Agenda and minutes

To note the result of the Longlevens By-Election on 4 November 2021 as set out below:

Sarah Sawyer (Liberal Democrat)

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 23 September 2021.

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.

(a)       Call over (items 10, 11 and 16) will be read out at the meeting and Members invited to reserve the items for discussion.

(b)       To approve the recommendations of those reports which have not been reserved for discussion.

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.

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 Head of Communities concerning the revised draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles.

To consider the report of the Head of Paid Service concerning proposed changes to the council’s Constitution.

To receive the report of the Head of Paid Service concerning a review of political balance following the Longlevens by-election and changes to various committee appointments.

1.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR PULLEN

“For many years Gloucester has been home to a wide and diverse community with people from many nationalities, faiths and cultures living in the city.

The city has been pleased to offer homes to people from all backgrounds and has strived to be a welcoming and friendly place.      

Gloucester recognises the contribution that people from diverse cultures and faiths make to the city and values the positive part they play. 

Gloucester is committed to welcoming asylum seekers, refugees and those fleeing violence and conflict.

This council therefore wishes for the good work that is already in place to be further developed and recognised by supporting Gloucester to become a City of Sanctuary.

Whilst there are many aspects of good practice in place there is still a process to go through to ensure that the whole city fully understands and meets the City of Sanctuary framework. Specifically, this would include:

·       Continuing to develop a culture of welcome, respect and hospitality for people from all backgrounds and particularly for those seeking sanctuary.

·       Valuing the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to the city.

·       Developing a plan to work towards greater inclusion and equality for people seeking sanctuary.

·       Creating greater public awareness of the needs and issues faced by those seeking sanctuary across the whole city, through a range of initiatives, projects and activities.

Council resolves:

1.    To seek recognition as a City of Sanctuary.

2.    To sign up to the City of Sanctuary Charter and its principles and values.

3.    Join the City of Sanctuary local authority network.

4.    To set up a task and finish group to oversee the process working in partnership with key partners and community groups to establish a timetable and action plan for achieving City of Sanctuary status.

5.    That an initial report be bought to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity outlining the actions needed to obtain City of Sanctuary designation.”

2.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR HYMAN

“This Council supports the Government in its commitment to abolish conversion therapy. It notes the consultation period which ends on 10th December and requests the Managing Director to complete the online consultation form on behalf of the City Council (https://equalityhub.citizenspace.com/government-equalities-office/banning-conversion-therapy/). Abolishing conversion therapy would help the work of support groups.

Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no actual evidence that sexual orientation can be changed and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and potentially harmful.

This Council considers, therefore, conversion therapy to be a barbaric outdated practice which has caused immeasurable harm to many both physically and mentally. It has no place in a civilised society.

Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 places a public sector equality duty on the council to eliminate harassment and victimisation and to foster good relations between persons who share or don’t share a protected characteristic.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 52.

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

To RESOLVE:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public are present during consideration of this item there will be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

Agenda Item No.               Description of Exempt Information

16                                     Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council concerning Gloucestershire Airport Limited (GAL).