Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Clucas.

Councillor Coleman expressed an interest as a Gloucestershire County Councillor.

Minutes of the meetings held on 4 and 18 December 2018

The minutes of the meetings held on 4 and 18 December 2018 were approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety introduced the report and referred to the decision made by Council on 21 January by 26 votes to 8 to recommend to Cabinet that the CTP trial be extended.

The Cabinet Member wished to put on record his thanks to both county council officers and CBC officers for their significant contributions and also paid tribute to Rupert Cox from Stagecoach for his input at the Council meeting.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    The decisions of Council set out in 1(a), (b) and (c) of the report be noted.

2.    The extension of the CTP trial be agreed.

3.    The Managing Director Place and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Development and Safety be authorised to work with GCC to facilitate the extension of the CTP trial.

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing

The Cabinet Member Housing introduced the report which sought approval in principle to the construction of 29 new units on a brownfield site at Monkscroft Villas, Princess Elizabeth Way and to go out to tender to seek bids from potential contractors to build the development. The housing tenure mix was outlined in the scheme details at paragraph 2 of the report and there would potentially be the introduction of a private element. He reported that pre-planning application discussions had taken place and a further report would be brought to Cabinet and Council for approval once the contractors had been appointed, planning permission approved and details finalised.

The Leader added that this was the first key site to be redeveloped since the Council decision to invest £100 million in housing across the borough. He welcomed the addition of 29 new homes to the benefit of the town.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    The construction of 29 new units at Monkscroft Villas, Princess Elizabeth Way as set out in the report be approved in principle.

2.    Bids from potential contractors be sought to build the new housing for the Authority.

3.    It be noted that a further report be brought back to Cabinet and Council to seek approval to the Authority undertaking the development and to approve the award of the contract to the successful contractor.

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety introduced the report and explained that in October 2017 a report was brought to Cabinet detailing the Council’s proposed approach to dealing with abandoned shopping trolleys.  This report contained a full description of the legal powers available to the Council in respect of abandoned trolleys and the associated procedures and consultation required to enable the council to use them. The current report detailed the outcome of the consultation and proposed charging regime. It recommended the adoption of Schedule 4 on the specified date, but it was also the intention to request that retailers signed up to a voluntary protocol in the period before implementation as detailed in appendix 3. Following on from the consultation there was a requirement to make a resolution stating the date on which the Schedule 4 controls would come into force, being not less than three months from the date on which the resolution is passed.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    Section 99 Schedule 4 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005) be adopted with an implementation date of 1st May 2019 and that notice of this resolution be published as required.

2.    the abandoned trolley policy and associated protocol, as contained in Appendix 3 be agreed and that this policy, with the associated charging regime, be reviewed and updated from time to time by the Enforcement Manager in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Development and Safety.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment reported that more than 4000 responses had been received to the waste and recycling consultation which was an astonishing result. He wished to thank officers, the communications team and the public for their input. The team was currently examining the survey results but on the whole residents were satisfied with the service and supported the recommendation for more recycling. In addition a significant number of respondents agreed the need for a local household recycling centre.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment also referred to the cemetery and crematorium project which was being delivered on time and on budget. The operation would be open for services on 4 March and there would be a public open day on 2 March to give stakeholders and the public an opportunity to look around the buildings.

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services was pleased to report that Sochi, as Cheltenham’s twin town, had been back in contact and he would be discussing this with the twinning committee on what form any future engagement could take.

The Leader informed Cabinet that a cross party meeting of south west councils had written to James Brokenshire, Secretary of State, with regard to the lack of coherent information being provided to local authorities with regard to Brexit.