Agenda, decisions and minutes

To note any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2019 (minutes attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2019 were agreed and signed as a correct record of that meeting.

To  declare any pecuniary or personal interests relating to specific matters on the agenda.

Please see information note (1) at the end of the agenda

Cllr Tim Harman, Cabinet Member: Public Health declared a non pecuniary interest in item 5 of the agenda (Cheltenham Transport Plan). Cllr Harman announced that, following officer advice, he would be leaving the meeting for consideration of this item. The declaration of interest related to Cllr Harman’s role of Group Leader at Cheltenham Borough Council.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Written questions

To answer any written questions from a County Councillor, (or any person living or working in the county, or is affected by the work of the County Council), about any matter which relates to any item on the agenda for this meeting.

The closing date for the receipt of written questions is 4.00 pm on Monday 16 December 2019.

Please submit questions to Jo Moore, Democratic Services, Shire Hall, Gloucester, GL1 2TG or to jo.moore@gloucestershire.gov.uk

A written answer will be provided for each written question and published on the  council website. The questions and answers will be taken as read and need not be read out at the meeting. At the discretion of the Leader of Council, each questioner will be allowed to ask a supplementary question in response to the answer given to the original question. If the Cabinet member is unable to provide a response, a written response will be provided after the meeting.

A copy of all written questions and answers will be attached to the signed copy of the minutes of the meeting.

Urgent questions

An urgent written question may be asked by a member of the public about any item on the Cabinet agenda for that meeting which the Chairperson considers could not have been reasonably submitted by the deadline for the receipt of written questions, provided he or she gives notice of the question to the Chief Executive by 12 noon the day before the meeting.

Seventeen public questions was asked at the meeting, (the majority of the questions related to item 5 of the agenda, Cheltenham Transport Plan Phase 4).

In addition to the public questions, 24 member questions were submitted for consideration prior to the meeting.

Please refer to the link below to view the responses to the questions:

https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=9232&x=1

In addition to the 17 public questions submitted prior to the meeting, an additional 9 questions were submitted for consideration as ‘urgent’ questions on the day of the meeting. The decision to accept the additional questions as urgent questions was agreed in accordance with the council’s constitution, whereby ‘an urgent written question may be asked by a member of the public about any item on the cabinet agenda for which the Chairperson considers could not have been reasonably submitted by the deadline for the receipt of written questions, provided notice of the question is given to the Chief Executive of the Council by 12 noon on the day before the meeting’.

Urgent Questions

The following questions were noted at the meeting: -

Question 1: Cllr Steve Jordan (Cheltenham Borough Council)

Agenda Item 5: Cheltenham Transport Plan Phase 4

Will you confirm that in taking any decision in relation to the Cheltenham Transport Plan phase 4 you will give proper weight to empirical evidence over anecdotal evidence?

The specific points presented at the meeting were:-

Ø  Significant modal shift with Stagecoach claiming an additional 270,000 additional bus passengers p.a and better punctuality as a result of the trial; potentially the most significant modal shift success ever achieved within the County

Ø  Cycling through Boots Corner itself up by 185% since the trial began

Ø  Falling traffic flows in the town centre (20% reduction compared to 2008)

Ø  No adverse air quality impact, in fact, a slow decline in NO? over several years

Ø  Positive town centre performance from a footfall and investment perspective as cited by commercial contributors at the TR committee

Ø  7% increase in town visitors and 6% increase in overnight stays in the last 12 months i.e. within the trial period

Ø  2019 CBC residents survey independently undertaken that identified ‘Promoting walking, cycling and public transport’ within residents top three priorities.

Respondent: Cllr Nigel Moor

Cabinet will consider all the representations that have been made to it on this subject in reaching a decision.

Question 2: Cllr Steve Jordan (Cheltenham Borough Council)

Agenda Item 5: Cheltenham Transport Plan Phase 4

When GCC received £4.95m from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund it was premised on: -

Ø  Reducing the severance of the High Street at Boots Corner

Ø  Increasing walking, cycling and public transport use

Ø  Stimulating town centre retail activity and supporting regeneration

Please confirm how you will achieve these if the outcome of Cheltenham Transport Plan phase 4 is to abandon the trial.

Respondent: Cllr Nigel Moor

The Cheltenham Transport Plan has been implemented in phases, so whilst Phase 4 has been a trial, Phases 1 – 3 are permanent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a recommendation from the Traffic Regulation Committee, (made at the Traffic Regulation Committee meeting on 16 December 2019), in respect of Phase 4 of the Cheltenham Transport Plan. Cabinet will be asked to make or abandon the experimental traffic regulation orders for this scheme.

Please refer to the link below to view the documents published with the agenda for the Traffic Regulation Committee meeting on 16 December 2019.

https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=268&MId=9586&Ver=4

Notification of the Traffic Regulation Committee meeting decision will be published on the Gloucestershire County Council website prior to the Cabinet meeting.   

Please refer to the link below to view the final report (including recommendations) of the Traffic Regulation Committee meeting on 16 December 2019.

https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/documents/b16344/Traffic%20Regulation%20Committee%20Report%2016%20December%202019%20Friday%2020-Dec-2019%2010.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=9

The report was published as a supplementary report to the agenda on 18 December 2019.

At the Traffic Regulation Committee meeting on 16 December 2019, the committee was asked to consider the Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) relating to Phase 4 of Cheltenham Transport Plan, (trial restriction of Clarence Street “Boots Corner”), and make a recommendation to Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet.

Vice Chairman of the Traffic Regulation (TR) Committee, Cllr Alan Preest, presented the final report of the Committee, (including recommendations), from the TR Committee meeting held on 16 December 2019.

Cllr Preest confirmed that the committee had considered the evidence made available to them, including all of the representations received in response to the final version of the ETROs, and had

RESOLVED to recommend that the Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet: -

Abandon the current Phase 4 Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) and revert back to the permanent Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) which had been in place immediately prior to the Phase 4 trial.

The Committee also RESOLVED to: - 

Recommend that, whether or not Cabinet agreed to abandon the Phase 4 ETROs and revert back to the permanent TROs, Cabinet should note that:

Ø  Capital investment is needed to improve the sequence of the traffic signals on the town centre ring road to make the routes more useable.

Ø  Clearer strategic route signage is needed throughout the town centre, to enable motorists to navigate their way around effectively.

Ø  Action needs to be undertaken on addressing the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles at various points in the town centre.

Cabinet considered the recommendation of the Traffic Regulation Committee and,  

RESOLVED to: -

1)    Abandon the amended versions of the ETROs for Phase 4 of the CTP;

2)    Delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner: Highway Authority to implement its decision;

3)    Commit to continuing to work with key stakeholders to improve transport and access in Cheltenham Town Centre.

Where the need to implement a decision so urgently pre-implementation review of the decision is not appropriate, the Council’s Constitution allows for the decision to be implemented urgently without imposing a call-in period. (To do so, the Chair of Council and the Chair of the relevant Scrutiny Committee, must confirm that it is necessary to implement the decision immediately). 

In accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the cabinet decision report for this decision, Cllr Ray Theodoulou, (Chair of Council), and Cllr Rob Bird, (Chair of the Environment Scrutiny Committee), agreed that the decision should be implemented immediately for the following reason: -     

The original CTP Phase 4 ETROs were implemented on 28 June 2018 for a period of no more than 18 months. The ETROs expire on 28 December 2019. Whatever the outcome of the Cabinet decision on 20 December 2019, the council’s 5 day call in procedure would restrict implementation of the decision until 1 January 2020, (following expiry of the ETROs).

The decision to abandon the amended versions of the ETROs for Phase 4 of the Cheltenham Transport Plan will therefore be implemented with immediate effect in  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

Cllr Tim Harman, Cabinet Member: Public Health declared a non pecuniary interest and left the meeting for consideration of this item (Cheltenham Transport Plan). The declaration of interest related to Cllr Harman’s role of Group Leader at Cheltenham Borough Council.

The Cheltenham Transport Plan, (CTP), commenced in 2013 as a joint project funded by the Department for Transport. The CTP is a long-held Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) vision to recast and make changes to Cheltenham Town Centre.

The original Phase 4 Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) commenced on Thursday 28 June 2018 as a trial restriction of Clarence Street, Cheltenham, (known locally as “Boots Corner”), to run for a period of up to 18 months, after which time the trial would need to be abandoned or made permanent. The overall objective of implementing the trial ETROs was to restrict general traffic along a section of Clarence Street (Boots Corner) whilst allowing service access and enabling civil enforcement.

Having considered comments received in relation to the original Phase 4 ETROs, including the effects of the restrictions, Cheltenham Borough Council (as scheme promoter) and Gloucestershire County Council (as local highways authority) agreed in January 2019 to introduce revised ETROs. The amendments to the Phase 4 Trial commenced for a 6 month period on Monday 3 June 2019.

At a meeting on 16 December 2019, the GCC Traffic Regulation Committee (TRC) was asked to make a recommendation to GCC Cabinet on whether the Phase 4 Trial, (as amended from 3 June 2019), should be abandoned or made permanent. The TRC has the authority to make a recommendation to Gloucestershire County Council, (as local highways authority), to seek a final decision on whether to abandon or make permanent the ETROs. The remit of the committee was to solely consider the amended and final version of Phase 4 ETROs.

The TRC was asked to consider the following recommendations: -

i)     Make the current Phase 4 ETROs permanent; or

ii)    Abandon the current Phase 4 ETROs and revert back to the permanent TROs in place immediately prior to the Phase 4 trial

Following a full and in-depth discussion, involving intense questioning and representations from members of the public, local businesses and Cheltenham Borough Council, the TRC made the following recommendation to Gloucestershire County Council, (as local Highways Authority), for consideration by GCC Cabinet at this meeting.

The TRC recommended: -

i)             That Cabinet abandon the current Phase 4 ETROs and revert back to the permanent TROs in place immediately prior to the Phase 4 trial.

ii)            In considering the recommendation, that Cabinet delegates authority to the Lead Commissioner: Highways Authority to implement the decision and, whatever the outcome of the decision, commit to continue to working with key stakeholders to improve transport and access arrangements in Cheltenham Town Centre.

Vice Chairman of the TRC, Cllr Alan Preest, presented the final decision report of the committee, including an overview of the outcomes of the meeting held  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive an update on the year-end forecast for the 2019/20 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, gave an update on the year end forecast for the 2019/20 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to: -

1.    Note the forecast revenue year end position as at the end of October 2019 (Period 7) for the 2019/20 financial year is a balance budget. This has been achieved as a result of the review of revenue reserves and in-year efficiencies authorised by Cabinet on 13 November 2019.

2.    Approve the transfers from reserves as detailed in the report of £2.001 million

3.    Note the forecast capital year end position as at the end of October 2019 of £108.696 million against the revised budget of £108.584.

4.    Approve the £4.628 million increase to the capital programme as outlined in Section D of the report.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, gave an update on the year end forecast for the 2019/20 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets.

Cllr Stowe reported a forecast revenue year end position, (as at the end of October 2019), as showing a balanced budget of £429.661 billion. This had been achieved through a comprehensive review of reserves and in year efficiencies.

Cllr Stowe confirmed that the net year end forecast position included a significant overspend in the Children and Families Budget of £11.916 million. This reflected continuing pressures on external placements and safeguarding staff budgets.

The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was forecast to overspend by £9.552 million, which included a deficit carry forward of £2.884 million. Recent funding announcements had identified £700 million additional national funding for special needs in 2020/21 with early indications that GCC’s allocation could be in the region of £6.1 million in 2020/21. It was noted this would not be sufficient to cover the current in-year cost pressure and that the implementation of the High Needs Strategy, (agreed by Schools Forum) would be essential going forward. Cllr Stowe highlighted the importance of working closely with the School’s Forum.

The forecast capital year end position was reported at £108.696 million, resulting in an in year overspend of £0.112 million. Cllr Stowe advised that this had been the result of the advanced delivery of schemes and had no impact on the overall cost of the capital programme.  It was proposed that an increase of £4.628 million be made to the capital programme, as detailed in the Cabinet report.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to: -

1.    Note the forecast revenue year end position as at the end of October 2019 (Period 7) for the 2019/20 financial year is a balance budget. This has been achieved as a result of the review of revenue reserves and in-year efficiencies authorised by Cabinet on 13 November 2019.

2.    Approve the transfers from reserves as detailed in the report of £2.001 million

3.    Note the forecast capital year end position as at the end of October 2019 of £108.696 million against the revised budget of £108.584.

4.    Approve the £4.628 million increase to the capital programme as outlined in Section D of the report.

To consider the Draft Medium Term Financial Strategy as the basis for consultation and scrutiny prior to seeking final Cabinet approval on 29th January 2020 and as a recommendation to County Council on 12th February 2020.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, set out proposals relating to the detailed revenue and capital budget for 2020/21and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2020/21 to 2022/23.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Approve for consultation and scrutiny the proposed detailed revenue and capital budget for 2020/21 (including Dedicated Schools Grant which will also be considered by the Schools Forum) and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) covering the period 2020/21 to 2022/23.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, set out proposals relating to the detailed revenue and capital budget for 2020/21and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2020/21 to 2022/23.

The Draft Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) was presented as the basis for consultation and scrutiny, prior to finalisation of the budget for approval by Cabinet on 29 January 2020, and recommendation to County Council on 12 February 2020.

Cllr Stowe informed members that the MTFS had been prepared using best estimates pending the announcement of the provisional finance settlement. Any amendments would be incorporated into the final budget submitted to Cabinet in January 2020 and Council in February 2020.

The MTFS contained the proposed budget for 2020/21, including the general fund revenue budget, the capital programme and the Dedicated Schools Grant. The general fund revenue budget totalled £468.183 million, based on a 1.99% Council Tax increase, plus the Adult Social Care Levy, (extended for a further year to allow the Council to increase council tax levels by an additional 2%, with the specific aim of funding Adult Social Care). It was noted that the 2% Levy would raise an additional £6.3 million for delivering Adult Social Care services.

Cllr Stowe confirmed that the proposed tax increase would result in a Band D Council Tax of £1,345.32 in 2020/21 compared to £1,293.70 in 2019/20, an increase of £51.62 per annum. Cllr Stowe reported an increase of £1.00 per week for average Band D tax payers. Acknowledging that the decision to increase council tax was never an easy decision for any authority to take, Cllr Stowe clarified that the proposed increase had been made in line with the council’s ongoing commitment to delivering key front-line services, including Children’s and Adult Services. He added that Gloucestershire remained amongst those councils whose performance was high and tax levels low.

Presenting the budget as delivering real investment, Cllr Stowe acknowledged the ongoing challenges of having to make proposed savings, estimated at £9.6m, and the continuing pressures of delivering Children and Adult Services. Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, echoed these sentiments.

Pending the announcement of the final government financial settlement, the draft budget would be considered at a scrutiny committee budget meeting on 9 January 2020 and submitted for approval as a recommendation to Council by Cabinet on 29 January 2020.  

Commending Steve Mawson, Paul Blacker and the Finance Team for their work in the development of the MTFS and the draft budget, and having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Approve for consultation and scrutiny the proposed detailed revenue and capital budget for 2020/21 (including Dedicated Schools Grant which will also be considered by the Schools Forum) and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) covering the period 2020/21 to 2022/23.

To consider approval of the Draft Climate Change Strategy, including action plan and resource implications.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, presented the Draft Climate Change Strategy, including immediate action plan and resource implications for implementation of the strategy. 

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

1.    Approve the Immediate Action Plan and endorse the Climate Change Strategy (Annex 1);

2.    Adopt the Gloucestershire Climate Change manifesto (Figure 1) and seek the support of the council’s partners at Leadership Gloucestershire to join the county council’s commitment;

3.    Approve up to £90,000 in-year investment to cover the costs of developing and implementing the strategy and for the staffing and green electricity proposals, from the 2019/20 existing corporate budget;

4.    Subject to the Council approving the £1million Climate Change and Air Quality ‘Action Fund’, to delegate authority to the Director for Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to determine how the Fund will be used to support delivery of the Climate Change Strategy, in consultation with the:

a)    Cabinet Members for Environment & Planning; Finance & Change; Public Health & Communities; and the

b)    Directors of Finance ; Public Health

5.    Note the findings from the public consultation and the feedback from the Gloucestershire Youth Climate Panel (Annex 2)

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, presented the Draft Climate Change Strategy, including an immediate action plan and resource implications for implementation of the strategy. 

Cllr Moor informed members that the council had been working to reduce its impact on climate change for at least 15 years.  In spite of its ongoing commitment, the council recognised that, as a county, more work was needed to address climate change, and quickly.  Cllr Moor stated that, whilst there was a desire to lead Gloucestershire’s response, it was not possible for the council to do this alone.

He explained that the new Climate Change Strategy set out the council’s vision of achieving a carbon neutral county by 2050. The strategy aimed to provide an ‘improved quality of life’ for everyone, both at the current time, and for future generations. This would be achieved from making improvements to the quality of the natural environment.  Furthermore, the vision aimed to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2030.

Cllr Moor explained that the strategy highlighted the level of change that would be required and, in broad terms, what actions would be required to make this happen. He described the document as an enabling strategy; setting out what the council needed to do and how it needed to work with partner agencies to deliver the changes, enabling everyone involved to play their part.

The intention would be to share the proposed overall approach with Leadership Gloucestershire and with other partners, seeking agreement on how Gloucestershire as a whole can work together to bring about a co-ordinated approach in response to the climate emergency.

Cllr Moor informed members that the council was striving to respond urgently to the climate emergency and to ensure resources were available from which to deliver the necessary changes. He stated that the council would work within the remit of an immediate action plan, with an anticipated delivery date of April 2020.  Medium and long term measures would be implemented as part of a five year rolling programme, due to be launched in April 2020, to be reviewed and updated annually.

The proposed strategy concentrated on 8 key themes, including:

1.            Putting climate change at the heart of decision making

2.            Buildings – ours, residents, businesses and partners

3.            Transport – carbon busting options for all

4.            Power – helping everyone convert to green power

5.            Waste – reducing and dealing with

6.            Influencing others

7.            Land use

8.            Campaigning

It made an immediate commitment to the following key actions, with an anticipated target date of April 2020:

• £1million action fund to fight the effects of climate change;
• Million Trees Challenge – working with partners across Gloucestershire, the council commits to planting a million trees by 2030;
• To use only 100% renewable electricity to power council buildings and Gloucestershire’s lit road signs, bollards and 60,000 streetlights – which would see the council having cut its CO₂ emissions by 89% since 2007;
• Request all contractors to report a “carbon and environmental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider approval of a 3 year Concessionary Travel Scheme with Stagecoach West Ltd.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, sought consent to negotiate and enter into a three year fixed rate agreement with Stagecoach West Ltd.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner – Communities and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, to:

1.    Negotiate the terms of a 3 year fixed rate agreement with Stagecoach West Ltd, commencing on 1 April 2020, under which Stagecoach shall receive the statutory reimbursement of  fares that would otherwise be payable in respect of passengers it carries holding an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENTCS) pass; and

2.    Enter into such agreement provided the above-mentioned negotiations are successful, meets core requirements and is within budget.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, sought cabinet approval to negotiate and enter into a three-year fixed rate agreement with Stagecoach West Ltd.

Cllr Moor informed members that the county council made a very substantial financial commitment to public transport in Gloucestershire. He explained that the reimbursement of operators for bus trips by pass holders was a statutory obligation for all authorities. Gloucestershire currently provide transport passes to approximately 110,000 pass-holders across the county, (representing, an average 5.5 million trips a year). The current scheme is a key revenue stream for operators, with Stagecoach responsible for over 95% of the bus trips made in Gloucestershire.

The new proposal represents a 3-year agreement, introduced to make payments to Stagecoach at a fixed rate, based on actual passenger numbers. The new agreement would be a follow-on agreement to the current, successful 2017-2020 version. A key advantage of the agreement is that it would provide both parties with budgetary and bus operational network stability. Members noted that Stagecoach had agreed to maintain the current service level (at the time of contract signing) at a fixed price payment.

Cllr Moor confirmed that Stagecoach would benefit from protection against potential sudden drops in passenger numbers, achieved from the payment of reimbursement payments at a fixed rate, thus reducing the risk of a service being withdrawn if there was a sudden reduction in numbers.

At the time of the writing the report, the total concessionary reimbursement budget was set at £6.2m. It was noted that, even with a small increase in the number of journeys on popular services, this could result in a large increase in the amount the council would have to pay. The proposed agreement would provide budgetary stability by removing the council’s exposure to such fluctuations. The agreement also sought to reduce the risk of a legal challenge by Stagecoach.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner – Communities and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, to:

1.    Negotiate the terms of a 3 year fixed rate agreement with Stagecoach West Ltd, commencing on 1 April 2020, under which Stagecoach shall receive the statutory reimbursement of  fares that would otherwise be payable in respect of passengers it carries holding an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENTCS) pass; and

2.    Enter into such agreement provided the above-mentioned negotiations are successful, meets core requirements and is within budget.

To approve the revised Fastershire Broadband Strategy 2019 – 2022.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Economy, Education and Skills, gave an update on the Fastershire Broadband Strategy and the future deployment of high speed broadband for Gloucestershire and Herefordshire to 2022.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

1.    Approve the revised Fastershire Broadband Strategy 2019 – 2022;

2.    Delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner – Strategic Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Education and Skills to:

2.1   Approve the approach and criteria under Stage 5 of the revised Strategy, to establish a Fastershire Community Broadband Grant, that will be delivered via a new Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and;

2.2   Conduct a competitive procurement process for Community Broadband grants based on the criteria set out in 2.1 and award such contract (s) in accordance with the Dynamic Purchasing System established through the joint Partnership Agreement between Gloucestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Economy, Education and Skills, gave an update on the Fastershire Broadband Strategy and the future deployment of high speed broadband for Gloucestershire and Herefordshire to 2022.

He informed members that the GCC Fastershire Project had been operating in conjunction with Herefordshire for 8 years, and over this time, over £30m of public subsidy had been invested in high speed broadband across the county, including locations where the market had previously failed to deliver. The programme provided gap funding to attract commercial providers, including BT, Gigaclear and Airband to invest.

Cllr Molyneux stated that the project had been very successful and had been recognised several times for being a ‘trailblazer’ nationally, (most recently by INCA as the organisation that had made the greatest public sector impact on the provision of broadband). By the end of completion of the current contracts, Gloucestershire’s broadband coverage was anticipated to be 97.8%, enabling 324,386 properties.

The current Strategy would need to be rolled forward and updated to reflect emerging future Government Policies on Digital Connectivity. The Fastershire team had recently met with the Leader, Cabinet Member and Chief Executive, seeking guidance on the future approach of the revised Strategy and delivery plans for further investment in broadband infrastructure, where it had been agreed that the county council would continue with the current Joint partnership arrangements with Herefordshire for the next two years. This would enable delivery of the current full fibre contracts, and use the remaining GCC capital funds to concentrate on the remaining 2.5% locations still to be enabled with faster broadband.

In terms of delivery, the revised strategy would focus heavily on continuing to work with commercial providers to support delivery of full fibre in the major towns, as well as establishing the new community broadband grant targeted at around 7,000 properties currently not in line to be upgraded as part of the existing contracts.

A new Dynamic Purchasing System would be established to enable the team to award Community Broadband Grants. Cllr Molyneux advised that there was likely to be a good level of demand from those areas yet to be enabled and achieve full fibre connectivity, and any efforts by the Authority to improve the potential coverage and connectivity in those areas would be welcomed by the local communities.

Cllr Molyneux clarified that Digital Connectivity and full fibre roll out remained a Government priority, and that he hoped the final phase of the project would be as successful as previous phases. He confirmed that the county council aimed to continue with investment in delivering faster broadband to more homes and businesses in order to achieve the Fastershire Strategy Vision of ‘enabling all residents and businesses in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire to access the connectivity they need and encourage people to use faster broadband to do more online, boost business growth and achieve their potential’.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To support proposals relating to the new residual waste reduction incentive agreements with district councils. The agreements replace existing Food Waste Collection and Delivery Arrangements.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, presented proposals relating to new residual waste reduction incentive arrangements for discussion with district councils. The arrangements to replace existing Food Waste Collection and Delivery Arrangements.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

1. Support the agreement of new Residual Waste Reduction Incentive Arrangements with each of the Waste Collection Authorities on the basis described in section 2 of the decision report, with a view to ensuring that the reduction of residual waste in Gloucestershire continues to be prioritised and supported; and

2. Delegate authority to the Head of Joint Waste Management, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to enter into new residual waste reduction incentive agreements with Waste Collection Authorities from July 2020 under which the authorities will be incentivised to reduce waste through the provision of waste reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, presented proposals relating to the new residual waste reduction incentive arrangements, prior to discussion with district councils. The arrangements would replace the existing Food Waste Collection and Delivery Arrangements.

Cllr Moor informed members that, currently, the County Council had bi-lateral agreements in place with each Gloucestershire district council, whereby a discretionary incentive payment was made to them by the council for reducing residual household waste. The current arrangements have helped to increase recycling, particularly through the introduction of separate collections of food waste.

However, with variances from district to district in terms of meeting targets and in the payments they receive, there has arisen a shared desire to agree a fairer system. It was noted that the new arrangement would need to be affordable to the council.

The proposed new payment would take effect from July 2020, comprising three components:

1. A fixed payment, in recognition that all districts have invested in recycling and composting services and as a result have certain fixed or standing costs.
2. An incentive or performance payment, determined by a district council’s performance against a household residual waste target.
3. A partnership and communications match fund payment, where each district makes an agreed annual contribution that is matched by GCC.

The third element of the proposed payment would provide a working budget for the new Waste and Resources Partnership that is proposed as a replacement to the Gloucestershire Joint Waste Committee. (The committee formally ended on 13 December 2019). It was noted that a new partnership arrangement would be considered under the next agenda item.

The proposed payment system has been developed in consultation with district councils. The proposal aims to provide continued incentives aimed at reducing of waste, but, under a new, fairer and more transparent payment system.

It was confirmed that there had been broad approval of the proposal by the Gloucestershire Joint Waste Committee. There had also been slight disagreement amongst the districts as to the proportions of ‘fixed’ and ‘performance based’ incentive payments, (with Stroud District Council, in particular, calling for a higher proportion of the incentive to be performance based).

Cllr Moor believed the unit payments recommended by the report represented an appropriate balance of recognising fixed costs and, at the same time, incentivising good waste reduction and recycling performance.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

1. Support the agreement of new Residual Waste Reduction Incentive Arrangements with each of the Waste Collection Authorities on the basis described in section 2 of the decision report, with a view to ensuring that the reduction of residual waste in Gloucestershire continues to be prioritised and supported; and

2. Delegate authority to the Head of Joint Waste Management, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to enter into new residual waste reduction incentive agreements with Waste Collection Authorities from July 2020 under which the authorities will be incentivised to reduce waste  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To consider the formation of a new Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership. 

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, proposed the formation of a Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership between Gloucestershire County Council and the 6 district councils of Gloucestershire.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

1. Authorise the formation of a new Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership between Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and the 6 district councils of Gloucestershire; and

2. Delegate authority to the Head of Joint Waste Management in consultation with the Cabinet Member: Environment and Planning and the Chief Executive to agree and approve the Terms of Reference for the Partnership.  

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, proposed the formation of a Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership between Gloucestershire County Council and the 6 district councils of Gloucestershire.

Cllr Moor confirmed that the Gloucestershire Joint Waste Committee had ended on 13 December 2019. Following the decision by Cheltenham Borough Council to leave the partnership, county and district councils had engaged in several discussions to consider proposals for the formation of a new partnership arrangement to continue the long and positive history of joint working on the county’s waste management issues.

Cllr Moor advised members that, as a result of the discussions, a Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership was proposed. This proposal aimed to provide countywide leadership and an appropriate framework for joint working between the Gloucestershire councils on resources and waste matters.

A principal function of the new arrangement would be the development of a new joint Resources and Waste Strategy for Gloucestershire, setting out a clear plan for delivering sustainable and affordable services over the next decade or so. Once adopted, the proposed new partnership would coordinate and oversee the delivery of the strategy.

It was reported that the new partnership aimed to be less formal than the previous joint committee arrangement. The partnership would not have any statutory powers, with the legal responsibilities for waste returning to the individual local authorities. Each local authority would hold its own budgets and contracts and employ its own staff.

A working budget for the proposed partnership would be created through the new Waste Collection Authority Incentive Payments, which would allow joint working on communications and community engagement work to be undertaken. Terms of Reference for the proposed partnership would be finalised and agreed over the next two to three months.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

1. Authorise the formation of a new Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership between Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and the 6 district councils of Gloucestershire; and

2. Delegate authority to the Head of Joint Waste Management in consultation with the Cabinet Member: Environment and Planning and the Chief Executive to agree and approve the Terms of Reference for the Partnership. 

To approve the Draft Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan for consultation.

To view the Draft Local Transport Plan Document (Appendix A) and supporting consultation material (Appendices C and D), please go to the password protected webpage at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/dltp2019and insert the following information:

Name: dltp2019

Password: Draft_LTP2019

Consultation material for approval:

Draft Local Transport Plan (draft for consultation) Appendix A

Draft Integrated Sustainability Assessment (ISA) Appraisal/Appendices Appendix C

Draft Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Appendix D

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, sought approval of the Draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) Consultation Document, (Appendix A of the report), and consent to commence public consultation in January 2020.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Approve commencement of a public consultation on the Draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) Consultation Document, (Appendix A of the report),along with the associated documents, to run between 16 January and 26 March 2020.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, sought cabinet approval of the Draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) Consultation Document, (Appendix A of the report), and consent to commence public consultation in January 2020.

The existing Local Transport Plan (2015-2031) was adopted in June 2016.

As a key component to achieving Gloucestershire’s planning ambitions for the future, the ongoing review of the LTP allows the council to update the council’s policies to reflect national, regional, county and local priorities that may be subject to change throughout the lifetime of the plan, including the commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Although the current LTP extends to 2031, (broadly in line with adopted Joint Core Strategy and Local Plans), under the current review, the intention would be to include an additional chapter in the plan to look further into the future, towards 2041. The aim of the proposal would be to reflect the significant challenges and opportunities that might require long-term planning for transport.

It was confirmed that the new overarching strategy now included cross-cutting policies in areas relating to carbon emissions, environment, sustainable transport, new development, health and behaviour change.

Commending the proposals, and noting the importance of public consultation to the review process, Cllr Moor proposed that the LTP review be subject to a 10 week public consultation, conducted between 16 January and 26 March 2020. This could be extended to allow for a more detailed consultation, including the additional offer of working with Cheltenham Borough Council on transport proposals for the town centre.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Approve commencement of a public consultation on the Draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) Consultation Document, (Appendix A of the report),along with the associated documents, to run between 16 January and 26 March 2020.

Cabinet to consider entering into a funding agreement with the Forest of Dean District Council in respect of the proposed Lydney Coastal Community Fund Highway Improvement Scheme.

Cllr Vernon Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood, sought approval to enter into a funding agreement with the Forest of Dean District Council in respect of the Lydney Coastal Community Fund Highway Improvement Scheme.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner; Highway Authority to:

1)    Enter into a funding agreement with Forest of Dean District Council under which Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) shall receive £1.5m by way of funding from the District Council to pay for a contract for works for the Lydney Coastal Community Fund Highway Improvement scheme described in this report (‘the Contract’);

2)    Permit the County Council to become the “Client” for the purposes of procuring the proposed Contract;

3)    Conduct a competitive procurement process for the Contract, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning,

4)    Award such contract to the successful tenderer.

Cllr Vernon Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood, sought approval to enter into a funding agreement with the Forest of Dean District Council in respect of the Lydney Coastal Community Fund Highway Improvement Scheme.

Cllr Smith informed members that the Forest of Dean District Council had been awarded funding from the Coastal Community Fund (CCF) for the “Destination Lydney Harbour Project”. The £1.9m Destination Lydney Harbour project aimed to attract increased visitor numbers to Lydney Docks and Harbour through a range of physical improvements to the canal and wider public realm, cycling and walking routes, and from the introduction of visitor information space and public toilet facilities at the docks.

Cllr Smith stated that the proposed agreement was an ‘enabling project’, aimed at creating an environment for the future economic growth and investment in this unique location.

In January 2019, a Stage 2 application had been submitted, and funding was awarded in September 2019. Project activity has since commenced with a view to completing all Coastal Community Fund expenditure by 31 March 2021.

Cllr Smith informed cabinet that the Forest of Dean District Council wished to enter into a joint funding agreement with Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to provide £1.5 million of funding to the county council (as the local highways authority), to undertake the highway elements of the project. It was noted that the funding did not form part of the council’s £150 million investment in highways. 

The funding to be invested in: -

a)    The resurfacing of Harbour Road and creation of a new footway, with improved lighting

b)    Parking Improvements for Cookson Terrace and Railway Terrace

c)    The creation of a multi use cycle track

Thanking Cllr Alan Preest for his work on the project, and having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner; Highway Authority to:

1)    Enter into a funding agreement with Forest of Dean District Council under which Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) shall receive £1.5m by way of funding from the District Council to pay for a contract for works for the Lydney Coastal Community Fund Highway Improvement scheme described in this report (‘the Contract’);

2)    Permit the County Council to become the “Client” for the purposes of procuring the proposed Contract;

3)    Conduct a competitive procurement process for the Contract, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning,

4)    Award such contract to the successful tenderer.