Minutes:
59.1 The Chair introduced the latest version of the Council Forward Plan and suggested that the Committee examine the Gloucester City Monuments Review in January 2022. The Committee agreed to add this item to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme. In response to a question from Councillor A. Chambers regarding what would happen to monuments where connections with trafficking of enslaved African people had been identified, the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources confirmed that the report would include suggestions and noted that it might not be a one size fits all approach. She noted her view that it was a good thing that the Race Relations Review and Monuments Review were separate pieces of work so that each could be given appropriate consideration.
59.2 Councillor Hilton noted that the Forum Phase 2 Approval and Appointment of Main Contractor report was no longer being considered by full Council and asked for an explanation as to why this was the case. The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noted that the Council had recently received advice from One Legal which confirmed that this was a decision which could be made by Cabinet and that it did not need the approval of main Council. She noted that if Members had any questions which they would like to put to Cabinet on this item, they were welcome to submit a written question in line with the recent changes to the Council Procedure Rules, and could also attend the Cabinet meeting in person if they had a supplementary question.
59.3 Following a request from the Chair to expand on the new question process for the benefit of new Members, the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources confirmed that following the recent constitutional changes to the Procedure Rules, there was now a requirement to provide notice of questions three clear working days in advance of Cabinet meetings. She explained that if Members wanted to ask questions, they could put them in writing to Democratic Services ahead of this deadline.
59.4 The Chair asked whether the Committee would like to consider the Festival and Events Programme and it was agreed that this item would be added to the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for the meeting on 31st January 2022.
59.5 Councillor Dee asked whether the Overview and Scrutiny Committee needed to consider the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Model Design Code. The Chair expressed the view that due to the technical nature of the report, this might be more of a planning matter and it was agreed that the Committee could revisit the item at a later date if necessary.
59.6 In response to a query from Councillor A. Chambers regarding the Armed Forces Community Covenant, the Chair confirmed that the Committee had already considered the 2021 report back in October and if Councillor A. Chambers had any specific questions, he could approach Councillor Lewis as the Member Armed Forces Champion.
59.7 In response to a further question from Councillor A. Chambers on the Temporary Negotiated Stopping Places Report, the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noted that there were no plans for bringing this particular item forward following initial discussions and that it was very likely that it would be dropped from the Forward Plan in due course.
RESOLVED –
1) That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be amended to reflect the above and
2) To NOTE the Work Programme.