Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Coleman.  

There were none.

Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2019

The minutes of the meeting held on 8^th October 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

These must be received by democratic services no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 30 October 2019

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PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Report of the Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment

The Cabinet Member Corporates Services introduced the report, he explained  that  in February 2019, Full Council unanimously called on the Cabinet to declare a Climate Emergency and had requested that a report be brought back with the local actions that the Council intended to take to address the emergency. The report outlined the actions needed and an indicative timetable, as well as the initial resources required. On 14^th October 2019, Full Council unanimously endorsed the recommendations as outlined in the report.

The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Wilkinson for bringing such an important motion forward.

The Leader highlighted the key role that the council had to play in terms of leadership on such an important topic and welcomed the recommendations in the report. He acknowledged that an additional £150,000 was needed to facilitate the initiates  and that maximising community input was paramount. He further noted that one of the key objectives of the Cheltenham Transport Plan was to encourage modal shift which was essential in tackling climate change.

RESOLVED THAT:

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety introduced the report, he explained that as the Council had recently declared a climate emergency a number of changes needed to be implemented in order to meet the target. The management of traffic flow and the reduction of vehicle emissions being one of the main ones within the council’s remit. Whilst the Cheltenham Transport Plan (CTP) predated the more modern concerns surrounding climate change, he felt that it was timely and an opportunity to address environmental issues. 

The phased implementation of the CTP to date had seen positive changes across Cheltenham, including making Albion Street and Oriel Place two-way as well as the re-configuration of Royal Well Road. He highlighted that it was a CBC promoted scheme and GCC were acting as the agent. 

He confirmed that Phase 4 of the plan had seen a reduction in traffic around Boots Corner by 85% and had only had a limited impact on the highways network as a whole. The main roads affected as evidence at section 3.6 of the report were being reviewed and options considered to address the increases in traffic flow. Pedestrian footfall around Boots Corner had increased by 130%, and there was a 140% increase in the number of wheelchair/mobility scooter users in the area. Similarly, there had been a 4% increase in bus usage compared with a national average decrease.

He acknowledged that the number of vacant shop units was at 8%, which was invariably higher than they would like, however, this was still below the national average of 12%. He highlighted that that the retail market was under significant pressure due to a range of changing economic factors and that a number of retailers who had opted to withdraw from other towns had chosen to remain in Cheltenham. Knight Frank had also ranked Cheltenham town centre 9 out of 200 nationally in terms of investment.

He felt that overall the trial had been a success as could be evidenced by a range of indicators including the increased connectivity, decreased car usage, the major boost to the economy of the town centre and Brewery Quarter as well as the improved environmental standards in the town centre in terms of air quality.  The GGC report set out detailed information regarding traffic monitoring and highlighted any areas of concern and proposed mitigation measures. The alternative to making the scheme permanent would be to allow 10,000 cars back through the town centre everyday. He reasoned that the majority of these were not shopping in the centre but using it to get across town.

Following questions from Members, the Cabinet Member confirmed that GCC, as the transport authority, were responsible for gathering the date regrading traffic flows. All the monitoring work that had been undertaken had been checked and verified to ensure it was accurate. The only data that was collected by CBC was the air quality data as stipulated by DEFRA.

Cabinet Members reasoned that the thought of having an additional 10,000 cars back  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety introduced the report, he explained that the scheme was arguably the most important scheme to come before the council in 50 years. The council had already made a significant investment by purchasing 45 hectares of land but still had a huge amount of work to do in terms of bringing the project forward in collaboration with partners and other agencies.

He explained that West Cheltenham is a strategic Joint Core strategy (JCS) allocation that allows for the delivery of around 1,100 homes. The aim is for Cheltenham to attract local and international talent to a vibrant new sustainable community and continue as the cyber capital of the UK.

He explained that the programme, as set out in the report, is complex and challenging and that the council were assembling a multidisciplinary high skilled team of officers and external advisors to deliver the project. A joint programme board had also been established between Tewkesbury Borough Council and CBC to promote and drive forward the vison and growth potential.  He acknowledged the significant cost of a project of this scale but explained that the costs would be mitigated through partnership arrangements with a future delivery partner.  The Council had also successfully targeted external funding and the project had been promoted by a number of members of government including the Secretary of State and local MPs.

Cabinet Members felt that the project showcased the potential for a town of Cheltenham’s size and had the potential to become an exemplar for environmental and sustainable development. They further acknowledged that the site was one of the strategic housing delivery sites for affordable housing and the provision of housing would assist in addressing issues with Cheltenham’s 5 –year land supply. A Cabinet Member highlighted that the County loses between 400/500 young people a year and stressed the importance of providing not just housing and jobs but a cultural offer in order to retain young people to the area.

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety explained that they were still in the process of drawing up the masterplan and that whilst the detail was yet to emerge the intention was to create an area where people could live and shop with great transport links.  He explained that because the council own a chunk of the site, they can  have considerable more input in to the plans.

RESOLVED THAT:

1. Continued support to the ongoing Cyber Central work programme be approved, to include:

·           delivery vehicle / route to market for development / investment partner(s)

·           further land assembly

·           land management

·           collaboration with landowners

·           collaboration with Tewkesbury Borough Council, other public sector stakeholders and government agencies

·           occupier requirements

·           progression of Garden Communities programme

2. The spend to date on the Cyber Central Programme and the projected financial position until the end of 2020 be noted;

3. Authority be delegated to the Managing Director Place and Growth, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and the Executive Director of Finance and Assets, to approve and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report, she explained that Sandford Lido Limited approached the Council to seek an early surrender of their current lease and requested a new lease for a term of 35 years. The approach was so they could more easily secure funding and grants required to carry out improvements and much needed larger repairs and modernisation.

She highlighted that the council had followed due process as set out in legislation and that failure to do so would have put the council at risk of challenge from other third sector groups and charities renting council property.

She confirmed that draft heads of terms had now been agreed between the Council and the Lido. The lease will follow the same basis as the current one, with the main differences being the current lease is for a term of 25 years, whereas the proposed new lease will be for 35 years, she proposed that the user clause would be for sporting, social, and recreational activities and other activities that the Council may permit at its absolute discretion and as a public car park. The lease would now also include provisions aimed at the Lido being financially accessible for all.

She proposed that the Lido Trust would pay a nominal rent of £5 per year and retain every pound of car parking income up to £365,000 - a figure in excess of the current income generated by the car park. In a further boost, the Trust would retain 50% of all revenue above £365,000

The Council sought two independent specialist advisors in order to help with the renewal process and to help agree appropriate new terms for the lease. The Cabinet Member thanked all those involved in the process, particularly Rebecca Conway and the Lido Trustees.

The Leader thanked all those who had been involved in the process to date and acknowledged the need to follow due process.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.      An early surrender of the lease to SLL be agreed, and a new lease be granted for a term of 35 years of the land shown edged red on the attached plan, on the rental basis set out in the report;

2.      Authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Finance and Assets in consultation with the Borough Solicitor, to agree the remaining terms of the lease and conclude the surrender and grant of a new lease.

Report of the Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report, she explained that in May 2019 a report was submitted to Asset Management Working Group (AMWG) that detailed the current situation with regard to the Authority’s public toilets and four options for how the Authority might manage the amenity in the future. The options were to:

·           Retain and invest in the facilities currently operational;

·           Close all facilities and seek a community partnership initiative to provide public access to alternative facilities;

·           Retain selective facilities and seek a community partnership initiative to provide public access to alternative facilities; or

·           Retain and invest in the facilities currently operational and introduce charging.

In July Cabinet approved the recommendation to adopt a strategy to guide future decision making with regard to public conveniences and the recommendation that a consultation exercise be undertaken in respect of option 3, ‘’to retain selective facilities and seek a community partnership initiative to provide public access to alternative facilities’’.

She highlighted that a changing places facility had been installed in Pittville Park and they were looking at another site in the town centre to support those with significant needs. This could potentially be in Regent Arcade and so would allow access into the evening once the new cinema complex was open.

She stressed that the council were keen to improve access to better facilities which were available for longer hours and had explored various options including the option for a community partnership scheme. This would involve local business allowing the public to freely use public conveniences in their premises even if individuals do not make a purchase and the council would pay a fee to the business premises to include them in the scheme.

The review had concluded that the council should:

·           Retain wcs in parks where there is high usage and invest in these facilities including a brand new facility in Sandford park;

·           Close 2 very poor the town centre facilities (Royal Well, Imperial gardens)subject to accessing alternative facilities via a community partnership scheme; and

·           Close Bath Terrace and introduce a community partnership scheme on the Bath road subject to accessing alternative facilities via a community partnership scheme.

She stressed that they would not close any toilets unless they could secure partners to be involved in the community partnership scheme.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.      Selected facilities be retained and selected facilities be closed subject to achieving access to alternative appropriate facilities via a community partnership scheme as recommended in the report at paragraph 4.4 and subject to a post implementation review after 1 year;

2.      A community partnership initiative be developed to provide public access to appropriate alternative facilities;

3.      Authority be delegated to the Head of Property and Asset Management (in consultation with the Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment, and the Cabinet Member Finance) to implement public convenience asset investment and rationalisation in line with potential opportunities raised in the report, including approval of Heads of Terms for any agreements or transactions involving third parties;

4.      Authority be delegated to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report, she explained that since 2013 the council had been required to set its local council tax support scheme each year for working age people. She advised that council tax support for pensioners is not localised and continues to be provided for by a national scheme.

She explained that council tax support costs 5.6m annually and the cost is met by the council and the precepting authorities. Government funding for the scheme had reduced by 10% in 2013/14 and had since been rolled in to revenue support grant. She advised that CBC no longer receives a revenue support grant and so must fund its share of the cost of the scheme.

She confirmed that the council tax support scheme introduced for 2019/20 is based on 5 income bands with the highest band providing support at 100% of the council tax liability, then reducing to 80%,60%,40% and 20% as household income increased. One of the main aims of the scheme was to continue to provide 100% support to the most vulnerable and those with the lowest income.  She advised that officers had been monitoring the 2019/20 council tax support scheme and the impact of Universal Credit, and as a result some changes were being proposed to the scheme for 2020/21. A consultation had been undertaken in respect of these proposals and the results were included at appendix 4 of the report.

She advised that the proposed changes were supported by the majority of responses to the consultation and were as follows:

·           Increase the income disregard for each disabled child from £65 to £100 per week to provide additional support to families with disabled children;

·           Ignore the Limited Work Capability allowance which will ensure that certain customers continue to receive the maximum support when they transition to Universal Credit; and

·           Increase the income levels for each band slightly to keep pace with moderate increases in pay or welfare benefits.

The changes being proposed would ensure that support continued for the most vulnerable residents, although they would increase the cost by an estimated £90k.  Moving to the scheme based on income bands in 2019/20 had reduced the total cost of the scheme in excess of the estimated £420,000, based on the current caseload. The estimated savings would continue to be achieved with the introduction of the proposed changes to the scheme for 2020/21.

Cabinet Members thanked both officers and the Cabinet Member Finance for all their essential work in supporting vulnerable people within the community.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.      The outcome of the consultation on proposals to change the Local Council Tax Support scheme in Appendix 4 be noted;

2.      The council tax support scheme for working age customers in Appendix 2 and summarised in Appendix 3 as the preferred option for 2020/21 be approved;

3.      It be recommended that Council approves the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers for 2020/21.

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report, she explained that the report provided Members with an update on the Council’s current financial position for the financial year 2019/20. 

She highlighted that the key revenue variances related to Ubico, waste and recycling, salary variances, car parking and planning as shown in table 2.1 of the report.  This amounted to a  predicted overspend of £7k.

The main reasons for the variances were as follows:

·           Ubico were currently forecasting an underspend of £265k. This was due to a £50K saving on the staff budget for grounds maintenance and £215k from a delay in the procurement of vehicles scheduled for replacement in 2019/20.  This was simply as a result of the timing of the vehicle purchases and would not be continued into 2020/21.

·           For the Waste and Recycling area, there was a £305k overspend and the majority of this was a savings target of £200k which was anticipated through service redesigns, efficiencies and investment in new vehicles. She highlighted that any savings from service delivery changes and efficiencies had been offset by the introduction of an additional refuse round in June 2019.The remaining overspend was due to an anticipated £60k shortfall in recycling credits income due to lower than budgeted tonnages of recycling material collected and an anticipated overspend of £50k on the disposal cost of recycled wood. This was due to higher than budgeted volumes of wood and a delay in the procurement of a new disposal contractor.

·           There would be an estimated £120k income surplus for car parking in 2019/20.  However,  as a result of additional staffing costs being incurred and increased pay by phone and card charges, the total estimated surplus for car parking for 2019/20 was £60k.

·           There would be a reduction in the Planning income received in 2019/20 as there had been a reduction in applications.

She further advised that the revenue account is currently showing a net surplus of 72K and the HRA capital expenditures is in line with the current approved budget. Similarly, the collection of council tax and business rates income as at the end of September 2019, the projected outturn for 2019/20  and the outstanding sundry debt  were all in line with the norm for this time of the year.

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The contents of this report be noted, including the key projected variances to the 2018/19 budget and the expected delivery of services within budget.

The Cabinet Members gave the following updates:

·           The Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles confirmed that the first draw of the Cheltenham Lottery would take place on Saturday 9^th November. 35 local organisations had signed up and this was expected to grow. The council were also working on developing a cultural strategy for Cheltenham and as part of this were looking at the children’s festival for next year. She explained that she had been invited to speak about the work that Cheltenham was doing in terms of the no child left behind project, West Cheltenham development and the climate emergency at conferences in both Paris and Moscow. She stressed that this was paid for by organisations and national bodies. With regards to Cheltenham hospital, she thanked REACH for the work they had done in ensuring that Cheltenham would have an A&E.

·           The Cabinet Member Finance explained that a joint press release had gone out regarding the Lido lease. 

·           The Cabinet Member Housing advised that they were undertaking a count on behalf of Central Government on the number of people sleeping rough in Cheltenham and would brief colleagues on the figures accordingly.

·           The Leader advised that there was to be a Members’ safety briefing taking place, which was particularly pertinent given the General Election.