The Community Services and Licensing Committee meeting scheduled for 27 June 2024 was set to cover a range of important local issues, including updates on council performance, revisions to licensing policies, and significant investment proposals for community facilities. Key discussions were expected to focus on the adoption of a new pavement licence policy, proposed increases to taxi fares, and a review of taxi and private hire vehicle policies. The committee was also scheduled to consider funding allocations for play area redevelopment and community grants, as well as plans for the future of Stratford Park Leisure Centre and Lido.

Performance Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Q4 performance monitoring for 2023/24. This report provided an overview of the council's progress against its Council Plan objectives, detailing performance indicators across various areas such as community resilience, leisure and culture services, support for businesses, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. It highlighted progress on initiatives like the Household Support Fund, the development of community hubs, and efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour. The report also noted the status of various performance indicators, including those related to food bank referrals, customer satisfaction, and the percentage of taxi and private hire vehicles meeting emissions standards.

Pavement Licences - Revised Policy and Fees 2024

A revised policy and fee structure for pavement licences was presented for adoption. This update followed the implementation of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, which made temporary pavement licensing legislation permanent. The report outlined proposed changes to the policy, including an increased fee cap, the ability to issue licences for up to two years, and enhanced enforcement powers for local authorities. The proposed fees were £240 for a new two-year licence and £140 for a renewal. The report recommended that these changes be implemented from 1 August 2024.

Review of Stroud District Taxi Fares 2024

The committee was asked to consider an increase in taxi fares for 2024. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2024, which was 4%, triggered a review of taxi fares as it exceeded the agreed threshold of 2.5%. Trade representatives had proposed an average increase of 3.5% across all three fare rates. The report detailed the consultation process with taxi licence holders, noting a low response rate but a majority in favour of the increase among those who responded. The proposed increase was presented as a small percentage that would help taxi businesses cover rising costs while having a minimal impact on customers.

Review of Stroud District Council's Taxi and Private Hire Policy - Vehicle Age on First Licensing and Driver Medicals

This item addressed two key aspects of the taxi and private hire policy. Firstly, it considered a request from businesses to review the policy on vehicle age for first licensing, proposing to remove the five-year age limit and replace it with a Euro 6 emissions requirement. This was partly in response to a neighbouring authority's less restrictive policy, which was perceived as creating an uneven playing field. Secondly, the report proposed amending the policy on driver medicals to align with Department for Transport recommendations, changing the frequency of repeat medicals from every three years to every five years for drivers aged 45-65. The recommendation for the vehicle age policy was to defer a decision and reconvene a Taxi Task and Finish Group for further consideration, while the driver medical policy was recommended for amendment.

Play Area Action Plan Recommendations

The committee was asked to approve the allocation of funding to support the redevelopment of Stroud District Council-owned play areas. Following a review of play area conditions, community consultation, and a prioritisation framework, recommendations were made for investment in specific play areas. The report outlined proposed improvements, including additional pathways at Stratford Park Play Area to enhance accessibility, and designs for the Stratford Park Toddler Play Area and Skate Park. The total funding available for this initiative was £150,000.

Strengthening Local Communities Grant

This item concerned the allocation of the Strengthening Local Communities Grant from the Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board. Stroud District Council had been awarded a total of £140,000, comprising a base amount of £75,000 and an additional £65,000 based on indices of deprivation. The grant aims to support collaborative work to improve the health and wellbeing of residents by addressing wider determinants of health and reducing health inequalities. The proposed allocation was £35,000 each towards the Youth Strategy, Health Inequalities Strategy, Dementia, Frailty and Carers Workstream, and Children & Young People’s Mental Health Workstream.

Household Support Fund Delivery Plan 2024

The report outlined the proposed allocation of the 2024/25 Household Support Funding, provided by the Department of Work and Pensions via Gloucestershire County Council. This fund is intended to support residents impacted by the cost of living pressures. Stroud District Council anticipated an allocation of £150,188 for the period April to September 2024. The delivery plan focused on a partnership model, working with community hubs and specialist agencies to provide support for food, energy, wider essentials, and money advice. A significant portion of the funding was allocated to Citizens Advice for additional capacity to deal with increased demand for money advice and support.

Stratford Park Leisure Centre and Lido Leisure Conditions Survey

The committee was presented with a report outlining the necessary capital investment for a five-year maintenance programme at Stratford Park Leisure Centre and Lido. The report detailed findings from a conditions survey, highlighting significant backlog maintenance costs. The proposed investment for the first year (2025) was £1,278,773, with a total five-year capital repair budget of £2.748 million. The report also outlined the associated revenue costs, estimated at £244,000 per annum, which would need to be included in the Medium Term Financial Plan. The recommendation was to approve the five-year investment plan and to investigate a wider investment plan for the council's leisure estate.

Appointments

The committee was scheduled to consider appointments to various outside bodies. This included nominations for representatives to organisations such as the Cowle Trust (Museum in the Park), Stroud Citizens Advice, Stroud Festival Limited, and the Community Safety Partnership.

Member/Officer Reports (To Note)

Several reports were presented for noting:

• Salix Decarbonisation: An update on the progress of installing Air Source Heat Pumps at Stratford Park Leisure Centre, the Museum in the Park, and The Pulse, Dursley. The report noted that works were nearing completion, with some unforeseen costs related to transformer replacements.
• Citizens Advice: A brief report detailing statistics for Stroud and Cotswold Districts from March to May 2024. It highlighted the top five issue areas, client demographics, and the financial outcomes achieved for clients. The report also provided an update on the benefits project, housing initiatives, and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
• Work Programme: The committee was to consider its work programme for the upcoming period, outlining scheduled topics and reports for future meetings. This included items such as performance monitoring, budget monitoring, and updates on various strategies and policies.