Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th September 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th September 2022 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. A question may be rejected if it:

(i)         Is not about a matter for which the local authority has responsibility or influence; or

(ii)        Is illegal, improper, defamatory, frivolous or offensive; or

(iii)    Is substantially the same as a question which has been put at a meeting of the Council, Cabinet or Committee in the past 6 months; or

(iv)   Requires the disclosure of confidential or exempt information; or

(v)    Is related to confidential staffing matters; or

(vi)   Is relating to the personal affairs or conduct of individual Members or Officers.

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 7^th October 2022 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

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

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 7^th October 2022. 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 or Cabinet Members.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the Council’s approach to the enforcement of environmental crime within Gloucester.

RESOLVED that the actions being taken to prevent or reduce the environmental crime within the City of Gloucester are noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that updated Members on the Council’s approach to the enforcement of environmental crime within Gloucester.

The Cabinet Member for Environment outlined the background to the report.  He referred to education and prevention as well as the enforcement elements.  The Cabinet Member for Environment noted that whereas 966 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued in 2021, 740 have been given out so far in 2022 demonstrating that in his opinion an effective job was being done.  He advised that council officers complemented 3GS to cover more areas including dog fouling where he was pleased to see action being taken and warnings issued.  The Cabinet Member for Environment drew Members’ attention to the appointment of a co-ordinator (3.4.1) and the benefit of teams working together as they had when over 2,000 households across Barton and Tredworth were engaged with in July 2022 as part of a project educating residents on waste management (3.3.3-4).

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members that he was impressed with the dedication and passion demonstrated by the enforcement officers.  He commented on the importance of a clean city to attracting visitors and that people should expect a fine if they made a mess.  The Cabinet Member for Environment advised that the £1 million spent tackling litter each year would be better used elsewhere if those problems did not exist.  He noted that fines in themselves educated people and that most residents supported the policy.

RESOLVED that the actions being taken to prevent or reduce the environmental crime within the City of Gloucester are noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods seeking to provide an update 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 work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant is endorsed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that sought to provide an update 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 Communities and Neighbourhoods highlighted the key features of the report and aims of the Covenant.  He reminded Members that the council had received the Bronze Defence Employer Recognition Award having met its criteria (3.20).  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods further advised them that the council intended to apply for the Silver Award next year and continue its active participation in the county-wide Armed Forces Partnership which had recently opened the Armed Forces Hub in the city centre.  He stressed the importance of Gloucester City Council remaining committed to the Covenant.

The Cabinet Member for Environment expressed his own pleasure at the range of measures undertaken to support former and serving members of the armed forces and facilitating their access to council services (Appendix 1).  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members that he had seen first-hand the real benefits of offering support.  He recommended the principle that those who served should receive service in return as a matter of course.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy commented on what she considered to be great work being done in the council to support individuals and their families, not least with the dedicated elements of the Homeseeker Plus Partnership.

RESOLVED that work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant is endorsed.