Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Contact: Democratic and Electoral Services 

Items
No. Item

1.

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.

 

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 156 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4th May 2022.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4th May 2022 are confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair in due course.

 

3.

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 10th June 2022 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

 

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

 

4.

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.

 

5.

Leader and Cabinet Members' Question Time (15 minutes) pdf icon PDF 232 KB

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 10th June 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 Hilton noted that Gloucestershire County Council had cyberattack insurance which required certain security conditions to be met.  He asked whether having had to meet these conditions would have made the City Council less vulnerable.  The Leader of the Council made it clear he did not believe that the County’s insurance policy would have protected the City Council from the recovery costs incurred.

 

In respect of question 3 Councillor Hilton emphasised the importance of restoring access to the Planning Portal as soon as possible and reminded Members that the Planning Committee had been unable to determine a recent application because of it.  He enquired if it might be available again by the end of July.  The Leader of the Council confirmed that officers were working hard to reinstate the system as quickly as possible.  He took the opportunity to extend apologies to all those affected by the issue.

 

In respect of question 4 Councillor Hilton sought clarification on whether the paper copies of postal vote applications were retained and could be used should an election suddenly be called.  The Leader of the Council invited the Managing Director to respond in his capacity as Electoral Registration Officer.  The Electoral Registration Officer stated that these forms were routinely destroyed after a certain period for data protection leaving only digital copies so that there were only a relatively small number of the former available.  He reassured Members that not only would individual postal voters be written to, but that more general communications on the matter would be made as well.

 

In respect of question 5 Councillor Hilton expressed disappointment that the closure of Oaksey’s left the city centre without an independent greengrocer and asked what steps officers were taking to rectify this.  The Leader of the Council advised that although the issues around Oaksey’s were confidential, he had been informed that they had not fully engaged with officers.

 

In respect of question 6 Councillor Hilton informed Members of his perception that the newly opened restaurants at St Oswalds Retail Park will serve less healthy food than those they replaced.  He queried whether the Council was doing enough to facilitate healthy eating in the City.  The Leader of the Council stressed the importance of having as broad a range of options as possible available for diners to choose from.  He reminded Members that the regenerated Kings Square was anticipated to attract new food businesses and that the Gloucester Food Dock would house up to fifteen of them when open.

 

In respect of question 7 Councillor Hilton asked when a deal might be struck to put the ground floor of Kings House back into use as the site is a focal point for the newly re-opened Kings Square.  The Leader of the Council agreed on the importance of the building and confirmed that officers were working as hard as possible to resolve the issue which, he cautioned, was in the hands of the Leaseholder Greene King.

 

In respect of question  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Adoption of a Local List of Heritage Assets for Gloucester pdf icon PDF 134 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council seeking adoption of a Local List as a proactive means of giving visibility to locally important heritage and community assets and to support the Council’s Planning officers in making informed decisions in relation to development proposals.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that sought adoption of a Local List as a proactive means of giving visibility to locally important heritage and community assets and intended to support the Council’s Planning officers in making informed decisions in relation to development proposals.

 

The Leader of the Council drew Members’ attention to the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 6th June 2022 (Appendix 5) and advised that it be accepted.

 

RESOLVED that the adoption of a Local List of Heritage Assets for Gloucester be considered at the July meeting of Cabinet following consultation with all Councillors.

 

7.

Performance Monitoring Year End 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 115 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources informing Members of the Council’s performance against key measures across 2021/22.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the Year End Performance Report 2021/22 at Appendix 1 of the report is noted.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that informed Members of the Council’s performance against key measures across 2021/22.

 

The Leader of the Council highlighted the key trends shown within the report.  He reminded Members that some of the measures were still affected by the COVID pandemic and reassured them that these would be updated as soon as possible.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members that he was proud of the conduct and ideas of officers in his portfolio over recent difficult times, not least with the forthcoming `Titanic Honour and Glory’ summer exhibition at the Museum of Gloucester.

 

RESOLVED that the Year End Performance Report 2021/22 at Appendix 1 of the report is noted.

 

8.

Treasury Management Update - Annual Report 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 209 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources and Resources seeking Members to note treasury management activities for the period 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022, prudential indicators, interest rate forecasts and an overview of the financial year 2021-22.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the contents of the report are noted.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources and Resources that sought Members to note treasury management activities for the period 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022, prudential indicators, interest rate forecasts and an overview of the financial year 2021-22.

 

The Leader of the Council outlined the key features of the report and confirmed that there had been no further long-term borrowing over the period.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure thanked the Director of Policy and Resources and his team for producing a steady performance in difficult circumstances which had given him confidence for the future.

 

RESOLVED that the contents of the report are noted.

 

9.

Gloucester Local Development Plan pdf icon PDF 109 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

 

(1)       the revised Gloucester Local Development Scheme (Appendix 1 of the report) be adopted by the Council and takes effect immediately

 

(2)       the correction of any minor errors such as spelling, grammar, typographical and formatting changes that do not affect the substantive content of the plan be delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy that sought adoption of the Gloucester Local Development Scheme 2022 – 2024 (LDS), which updated the timetable for the preparation and adoption of the Gloucester City Plan and Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Joint Strategic Plan.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy summarised the report.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure reminded Members of the huge amount of work undertaken by the Planning Policy Manager and his team to progress the LDS.  He commented on the importance of getting the scheme right for the future regeneration of Gloucester and that people’s views were being considered.  The Leader of the Council thanked the Planning Policy Manager on behalf of Cabinet.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

 

(1)       the revised Gloucester Local Development Scheme (Appendix 1 of the report) be adopted by the Council and takes effect immediately

 

(2)       the correction of any minor errors such as spelling, grammar, typographical and formatting changes that do not affect the substantive content of the plan be delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy.

 

10.

Kings Quarter The Forum Phase 2 Approval pdf icon PDF 132 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council seeking Members to authorise officers to enter into a legally binding contract with the successfully tendered Hotel Operator and Car Park companies to deliver these elements of Phase 2 for the  Kings Quarter The Forum mixed use development. Additionally, to authorise them to enter into a building contract with E G Carter for the continued construction of the residential apartments on plot 3c in Market Parade.

 

Please note that Appendices A to D 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 A, B, C or D the Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before doing so.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)       the Head of Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, the Director of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor is authorised to complete the acquisition of the remaining property interests in Market Parade, plot 3c, and enter into a JCT Building Contract with the successfully tendered construction company E G Carter to implement the second phase of the residential apartments forming part of Kings Quarter The Forum as set out in Appendix C of the report

 

(2)    authority is delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Director of Policy and Resources and 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 Phase 2 Kings Quarter The Forum for the operation of the Hotel and Car Park together with the development of the residential apartments on plot 3c.         

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that sought Members to authorise officers to enter into a legally binding contract with the successfully tendered Hotel Operator and Car Park companies to deliver these elements of Phase 2 for the Kings Quarter The Forum mixed use development. Additionally, to authorise them to enter into a building contract with E G Carter for the continued construction of the residential apartments on plot 3c in Market Parade.

 

The Leader of the Council framed the background to the report, particularly highlighting the successful applications to the government’s Levelling Up Fund.  He described each recommendation in detail, emphasised the social value to be gained from the contracts and opportunity to regenerate what is the gateway to Gloucester.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy expressed her pleasure in the considerable interest shown by potential occupiers over Kings Quarter.  She informed Members of her own observations that the recently re-opened Kings Square was already bringing enjoyment and pride to people.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure confirmed that developers and others from outside the City were seeing great opportunities in what they considered to now be an exciting place.  He further commented that he considered that this regeneration would be a wonderful achievement of which residents will be proud long into the future.  The Leader of the Council relayed his experience of hearing reactions of amazement when conducting tours of the site.  He further noted that Kings Square was only the start of a wider regeneration that would continue to amaze.  The Leader of the Council thanked the Director of Policy and Resources, Head of Place and Regeneration Consultant – Place for their hard work.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)       the Head of Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, the Director of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor is authorised to complete the acquisition of the remaining property interests in Market Parade, plot 3c, and enter into a JCT Building Contract with the successfully tendered construction company E G Carter to implement the second phase of the residential apartments forming part of Kings Quarter The Forum as set out in Appendix C of the report

 

(2)    authority is delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Director of Policy and Resources and 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 Phase 2 Kings Quarter The Forum for the operation of the Hotel and Car Park together with the development of the residential apartments on plot 3c.