Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2024 are confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The opportunity is given to members of the public to put questions to Cabinet Members provided that questions do not contravene the provisions set out Council Procedure Rule 10.01.

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 6^th September 2024 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

Questions and responses will be published at least 24 hours before the meeting. Supplementary questions may be put and answered during the meeting, subject to the relevant time limit.

In respect of question 1 the member of the public sought clarification of when the café would open and if it would be before Christmas.  The Leader of the Council stated that setting the opening date would be up to the new operator.

In respect of question 2 the member of the public advised that some of the electronic information points were working but not correctly.  He asked that their repair be raised with the County Council. The Leader of the Council reminded him that the matter had been raised at the meeting of Gloucestershire County Council earlier in the day (11th September 2024 Minute 6) and gave reassurance that he would encourage the relevant County Cabinet Member to resolve the issues.

In respect of question 3 the member of the public emphasised the importance of a regular express train service to both passengers and Gloucester’s economy.  He urged that the impact of the reduced service be made clear to the Secretary of State.  The Leader of the Council noted that the current timetable was a temporary one until the completion of works.  He however confirmed his dedication to making sure the City had the best service possible and that he would consider writing to the Secretary of State should it be necessary.

The opportunity is given to members of the public to present a petition or deputation provided that any such petition or deputation does not contravene the provisions set out Council Procedure Rule 11.01.

To present a petition or deputation at this meeting, please provide the subject matter to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 6^th September 2024 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

There were no petitions or deputations.

Any Member of the Council may ask the Leader of the Council or any Cabinet Member any question 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 6^th September 2024. Responses to questions will be published in an addendum to the agenda by 12 noon on the day of the Cabinet Meeting.

There were no questions to the Leader of the Council or Cabinet.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration setting out the intention of the Council to continue ongoing regeneration efforts and to increase housing provision in the City.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       authority is delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Council Solicitor, S151 Officer and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, to explore all options to acquire land at 67-69 London Road, Gloucester and 106 – 114 Northgate Street, Gloucester, including the use of Compulsory Purchase Order powers, if necessary, to bring back into use these long term vacant and unsightly sites;

(2)       authority is delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Corporate Director, the S151 Officer and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, to undertake the necessary tasks to be able to present viable residential development proposals to Cabinet for the former Wessex House site on Great Western Road, Gloucester; the upper floors of 20 – 26 The Oxbode, Gloucester; and ‘Whitefriars Phase 2’ on Market Parade, Gloucester. This work should be completed within 6 months of this decision and presented to Cabinet for decision making on next steps.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration that set out the intention of the Council to continue ongoing regeneration efforts and to increase housing provision in the City.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration informed Members that he believed that the recommendations (2.1) would kick-start the regeneration of sites in desperate need of attention.  He summarised the condition and previous efforts to develop each of the sites identified in the report (3.4-3.8).  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration advised that the proposals would contribute about 180 new residential units commencing the process of bringing life back to the city centre to the benefit of all its businesses.  He reminded Members that an aim of the administration was to deliver urban regeneration.

The Cabinet Member for Resources informed Members that he welcomed this opportunity to demonstrate the administration’s ambitions and that he was confident the proposals would receive the necessary funding.  He noted that projects such as these affected people’s lives for the better which is what the Council should be focused on.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration commented on the lack of land for new housing in the City and expressed the hope that the government would support such projects as they had done for the regeneration of the vacant former Kwik Save site into Walkinshaw Court.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       authority is delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Council Solicitor, S151 Officer and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, to explore all options to acquire land at 67-69 London Road, Gloucester and 106 – 114 Northgate Street, Gloucester, including the use of Compulsory Purchase Order powers, if necessary, to bring back into use these long term vacant and unsightly sites;

(2)       authority is delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Corporate Director, the S151 Officer and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, to undertake the necessary tasks to be able to present viable residential development proposals to Cabinet for the former Wessex House site on Great Western Road, Gloucester; the upper floors of 20 – 26 The Oxbode, Gloucester; and ‘Whitefriars Phase 2’ on Market Parade, Gloucester. This work should be completed within 6 months of this decision and presented to Cabinet for decision making on next steps.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources seeking to provide a proposal for the disposal of No. 92-96 Westgate Street, Gloucester, including the market value of the property and likely income to the authority should it be sold on the open market.

RESOLVED that the option to place 92-96 Westgate Street on the open market ready for sale of the freehold is approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources that sought to provide a proposal for the disposal of No. 92-96 Westgate Street, Gloucester, including the market value of the property and likely income to the authority should it be sold on the open market.

The Cabinet Member for Resources outlined the available options for the building (4.1-4.3) and the benefit of the proposed method of disposal for reinvestment in the City.

RESOLVED that the option to place 92-96 Westgate Street on the open market ready for sale of the freehold is approved.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources presenting the year-end forecasts, financial pressures on the Council during the Quarter ended 30^th June 2024 and reporting on the performance of the Council against certain key financial performance indicators.

RESOLVED it is noted that:

       (1)               the forecast year end position is currently for a decrease to the Council’s General Fund balance of £67k against a budgeted increase of £12k;

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

       (3)               the current level of Capital expenditure as shown in Appendix 2 of the report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources that presented the year-end forecasts, financial pressures on the Council during the Quarter ended 30^th June 2024 and reported on the performance of the Council against certain key financial performance indicators.

The Cabinet Member for Resources summarised the report and drew Members’ attention to its consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (2 September 2024 Minute 17).  He advised that it was important to note that it measured performance against the budget agreed by Council early in the year (22 February 2024) and that being for the first quarter the year-end figures were speculative at this early stage.  The Cabinet Member for Resources reassured Members that he was confident improvements would be made to the state of the finances inherited from the previous administration although it will require hard work and monitoring to keep them in check.

The Leader of the Council contrasted the £79,000 overspend (4.1) with the £1.5m reported to Cabinet for the first quarter last year (11 October 2023 Agenda Item 9).  He commented that although the finances remained precarious and external circumstances uncertain, it was the administration’s intention to keep budgets under tight control so they become balanced later in the year as the best way to improve services for residents.

RESOLVED it is noted that:

       (1)               the forecast year end position is currently for a decrease to the Council’s General Fund balance of £67k against a budgeted increase of £12k;

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

       (3)               the current level of Capital expenditure as shown in Appendix 2 of the report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement updating Members on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group Action Plan and seeking to inform them of planned future work.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the work previously undertaken by council officers, the Equality and Diversity Working Group, elected members and Council partners regarding equalities is noted;

(2)       the Council’s priorities and plans for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group for 2024-25 are supported.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement that updated Members on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group Action Plan and sought to inform them of planned future work.

The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement reminded Members that a workplace that encourages equality makes for a successful organisation.  She emphasised that the report represented not a box ticking exercise but a blueprint for entwining equality, diversity and inclusion in every area and aspect of the authority, tackling and challenging inequality wherever it arises.  She confirmed that the Council will remain committed to ED&I which will reflected in the equal distribution of its services.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the work previously undertaken by council officers, the Equality and Diversity Working Group, elected members and Council partners regarding equalities is noted;

(2)       the Council’s priorities and plans for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group for 2024-25 are supported.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) and seeking approval for it to proceed to consultation.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the contents of the report and action plan are supported;

(2)       progression to consultation is agreed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that updated Members on the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) and sought approval for it to proceed to consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Environment placed the report in the context of improving air quality announced both nationally and in the City.  He noted that stakeholders had been consulted (3.1) and the range of measures in the appendix which progressed the City towards its Net Zero emissions target.  The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that the Council had a good record in this area and referred to its Green Travel Plan and the successful take up of the electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the contents of the report and action plan are supported;

(2)       progression to consultation is agreed.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement seeking to outline the Council’s financial contributions towards the voluntary and community sector during the year 2023-24.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement that sought to outline the Council’s financial contributions towards the voluntary and community sector during the year 2023-24.

The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement highlighted that £103,995 had been distributed to 80 organisations as detailed in the appendix.  She commented that it was fantastic to see such a range of groups represented and that the grants would bring tangible benefits to communities.  The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement thanked officers for processing the applications and making sure that the money was wisely spent.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.