Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 16 November 2023.

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.

Item 9 will be debated and does not need to be reserved for discussion.

(a)       Call over (items 10-17) 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. Questions mays provided that questions do not contravene the provisions set out Council Procedure Rule 10(2).

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 19 January 2024 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

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)         Chairs of Committees

e)         Head of Paid Service

a)    Leader and Cabinet Members’ Question Time (45 minutes) 

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 Council’s summons 

·       A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities 

b)    Questions to Chairs of Meetings (15 Minutes) 

Questions and responses will be published at least 24 hours before the meeting. Supplementary questions will be put and answered during the meeting, subject to the relevant time limit.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment concerning the Council’s proposed response to a petition regarding Saintbridge Pond and Nature Reserve that has obtained in excess of 1,000 signatures, thus triggering a Council debate in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources recommending that from 1^st April 2025 council tax be increased for properties occupied only periodically and for empty homes.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking approval to retain the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2024/25.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy seeking approval from Council for the establishment of a Joint Committee to facilitate governance of the allocation of infrastructure funding from Community Infrastructure Levy receipts received by Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury.

To consider the report of the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel concerning the review of Members’ allowances and seeking a decision on an appropriate scheme for the payment of allowances in 2024-25.

To consider the report of the Head of Paid Service regarding various changes to the Council’s Constitution.

The consider the report of the Returning Officer concerning the recommendations from the compulsory Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places.

To consider the report of the Head of Paid Service regarding the designation of a Monitoring Officer for the Council.

To consider the report of the Policy and Governance Manager seeking approval for the Programme of Meetings, May 2024-April 2026.

1.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR CHAMBERS-DUBUS

“In 2021, across England and Wales the proportion of disabled people was 17.8% so in the drive for equality this council needs to make sure 17.8% of licenced taxis and private hire vehicles available during all operating hours are Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs).

Currently, whilst there are WAVs licensed by the council most only operate during daytime hours and many of those concentrate on providing specialist services to schools, colleges and other day time projects. This means that disabled people struggle and are often limited when needing a taxi to go shopping, get to work or go the railway station etc.

The situation in the evening and at weekends is worsened as there are very few taxis and operators prepared or available to take disabled people for a night out to the cinema, pub, restaurant, nightclub or simply to visit friends.

Whilst acknowledging the Councils licensing team are making changes to increase the number of WAVs, taxi and private hire operators need further encouragement to ensure that at least 17.8% are WAVs.

This council therefore resolves to:

·       Provide business rate discounts to taxi operators who can ensure 17.8% of their vehicles are WAVs and operate them at all times of the day.

·       Offer a registration rebate to operators who provide WAVs in the evenings and during weekends.

·       Provide free, quality disability awareness training to operators and drivers to enable them to safely transport disabled people.

·       Consider other incentives for operators.

·       Review and increase the percentage of WAVs available for public use, particularly during the evenings and at weekends.”

2.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR HUDSON

“This Councils notes;

A motion to this council on spiking in 2021 has helped progress the work by the Council and offers thanks to Gloucestershire Constabulary, GCC Licensing team, Nightsafe partners, and the individual licensed premises in Gloucester who have put extra measures in place to prevent and detect incidents of spiking in Gloucester.

The measures include drink testing kits, educational campaigns, the introduction of quiet areas for potential victims, spiking training, urine testing kits, and the successful street medic scheme who are medically trained to help those who may have been spiked and feel unwell.

This Councils supports the continuation and expansion of all these measures to ensure ALL licensed pubs, nightclubs and restaurants in Gloucester are aware of spiking and have provision to prevent and detect incidents in the day and night time economy including knowing how to support potential victims to get help and stay safe. 

The Council resolves:

·       To explore whether conditions on licenced premises can be included through the Council’s licencing regime whether voluntarily or mandatory to ensure venues have appropriate security and staff training in place to improve safety including the search for spiking paraphernalia and recognising signs that someone could be perpetrating this offence;

·       To commit to work with key stakeholders, particularly those in the night-time economy, to review existing practices in use and implement all possible safety options as a matter of urgency, including  ...  view the full agenda text for item 70.