Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Please declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests that you may have relating to any specific matters which may be discussed at the meeting.

Cllr Pam Tracey MBE declared a personal interest as a school governor.

a)    Virtual meeting protocol

To invite Simon Harper, Head of Democratic Services, to provide information on how the meeting will be run and provide guidance on how to use the WebEx remote meeting software.

b)    Victims of Coronavirus in Gloucestershire

To take a moment’s silence as a tribute to those people in Gloucestershire who have lost their lives during the Coronavirus outbreak including Council employee Richard Edwards.  Richard was a long standing and valued member of the Gloucester Integrated Social Care Management Team.

c)    People of Paju Province in South Korea

The Chairman has written to the Mayor of Paju Province to thank them for the personal protective equipment they sent to the county in honour of the soldiers of the Gloucestershire Regiment for their service in the Korean War.  The equipment will directly help older people in care homes across Gloucestershire, many of that same generation whose young men fought so bravely at the Imjin River.

d)    Thank you

To thank the staff of the Council and partner organisations including the NHS, Police, Fire and Rescue, care providers and community organisations for the support and care they have been providing to the residents of Gloucestershire during the Coronavirus outbreak. 

a)         Virtual meeting protocol

Simon Harper, Head of Democratic Services, explained the virtual meeting protocol for the meeting to members.

b)         Victims of Coronavirus in Gloucestershire

The Chairman paid tribute to the 568 residents of Gloucestershire who had sadly lost their lives to coronavirus, including Council employee Richard Edwards. The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, passed on his sincere condolences to Richard’s family and all bereaved families in the county. A minute’s silence was held in remembrance of all the county’s residents who had lost their lives due to the virus. Members would be able to pay personal tribute to those who had lost their lives during the motions agenda item.

c)         People of Paju Province in South Korea

The Chairman advised that he had written to the Mayor of Paju Province in South Korea to thank its people for the personal protective equipment they sent to the county in honour of the soldiers of the Gloucestershire Regiment for their service in the Korean War. This PPE had been distributed to care homes in the county that looked after many older people of the same generation whose young men fought at the Imjin River.

d)         Thank you

The Chairman thanked staff of the Council and partner organisations including the NHS, Police, Fire and Rescue, care providers and community organisations for the support and care they had provided to the residents of Gloucestershire during the Coronavirus outbreak.  Members would be able to personally thank those who had supported residents in the county during the outbreak during the motions agenda item.

Fifteen questions had been received. A copy of the answers was circulated and is attached to the signed copy of the minutes.

Question 2 – Highlighting the need for members of the public and local councillors to have access to data on cases of coronavirus and related deaths within Gloucestershire, Molly Scott Cato asked whether this information would be made available on the Council website.

Cllr Tim Harman advised that accurate local data would be the focus for the cross-party engagement board that was being established, and which would hold its first meeting in July.

Question 7 – Referring to the figures provided in the answers to questions 8 and 9, Dr David Willingham asked whether, given the error made by a member of staff and the evident lack of parking, it would be better to oppose the planning application.

Cllr Vernon Smith advised that the question would be better addressed to officers at Cheltenham Borough Council.

Question 8 – Dr David Willingham asked whether the cabinet member would agree to write to the planning authority to ask them to agree to rescind the planning application, given that the information provided by the Council to the planning authority differed from the information provided in the answers to questions 9 and 10.

Cllr Vernon Smith agreed to liaise with the officer who provided the information and the planning authority regarding this matter.

Question 14 – Dr David Willingham asked whether the cabinet member would consider installing demand-led traffic signals which could be triggered by cyclists.

Cllr Vernon Smith suggested that Dr Willingham have a conversation with him outside of the meeting on the issue.

Question 15 – Dr David Willingham asked whether the road surface at Great Western Terrance could be treated to prevent drains blocking due to grit and gravel from the road.

Cllr Vernon Smith agreed to ask the relevant officer to check where Great Western Terrace was in the programme for road resurfacing.

Cllr Nigel Robbins raised a point of order relating to Public Questions. He felt that the number of questions, written and supplementary, received from a member of the public was an abuse of the system and requested that the process be reviewed. The matter was referred to the Constitution Committee.

Cllr Richard Boyles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, to present the corporate parenting report.

Cllr Richard Boyles, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, presented the report which focused on the work of Voice Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire’s Children in Care Council). He encouraged all members to engage with the corporate parenting training which was delivered by the council’s Ambassadors for Vulnerable Children and Young People.

In response to a question Cllr Boyles updated members on the progress of Trevone House, explaining that the project had slipped due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The construction was scheduled to complete in September 2020, with services commencing soon after. Cllr Boyles also agreed to contact the local member to share the contract details for the management of this facility.

It was stated that the work of the Ambassadors for Vulnerable Children and Young People was a highlight of the work of Children’s Services.

A member raised concerns regarding the reduction in the number of foster carers available. Cllr Boyles acknowledged that there has been a fall in numbers. This was, in the main, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; many of our foster carers were older and had had to withdrawn from fostering support for health reasons. The Fostering Service was actively recruiting, but this was a challenge in the current circumstances.

To receive petitions presented by members without discussion.

No petitions were presented by members.

The Council’s Constitution provides for a maximum of two hours for debate on motions.  The time limit for member speeches is three minutes and the time limit for proposing a motion is five minutes.

In accordance with Procedural Rule 10.2 in Part 4 of the Council Constitution, the Chief Executive has prepared a short accompanying note for each motion in respect of any implications for climate change, resources, human rights and any other pertinent factors they may wish to include in accordance with the Council’s Policy Framework.

Motion 859 – Fast-tracked introduction of ‘School Streets’ schemes

Proposed by Cllr Iain Dobie

Seconded by Cllr Nigel Robbins

This Council notes that:

• As people are being instructed to return to school and to work, the national Government is encouraging everyone to walk or cycle where possible instead of taking public transport or returning to their cars.
• The Government has announced a £250 million ‘Emergency Active Travel Fund’ for temporary infrastructure to enable safe cycling and walking – of which, Gloucestershire is receiving £1.442 million (0.57 per cent).
• The Transport Secretary issued new Statutory Guidance on 9 May to all Highways Authorities, requiring them to deliver ‘transformative change’ within an urgent timeframe.
• Measures listed under the Statutory Guidance include (but are not limited to) ‘pop-up’ cycle facilities, widening footways, ‘school streets’ schemes, and reducing speed limits.
• The guidance further states that ‘measures should be taken as swiftly as possible, and in any event within weeks, given the urgent need to change travel habits before the restart takes full effect.’
• ‘School streets’ schemes, which close the roads outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times, have the multiple aims of: improving road safety for pupils, encouraging active travel to school/ modal shift out of cars, and improving the air quality and environment at the school gates, and are very effective for enabling social distancing outside schools.

This Council further notes that:

• Prior to Covid-19 related changes, ‘School Streets’ schemes were successfully introduced or were being trialled at multiple local authorities across the UK*.
• Since the announcement, enthusiasm for ‘School Streets’ has sky-rocketed, with many more councils introducing these schemes before schools reopened and multiple NGOs calling for the introduction of ‘School Streets’ to manage social distancing at the school gate.
• Progressive councils are introducing the measures under their own considerable statutory powers, making experimental traffic orders where necessary.
• Gloucestershire County Council has already made a number of road alterations to assist with active travel and social distancing associated with shops, but none specifically targeted at schools.
• It has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively impact travel choices, including the associated benefits on health, air quality and road safety. 

This Council resolves to:

a)    Work with county councillors, districts, schools and local partners to swiftly identify those schools in the county that could put a ‘School Streets’ scheme in place.

b)    Work with county councillors, districts, schools and local partners to enable all schools that wish to take part in the ‘School Streets’ scheme to do  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Motion 859 – Fast-tracked introduction of ‘School Streets’ schemes

Cllr Iain Dobie proposed and Cllr Nigel Robbins seconded the motion included on the agenda.

Cllr Dobie informed the meeting of the challenges outside schools at the beginning and end of the school day relating to traffic; he felt sure that each member of council would have witnessed this themselves. He outlined the benefits that could be generated by the introduction of the school streets scheme in Gloucestershire, including improved safety, and air quality and encouraged walking and cycling. He also stated that this scheme would benefit the wider community health and wellbeing, and support improved community spirit. He acknowledged that the location of the school was key, and that the location of some of Gloucestershire’s schools would not be suitable for this scheme but would benefit from other traffic calming measures.

Cllr Dobie felt that there was excessive bureaucracy and delay built into the traffic regulation order process (TRO) which created an unhelpful barrier. He indicated that in his view there was also a lack of will to deliver these types of schemes within Shire Hall. Passing the motion would remove these barriers. Cllr Dobie stated that the council’s travel plan promoted cycling and that the council had declared a climate emergency and had identified targets for reducing air pollution. He informed the meeting that this motion supported these shared aims and asked that members support the motion as it stands.

Cllr Nigel Robbins, seconder, asked members what legacy they would want to leave for their children and grandchildren? He stated that this proposal was an important gift to future generations. Vehicle pollution was particularly damaging to young children. Enabling children to cycle would support the drive to reduce obesity, with the associated benefits to the individual and society – he quoted from the council’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) which stated that children preferred to cycle, and that it was anticipated that if changes were not made to support more sustainable travel options for children there would be a significant increase in the levels of obesity. He reiterated that supporting this motion would be an important gift to future generations.

A member informed the meeting that there were clear advantages to this motion, where the scheme could be implemented. This proposal also have additional merit to the 20mph as it would provide a more effective way of providing a safe environment for children. An important aspect was the timing – there were limited opportunities before winter set in. They indicated that they were unsure that the Administration was fully supportive of safer zones etc, but hoped that council would take note of this motion.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, informed the meeting that the Conservative Cabinet does support children traveling to school safely and in an environmentally manner including walking and cycling, but wanted it to be an evidence based approach. School Streets were an interesting idea and the Cabinet was happy to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

To answer any written member questions about matters which are within the powers and duties of the County Council.

The closing date for receipt of questions is 10am on Wednesday, 17 June 2020. Please send questions to the Chief Executive marked for the attention of Stephen Bace (email stephen.bace@gloucestershire.gov.uk).

Questions received and proposed responses do not accompany this agenda but will be circulated prior to the meeting.

Eight member questions had been received. The following supplementary questions were asked:

Question 1 – Cllr Rachel Smith reiterated her question as to how much carbon dioxide the incinerator at Javelin Park was producing, stating that this was not being measured in a consistent way.

Cllr Nigel Moor replied that this had been measured and included in the environmental statement. He also advised that the Council was looking to increase recycling, and that this would be incentivised as part of the reprocurement of the HRC contract in July.

Question 2 – Cllr Rachel Smith asked whether some of the remaining £1million drainage budget could be used to address drainage issues around Claypits Lane and Thrupp.

Cllr Vernon Smith replied that he would be happy to discuss the issue with Cllr Smith outside of the meeting.

Question 5 – Cllr Rachel Smith asked whether the Council would commit to using technology to increase public participation with Council meetings moving forward.

Cllr Lyndon Stowe replied that this could be an area for the Public Participation Scrutiny Task Group to consider when it reconvenes in the autumn.

Question 7 – Cllr Lesley Williams thanked staff working in schools across the County who had continued to work during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure schools remained open for children of key workers and vulnerable children, and asked what plans were in place for these children who would still need looking after during the school summer holidays.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux replied that as schools would not be required to open during the summer holidays, alternative options such as holiday clubs would be available, and that the Council would look to consider how else it could support key workers with childcare during this time.

Cllr Shaun Parsons, Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to note that formal scrutiny committee meetings will resume next month (July 2020).  Through May and June 2020 a series of question and answer briefing sessions have been held for each scrutiny committee to ensure that members remain updated on Council activities.

Cllr Shaun Parsons, Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provided an update on scrutiny. He advised that virtual scrutiny question and answer sessions for each scrutiny committee had taken place throughout June and that formal scrutiny committee meetings would recommence virtually in July, highlighting the hard work of Democratic Services and ICT in setting up and testing the technology to enable members to participate in these meetings remotely.

In response to a question from a member as to why the formal scrutiny function of the Council had been paused for so long, Cllr Parsons explained that the response to the coronavirus crisis by officers had to be prioritised, pragmatically the systems to enable scrutiny to take place remotely had to be set up, and that the Council would be one of the first larger local authorities to reconvene full scrutiny sessions.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chair of the Constitution Committee, to present the report from the committee meeting held on 9 March 2020 and subsequent changes required to the Council’s Constitution since that meeting.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chair of the Constitution Committee, presented the report from the meeting held on 9 March 2020 and subsequent changes required to the Council’s Constitution since that meeting.

One member sought clarification on the procedure for motions without notice. In response it was confirmed that under the Procedural Standing Order for motions without notice, the seconder did not have the right to speak in support of the motion. 

RESOLVED toagree the recommendations from the Constitution Committee as included in the report:

a)    -  To increase the Basic Allowance from £10,300 to £10,500 (2%)

-       To increase the Special Responsibility Allowance for Committee Chairs and Group Leaders from £6,120 to £6,360 (4%).

-       To increase all other Special Responsibility Allowances by 2% in line with the recommendation for the Basic Allowance.

-       To note the revised Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2020-21 at Appendix B to the report (please refer to Annex 1).

-       To indicate support for the Special Responsibility Allowance for the Chair of the Police and Crime Panel to be set at the same level as a Scrutiny Chair at Gloucestershire County Council and authorise the Chief Executive to write to the six District Councils to request their support for this approach.

b)    that the changes to the terms of reference of the Pension Board be approved as indicated in Annex 2.

c)    the scheme of delegation be changed to authorise the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure as set out in the Annex 3.

d)    that the change, as detailed in the report, be made to Procedural Standing Order 11.2.2 in Part 4 of the Constitution.

e)    toratify the changes to the Constitution made by the Monitoring Officer under delegated powers (MO2 in Section 5 of Part 3 of the Constitution). Please refer to Annex 5.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chair of the Appointments Committee, to advise that at the meeting held on 6 March 2020, the committee recommended to Council that the Pay Policy Statement for 2020-21 be adopted.

As a result of the cancellation of the meeting of full Council on 25 March 2020, the Chief Executive has approved the Pay Policy Statement to allow it to be published.  This decision was taken following consultation with the Chair and Leader of Council under delegated powers to officers (CE1 in Section 5 of Part 3 of the Constitution).

The decision record along with the Pay Policy Statement are available on the Council’s website - https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=1483

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chair of the Appointments Committee, presented the recommendation from the Appointments Committee held on 6 March 2020 relating to the Pay Policy Statement. It was noted that as a result of the cancellation of the meeting of full Council on 25 March 2020, the Chief Executive had approved the Pay Policy Statement to allow it to be published.  This decision was taken following consultation with the Chair and Leader of Council under delegated powers to officers.

Subject to approval by Cabinet, to consider the following recommendations to Council:

i)    Council Strategy: Looking to the Future 2019-2022

·      To add the following to the Challenges & Opportunities chapter on page 5 relating to Climate Change:

  Along with councils up and down the country, Gloucestershire County Council has declared a climate change emergency.  This recognises the irreversible impact that humans have already had on climate change and the need for bold and timely action to be taken.  The County Council has a leadership role, along with other public sector bodies, to reduce carbon emissions across the whole county.

·      To add the following to ‘Our Priorities for Gloucestershire’ on page 7:

     Reduce Gloucestershire’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2030, and secure a carbon neutral county by 2050.

·      To add the following to the ‘Transport, Economy and Infrastructure’ section on pages 16-17:

We will reduce Gloucestershire’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2030, and secure a carbon neutral county by 2050. We will do this by working with our partners through Leadership Gloucestershire to:

o   Implement the Gloucestershire Climate Change strategy

o   Strengthen the Gloucestershire Sustainable Energy Strategy

o   Grow our low carbon economy

o   Help our residents, businesses and partners to radically reduce carbon.

i)     Second review of the Statement of Community Involvement for Gloucestershire

To adopt the SecondReview Statement of Community Involvement for

Gloucestershire in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and

Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

Please refer to the reports published with the Cabinet meeting papers for 17 June 2020 (available for members on Moderngov and on the Council website: https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=9396&Ver=4)

i)                     Council Strategy: Looking to the Future 2019-2022

RESOLVED to ratify the following changes to the Council Strategy: Looking to the Future 2019-2022:

-       To add the following to the Challenges & Opportunities chapter on page 5 relating to Climate Change:

‘Along with councils up and down the country, Gloucestershire County Council has declared a climate change emergency.  This recognises the irreversible impact that humans have already had on climate change and the need for bold and timely action to be taken.  The County Council has a leadership role, along with other public sector bodies, to reduce carbon emissions across the whole county.’

-       To add the following to ‘Our Priorities for Gloucestershire’ on page 7: ‘Reduce Gloucestershire’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2030, and secure a carbon neutral county by 2050.’

-       To add the following to the ‘Transport, Economy and Infrastructure’ section on pages 16-17: ‘We will reduce Gloucestershire’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2030, and secure a carbon neutral county by 2050. We will do this by working with our partners through Leadership Gloucestershire to:

·         Implement the Gloucestershire Climate Change strategy

·         Strengthen the Gloucestershire Sustainable Energy Strategy

·         Grow our low carbon economy

·         Help our residents, businesses and partners to radically reduce carbon.’

ii)                     Second review of the Statement of Community Involvement for Gloucestershire

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, summarised the function of the Statement of Community Involvement for Gloucestershire, and set out the process that was undertaken for its review.

One member queried how the public would access information following the removal of hard copies from libraries. Cllr Moor explained that the removal of hard copies was part of trying to balance the carbon change strategy, and that the public could access information through other means, such as social media.

On being put to a recorded vote it was

RESOLVED

To adopt the Second Review Statement of Community Involvement for Gloucestershire in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and

Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

The voting was as follows:

For (40): Cllrs Carole Allaway Martin, Phil Awford, Rob Bird, Richard Boyles, David Brown, Dr John Cordwell, Kevin Cromwell, Stephen Davies, Iain Dobie, Andrew Gravells, Tim Harman, Joe Harris, Mark Hawthorne, Colin Hay, Jeremy Hilton, Stephen Hirst, Paul Hodgkinson, Andrew Miller, Patrick Molyneux, Nigel Moor, Graham Morgan, Dave Norman, Shaun Parsons, Sajid Patel, Loraine Patrick, John Payne, Alan Preest, Brian Robinson, Steve Robinson, Rachel Smith, Vernon Smith, Lynden Stowe, Ray Theodoulou, Brian Tipper, Robert Vines, Eva Ward, Kathy Williams, Lesley Williams, Suzanne Williams and Will Windsor Clive

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)

To note the Cabinet Decision Statement for the meeting.

RESOLVED to note the Cabinet Decision Statement for the meeting held on 11 March 2020.

To consider the decision statements for the period 1 February to 9 June 2020.

One member, referring to the Gloucester to Cheltenham Cycle Improvements Scheme, sought assurance that the improvements would undergo detailed planning. In response, Cllr Moor explained that the Council wanted to take advantage of the funding from Government and that they needed to be careful with how they approached the scheme.

RESOLVED

To note that the Cabinet Member Decision Statements for the period 1 February to 9 June 2020.