Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor John Jones.

The Chair, Councillor Brine, welcomed Councillor Bennett to her first Community Services and Licensing Committee.

To receive declarations of interest.

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2022.

RESOLVED               That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 March are approved as a correct record.

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

There were none.

To consider the performance monitoring report for Q4.

The Chair, Councillor Brine advised Committee he was pleased to see the performance monitors comments and the new format allowed Committee to better monitor the red and amber objectives for further information.

Councillor Prenter informed Committee that it would be helpful for Committee Members to let the performance monitors know in advance of any items of interest.

To consider the Corporate Care standards for approval and to recommend for adoption at full council on 21^st July 2022.

The Community Access and Engagement Manager advised the Standards had been designed to reflect the current community contact channels and what the expectation and response times would be when a customer accesses council services. The Standards had been developed by an officer/Member working group and would be renamed to ‘Our Service Standards’. The response times listed were maximum timescales and staff would endeavour and be reminded to respond before reaching the maximum response time. A review would be undertaken in 12 months’ time to improve on the Standards.

Councillor Craig questioned if the Council should challenge itself more in terms of response times. The Community Access and Engagement Manager explained where possible a response would be provided before 10 working days; however, the Standards overarched all service areas who had a variety of contact channels and ranging query complexities, she also advised that the Standards were similar to other councils in comparison.

Councillor Crews asked whether triaging had been considered to manage expectations. The Community Access and Engagement Manager advised the review by the Corporate Peer Challenge identified an opportunity to improve our Customer Service Centre by centralising customer contact channels and identifying new technologies/contact channels.

The Chair, Councillor Brine, asked whether Committee would be happy to accept a friendly amendment to include ‘and Community Services and Licensing Committee’ under (b) of the decision box to allow the Committee to review data annually.

The amendment and decision were proposed by Councillor Bennett and seconded by Councillor Prenter.

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

To consider recommendations by the Taxi Task and Finish Group regarding a request by members of the taxi trade to increase taxi fares in Stroud District.

The Licensing Manager presented the report advising taxi traders had submitted proposals in early 2022 to consider an increase in taxi fares in the Stroud District due to the increased fuel costs, maintenance to vehicles and cost to purchase a vehicle. A Task and Finish Group had been created and had reviewed the proposals to allow traders to maintain a sustainable business whilst balancing customer affordability. The proposal, which if agreed, would come into force on the 18 July 2022 subject to no objections following a public notice. The Licensing Manager advised the fares outlined in appendix C were maximum rates and traders could choose to charge less. She also confirmed that fares had not been increased in four years. The report proposed an annual review to determine whether subsequent increases were required based on inflation rates.

Councillor Bennett asked whether an equality impact assessment had been undertaken. The Licensing Manager acknowledged there would be an impact however explained it would be difficult to assess the balance between customer affordability and allowing traders to maintain a sustainable business, however she would include the assessment next time.

Proposed by Councillor Prenter and seconded by Councillor Craig.

Councillor Edmunds was nominated and appointed to replace Councillor Robinson on the Task and Finish Group.

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

To consider a proposal for grant funding towards the Woodchester Mansion Trust

The Strategic Director of Communities presented the report on behalf of the Strategic Director of Resources and advised Stroud District Council (SDC) were the freeholder of the site however the building was operated by the Woodchester Mansion Trust. As a direct impact of Covid-19 the Trusts financial position had been impacted, and they were unsuccessful in obtaining grant funding through the National Covid Cultural Recovery Fund and therefore approached SDC for an additional grant of £50K which would be paid out of a dedicated reserve for the repair and maintenance of SDC buildings.

Councillor Craig asked whether SDC had offered support to the Trust to assist with completing future grant funding applications such as expertise of an SDC officer. The Strategic Director of Communities advised quarterly meetings were taking place with the Trust, Chief Executive and the Community Health and Wellbeing Manager who would be able to support them with future grant applications.

Proposed by Councillor Tucker and seconded by Councillor Bennett.

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

The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing informed the Committee that a Task and Finish Group had been established and was looking at three elements relating to the Lido: increasing the temperature of the pool, refurbishment of the changing rooms and accessibility to the pool. The temperature of the pool had been increased by using the excess heat from the combined heat and power units and further increases would be explored in the future. Kenny Roberts from Friends of Lido and Stroud College had removed the false ceiling in the changing rooms to expose the original ceiling and work would continue throughout the season. Accessibility of the pool had been explored by reviewing opening hours, the impact on older people, wheelchair access and entering/exiting the pool however consultation needed to be undertaken with key groups to explore further. The introduction of two early morning swimming sessions were popular however there continued to be lifeguard staffing shortages.

Councillor Aldam advised Members that a Committee trip to the Lido would be arranged over the upcoming weeks.

Councillor Crews commented whether funding could be considered to provide shelter for the lifeguards when the weather is cold and wet, and whether the temperature could remain at 20 degrees instead of a further increase to 24 degree. Finally she also stated that users from outside of the district were not aware the Lido was open and possibly more needed to be done to promote outside of the district. The Chair, Councillor Brine gave thanks to Kenny Roberts and the Senior Community Services Officer for the work they had done.

The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing advised that the business case for the LATC would come to the January Committee for decision. The first meeting on the feasibility investment plan would be taking place at the end of June and work was underway on the demobilisation of the current contract with SLM. SDC Officers would also be visiting other centres across the country to help decide what the new community lifestyle centre would look like at the end of June.

Councillor Oxley asked for more information on the new centre proposed on the M5/A38 corridor. The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing advised as part of the consultation it was identified there was a demand for a new centre and additional feasibility work would be required to determine where the centre should be placed.

Councillor Job asked what officers’ thoughts were as part of making Stratford Park Leisure Centre a Community Centre. The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing advised the terminology ‘leisure’ was becoming outdated due to more collaboration with community groups and the NHS and therefore a demand for community space is needed.

Nominations were received by Councillors Job and Prenter who were appointed for 2022-2023. The Chair, Councillor Brine asked for a third nomination to support Councillor Job and Prenter and for Members to contact him if they were interested.

The below nominations and appointments were approved.

The Chair, Councillor Brine advised Committee to contact himself or Democratic Services if they were interested in any of the below representations, otherwise they would remain vacant and offered to Members outside of Committee.

The Chair, Councillor Brine, advised Democratic Services would contact Stroud Older Persons Forum regarding the status of the group and whether a representation was required. He continued that the two representations for Stroud Road Safety Liaison Group would remain vacant whilst Councillor Tucker awaited a response from the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. Councillor Tucker also suggested the title be changed to Road Safety Group. The Chair, Councillor Brine, asked the Head of Community Services to contact the Community Health and Wellbeing Manager to query why Members had not received the meeting invitations for the Stroud District Council Know Your Patch.

The Member report had been circulated prior to Committee. There were no further questions.

The Member report had been circulated prior to Committee. There were no further questions.

The Member report had been circulated prior to Committee. There were no further questions.

The Member report had been circulated prior to Committee.

The Chair, Councillor Brine, informed Committee he was impressed with the quality of the report and questioned whether the 200+ referrals referred to in the statistics were monthly, quarterly, or annually. Councillor Craig advised it was a rolling figure of ongoing work.

Councillor Bennett advised she attended a meeting last week and she would provide an update at September Committee.

To consider the work programme.

There were no additions to the work programme.

RESOLVED                 To note the above Work Programme.

See Agenda Item 4 for deadlines for submission.

There were none.