Agenda item

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.

17.1    In relation to question 1, Councillor S. Chambers queried whether there was any other element Councillor Shervey’s employment, particularly in respect of the Gloucestershire Housing Partnership, which could cause a conflict of interest. The Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Shervey, advised that he had changed roles on 1^st May 2024. He noted that he was involved with the Joint Core Strategy for Tewkesbury Borough Council however this would fall under the Planning portfolio as opposed to Housing.

17.2    In respect of question 2, Councillor S. Chambers asked for an update as to when Ubico intended to introduce synergies around the Naas Lane area. Councillor Field stated that he intended to meet regularly with Ubico and confirmed that he was happy to take the matter forward in these discussions and report back to Councillor S. Chambers.

17.3    Referring to question 3, Councillor Pullen asked whether the Leader of the Council had changed his view on the future of Gloucestershire Airport and when a decision would be reached. Councillor Hilton replied that he had been clear that he felt a decision should not be made on Gloucestershire Airport until after the local elections. He advised that he, along with Councillors Wilson and Bowkett, had met with senior staff with the airport and that a meeting with the other shareholder was due to take place the following week to discuss the future position. He noted that any decision to sell the airport would need to be made in the best interest of the airport and tenants, that there were a number of options to consider, and that it was his hope that the Council would be in a position to make a decision by the end of August.

17.4    In relation to question 4, Councillor Pullen asked whether consideration had been given to using an empty retail premises in the Eastgate shopping centre for the customer services base rather than the Eastgate Management offices. The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Councillor Trimnell, noted that the new Eastgate location was central, closer to the bus station and had lift access. She advised that the customer services centre would be well signposted, would offer more face-to-face appointments and would also bring a cost saving to the Council.

17.5    In relation to question 5, Councillor A. Chambers asked why the delayed stated that the cyber incident should no longer be relied on as the reason why the 2022-23 accounts had not been published and asked why they had not published in advance of the local elections as previously promised. Councillor Wilson noted that he had only been responsible for the matter since the local elections and confirmed that the 2022-23 accounts would be published in September, that extra resource had been provided, and that he had asked Officers to clear the remaining backlog by the end of the financial year.

17.6    In respect of question 6, Councillor A. Chambers asked what the Council would do to recoup the costs associated with the closure of The Club at Tuffley. Councillor Wilson advised he was limited in what he could advise Members due to legal issues, however it was likely that the Council would investigate what went wrong in due course. He advised that the Council would recover as much of the costs as it could, and would ensure the terms and conditions in future leases were stronger.

17.7    In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Millard where she requested a review of the entry costs for the Tall Ships event, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Courtney, advised that ongoing post-event analysis was taking place, and that further work was underway across the whole cultural programme in the city to consider how events could be made accessible to people from all income levels.

17.8    Councillor O’Donnell referred to question 9 and asked for clarification as to the timeline for the new Open Spaces Strategy and whether work to progress the city-wide play strategy could be progressed sooner. Councillor Courtney referred to her written answer confirming that the new inclusive play strategy would be developed as part of the new Open Spaces Strategy. She confirmed that in the interim period, any new parks or play areas developed in the city would include elements of inclusivity. She further noted that new play areas would also include consultation with the community so that the Council could fully understand the needs of that community.

17.9    In response to a supplementary question from Councillor James on question 10 and whether a proposed weed spraying schedule could be shared with Members, Councillor Field reiterated that producing a formal schedule would be pointless as the service needed to adapt to the weather, however he was happy to confirm with Councillor James which areas of her ward had been treated and which were due to be treated. He further advised that the Council had invested in a HKO machine to rip weeds out at the root, which was a longer lasting solution and a more environmentally friendly way to address the problem, however it would take some time for the machine to clear the city.

17.10  In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Bell regarding question 11, Councillor Trimnell noted that there was a dire need nationally for access to medical facilities and suggested that she along with Councillor Bell write to the new Member of Parliament for Gloucester to express their concerns.

17.11  Councillor Marshall referred to question 12 and asked whether the Cabinet Member would commit to hiring more Enviro-Crime Officers and install more cameras in Barton and Tredworth to tackle fly tipping in the area. Councillor Field confirmed that he had had discussions with the City Centre Manager as to whether more Enviro-Crime Officers in-house and was awaiting his report back. Councillor Field noted that cameras could drive the problem elsewhere in the ward.

17.12  In respect of question 13, Councillor Gravells asked what lessons had been learnt from the closure of the Social Club at Tuffley Park. Councillor Wilson replied that when such leases expire, the Council needed to ensure that new leases were fit for purpose.

17.13  Referring to question 14, Councillor Chambers-Dubus asked how the Council would ensure that overflowing bins would be emptied promptly. Councillor Field noted that there was a distinction between receiving a report of an overflowing bin and a complaint, and that the issue would not necessarily be resolved by more bins. He noted that the Council was running an anti-litter campaign and that local primary school children had been involved with making anti-litter posters to display in local parks.

17.14  Councillor Lewis referred to question 16 and asked whether the Leader of the Council would agree that the Portfolio Advisory Member role should be scrutinised. Councillor Hilton stated that the Independent Renumeration Panel had considered the Portfolio Advisory Member position and that the purpose of the role was for the Member to provide input, challenge and ideas. Councillor Hilton advised that decisions would be made by the Cabinet Member, and therefore Members would need to question the Cabinet Member as the decision maker.

17.15  In relation to question 18, Councillor Patel asked why the Council could not produce a weed spraying schedule with a disclaimer regarding the weather limitations. Councillor Field referred to the information provided in his written answer. He noted that he was happy to provide Councillor Patel with a list of streets which had been treated and were due to receive treatment. He further advised that the new weeding machine would also improve the service.