Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd May 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd May 2023 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 9^th June 2023 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

A member of the public representing Gloucestershire Catch the Bus Campaign referred to the written questions submitted as below. The Leader of the Council advised him that the answers would appear in the minutes as below. 

Regarding question 1 the Leader of the Council emphasised that to avoid a breach of contract, the existing lease had to expire before a new arrangement could be made.  In relation to question 5 the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods advised that the public should report issues to the City Protection Officers during usual office hours or the police at other times.

(1)       What progress is being made on reopening the Gloucester Transport Hub café  and kiosk since the issue was addressed at Cabinet on 6^th April 2022 (Minute 108)?

Leader of the Council’s Response: Both the Transport Hub café and kiosk are leased to operators. As neither are trading at present, officers are in discussions with both leaseholders with a view to ensuring these facilities are reopened at the earliest opportunity.

(2)       What progress is being made to put back combined bus, railway and National Express coach departure displays at Gloucester Transport Hub?

Leader of the Council’s Response: Whilst the Council has provided facilities to enable the display of information to Transport Hub users, it is for the operators (not the Council) to provide the relevant information. Gloucestershire County Council have overall responsibility for display content.

(3)       The roof is leaking in the Transport Hub near the National Express coach bay, what progress is being made to repair the leaks?

Leader of the Council’s Response: The Transport Hub gutters were blocked causing overflow into the Hub itself. Work has been instructed to clear the gutters which should prevent further leaks, as well as an enhanced maintenance schedule being put in place to prevent this happening again.

(4)       Concerning the Transport Hub toilets, whilst disabled passengers have radar keys it appears that we need extra emergency keys to held in the bus and station?

Leader of the Council’s Response: I understand that additional keys are held at the bus station for emergencies.

(5)       What work is going on to make sure more patrols in the evening are carried out by the city marshals and Gloucestershire police to deal with anti-social behaviour issues and graffiti around the city bus shelters and infrastructure?

Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods’ Response: Gloucester operates the partnership Street Aware model which incorporates the Council, Solace, Police, CitySafe/CPOs as well as other partners as needed.

The City Protection Officers (CPOs) work until 6pm on a weekday and 10pm on a Friday & Saturday, and they patrol the City throughout their shifts. CPOs are often the first responders in reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and they play an integral role in our Street Aware process by intervening and addressing ASB where they can, and sharing evidence for further action against perpetrators where required. Currently the Council, ASB Team, Solace, are working with County Highways to address issues at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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 9^th June 2023. 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 Hilton queried whether the Cabinet Member was troubled by the 18-month gap between the data breach and its announcement to the public.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reiterated that this derived from adherence to the advice of specialist agencies and other councils who had experienced similar incidents.

In respect of question 6 Councillor Hilton noted that the Council had been fined in 2017 for a data breach in 2014.  He asked how confident the Cabinet Member was that there would be no fine for the 2021 breach and that the costs for the cyber-incident would not rise over £1 million.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources confirmed that there had been no increase to the cost of the cyber-incident.  She advised that she could not predetermine the decision of Information Commissioner’s Office but that the Council had been transparent and complied with them throughout the whole process.

In respect of question 7 Councillor Hilton queried why the Russian origin of the group responsible for the cyber incident had been denied before the announcement of 7^th June 2023.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noted that the Russian origin of the group had never been denied and that the Council had followed the advice of law enforcement agencies regarding disclosure from the beginning of the process.

In respect of question 8 Councillor Field sought further detail on progress made with the Gloucester City Homes senior management team.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy stated that conversations were ongoing with a meeting this week.

In respect of question 9 Councillor Field enquired if the commercial elements of the regeneration plans would be discarded should construction cost inflation jeopardise the schemes.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy commented that it would be wrong to speculate on hypothetical scenarios.

In respect of question 15 Councillor Wilson asked if his understanding was correct that the H-Drive had been intended only for officer’s personal working documents.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources responded that this was her understanding too and asked the Managing Director for clarification.  The Managing Director advised that although this was the case, at the time of the cyber incident some staff, having received unclear guidance, had documents on the H-Drive that should have been on a shared drive.  He reassured Members that clearer guidance was being developed.

In respect of question 16 Councillor Wilson sought clarification on when the investigation report would be shared with Members.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources commented that a timeline was not ready yet as a key officer at the time had since retired but she reassured Members that a timeline would be available within a month.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources further advised that there would probably be a report for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, focused on the experience of the public, and one for the Audit and Governance Committee with an emphasis on internal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council providing an update on the delivery of the activities as outlined in the Council Plan 2022-2024 intended to build a greener, fairer, better Gloucester.

RESOLVED that progress on delivery of the Council Plan 2022-2024 is noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that provided an update on the delivery of the activities as outlined in the Council Plan 2022-2024 intended to build a greener, fairer, better Gloucester.

The Leader of the Council outlined the priorities driving the Plan (3.2) and highlighted some of the most significant achievements (3.5).  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reminded Members that the report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (5^th June 2023 Minute 10) without recommendations for Cabinet.

RESOLVED that progress on delivery of the Council Plan 2022-2024 is noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking the adoption of a policy to establish a framework and a process that would enable assets to be transferred to community organisations where appropriate.

RESOLVED that the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Policy is adopted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought the adoption of a policy to establish a framework and a process that would enable assets to be transferred to community organisations where appropriate.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources advised Members that the proposed policy would both protect assets and benefit communities.  She stated that it had been discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (5^th June 2023 Minute 9) and received a positive response.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure commented that the policy would be a further way of both engaging with, and empowering the public.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that it was in keeping with the administration’s commitment to support community groups and benefit residents.  The Cabinet Member for Environment informed Members that he was keen to have in place a consistent policy in place for all and that he looked forward to his forthcoming meeting with Gloucestershire Music Academy to secure the future of Barbican House in this context.

RESOLVED that the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Policy is adopted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources and Resources seeking Members to note treasury management activities for the period 1^st October 2022 to 31^st March 2023, prudential indicators, interest rate forecasts and an overview of the financial year 2022-23.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report are noted.   

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought Members to note treasury management activities for the period 1^st October 2022 to 31^st March 2023, prudential indicators, interest rate forecasts and an overview of the financial year 2022-23.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources confirmed that there had been no new borrowing in the relevant period and that the Council had operated within the limits of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (Council 24^th March 2022 Minute 94).

RESOLVED that the contents of the report are noted.   

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure presenting the 2023-2028 Blackfriars Priory Business Plan and seeking support to enter the next lease agreement with English Heritage.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the interim Head of Finance and Resources and Head of Culture, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Culture, are delegated to enter into negotiations for a new lease agreement with English Heritage

(2)       the aims of the business plan and continuation of Cabinet as an advocate for the Blackfriars programme are endorsed

(3)       a continued financial contribution by the authority for the next 5 years to develop Blackfriars Priory is committed to.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that presented the 2023-2028 Blackfriars Priory Business Plan and sought support to enter the next lease agreement with English Heritage.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure advised Members that he was confident that proposed plan (Appendix 1) and 25-year lease (10.4-5) would build on existing achievements which included receiving national recognition as an outstanding wedding venue, education facility and historic building.  He took the opportunity to place on record his appreciation for the Blackfriars Team who were responsible for recent accomplishments.

The Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed that he had observed the enthusiasm of that team for himself. The Cabinet Member for Environment further commented that the site needed to make money and that he expected it to do so with the proposed plan.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the interim Head of Finance and Resources and Head of Culture, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Culture, are delegated to enter into negotiations for a new lease agreement with English Heritage

(2)       the aims of the business plan and continuation of Cabinet as an advocate for the Blackfriars programme are endorsed

(3)       a continued financial contribution by the authority for the next 5 years to develop Blackfriars Priory is committed to.