Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th October 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th October 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 4^th November 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 4^th November 2022. 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 1 Councillor Hilton asked whether Members of the Planning Committee had a role in forming the officers’ response to this application as he believed Members’ advice was sometimes sought in such cases.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy noted that it had been a delegated matter and not unusual to her knowledge.  The Head of Place reminded Members that Gloucester was not the determining authority on this occasion and that the considerations were highly technical in nature.

In respect of question 4 Councillor Hilton sought clarification of measures being taken to encourage officers to live closer to the city and so reduce its carbon footprint.  The Cabinet Member for Environment observed how information technology had reduced his own need to travel for work since COVID-19.  He stated that an Agile Working Policy and improved communication tools were in place to enable officers to spend less time travelling.  The Cabinet Member for Environment further noted that certain officers living outside of the County had nevertheless been present in person whenever necessary.

In respect of question 5 Councillor Hilton enquired if it would be more productive for the Council if a wider pool of candidates was attracted by relocation expenses for important roles requiring expertise.  The Cabinet Member for Environment noted his own experience in the private sector where such expenses were only offered for international relocation.  He commented that Gloucester’s practice was not unusual in the public sector and that although expenses might be welcomed by potential candidates, the money would have to come from somewhere.

In respect of question 6 Councillor Hilton asked whether the Enforcement Officer needed to live close by to attend sites and take the necessary immediate action when required.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy responded that this post had been discussed in detail at the Planning Policy Members’ Working Group and that it is part of a team including officers who are able to be on-site immediately and capable of taking the required actions.  She commented that it was right not to restrict the supply of qualified candidates for such a critical post.

In respect of question 7 Councillor Hilton requested a full list of the open enforcement cases indicating where each was in the process towards completion.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy confirmed that a list would be supplied to him on condition that the confidential elements remain confidential.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources informing Members of the final Council position against agreed budgets for the 2021/22 financial year and seeking them to note the final outturn position and approve movement to and from earmarked revenue reserves.

RESOLVED that:

              (1)               it is noted that the:

                                 i.       year-end position for the financial year 2021/22 is a decrease to the General Fund balance of £252k against a budgeted increase of £129k.

                                ii.       General Fund balance has decreased from £1.379m to £1.127m at the end of 2021/22

                              iii.       level of earmarked reserves has decreased by £6.407m to £7.413m, with a release of £6.119m from the Section 31 Grant Repayment Reserve created in 2020/21 because of the Covid-19 pandemic

                              iv.       financial implications of Covid-19 and the gradual economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic during 2021/22 on the Council year end position

                                 v.      estimated nature of some of the figures included in this report because of the cyber incident in December 2021

                    (2)         the transfers to and from earmarked reserves as detailed in the table in section 6 of the report are approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that informed Members of the final Council position against agreed budgets for the 2021/22 financial year and sought them to note the final outturn position and approve movement to and from earmarked revenue reserves.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted the key features of the report and placed them in the context of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the cyber incident of December 2021.  She outlined the position within her own portfolio including the overspend against the IT budget due to the latter incident (5.4, 5.6).  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reminded Members that this had been much reduced, including by grant funding, and thanked the IT Team for their achievement.  She further expressed gratitude to the entire Finance Team for developing systems to work around the impact of the cyber incident.  The Leader of the Council reiterated the thanks for the Finance Team.

RESOLVED that:

              (1)               it is noted that the:

                                 i.       year-end position for the financial year 2021/22 is a decrease to the General Fund balance of £252k against a budgeted increase of £129k.

                                ii.       General Fund balance has decreased from £1.379m to £1.127m at the end of 2021/22

                              iii.       level of earmarked reserves has decreased by £6.407m to £7.413m, with a release of £6.119m from the Section 31 Grant Repayment Reserve created in 2020/21 because of the Covid-19 pandemic

                              iv.       financial implications of Covid-19 and the gradual economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic during 2021/22 on the Council year end position

                                 v.      estimated nature of some of the figures included in this report because of the cyber incident in December 2021

                    (2)         the transfers to and from earmarked reserves as detailed in the table in section 6 of the report are approved.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment providing Members with oversight of the Gloucester City Council Green Travel Plan.

RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in paragraph 7 of the report are adopted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that provided Members with oversight of the Gloucester City Council Green Travel Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Environment summarised the background to the report and findings of the travel survey.  He drew Members’ attention to the detailed recommendations (7.1-15) and advised them that although there were no immediate legal implications arising from the report, officers would liaise with One Legal where necessary.

RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in paragraph 7 of the report are adopted.

To report to Cabinet on the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

RESOLVED that the annual update on the use of RIPA powers is noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet member for Performance and Resources that reported to Members on the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources introduced the report and confirmed that the powers had not been used.

RESOLVED that the annual update on the use of RIPA powers is noted.