Agenda and minutes
PDF 88 KBVenue: Online meeting
Contact: Democratic Services
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Mark Annett and Mark Harris. |
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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. Minutes: Councillor Tony Berry declared an interest, as he was currently the Interim Chair of the Friends of the Corinium Museum. |
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Minutes - 24 February 2021 To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 24 February 2021. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 24 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.
Record of Voting – for 30, against 0, abstentions 0, absent 4.
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Announcements from the Chair, Leader or Chief Executive Minutes: The Leader thanked everyone in the NHS and all volunteers, for their hard work in making the vaccination programme a success.
He thanked Val Brassington, for her service to the Council in Development Management over 35 years and wished her well in her retirement.
He also thanked Christine Gore, who was retiring from her role as Executive Director. Whilst in her role as Interim Chief Executive, the advice, hard work and dedication had been evident and well received, particularly in a difficult year, throughout the Pandemic.
He announced that the new Cabinet Support Officer had been appointed.
There were no announcements from the Chair or Chief Executive.
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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 two minutes each and relate to issues under the Council’s or Committee’s remit. Any member of the public wishing to ask a public question is requested to contact Democratic Services by no later than 5.00pm the working day before the meeting. Minutes: A record of public questions and answers are available in the schedule attached to these minutes. Questions were asked by Rebecca Halifax and David Fowles to Councillor Joe Harris, Leader of the Council, Rob Gibson to Councillor Jenny Forde, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Tim Gilling to Councillor Webster, Cabinet Member for the Planning Department and Town and Parish Councils. |
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The following questions have been submitted:
Question from Councillor Nikki Ind to Councillor Rachel Coxcoon, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Forward Planning
‘In addressing the Climate Emergency, Health & Wellbeing of residents and Economic Development in our District and following the pandemic, where it has become clear that the people best placed to make decisions regarding their Town/Parish are those living there, could I please ask the following:
When infrastructure is being planned for installation throughout the District, will there be a formal system to engage with the Town/Parish, to allow a structured approach, addressing any local issues – initially I am thinking of Electric Charging Points.
Whilst I appreciate that there is a procurement system with approved providers, is there a system to allow for local companies, currently not on the approved list of providers, to be considered for such tenders. If not, would the Administration consider supporting local businesses in the supply of services to the District Council.’
Question from Councillor Nikki Ind to Councillor Lisa Spivey, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness
‘When working in partnership with Bromford Housing and other Housing Association providers in the District, regarding the advancement in technology now available to the Social Housing sector, would the Administration consider making an allocation of grant funding for such schemes? I am thinking specifically of remote tools, which I understand are currently being used by some in the Social Housing sector, these allow the efficient checking of a property’s condition and performance, combating mould and disrepair and therefore improving housing conditions. I have recently been looking into one such product, where the results reported include - more effective engagement with residents using digital tools, empowering them to reduce their energy consumption and ensuring that homes are compliant. Such technology could have an impact on not only the Health & Wellbeing of residents but could also play a part in the Climate Strategy work being undertaken by the Council.’
Question from Councillor Tony Berry to Councillor Joe Harris, Leader of the Council
‘At our meeting in July 2020 , I was informed that solar panels were not being considered for our Trinity Road premises because the overall use of this site was being reviewed.
Please could you tell me :
1.If this review has been completed ? 2. If not, when is it's future likely to be decided? 3. How much money has been spent on the Reception Area and any other parts of the property since July 2020?’
Question from Councillor Julian Beale to Councillor Tony Dale, Cabinet Member for the Economy and Skills
‘In correspondence on February 3rd relating to the payment of the Additional Restrictions Grant, you advised a constituent in my Ward that "some (Councils) have had the resources to make payments faster , but the previous administration at CDC significantly cut our resources."
Would you please amplify your comment to substantiate this claim?’
Question from Councillor Steve Trotter to Councillor Juliet Layton, Chair of Planning and Licensing Committee
‘Can the Chair ... view the full agenda text for item 85. Minutes: A record of Member questions and answers are available in the schedule attached to these minutes. Questions were asked by:
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Councillor Nikki Ind to
Councillor Rachel Coxcoon, Cabinet
Member for Climate Change and Forward Planning and Councillor Lisa
Spivey, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness. ·
Councillor Julian Beale to Councillor Tony Dale,
Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills ·
Councillor Steve Trotter to Councillor Juliet
Layton, Chair of Planning and Licensing Committee. ·
Councillors Tony Berry, Claire Bloomer and
Roly Hughes to Councillor Joe Harris,
Leader of the Council. ·
Councillor Juliet Layton to Councillor Mike
Evemy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member
for Finance. ·
Councillor Mark Harris to Councillor Andrew Doherty,
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Waste and Recycling.
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Ubico Contract Extension Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Doherty introduced this item, highlighting that the current contract with Ubico, the Council’s primary service partner for waste, cleansing and cemeteries, ended on 31 March 2022. The recommendation was that the contract be extended by 5 years, noting that the Council was a shareholder and had a good relationship with Ubico, who had a embodied knowledge of the District. As a shareholder, the Council would have influence in how the company provides the services. There was a potential, in the future, to look at pooling and procurement on behalf of the shareholders, to make services more cost effective throughout Gloucestershire.
Councillor Bloomer seconded the recommendation noting that over the past year, the teams had done exceptionally well through difficult circumstances.
The Council thanked all the Ubico teams for their hard work during the last 12 months, when problems arose they always worked hard to carry out their roles effectively and efficiently.
RESOLVED that the current Ubico contract be extended by 5 years from 1st April 2022 until 31st March 2027, with a break clause at 2 years, as contained within Annex A of the report.
Record of Voting – for 32, against 0, abstentions 0, absent 2.
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Update to Council Contract Rules Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Evemy introduced the report, highlighting that a review of the contract rules should take place every five years. The Procurement Team had worked on reviewing the contract rules in the light of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Audit Committee had also reviewed them. Amongst the changes, one of the main alterations was for contracts between £10,000 and £25,000, to obtain three written quotes. Contracts above £25,000 there would be subject to a competitive tendering process.
This was seconded by Councillor Coleman who commended the contract rules to fellow Councillors.
RESOLVED that the updated Contract rules be approved.
Record of Voting – for 32, against 0, abstentions 0, absent 2. |
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Change of Parish Council Name - Kemble Parish Council Minutes: Councillor Webster introduced this report, commenting that residents of Kemble and Ewen consider themselves to be one community, this would also make sure that neighbourhood plans match reality.
Councillor Berry seconded the proposal, commenting that this would be an exciting future for the communities.
RESOLVED that the change of name from Kemble Parish Council to Kemble and Ewen Parish Council be approved.
Record of Voting – for 32, against 0, abstentions 0, absent 0.
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Planned Expenditure of the Homeless Prevention Grant 2021-22 Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Spivey introduced the report explaining that the proposed expenditure of the grant would mean that the Council could plan how to use the monies to help the most vulnerable in communities of the district. Initially the money would be used to resource a shared post for an officer to help prevent homelessness, helping people into more temporary accommodation and also helping people who may need more permanent accommodation.
This was considered by all Councillors to be a positive move by the government, as every person who becomes homeless was a tragedy. Concern was expressed that when people become homeless and a home is found, occasionally this could be outside the district and away from support networks, it was reiterated that wherever possible people should be remain in the district, close to their support networks.
RESOLVED that in order for the Council to meet the expectation set by the MHCLG, the Homelessness Prevention Grant be allocated as follows:
Record of Voting – for 32, against 0, abstentions 0, absent 2.
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Adoption arrangements for Assessing Allegations under the Code of Conduct Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Coleman introduced the report and explained that this completed the work of the Audit Committee and recommended it for approval.
RESOLVED that the arrangements for dealing with complaints under the Code of Conduct about District and Town & Parish Councillors, be adopted.
Record of Voting – for 32, against 0, abstentions 0, absent 2.
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SLM Financial Support - April 2021 - July 2021 Minutes: Councillor Evemy introduced this report noting that this was the third report and was very much hoping that it was the last time that the Council would be discussing financial support for the leisure contractor SLM. The facilities were very important for residents and as soon as restrictions allowed, the leisure centres would open. The request was for funding from April to July 2021, November 2020 to March 2021 were agreed in aggregate, which reflected the position at the time. The forecast did not foresee the loss in visits to the centres in January which was normally a significant month for leisure provision.
The Museum had received £110,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund. The government road map currently allowed the Gyms and Swimming provision to open on 12 April 2021, with the Museum opening on 7 May 2021. He reiterated that it was the Council’s responsibility to support the leisure centres and museum, as they were in the Council’s ownership. There was government grants to support this funding and a financial summary was set out in the report.
Councillor Forde seconded the recommendations.
Councillor Andrews referred back to a previous Council meeting on 21 October 2021, that resolved to set up a cross party Member working group to draw up a detailed specification which would include Key Performance Indicators, against which any future management arrangements would be measured and to consider an appraisal of the options for such arrangements in Quarter 3 of 2021 when the nature of the leisure market post-Covid-19 was clearer. He commented that this group had not yet been set up and future arrangements should be measured, in order to have a better understanding of the leisure provision. He proposed an amendment to the current recommendations:
‘The cross-party working group that is to be established by June 2021 as part of the Cabinet approved Cotswold Leisure Strategy shall monitor the delivery of that agreement.’
Councillor Theodolou seconded the amendment, highlighting his concern that there should be a better understanding of the support the Council was giving to such a big company as SLM. He supported this amendment as it was incumbent on the Council to support the leisure centres.
The Monitoring Officer clarified that the amendment monitored the legal agreement in paragraph (e) of the recommendations.
The meeting adjourned at 8.10pm and reconvened at 8.30pm.
Following the adjournment Councillor Evemy commented that the Leisure Strategy was passed by the Cabinet and the working group would look at the future leisure provision for the district, not scrutinise the finances of the existing contractor, officers would do the due diligence on the contractor. The amendment would not be accepted, as it was not considered that the working group was the appropriate methodology for monitoring the agreement, there were provisions in the Overview and Scrutiny process to scrutinise issues such as this.
Following debate, Councillor Andrews wanted the amendment to stand and a vote was taken:
On being put to the vote, the record of voting was as follows: ... view the full minutes text for item 91. |
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Affordable Housing Schemes - Expenditure of S106 Commuted sums Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Spivey introduced the report explaining that affordable housing was one of the Council’s key priorities. This proposal would deliver, truly affordable homes for social rent at 80% of the market rent. The money would be spent to provide15 homes for social rent for local people in Moreton in Marsh and homes in Avening, for shared ownership and social rent. She was also requesting that the Council commit to enhancements to these properties to tackle climate change.
Councillor Coxcoon seconded the proposals commenting that social housing in Moreton in Marsh and Avening was needed, it was regrettable that some green space would be lost in Moreton in Marsh, but was necessary to gain the social housing.
Councillor Morgan, Ward Member for Avening commented that something better could be done to enhance the housing and proposed an amendment to add another recommendation, which read:
‘(g) approves new negotiations to commence with the developer to provide enhanced environmental and sustainability "bolt on" items (up to a maximum value of £40,000) for the 14x houses at The Sunground in Avening. The additional environmental bolt on's (like solar panels or rainwater harvesting for example) will be funded directly by Cotswold District Council in line with the councils priorities and climate emergency declaration and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness and the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Forward Planning. The additional items should be bolt on extras, and they should not interfere with the existing planning consents or slow down construction of these new homes in any way.’
Councillor Hirst seconded this amendment.
Following debate, officers confirmed that the recommendations included air source heat pumps and external charging points for electric vehicles. Solar panels and rainwater harvesting could be included and were affordable within the £400,000 allocated.
On this assurance from the officers, Councillor Morgan withdrew the amendment, commenting that this would be a unique opportunity for residents of his ward.
Councillor Spivey summed up, commenting that this was an excellent opportunity, which was desperately needed for the district.
RESOLVED that:
(a) the current position on Section 106 commuted sums as shown in Annex A, to the report, be noted;
(b) the allocation of a capital grant of £478,500 to develop 15 social rented homes in Moreton in Marsh as detailed in paragraph 2.4.4 of the report, be approved. The award of the capital grant to be included within the Council’s capital programme and funded from the Section 106 commuted sums;
(c) the allocation of a further capital grant of £102,000 to enhance the environmental sustainability of 15 social rented homes in Moreton in Marsh as detailed in paragraph 2.4.5, of the report, be approved. The award of the capital grant to be included within the Council’s capital programme and funded from the Section 106 commuted sums;
(d) the allocation of a capital grant of up to £400,000 to deliver affordable housing at The Sunground, Avening, be approved. The award of the capital grant to be ... view the full minutes text for item 92. |
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Next meeting - Annual General Meeting - Wednesday 26 May 2021, 2.00pm |