Agenda and minutes
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Apologies Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Paul Hodgkinson.
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members and Officers, relating to items to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest from Members.
There were no declarations of interest from Officers.
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To approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting on 12 September 2023 were considered as presented.
Councillor Joe Harris proposed and Councillor Claire Bloomer seconded.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 September 2023 be approved as a correct record.
Voting Record*
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention/Did not vote
*Due to a technical error with the electronic voting, the casting of the votes for this item was done by a show of hands.
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Leader's Announcements Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader first thanked Mr Motivator for his Active Cotswold event in the Bingham Hall in Cirencester, and for the officers involved in organising it. It was noted as a positive example of a proactive event to support health and wellbeing which was attended by over 100 people.
The Leader also noted the increase in contact by concerned residents in regards to accident and emergency waiting times. It was noted that in August, over 6,000 people were waiting over 4 hours to be seen with only 57% of people being seen within 4 hours, which is below the target of 95%. The Leader highlighted that he would be writing to Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown, MP for The Cotswolds, and the Department for Health and Social Care to raise the concerns outlined in regards to National Health Services in Gloucestershire.
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Public Questions To deal with questions from the public within the open forum question and answer session of fifteen minutes in total. Questions from each member of the public should be no longer than one minute each and relate to issues under the Cabinet’s remit. At any one meeting no person may submit more than two questions and no more than two such questions may be asked on behalf of one organisation.
The Leader will ask whether any members of the public present at the meeting wish to ask a question and will decide on the order of questioners.
The response may take the form of: a) a direct oral answer; b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no public questions.
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Member Questions No Member Questions have been submitted prior to the publication of the agenda.
A Member of the Council may ask the Leader or a Cabinet Member a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Cotswold District. A maximum period of fifteen minutes shall be allowed at any such meeting for Member questions.
A Member may only ask a question if: a) the question has been delivered in writing or by electronic mail to the Chief Executive no later than 5.00 p.m. on the working day before the day of the meeting; or b) the question relates to an urgent matter, they have the consent of the Leader to whom the question is to be put and the content of the question is given to the Chief Executive by 9.30 a.m. on the day of the meeting.
An answer may take the form of: a) a direct oral answer; b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no member questions.
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Channel Choice and Telephone Access Purpose The purpose of this report, in light of a continuous decline in demand, is to propose reduced telephone access hours to the public. This will allow focus to shift to digital channels, where demand is increasing and make the Council more efficient.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: 1) Agree the reduced telephone access hours, on a trial basis, with effect from Monday 16th October 2023 for a period of six months, and 2) Receive a further report, detailing the findings and recommendations from the trial, to a Cabinet meeting early in May 2024. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report, in light of a continuous decline in demand, was to propose reduced telephone access hours to the public as a trial from Monday 16October 2023.
The Cabinet Member for Economy and Council Transformation introduced the report and outlined that it was an important decision in line with changes to customer interaction habits which had shifted towards online ‘self-serve’ options.
It was noted that new technology had provided the opportunity to move services online such as green waste licences which had seen a digital renewal rate of 90% last year.
It was also highlighted that it wasn’t just about change of technology, but also about reducing costs for the Council. It was highlighted that it was likely to save over £100,000 per year in costs, and provide additional capacity to other services such as licensing.
It was noted that the changes would allow a focus of resources on busier periods such as lunchtimes which should improve response times.
It was highlighted that emergency events such as homelessness would be covered by the teams at the Council to ensure those services can be provided.
It was highlighted by the Cabinet Member that the proportion of calls relating to Cotswold District Council for the year to date was 48.74%. This was confirmed by the Assistant Director for Resident Services.
The Leader noted the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which were added to the agenda. The Leader thanked Councillor Blomefield as Chair and the Committee for their diligent work.
The Deputy Leader as the Cabinet Member who attended Overview and Scrutiny Committee on behalf of Councillor Dale for this item addressed Cabinet. The following points raised by that Committee were addressed:
The Deputy Leader in seconding the proposal also reaffirmed that it was important to continually review services so that resources were used as effectively as possible.
It was highlighted by the Cabinet Member for Economy and Council Transformation that communications would be sent out through all channels to confirm the new arrangements to residents.
The Leader in summary noted that the in-person services at the Council offices would be maintained for those who needed assistance despite the changes made. However, it was highlighted that the changes would make the contact centre more efficient, and provide digital options to meet customer needs.
Councillor Tony Dale proposed ... view the full minutes text for item 179. |
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Schedule of Decisions taken by the Leader of the Council and/or Individual Cabinet Members At the time of publication, no decisions have been taken by the Leader of the Council and/or individual Cabinet Members since the last meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no decisions to note at this meeting.
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Issue(s) Arising from Overview and Scrutiny and/or Audit and Governance Additional documents: Minutes: There were no further issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny and/or Audit and Governance other than those presented in the meeting.
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