To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from the Solicitor to the Council, Marie Rosenthal. The Leader welcomed Assistant Solicitor, Claire Childs, to the meeting.

The Leader also welcomed the newly elected ward member for Cinderford West, Councillor Roger Sterry, to the meeting.

To confirm the non-exempt minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2011 (attached).

The non-exempt minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2011 were agreed as an accurate record of that meeting.

The chairman to identify any items of urgent business.

There were no items of urgent business for consideration at this meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest in any matter to be discussed at the meeting.  Members and officers are requested to identify the nature of the interest and indicate whether the matter is personal or prejudicial.

No declarations of interest were made at this meeting.

To consider the attached copy of the cabinet forward plan and to agree any changes.

Subject to the following change, the cabinet forward plan that had been circulated with the agenda was confirmed and agreed.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, advised members that the item relating to consideration of the Benefit Services Partnership report would now be considered at the 19 April 2012 meeting.

Councillor Terry Hale, Cabinet Member for the Community, announced that agenda item 10, Countdown to Low Carbon Homes, had been withdrawn from the agenda and would now be considered at the cabinet meeting on 9 February 2012. (Please refer to agenda item 10 for details on why this item was withdrawn from the meeting).

To consider questions from members of the public in accordance with the ‘Protocol for Public Questions at Cabinet Meetings’. For guidance on how to submit questions, please refer to the council’s website www.fdean.gov.uk. Alternatively, please contact Democratic Services on 01594 812625 or email democratic.services@fdean.gov.uk. All questions must be submitted in writing at least two working days prior to the meeting.

The following question was submitted to the Leader of the Council by Dr Daphne Pearson: -

Has Cabinet given any thought to organising or facilitating local celebrations for HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and if so, what are their conclusions?

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, gave the following response at the meeting

2012 will indeed be a busy and exciting year, with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and, more specifically, the Olympic Torch Relay, all occurring during the summer, with the District Council fully involved in the planning and facilitation of all of these events. 

As far as the Diamond Jubilee is concerned, we have been in touch with the Pageantmaster for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons to share our thinking.  Although, we will not be lighting a Beacon ourselves, we are working closely with Town and Parish Councils to promote the event and provide advice. For example, we have passed on information on organising street parties and we have provided licensing advice.

To simplify matters, the County Council has agreed to deal with all road closure applications and waive the normal fees.  Members of our Community Engagement Team are currently promoting the event with our Town and Parish Councils and have asked them to register with the Pageantmaster if they wish to take part. 

The feedback we have had, to date, suggests that Town and Parish Councils will focus on the event now that the Christmas and New Year festivities are over. That said, we understand that bonfire beacons are being planned in Alvington and Newent. I urge all of our Town and Parish Councils to consider adding to that list.

In reply, Dr Pearson said that the council appeared to be doing nothing towards the Jubilee celebrations and what a missed opportunity this would be. Emphasising the uniqueness of the occasion and conscious of the unlikely probability that anyone living today would be able to participate in a Diamond Jubilee celebration in the future, Dr Pearson said that it might be appropriate to commemorate the anniversary with a wooden sculpture or a similar feature from which to depict the occasion. She also suggested that the council involve the local community in considering what might be an appropriate activity. 

The Leader assured Dr Pearson that it was the council’s intention to mark this important occasion. At this stage, however, the council had not committed to any firm plans. He said that he would note Dr Pearson’s comments and that the council would be exploring different avenues to consider what options might be available. He informed Dr Pearson that a similar proposal would be considered at the full council meeting on 23 February 2012, following consideration of a motion from Councillor Jane Horne. 

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, to invite non-executive members of the council to refer questions to cabinet. (A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to each meeting for consideration of member questions). Each question must relate to an item on the agenda and avoid confidential, personal or any other information where the law requires the council to consider the matter in private.

To assist in providing a complete answer, members are requested to submit questions to Democratic Services at least two working days before the meeting, either by email or in writing. Questions will be considered in the order of the agenda and at the discretion of the Leader of the Council.

At the cabinet meeting on 7 July 2011, Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, invited members of the council to submit any questions on or before the Monday afternoon prior to each cabinet meeting. The Leader said that no questions had been submitted prior to the meeting, but that he intended to consider questions relating to items of interest, as and when such items appeared on the agenda.

Seeking clarification on the council’s intention to lease part of the council offices to third party organisations, Councillor Bill Evans enquired what proposals had been considered in relation to parking arrangements for other users. Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, said that the provision to lease office space to third party organisations included an element of parking. He said that use of the designated parking space, (including whether or not parking fees would be applied), was not a decision for the council to consider, but a decision for each leaseholder. Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, noted Councillor Evans’ concerns and said that he would take on board his comments.

To consider report LD.387, detailing recommendations from the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee following the recent bus links inquiry. Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, (including transport issues), to respond to the recommendations.

At the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 21 July 2011, the committee agreed that the Environment Scrutiny Panel, (aided by the Community Scrutiny Panel), should undertake a scrutiny inquiry of the public bus service provision, currently operating in the Forest of Dean.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, invited Vice Chairman for the Inquiry, Councillor Ian Whitburn, to outline the recommendations from the inquiry. He also asked Councillor Whitburn to give an update on the outcome of the committee decision from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 12 January 2012, in response to the recommendations. Councillor Whitburn referred to Annex A of report LD.387, (detailing the final recommendations from the scrutiny inquiry), and informed members that at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 12 January 2012 the committee had made one amendment to the proposals, amending recommendation b to read: -

‘That the Leader of the Council write to the Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, the Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, the relevant minister of the Welsh Assembly and, of the government in Westminster, urging them to improve the integration of transport provision throughout the district and cross-border (as amended)’.

Councillor Whitburn emphasised the importance of appointing a Transport Member Champion, as detailed in Annex A to report LD.387. He said that the scrutiny panel had considered this a key recommendation and pivotal to addressing some of the transport issues affecting the Forest of Dean.

In response to a variety of wide-ranging questions, Councillor Whitburn made the following points of clarification: -

(a)    In response to point 7 of the role of the Transport Champion, Councillor Whitburn said that the panel hoped ward members and parish councillors would be encouraged to communicate any transport issues to the council’s Community Engagement Team.

(b)    Seeking clarification on whether recommendation f) of the proposals should refer to the District Council and not the County Council, (in proactively supporting local transport needs by providing details of community transport), Councillor Whitburn informed members that the recommendation had been aligned at county level to incorporate any journeys to hospitals located outside of the district.

(c)    The four local community transport providers referred to in 2.2 of the final scrutiny report, (Annex A), included both Lydney and Newent Dial-a-Ride.

(d)    Responding to concerns from Councillor Lynn Sterry, regarding the poor condition of some of the buses servicing the Forest of Dean, (particularly when making comparisons to the superior vehicles servicing Gloucester City), Councillor Whitburn said that, unfortunately the allocation of vehicles was not a decision that this council could easily influence. Later in the meeting, it was suggested that the appointment of a member champion might be able to address some of the issues relating to the reliability and quality of public bus services in the district.

Considering each of the recommendations at Annex A in turn, Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for Environment, (with responsibility for issues relating to transport included in his portfolio), said that, although there was no problem in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To confirm the council’s commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant. Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, to present report SD.84.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, presented report SD.84, seeking cabinet approval for the Forest of Dean District Council to become a signatory for the proposed Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant. The Leader said that this was a fantastic opportunity for the council to work together in partnership with the armed forces and to demonstrate how much the council respected and welcomed their involvement in the community. The Leader said that he was very happy to commit to this agreement, a sentiment shared by other cabinet members.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy suggested the covenant consider an initiative linked to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations as one of its first initiatives.

Councillor Marrilyn Smart OBE emphasised how important, and in what high esteem, the armed forces were held by this council. She said that the report was an excellent report and that she had been delighted with the references to the important relationship between the council and 1 Rifles. Councillor Smart informed members that she intended to submit a motion relating to this item at the council meeting on 23 February 2012 and hoped that she would receive the full support of members.

Seeking clarification on issues relating to the Community Covenant Grant Scheme, Councillor Bill Evans was advised that it would be up to the council to seek whatever funding was available. Strategic Director, Peter Hibberd, said that, from a non-financial perspective, he believed it was equally important for the council to contribute something to the community by forging bonds with the armed forces. He said that the signing ceremony for the agreement would take place on 27 February 2012. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to support the Armed Forces Community Covenant for Gloucestershire

To consider entering a low carbon homes scheme in partnership with the Severn Wye Energy Agency. Councillor Terry Hale, Cabinet Member for the Community, to present report PH.101.

Councillor Terry Hale, Cabinet Member for the Community, informed members that report PH.101 had been withdrawn from the meeting.  He said that, following publication of the agenda and to assist cabinet members in making their decision, he had invited Catrin Maby, from the Severn and Wye Energy Agency, to give a presentation at an all member event in the Council Chamber at 6 pm on Monday 30 January 2012.

With the Leader’s consent, Councillor Hale deferred consideration of report PH.101 until the cabinet meeting on 9 February 2012. He said he hoped this would enable members to consider the report in more detail and to ask questions at the presentation on 30 January 2012. Councillor Hale apologised for the deferral and urged members to take advantage of this useful opportunity.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, to present report EDP.45, seeking to secure Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) funding in support of the Cinderford Regeneration Programme.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, presented report EDP.45, detailing proposals relating to the construction and financial arrangements for delivery of the Cinderford Northern Quarter Spine Road. The spine road will open up the Steam Mills Site in Cinderford and play a vital role in providing access to new developments as part of the Cinderford Regeneration Programme. The Leader informed members that, subject to minor changes, the principle of the report remained unchanged.

Regeneration Manager, Wendy Jackson confirmed that she and the Solicitor to the Council, Marie Rosenthal had attended a meeting with Gloucestershire County Council and the Homes and Communities Agency at Shire Hall on Tuesday 17 January 2012 to discuss the legal framework from which the council would support the successful delivery of the Cinderford Northern Quarter Spine Road.

She said that, following several key outcomes from this meeting, it was necessary to make changes to recommendation a) of report EDP. 45. One of the outcomes had been that this council, in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, had agreed to share the financial role required to undertake the pre-development activity required ahead of the construction work. Furthermore, Gloucestershire County Council had agreed to procure all construction work.  The Regeneration Manager pointed out that the original report EDP.45 included a proposal for the Forest of Dean District Council to take on the entire financial role to lead on all pre-development activity and phase 1 works.

Due to the revised agreement, it was necessary to amend recommendation a) to reflect the required change. The Regeneration Manager outlined the revised recommendation and said that the council’s pre-development activity role included taking the lead on land acquisition. It also included the appointment of an urban design specialist to monitor the quality of the emerging highway design and a cost controller to validate all qualifying expenditure associated with the delivery of the new road. The county council’s pre-development activity role involved appointing consultants to undertake highway design, planning application preparation and all ecological survey work needed to support an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, informed members that the revised recommendation had not incurred any financial implications other than those included in the original report. The Leader said that it was good to see the situation progress and enquired when work on the spine road was likely to commence. The Regeneration Manager said that, due to a significant amount of essential ecological work, it would be January 2013 before any works commenced. Cabinet noted the amended report and,

RESOLVED to,

a)     Approve FoDDC’s involvement in the proposed FoDDC/GCC joint financial role to progress pre-development activity and launch delivery of the new Cinderford Northern Quarter spine road,

b)     Using the HCA grant funding, FoDDC to appoint a suitably qualified Urban Designer and a Cost Control specialist to monitor the detailed design and the project costs,

c)      Authorise the Group Manager - Legal and Democratic; Group Manager - Planning and Housing and Group Manager –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Should the items of business not be completed at this meeting, cabinet to reconvene at 5.30pm on Wednesday 25 January 2012

The next scheduled cabinet meeting will be held on 9 February 2012

9 February 2012