Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18 July 2024.

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 (item 9 only, as item 10 requires a nomination) will be read out at the meeting and Members invited to reserve the item 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 questions do not contravene the provisions set out Council Procedure Rule 10.01.

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 13 September 2024 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

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

The opportunity is given to members of the public to present a petition or deputation provided that any such petition or deputation does not contravene the provisions set out Council Procedure Rule 11.01.

To present a petition or deputation at this meeting, please provide the subject matter to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 13 September 2024 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

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 Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure providing an overview of the Leisure Services procurement outcome and seeking approval to make a capital investment in enhancement works at the facilities at GL1 and Oxstalls Indoor Tennis Centre.

Please note that Appendices B and C, which are marked TO FOLLOW, are exempt from disclosure to the press and public by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information). If Members wish to discuss Appendices B and C the Members will need to consider resolving to exclude the press and public before doing so.

To receive nominations for the vacant position of Director of Gloucestershire Airport.

1.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR A. CHAMBERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR BELL

“Councillor Hilton highlighted that he had previously raised concerns that the changes to the Council Procedure Rule 12 (Questions by Members) would place significant pressure on officers. He confirmed that he would not oppose the proposed changes and that he would support rotating the order of Members’ Questions, but it was only right that Group Leaders were advised of the revised order beforehand. Councillor Hilton expressed the view that it was a shame that the Cabinet had abandoned questions without notice, and that any future Lib Dem administration will reinstate this facility.”

Gloucester City Council to agree a motion to take to General Purposes Committee the proposal to reinstate the practice of allowing off-the-cuff questions during council meetings, as opposed to pre-written questions. This move is aimed at promoting a more dynamic and democratic process by enabling real-time engagement and spontaneity in discussions. The motion is part of broader efforts by the council to enhance transparency and public participation in local debate and politics.

It will also free up city councillor officers time and allow them to concentrate on their duties. General Purposes can therefore look to vote in the constitutional changes, which if successful will enable this original council procedure to be reinstated.”

2.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR A. CHAMBERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR O’DONNELL

“Gloucester Naas Lane Farm site known as Kingsway now, was requisitioned for the location of the new National Filling Factory Number Five by way of land acquired by compulsory purchase.

The site was first occupied in 1914. It closed as an independent RAF unit on 13 February 1995.

As of 1915 part of the site was the No 5 National Filling Factory which supplied ammunition during the First World War. At one point 6364 people, the majoirty, mainly women, were employed at the site. 

The factory produced over 10.5 million 14" and 16" shells, 7 million cartridges and 23 million fuses and other components. The site also included a horse convalescence unit.

The workforce, predominantly women filled millions of shells and cartridges at the factory before operations ceased when the armistice with Germany was signed in November 1918.

The women workers were known locally as canaries, because many suffered toxic jaundice caused by the phosphorous used in manufacture. This turned their skin yellow and caused the premature death of untold numbers.

The buildings were demolished between 1924 and 1926.

This motion is to investigate the financial viability of a proposed statue. To realise funding through external bodies such as the National Lottery, Arts Council and other grant facilities so that costs are not a burden of the Gloucester Tax Payer. The financial statue investigation report will be provided to City Council Cabinet showing what estimated costs would be as well as what grants were available to erect an statue to commemorate the 6364 people, mainly women, who were employed at the site and subsequently lost their lives as a result of protecting  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.