The Leader of the Council reminded Members of the background to the report and the Council resolution that instigated it (9th July 2020).  He highlighted each of the recommendations of the review in turn and noted that some of the opportunities would require a budget and that some of the heritage assets identified were not owned by the Council so outside of its control.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members that officers from the Museum of Gloucester had already begun the process of consultation and careful thought around mounting a display.  He further reassured them that officers were ready to follow similar processes for every recommendation as they were all of a sensitive nature.  The Leader of the Council thanked the City Archaeologist for such a very detailed and informative report that brought matters forward in a positive way.  He commented that it was good to provide ways to contextualise heritage assets.

 

 

RESOLVED that approval is given to implement the recommendations outlined in Appendix A of the report.

89.

Events and Festivals Report on 2021 and Plan for 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 161 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure providing a Review of Festivals and Events activity 2021 and the Proposed Civic and Cultural Events & Festivals Plan 2022.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)    approval is given to the proposed civic events programme for 2022 set out in the table 1 Appendix B of the report to be managed by the City Council Cultural Services team

 

(2)    approval is given to support key city festivals and events programme 2022 as set out in table 2 Appendix B of the report.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that provided a Review of Festivals and Events activity 2021 and the Proposed Civic and Cultural Events & Festivals Plan 2022.

 

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure listed some of the many events staged in 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and thanked the Head of Culture and his team for their achievements.  He drew Member’s attention to the enlarged programme proposed for 2022 and highlighted some of the opportunities such as the renewed Kings Square, Platinum Jubilee and return of the Tall Ships Festival.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure expressed his desire for every community, no matter how small, to become involved and be represented in their city’s cultural activities and urged them to do so.  The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that to produce a cultural programme so full and diverse as this in terms of content and community engagement despite COVID-19 was a credit to officers.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)    approval is given to the proposed civic events programme for 2022 set out in the table 1 Appendix B of the report to be managed by the City Council Cultural Services team

 

(2)    approval is given to support key city festivals and events programme 2022 as set out in table 2 Appendix B of the report.

90.

Tourism and Destination Marketing Report pdf icon PDF 132 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure presenting the Tourism and Destination Marketing Plan 2022 along with associated research.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the Tourism and Marketing Plan 2022 in Appendix 1 of the report is noted, and the recommendations are accepted.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that presented the Tourism and Destination Marketing Plan 2022 along with associated research.

 

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members that he was proud of the Destination Marketing Team for how they showcase Gloucester to the world and its wide range of activities for visitors as reflected in the growth in users of the Visit Gloucester website beyond pre-pandemic levels (3.5).  He further advised them how respected the Tourism and Destination Marketing Manager was amongst the profession nationally and high level of excitement engendered about the City within it.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources commented that for such a small team created in turbulent times they had generated a big positive impact.  She noted that the good relationships they had fostered across the sector boded well for the future.

 

RESOLVED that the Tourism and Marketing Plan 2022 in Appendix 1 of the report is noted, and the recommendations are accepted.

91.

Homeseeker Plus Policy 2022 pdf icon PDF 112 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy seeking the adoption of an updated Homeseeker Plus Policy governing the Council’s allocations to social housing for applicants registered on the Council’s housing register.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)    the updated Homeseeker Plus Policy (Appendix 1 of the report) is adopted

 

(2)    approval is given to the Homeseeker Plus Management Board to confirm the date for implementation once all partners have gained approval through their individual governance structures.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy that sought the adoption of an updated Homeseeker Plus Policy governing the Council’s allocations to social housing for applicants registered on the Council’s housing register.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy advised Members that the proposed policy modifications were minor and reflected legislative changes.  She highlighted the increased flexibility to be given to care leavers reducing waiting times and drew Members’ attention to the public consultation (Appendix 4).  The Cabinet Member for Environment commented that the consultation had been widespread.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)    the updated Homeseeker Plus Policy (Appendix 1 of the report) is adopted

 

(2)    approval is given to the Homeseeker Plus Management Board to confirm the date for implementation once all partners have gained approval through their individual governance structures.

92.

Business Rates - Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 130 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking approval for a discount scheme on business rates.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the Business Rates Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief scheme 2022-23 (Appendix 1 of the report) is the approved scheme for Gloucester City for 2022-23.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought approval for a discount scheme on business rates.

 

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources summarised the key features of the report.

 

RESOLVED that the Business Rates Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief scheme 2022-23 (Appendix 1 of the report) is the approved scheme for Gloucester City for 2022-23.