Agenda and minutes

Councillor Payne.

There were none.

Minutes of meeting held on 17^th April.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 April were approved and signed as a correct record.

There were none.

The Leader has sent her apologies on this occasion. The Cabinet Member Cyber, Regeneration and Commercial Income will be in attendance.

Objective: An update from the Cabinet on key issues for Cabinet Members which may be of interest to Overview and Scrutiny and may inform the work plan

There were no questions for the Cabinet Member Cyber, Regeneration and Commercial Income who was attending as the Leader had sent her apologies.

There were no matters referred to committee on this occasion.

Objective: To consider the final report of the Scrutiny Task Group on Tackling Multiple Deprivation, including any proposed workplan or recommendations to Cabinet.

Cllr. David Willingham (Chair of the Task Group)

Richard Gibson (Head of Communities, Wellbeing and Partnerships)

The Vice Chair introduced the item and put on record his thanks to Harry Mayo, Democracy Officer, who had drafted the report on behalf of the task group.

Cllr Willingham, Chair of the Scrutiny Task Group, thanked all Members who had participated, including substitutes. Thanks were also given to officers from Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and other guests who had been invited to participate and who had provided a valuable insight into the issues. He highlighted that there were two areas in the borough which, based on the 2019 indices of multiple deprivation, were in 10% of the most deprived areas in the country, those being in St Marks and St Pauls. He added that there were other areas which were in the 20% most deprived areas.

He noted that tackling deprivation required partnership working and he made reference to the GCC levelling up funds granted to projects in St Marks and St Pauls as well as Hesters Way and West Cheltenham Partnership.

He highlighted that the report contained 21 recommendations which the council could deliver without extra funding, albeit additional funding would improve outcomes. Further issues were raised in the report which were beyond the control of the council, such as the nationwide shortages in teacher recruitment, access to transport, dental provision, tackling predatory lending and high strength, low cost alcohol.

It was imperative the council works with partners and he noted that councillor representatives sat on bodies such as the Gloucestershire Health Scrutiny Committee and the Police and Crime Panel.

The important message was for this to be acted upon which could involve lobbying organisations such as the LGA.

Members were given the opportunity to comment on the report and the following points were raised :

• Members thanked all external participants and officers, including the project sponsor, Richard Gibson, Head of Communities, Wellbeing and Partnerships.
• The report represented a comprehensive assessment of many of the issues and was timely in manner due to the current cost of living crisis. It was right that the council was accountable for things within its control and it was suggested that the relevant GCC Cabinet Members could be invited to the Council to outline their work in this area to facilitate more partnership working.
• Recognition of neurodiversity in education was highlighted, particularly traumas in early school life for which the right types of intervention and support were needed by national government and GCC, but noted that this was outside of CBC direct control
• Those on pre-payment meters were paying a premium and this should be addressed as a matter of equity. It was recognised that Cheltenham Borough Homes could provide advice in this respect to tenants
• The importance of recommendation 3 was flagged in terms of briefing borough councillors on signposting, referral and support routes throughout the cost of living crisis, through member seminars and ongoing support.
• An example of excellent work between the districts and the county council was given as the Gloucestershire Strategic Housing partnership on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Gloucestershire Health O&S Committee (23^rd May) – update from Councillor Bamford.

The Gloucestershire Economic Growth O&S Committee and Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel have not met since the last O&S meeting.

The update from Councillor Bamford, CBC representative on the Gloucestershire Health O&S Committee (HOSC), was noted.

A Member raised the issue of funding for pharmacies in light of their role in acting as a first point of contact for common clinical conditions. He suggested that this could be raised by Cllr Bamford at the next meeting of HOSC.

There were no current scrutiny task groups.

A Member suggested that Gloucestershire Highways be invited to a meeting in order for Members to understand their strategy for highways in the borough.

3^rd July 2023

3 July 2023

The committee is recommended to approve the following resolution:-

“That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining agenda items as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 3, Part (1) Schedule (12A) Local Government Act 1972, namely:

Paragraph 3; Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)”

RESOLVED THAT

“That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining agenda items as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 3, Part (1) Schedule (12A) Local Government Act 1972, namely:

Paragraph 3; Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)”

Objective: Following on from 28th March 2022 Gloucester City Council meeting: looking at GAL’s financial sustainability, both in relation to recent improvements and in the long term.

Mike Morton (GAL Chair)

Ally McLaughlin (GAL Head of Finance)

Paul Jones (Executive Director Finance and Assets)

Members received a presentation from the Chair and Head of Finance of GAL and had the opportunity to raise questions.

Members also requested that further information be provided by the Airport with respect to the pre-submitted questions.

It was noted that GAL would be requested to attend Overview and Scrutiny in a year’s time.

Objective: Strategic risk review.

Paul Minnis (Director of Major Developments and Regeneration)

Paul Jones (Executive Director Finance and Assets)

The Golden Valley team introduced themselves and referred to the exempt discussion paper circulated with the agenda.

Members had the opportunity to ask questions of the officers and thanked them for their attendance.