Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 546 KBVenue: the Council Chamber - Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
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Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. The quorum for Council is 9 members.
Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Chris Twells, Helene Mansilla, and Tony Dale
Officers were notified during the meeting that Councillor Roly Hughes had to also provide apologies. |
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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 none. |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25 September 2024. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting on 25 September 2024 were considered as part of the pack. The Chair noted for Members that there was an exempt member question response included in the private papers, and asked if any Member wished to discuss the contents in private session. There was no request to discuss these in private session.
There were no amendments to the minutes.
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Unsung Heroes Awards For the Chair of Council to award the Unsung Heroes Awards. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of this item was for the Chair to award the Unsung Heroes awards.
This was noted by the Chair as the second month where the awards are given.
The Chair then noted the awardees as Christopher Davies, Suzie Drye, Richard and Kate Cleverly and Gemina Plater. Their contributions were across the District were highlighted especially in relation to young people. |
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Announcements from the Chair, Leader or Chief Executive (if any) To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Council, the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair then made her announcements:
· Thanks were given to Ana Prelici and Caleb Harris as they were both moving on to new employment opportunities. · Congratulations were given to the Cirencester Signpost organisation who had received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. · The Chair had represented the Council at a number of key events including the Tetbury Remembrance Service, the lowering of flags at the Council offices and the civic briefing at RAF Fairford. · The recent Storm Birch had caused lots of damages in the District and the work of emergency services and others to assist were acknowledged. On this point, the Chair accepted an intervention from Councillor Cunningham who wished to know what the Council is doing to look at flood mitigation measures in the District. Councillor Wilkinson as the Cabinet Member responsible for flooding noted his previous experience with the flooding of his home and the devastating impact of storms. It was highlighted that the Council would work across all political groups and partners to help tackle this.
The Leader then made his announcements:
· It was noted how important flooding is and how the issues are getting more serious over time. It was important for the Council to use its community leadership role to manage these issues. Thanks were given to Ubico staff and all those involved in tackling the recent events. · Congratulations were given to all the Unsung Heroes who had been awarded. · It was highlighted that the English Devolution Bill was likely to bring forward the reorganisation of local government in Gloucestershire. It was highlighted that preparations were ongoing to look at the potential impacts of this and what this will mean for the future of the Council. But there was a need to engage constructively with the government on a county wide basis. · Thanks were given to Caleb Harris, as the Senior Democratic Services Officer for all of his work. It was noted that Democratic Services had seen a lot of improvements over the past 3 years which was welcomed by all Members. · The passing of former Councillors Geoffrey Adams and Martin Harwood were recognised for their contributions as public servants.
There were no announcements from the Chief/Deputy Chief Executive Officer |
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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 Council’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 Chair 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: |
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A Member of the Council may ask the Chair, the Leader, a Cabinet Member or the Chair of any Committee 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 Chair 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.
The following questions were submitted prior to the publication of the agenda:
In a recent press release CDC claimed that its economic growth strategy had created 500 new jobs in the district. Please could you quantify this claim and confirm where these jobs have been created?
How many properties are estimated to be second homes in the Cotswold District and what work is being carried out to identify these properties?
Many measures recently announced in the Government’s budget were devasting for Cotswold Businesses and Residents. What impact will the various measures, including for example, increases in employer NI, have on the CDC budget?
As discussed at the last two Council Meetings, the revised waste collection service in Ermin Ward, implemented on 24 June has improved but continues to be erratic. Please could Ubico be invited to address this Council on this topic?
Additional documents: Minutes: Member questions and the supplementary questions and responses can be found in the attached Annex A.
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Membership of Committees and Cabinet update Purpose To inform Council regarding changes to the membership of the Cabinet and to agree a new appointment to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Recommendations That Full Council resolves to: 1. Note the update from the Leader of the Council regarding the change to the membership and responsibilities of Cabinet Members. 2. Agree to appoint from the Liberal Democrat Group Councillor Lisa Spivey to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Tristan Wilkinson. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to inform Council regarding changes to the membership of the Cabinet and to agree a new appointment to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Leader, Councillor Joe Harris introduced the item and made the following points:
· Councillor Tristan Wilkinson was appointed to take up the role of the Economy and Environment which would also include overseeing the Council’s waste services. · There had been a reduction of one Cabinet Member. · The reshuffle focusses on the key objectives of the administration were being served as part of the corporate priorities from delivering services for residents, to delivering housing and tackling climate change. · Tributes were paid to Councillors Lisa Spivey and Tony Dale who had left the Cabinet. · Councillor Lisa Spivey was recommended to be appointed to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and thanks were given to Councillor Gina Blomefield for her leadership of the Committee to improve it.
There thanks given to Councillor Wilkinson for his work on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a welcome to the Councillor Spivey for her proposed appointment.
There was a comment regarding that waste was not in the title of the role of Economy and Environment as a key statutory service.
Councillor Mike Evemy formally seconded the recommendations and made the following points:
· As the previous holder of the waste role, whilst it was not in the title, it was clear where responsibilities were placed. · It was noted that the new Cabinet responsibilities could be found on the website.
There was no further discussion on the item.
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Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/2026 Purpose To consider and approve the revised Council Tax Support Scheme for the financial year 2025/2026.
Recommendations That Full Council resolves to: 1. Approve the increase to income bands as detailed within paragraphs 3.2, 3.3 and Annex A of this report from 1 April 2025. 2. Agree that any surplus in the Hardship Fund is transferred over to 2025/2026 for reasons detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of this report Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of the report was to consider and approve the revised Council Tax Support Scheme for the financial year 2025/2026.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, Councillor Evemy, introduced the report.
· The scheme is brought in advance of the Budget so that the calculations for the Council Tax for the new financial year · Council Tax Support was important for many of the most vulnerable in communities · The Cost of living was continuing pressure on those on lower incomes and the bands for Council Tax Support need to keep pace with increasing costs. The proposals would see bands increased by 4% in order to keep the real terms value of the support. · The Council residents in receipt of Council Tax Support have a benefit of £5 million, but the support is vital for those residents on the lowest of incomes. · The amount of support is based on their income and the family composition in order to target support effectively. · An estimated increase of £28,000 of increased support of which £2,000 would come from the Council and the rest would come from the County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner. · The Hardship Fund provides for those residents in exceptional circumstances outside of the Council Tax Support Scheme with an estimated £33,000 remaining which was recommended to be carried over. · The Council had consulted on this and Citizens Advice Bureau had been engaged in the consultation on the scheme to provide valuable advice.
Councillor Bloomer reserved their right as the seconder.
It was noted how important the scheme was to vulnerable residents in the District any help provided was welcomed.
There was a question regarding the caseload and if there was a financial limit on support. It was highlighted that the scheme sets out the criteria and the support residents were entitled to. If a significant increase was seen, this would have to be revised to check on the level of support for the following year. However the benefit to those most vulnerable residents outweighed any costs or little money which would be received from those being billed.
The Chair asked about care leavers given the difficult circumstances, and was there any specific support for them. Councillor Evemy’s concurred with the comments regarding care leavers but the understanding was there were not part of this scheme as these were income dependent. The Business Manager noted that the Council does have a discount scheme for carers up to the age of 25 through Gloucestershire County Council referrals.
There was a question on the impact of literature from the Council about the cost of living, and if there was a way to measure this. There was also a question regarding a specific case of the Council asking individuals to repay an overpayment of housing benefit and if discretionary housing payment was available to alleviate the pressure. Councillor Evemy noted one leaflet would be hard to measure in terms of the impact but this was important to make sure ... view the full minutes text for item 54.
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Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles (Policy) Review 2024 Purpose The report details the revisions to the Council’s Statement of Principles (Gambling Act 2005), based on legislative requirements, statutory guidance and any amendments following public consultation.
Recommendations That Full Council approve: 1. The Statement of Principles; and, 2. That the Council continues to adopt a “no-casino resolution” for inclusions in the published Gambling Act 2005 Licensing Policy Statement.
Additional documents: Minutes: The report details the revisions to the Council’s Statement of Principles (Gambling Act 2005), based on legislative requirements, statutory guidance and any amendments following public consultation.
Councillor Ray Brassington as Chair of the Planning and Licensing Committee introduced the report and made the following points:
· Thanks were given to officers for their work on the report · Licensing authorities are required every 3 years to draft a Statement of Principles and these are then sent out for consultation with the police, Town and Parish Councils and residents. · No comments were received from the Consultees. · Following the report being received by the Planning and Licensing Committee, some minor amendments were made to it. · The recommendation was therefore that the Council adopts a ‘no-casino’ resolution.
There was a question around the basis for the decision in wishing to adopt a ‘no-casino’ resolution. It was noted in reply by Councillor Brassington and then also by the Leader of the Council that the resolution ensures the Council has a mechanism to determine if it wishes to allow casinos in the District. The starting point for this would be having no casinos. Without this approve ‘no-casino’ resolution, the Council would not have the ability to determine this.
There was a question around the exchange of information with other bodies. Mandy Fathers noted in reply the Council does share information with bodies like the Police. However, the Gambling Act was noted to be an area that will be examined in 2025 and an overhaul of these provisions was likely.
Councillor Julia Judd then spoke as the seconder and made the following points:
· The resolution would make sure the District was protected for the future. · The Planning and Licensing Committee had examined this item as the only item on its agenda at the meeting. · Paragraph 2.2 of the report was highlighted as the underlying principles of the licensing authority.
It was noted that the document needed to be approved before 31st January 2025 to ensure the safeguards remain in place, and whilst this was the only item on the Planning and Licensing Committee agenda, that Committee was one of the consultees.
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Request for a dispensation pursuant to Section 85(1) Local Government Act 1972 Purpose To determine whether a dispensation for Councillor Tony Dale may be granted under the provision of Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.
Recommendation That Full Council resolves to: 1. Approve a dispensation for Councillor Tony Dale in accordance with Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds of ill-health. Additional documents: Minutes: To determine whether a dispensation for Councillor Tony Dale may be granted under the provision of Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.
Councillor Joe Harris introduced this:
· Councillor Dale was in a serious car accident in July 2024 which left him in a difficult physical condition. · Whilst Members are eager to see him return to the Council, it was important to provide him with the time and space to recover. · The request was therefore that the Council waive the ‘six month rule’ provision within Section 85 Local Government Act 1972. This would allow Councillor Dale to continue as a Member without risk of falling off the Council due to non-attendance.
It was noted that Councillor Dale was thought of fondly as Ward Member for Northleach.
It was noted that it was pleasing to see his progress on his recovery but this would take time.
Many Members noted their support and best wishes for his recovery.
The Chair, Councillor Nikki Ind, seconded
· Councillor Dale had been a strong mentor to her during her time as a Councillor · He was a valued Member to his community of Northleach. · The space and time to recover given by the proposed dispensation was important.
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Notice of Motions No motions have been received for consideration by Full Council. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no motions for Council to consider. |
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Next meeting The next meeting of Council will be held on Wednesday 22 January 2025. Additional documents: Minutes: The next meeting of Full Council was noted as Wednesday 22 January 2025. |
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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 paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Council may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Additional documents: Minutes: Full Council did not enter private session. |
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Exempt Member Question response from previous minutes Minutes: Members did not discuss the exempt Member Question response from the previous minutes. |
Carried