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Items
No. Item

23.

Apologies

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Tony Berry, Ray Brassington, Rachel Coxcoon and Rolly Hughes

 

Councillors Richard Morgan and Mark Harris had advised they would be arriving late.

24.

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:

A declaration of interest was made by Councillor Webster as a Member of Morton-In-Marsh Town Council

 

There were no declarations of interest from Officers

25.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 119 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 20th July 2022

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Minutes of the Full Council held 20 July 2020 were considered.

 

Councillor Cunningham stated that the Minutes confirmed that he had asked a supplementary question to Members Question 2, asking: “How many of the 114 homes delivered were taken up by residents of the Cotswolds”, but had not received an answer.

 

Councillor Joe Harris, The Leader of the Council apologised that this had not been been provided, and advised Councillor Cunningham that he would ensure this was sent without delay. 

 

RESOLVED: Council agreed that the Minutes of Full Council held on 20 July 2020 were an accurate record

 

Voting Record – For 23, Against 0, Abstentions 5, Absent 6

26.

Announcements from the Chair, Leader of Chief Executive (if any)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair Of The Council welcomed Members Officers and the Public and thanked them for attending Council both in person, and online.

 

The Chair stated that the death of Her Majesty The Queen had been a momentous time for the country, bringing an end to the reign of (whom Boris Johnson described as) Elizabeth ‘The Great’.  The Chair had been captivated by the number of people paying final respects to a ‘gracious’ and ‘noble’ Queen, whose faith and sense of duty had both guided and supported her and would no double do the same for King Charles III.

 

The Vice-Chair stated that the Queen was an extraordinary woman whose steadfast duty and service to the Nation and been an example to everyone.  The Vice-Chair reflected that although the Nation had lost its Queen, The King and the Royal Family had lost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and our thoughts and condolences went out to them at this time of sorrow. 

 

The Leader of the Council extended condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family on behalf of all residents across the Cotswolds, and remarked that the outpouring of respect and affection that had been shown to the Queen was a testament to how highly she was regarded. The Leader of the Council then recounted a personal experience when he was lucky enough to meet and speak to the Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and hoped that King Charles III, who had made the Cotswolds his home, would continue to his close association with the District.

 

The Chief Executive concurred with everything that had been said about Her Majesty the Queen, and reflected that although the enormous responsibility of the Crown had been placed upon Her Majesty at such an early age, she had demonstrated humility and strength when seeking the advice and support of her first Prime Minister Winston Churchill to help her through her early years. In later years it was Her Majesty that would be providing guidance and advice, without imposed opinions to 16 subsequent Prime Minsters.

 

On behalf of the Conservative Councillor Group, Councillor Jepson paid a heartfelt tribute to the dearly departed Queen Elizabeth in which she reflected on the number of tributes that had been paid, and the magnificent funeral that united the Nation and brought her reign to an end.  Councillor Jepson described the personal qualities that the Queen had demonstrated, during her long reign, that had led to the respect and affection that has been shown across the country and around the world.

 

After spending many hours queuing with mourners from around the Country and further afield, Councillor Blomefield had been able to make her own personal tribute to Her Majesty lying in State in Westminster Hall. Councillor Blomefield then reflected on the Queen’s reassuring presence throughout everyone’s life as she united her people, and personified and promoted the finest aspects of the Nation both at home and abroad. 

 

Councillor Forde recognised police officers and military personnel from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Parish Councillor Doug Crook made a statement supporting a change to the parish boundaries between Ampney Crucis Parish, Driffield Parish and Ampney St Mary Parish, detailed in Map A of the Community Governance Review 2022, and asked if this statement could be considered when reaching a final decision on the parish boundary.

 

Councillor Joe Harris, the Leader of the Council stated that he was in agreement with what Parish Councillor Doug Crook had stated and would be proposing this when the Council agenda item was debated later in the meeting.

28.

Member Questions pdf icon PDF 84 KB

The following questions have been submitted:

 

Questions for Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Development Management and Licensing from Councillor Nikki Ind

 Having attended the very informative Member Development – Gypsy & Traveller Cultural Awareness Training in July, could I please ask what, if any, progress CDC is making with the County Council and other District Councils in Forward Planning for a transient stop over site in Gloucestershire?

Question to Councillor Rachel Coxcoon, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Forward Planning from Councillor Nikki Ind

Can you please confirm if CDC has applied for grant funding via the On Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme or if we are working in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council to secure this funding, to allow us to proactively support and deliver the rollout of electric vehicle charge points?

Question to Councillor Mike Evemy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance from Councillor David Cunningham

The Government's initiative to put funds directly into local projects via the Rural England Prosperity Fund is to be applauded. A number of Parish Councils are eager to gain access to CDC's proportion of this pool of cash, in order to help promote and fund local projects for rural communities. Will the Cabinet Member for Finance please set out in detail what is required for a project to be deemed eligible for such a grant and how Parish Councils can apply.

Question to Councillor Mike Evemy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance from Councillor David Cunningham

At a recent Council meeting Councillor Joe Harris reported to this Council that the cost of replacing street signs would be offset by the sale of old signs. In light of the budgetary concerns so often espoused by Cllr Harris, can he please give an update on the actual cost to date of this project.

Question to Councillor Joe Harris, the Leader of the Council from Councillor Stephen Hirst

In view of the ever-increasing number of electric cars being used on a daily basis, could I ask when all the District Car Parks will be fitted with Quick Charging Points in order to provide a valuable service to all motorists who drive cars requiring battery charging on a regular basis?

Question to Councillor Joe Harris, the Leader of the Council from Councillor Tom Stowe

Given the nature of the content of the last "Cotswold News" which included in total 10 photographs of yourself (including identical ones in the issue) will the Leader of the Council please confirm that there will be no more issues printed this side of the all-out elections in May 2023. Will he also please confirm the total costs incurred in printing and distributing the last two issues?

Question to Councillor Jenny Forde, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing from Councillor Tom Stowe

Leisure Centres are disproportionately affected by the current energy price increases and other inflationary pressures. Bearing in mind Chipping Campden Leisure Centre’s unique dual-use arrangement with CDC, will the Cabinet Member please confirm they are  ...  view the full agenda text for item 28.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following questions have been submitted by members

 

Question1 From Councillor Nikki Ind for Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Development Management and Licensing

 

Having attended the very informative Member Development – Gypsy & Traveller

Cultural Awareness Training in July, could I please ask what, if any, progress CDC is

making with the County Council and other District Councils in Forward Planning for a transient stop over site in Gloucestershire?

 

Response From Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Development Management and Licensing to Councillor Ind

 

The Gloucestershire local authorities have commissioned RRR Consultancy Ltd to undertake a Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) for the period 2021-2041.The Council expects to receive a final draft in the coming weeks. The results will be used as an evidence base for policy development in housing and planning and supersede any previous GTAA (including any levels of accommodation needs calculated prior to this assessment) for the Gloucestershire local planning authorities.

The requirement to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers, Showpeople, non-Gypsy and Traveller Gypsy and Traveller residential caravan dwellers, and boat dwellers is established through national guidance contained in Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (DCLG, 2015). In relation to transit provision (the focus of the question) the emerging GTAA is likely to recommend that in addition to the existing transit pitches, that Gloucestershire authorities adopt a negotiated stopping policy. This involves caravans being sited on suitable specific pieces of ground for an agreed and limited period of time, with the provision of limited

services such as water, waste disposal and toilets. This is land temporarily used as authorised short-term (less than 28 days) stopping places and in some cases may not require planning permission.

The Council has committed to work with Gloucestershire partners to translate needs presented in the aforementioned GTAA into sites This will be the subject of a separate commission, which Gloucestershire councils are looking to commission following the final receipt of the GTAA. This commission will need to reflect the findings of the GTAA and in particular the reasons for unauthorised encampments. e.g.

- a lack of available permanent pitches in suitable locations and certain times in the year (e.g Stow Fair, Cheltenham Races and summer solstice); households temporarily moving through the study area;

- insufficient number of transit sites to: find work, undertake holidays and attend weddings and funerals; and

- there is a need for additional transit provision within Gloucestershire and neighbouring authorities This is in addition to the transit site consisting of 32 pitches located in Tewkesbury and the 15 transit pitches at Bromsberrow, in the Forest of Dean. When considering new emergency stopping places/sites it should be borne in mind that it will only be used for a proportion of the year and individual households will normally only stay on the agreed location for a few days. Amenities such as portaloos and showers (or access to alternative nearby facilities) and skips or wheelie bins should ideally be made available for the duration of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Short Term Lets Working Party (STLWP) Update Report pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Purpose

The report asks Members to note  the ongoing work of the STLWP since the last report to Council in July 2021, to advise as to areas where progress is still to be made and to seek members agreement to a consultation response to be passed to Government - who are currently consulting upon the impacts of STL. It also seeks clarification as to the composition of the Group as its focus shifts.

 

Recommendation(s)

a) To note the report as to progress

b) That the Council agree to the suggested response to Government

c) That Members consider the future composition of the STLWP as the focus of the work shifts

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to provide Members with an update on the ongoing work of the STLWP since the last report to Council in July 2021, to advise as to areas where progress is still to be made and to seek members agreement to a consultation response to be passed to Government - who are currently consulting upon the impacts of Short-Term Lets. It also seeks clarification as to the composition of the Party as its focus shifts.

 

Councillor Webster, the joint Chair of STLWG presented the report and provided a summary of the work completed by the STLWG and the report that will be shared with local Members of Parliament (to enable them to make strong representations in Parliamentary debates on Short Term Lets and the wider Government Short Term lets consultation.

 

Council noted that a availability of affordable rental properties and transport links affected adult social care staff and (beat) police officers’ decisions to accept jobs in the Cotswold District area.

 

Council noted that now that the Planning elements of Short Term Lets had been investigated and reported, consideration should be given to changing the scope of the working group to focus on the spatial elements of towns and villages affected by large numbers of Short Term Lets to ensure communities remain viable and local services and transport links are maintained

 

RESOLVED: Council noted the progress made by the STLWG since the last update report in July 2021 and agreed to the suggested response to Government and that the future composition of the STLWP would be considered as the focus of the work shift

 

Voting Record – For 28, Against 0, Abstentions 1, Absent 5,

30.

Community Governance Review - Final Recommendations for Ampney Crucis pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Purpose

The purpose of this report is for Council to consider the responses and approve the final recommendations of the Community Governance Review for Ampney Crucis.

 

Recommendation(s)

That Council:

a. approve the final recommendations in relation to the Parish boundaries of Ampney Crucis, Driffield and Ampney St Mary

b. authorise the Head of Legal Services to make a Reorganisation of Community Governance order to implement the changes agreed by Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of this report was to enable Council to consider the responses and  approve the final recommendations of the Community Governance Review in relation to the Parish boundaries of Ampney Crucis, Driffield and Ampney St Mary and authorise the Head of Legal Services to make a Reorganisation of Community Governance order to implement the changes agreed by Council

 

Councillor Joe Harris, the Leader of the Council introduced the report and provided an overview of the consultation process, the boundary change options and the recommendations that would enable Council to make take and objective view and make a final decision on the location of the boundary. Ampney Crucis Parish Councillor Doug Crook had made a statement during Public Questions supporting the boundary changed outlined in Map A and this option was being recommended.

 

Councillor Joe Harris, Leader of the Council proposed and Councillor Mike Evemy, Deputy Chair of the Council seconded that the Council approve the change to the Parish boundaries of Ampney Crucis, Driffield and Ampney St Mary shown in Map A.

 

Council noted that the proposed boundary change would remove properties from Driffield Parish Council and thereby reduce the annual precept (income) to the Parish Council by around £600.

 

Council noted that Driffield Parish residents’ annual Council Tax bills may increase if Driffield Parish Council choose to increase their precept.

 

Council noted that there had been representations both for and against each of the options and no overall consensus had been reached.

 

Council noted that no Driffield Parish Councillor’s had taken part in the consultation but had not requested to speak at the Council meeting.

 

RESOLVED: Council agreed to change to the Parish boundaries of Ampney Crucis, Driffield and Ampney St Mary shown in Map A, and authorised the Head of Legal Services to make a Reorganisation of Community Governance order to implement the changes agreed by Council

 

Voting Record – For 22, Against 1, Abstentions 5, Absent 6

 

31.

Options and Funding Allocation for Roof Repairs to Trinity Road Council Offices pdf icon PDF 439 KB

Purpose

To consider high level options for improvement of roofs at the Cotswold District Council’s Offices at Trinity Road, Cirencester.

 

Recommendation(s)

That Council agrees that based on the high level option appraisal, the options at 2.2 of this report for glazing replacement and recovering to flat roofs are pursued to provide a more sustainable solution.  A further report will be brought back to Council once works have been tendered, seeking allocation of budget to fund the repairs and improvements.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to consider high level options for improvement of roofs at the Cotswold District Council’s Offices at Trinity Road, Cirencester

 

Councillor Lisa Spivey, the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services introduced the report and provided a summary of the glazing and flat-roof replacement options being considered to repair and improve the Council Offices at Trinity Road.

 

Council noted a correction to the annual revenue impact figure in the report had increased from £4,623 to £11,648, although both of these figures were estimates, and actual figures would given in the tender process and would be returned to Council for approval.

 

Council noted that the 50 year period referenced in the Financial Impacts section 3.1 was a standard measure of useful economic life rather than indicating the lifetime of the fabric of the roof.  The Chief Finance Officer agreed to provide further clarification how these two periods differ to Councillor Ind

 

Council noted that the installation of solar panels on Publica buildings is being considered as a separate project.

 

RESOLVED: Council agreed that based on the high level option appraisal, the options at 2.2 of the report for glazing replacement and recovering to flat roofs are pursued, to provide a more sustainable solution. A further report will be brought back to Council once works have been tendered, seeking allocation of budget to fund the repairs and improvements.

 

Voting Record – For 29, Against 0, Abstentions 0, Absent 5,

32.

Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to appoint a person to be a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

 

Recommendation(s)

That Council agrees to appoint Stefan Robinson as the third member of the Independent Remuneration Panel with immediate effect.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of this report was to appoint a person to be a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

 

Councillor Joe Harris, Leader of the Council introduced the report to ask Council to Consider appointing a third member of the of the Independent Remuneration Panel. 

 

The Director For Governance advised that Stefan Robinson had been recommended by the new Business Manager for Democratic Services and Elections having previously undertaking the role at Cherwell District Council.

 

Council noted that the role of Independent Remuneration Panel was not time limited, and the Director For Governance was asked to investigate whether this could be changed.

 

RESOLVED: That Council agreed to appoint Stefan Robinson as the third member of the Independent Remuneration Panel with immediate effect.

 

Voting Record – For 27, Against 0, Abstentions 1, Absent 4

33.

Use of Unilateral Undertaking Funding for Moreton-in-Marsh Integrated Transport Hub pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Purpose

To seek approval to contribute £250,000 to the Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council community infrastructure schemes.

 

Recommendation(s)

That Council:

a) Agrees to enter into a grant agreement with Moreton-in-Marsh (MIM) Town Council to provide a contribution of £250,000 to the MIM community infrastructure schemes as Annex A;

b) Notes that the £250,000 is funded from a developer contribution which was received by the Council under a Unilateral Undertaking agreement entered into in 2014.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to seek approval to contribute £250,000 to the Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council community infrastructure schemes.

 

Councillor Layton the Cabinet Member for Development Management and Licensing introduced the report that enabled Council to consider approving a contribution of £250,000 to Morton-in-Marsh Town Council for community infrastructure schemes.

 

Council noted that the £250,000 was part of a Unilateral Undertaking Agreement entered into by Cotswold District Council (CDC) and the Fire Service College Ltd in December 2014

 

Council noted that the funds must be spent or allocated to a Community Infrastructure Scheme by the 17th November 2022 or repaid to the College (with interest).

 

Council noted that Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council (MIMTC) will use the funds to refurbish Redesdale Hall and develop an integrated transport hub as detailed in Annex A.

 

Council noted that the Chief Executive will provide a briefing note to Members giving more details of the allocation of funds between the hall refurbishment and the development of the transport hub.

 

Council noted that there will be a formal grant agreement between CDC will and MIMTC that will include a clawback clause should the funds not be spent appropriately on the two Community Infrastructure Schemes. 

 

The Chief Executive confirmed other CDC community buildings in Morton-in-Marsh will be made available for community events whilst improvements to Redesdale Hall are completed, and the Council will provide project support to MIMTC in the unlikely event that this if required.

 

RESOLVED: Council agreed to enter into a grant agreement with Moreton-in-Marsh (MIM) Town Council to provide a contribution of £250,000 to the MIM community infrastructure schemes as Annex A and noted that the £250,000 is funded from a developer contribution which was received by the Council under a Unilateral Undertaking agreement entered into in 2014

 

Voting Record – For 28, Against 0, Abstentions 0, Absent 6,

34.

Reports for Agenda Item 11 pdf icon PDF 159 KB

Purpose

For Council to consider the annexes for Agenda Item 11 if it agrees to move into private session.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council did not discuss the exempt reports for this item.

35.

Notice of Motions

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12, the following Motions have been received:-

 

Motion on providing warm places for people struggling to heat their homes during the day. Proposed by Cllr Gina Blomefield; seconded by Cllr Sue Jepson:

We are all keenly aware that many people and especially those who are elderly pensioners, disabled or in some way vulnerable will find it challenging to keep their homes sufficiently warm during the day as well as at night this winter due to the soaring costs of energy.

Some of the councils around the country are already making contingency plans to open ‘public warm spaces’ where those in most need can go during the day safe in the knowledge that they will be warm and cared for.

Many of the parish halls, church rooms and other community buildings such as libraries, leisure centres and museums in the Cotswolds including CDC’s offices could be used in the same way by enlisting the support of parish and town councils, faith organisations, community and the voluntary sector to organise this.  They would also be able to offer warm drinks or soup as well as advice on how to obtain help with energy related problems.

We suggest this would provide wonderful humanitarian support for some of the most vulnerable in our communities and recommend a simple process is agreed to fund this vitally needed help by identifying available grants to enable financial assistance to organisations prepared to get involved.

We ask that the agreement at the last Full Council for a cross party working group to be set up should be done urgently to implement ‘public warm places’ and also to look at other ways to help our Cotswold residents most negatively impacted by unaffordable heating and living costs. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following Motion had been received:

 

Motion on providing warm places for people struggling to heat their homes during the day. Proposed by Cllr Gina Blomefield; seconded by Cllr Sue Jepson:

 

We are all keenly aware that many people and especially those who are elderly pensioners, disabled or in some way vulnerable will find it challenging to keep their homes sufficiently warm during the day as well as at night this winter due to the soaring costs of energy. Some of the councils around the country are already making contingency plans to open ‘public warm spaces’ where those in most need can go during the day safe in the knowledge that they will be warm and cared for.

 

Many of the parish halls, church rooms and other community buildings such as libraries, leisure centres and museums in the Cotswolds including CDC’s offices could be used in the same way by enlisting the support of parish and town councils, faith organisations, community and the voluntary sector to organise this.  They would also be able to offer warm drinks or soup as well as advice on how to obtain help with energy related problems. We suggest this would provide wonderful humanitarian support for some of the most vulnerable in our communities and recommend a simple process is agreed to fund this vitally needed help by identifying available grants to enable financial assistance to organisations prepared to get involved.

 

We ask that the agreement at the last Full Council for a cross party working group to be set up should be done urgently to implement ‘public warm places’ and also to look at other ways to help our Cotswold residents most negatively impacted by unaffordable heating and living costs.

 

The Motion will be referred to November Cabinet and feed into the key objectives and requirements of the wider Cost Of Living Working Group that will report to November Council.

36.

Matters exempt from publication

If Council wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for Council to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

To consider and if so agree to resolve that under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the said Act

 

RESOLVED: Council agreed to exclude the public and press from the meeting on the grounds that consideration of the following items would likely disclose information that is exempt as defined in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

 

Voting Record - For 28, Against 0, Abstentions 0, Absent 6,

 

37.

Employment Matter

Purpose

To consider and approve Cotswold District Council entering into a Settlement Agreement with the Complainant.

 

Recommendation(s)

That Council approves the entering into of a settlement agreement on the terms set out within the exempt report.

 

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to consider and approve Cotswold District Council entering into a Settlement Agreement with an employee.

 

The Chief Executive of the Council introduced the report and summarised the background of an employment matter.

 

RESOLVED: That Council approved the entering into of a Settlement Agreement on the terms set out within the exempt report.

 

Voting Record – For 26, Against 0, Abstentions 0, Absent 8

 

38.

Next meeting

Wednesday 5th October 2022 at 18:00 for an extraordinary meeting of Council to consider Updates to the Constitution.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The next meeting of Full Council will be on 5 October 2022 at 6pm.