Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control said that the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy Panel report has been circulated and would be brought to Cabinet in July, with information about the funding being provided for good projects around the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities said she was very involved in updating important licensing policies at present, but had recently had an excellent meeting with the new chaplain at the YMCA, Reverend Tim Welch, and attended a productive Violence Against Women and Girls forum meeting and a strategic No Child Left Behind meeting in the last week.  She was looking forwarded to attending a youth event supported by the Children’s Society, at which she would be asking young people what three things they would like to change about Cheltenham while hula-hooping.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture, Wellbeing and Public Open Spaces said he is busy attending events and meeting as many cultural and wellbeing organisations as possible to discuss their needs and actions plans. Some highlights include:

-       a meeting with the trustees of the Playhouse Theatre, which is facing an urgent funding crisis (more details provided in Agenda Item 10);

-       the 90^th birthday celebrations for Cheltenham Lido, with County Councillor Colin Hay, Councillor Willingham and Max Wilkinson MP - a great testament to an outstanding community asset which serves Cheltenham and the wider community. He enjoyed an interesting tour of the site which included the original machinery, and highlighted the amount of work required to keep the place going;

-       the Science Festival has just taken place, with many interesting opportunities to learn; he attended an event with the Leader, and enjoyed a very impressive presentation about photosynthesis and leaves;

-       the University of Gloucestershire recently held its arts degree show, an amazing display of animation, fashion, music, fine art, film production and more.  It offered a great opportunity for students to connect with local employers and businesses, and showcase their talent.  A particular highlight was the interior architecture projects, which focussed on Golden Valley collaborative spaces.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency said he had met with officers today and was learning a lot about his new portfolio.  He expressed sincere gratitude to his Liberal Democrat colleagues and the Leader for placing their trust in him with this portfolio, saying he was delighted to take on the role at this critical time, having a lifelong passion for climate action, and hoped to do it justice. He shared the following highlights:

-       in May, the council supported two workshops hosted by Climate Leadership Gloucestershire:  one focussed on climate risks and vulnerabilities across the county, the other on local area energy planning, foundational steps in shaping a resilient, low carbon future for area;

-       the retrofit programme has now reached over 54k home owner interactions, well ahead of September targets.  One major event and 10 supporting events have been held, and there is evidence of real momentum with home owners beginning to take action;

-       49 students from nine Cheltenham secondary schools have been supported in preparing for a climate action showcase, which will take place at The Wilson, on 25 June, 6.00-7.30pm.  All are invited; 

-       the Cheltenham Zero initiative continues to grow, with two more businesses signed up for carbon audits, and preparations underway for a celebration and fund launch event later this month.  They do vital work in helping the local economy transition to Net Zero;

-       regarding flood risk, the proposed scheme at Grange Field is progressing to detailed design, and we are also entering the third summer of the Reclaim the River Chelt volunteer programme, tackling invasive species and improving biodiversity;

-       new information posts have been installed in parks and nature reserves to raise awareness of the benefits of wild areas and long grasses.  These are small but important steps in increasing public understanding of biodiversity;

-       progress is being made in housing decarbonisation with several retrofit schemes progressing, and moving forward with assessments and installations under the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund; these upgrades reduce emissions, improve comfort and reduce bills.

He ended by thanking officers in the climate, housing and flooding teams for their dedication, innovation and hard work behind the scenes, essential for the borough’s future.  

The Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Public Green Space reported on the following:

-       he has attended a meeting of Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership in the Forest of Dean, together with other local authorities and the county, where it was clear that recycling rates are stagnating across the county.  It was also clear that CBC has been a leader in new recycling initiatives, now considering flimsy plastic and tetra packs, and other authorities look to us; 

-       en route, he enjoyed an interesting discussion with the county council Cabinet Member for Nature, Climate and Waste Reduction about the household recycling centre and opportunities for that going forward;

-       it is good that despite economic difficulties, CBC is still investing in the town, with the new planting scheme underway in the Long Gardens – this will be a real joy Generating colour and biodiversity – and new play equipment, newly-painted railings, and the amazing new public toilets in Montpellier Park;

-       he has enjoyed a positive meeting with officers and the Old Pats, to consider how we can work together to enhance their offer and improve their playing surfaces, in accordance with the policy document considered at the last meeting.  Improving the town’s sports facilities will benefit everyone, and the council is looking to attract funding from wherever it can.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services had a number of items to share:

-       she was invited to speak at events in Brussels, providing a great opportunity to talk about what CBC is doing and how.  One issue being debated at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg is violence against women and girls, now being handled by local authorities and governments across Europe.  She was able to share what we are doing here to make them feel safer, and include them in the discussion which isn’t done elsewhere;

-       at a local government summit for the UK and Europe, prior to the government and EU summit, she spoke about Cheltenham and enjoyed discussions with other authorities about how we can work together;

-       earlier in the day, she walked through the town with the homelessness team, to see what is being done to help homeless people, and consider why the average number in Cheltenham has increased recently.  She said this is being investigated, and it appears that people are  moving between Cheltenham and Gloucester, but although some people don’t want help from the council, there are many wonderful organisations – including P3 Cheltenham, CCP Cheltenham (Caring for Communities and People), Open Door and Citizens Advice – doing great work;  

-       she shared a story about a man who had been homeless for 20 years, who accepted the offer of a CCP pod before Christmas, due to the extreme cold, and could benefit from heating, water, sanitation, and a bed where he could lay down flat to sleep for the first time in 20 years.  He is now moving into his own accommodation in Cheltenham for the first time.  She thanked all the volunteers for their work and dedication.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets and the Cabinet Member for Major Developments and Housing Delivery had no briefings to share on this occasion.