Agenda, decisions and minutes

To note any apologies for absence.

See above.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2023 (minutes attached).

The minutes of the meeting on 21 June were agreed as a correct record.

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 additional declarations were made.

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 13 July 2023.

Please submit any questions to stephen.bace@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 and will not be read out at the meeting. At the discretion of the Leader of Council, each questioner ( in attendance at the meeting) will be allowed to ask one supplementary question (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.

4.1      No public questions were received.

4.2      Twenty-four Member questions were received.

One supplementary question was asked at the meeting.

Question 3 – Cllr Andrew Gravells asked what would be the benefits to the children being taught in a new school like this compared to other educational settings.

Cllr Philip Robinson replied that it has been a pleasure to work with the member, noting his enthusiasm. He stated that some of the children with those particular needs were taught in existing local special schools, sometimes out of the county and some in mainstream schools. This school would allow the council to accommodate more children close to their home. Long journeys and residential arrangements were not the best for good educational outcomes, so this experience would be much more positive. There was also a financial saving in providing this better provision.

Cllr Carole Allaway Martin sought Cabinet approval to conduct a competitive tender process and award a contract for the delivery of the Community Autism Support and Advice (CASA) Service

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Director of Integration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to:

a) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the supply of a Community Autism Support and Advice service. The proposed contract shall continue for an initial period of 5 years and include an option to extend its term for a further period of not more than 2 years;

b) Award such contract to the preferred tenderer; and

c) Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the contract for a further period of not more than 2 years on the expiry of the initial 5- year term.

5.1      Cllr Carole Allaway Martin sought Cabinet approval to conduct a competitive tender process and award a contract for the delivery of the Community Autism Support and Advice (CASA) Service.

The current contract had been in place for 5 years and was provided for citizens who are:

·         living within Gloucestershire and/or

·         registered with a Gloucestershire GP and/or

·         funded by Gloucestershire County Council or NHS Gloucestershire and/or

·         primarily for those who have a diagnosis of autism.

5.2       The aims of the service were:

·                     Provide information, advice, and guidance to support individuals have as meaningful, high quality and unrestrictive a life as possible.

·                     Support individuals and their families to understand Autism.

·                     Support local services to increase their understanding of Autism and make reasonable adjustments.

·                     Provide Peer Support networks where appropriate.

5.3      The evaluation and engagement work carried out found that the demand for an autism-only service had only increased during the contract term. Moreover, due to the emerging changes to the legislative landscape, it was imperative that the service works closely with existing services in the county. This would allow for self-diagnosis and  for individuals to find out where to go to seek support.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Delivery emphasised the importance of the work and noted his support.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Director of Integration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to:

a) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the supply of a Community Autism Support and Advice service. The proposed contract shall continue for an initial period of 5 years and include an option to extend its term for a further period of not more than 2 years;

b) Award such contract to the preferred tenderer; and

c) Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the contract for a further period of not more than 2 years on the expiry of the initial 5- year term.

Cllr Carole Allaway Martin sought Cabinet approval to conduct a tender process for a new multi-provider Framework Agreement commencing on 1st April 2024 for the supply of community-based support services for people with an assessed health or social care need including disabilities, autism, a mental health condition and/or older people.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate Authority to the Executive Director Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to:

1. Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a multiprovider Light Touch Regime (LTR) Framework Agreement (a framework agreement to which the main framework agreement rules, under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, do not apply) for the supply of community-based support services for people with an assessed health or social care need including disabilities, autism, a mental health condition, complex physical health conditions and/or older people. The Framework agreement shall be divided into the following Lots:-

a) Supported Living (with floating support outreach option)

b) Supported Living - Complex Needs (with floating support outreach

option)

c) Forensic Support Services

d) Domiciliary Care

e) Floating / Visiting Support for Children and Young People

f) Support for People with Complex Physical Health Needs

g) Extra Care.

The proposed LTR Framework Agreement shall continue for an initial

period of 6 years and include an option to extend its term for a further

period of not more than 2 years;

2. Appoint each of the preferred tenderers to the relevant Lot under such

LTR Framework Agreement;

3. Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the term of the

LTR Framework Agreement for a further period of not more than 2

years on the expiry of the initial 6-year term.

4. Procure as many Call-Off Contracts as may be required by the council

under the relevant Lots of such LTR Framework Agreement.

5. Award each such Call-Off Contract to the relevant preferred tenderer

6.1      Cllr Carole Allaway Martin sought Cabinet approval to conduct a tender process for a new multi-provider Framework Agreement commencing on 1st April 2024 for the supply of community-based support services for people with an assessed health or social care need including disabilities, autism, a mental health condition and/or older people.

6.2      In April 2020, Gloucestershire County Council commissioned a 4-year Framework Agreement on behalf of the Integrated Care System, to deliver a range of community-based support services for older people, adults with disabilities, autism, mental health conditions and children and young people with a disability who require care and support.  The benefits of developing one Framework for community services, meant that contracts were merged and integrated procurement systems, helping to reduced duplication and created a framework which encouraged providers to grow and diversify. The current Framework Agreement would expire on 31st March 2024 and the Council was required to put in place new contractual arrangements for 1st April 2024 onwards.

6.3      The report sought approval from Cabinet to delegate authority to the Executive Director Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to: -

Conduct a competitive procurement process for a multi-provider Light Touch Regime (LTR) Framework Agreement to supply community-based support services for people with an assessed health or social care need including disabilities, autism, a mental health condition, complex physical health conditions and/or older people.  The Framework agreement should be divided into the following Lots:-

a)    Supported Living (with floating support outreach option)

b)    Supported Living - Complex Needs (with floating support outreach option)

c)    Forensic Support Services

d)    Domiciliary Care

e)    Floating / Visiting Support for Children and Young People

f)     Support for People with Complex Physical Health Needs

g)    Extra Care.

6.4      The Framework Agreement was for an initial period of 6 years with an option to extend for a further period 2 years (6+2 years). The Framework would open on an annual basis.

6.5      The Cabinet Member outlined the robust nature of the procurement process and noted the relevant legislation underpinning the work.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate Authority to the Executive Director Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to:

1. Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a multiprovider Light Touch Regime (LTR) Framework Agreement (a framework agreement to which the main framework agreement rules, under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, do not apply) for the supply of community-based support services for people with an assessed health or social care need including disabilities, autism, a mental health condition, complex physical health conditions and/or older people. The Framework agreement shall be divided into the following Lots:-

a) Supported Living (with floating support outreach option)

b) Supported Living - Complex Needs (with floating support outreach

option)

c) Forensic Support Services

d) Domiciliary Care

e) Floating / Visiting Support for Children and Young People  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne sought Cabinet approval to commence with a seven-week public engagement period on the draft Gloucestershire Economic Strategy.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy public engagement document set out in the Appendix.

b) Approve a seven-week public engagement period from 31 July 2023 to 15 September 2023.

c) Agree that a further report setting out the engagement results and final recommendation on the adoption of the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy is brought back to Cabinet for approval in early 2024.

7.1      Cllr Mark Hawthorne sought Cabinet approval to commence with a seven-week public engagement period on the draft Gloucestershire Economic Strategy.

7.2      The document provided in the accompanying appendix to the report was not a draft version of the final economic strategy.  Instead, it set out the broad priorities, ambitions, and actions that would underpin the future strategy.It represented the first of two stages in developing a joint Gloucestershire County Council and GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) economic strategy to stimulate and sustain the economy.

7.3      It was intended to encourage views on where priorities for the future economy needed to focus and where action needed to be taken. It built on the previous economic strategies of the Strategic Economic Plan and the Local Industrial Strategy, acknowledging the strengths and challenges of the economy. It also considered the earlier 2050 vision work but set a new context to offer opportunity to all while ensuring climate change commitments were achieved, transitioning to a carbon-net zero economy.

7.4      The engagement document took a short and long-term view of what a successful county should look like, and it would lead to a full strategy being produced later in the year. Views would be sought using a range of closed and open questions seeking the extent to which stakeholders agreed or disagreed with the new long-term vision, the focus of the strategy and the proposed actions.

7.5      It was proposed that a seven-week engagement commence on the 31 July and end on the 15 September.  Following the completion of this a further round of stakeholder engagement would commence through a series of targeted workshops taking place during late September and early October.  The aim was to complete the drafting of the final strategy by the end of the year before bringing the strategy back to Cabinet for approval in early 2024.

7.6      The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning emphasised the importance of the engagement process being of this length and recognised the need to produce a strategy that would set the strategic direction going forward. Members discussed the promotion of growth, and it was clarified that district colleagues would be spoken to as part of the engagement process.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

a)  Approve the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy public engagement document set out in the Appendix.

b) Approve a seven-week public engagement period from 31 July 2023 to 15 September 2023.

c) Agree that a further report setting out the engagement results and final recommendation on the adoption of the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy is brought back to Cabinet for approval in early 2024.

Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet’s recommendation that Council approve Gloucestershire’s Youth Justice Plan 2023/24.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Recommend the Youth Justice Plan 2023/24, attached at Appendix 1 to

Council for approval.

8.1      Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet’s recommendation that Council approve Gloucestershire’s Youth Justice Plan 2023/24.

8.2      Gloucestershire County Council was the accountable body for youth justice services in the county, working with its key partners in health, police and probation services.  Consultation was carried out with local partners and the plans et out how ambitions would be achieved. There was a requirement for each locality to produce an annual youth justice plan setting out how Youth Justice Services were to be provided and funded, how they would operate, and their functions. 

8.3      Gloucestershire’s Youth Justice system was unusual in that it was delivered by Prospects, part of Shaw Trust, and was offered as part of a totally integrated youth support team.The custody rates within Gloucestershire continued to remain lower than the South-West, Youth Justice family and nationally, with a zero rate in the last reporting period of April 2022 – March 2023. There continued to be national and local challenges which were reflected in the key priorities for the service in the coming year. These were detailed within the plan and included, increasing prevention work through the turnaround funding from the MOJ and decreasing disproportionality and serious violence and exploitation.

8.4      The Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Bus Transport, outlined how pleased he was at the scope of the report and he welcomed the close working with the SEN team to ensure suitable plans were in place for children with EHCPs.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Recommend the Youth Justice Plan 2023/24, attached at Appendix 1 to

Council for approval.

Cllr Carole Allaway Martin sought Cabinet approval for the commissioning plans that would allow for the continued provision of a Mental Health Support and Advice Service which assists Adults with a Serious Mental Illness and/or, Common Mental Condition from 1st April 2024.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to:

a) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the continued supply of a Mental Health Support and Advice Service for an initial period of five years and include an option to extend its term for a further period of up to two years;

b) Award such contract to the preferred tenderer;

c) Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the contract for a further period of not more than two years on the expiry of the initial five-year term.

9.1      Cllr Carole Allaway Martin sought Cabinet approval for the commissioning plans that would allow for the continued provision of a Mental Health Support and Advice Service which assists Adults with a Serious Mental Illness and/or, Common Mental Condition from 1st April 2024.

9.2      The existing contract for the Mental Health Support and Advice Service was coming to an end in March 2024. Evaluation and engagement had led to a proposed restructure to the service which would enable Individuals (Adults) with a serious mental illness and/or common mental health conditions to live inclusively and have a meaningful role (as identified by them) within their local communities.

9.3      The Service would aim to:

·         Increase community capacity by working alongside communities to enhance local community provision, bolstering networking links, and developing compassionate communities whilst actively working to reduce Mental Health stigma and increase accessibility for individuals with mental ill health.

·         Reduce social isolation and loneliness through 1:1 Mental Health Link Working Support, Peer Support and access to personalised activities that support/maintain wellbeing.

·         Enable Individuals to increase their resilience by equipping them with appropriate tools, information, and advice to ensure they can make informed choices about their care and support. This will lead to an increase in their ability to self-direct choices in the future.

·         Facilitate a discharge and reablement pathway for adults who are being discharged from Gloucestershire’s Acute Mental Health Wards or are at risk of being admitted through 1:1 Mental Health Link Working Support as part of the Discharge Hub pathway alongside Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.

·         Work in collaboration with stakeholders and strategic partner organisations to provide support towards an individual’s personalised recovery journey by supporting improvements to mental health and wellbeing pathways.

9.4      The current service provision had been resourced at £700k per annum since 2014. The value of the intended service was £4.9m over the potential maximum seven-year contract period (5 year plus 2 year extension opportunity).

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to:

a) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the continued supply of a Mental Health Support and Advice Service for an initial period of five years and include an option to extend its term for a further period of up to two years;

b) Award such contract to the preferred tenderer;

c) Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the contract for a further period of not more than two years on the expiry of the initial five-year term.

Cllr Philip Robinson sought Cabinet approval to establish a new 200 place Special School for Children and Young People aged 4-16 with moderate and additional learning difficulties, together with approval for commissioning, funding and construction of the new school.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the establishment of a new 200 place special school for children aged 4-16 with moderate and additional learning difficulties and delegates authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education Skills and Bus Transport,

to:

(i). conduct a free school presumption competition process to identify a suitable Academy Trust to sponsor such school;

(ii). recommend to the Secretary of State, following conclusion of that competition process, the Council’s findings from its assessment of prospective sponsors in order to enable her to decide upon the most suitable Academy Trust proposer to take forward the new free school.

2. Approve the land owned by GCC at Wheatridge East as the land on which to establish and construct the new school

3. Approve the allocation of £16.500 million to the approved Children & Families Capital Programme for the new Special School funded from the £14.000 million unallocated High Needs Provision Capital Grant and £2.500 million unallocated Basic Need Grant.

4. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Asset Management and Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education Skills and Bus Transport and the Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, to:

a) conduct a mini-competition process under the Contractor Partnering Framework Agreement: Major Construction Works 2019 for the purpose of awarding:

i. a preconstruction design agreement and

ii. subject to planning approval, a contract for construction

works relating to the establishment of the new special

school.

b) Use a mini competition process through the Contractor Partnering Framework Agreement: Major Construction Works 2019 to determine the Council’s preferred contractor(s).

c) Upon conclusion of the mini competition, to enter into the preconstruction design contract and, subject to planning approval, a contract for the construction works with the preferred contractor(s)

5. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Asset Management and Property Services, to undertake all ancillary matters to enable the establishment of the new special school.

10.1    Cllr Philip Robinson sought Cabinet approval to establish a new 200 place Special School for Children and Young People aged 4-16 with moderate and additional learning difficulties, together with approval for commissioning, funding and construction of the new school.

10.2    The number of children and young people with EHCPs requiring special school places had increased, in line with the national picture. A greater number of special school places were required to meet projected demand. Increasing the provision of high-quality cost-effective places in county ensured that children and young people with complex needs were educated closer to home. This reduced pressure on the Council’s high needs and the home to school transport budgets.

10.3    This was one of a number of County Council funded projects to increase special school places. Brook Academy opened in Sept 2022 and Sladewood Academy would open in Sept 2023.

10.4    The ambition was to education children closer to home and it was underpinned by the Gloucestershire SEND strategy. Sufficiency of provision was an important element of the Ofsted Local Area SEND Inspection, expected later this year, and was an important priority for the DfE who published the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan in March 2023.

10.5    The proposed site was well situated within the county, close to where there was the greatest level of demand, and within reach of other parts of the county. It was within County Council ownership and had a covenant restriction for education use. The site would accommodate a 200-place school, with room for modest future expansion.

10.6    Members supported the direction of travel with regards to this piece of work helping young people to access education. There was discussion around the rapid growth in need and the requirement to address those underlying challenges.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the establishment of a new 200 place special school for children aged 4-16 with moderate and additional learning difficulties and delegates authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education Skills and Bus Transport,

to:

(i). conduct a free school presumption competition process to identify a suitable Academy Trust to sponsor such school;

(ii). recommend to the Secretary of State, following conclusion of that competition process, the Council’s findings from its assessment of prospective sponsors in order to enable her to decide upon the most suitable Academy Trust proposer to take forward the new free school.

2. Approve the land owned by GCC at Wheatridge East as the land on which to establish and construct the new school

3. Approve the allocation of £16.500 million to the approved Children & Families Capital Programme for the new Special School funded from the £14.000 million unallocated High Needs Provision Capital Grant and £2.500 million unallocated Basic Need Grant.

4. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Asset Management and Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education Skills and Bus Transport and the Deputy Leader/Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Cllr Dom Morris sought Cabinet approval to procure and award a contract for the delivery of street lighting maintenance, illuminated signs and bollard works that will continue for an initial term of 5 years 8 months and include an option to extend such term for a further period of not more than 4 years and to revise the council’s approach for the management and administration of the new contract.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Highways & Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood to:

(1) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the supply of street lighting maintenance works, capital replacement works and repair services in respect of Gloucestershire’s Street lighting assets. The proposed contract shall continue for an initial period of up to 5 years 8 months and include an option to extend its term for a further period of not more than 4 years on its anniversary at extension intervals to be determined.

(2) Award such contract to the preferred tenderer; and

(3) Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the term of the said

contract for a further period of not more than 4 years on its anniversary.

(4) Implement a new delivery model for street lighting works and services,

including bringing in-house management and administration functions.

11.1    Cllr Dom Morris sought Cabinet approval to procure and award a contract for the delivery of street lighting maintenance, illuminated signs and bollard works that will continue for an initial term of 5 years 8 months and include an option to extend such term for a further period of not more than 4 years and to revise the council’s approach for the management and administration of the new contract.

11.2    The new contract would bring back in-house some administration elements which would allow better control of the service and better management of the asset. It would also enable alignment with the operating model and governance for our other highways contracts. This would reduce risk for the Council and would allow a contractor to concentrate on their core strengths; delivery of “value for money” street lighting works and repairs.

11.3    The proposed contract would be over an initial 5-year 8 months term with an option to extend this period by up to a further 4 years. The proposed new contract would provide the Council with an opportunity to further advance climate and carbon improvements (reducing energy consumption and carbon impact) with use of the latest technology LED lighting, more sustainable materials, and solar technologies.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Highways & Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood to:

(1) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the supply of street lighting maintenance works, capital replacement works and repair services in respect of Gloucestershire’s Street lighting assets. The proposed contract shall continue for an initial period of up to 5 years 8 months and include an option to extend its term for a further period of not more than 4 years on its anniversary at extension intervals to be determined.

(2) Award such contract to the preferred tenderer; and

(3) Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the term of the said

contract for a further period of not more than 4 years on its anniversary.

(4) Implement a new delivery model for street lighting works and services,

including bringing in-house management and administration functions.

Please note: this report contains both exempt and non-exempt

information.

To discuss the exempt information detailed in the appendices to the published report, consideration must first be given to whether the public and press should be excluded from the meeting b passing the following resolution:-

In accordance with Regulation 4 (2)(b) of the Local Authorities  (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, consideration must be given to confirm whether members of the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for this item of business because it is likely that, if present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A to the Act, and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Cllr Lynden Stowe sought Cabinet approval to procure, build and let a new GP Surgery building for the reprovision of the current Hucclecote Practice Gloucester.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Subject to approval by the Deputy Chief Executive/Executive Director of Corporate Resources of the detailed business case, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, the Chief Executive and the Director of Policy, Performance and Governance:

1. Approve approx. £5m Capital scheme to build a new Hucclecote GP Practice with 17 clinical rooms (including 3 training rooms and a Changing Places WC/Shower), supported with patient drop-off bay and 29 car parking spaces and associated infrastructure on land occupied by the former Jordans Brook House.

2. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Asset Management and Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, to:

a. Conduct a mini-competition process under the Framework Agreement; Contractor Partnering Framework Agreement: Major Construction Works 2019 (or its replacement framework post March 2024) for the purpose of awarding (i) a preconstruction design agreement and (ii)subject to planning approval, a contract for construction works relating to the establishment of the new GP Practice building.

b. Upon conclusion of the mini competition, to enter into the above-mentioned preconstruction design and, subject to planning approval, a contract for the construction works with the preferred contractor(s) evaluated as offering the Council best value for money and quality for delivery of the GP Practice.

c. Prior to entering contract as above, conclude and enter into an Agreement for Lease and Lease for a period of 30 years with a GP practice and undertake all ancillary matters to enable the establishment of the new GP Practice building.

12.1    Cllr Mark Hawthorne, on behalf of Cllr Lynden Stowe, sought Cabinet approval to procure, build and let a new GP Surgery building for the reprovision of the current Hucclecote Practice Gloucester.

12.2    Prior to the discussion, members were advised that, should Cabinet wish to discuss the contents of the exempt information reported in the Appendix of the report, consideration would need to be given as to whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Cabinet agreed to consider this item without having to refer to the exempt information.

12.3    Jordans Brook House had been used and occupied by various GCC services in recent years until its closure in 2022. However following service reorganisation the property is currently empty, the site was declared surplus to GCC requirements by Cabinet on 14th October 2020.

12.4    The site was allocated for housing (approx. 10 dwellings) in the current Gloucester City Plan, however informal discussion with Gloucester City Planners indicated that the provision of a GP’s Practice was likely to be acceptable subject to a detailed planning application. Initial discussions with GCC’s Highways also indicated that a new access road might be required to bring forward the site for development.

12.5    Negotiations with the Hucclecote Surgery and agents had resulted in agreement for GCC to build a new GP’s Surgery on the former Jordans Brook House site and then lease the new building to the Hucclecote Surgery GP’s Practice for a period of 30 years providing a secure revenue stream for this period of time.

12.6    This project would provide the community with much needed capacity to increase essential primary care provision in the locality. The existing surgery was unable to cope with the current demand for services. This innovative solution enabled one of our One Public Estate partners to ensure adequate provision locally whilst regenerating this now vacant site.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Subject to approval by the Deputy Chief Executive/Executive Director of Corporate Resources of the detailed business case, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, the Chief Executive and the Director of Policy, Performance and Governance:

1. Approve approx. £5m Capital scheme to build a new Hucclecote GP Practice with 17 clinical rooms (including 3 training rooms and a Changing Places WC/Shower), supported with patient drop-off bay and 29 car parking spaces and associated infrastructure on land occupied by the former Jordans Brook House.

2. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Asset Management and Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, to:

a. Conduct a mini-competition process under the Framework Agreement; Contractor Partnering Framework Agreement: Major Construction Works 2019 (or its replacement framework post March 2024) for the purpose of awarding (i) a preconstruction design agreement and (ii)subject to planning approval, a contract for construction works relating to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.