Agenda item

Cabinet Member Sustainability

Cabinet Member Built Environment

The Cabinet Member Sustainability would not be raising any matters covered later on the agenda but did refer Members to the Pittville Bridge briefing note. 

The bridge was being fabricated and should be ready for installation next month (December) and though he could give no guarantees, he did assure Members that in his opinion it would be worth the wait, having seen the bridge in construction.  The decision for the authority to project manage the bridge construction in individual work packages was taken as the most cost effective approach, as the tenders received in 2010 had far exceeded the original budget.  He felt that this was the right decision but admittedly there was always a risk that this approach would cause delay, which it had and for which he apologised.  A scrutiny request had been submitted by Councillor Cooper in relation to the perceived failings in management of this project and the Cabinet Member was at this stage, unclear as to whether this would be considered by this scrutiny committee or Economy & Business Improvement (EBI). 

Members felt that the issue raised by Councillor Cooper related to a business process and therefore, should be considered by EBI.  The Chair moved that a formal recommendation be made to EBI and upon a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the Environment O&S Committee formally recommend that the Economy and Business Improvement O&S Committee consider the project management process of the PittvilleCommunityBridge.

The Cabinet Member Sustainability gave the following responses to questions from Members;

• Replacement of street trees was a responsibility of the County Council but the work was delegated to the Borough Council under a cost sharing agreement.  The issue raised by Councillor Garnham in relation to a tree that had been planted in Bourneside Road, died shortly after and had yet to be replaced, would be raised with the appropriate Officers.
• Sponsors of roundabouts paid an annual amount but had signed a 3 year contract.
• The repairs to Imperial Gardens following the Literature Festival had been completed and the repairs to Montpellier were in progress.

The Chair took the opportunity to comment on how she, on attending events at the Literature Festival, had felt that the new flowerbeds in Imperial Gardens had enhanced the festival experience beautifully and congratulated everyone involved.  She also commended the use of notices to keep the public informed. 

The Cabinet Member Built Environment hoped that exchange of contracts for North Place and Portland Street would be in mid December.  Detailed plans were already being considered with a view to being in a position to go forward with a planning application in Spring 2012 and despite reports to the contrary, the plan was not a ‘done deal’ and there had in fact been a number of changes as a result of the public consultation. 

During the difficulties last winter the Council had supplemented the efforts made by Gloucestershire Highways by helping to clear and grit town centre streets, but capacity issues had limited this to the town centre and could not extend to Trading areas.  There was a proposal this year to develop a snow warden scheme, which would see traders across Cheltenham provided with training and snow clearing equipment to keep these areas clear of snow and ice.  He felt this was a positive way of dealing with what could be another difficult winter and achieving a lot of good with very little money.

Some time ago the maintenance of the Municipal Offices moved to a health & safety only approach. This was no longer considered tenable and he was pleased to advise Members that there would now be a departure from this position.  Property Services were considering what form the maintenance programme would take, though there would not be a high level of investment.

Members welcomed the news about the maintenance of the Municipal Offices, which they felt needed to be kept in good condition. 

In response to a question from a Member of the committee, the Cabinet Member Built Environment accepted the reputational, energy and financial issues surrounding, heating the Municipal Offices and opening windows when it gets too warm.  He would investigate how the heating system was operated and what means of temperature control were available.

The Chair thanked both Cabinet Members for their attendance.