Agenda item

1.

Question from Councillor Harman to Cabinet Member Finance, Councillor Rawson

Can the Cabinet Member update the Council on whether there is any progress with regard to the North Place Site and whether any Car Parking Spaces can be secured for the important Christmas period?
 

Response from Cabinet Member Finance

Now that the legal hearing has concluded between the developer and Morrisons, the council is working with the developer to explore the possibilities of bringing at least part of the site back into temporary use for parking in 2016, whilst the longer term situation continues to be addressed.

Our information suggests that the car park at North Place will not be available for Christmas parking due to ground conditions and the need for reinstatement works before this could safely take place. As work commenced on the planned supermarket development before a legal dispute arose, the planning status of the site will also need to be addressed. However, the fact that the developer has stated its willingness seriously to consider re-opening the site as a car park on a temporary basis, represents encouraging progress.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Harman asked the Cabinet Member whether he would consider that there was sufficient car parking space available in Cheltenham to cope with the Christmas demand?

In response, the Cabinet Member said that the current car parking facilities served the town well last year and there were more than 2000 offstreet car parking spaces with rates starting at £1.20 an hour. Members should be careful about talking down the Cheltenham offer as the town was well positioned for Christmas shoppers and will be in a position to give them a warm welcome.

2.

Question from Councillor Harman to Cabinet Member Finance, Councillor Rawson

Can the Cabinet Member update the Council on the Plans announced in his budget on improvements to the Royal Well Bus station, shelters and public facilities?

Response from Cabinet Member Finance

A planning application for the improvement scheme will be submitted in the next few days, hopefully this week. The tender process is about to begin with a view to awarding the contract in December and getting on site in January.  The aim is to have the work completed in February or March.

Some time has been spent over the past few months in looking at potential designs for the scheme. The aim has been to produce a design that fits the location and makes the best use of space. Given the importance and sensitivity of the site, I believe it has been time well spent.  I believe Councillors and residents will like the resulting scheme, which consists of two four-bay shelters made of powdered aluminium and perspex together with space for a coffee pod to serve refreshments.  The design aims to make a feature of the pod by using coloured tarmac for its base, so that it looks as if it is meant to be there, rather than seeming to have been dropped there merely to fill a space.

3.

Question from Councillor Harman to Cabinet Member Corporate Services, Councillor Walklett

I attended an event on 8th October, also attended by the Mayor other Civic Leaders and many Business leaders, recognising the importance of our Reserve Armed Forces which also encouraged Employers to support members of Staff who volunteer for the Reserves of The Royal Navy, The Army and the Royal Air Force.

Can the Cabinet Member inform Council how many of our staff are currently serving in the Reserves and what policies the Council has for supporting them and encouraging others to serve.

Response from Cabinet Member Corporate Services

Reservists employed by the council are supported with paid leave. The Council’s Employee Volunteering Policy has incorporated specific reference to reserves since 2009. For interest any arrangement made for paid leave under this policy is on top of allowances made for participation in specific community roles such as Jury service, Magistrate and School governor.

I am able to confirm that no CBC employees volunteer for the Army, Navy or RAF reserve forces at this present time.

As  Councillor Harman is no doubt aware the Ministry of Defence tends to periodically use national advertising, mostly via television campaigns to recruit reservists. Certainly this Council would respond positively to any approach made by the M.O.D to use posters or other soft point of sale materials in CBC properties.

In recent times a reservist employee of one of CBC services did undertake a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Harman asked whether the Cabinet Member had given consideration to working closer with ARRC (Allied Rapid Reaction Corps) based at the former RAF Innsworth.

The Cabinet Member said he hadn't but would take that suggestion forward with HR.

4.

Question from Councillor Wilkinson to Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment, Councillor Coleman

In the light of the recent missed bin collections in the St Stephen’s Road area, would the cabinet member for clean and green environment please explain the process undertaken by Ubico and the county highways contractor when roadworks may prevent bins being collected?  What can be done in future to ensure residents are not inconvenienced when highways works clash with bin collection days?

Response from Cabinet Member Clean and Green

Prior to and during a road closure the information Ubico receives can vary immensely and in some cases the contractors that plan on closing the roads don’t provide notification at all.

If Ubico do receive prior notification, a supervisor reviews the days that access may be a problem. If they have been provided with the contractors contact details they will make every effort to discuss the road closure prior to it happening so that they can arrange a mutually acceptable collection method.

In cases where prior notification is not received, Ubico visit the site on the day the road closes and attempt at that point to make alternative arrangements. However, because of the nature of roads closures it is very rare that a single contractor will be responsible for all works. What is generally found is that one contractor digs up the road, another carries out the repairs and someone else may supply the fencing. Therefore ensuring all contractors appreciate the needs of the Ubico collection teams can be exceptionally difficult.

This issue has been highlighted in the past when an arrangement has been made with the contractor digging up the road to assist in pulling out the bins/boxes only for the collection team to arrive on collection day and find that another contractor has fenced all of the bins/boxes in.

Ubico collection crews try various methods to complete the collections as quickly and effectively as possible. Sometimes they are able to either pull/carry the receptacles out from each end of the road; other times they send a smaller vehicle on the collection day. However, given that all of the current fleet of vehicles are optimised with their own collection rounds each day, sometimes this option is unavailable. 

In instances where access cannot be gained, Ubico keep the customer service teams updated and attempt to gain access each day until the collections have been made. This information is put on the internet and in certain cases where there is likely to be an extended period of disruption customers are advised of remedial arrangements by letter drop.

I anticipate that residents would expect Gloucestershire Highways to be able to inform Ubico of planned maintenance in good time to allow them to make the arrangements as detailed above. As a result of you question, I have therefore today written to the County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Highways to remind him of the importance of ensuring Ubico are kept fully informed and requesting his assistance in improving the current situation if possible.

5.

Question from Councillor Wilkinson to the Leader, Councillor Jordan

I’m sure all members will welcome the news that John Lewis has announced it will open a shop in Cheltenham. Please would the leader of the council outline the role of the borough council in bringing this flagship retailer to town?

Response from the Leader

It is indeed welcome news and will have a positive impact of that part of the High Street. The Cheltenham Development Task Force, in particular its MD Jeremy Williamson, has been exploring potential opportunities in Cheltenham with senior representatives of John Lewis for several years. Equally discussions have been on-going with Blackrock, as owners of the Beechwood Shopping Centre, about its future. Over the last couple of years I have personally had a number of meetings with the parties involved. The Task Force, Cabinet and CBC staff have undertaken a facilitating role supporting both parties to address challenges associated with achieving a new store on the High Street and we are grateful to our colleagues at GCC for unlocking a key impediment which was the approval of the Cheltenham Transport Plan. Additionally the Council approved £450k spend for High Street public realm as a demonstration of this Councils commitment to meeting the expectations of retailers and to improve the area for residents and visitors alike. This money will be spent in co-ordination with GCC maintenance allocations.

6.

Question from Councillor Savage to Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment, Councillor Coleman

Has the Council considered installing bins in public spaces for recyclable as well as general waste?

Response from Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment

Sixteen recycling litter bins are installed at various locations in the town centre to encourage people to segregate cans and plastic bottles from other general litter.

In the main, these are used reasonably well however there are large levels of contamination which lowers the quality of the recyclables collected. Each of the bins is emptied three times a day and the contents of both the recycling compartment and litter compartment are taken back to the Swindon Road recycling centre where the recyclables are placed into the recycling containers.

These bins are very costly to purchase and so are only used in areas which have high levels of footfall and where they are going to be frequently used.

I can confirm however that I have asked for consideration to be given in installing these bins in our parks and gardens. I consider this to be the next logical step in improving recycling facilities in our public spaces.

In addition, one of the first things I asked for having taken over this Cabinet Portfolio was a strengthening of the Land Use Agreement to compel all of those who run public events in our parks and gardens to have a recycling scheme in place. These changes have been made and Ubico is now able to offer a recycling collection service for such events.

In a supplementary question Councillor Savage suggested the council should be leading by example if they were expecting householders to sort their recyclable waste. He asked whether the Cabinet Member accepted that increasing the number of recycling litter bins would help to prevent grot spots and improve the image of the town.

In response the Cabinet Member said that since taking up his portfolio he had done all he could to promote recycling on the doorstep and in public spaces and he would agree that having more visible recycling bins would encourage people to recycle more.

7.

Question from Councillor Payne to Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles, Councillor R. Hay

As a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group that reported on the relocation of the Shopmobility Service I am very disappointed at the Cabinet decision on 15^th September to re-locate the service to the Horse and Groom, in St George’s Place.

This location fails to recognise the criteria put forward by the staff and current users of the facility. It is:

-          not a town centre location

-          it does not provide ready access from buses

-          it does not have easy access from parking facilities for the disabled.

The proposed location does not provide a sufficiently high profile that would attract third party providers to support the service.

There is no mention in the proposal that the reception area of The Wilson would provide a portal for the service, something the Task Group believed The Wilson was keen to pursue.

The consequence of the chosen location will inevitably lead to a reduction in the number of customers, a fact that was highlighted in the Community Impact Assessment.

This decision will disadvantage vulnerable members of our society, and says little about Cheltenham’s commitment to make Cheltenham an accessible place for tourists.

My question is this, giving that the number of customers has been in decline, and will with this relocation decline further, at what point will this administration say, enough is enough and withdraw support for the service.

Response from Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles

As Councillor Payne is aware, it is not this administration’s intention to withdraw support for the Shopmobility service.

In the consultation over the summer, only 2 of the 143 respondents thought that the service should be withdrawn.  And the strategy we have adopted acknowledges this strength of support. That strategy ensures that Shopmobility has a home at the Horse and Groom; once that is achieved we will seek expressions of interest from third parties for continuing its provision.

It is a strategy intended to secure continuation of the service in the town so that it can continue to benefit the vulnerable users which Councillor Payne mentions.

The relocation to the Horse and Groom is the only relocation option achievable within current budgets.

Contrary to the statements in Councillor Payne’s introduction it offers a town centre site which is closer to the High Street and the Promenade than the current office.

In terms of access to buses, the new site is an improvement over the Beechwood office. It is significantly closer to the main town centre bus hubs at High Street, Clarence Street and the Promenade; only the Pittville Street hub is further away - an additional 20 metre trip.

With regard to car parking, in the last full year, 40% of users did not park in the Beechwood car park when using Shopmobility. They came by other means – predominantly taxi or bus – for these people the new site will be an improvement. For the 60% who did use the car park, the new site is very convenient for both on-street blue badge parking and off-street parking; and for the many users who are driven by friends there is drop-off/pick-up zone.

As Councillor Payne is aware, there is potential interest in a commissioned Shopmobility service. Its new location just off the High Street, close to the regenerated Brewery, the TIC and other town centre facilities positions it favourably in respect of the commissioning process.

If there is interest in linking the operation to the Wilson, that would need to come forward through the commissioning process, which I anticipate commencing in the new year.

Councillor Payne has spoken previously at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee about the positive and caring attitude of the Shopmobility staff and the summer consultation was similarly very positive about their attitude and approach. It is their intention to use the relocation as a positive opportunity to reinvigorate the service – I think we should all get behind them in that endeavour so that Cheltenham can continue to have a Shopmobility service of which the town can be proud.

You are quite wrong to suggest the Cabinet’s decision is designed to manage the decline and then closure of Shopmobility. On the contrary we are actually looking to maintain and improve the provision. The Horse & Groom allows us to look at suitable long term solutions. To have made a quick decision, forced on us by the closure of Beechwood, would not have been in my opinion in the long term interest of the service.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Payne, highlighted that the proposal for relocation of the service referred to the necessary renovations being financed from existing budgets. Could the Cabinet Member confirm the amount of cost involved and whether this would impact on staff.

In response the Cabinet Member advised that she did not have the figure to hand but would confirm in writing to Councillor Payne. She reassured him that the renovation work would not be done at the expense of staff.

8.

Question from Councillor Fletcher to Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor McKinlay

Following the excellent news that John Lewis is locating to The Beechwood, which I believe will bring shoppers from adjoining counties and beyond to Cheltenham, isn't now the right time to consider lowering our parking charges both in our car parks and 'on street' parking in negotiations with Gloucestershire County Council.  These charges are considered by many to be extortionate, and surely we want to encourage more visitors and shoppers to Cheltenham?

Response from Cabinet Member Development and Safety

No, now is not the right time. The Cabinet Member Working Group on Car Parking will be considering the issue of pricing policy as part of its terms of reference. I believe it would be inappropriate to pre-empt any recommendations that the working group might make.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Fletcher asked when would be the right time? The working group appeared to have been set up at the 11th hour and she wanted to know when the outcome of the working party would be known given that members had been waiting so long.

The Cabinet Member suggested that how long it would take for the working group to make their recommendations was in the hands of the working group and he would not want to rush them in this process. He reminded Members that the current parking strategy had been produced four years ago and it was reasonable to review it after that period of time and hence there was nothing unusual about the timetable being set for this review. He reminded Members that car parking charges had been frozen since 2010 and when the MTFS had been discussed at the last Cabinet Meeting there were no assumptions made about car parking fees rising in the next three years. There were a lot of competing factors to be assessed in making any reductions or increases in car parking charges which had been explained to the working group at their first meeting.

9.

Question from Councillor Regan to Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment, Councillor Coleman

Will the Cabinet member ensure our streets and paved areas are regularly cleaned of chewing Gum which encompasses the whole of the town centre and inform us when the last time chewing gum was cleaned off our streets?

Will the member agree it is ugly, unsightly, and that spitting out gum is unacceptable?

Is he aware that the whole pavement length of the promenade outside our prestigious shops is covered in discarded gum?

Will he approach the manufacturers for funding towards removal of this unpleasant habit?

Can he look at the possibility of installing Gum Bins?

Response from Cabinet Member  Clean and Green Environment

I am aware of the problem of chewing gum on our pavements and agree with your observations on its ugly and unsightly nature.

I am advised that the removal of chewing gum from our pavements is a more difficult job than one would expect and at the current time has to be carried out by specialist contractors. The Promenade, High Street and Bus Station were all targeted in a stand-alone cleanse which was undertaken in 2008 by such acontractor at a cost of £12,500.

In respect of installing additional bins, I am not persuaded that the few anti-social people who drop/spit their chewing gum on the floor would be any less likely to do so should further bins be installed. There are already a number of bins available in and around the town centre and I would urge people to use them.

I am certainly prepared to make representations to the manufacturers in accordance with your suggestion but I consider that it would also be beneficial to lobby central government on this point. I would add that it is exactly this sort of service that becomes difficult to provide as a result of the cuts to local government funding.

I do want to assure you that the Cabinet is actively looking at ways of removing chewing gum from the pavements that you refer to. I am also exploring with Officers whether the expansion of Ubico would now allow for the purchase of the specialist equipment needed to remove chewing gum across all partner Authorities although I am mindful that this would likely bring additional cost to the Council.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Regan, asked whether the Cabinet Member would consider finding a sum of money in 2016 for this purpose before the town hosted dignitaries from our twin town in Annecy.

The Cabinet Member responded that he agreed with the thrust of the question and reassured the member that Cabinet were were considering every possible solution for sorting this problem.

10.

Question from Councillor Wilkinson to Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles, Councillor R. Hay

Please could the cabinet member for healthy lifestyles make a statement on the appointment by Cheltenham Poetry Festival of a Poet in Residence for Cheltenham?

Response from Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles

I am very pleased to take this opportunity to say how good it is that the Cheltenham Poetry Festival have appointed a Cheltenham Poet in Residence.

I would like to thank Anna Saunders the Festival founder & director for inviting me to formally announce Angela France as the Poet in Residence at an open Mic event at Smokey Joes on National Poetry Day the 8^th October.

Having a Poet in Residence is a unique initiative and the formal announcement has generated a huge twitter response. The Forward Poetry Organisation alone has circa 24 thousand followers promoting internationally through their networks, the story has also been promoted by the poetry press Nine Arches and many more local poetry groups across the County, generating something in the region of 64 thousand tweets.

Cheltenham Poetry Festival media sponsor Gloucestershire media have supported the project not only covering the event but also publishing poems by the town’s bard.

The whole initiative is designed to make Cheltenham a poetry destination, which will not only raise the profile of poetry within the town but also attract internationally acclaimed spoken word performers to perform in our community.

As with all Festivals, the value to the town’s recognition within the country and internationally is hugely positive. It increases our town as a destination, bringing economic value and enhancing the cultural richness and wellbeing for our residents.

I am very happy to say, that having spoken to next year’s Mayor, Councillor Chris Ryder, a poem about Cheltenham by Angela France will be read. Angela will also be formally recognised as the Poet in Residence for next year at the Mayoral Inauguration. I believe a very suitable addition to the town’s annual civic celebration and I am grateful for Councillor Ryder’s support in this.    

In a supplementary question, Councillor Wilkinson, asked the Cabinet Member whether she agreed that all members should be supporting this initiative.

The Cabinet Member yes.

On a point of clarification, the deputy Mayor, Councillor Ryder, welcomed the initiative and although the arrangements for the Mayoral inauguration had not yet been agreed she would ensure that the appointment was recognised in some way at the event.

11.

 Question from Councillor Lillywhite to the Leader, Councillor Jordan

Question for Steve Jordan following his recent comments in the Echo;

Why would John Lewis want Boots Corner closed?  It is the principle access to their proposed Car Park for the majority of Cheltenham’s population, possibly 70% of which live south of the High street.

The alternate route through Rodney Road is also likely to be severed by a ‘rising bollard’.  So that ‘dispersed’ traffic does not travel along the High Street to Winchcombe Street, at ‘Thomas Cook Corner’, a far greater severance than Boots Corner with a much higher impact on the new store.

Will he please outline how traffic that would have used Boots Corner would now reach the new store from the South of town, specifying road names.

Response from the Leader

My comments reflected discussions with representatives of Blackrock (owners of the Beechwood Shopping Centre) and John Lewis Partnership who believe that removing traffic is positive for High Street performance. In fact JLP stipulated GCC approval of the Cheltenham Transport Plan and the specific changes to return Albion Street to two way working before finalising the deal.

Access to the new store from the South of town could be through a variety of routes. On the assumption that the Boots Corner trial progresses then traffic will choose to disperse around the town centre in either an easterly or westerly direction thus accessing Albion Street via London Road and St James’s Street or from North Street.

12.

Question from Councillor Lillywhite to the Leader, Councillor Jordan

 The Council leader refers to ‘The County's endorsement’ of the Transport Plan. Had he attended the Cabinet meeting he would understand in no uncertain terms and direct from Mark Hawthorne, their leader, that they do not approve and were going to throw it out as the Traffic Authority were unable to answer so many of the questions formally raised and opposition was so strong. However, they were stopped by the last minute interjection of ‘strong voices from the Cheltenham business community’. They had to fashion a means of implementing it in a conditional, phased manner each one subject to the ‘success’ of the last.

The ‘strong voices’ were of the Brewery Scheme developer and a spokesman for the Chamber of Commerce, who claimed 99% support, which is yet to be substantiated despite requests.

The impression the leader has given to the general public in his statements regarding the ‘Counties endorsement’ is misleading, is he intending to correct this?

Response from the Leader

Whilst there may have been robust debate at the GCC Cabinet meeting on 22/07/15 the outcome was approval to progress the Cheltenham Transport Plan so my comment stands as a factual interpretation of the decision.

My understanding is that there was and remains significant business community support. My response above (Q11) clearly demonstrates how significant investors, other than promoters of the Brewery also supported implementation of the plan. I am aware that retailers and traders such as Supergroup, Yo!Sushi, Specsavers, Trespass, Tesco, Bar & Wok and many more, plus the Chamber of Commerce and Stagecoach all supported the position.

So to suggest that the “strong voices” emanated solely from one scheme is clearly incorrect.