Agenda, decisions and minutes

To note any apologies for absence.

No apologies.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 (minutes attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 were confirmed and agreed 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

No declarations of interest.

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 Thursday 11 June 2020

Please submit any questions to jo.moore@gloucestershire.gov.uk

A written answer will be provided for each written question received (to be presented to the questioner and to Cabinet (in advance of the meeting). The questions and answers will be taken as read at the meeting and will not be read out. At the discretion of the Leader of Council, each questioner in attendance/joining  the meeting will be allowed to ask one supplementary question under this item (in response to the answer given to the original question).

A copy of all written questions and written answers circulated at the meeting 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.

Please note: in response to the Covid19 Emergency, this meeting will be conducted as a remote access meeting.

To ask a supplementary question at the meeting, (following submission of a written question), please contact Jo Moore at jo.moore@gloucestershire.gov.uk by midday on Monday 15 June 2020.

The meeting can be viewed on the Gloucestershire County Council website at the following link: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk

11 public questions were submitted for consideration prior to the meeting, plus 33 member questions. 

The responses to the questions were published on the council website on Tuesday 16 June 2020, (the day before the meeting), and can be viewed at the link below: -

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

The following supplementary questions were asked at the meeting:-

Public Questions:

Question 2. Mr Christopher Chiswell

Agenda item 9: West Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme

Mr Chiswell noted that the implemented schemes referred to in the answer to his question referred to pedestrian distancing, not active transport enablers. Mr Chiswell felt the response did not address the first part to his question and what Cllr Moor hoped to achieve to prevent a retrograde modal shift as people quite rightly, avoided using public transport.

Mr Chiswell asked, if the Council was committed to tackling the climate emergency, and noting the context of the ambitious and published* plans of many other local authorities across England, what measurable ambitions might Cllr Moor have for stimulating active transport as a specific mitigation to increased private vehicle use in the context of Covid-19?

Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor (Cabinet Member: Environment and Planning)

Cllr Moor informed Mr Chiswell that the Council was in contact with the 6 District Councils, all of whom had been asked to provide details of their respective schemes. Four trial schemes existed; (three in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Bourton on the Water, with a further site being developed in Gloucester). Each District Council had been asked to provide details of the priority sites for their areas. Cllr Moor stated that, as proposals developed, (on what he considered to be very ambitious schemes), he intended to work closely with the District Councils and would be looking at the proposals pro-actively.

Question 12. Molly Scott Cato (former Green MEP for South West England and Gibraltar)

Agenda item 5: Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) Covid-19 Response & Approach to Recovery

Reiterating her concerns, Molly Scott Cato asked, if the county had to make a rapid response to a local Covid-19 outbreak, who would make this decision, the Council or Public Health England? In the event of an outbreak in Gloucestershire, would the County Council take control and, if so, would it have the necessary data to make this decision?

Response by: Cllr Tim Harman (Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities)

Referring to Council Motion 863 (Establishment of a local contact tracing system to stop Covid-19), submitted for consideration at the Council meeting on 24 June 2020, Cllr Harman agreed this was a very important issue, and one that would be responded to using an integrated approach involving the County Council and its partner organisations.

Cllr Harman stated that, whilst consideration had been given to the setting up of a local contact tracing system in March 2020, Ceredigion County Council had a very small population in comparison to Gloucestershire. Contact tracing test result returns for Gloucestershire would be sent to regional PHE Centres. This would enable PHE to take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To inform Cabinet of the Gloucestershire County Council response to Covid-19 and the preparation for recovery.

Cabinet received a presentation on the Council’s response to the Covid-19 Emergency.

Having considered the information, Cabinet

RESOLVED to: - 

To note the report and the actions currently being undertaken in response to Covid-19.

The report included information on:

1. The role of the Council in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and  lockdown restrictions;

2. A summary of the services that had stopped or reduced across the Council

3. An outline of the initial recovery phase for the Council.

Cabinet received a presentation on the Council’s response to the Covid-19 Emergency. The slide-show presentation presented at the meeting is attached for information.

Chief Executive, Pete Bungard, gave a detailed overview of the work of the County Council in response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Emergency and in the endeavour to protect the most vulnerable people across the County, including the homeless and people living in Care Homes.

Commending the work of officers, including employees from the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the invaluable work of volunteer workers who have worked tirelessly to support local communities, the Chief Executive referred to the significant number of changes that had been made to coordinate and deliver council services in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Members noted that, within hours of setting up Gloucestershire Help Hub, the Council had been flooded with offers of help from businesses, organisations and residents, totalling over 3,500 to date. Local communities throughout the County established their own support networks to protect the most vulnerable. Gloucestershire County Council staff rose to the challenge, with many staff changing/adopting new roles to support the Council’s response, and many social services colleagues dramatically increasing hours of work to protect the most vulnerable residents. Volunteers from outside the Council responded to the thousands of calls seeking help and support, including delivering food parcels, collecting prescriptions and combatting isolation and loneliness.

Steve Mawson, Executive Director of Corporate Services, outlined the council’s financial position in relation to the Gloucestershire response to the Covid-19 emergency. Details of expenditure incurred, plus details of the funding awarded by Government were provided.

It was reported that, (at the time of the meeting), the Council had spent £3.4m per month to cover the additional costs to deliver support services, (anticipated to rise to £53m for the full year, of which 63% would be required to providing Adult Social Care Services). For the same period, the Government had awarded £28m emergency funding to Gloucestershire, plus a £7m grant in respect of infection control. This was in addition to £300m (national funding) to fund test and trace. The council continues to provide monthly delta returns to keep the Government informed of anticipated expenditure on key issues. Officers remained confident that the Government was listening to the economic recovery needs of the County and that more funding would be made available.

Advising members of the various stages set out to commence the recovery process, officers confirmed that the County Council continued to encourage employees to work from home, (where possible), and was in the process of preparing the main council buildings to provide a safe (Covid-19) environment.

The County Council would continue to work with its partners, including the GFirst LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) to progress the Gloucestershire recovery process. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne,  stressed the need to work together to achieve this ambition.

Cabinet thanked officers for their work and commended the tremendous effort and work of volunteers, NHS and Care Workers in Gloucestershire. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To update the Council Strategy in light of the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in May 2019.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, gave an update on changes to the Council Strategy in response to the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in May 2019.

Having considered all of the information and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to: - 

Recommend to council that the updated Council Strategy be adopted, (the recommendation to be considered at the county council meeting on 24 June 2020).

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, gave an update on proposed changes to the Council Strategy in response to the Council’s declaration of a Climate Change Emergency in May 2019.

The current Council Strategy was agreed in February 2019, covering a three-year period from 2019 to 2022. During a debate at the 2020/21 council budget meeting in February 2020, a request was made to update the strategy to make reference to the Climate Change Emergency declared by the County Council in May 2019, including the commitment to reduce Gloucestershire’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2030, and secure a carbon neutral county by 2050.   

Cabinet supported the request and agreed to update the strategy. The recommended changes, (outlined in the published decision report), to be referred to Full Council for adoption.

Having considered all of the information and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to: - 

Recommend to Council that the updated Council Strategy be adopted, (the recommendation to be considered at the Gloucestershire County Council meeting on 24 June 2020).

To consider the Council's outturn expenditure for 2019/20, agree recommendations and approve changes to the Capital Programme in 2019/20 and future years.

Cabinet received an update on the council’s outturn expenditure for 2019/20 and considered changes and commendations to the Capital Programme.

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 overall 2019/2020 revenue budget underspend of £0.326

million and approve the following transfers: -

1.1 Transfer of £0.011 million to the Vulnerable Adults Reserve to use  on 2020/21 projects and investments to supports the Adult Single Programme;

1.2 Provision of £1.575 million (being £1.050 million in Adults and £0.525 million in Prevention and Wellbeing) for refunds to service users where income was incorrectly collected from current and former residents receiving S117 ‘after care’;

1.3 Provision of £0.456 million for backdated reimbursements to Shared Lives Carers in respect of Utility payments;

1.4 Carry forward of £0.151 million to 2020/21 to complete two year projects within Children’s Services which were originally funded by additional “one off” budget allocations in 2017/18. The initial start of these projects was delayed.

1.5 Transfer of £0.352 million from the Active Communities Reserve.

1.6 Revenue transfer of £1.433 million to the Strategic Waste Reserve to fund the EFW (Energy from Waste) smoothing requirement;.

1.7 Revenue transfer of £0.393 million to the EE&I Reserve for the carry forward of Highways Local funding;

1.8 Revenue transfer £0.015 million of the surplus generated by Traded Services to the Traded Services Reserve;

1.9 Revenue transfer to the Transformation Reserve from Corporate Resources for the carry forward of £0.115 million to fund GDPR compliance initiatives.

1.10 Revenue transfer to the Transformation Reserve from Corporate Resources for the carry forward of £0.206 million to fund on going Covid-19 commitments.

1.11 Transfer £0.759 million to the Business Rates Retention Reserve in relation to the GCC share of the additional surplus on the 2019/20 Business Rates Pool. In addition, to approve a transfer of £0.948 million to the Strategic Economic Development Fund also as a result of the Business Rates Pool;

1.12 Other technical reserve movements for 2019/20, as set out in Annex 1

2. Note delivery of the £14.492 million of savings against a target of £19.051 million in 2019/20 or 76.1%.

3. Note the capital budget position for 2019/20 is £88.461 million against a budget of £110.950 million, giving in year slippage of £22.489 million.

4. Changes to the Capital Programme totalling a net decrease of £1.187 million for 2019/20 and future years made up of:-

4.1. £0.055 million increase for Children and Families schemes funded by a transfer from the AMPS programme and a revenue contribution from AMPS.

4.2. £2.107 million net decrease in the Highway Capital programme  reflecting a £2.950 million decreased in the capital receipts approval required for the LED replacement scheme, and additional funding of £0.618 million of developer and third party contributions and Highways Locals revenue contributions of £0.225 million.

4.3. £0.201 million increase in the Libraries capital budget funded from developer contributions

4.4. £0.039 million increase in the Trading Standards capital  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

Cabinet received an update on the council’s outturn expenditure for 2019/20 and proposed changes to the Capital Programme.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Cabinet Member: Finance and Change reported a finalyear end position with an underspend of £0.326 million on a net revenue budget of £429.661 million. This underspend will be transferred to the council’s General Reserves, (currently 4% above target).

Cabinet was advised that expenditure in response to the Covid-19 emergency had only been incurred at the latter end of the 2019/20 financial year. In total, £0.129 million of Covid-19 related expenditure was incurred. The financial impact of Covid-19, would continue to be monitored throughout 2020/21.

During 2019/20, the areas of major revenue risk related to the care of the most vulnerable children and adults in the county. These demand-led budget areas continued to be subject to significant volatility due to changes in client numbers and care needs and would need to be closely monitored and controlled in the 2020/21 financial year.

A total of £14.492 million savings were delivered in 2019/20, against a target of £19.051million, (76.1% of the annual target). £4.559 million of savings remained undelivered, representing 23.9% of the annual target. The most significant areas of savings not delivered in the 2019/20 budget year included £1.841 million in the Adults Single Programme and, due to continuing pressures on external placements, £1.700 million savings in the Children and Families Budget. Cllr Stowe confirmed the savings would be rolled forward to this financial year and reported alongside agreed MTFS savings targets for 2020/21

The re-profiled capital budget for 2019/20 totalled £110.950 million with expenditure of £88.461 million, (an in-year slippage of £22.489 million).

Cllr Stowed stated that this had involved slippage in some of the council’s major schemes (as detailed in the Cabinet report) but that the schemes remained on budget and were expected to be completed during 2020/21

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 overall 2019/2020 revenue budget underspend of £0.326

million and approve the following transfers: -

1.1 Transfer of £0.011 million to the Vulnerable Adults Reserve to use  on 2020/21 projects and investments to supports the Adult Single Programme;

1.2 Provision of £1.575 million (being £1.050 million in Adults and £0.525 million in Prevention and Wellbeing) for refunds to service users where income was incorrectly collected from current and former residents receiving S117 ‘after care’;

1.3 Provision of £0.456 million for backdated reimbursements to Shared Lives Carers in respect of Utility payments;

1.4 Carry forward of £0.151 million to 2020/21 to complete two year projects within Children’s Services which were originally funded by additional “one off” budget allocations in 2017/18. The initial start of these projects was delayed.

1.5 Transfer of £0.352 million from the Active Communities Reserve.

1.6 Revenue transfer of £1.433 million to the Strategic Waste Reserve to fund the EFW (Energy from Waste) smoothing requirement;.

1.7 Revenue transfer of £0.393 million to the EE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider and approve changes to the previously approved Children & Families Capital Programme.

Cabinet considered changes to the previously approved Children and Families Capital Programme.

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

RESOLVED to:

Approve the following changes to the Children & Families Capital Programme (as set out in the report):

1.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Belmont Special School, funded by the transfer of £0.450million from the approved Basic Need Provision.

2.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Battledown Children & Families Centre, funded by the transfer of £0.550 million from the approved Basic Need Provision.

3.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Alderman Knight Special School, funded by the transfer of £1.400 million from the approved  High Needs Specialist budgets and approved Basic Need Provision.

4.    A new scheme for the provision of additional temporary places at Alderman Knight Special School, funded by the transfer of £0.500 from the approved Basic Need Provision.

5.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Paternoster Special School, funded by the transfer of £0.075 million from the approved Basic Need Budget.

6.    To return the £4.000 million previously agreed for additional primary provision in Winchcombe to the approved Basic Need Provision.

7.    To return the £1.500 million previously allocated for additional primary provision in the Tidenham area to the approved Basic Need Provision.

8.    An addition of £2.300 million to the approved scheme for The Cotswold School, funded from the approved Basic Need Provision.

9.    An addition of £2.700 million to the approved scheme for Winchcombe Secondary School, funded from the approved Basic Need Provision.

10.An addition of £0.103 million developer S106 contribution for Fairford

Primary to replace allocated basic need funding.

11.An addition of £0.288 million developer S106 contribution for Chipping Campden School.

12.A reduction of £0.095 million School Condition Grant Allocation for 2020/21 to the Children and Families Capital Programme.

13.A new scheme for the delivery of accessibility schemes, funded by the transfer of £0.600 million from the approved Basic Need Provision.

Cabinet considered changes to the approved Children and Families Capital Programme.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Economy, Education and Skills, informed members that the County Council had approved the 2020/21 Children & Families Capital Programme at its meeting on 12 February 2020. The decision today provided an update, (including changes), to the various schemes within the programme.

With no changes to the Children and Families Budget, the schemes formed part of the council’s ongoing commitment to investing £100 million into new schools, improving buildings and expansion of facilities at schools across Gloucestershire

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

RESOLVED to:

Approve the following changes to the Children & Families Capital Programme (as set out in the report):

1.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Belmont Special School, funded by the transfer of £0.450million from the approved Basic Need Provision.

2.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Battledown Children & Families Centre, funded by the transfer of £0.550 million from the approved Basic Need Provision.

3.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Alderman Knight Special School, funded by the transfer of £1.400 million from the approved  High Needs Specialist budgets and approved Basic Need Provision.

4.    A new scheme for the provision of additional temporary places at Alderman Knight Special School, funded by the transfer of £0.500 from the approved Basic Need Provision.

5.    A new scheme for the provision of additional places at Paternoster Special School, funded by the transfer of £0.075 million from the approved Basic Need Budget.

6.    To return the £4.000 million previously agreed for additional primary provision in Winchcombe to the approved Basic Need Provision.

7.    To return the £1.500 million previously allocated for additional primary provision in the Tidenham area to the approved Basic Need Provision.

8.    An addition of £2.300 million to the approved scheme for The Cotswold School, funded from the approved Basic Need Provision.

9.    An addition of £2.700 million to the approved scheme for Winchcombe Secondary School, funded from the approved Basic Need Provision.

10.An addition of £0.103 million developer S106 contribution for Fairford

Primary to replace allocated basic need funding.

11.An addition of £0.288 million developer S106 contribution for Chipping Campden School.

12.A reduction of £0.095 million School Condition Grant Allocation for 2020/21 to the Children and Families Capital Programme.

13.A new scheme for the delivery of accessibility schemes, funded by the transfer of £0.600 million from the approved Basic Need Provision.

To delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner, Highway Authority (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning) for the purpose of commissioning highway services and works in relation to: (a) the West Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme  - UK Cyber Business Park Phases 3 & 4; and (b) the West Cheltenham Walking and Cycling Improvements (together the “Project”); and awarding contracts for the provision of such services and works.

Cabinet received a report on the West Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme.

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

RESOLVED to:

To delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner, Highway Authority (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning) to:

1.    Conduct a competitive procurement process(es) for the supply of highway services and works relation to: (a) the West of Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme- UK Cyber Business Park Phases 3 & 4; and (b) the West Cheltenham Walking and Cycling Improvements; and award contract(s) for the provision of such services and works to the successful tenderer(s); and

2.    Make any other ancillary traffic regulation orders that might be required in order to successfully implement the Project (such as temporary traffic regulation orders (TTROs for speed limits etc) during the  construction phase of the Project.

Cabinet received a report on the West Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme.

On 9 June 2020, the GFirst LEP approved funding in respect of the West Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme (Phases 3 and 4) and to enable West Cheltenham Walking and Cycling Improvements. The County Council received £9.89 million funding to undertake a compliant tender process for delivery of the following works: -

i)             Cycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements from Arle Court to Cheltenham Railway Station, including wider cycle improvements in the Benhall and St Marks area;

.

ii)            Arle Court to Gloucester Road/Lansdown Road junction eastbound carriageway improvements (towards Cheltenham Town Centre);

iii)           Telstar Way widening to Hubble Road;

iv)           Re-modelling and widening of Benhall Roundabout

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, informed members that the decision today was to seek authorisation to commence the tender and procurement process for the supply of design and construction services in relation to the proposed works.

Commending officers for maintaining the momentum during the recent Covid-19 emergency, Cabinet colleagues emphasised the importance of the scheme in providing huge opportunities for Gloucestershire.

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

RESOLVED to:

To delegate authority to the Lead Commissioner, Highway Authority (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning) to:

1.    Conduct a competitive procurement process(es) for the supply of highway services and works relation to: (a) the West of Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme- UK Cyber Business Park Phases 3 & 4; and (b) the West Cheltenham Walking and Cycling Improvements; and award contract(s) for the provision of such services and works to the successful tenderer(s); and

2.    Make any other ancillary traffic regulation orders that might be required in order to successfully implement the Project (such as temporary traffic regulation orders (TTROs for speed limits etc) during the  construction phase of the Project.

To ask Cabinet to authorise additional revenue funding to fund the work required to enable Gloucestershire County Council to enter into contract with Homes England and MHCLG.

To delegate authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment and Infrastructure  in consultation with the Executive Director Corporate Resources Section 151 Officer) and  the Cabinet Member; Environment and Planning Executive to authorise the County Council to enter into a Grant Determination Agreement (GDA) together with any associated agreements and supporting documentation, with Homes England in relation to the M5J10 Improvement Scheme.

That Cabinet:

1.1 Underwrite, at risk, an additional £2,150,000 to the 2020/21 revenue

budget to cover the period of April 2020 to September 2020;

1.2 Underwrite, at risk, up to an additional £6,479,000 to the 2020/21

revenue budget to cover the period of October 2020 to March 2021

should there be a delay in signing the J10 GDA and to enable the J9

OBC to continue.;

2. That Cabinet delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy,

Environment and Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member;

Environment and Planning and the Executive Director of Corporate Resources

(and Section 151 Officer)to:

3. Agree the terms and conditions which give rise to the GDA between GCC and

Homes England in relation the M5J10 scheme, including the Heads of Terms.

4. Authorise the County Council to execute the GDA between GCC and Homes

England by affixing the council’s seal thereto.

5. Authorise the execution of any supplemental documents or agreements

necessary to facilitate the delivery of the M5J10 scheme.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, gave an update on the M5 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme.

Cllr Moor confirmed that on 12 March 2020, the County Council had been successful in securing a Housing Infrastructure Bid of £219.8 million towards the M5 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme. The council had also received approval from the Department for Transport to proceed to the Strategic Outline Business Case Stage for the M5 J9/A46 Large Local Majors Scheme.

Promoting the immediate progression of both schemes, Cllr Moor informed members that to do so, further funding from the County Council would be required. He explained that, in relation to Junction 10, no draw down from the £219.8M capital funding could be made until the County Council had entered into a Grant Determination Agreement (GDA) with the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government  (MHCLG).  An ambitious timetable had been set out, seeking to sign the GDA in July 2020, followed by the drawing down of the first payment in August 2020. 

Cllr Moor proposed that the County Council enter into a Grant Determination Agreement with Homes England, (together with any associated agreements and supporting documentation). He explained that, to do so, it would be necessary for Cabinet to provide funding for the period up to the contract signing and to the drawing down period.

Referring to the Junction 9 proposal, Cllr Moor stated that the Department of Transport had stipulated a clear priority order that the County Council work with local authorities on their respective bids. With this in mind, the County Council would be required to undertake further work on the County Council business case in order to keep to the deadline for the current Large Local Major Scheme.

Supported by the Leader and Cabinet colleagues, Cllr Moor stressed the importance of delivering major schemes for the county. He also commended the persistence of officers in progressing this important contribution to the local infrastructure, particularly at this crucial time in the economic recovery of  Gloucestershire. 

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

RESOLVED to:

1.    Agree to

1.1         Underwrite, at risk, an additional £2,150,000 to the 2020/21 revenue budget to cover the period of April 2020 to September 2020;

1.2         Underwrite, at risk, up to an additional £6,479,000 to the 2020/21revenue budget to cover the period of October 2020 to March 2021should there be a delay in signing the J10 GDA and to enable the J9 OBC to continue.;

2.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment and Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member; Environment and Planning and the Executive Director of Corporate Resources (and Section 151 Officer) to:

3.   Agree the terms and conditions which give rise to the GDA between GCC and Homes England in relation the M5J10 scheme, including the Heads of Terms.

4.   Authorise the County Council to execute the GDA between GCC and Homes England by affixing the council’s seal thereto.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To seek cabinet approval to enter into a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) agreement with The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to undertake works on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

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

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to:

(1)  Enter into an ERDF capital funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for the purpose of funding works in connection with the proposed Gloucestershire Canal Towpaths Upgrade.

(2)  Enter into a funding agreement with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) in order to fund works to be carried out by CRT’s term contractor Kier with effect from September 2020 on CRT’s land between Elmore Lane West and Haywicks Lane.

Cllr Vernon Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood, sought cabinet approval to authorise the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to enter into a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) agreement with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to undertake development works on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Towpath between Rea and Sellars Bridge, Gloucester.

Cllr Smith referred to the fantastic opportunities this phase of the development would bring to the local community. He emphasised how that the scheme would support the increased development between Gloucester and Hardwicke and the thriving outer city developments at Quedgeley and Kingsway. Significant additional growth was also anticipated at the new Hunts Grove Development, where it was hoped new residents would be encouraged to travel into Gloucester using the towpath.

Cabinet colleagues welcomed the proposal and agreed that the upgrade supported the council’s commitment to creating more sustainable travel arrangements for the county and in reducing CO2 emissions along a key transport route. Cllr Smith confirmed that this particular phase of the works included biodiversity enhancements to support habitat creation and that many residents were delighted by the scheme.

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

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to:

(1)  Enter into an ERDF capital funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for the purpose of funding works in connection with the proposed Gloucestershire Canal Towpaths Upgrade.

(2)   Enter into a funding agreement with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) in order to fund works to be carried out by CRT’s term contractor Kier with effect from September 2020 on CRT’s land between Elmore Lane West and Haywicks Lane.

To consider a recommendation to Council to adopt the Second Review Community Involvement Statement for Gloucestershire in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

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

RESOLVED to

Recommend to County Council to:-

Adopt the 2nd Review Statement of Community Involvement for Gloucestershire in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, sought cabinet approval to make a recommendation to Council to adopt the 2nd Review Statement of Community Involvement for Gloucestershire. Cllr Moor informed members that, in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, (as amended), the County Council, (as local planning authority), was required to produce a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). The Town and Country Planning (England) (Local Planning) Regulations 2012 regulated how the statement should be set out. Amended in 2018, the regulations now included a mandatory 5-year review cycle. 

A review of the SCI adopted in 2013 was undertaken in 2019. The updated 2^nd Review Statement of Community Involvement was presented to the Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) Planning Committee in Autumn 2019 and underwent a period of public scrutiny.

Cllr Moor drew attention to some of the main changes to the document. These included: -

i)             Reference to legislative reforms, with particular reference to the protection of personal data;

ii)            Clearer reference to the County Council’s potential planning role in relation to minerals and waste matters;

iii)           Greater recognition of alternative and more effective consultation methods, including use of social media;

iv)           Greater awareness of the use of resources and the need to support the decarbonisation agenda (including the stopping of using hard copy consultation materials being made available for every event at all libraries across the county – a saving of around 1 tonne of CO₂ per event); and

v)            Acknowledgement of new local guidance on consultations and notifications for larger-scale and potentially more impactful developments

The new 2^nd Review SCI includes a number of temporary measures to avoid conflict with Cabinet Office Coronavirus guidance.

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

RESOLVED to

Make a recommendation to Council that: -

The 2nd Review Statement of Community Involvement for Gloucestershire be adopted in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)