Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Ebley Mill, Stroud

Contact: Democratic Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

CSLC.038

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gordon Craig and Gill Oxley.

 

CSLC.039

Declaration of Interests

To receive declarations of interest.

 

Minutes:

There were none.

 

CSLC.040

Minutes pdf icon PDF 275 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2021.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2021 are approved as a correct record.

 

 

CSLC.041

Public Question Time

The Chair of the Committee will answer questions from members of the public submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

 

deadline for receipt of questions

noon on Friday, 26 November 2021

 

Questions must be submitted to the Chief Executive, Democratic Services,

Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud and can be sent by email to Democratic.services@stroud.gov.uk

 

 

Minutes:

There were none.

 

 

CSLC.042

Community Wellbeing Grants 22/23 pdf icon PDF 499 KB

To provide feedback on the revised 2020-21 Community Wellbeing Grant process to committee and propose changes to improve accessibility and effectiveness of the process.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Community Health and Wellbeing Manager introduced the report and explained the two proposed grant variations; a large grants scheme which would replace the current one year to a three year grant and to establish a smaller grant scheme which will be aimed at smaller organisations who could apply for a grants less than £1k.

 

Councillor Aldam asked if the smaller grant process would have a similarly small feedback report when the organisation reports back on how the funds are spent. The Community Health and Wellbeing Manager confirmed the report would be a few simple questions.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Tucker.

 

Councillor Robinson explained how beneficial the process will be for organisations to be able to apply for smaller grants.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was passed unanimously.

 

RESOLVED

to approve and adopt the recommendations made in Section 3 of this Report for the 2022 Community Wellbeing Grant process.

 

CSLC.043

Community Services and Licensing Budget Monitoring Report Q2 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 390 KB

To present the 2021/22 forecast outturn position against the revenue budgets and Capital Programme that the Committee is responsible for in order to give an expectation of possible variances against budget.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Accountant presented the report and explained the projected net revenue overspend of £430k with additional narrative on the significant variances.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Edmunds.

 

Councillor Robinson advised Committee that he spoke with the Accountant and Head of Community Services regarding the reduction in the street naming maintenance budget and was satisfied with the answer provided.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was passed unanimously.

 

RECOMMENDED

to note the outturn forecast for the General Fund Revenue budget and the Capital Programme for this Committee.

 

 

CSLC.044

Community Services and Licensing Committee Revenue Estimates - Revised 2021/22 and Original 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 372 KB

To present to the committee the revised estimates for 2021/22 and original estimates for 2022/23

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Accountant presented the report and outlined the in year virements and adjustments which included carry forward from the previous year and redistribution of corporate maintenance budgets in addition to inflation increase outlined in the budget strategy. The Accountant also advised of the budget pressure overspend with Revenue and Benefits and Customer Services and the typo on the first page of appendix B, fees and charges for the ‘partner attending Healthy Lifestyle classes’ which should read £2.50 instead of £2.30.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Job and seconded by Councillor John Jones.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was passed unanimously.

 

RECOMMENDED

to Strategy and Resources Committee

 

a)  The revised Community Services and Licensing revenue budget for 2021/22 and original 2022/23 revenue budget are approved.

b)   The Fees and Charges list as shown at Appendix B is

Approved

 

 

CSLC.045

Council Plan and Performance Indicators relevant to this Committee pdf icon PDF 346 KB

For the Committee to agree Performance Indicators for activities and projects detailed in the adopted Council Plan that relate to this Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair introduced the report and reminded Committee that the Council Plan was approved in September and whilst the objectives within the Council Plan cannot be amended, the Key Performance Indicators can be amended, and a new performance monitoring report template is being produced.

 

Councillor Aldam asked a question on linking objectives together between Committees and for the plan to clearly list where KPI’s link across different Committees. The Chair confirmed that this could be investigated and advised that the new performance monitoring system will allow for better linked Committee working. Councillor Crews suggested wording to the objectives on how they impact the Councils carbon footprint. The Chair asked Councillor Aldam to send the cross-Committee objectives to the Chair and Strategic Director of Communities for further investigation.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Prenter and seconded by Councillor Aldam.

 

Councillor Aldam asked that socio-economic factors are acknowledged when talking about Anti-Social Behaviour and ensure the respective parts of the plan in supporting vulnerable individuals in the community are linked together. The Chair explained the performance monitors could look at these types of report back to Committee. 

 

Councillor Robinson asked if the revised performance monitoring template would include more detailed information on a few topics rather than information on all service areas. The Chair confirmed and explained it would allow Members to review in detail areas for concern. The Chair also advised that he’d like for a third Member to support Councillor Job and Prenter in reporting on performance monitoring and inform the Chair or Strategic Director of Communities of their interest.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was passed unanimously.

 

RESOLVED   to:

a.    Agree on the performance indicators that are relevant to this committee, and

RECOMMENDED

to Strategy & Resources that:

b.    These performance indicators are incorporated in the Council Plan and updated and monitored according to the Council’s Performance Management Framework.

 

CSLC.046

Management Options Appraisal pdf icon PDF 732 KB

To provide information and rationale to Community Service & Licensing (CS&L) committee to enable committee to make an informed choice on which is the preferred management option for Stroud District Council to manage their leisure assets from 1st November 2024.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing explained that the contract for Stratford Park Leisure Centre is due to expire in October 2024 and the report outlines the different Management Options and whether Stratford Park, the Pulse, the Museum in the Park and Health and Wellbeing could operate under one Management Option. A meeting to discuss initial Management Options took place with Max Associates Consultants and the Councils Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Project Team to look at different management models as part of the strategy planning, which included inhouse, externally run, Local Authority Trading Company (LATC), Not for Profit Director Organisation (NDPO), Joint Venture and Asset Transfer. All options explored; the Council would have to borrow money to make improvements to the current and any future centres.

 

The Task and Finish Group that was established met several times and ruled out Joint Venture and Assets Transfer options and later ruled out external and NDPO leaving inhouse and LATC as the two options to consider. Both options were equal in deliverables, however the LATC financials were significantly better in saving the Council £200k a year with Stratford Park and the Pulse, benefiting an 80% reduction on National Non-Domestic Rates and VAT savings on income and reduced pension costs.

 

The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing concluded explaining that the Museum in the Park and Health and Wellbeing would be excluded from the Management Options until the LATC had matured.

 

Members asked questions on, whether the Council can give the ‘Teckal’ company a grant to assist with funding equipment, if the Council is able to claim VAT back on purchasing equipment through a ‘Teckal’ company, when the Museum in the Park and Health and Wellbeing would also be considered under the Management Option, the financial costs associated with needing specialist consultants on setting up the LATC and whether they would need to be retained throughout the life of the LATC and if any Council Officers would sit on the LATC board and if there would be any representatives from outside bodies

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Prenter and seconded by Councillor John Jones.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was passed unanimously.

 

The Chair gave thanks to the Task and Finish Group in addition to the Health and Wellbeing team and advised that the Stratford Park Lido Task and Finish Group are due to meet on 6 December. 

 

RESOLVED

 

a)    Agree the recommendation by the Leisure Review Management Option Task and Finish Group that a company with ‘Teckal’ exemptions is adopted as the preferred option for Stroud District Council to manage its Leisure Centres from 1st November 2024.

b)   Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Communities in consultation with the Chair of CS&L to explore the Local Authority Trading Company options and reporting back to this committee providing a full financial analysis including board structure.

 

CSLC.047a

Gloucestershire Health Overview Scrutiny Committee

Minutes:

Councillor Fenton was not in attendance to provide her report.

 

CSLC.047b

Gloucestershire Covid-19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board

Minutes:

Councillor Cornell was not in attendance to provide her report.

 

CSLC.047c

Museum in the Park (Cowle Trust) pdf icon PDF 345 KB

Minutes:

The Member report had circulated prior to Committee.

 

CSLC.047d

Police and Crime Panel pdf icon PDF 225 KB

Minutes:

The Member report had circulated prior to Committee.

 

CSLC.047e

Citizens Advice pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Minutes:

The Member report had circulated prior to Committee. Councillor Tucker advised that ‘Bureau’ is no longer included within Citizens Advice name.

 

CSLC.047f

Mental Health Champions pdf icon PDF 501 KB

Minutes:

The Member report had circulated prior to Committee.

 

CSLC.047g

Performance Monitoring pdf icon PDF 519 KB

Minutes:

The Member report had circulated prior to Committee. Councillor Job endorsed the Chair and Councillor Prenters comment on a third Members assistance.

 

Councillor Robinson queried whether recruitment for the Youth Officer had started. The Head of Community Services advised the post would be advertised shortly.

 

CSLC.047h

Woodchester Park Mansion pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Minutes:

The Member report had circulated prior to Committee.

 

CSLC.048

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 215 KB

To consider the work programme.

Minutes:

The Chair advised a letter on behalf of Committee had been sent to Gloucestershire County Councillor Dave Norman in respect to the Stroud Road Safety Liaison Group and a response has been received advising a meeting will take place on the 15 December to discuss next steps and District’s involvement. The Chair gave thanks to Councillor Tucker for his assistance.

 

Councillor Aldam asked if information on performance monitoring could be circulated to encourage interest.

 

RESOLVED

To note the above update to the Work Programme.

 

CSLC.049

Member Questions

See Agenda Item 4 for deadlines for submission.

Minutes:

13:30

14:00

 

 

We use cookies to improve user experience. If you continue, we will assume you are happy to accept cookies from this website. Continue