Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Lansley, Mason and Whyborn.

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2015

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2015 were approved as a correct record.

There were no communications from the Mayor.

The Leader informed Members that Councillor Andrew Wall had stood down as Councillor for Battledown earlier in the month due to work commitments.   He thanked Councillor Wall for his commitment and his contributions over the past years both as a councillor and as a Cabinet member.

These must be received no later than Tuesday 24 March 2015.

There were 4 public questions and these are set out in the appendices to these minutes.

These must be received no later than Tuesday 24 March 2015.

There were 15 Member questions and these are set out in the appendices to these minutes.

Report of the Leader

The Leader introduced the report and explained that the draft corporate strategy was an important document which set out a priority list of actions for 2015-16. The current strategy formed part of a five year plan which had now come to an end. The proposed document was a one year strategy which in his view was sensible given the current rate of change within the organisation. The strategy set out a proposed vision statement which was split into four priority outcomes. The document included background information, which set out what the council wanted to achieve and why, as well as who was responsible for delivery and measuring the range of direct service measures and outcome measures. The strategy would be reviewed on an annual basis to take into account the changing budgetary position.  The key performance measures were included in order to make a useful contribution to the achievability of the measures.

The Leader wished to put on record his thanks to his Cabinet colleagues and officers. He also informed members that in drafting the strategy, discussions had been held with partners, including commissioned bodies, other councils and other parts of the public sector. He highlighted that it was important for the council not to undertake too much and this was being achieved by estimating the resources required and agreeing those with managers. The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its feedback was itemised in section 3.1 of the report. Cabinet had considered the report at its meeting on 17 February and was now recommending it for approval by Council.

Although not all elements of the strategy were within the authority’s control, for example crime reduction and junction 10 of the M5, they had been included because of their importance to the town and the strong community interest.

During the debate, some Members raised concerns that although the strategy was a useful document, it was very similar to previous years and there was a risk that having been approved it would then sit on the shelf.  The Leader and members of Overview and Scrutiny responded that it was up to all members to monitor the strategy as we went through the year, and to hold officers to account if the targets were not being met. 

Councillor Regan was concerned about the high level of anti-social behaviour, and the large number of properties with category 1 hazards, and questioned whether the council had sufficient enforcement officers to deal with these issues.  The Leader responded that this would be looked at as part of the REST project. 

Councillor Stennett wanted to know how members of the community with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 had been consulted.  The Leader undertook to provide members with a written response after consultation with the Strategy & Engagement Manager.

Upon a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED THAT the draft corporate strategy 2015-16 (Appendix 2) be approved and this be used as a basis for monitoring the council’s performance over the next  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report of the Cabinet Member Corporate Services

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services introduced the report on the Council Diary September 2015 to August 2016.  There has been wide consultation with councillors and officers, and any feedback had been considered and the diary revised as appropriate.

One member proposed a slightly later start time for evening meetings to let members of the public take advantage of free parking after 6:00pm, and possibly improve public participation.  The Cabinet Member suggested that chairs of some committees might like to trial this at their discretion and feedback for consideration in subsequent years.  

Councillor Smith advised that he would like the council to hold a State of Cheltenham debate during his Mayoral year as set out in the Council’s constitution.

Upon a vote it was unanimously

Resolved that the draft Council diary of meetings for September 2015 to August 2016 be approved.

This item has been deferred to an extraordinary meeting of Council meeting on 14 April 2015.

This item has been deferred to an extraordinary meeting of Council on 14 April 2015.

This item has been deferred to an extraordinary meeting of Council on 14 April 2015.

This item has been deferred to an extraordinary meeting of Council on 14 April 2015.

None received.

None received.