To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Diana Edwards. Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, conveyed the sentiments of the meeting in wishing Councillor Edwards a speedy recovery from her illness.

To confirm the non-exempt minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2011

The minutes of the non-exempt meeting on 10 February 2011 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.

The chairman to identify any items of urgent business.

There was no urgent business 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.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, declared a personal interest in items 9 and 15 of the agenda, (Gloucestershire Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Multi-Agency Policy and Countywide Joint Waste Project Update), as a member of Gloucestershire County Council. Councillor Robinson also declared a personal interest in item 11 of the agenda, (Future Development of Bank Street, Coleford), as a member of the South West Regional Development Agency.

As a member of Gloucestershire County Council, Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, declared a personal interest in items 9 and 15 of the agenda, (Gloucestershire Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Multi-Agency Policy and Countywide Joint Waste Project Update).

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.

No public questions were submitted for consideration at this meeting.

The Leader invited Councillor Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Tourism, to update cabinet on the outcome of a meeting with Mr Richard Warford, of the White Horse Inn, Soudley. Members recalled that, in response to a question at the cabinet meeting on 8 February 2011, it had been suggested Councillor Molyneux meet with Mr Warford to discuss his concerns about the award of a council grant to the Dean Heritage Centre. Councillor Molyneux confirmed that he had met with Mr Warford on 1 March 2011 and had reiterated the points made at the cabinet meeting on 8 February 2011. He had also suggested Mr Warford consider joining the Forest of Dean Tourism Association to take advantage of some of the opportunities offered by the association and to investigate whether the Dean Heritage Centre might consider the display of promotional material in the hope of raising awareness on the profile of the pub. It was noted that the outcome of the meeting had been referred to local ward member, Councillor Martin Quaile.

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

The cabinet forward plan was noted and agreed, subject to the following revisions: -

a.      As a reflection of the council’s governance during 2010/11, the Annual Governance Statement to be considered at the April cabinet meeting, prior to adoption by the Audit Committee in June 2011.

b.      Due to the relatively low number of items for consideration at the cabinet meeting in April, it was announced that the meeting on Wednesday 13 April 2011 would now take place at 4 pm on Thursday 14 April 2011, prior to the full council meeting at 7 pm.

Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, to present report SD.65. Cabinet to consider the final update of the councils three-year High Level Improvement Plan.

Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, presented report SD.65 and gave an update on the councils three-year High Level Improvement Plan. The Leader commended the work of the council’s Improvement Board in facilitating the transition from a weak council to a thriving authority and praised both councillors and officers for their commitment in enabling making the transition possible. He said that, whilst recognising the potential for further improvement, he was confident the council was capable of achieving a high level of excellence. Report SD.65 and the progress in delivering the council’s High Level Improvement Plan was noted.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to present the council’s third quarter performance report for the financial year 2010/2011. Please refer to report SD.64.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report SD.64, detailing the council’s third quarter performance report for the financial year 2010/11. He said that, in spite of the challenges created by having to work with a much smaller budget, the council had made good progress during the past year. Highlighting some of the council’s achievements during 2010/11, Councillor Robinson informed members that the council had been recognised as delivering a high standard of customer satisfaction, (as identified by the UK Customer Satisfaction Index), increasing revenue from the disposal of recyclable materials and reducing staff sickness absence levels, (reduced from 12.37 days per full time equivalent per year in January 2010 to 6.28 days in February 2011). Councillor Robinson said that, whilst conscious of the need to provide good value for money, he was confident the council would continue to maintain and improve performance.

Responding to questions from Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Tourism, Councillor Robinson said he believed the council had a strong business case, in both finance and in human resources, for submission in the GO Project Centre of Excellence bidding process. He also said that, whilst it might be appropriate to review the performance target for the settling of council invoice payments, it was impractical to strive to achieve a target of 100 per cent. Group Manager for Finance, Derek Broom, clarified that the target generally balanced out throughout the year. The report was noted.

Councillor Denis Riley, Cabinet Member for the Community, to present report PH.58, seeking cabinet approval for the proposed adoption of the Gloucestershire, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Multi-Agency Policy.

Councillor Denis Riley, Cabinet Member for the Community, presented report PH.58, seeking cabinet approval for the adoption of the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Multi-Agency Policy. Councillor Riley summarised the background to the policy and the proposal to work in conjunction with Gloucestershire County Council in ensuring vulnerable adults living in Gloucestershire received protection and support. He informed members that, whilst not a legal requirement, adoption of the policy would demonstrate the council’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable adults and to supporting community health and wellbeing. Councillor Riley confirmed that Gloucestershire County Council would be the lead agent and that Peter Williams, Group Manager for Planning and Housing, had been appointed lead officer to represent all district councils on the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board. The report was noted and cabinet,

RESOLVED to adopt the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Multi-Agency Policy

To consider proposals for the disposal of council owned land and the development of four units of affordable housing. Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance to present report PH.59.

Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, referred to concerns from a member of the public in relation to this item. Councillor Amos confirmed that he had been willing to invite the member of the public to speak on the item, but as the person was not present at the meeting, this had not been possible.

In presenting report PH.59, Councillor Robinson, outlined each of the options available to the council. Councillor Robinson referred to the need to provide more housing for the district and the opportunity this site would provide in developing four units of affordable housing. Proposing that cabinet accept option two of the four proposals, Councillor Robinson advised members that access to the site involved crossing third-party land in the ownership of a housing developer and that the council’s options in disposing of the land for future development purposes were extremely limited.

Responding to concerns about the estimated value of the land and to the proposal that option two be amended to include an additional parcel of adjoining land, Councillor Robinson suggested delegating authority to the Group Manager for Legal and Democratic and the Group Manager for Planning and Housing, in consultation with relevant portfolio holders, to complete the legal transfer.

Conscious of the level of public interest associated with the proposed transfer, Councillor Patrick Molyneux questioned whether it would be possible to offer affordable housing at the site to local people before offering to people from outside the area. Strategic Housing Manager, Malcom Vine, said that to do this involved a change in council policy, which could ultimately jeopardise funding following a delay in the transfer arrangements. The allocation of housing would, however, be processed via the Gloucestershire Home-Seeker Scheme,

Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED that delegated authority be given to the Group Manager for Legal, Democratic and Human Resources and the Group Manager for Planning and Housing, in consultation with the relevant cabinet portfolio holders, to complete the required legal documentation to either, transfer or sell, all or some of the Land Off Princess Royal Road, Bream, to Gloucestershire Housing Association to enable the development of 4 units of affordable housing as detailed in paragraphs 4.3, (option 2), and 5.2 of report PH.59.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to present report PH.60, setting out proposals to explore the development of an extra care facility on council owned land at Bank Street, Coleford.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report PH.60, setting out proposals for the development of an extra care facility on council owned land at Bank Street, Coleford. Councillor Robinson referred to concerns about drainage at the site and said that, until recently, proposals to develop this site would have been considered impossible. However, now that Welsh Water was planning to increase sewer capacity in the town, further development of the site could be considered and the council welcomed the opportunity to deliver an exemplar project for Coleford and help address an identified housing need in this area. Councillor Robinson believed the development of an extra care facility at the site was an excellent proposal. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED that delegated authority be given to the Group Manager for Planning and Housing, in consultation with the Group Manager for Legal, Democratic and Human Resources and the relevant cabinet portfolio holder, to carry out a procurement exercise and to appoint a development partner on the basis of Annex A to report PH.60, for the Bank Street Site in Coleford, to develop an ‘Extra Care’ facility on the site.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to present report LD.329, seeking cabinet approval of the councils Recruitment Policy and Procedure.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report LD.329, detailing the council’s revised Recruitment Policy and Procedure. Councillor Robinson believed the revised policy encompassed all elements of the council’s recruitment and selection process into one document and would help ensure good practice in seeking the best possible people to work at the council. Responding to questions about agency staff, Head of Paid Service, Sue Pangbourne said that only a very small percentage of all staff employed by the council were agency staff. She said that the use of agency staff was sometimes unavoidable, especially when trying to fill vacancies during periods of change. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to approve the council’s revised recruitment and selection policy for application with immediate effect.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, to give an update on the councils Single Status Project. Please refer to report LD.330.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Finance, presented report LD.330 and gave a detailed update on the council’s Single Status Project. Councillor Robinson said that the council was making good progress in working towards achieving a single status collective agreement and that the proposed date for implementing the new scheme was 1 November 2011. He said that the council continued to work closely with the trade unions in reaching an agreement and that there needed to be a further update at the cabinet meeting in July to review progress and consider the next steps. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVEDto:

a)     Recognise the successful joint working to date with the trade unions as part of the Single Status Project in ensuring the Council has a fair Pay and Grading Scheme for its employees based on equal pay for work of equal value

b)     Agree the Equal Pay Policy Statement set out at Annex A to report LD.330

c)      Authorise officers to continue negotiations for a Collective Agreement within the financial parameters set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan to introduce a revised Pay and Grading Scheme with an implementation date of 1 November 2011

d)     Request a report back to Cabinet on progress before 31 July 2011

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, to present report E.34, seeking confirmation of the council’s response to the consultation on the Severn Estuary Shoreline Management Strategy.

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, presented report E.34 and advised members of a change to Annex A of the report and the council’s proposed response to an Environment Agency consultation on the Severn Estuary Shoreline Management Strategy. Councillor Quaile informed members that, whilst a non-statutory requirement, it was hoped the strategy would form the basis of the Environment Agency’s coastal defence arrangements and assist in considering local planning policy and flood defence work.

Highlighting specific areas of concern and conscious of the levels of uncertainty that existed in some rural communities along the Severn Estuary, Councillor Quaile said that, by working alone, it was unlikely that the council would be able to achieve all that was required to effectively safeguard the shoreline for this area. He said he believed more clarification on the known problems was required and that, for this reason, he was reluctant to sign off the topic at this point in time. He would, however, continue to raise awareness of the problems and informed members that issues affecting local landowners had been discussed at a meeting of the National Union Of Farmers in February, and also with the local MP, Mark Harper. Leader of the Council, Peter Amos said that he fully supported the need to safeguard land along the Severn Estuary and was particularly pleased to note that Awre had been included in the council response.

Taking into consideration comments from Councillor Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Tourism, who believed the council response to the Environment Agency required more emphasis, Councillor Quaile agreed to review and strengthen the proposals. On this basis, cabinet 

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for the Environment, in consultation with the Council’s Sustainability Team Leader, undertake a review of the draft response outlined in revised Appendix A of report E.34, before submitting to the Environment Agency as the council’s response to the consultation on the Severn Estuary Shoreline Management Strategy. The response to reflect the comments made during the cabinet meeting on 10 March 2011.

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, to present an update on the Countywide Joint Waste Project. Please refer to report SD.66.

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, presented report SD.66 and gave a detailed account of the council’s involvement in the Countywide Joint Waste Project. Councillor Quaile informed members that, despite the withdrawal of some of the authorities involved in the project, it would not be necessary for the council to make further investments at this stage in the proceedings. He said that there was still a significant amount of work to undertake, but believed the partnership was in a good position to plan towards the formation of a Joint Committee and Joint Management Unit in 2012.  He informed members that cabinet would need to make a decision on this in the autumn of this year. Councillor Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Tourism, said that, whilst supporting the principle of joint working, he also had concerns about the council’s involvement in the partnership and that he would prefer to see the council benefit from larger savings at an earlier stage in the project. He also said that he would hate to see the project facilitate the re-establishment of any government quangos. Cabinet noted the contents of the report and,

RESOLVED to confirm their commitment to continue with the work described.

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, to give an update on the progress of the Council Waste Collection Project. Please refer to report SD.67. (Annex A to the report will be considered as exempt information under item 19 of the agenda).

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, presented report SD.67 and gave a detailed update on the progress of the Council Waste Collection Project. (Members were informed that Annex A to the report would be considered as exempt information under item 19 of the agenda). Councillor Quaile reminded members that, at the cabinet meeting in September 2010, the proposals outlined in report E.22 reflected the best possible waste collection proposals at that time. Since that meeting, the council was now in a position to proceed with the proposals agreed in September, in addition to the more cost effective collection option detailed in report SD.67.

Councillor Quaile highlighted the considerable amount of work that would be required before the council could proceed with the agreement. Strategic Director, Peter Hibberd, reminded members that one of the key objectives of the proposals was to divert waste from landfill. He stressed that the amounts suggested for diversion were estimates but that Gloucestershire County Council was confident that they could be achieved. The Strategic Director thanked Councillor Patrick Molyneux for noting an amendment to recommendation c), confirming that the annual charge for the fortnightly collection of green waste would be £26.00 per bin, per annum, plus VAT

Leader of the Council, Peter Amos, thanked Roger Garbett, Rachael Capon and the members of the Waste Collection Steering Group for their hard work and invaluable contributions in progressing the project. Cabinet noted the contents of report SD.67 and,

RESOLVED to,

a)     Agree the revised financial business case for a more efficient waste collection service for the District, as set out in Annex A of report SD.67.

b)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Group Manager (Legal, Democratic and Human Resources) and the Group Manager (Finance, Land and Property) to agree and complete a deed of variation with Biffa to implement the options set out at (i)-(iv) below within the parameters of the revised business case at Annex A:

i)                   Weekly collection of food waste.

ii)                 Fortnightly collection of garden waste.

iii)               Fortnightly collection of residual waste in wheeled bins.

iv)               Fortnightly collection of kerbside recycling (in boxes).

c)      Agree to introduce an annual charge of £26 per bin, plus VAT for the fortnightly collection of garden waste, with effect from April 2012 and April 2013 for those who have purchased bins.

d)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Group Manager (Legal, Democratic and Human Resources) and the Group Manager, (Finance, Land and Property), to complete the Supply Agreement for incentive payments with Gloucestershire County Council.

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 items 17, 18 and 19 of the agenda 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 be excluded from the meeting for items 18 and 19 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 10 February 2011.

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2011 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.

Councillor Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and Tourism, referred to exempt report EDP.38, (Cinderford Regeneration Investment Site), and gave an update on the outcome of the proposals for this site following the cabinet meeting on 10 February 2011. Councillor Molyneux informed members that the council had received a £4.5 million investment boost from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), as a welcome investment towards the regeneration of Cinderford and the provision of new housing, jobs and improved educational facilities for the Forest of Dean. He said that the HCA funding had enabled the council to acquire a significant asset in the form of the Ensors’ abattoir site at Valley Road, which would be developed into a valuable mix of new and affordable housing. Furthermore, the funding would help secure the expansion of this important local business by enabling it to move to a new unit on the Forest Vale Industrial Estate, safeguarding 130 jobs at the company and creating new ones in the process. Councillor Molyneux informed members that work on the Ensors’ new site had started in February with completion expected before the end of the year. Until that time, the company would lease the Valley Road site from the council whilst continuing to occupy the premises.

Cabinet welcomed this important update and joined Councillor Molyneux in thanking everyone involved in this huge achievement.

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.67 as exempt information, (to be considered under paragraphs 3 and 5 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Following consideration of the non-exempt information relating to this item, (as considered under item 16 of the agenda), Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for the Environment, presented Annex A to report SD.67 as exempt information, (considered under paragraphs 3 and 5 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972). The decision relating to this item was recorded under item 16 of the agenda.

Should the items of business not be completed at this meeting, cabinet will reconvene at 5.30pm on Wednesday 16 March 2011.

Date of next meeting - 13 April 2011

The next cabinet meeting will take place at 4.00pm on Thursday 16 April 2011, (preceding the Full Council meeting at 7.00 pm the same day).