Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September 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 11^th October 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.

There were no public questions.

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 11^th October 2024 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

A member of the public presented a petition calling on the City and County Councils to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty with the hope expressed of putting pressure on the UK government to do the same. He placed the request in the context of a climate disaster fed by fossil fuels.  The member of the public outlined the three pillars of the proposed treaty, viz., non-proliferation, a fair-phase-out, and just transition.  He noted that a number of local authorities had already endorsed the Treaty including London, Edinburgh and Birmingham, and that there were 350 signatories to the petition.

The Leader of the Council expressed his gratitude that the issues had been raised and gave assurance that it would be considered.  He stated that the matter would be covered in the forthcoming City Council Climate Strategy.  The Leader of the Council sought clarification of whether the petition would be delivered to the County Council separately.  The member of the public confirmed that it would.

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 11^th October 2024. Responses to questions will be published in an addendum to the agenda by 12 noon on the day of the Cabinet Meeting.

In respect of question 5 Councillor Chambers-Dubus asked if the resource to produce the report would have been better spent on producing an A5 sized document for residents, especially those with no online access, alerting them to sources of support.  The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement noted that the report was required by the Motion to Council (20th May 2025 Minute 10) and that the Cost of Living Action Plan (Appendix 1) would hold the Council to account.  She however confirmed that providing resource for a leaflet or other document to help residents would be considered in setting the 2025-2026 Council Budget.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement updating Members on the status of the City Council’s cost of living actions and the Cost of Living Action Plan in response to the Council resolution of 20^th May 2024 (Minute 10.5).

RESOLVED that:

(1)    the Cost of Living Action Plan is noted and recognised as a live document which will be continuously updated;

(2)    the support of both MPs be sought to ensure that personal benefits funded by the Government are maintained and enhanced to ensure that everyone in Gloucester can provide adequately for themselves and their families, the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and the Leader of the Council with the support of the Community Wellbeing Team, write to the Gloucester MPs seeking their active support to secure additional government funding to enable the council to improve its support to communities across the City;

(3)    the Council Customer Service Advisors take a curiosity-led approach when dealing with public enquiries in order for them to know what funds/grants/benefits they could be eligible;

(4)    the Council website is regularly kept up to date with the latest funding opportunities and grants available for both individuals and communities alike;

(5)    Members of this Council are provided with information on existing grants, new grants and funding, which comes either directly into the City Council or the County Council by communication channels such as member matters email briefings;

(6)    the Overview Scrutiny Committee is provided with annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of each of those measures as shown in Appendix 1 of the report stating the actual fund, the numbers of applications whether successful or unsuccessful, reasons for unsuccessful applications and amount received for successful applications.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement that updated Members on the status of the City Council’s cost of living actions and the Cost of Living Action Plan in response to the Council resolution of 20^th May 2024 (Minute 10.5).

The Leader of the Council drew Members’ attention to the additional recommendations published in the addendum to the agenda (2.1).  The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement advised that these included points raised in the consideration of the report by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (7^th October 2024 Minute 27) which she believed made stronger proposals to take forward.  She detailed each recommendation outlining the benefits of each.

The Leader of the Council took the opportunity to thank the Labour Group for bringing the original motion to Council (20^th May 2024 Agenda Item 11).  He reminded Members of the importance of doing what they can to help residents.  The Leader of the Council further noted the impact on the cost of living from external factors beyond the control of the Council such as BREXIT and the war in Ukraine.  He emphasised the importance of the recommendation to write to the MPs (2.1(1)) so they might bringtheir influence on national contributary issues such as the recent reductions to state benefits.

RESOLVED that:

(1)    the Cost of Living Action Plan is noted and recognised as a live document which will be continuously updated;

(2)    the support of both MPs be sought to ensure that personal benefits funded by the Government are maintained and enhanced to ensure that everyone in Gloucester can provide adequately for themselves and their families, the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and the Leader of the Council with the support of the Community Wellbeing Team, write to the Gloucester MPs seeking their active support to secure additional government funding to enable the council to improve its support to communities across the City;

(3)    the Council Customer Service Advisors take a curiosity-led approach when dealing with public enquiries in order for them to know what funds/grants/benefits they could be eligible;

(4)    the Council website is regularly kept up to date with the latest funding opportunities and grants available for both individuals and communities alike;

(5)    Members of this Council are provided with information on existing grants, new grants and funding, which comes either directly into the City Council or the County Council by communication channels such as member matters email briefings;

(6)    the Overview Scrutiny Committee is provided with annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of each of those measures as shown in Appendix 1 of the report stating the actual fund, the numbers of applications whether successful or unsuccessful, reasons for unsuccessful applications and amount received for successful applications.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure seeking approval of four key Museum of Gloucester policies that required to allow retention of its Accreditation status.

RESOLVED that the Collections Development, Documentation, Collections Care & Conservation, and Access Policies are approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that sought approval of four key Museum of Gloucester policies required to allow retention of its Accreditation status.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure summarised the background to the report and the advantages to retaining Accreditation (3.1-3.3).  She outlined the purpose of each of the policies (Appendices 1-4) for consideration.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure noted that the Collections Development Policy (Appendix 1) in particular contained much of interest concerning Gloucester’s rich 2,000-year history and nationally important former citizens such as Sir Matthew Hale and Jemmy Wood.  The Leader of the Council commented on the comprehensive nature of the policies and that it was good to see the museum moving forward.

RESOLVED that the Collections Development, Documentation, Collections Care & Conservation, and Access Policies are approved.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement providing an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

RESOLVED that:

(1)    work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant is endorsed;

(2)    Councillor Andrew Lewis be appointed as Armed Forces Liaison Member;

(3)    where possible, consideration is given to making Armed Forces events in Gloucester more family friendly.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement that provided an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement emphasised the importance of the Council’s commitment to and respect for the armed forces community drawing Members’ attention to some of the commitments outlined in the report (3.3).  She commented that it was vital to encourage local communities to support the covenant.  The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement reminded Members that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had raised points regarding the Armed Forces Liaison Member and making events more family friendly (7^th October Minute 28) and advised that these had been addressed in the additional recommendations in the addendum to the agenda (2.1 (2-3)).  She announced that Councillor Lewis had agreed to accept the proposed role of Armed Forces Liaison Member should that recommendation be approved.  She expressed confidence that he would bring the same passion to the role as he had to that of Armed Forces Champion.

RESOLVED that:

(1)    work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant is endorsed;

(2)    Councillor Andrew Lewis be appointed as Armed Forces Liaison Member;

(3)    where possible, consideration is given to making Armed Forces events in Gloucester more family friendly.