To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 16 December 2010 were confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

The chairman to identify any items of urgent business.

There was no urgent business for 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.

Councillors Terry Hale, Graham Morgan, and Brian Robinson declared an interest in agenda item 6 Gloucestershire First.

To consider questions from members of the public in accordance with the published protocol.  To submit a question 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.

There were no public questions.

David Owen, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire First to give an update on Gloucestershire First.

The chairman Terry Hale introduced and thanked David Owen and Stuart Barnes for attending the meeting and for explaining how Gloucestershire First was conducted.

David Owen informed the meeting that he was the Chief Executive of Gloucestershire First.  He began by saying that this organisation was set up in the last recession approximately fifteen years ago by the private sector and that local districts were engaged in focusing on economic strategy.  He advised that Gloucestershire First were going through a major change at the moment.

David Owen advised on some of the work that Gloucestershire First were engaged in:

• Tourism
• Coordination of businesses in difficult times
• Redundancies
• Implementation of new skills
• Promoting Gloucestershire as a destination for businesses, for visitors and for investors

David Owen, advised that Gloucestershire First had five core activities,

1. Growing and developing businesses through the implementation of locally-based business support networks across the county – improving business and encouraging innovation;

2. Working with partners to develop the right planning environment and infrastructure – encouraging investment and sustainable growth;

3. Connecting education and skills with the needs of business and the local economy – ensuring the ready supply of talent, and attracting and retaining young people;

4 . Promotion of Gloucestershire as a great place to invest, live, and visit – attracting inward investment and tourists;

5. Developing key growth sectors such as leisure and tourism, advanced engineering, and environmental technology – growing Gloucestershire and ensuring jobs for the future.

David Owen informed members when flooding happened in the county a few years ago the organisation was successful in gaining two million pounds from Severn Trent for businesses who were affected by floods, this money enabled businesses to get back on track. 

He further said that a £180,000 procurement process was currently in progress and part of that scheme was to bring super fast broadband to the Forest of Dean district within the next two to three years.

Councillor Andrew Gardiner commented that he had an interest in using broadband in the church, he was aware that there were many black spots in the district where broadband is not assessable he asked what progress had been made.

David Owen replied that superfast broadband was at the delivery stage, the procurement process was currently ongoing and the results would be known in the of spring 2011, the procurement process would be balanced on the coverage and quality of coverage and how the companies tendered for the facility, the procurement process would reveal the best facility, he said that some businesses were so isolated that they would not get the service however, 85% of the district would be covered.

The chairman Terry Hale enquired that £180,000 was put forward to kick start superfast broadband in the district how much of that had been used and would the broadband route come from Hereford area.

David Owen answered that none of the £180,000 had been spent yet, however, some of money would be spent in the procurement process, he further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Capital Programme – 2011-2014

At the Cabinet meeting on the 20 January is was resolved to:

Request the Community Scrutiny and Review Committee to review the longer term funding demands for housing capital and to recommend options that provide long term financial sustainability.

Capital Programme 2011-2014

Councillor Brian Robinson advised that at the Cabinet meeting on 20 January 2001, it was recommended:

That the Community Scrutiny and Review Committee to review the longer term funding demands for housing capital and to recommend options that provide long term financial sustainability.

Councillor Brian Robinson, stated that the council has always supported people who have wanted to remain in their own homes, however, the council cannot continue to provide funding in the long term, therefore hoped during 2011 the Community Scrutiny and Review committee would review options to put the funding onto a sustainable basis.  He suggested that the committee could contact other partners like the NHS and other Care Organisations, to discuss ways of working together when problems arise regarding keeping people out of hospital and remaining in their own homes, by making properties more assessable and easier to live.

Derek Broom Group Manager for Finance, advised that the council had a mandatory duty to provide Disabled Facilities Grant to an applicant if they are legally entitled, and that the government funding stream for supporting the private sector renewal programme has been removed, he further advised that The Budget Working Group recommended a one year continuation of the budget and additional funding for Disabled Facilities grants.

Councillor Heather Dalziel believed that the Community Scrutiny and Review Committee ought to be looking at this issue and on how much the council has spent in the pass, and on how much money could be reclaimed when a person has finished with an item the council has provided.

Councillor Max Coborn believed that grants were an utter waste of tax payer’s money, and believed there should be a charge on the property which has had work undertaken by this council, consequently when the property was sold the council would be able to reclaim the money it had spent on the property.

Councillor Philip Burford, commented that this matter cannot be resolved at this meeting or before the election in May 2011 this issue needed to be seriously examined and a value for money analysis should be carried out concerning Private Sector Renewals, and on how we use the capital in the best way.

Councillor Graham Morgan believed that a survey should be carried out on the housing stock as he believed there was housing stock in the district.

Councillor Marrilyn Smart OBE, stated that this issue was too big to tackle this side of the election and suggested a meeting should be arranged after the election, to discuss the long term solution and on how the council can involve the Health and Care Services.

The chairman Terry Hale agreed with Councillor Smart, and stated that this matter was too robust to rush, and stated that he would put on the work plan for the meeting in June 2011.

RESOLVED:

To put the Capital Programme on the work plan and arrange a meeting soon after the elections in May 2011. To invite Malcom Vine, Strategic Housing Manager to attend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 7 April 2011.