To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies at this meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011.

The non-exempt minutes of the cabinet meeting on 20 January 2011 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.

The chairman to identify any items of urgent business.

No urgent business was considered 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 it is personal or prejudicial.

As a member of Gloucestershire County Council, Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, declared a personal interest in item 13 of the agenda, Provision of Emergency Management Support Services.

As a member of Gloucestershire County Council, Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, declared a personal interest in item 13 of the agenda, Provision of Emergency Management Support Services.

Councillor Robinson also declared a personal interest in item 20 of the agenda, Cinderford Regeneration Investment Site, as a member of the South West Regional Development Agency.

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.

At the cabinet meeting on 12 November 2009, it was agreed to introduce a public question time at cabinet meetings in accordance with the Protocol for Public Questions at Cabinet Meetings. Leader of the Council, Councillor Peter Amos invited Mr Richard Warford, of the White Horse Inn, Soudley, to present the following question at the meeting: -

‘Given the cash injection to be given to the Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley. What measures are the FoDDC taking to ensure that other businesses in the village will be protected from the massive competitive advantage that the Heritage Centre will now gain, especially in the area of marketing. Please note that other businesses in the village do not benefit from the presence of the centre, in fact they lose out’. 

Councillor Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, gave the following response to the question.

‘I think we must acknowledge that the Dean Heritage Centre is the only place in the Forest dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the unique history and heritage of the Forest of Dean.

The grant to the Dean Heritage Centre was approved nearly three years ago at a time when it was close to financial collapse.  The agreement to release the funding was taken in light of the improving financial situation at the Centre and the need for this Council to cease its ongoing revenue grant to the Centre. 

I believe the funding will improve the facilities at the Centre, help secure the Denis Potter archive and hopefully increase the number of visitors into the area. One of the council’s key priorities is to attract more visitors to the area, which in the long-term, should help other local businesses. The funding will also help secure the Centre’s future and enable it to stand on its own two feet following the anticipated reduction in the current Service Level Agreement.

 If approved on 24 February 2011, the budget will see grant support ceasing to the Centre over the next three years.  Despite the difficult budgetary situation, the Council has retained its support to the tourism and business sector and will continue to market the Royal Forest of Dean as a destination so that all businesses have the potential to benefit from visitors to the area.  We also believe that there could be joint marketing opportunities for local businesses off the back of the Heritage Centre's own promotional pieces, not just print, but online with their website.

The Forest of Dean District Council’s role is in attracting visitors into the district via their Visitor Guide and website. In addition to this, we have tourist information kiosks that are fed from the website located around the area. These are specifically in place to move visitors around the district and to promote businesses other than the attractions.  One of these kiosks is in the Dean Heritage Centre.

If a local public house wishes to promote their business in this way, the most cost effective method is to become a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

The cabinet forward plan was noted without comment.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance to present report F.103, detailing the council’s budget recommendations 2011/12 and medium term projections 2012/2015.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report F.103, detailing the council’s budget recommendations for 2011/12 and medium term projections for 2012/2015. Councillor Robinson said that it had been a challenging budget and that the council continued to be concerned about uncertainties relating to the award of grant funding for 2013/14 and 2014/15. Cabinet noted revised Annex A and the revisions to the medium term financial plan following final confirmation of the government’s grant settlement for 2011/13. Councillor Robinson said that, despite the need to make continuous savings, the council was intent on keeping council tax affordable, whilst at the same time, endeavouring to provide a good level of service to the public.

Presenting some of the budget proposals in detail, Councillor Robinson, acknowledged that the Joint Scrutiny Committee had indicated a preference for the District Council to continue to fund the CCTV system for a further year to enable the town councils more time to consider their options. Councillor Robinson clarified that the withdrawal of funding for CCTV surveillance was not something new and that there had been indications as early as two years ago about changes to the funding required for this provision. 

Cabinet members noted that the proposed budget had been considered at the joint scrutiny committee meeting on 13 January 2011 and at a separate briefing session to town and parish councils on 24 January 2011. Additionally, liaison meetings had been held with both the tourism and business sectors and during discussions with representatives from the GMB Trade Union. Furthermore, a budget briefing to all members would be held in the council chamber at 6pm on Wednesday 16 February 2011.

Report F.103 was noted and cabinet,

RESOLVED to recommend to Council to approve,

i)                    the revenue budget 2011/2012 as set out at revised Annex A;

ii)                  the saving options set out at Annex B;

iii)                the capital programme as set out at Annex D; and

iv)                that the Band D Council Tax for the Forest of Dean District Council be frozen at £162.29.

Cabinet also resolved to approve the reserve movements detailed at Annex H.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to present report F.100.

Cabinet to consider the council’s Mid-Year Prudential Indicators 2010/2011 and Treasury Management Monitoring Report.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report F.100 and requested that cabinet consider the council’s Mid-Year Prudential Indicators 2010/2011 and Treasury Management Monitoring Report. Councillor Robinson detailed some of the changes to the report and how the information would be presented at future meetings. He informed members that a key issue for the council was to consider ways in which it could optimise its investments, whilst at the same time, striving to secure the council’s reserves. Responding to a question from Councillor Patrick Molyneux, questioning comparisons in interest rates with those offered by building societies, Group Manager for Finance, Derek Broom, clarified that commercial interest rates were not comparable to normal rates. Report F.100 was agreed and members,

RESOLVED to note,

a)     The content of the report on treasury activity and the prudential indicators

b)     The changes made to prudential indicators in Annex A resulting from the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to the Council’s 2009/2010 accounts

c)      The changes made to the security, liquidity and yield benchmarking in Annex A

d)     The comments on possible changes to the Investment Criteria for the 2011/2012 strategy outlined in section 6 of the report

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to present the council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2011/2012, as detailed in report F.102.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented the council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2011/2012, as detailed in report F.102. Councillor Robinson outlined the key changes to the strategy and read out the recommendations in full. Cabinet noted that the report had been considered at the Audit Committee meeting on 27 January 2011 and,

RESOLVED to recommend that Full Council adopt the following six key elements of report F.102: -

(a)   The Treasury Management Strategy for 2011/2012 to 2013/2014 contained in Annex B.

(b)   The prudential and treasury indicators and limits for 2011/2012 to 2013/2014 contained in Annexes A, B and B2 of this report.

(c)   The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) statement at paragraph 14 of Annex A of this report, which sets out the Council’s policy on MRP.

(d)   The Authorised Limit prudential indicator contained at paragraph 13 of Annex B to this report.

(e)   The Investment Management Strategy for 2011/2012 contained in paragraphs 22 to 32 of Annex B of this report.

(f)     The revised investment counterparty criteria detailed in paragraph 33 of Annex B to this report 

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to present report F.101, detailing information on the future of a council owned industrial unit (Unit 22) at Forest Vale Road Industrial Estate. The report sets out the options available to the council.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report F.101, detailing options on the future of a council owned industrial unit (Unit 22) at the Forest Vale Road Industrial Estate. Councillor Robinson updated members on the background to the council’s ownership of the unit and outlined each of the available options. The range of options included; the repair and letting of a reduced number of units; the disposal of the freehold or the maintaining of the status quo until the council had received an offer from a potential lessee. Cabinet members supported the option of dividing the unit into smaller, bespoke, units and said that they were pleased that the council had already received several offers of interest. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to approve that the council invest reserves of up to £230,000 from the existing asset management budget to convert Unit 22 into four units.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance to present report F.93, seeking cabinet approval to bring the review of the Asset Management Plan forward and the development of renewable energy projects on the council’s estate.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report F.93, seeking cabinet approval to incorporate renewable energy projects as part of the council’s updated Asset Management Plan. Cabinet agreed to take the matter forward and,

RESOLVED to support the proposal of bringing the review of the Asset Management Plan forward and to approve the development of renewable energy projects on the council’s estate.

Councillor Denis Riley, Cabinet Member for the Community, to present report PH.53. Councillor Riley to seek cabinet approval for the council to undertake a Housing Stock Modelling and Health Impact Assessment exercise for the Forest of Dean.

Councillor Denis Riley, Cabinet Member for the Community, presented report PH.53, seeking cabinet approval for the council to undertake a Housing Stock Modelling and Health Impact Assessment in the Forest of Dean. Councillor Riley gave a full and detailed summary of the background to the proposals and informed members that, as part of the proposal, the council would be required to invest £17,250 (excluding VAT), to tender a contract with Building Research Establishment (BRE) Limited for the commissioning of the Housing Stock Modelling and Health Impact Assessment. Elaborating on the proposal, Strategic Housing Manager, Malcom Vine, said that the modelling exercise was believed to be the most cost effective way of updating housing data. Furthermore, it was anticipated that that the commissioning would assist the council in identifying housing problems and enable it to adopt a more proactive approach. Cabinet noted report PH.53 and,

RESOLVED to invest £17,250 in the tendering process for the commissioning of Building Research Establishment (BRE) Limited to carry out a Housing Stock Modelling and Health Impact Assessment Exercise in the Forest of Dean District.

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, to present report F104. Councillor Quaile to recommend an exemption of the agreement for the Provision of Emergency Management Support Services from the council’s contract procedure rules.

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, presented report F104. Councillor Quaile referred to changes to the council’s Contract Procedure Rules and proposed an exemption of the Agreement for the Provision of Emergency Management Support Services. He said that the current agreement was due to expire on 31 March 2011 and that the value of the renewal contract would be a £2,000 reduction on the council’s current agreement. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVEDto exempt the Agreement for the Provision of Emergency Management Support Services from the council’s contract procedure rules.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to present report LD.310. Cabinet to consider the council’s Employee Wellbeing Policy.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report LD.310 and informed members that the council’s Employee Wellbeing Policy had been considered by the Staff Joint Consultative Panel at its meeting on 4 February 2011. He said that, in addition to improving staff wellbeing, the policy would also examine ways of improving and monitoring sickness absence levels. He later noted that sickness levels had improved significantly, from 12.37 days per full time equivalent per year, in January 2010 to 6.8 days in January 2011.

Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, acknowledged that this was a very difficult time for the council and commended staff members for being so positive. He reminded members of the council to remain cognisant of the need for employee wellbeing. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED that the Employee Wellbeing Policy be approved for implementation.

Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, to present report LD.309. Councillor Amos to recommend cabinet to adopt the council’s updated policy and procedure in respect of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, presented report LD.309 and recommended cabinet adopt the council’s updated policy and procedures in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The report was noted and cabinet,

RESOLVED to adopt the new policy and procedures

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, to give an update on the Waste Collection Project. Please refer to report SD.62.

Annex A to the report will be considered as exempt information under agenda item 19.

Report SD.62 was withdrawn from the meeting by Leader of the Council, Peter Amos. Councillor Amos said that the update on the council’s Waste Collection Project had been deferred, pending further consideration of information contained within the report.

To consider, and if so agree, to resolve that under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the said act.

Cabinet resolvedthat, under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public should be excluded from the meeting for items 18, 19 and 20 of the agenda on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the said act.

To confirm the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011

The exempt minutes of the meeting on 20 January 2011 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.

Further to the non-exempt information considered under item 16 of the agenda, Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, to present Annex A to report SD.62, as exempt information, (to be considered under paragraphs 3 and 5 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Report SD.62 was withdrawn from the meeting by Leader of the Council, Peter Amos. Councillor Amos said that the update on the council’s Waste Collection Project had been deferred, pending further consideration of information contained within the report.

At the cabinet meeting on 20 January 2011, report EDP.37, relating to Cinderford Regeneration Investment Site, was withdrawn from the meeting to undertake further negotiations with the relevant parties involved.

Councillor Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, to present exempt report EDP.38, detailing the outcome of the negotiations.

Councillor Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, presented exempt report EDP.38, Cinderford Regeneration Investment Site. In presenting the report, Councillor Molyneux and the Solicitor to the Council, Marie Rosenthal, thanked Lisa Weaver from the council’s legal team for her hard work in taking the project forward.

Should the items of business not be completed at this meeting, cabinet will reconvene at 5.30pm on Wednesday 17 February 2011.

10 March 2011

10 March 2011