Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December 2020.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December 2020 are confirmed as a correct record and be signed by the Chair in due course.

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

If you would like to ask a question at this meeting, please contact democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk as soon as possible and by Friday 8^th January at the latest.

There were no public questions.

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

If you would like to present a deputation or petition at this meeting, please contact democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk as soon as possible and by Friday 8^th January at the latest.

There were no petitions or deputations.

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.

If you would like to ask a question at this meeting, please contact democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk as soon as possible and by Friday 8^th January at the latest.

Councillor Hilton noted that the offices of City Council were occupying space at the Shire Hall under a lease of only 3 years.  He sought clarification over whether a permanent base would be sought and if that was intended to use office space planned for the Kings Quarter development (agenda item 10).  The Leader of the Council confirmed that a base would be pursued but not at the expense of facilities in the Kings Quarter development intended to draw in new businesses and skills to invigorate the City.  He further commented that although there was provision for the council to occupy that space if needed, to do so at this stage would send the wrong message about Gloucester’s confidence in its regeneration aims.

Concerning the response to the Council resolution on cycle networks (agenda item 8) Councillor Hilton asked why Councillor D Brown, who proposed the original motion at Council, had not been consulted in its preparation.  The Cabinet Member for Environment replied that how to respond was up to the administration, that it had gone to the appropriate officers to do so and that the report would go on to the County Council for consideration of which Councillor D Brown was also a member.  Councillor Hilton requested that the item be deferred so that there might be discussion among Council Members of current provision for cyclists and proposals made such as secure bicycle storage for people coming into the city.  The Cabinet Member for Environment pointed out that the resolution did not make provision for further discussion by Council and had not been called by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their consideration.  He stated that the administration had delivered what had been asked of it and that it was now up to the County Council to take the matter forward.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods seeking Members tonote progress of this project benefiting a cohort of vulnerable women with complex needs in Gloucester, and to approve a 12 months contract extension funded from existing budgets.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the success and impact of this co-commissioned project be noted

(2)  a contract extension with the County Council of 12 months be approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that sought Members to note progress of this project benefiting a cohort of vulnerable women with complex needs in Gloucester, and to approve a 12 months contract extension funded from existing budgets.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods highlighted some of the serious issues vulnerable women and their children often face and that there had been a history of the support they needed having slipped away between the responsibilities of different organisations.  She commented that this project had brought partners together to put these women first transforming lives and thanked officers and commissioning partners for having done so.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods urged that this partnership and people-centred approach to working that she had long championed be expanded and continued in future so that other groups receive better outcomes. 

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reminded Members of additional challenges brought by COVID-19 at the current time especially in the stability of household finances and domestic violence.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members how impressed he had been when he had occasion to meet people involved with the project at the Nelson Trust.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy emphasised the importance of supporting the project to make the women’s lives better given the rates of success reported so far (3.4).  He reiterated how joint working with partner organisations, including in this case health trusts, was the way forward to make positive changes for people.  The Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Growth expressed her own admiration of the project and gratitude towards its partners, officers and the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods who had driven it forward.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the success and impact of this co-commissioned project be noted

(2)  a contract extension with the County Council of 12 months be approved.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment seeking to respond to the Notice of Motion submitted at full Council in September 2020 on cycle networks in the City.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and forwarded on to the County Council as the relevant Highway Authority.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that sought to respond to the resolution by Council on cycle networks in the City (24^th September 2020 minute 32.6).

The Cabinet Member for Environment summarised the report.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods commented that it was a good response.  She thanked the Cabinet Member for Environment and asked that thanks be conveyed to the Climate Change and Environment Manager.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and forwarded on to the County Council as the relevant Highway Authority.

To consider the report of the Head of Policy and Resources seeking approval for a new contract with Civica UK Ltd for a 5-year period (extendable by a further 2 years) using a framework contract via Kingston Upon Hull City Council.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  a new contract be awarded to Civica UK Ltd for provision of Revenues & Benefits Managed services via the Kingston Upon Hull City Council Framework for a period of 5 years with the option of two further extensions of 1 year each

(2)  the Head of Policy & Resources be authorised (in consultation with the Cabinet Member Performance & Resources and the Council Solicitor) to take such actions and make such arrangements as are necessary for the implementation of the above recommendation including such legal processes, agreements and benchmarking as are necessary.

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Policy and Resources that sought approval for a new contract with Civica UK Ltd for a 5-year period (extendable by a further 2 years) using a framework contract via Kingston Upon Hull City Council.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources advised Members that the current Revenues and Benefits Team had demonstrated dedication and professionalism to meet the challenges and extreme demand generated by COVID-19 pandemic and that she wished to thank every team member.  The Cabinet Member for Environment agreed that their performance had been good.  He informed Members that he had spoken to the Head of Policy and Resources and asked that Cabinet’s thanks be given to the Civica team.  The Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Growth commented that the existing relationship should continue as it was her experience, and the feedback she received from residents confirmed, that they did an excellent job.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure noted that Civica had stepped up when needed and that the lack of complaints from residents reflected good service.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods confirmed that in her experience the relatively few complaints that there had been were attended to by Civica with care demonstrating how they put residents and the council at the heart of what they do.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy drew Members’ attention to the achievements listed in the report (3.5).  He commented that he perceived them to be on top of their game and swift to react whenever necessary as evidenced by their response to COVID-19.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  a new contract be awarded to Civica UK Ltd for provision of Revenues & Benefits Managed services via the Kingston Upon Hull City Council Framework for a period of 5 years with the option of two further extensions of 1 year each

(2)  the Head of Policy & Resources be authorised (in consultation with the Cabinet Member Performance & Resources and the Council Solicitor) to take such actions and make such arrangements as are necessary for the implementation of the above recommendation including such legal processes, agreements and benchmarking as are necessary.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment seeking to secure recommendations to Council that they authorise Officers to enter into a legally binding Development Agreement with a partner to deliver Kings Quarter The Forum development in its entirety, following completion of the Exclusivity and Co-Operation Agreement previously approved by Cabinet on 17^th June 2020.

Please note that Appendices B to F are exempt from disclosure to the press and public by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information). If Members wish to discuss Appendices B, C, D, E, F the Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before doing so.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

(1)  the Head of Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, the Head of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor is authorised to enter into a Development Agreement with our partner to implement the construction and development of Kings Quarter The Forum in its entirety at an estimated total cost to the Council of £107m, to create a high quality mixed use hub, packed with community features aimed at attracting new companies to Gloucester, based on the latest proposal outlined in this report

(2)  authority be delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Council Solicitor to take all necessary steps and undertake necessary procedures, including entering into any legal arrangements or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the Kings Quarter The Forum Redevelopment Scheme

(3)   the estimated total cost be incorporated into the council’s Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy.

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment that sought to secure recommendations that Council authorise officers to enter into a legally binding Development Agreement with a partner to deliver Kings Quarter The Forum development in its entirety, following completion of the Exclusivity and Co-Operation Agreement previously approved by Cabinet (17^th June 2020 minute 12).

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment stressed the importance of having the right partner and updated Members on the latest progress of the development and related planning applications.  He informed Members of an additional recommendation to those published namely that the estimated total cost be incorporated into the council’s Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure stated that in his long experience of working with different organisations the partners in this crucial development, Reef Group, were among the most amenable and sensible.  He expressed confidence that alongside officers they would deliver the high ambitions of Council to transform Kings Quarter.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reiterated that confidence and looked forward to 2022 when Kings Quarter would become a hive of activity bringing new skills and jobs to the city.  The Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Growth commented that other towns and cities would give anything to have such a development.  She informed Members that she had been contacted by developers very keen to get involved in Gloucester on the strength of the scheme.  The Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Growth particularly thanked the Regeneration Consultant for his drive and determination for which she believed future generations would be grateful.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy advised Members that they should be proud of what the administration was achieving to regenerate the city centre in a big way that would promote Gloucester on a national scale.  The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment thanked Reef Group and officers on behalf of Cabinet.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

(1)  the Head of Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, the Head of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor is authorised to enter into a Development Agreement with our partner to implement the construction and development of Kings Quarter The Forum in its entirety at an estimated total cost to the Council of £107m, to create a high quality mixed use hub, packed with community features aimed at attracting new companies to Gloucester, based on the latest proposal outlined in this report

(2)  authority be delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Council Solicitor to take all necessary steps and undertake necessary procedures, including entering into any legal arrangements or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the Kings Quarter The Forum Redevelopment Scheme

(3)   the estimated total cost be incorporated into the council’s Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy.