Agenda and minutes

To note the result of the Longlevens By-Election on 3 November 2016 as set out below:

Clive Walford          (Conservative)

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 29 September 2016 and the Special Council Meeting held on 24 October 2016.

A period not exceeding three minutes is allowed for the presentation of a petition or deputation 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

To receive announcements from:

a)        The Mayor

b)        Leader of the Council

c)        Members of the Cabinet

d)        Chair of Committees

e)        Head of Paid Service

a)         Leader and Cabinet Members’ Question Time (30 minutes)

        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 Council’s summons

·       A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities

        Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.

c)     Questions to Chairs of Meetings (15 Minutes)

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning seeking approval to publish the Draft Gloucester City Plan for a six-week period of public consultation.

To consider the report of the Chair of the General Purposes Committee concerning amendments to the Constitution.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director concerning the appointment of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

To consider the report of the Head of Finance outlining options for the appointment of the Council’s External Auditor for the 2018/19 statement of accounts.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources concerning the annual review of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Procedural Guide.

(1)  Moved by Councillor Lugg

“Gloucester City Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our city.

Gloucester City Council notes that;

·        33 pharmacies in Gloucester offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care

·       pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more

·       several local pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) status recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population

Gloucester City Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170m nationally to take effect from October 2016. This is a 6% cut in cash terms but could effectively mean a cut of 12% during the financial year which could potentially close up to a quarter of pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and online services. Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of carers and funders.

Gloucester City Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and the Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group and the City MP detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.”

(2)  Moved by Councillor Pullen

“This Council believes that those who live in our City have a right to a decent, safe and secure home in which to live.

There is clear evidence that there are people in some parts of Gloucester living in rented accommodation which is substandard, dangerous and unsafe. These people are victims of irresponsible landlords who exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our city.

In order to improve standards in the private rented sector this council resolves to recommend that the Cabinet introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords in parts of the city where the quality of private rented accommodation falls below an acceptable level. Such a scheme will set an acceptable standard, improve living conditions and ensure that landlords provide decent, safe and secure housing conditions for people to live in.”

(3)  Moved by Councillor Haigh

“This Council notes that a benefit cap of £20k pa was introduced on 7^th Nov and affects around 276 families in the City.

Discretionary Housing Payments funding is given to the Council to support people affected by changes to welfare benefits that mean they struggle to pay rent. This allocation last year was £185753 and was underspent by £43476.58.

The payment to the Council is based on Government assessment of need in the City. The underspend indicates that not all those who have an entitlement are being sufficiently advised of the scheme.

This Council resolves to:

a.        Contact all local welfare advice organisations, money  ...  view the full agenda text for item 50.

Written questions and answers.  Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.