Agenda item

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council presenting the draft Council Plan 2022-24 for approval.

63.1      Councillor Cook proposed and Councillor Norman seconded the motion to adopt the Council Plan. Councillor Cook outlined the priorities in the plan and advised that lengthy discussions had taken place at both the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet. He brought to Members’ attention the specific actions in the plan and that these would be the means by which success would be measured.

63.2      Councillor Hilton proposed and Councillor Wilson seconded the following amendment:

Add the following Actions/Measures to the Council Plan:

·        Identify the current level of air-pollution across the city. Comparing the air pollution of today, during the Covid-19 lockdowns and pre-pandemic. Prepare an action plan to improve air quality across the city and especially in the air-pollution hotspots, to be approved by elected members.

·        Install webcasting system, by the end of 2022, in the council chamber so that council and committee meetings can be recorded, posted and viewed online. Bringing Gloucester City Council in line with other councils that already webcast their meetings.

·        Complete the housing stock survey by the end of the 2022/23 council year, to provide up to date evidence to allow elected members to revise housing and planning policies to deliver balanced communities.

63.3       Councillor Norman, with regards to webcasting, stated it was the intention to introduce it but given some product limitations it was necessary to be flexible on any time frame.

63.4      Councillor Pullen expressed his support for the amendment

63.5      The amendment was put to the vote and was lost.

63.6      With regard to the Council Plan as presented, Councillor Pullen expressed the view that 67 responses appeared a low number and that the Council needed to consider how it conducted consultations. He thanked officers who had evidently worked very hard in putting the plan together.

63.7      Councillor Hilton noted that the aim to maintain a minimum recycling level of 45% was unambitious and gave examples of areas where the rates were significantly higher. Councillor Cook advised that 45% was reasonably good for an urban district and citied the fact that Exeter had a much lower rate.

63.8      RESOLVED that:- The Council Plan 2022-24 be approved.