Agenda item
Announcements from the Chair, Leader or Chief Executive (if any)
Minutes:
The Chair of the Council, Councillor Dilys Neill welcomed Members and Officers back to the Council Chamber as the return to in-person meetings continued.
Members of the public and press who were watching the webcast of the meeting were also welcomed.
The Chair of the Council and the Mayor of Cirencester Town Council, Councillor Claire Bloomer had recently attended the Relay for Life. Members and Officers had been saddened by the death of Tallis Shakespeare (Tree Officer, Cotswold District Council) who had recently passed away following a battle with cancer. The Chair proposed that a team of Members and Officers be put together to compete in the 2022 Relay for Life in memory of Tallis Shakespeare.
Following the completion of the July Council meeting, the Chair had worked with Councillors Nikki Ind and Julia Judd to conduct a working group to look at the climate change awards system. In relation to this, Council noted that Cabinet were best placed to discuss this matter and take a decision on it. In relation to the Chair’s award for community service, Council noted that a nomination was sought by the Conservative Group for a Member to take part in the work in this area as part of the working group.
Council noted the importance of ensuring that Member conduct within meetings was appropriate at all times.
Public questions were welcome, but should always be relevant to Council business and should not be used to facilitate party political debate.
The Constitution Working Group would continue to look at Member Questions and how these could be appropriately facilitated within Council meetings.
The Chair outlined the Member debating and motions procedures.
Council noted that Councillor Roly Hughes would be selling poppies outside Tesco Metro from 30 October.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Joe Harris addressed the Committee, welcoming back Members and Officers to the Council Chamber.
Members noted the importance of webcasting meetings to make Council decisions more accessible to members of the public.
The Leader of the Council paid tribute to Tallis Shakespeare.
In relation to the resettlement of refugees from Afghanistan, the Council noted that it was crucial to support these individuals – a Gloucestershire-wide approach was being utilised in this regard which had been working well. The Council was working with partners to offer accommodation to refugees within the District.
In relation to the recent Local Government Ombudsman decision related to the Council, Members noted that the Council would always be open and honest when things had not gone to plan. The Leader made a public apology to the resident affected and offered assurance that the Council’s revenues and benefits team had worked hard to make improvements to ensure that this would not occur again. A report had already been considered by Cabinet in this regard at their September meeting.
Members noted that in recent years, the Council had been identified as one of the District authorities receiving the least amount of complaints.
The first Parish Council Forum meeting would be held in October, with one being held at Trinity Road and the other taking place at Moreton Area Centre. The purpose of these meetings was one step in terms of improving the relationship between the District and Parish Councils.
In relation to National Park delegation, the Council noted that it was not a foregone conclusion that the Cotswolds would become a National Park. The Leader expressed a view that if the Cotswolds was to become a National Park, the housing issues affecting the area would be exasperated due to the likely price increases of properties. In the event that planning responsibility was removed from the Council, Members noted the possibility of large-scale housing development taking place. The Council would be lobbying against the proposals.
The Chief Executive wished to express his condolences in relation to the passing of Tallis Shakespeare who would be missed by his colleagues and friends across the Council.