Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors June Ashworth, Jean Dent, Tony Johnson, Sylvia Rogerson, Joyce Taylor, Tony Wade and Maia Whitelegg.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 27^th February, 2008 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th February 2008 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record, subject to an amendment to Minute No. 127 to replace ‘reduce Regeneration staff’ with ‘staff turnover’ in the amendment moved by Councillor Robinson.

There were no declarations of interest at this stage.

To receive any announcements which may be submitted by the Mayor or Chief Executive.  

The Mayor reminded Members of the sad death of former Councillor Derrick Stanley since the last meeting of Council.  Mr. Stanley had been a Labour Councillor for the Harbour Ward of the City Council from 1987 to 1999.

Council stood for a minute’s silence in his memory.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 11.1 and 11.3 which require members of the public to give at least 3 days’ notice in writing of questions to a Member of Cabinet or Committee Chairman.  

The Mayor advised that no questions had been received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 12.2 and 12.4 which require a Member to give at least 3 working days notice, in writing, of the question to the Chief Executive.  

The Mayor advised that 7 questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules as follows:

(1)         Councillor Robinson to Councillor Maia Whitelegg regarding Salt Ayre Sports Centre

(2)         Councillor Robinson to Councillor Langhorn regarding call-ins

(3)         Councillor Barnes to Councillor Barry regarding toilets at Happy Mount Park

(4)         Councillor Barnes to Councillor Archer regarding plaques on Penny Street Bridge

(5)         Councillor John Whitelegg to Councillor Bryning regarding the Canal Corridor North development agreement

(6)         Councillor John Whitelegg to Councillor Bryning regarding the Canal Corridor North development agreement

(7)         Councillor John Whitelegg to Councillor Bryning regarding the Canal Corridor North development agreement

Details of the questions and answers together with any supplementary questions and responses are included at Appendix A to the minutes.

To receive the Cabinet Leader’s report on proceedings since the last meeting of Council. 

The Leader presented his report on the proceedings of Cabinet since the last meeting of Council and updated Council on various issues.

He answered a number of questions on the content of his report.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

To receive the Annual Report from the Mayor.

In accordance with Article 5.02(g) of the Constitution, the Mayor presented her Annual Report for 2007/08.  There were no questions.

Resolved:

That the report be received.

To receive the Executive Annual Report containing the Business Progress Reports of the Leader and each Cabinet Member in accordance with Article 7.06 (j).

Whilst the Executive Report will be published as a separate document in due course the individual reports are included in the agenda and will be presented by the relevant Cabinet Member at the meeting.

In accordance with Article 7.06(k), the Leader and each Member of Cabinet had produced a written business progress report for 2007/08. 

The Leader introduced the report as a whole and presented his report on his portfolio.  Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Gilbert, Kerr and Histed then presented their reports and answered questions thereon.

It was noted that Councillors Ashworth, Johnson and Maia Whitelegg had submitted apologies for this meeting.

It was moved by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Langhorn:

‘That the annual reports of those Cabinet Members absent from the meeting be deferred to the June meeting of Council.’

On being put to the vote the Mayor declared the proposition clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)               That the reports of Cabinet Members, Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Gilbert, Kerr, Histed and Mace be received.

(2)               That the reports of Cabinet Members, Councillors Ashworth, Johnson and Maia Whitelegg be deferred to the June meeting of Council.

To receive the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report in accordance with Article 6.03(c). The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will present the report.

The Overview & Scrutiny report has been published separately.  Please bring your copy to the meeting.

In accordance with Article 6.03(c) the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Stuart Langhorn, presented the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2007/08 and answered a number of questions thereon.

Resolved:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report be received.

To receive the Annual Report of the Audit Committee presented by the Chairman in accordance with Section 8.13 of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.

In accordance with Section 8.13 of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman, Councillor Malcolm Thomas, presented the 2007/08 Annual Report of the Audit Committee.

Resolved:

That the report be received.

To consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from its meeting on 30^th January 2008.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee reported that changes to the membership of the Committee in September had resulted in a vacancy on the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee which it had not proved possible to fill and Council were therefore requested to reconsider the basis upon which this appointment should be made.

It was moved by Councillor Langhorn and seconded by Councillor Plumb:

‘That the appointment to the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee be made on the basis of PR but limited to non-executive Members.’

It was then moved by Councillor Bray:

‘That the Council appoint Councillor Robinson as the Council’s representative on the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.’

Having been advised that this was not in accordance with the rules on political balance, Councillor Bray withdrew this proposition.

A vote was then taken on the original proposition, whereupon the Mayor declared the proposition clearly carried.

Resolved:

That the appointment to the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee be made on the basis of PR but limited to non-executive Members.

To consider the recommendations of the Licensing Regulatory Committee from its meeting on 21^st February 2008.

Councillor Mike Greenall, as Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Regulatory Committee presented a report recommending that Council designate additional consent streets within Lancaster City Centre.

The recommendations set out in the report were moved by Councillor Greenall and seconded by Councillor Helme.

On being put to the vote, the Mayor declared the proposition clearly carried.

Resolved:

That Church Street and New Street be designated as additional consent streets in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

To consider the recommendations of the Council Business Committee from its meeting on 3^rd April, 2008.

(Councillor Sarah Fishwick declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to energy use when reference made to this during questions on this item and left the meeting at that point)

Further to Minute No. 107, the Corporate Director (Finance & Performance) reported on work which had been carried out to develop targets and outcomes for each corporate priority within the Corporate Plan.

These had initially been approved by Council Business Committee at a meeting on 3^rd April for recommendation to Council as contained in the agenda.  Since then further progress had been made and a supplementary report setting out some additional proposals had been published and circulated at the meeting in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.  He also referred to an additional section of text which had previously been approved by Council but which had been omitted in error from the draft Corporate Plan as now presented.

Members were requested to approve the Corporate Plan is so far as it was now complete and to note the requirement to re-visit the Plan once the Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Area Agreement had been completed in conjunction with the Council’s partners when the remaining outcomes and targets could be agreed.

It was moved by the Chairman of the Council Business Committee, Councillor Bray:

(1)       That the 2008/09 Corporate Plan be approved as attached at Appendix A to the report, as amended to include the additions set out in the supplementary report.

(2)       That Council notes that targets and outcomes for priorities to be delivered through Partnerships have still to be developed and agreed and consequently these will be the subject of a future report back to Council.

(3)       That initial consideration of the Partnership targets and outcomes be undertaken by the Council Business Committee prior to reporting into Council.

The proposition was seconded by Councillor Brown and on being put to the vote the Mayor declared it clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)       That the 2008/09 Corporate Plan be approved as attached at Appendix A to the report, as amended to include the additions set out in the supplementary report.

(2)       That Council notes that targets and outcomes for priorities to be delivered through Partnerships have still to be developed and agreed and consequently these will be the subject of a future report back to Council.

(3)       That initial consideration of the Partnership targets and outcomes be undertaken by the Council Business Committee prior to reporting into Council.

To consider the following motion, notice of which has been received from Councillors Sheila Denwood and Roger Sherlock:

“That Lancaster City Council encourage local businesses that have not yet taken up the option to use “Home Compostable Bags” or similar and recommend them to do so.”

An Officer Briefing Note is attached.

The following motion of which notice had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15 was moved by Councillor Sheila Denwood and seconded by Councillor Roger Sherlock:

“That Lancaster City Council encourage local businesses that have not yet taken up the option to use “Home Compostable Bags” or similar and recommend them to do so.”

A briefing note providing background information was provided by the Corporate Director (Community Services) who answered a number of questions prior to the commencement of the debate. 

It was then moved by Councillor Langhorn and seconded by Councillor Kirkman, by way of an amendment to the motion:

(1)         That Lancaster City Council services stop providing plastic carrier bags for use by the public in its outlets or in its promotions.  Once the current supply is used up alternatives such as paper or cotton bags should be used.

(2)         That Lancaster City Council informs Lancashire County Council of our decision to be plastic bag free and requests Lancashire County Council to do the same.

(3)         That Lancaster City Council encourages local businesses to follow our own example and to cease handing out plastic carrier bags; this could be done through the LSP and Chambers of Commerce.

(4)         That Lancaster City Council actively supports "Recycling week" in June 2008; in particular, the Sustainability Partnership's plastic bag campaign which aims to encourage businesses to be plastic bag free.

There followed a lengthy debate, at the conclusion of which 23 Members voted for the amendment, 23 against and 3 abstained, whereupon the Mayor declared the amendment carried by virtue of her casting vote.

It was then moved by Councillor Barry and seconded by Councillor Mace: ‘That the words ‘or use home-compostable bags’ be added to the reference to ‘plastic carrier bags’ in (3) above.

With the agreement of the meeting and his seconder, Councillor Langhorn accepted this as a friendly amendment, whereupon a vote was taken on the substantive motion, as amended.  The Mayor declared the motion clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)         That Lancaster City Council services stop providing plastic carrier bags for use by the public in its outlets or in its promotions.  Once the current supply is used up alternatives such as paper or cotton bags should be used.

(2)         That Lancaster City Council informs Lancashire County Council of our decision to be plastic bag free and requests Lancashire County Council to do the same.

(3)         That Lancaster City Council encourages local businesses to follow our own example and to cease handing out plastic carrier bags or use home-compostable plastic bags; this could be done through the LSP and Chambers of Commerce.

(4)               That Lancaster City Council actively supports "Recycling week" in June 2008; in particular, the Sustainability Partnership's plastic bag campaign which aims to encourage businesses to be plastic bag free.

To consider the following motion, notice of which has been received from Councillors Jon Barry, Jude Towers, Jane Fletcher, Emily Heath and Ian McCulloch.

“That Lancaster City Council commits to using only free range eggs in all catering it provides or sources from outside caterers for City Council events or meetings.”

Background information and an Officer Briefing Note is attached.

Council was advised that notice of a further motion had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.   A briefing note giving further information and officer comments on the potential implications for the Council had been provided by the Corporate Director (Finance & Performance) who answered a number of questions prior to the commencement of the debate. 

The following motion was then moved by Councillor Jon Barry and seconded by Councillor Ian McCulloch:

“That Lancaster City Council commits to using only free range eggs in all catering it provides or sources from outside caterers for City Council events or meetings.”

It was then moved by Councillor Leytham and seconded by Councillor Blakely by way of an amendment:

         ‘That Lancaster City Council endeavours to use only free range chickens or eggs in all catering it provides or sources from outside caterers for City Council events or meetings.’

With the agreement of the meeting and his seconder, Councillor Barry accepted this as a friendly amendment.

It was then moved by Councillor Langhorn and seconded by Councillor Kirkman by way of an addendum;

(1)         That Lancaster City Council supports the launch of the 'Food for Life Catering Mark' by the Soil Association.

(2)         That Lancaster City Council encourages those who provide catering for the authority to adopt the 'Food for Life Catering Mark'.

(3)         That Lancaster City Council investigates adopting the 'Food for Life Catering Mark' itself.

With the agreement of the meeting and his seconder Councillor Barry accepted this as a friendly amendment although it was agreed to take the vote in two separate parts.

On being put to the vote the Mayor declared both parts of the motion as amended clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)         That Lancaster City Council endeavours to use only free range chickens or eggs in all catering it provides or sources from outside caterers for City Council events or meetings.

(2)         (a)  That Lancaster City Council supports the launch of the 'Food for Life       Catering Mark' by the Soil Association.

(b)   That Lancaster City Council encourages those who provide catering for the authority to adopt the 'Food for Life Catering Mark'.

(c)   That Lancaster City Council investigates adopting the 'Food for Life Catering Mark' itself.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 18^th March, 2008. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 18^th March 2008.  There were no questions.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.