Agenda item

The Cabinet Member Cyber and Safety noted the significant decrease in Covid numbers across the county in the last few months, which was wonderful news for Cheltenham and everywhere else.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment noted that he was not seeking re-election after 16 years as a member and 7 years in the Cabinet, and listed some of the authority’s achievements during that time. He was particularly proud of the improvements to waste and recycling in the borough, renewed fleets, improved interactions with the public, the delivery of the new crematorium, upgraded play areas and allotments, the move towards sustainable planting and the retention of Green Flag status. He also thanked officers and members involved in maintaining and improving services during the Covid crisis. He stressed that it had all been the result of a team effort by a wide range of people who were committed and dedicated to the town.

The Cabinet Member Climate and Communities reported that the Cheltenham Zero Community Fund was live and open for bids. Bids were coming in from all over the town for community-driven projects to protect nature, improve green spaces and help fight the climate emergency. He added that since the last Cabinet meeting, the climate change team had added two new officers to contribute to its climate and carbon neutrality goals.

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services added that he would be stepping down from his Cabinet role after the elections, and thanked a number of officers and members for their support, particularly over the last year. A huge number of challenges had had to be tackled head on, both as an organisation and as a town.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Assets noted that Cabinet had been due to consider a Business Rates Relief report at this meeting, but due to changes made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to the business rates system, this would likely have to come to the next Cabinet meeting in June instead. He added that he was also not standing for re-election, and thanked members and officers for their help over the years. He also emphasised that he was excited about the future of the town due to the ambitious projects that the council was undertaking.

The Cabinet Member Economy and Development reported that the council was seeking to recruit four new apprentices, with further details available on its website. She added that the Cheltenham Economic Recovery Task Force’s first skills sub-group had taken place, and that she hoped to update Cabinet on many exciting projects in the coming months.

The Leader of the Council thanked the members who were stepping down for their commitment to the town and hard work over the years.

The Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles echoed the thanks to the departing colleagues. She noted that the effect of the Covid crisis on individuals, communities and children had been enormous, but so was the way people had come together to support each other. No Child Left Behind now had 61 businesses and other organisations actively participating, which was a tremendous community effort, while the Food Network was continuing to make a huge difference across the town. She thanked council workers for going above and beyond throughout the crisis, and stressed that all change for the better came from people working together. Along with the local community, she was now focusing on developing youth provision over the summer and autumn so young people would not be drawn into criminal activities.

Cabinet Member Decisions

There were a total of 14 Cabinet Member Decisions since the last meeting.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Assets had taken a decision on 26th February to grant a tenancy for a kiosk at Beeches Playing Fields.

The Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles had taken two decisions on 25^th February to award the works contract for the refurbishment of the Burrows Sports Pavilion to E G Carter, and to award the works contract for the Burrows Playing Fields Pitches Improvements to Carrick Sports Construction Ltd. She added that the football foundation had recently agreed to award funding related to this site, and thanked officers for their work on this.

The Cabinet Member Housing had taken a decision on 8th March to award grant funding of £500 to Gloucestershire Action of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) to aid its work supporting both refugees and people seeking asylum within Cheltenham.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Assets had taken a decision on 16th March to amend the Additional Restrictions – Discretionary Business Grant Scheme, and a decision on 17^th March to dedicate CBC land to facilitate a cycle path on a section of the A40 (Gloucester Road).

The Leader of the Council had taken a decision on 19th March to allocate functions regarding shared ownership sales.

The Cabinet Member Housing had taken a decision on 22nd March to award grant funding of £3,000 a year to Gloucestershire Nightstop for a period of 3 years from the 1^st April 2021.

The Leader of the Council had taken a decision on 30th March to approve the Publica Group (Support) Ltd Business Plan for 2021-22.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Assets had taken a decision on 31st March to extend the Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme to 30^th June 2021.

The Cabinet Member Cyber and Safety had taken a decision on 6th April to approve consultation on the draft common licensing standards for taxi and private hire licensing, aimed at closing loopholes and applying a shared policy across the county.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Assets had taken a decision on 9th April to appoint and award Travis Perkins the Materials Supply contract for Responsive Repairs, Empty Homes and Programmed works.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Assets had taken a decision on 14th April to approve the payment of £60,000 Additional Restrictions Grant funding to GFirst LEP for a grant scheme to support businesses with developing digitised services and online trading platforms.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment added that he had taken a decision on the 24^th April to enter into a contractual arrangement with the county council for the disposal of commercial waste for a trial period of 2 weeks, which would be extended to 3 years if the trial was successful.