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.
To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by Friday 1st April 2022 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.
Minutes:
The Democratic and Electoral Services Officer read the following question on behalf of a member of the public who was unable to attend in person.
The city centre is where we need a clear and obvious statement of support for Ukraine. Although a Ukrainian flag is being flown at the North Warehouse this is out of the way and that at the Shire Hall does not draw the eye and represents the county. I would like to ask why the City has not hung flags or banners in the city to keep the current conflict in the public consciousness and encourage residents to continue making their own contributions in whatever form they are able?
The Leader of the Council thanked the member of the public and advised him that there was a third flag flying in a more central location at the Gloucester Guildhall. He further informed him that the demonstration of the newly installed lighting and fountains in Kings Square had used the national colours of Ukraine and he anticipated they would do so again in future performances. The Leader of the Council expressed confidence that media coverage continued to give the conflict a high public profile.
The Leader of the Council commented on a suggestion previously received for bunting to be displayed in the streets but stated that he felt this would not be appropriate given the gravity of the situation in the Ukraine. He highlighted the resolution of the Council made on the day armed conflict began (24 February 2022 minute 84.5) to condemn Russian aggression, support the people of Ukraine and to write to the relevant ambassadors. The Leader of the Council took the opportunity to inform Members that he considered certain councillors and residents to be doing an amazing job gathering and delivering aid to the people of Ukraine.
A member of the public representing Gloucestershire Catch The Bus Campaign referred to the written questions submitted as below. The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources expressed her gratitude for bringing these matters to her attention and advised him that the answers would appear in the minutes as below. She further reassured him that the issues in question would be raised with the relevant highway authority whom the City Council would lobby on his behalf, but advised him also to submit these questions to the County Council directly.
(1) Gloucester Transport Hub is one of the best bus and coach stations in South West England. What progress is being made by the City Council, as its owner, to improve the cleaning of the ceilings and interior and to make sure all departures are displayed, especially given that more services will be calling from April 2022?
Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources Response: Thank you for this insightful question. The City Council owns the Gloucester Transport Hub to facilitate the transport services. However, the services in question are the responsibility of, and organised by, the Integrated Transport Unit of the County Council, including all the bus timetable and real time information displays. Therefore I cannot answer your questions in that regard to those services but the County Council should be able to assist. Where we can work with the County Council to make physical improvements, we will continue to do so.
Stagecoach, who are the main occupiers of the Gloucester Transport Hub undertake the cleaning, as they are present daily and can best deliver the cleaning requirements. The Council meets the cost of the cleaning provision and it is one of the most comprehensive cleaning services we are involved in. 'High cleans' for ceilings will occur less often as they involve the use of specialist equipment which also requires the Transport Hub to be closed to the public. This is the first time that the cleaning of the Transport Hub bus station has been raised, and I will forward your comments to Stagecoach.
(2) In view of the ownership of the Gloucester Transport Hub being managed by Gloucester City Council, what progress is being made to bring back the cafe and to relet the kiosk, and is Tesco PLC blocking the reopening of these important passenger facilities with their remaining lease on the adjacent site?
Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources Response: Although owned by the City Council the Gloucester Transport Hub is managed by Stagecoach. COVID-19 affected many businesses detrimentally, and the Cafe and Kiosk fell into this category. Unfortunately matters must formally run their course before we are legally able to relet these spaces. On a positive note interest has been expressed in both of these opportunities. As soon as we can, we will progress with a marketing campaign to ensure these spaces are bought back into use. Tesco is not causing us any issue in this regard.
(3) What discussions are taking place under the Gloucestershire Bus Service Improvement Plan and the Enhanced Quality Partnership with Gloucestershire County Council (the transport authority) and service providers on marketing campaigns to get passengers back onto public transport considering reductions in bus service recovery and railway grants from the Department of Transport?
Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources Response: This is a matter for the County Council however my fellow Cabinet Members and I are keen to promote green travel options, including public transport. The annual review of initiatives in the City Council Green Travel Plan is due to be considered by Cabinet in July.
(4) With more bus and coach services using Gloucester Transport Hub there is a need to look at safety of passengers walking on the runway and signage on the automatic doors and also the bollards and kerbs as their positioning makes use of the automatic bus access ramps difficult for buggy and wheelchair users. Are these issues being looked at?
Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources Response: Thank you for raising this matter. Public safety and the accessibility of services to all users are of prime importance to us. I shall raise these concerns with Stagecoach who operate the Transport Hub.
(5) What progress is being made on clear way-finder signage from the railway station to the Transport Hub and bus and coach service information displays at the former in view of the importance of the Transport Hub to integrated transport within the city and county?
Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources Response: Once again these are in the County Council’s control, through either County Highways (street signage) or the Integrated Transport Unit, however we can flag these issues with them. We are happy to continue to work with the County Council to continue to help facilitate the services delivered and make improvements where we are able.