Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Martin Bottoms, Phil Bradley, Alan Greenwell, Sarah Punshon, Robert Redfern and Paul Tynan.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 24 January 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2024 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

No declarations of interest were made.

The Mayor noted that the Monitoring Officer had granted a dispensation under the Localism Act 2011 to Cllr Bannon to allow her to participate and vote in the budget, despite having a DPI by virtue of her employment by North Lancashire Citizens Advice.

The Mayor informed Councillors that he would be holding a quiz night on Friday 19 April 2024. Further details would be available soon.

He reminded Councillors that recorded votes would be required for budget decisions to comply with regulations and he would make clear which particular decisions would be subject to recorded votes at the start of each item.

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 informed Councillors that no questions from the public had been received.

The Mayor informed Members that no petitions or requests to address Council had been received from members of the public.

The Leader presented his report updating Members on various issues since his last report to Council. He then responded to questions.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 22 February 2024

The Mayor reminded Council that this item would require a recorded vote on the budget decisions and that, whilst the report itself was public, appendices B1 and B2 were exempt from publication. Any discussions on those appendices would require Council to consider excluding the press and public from the Chamber.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Resources, presented a report of Cabinet. The report set out the latest position in respect of the budget and policy framework and Cabinet’s proposed General Fund revenue budget for 2024/25.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, seconded by Councillor Phil Black, proposed:

“That recommendations (1) to (3), as set out in the report, be moved.”

It was noted that recommendations (1) to (3) were subject to a recorded vote. Recommendation (4) of the report was simply for noting.

A recorded vote was taken on recommendations (1) to (3):

For the proposition:  Councillors Abuhajar, Ainscough, Armistead, Bannon, Blecher, Black (Matthew), Black (Phil), Blaikie, Brookes, Cleet, Colbridge, Cooper, Cozler, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gawith, Hall, Hamilton-Cox, Hanna, Hanson, Hartley, Harris, Hart, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks (Sally), Maddocks (Sophie), McGowan, Mills (Abi), Mills (Hamish), Parr, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Pritchard, Riches, Russell, Sommerville, Stubbins, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Wilkinson and Wood.(48).

Against the proposition:   Councillors Budden, Gardiner, Knight, Newton and Wild. (5).

Abstentions:  None.

Resolved:

(1)            That the General Fund Revenue Budget of £25.008M for 2024/25 be approved, resulting in a Council Tax Requirement of £10.928M, excluding parish precepts, and a Band D basic City Council tax rate of £256.63.

(2)        That the supporting General Fund Revenue Budget proposals be approved, as summarised at Appendices A, B, B1 and B2

(3)        That the budget transfer (virements and carry forwards) limits be approved as set out in Appendix D

(4)        That Council notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness of budget estimates, the adequacy of reserves and balances, specifically the advice that the minimum level of balances be retained at £5.0M, to provide for added uncertainty.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 22 February 2024

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented the General Fund Capital Programme report for 2023/24- 2032/33. The report presented Cabinet’s final budget proposals to allow Council to approve a General Fund Capital Programme for 2023/24 to 2032/33 and a Capital Strategy as required by regulations.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions from Councillors. He then, seconded by Councillor Phil Black, proposed the recommendations as set out in the report. The proposition was clearly carried without debate.

Resolved:

That Council notes the report and approves the following:

(1)     The General Fund Capital Programme, as set out at Appendix A of the report; and

(2)     The Capital Strategy (Incorporating the Capital Investment Strategy: Investing in the Future) as set out at Appendix B of the report.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 22 February 2024

Councillor Caroline Jackson, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Housing and Homelessness, presented Cabinet’s Housing Revenue Budget and Policy Framework report for 2024 to 2029. The report presented Cabinet’s final budget proposals in relation to the Housing Revenue Account to allow the Council to complete its budget setting for 2024/25 and update its financial strategy to 2029.

Councillor Caroline Jackson responded to questions and agreed to provide a written answer to Councillor Gardiner who had asked for a figure for rent arrears owing to the Council.

Councillor Caroline Jackson then proposed recommendations (2) to (4) as set out in the report. Councillor Hamilton-Cox seconded her proposition. Recommendations (1) and (5) of the report were simply for noting.

A recorded vote was taken in relation to recommendations (2) to (4), in accordance with regulations and the Council’s Constitution.

For the proposition:  Councillors Abuhajar, Ainscough, Armistead, Bannon, Blecher, Black (Matthew), Black (Phil), Blaikie, Brookes, Cleet, Colbridge, Cooper, Cozler, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gawith, Hall, Hamilton-Cox, Hanna, Hanson, Hartley, Harris, Hart, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks (Sally), Maddocks (Sophie), McGowan, Mills (Abi), Mills (Hamish), Parr, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Pritchard, Riches, Russell, Sommerville, Stubbins, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Wilkinson and Wood.(48).

Against the proposition:   Councillors Budden, Gardiner, Knight, Newton and Wild. (5).

Abstentions:   None.

Resolved:

(1)             That Cabinet’s recommendation to approve the council housing rent levels for 2024/25, as set in accordance with statutory requirements, be noted.

(2)             That the Housing Revenue Account budgets and future years’ projections be approved, as set out in Appendix A of the report.

(3)             That the Council Housing Capital Programme be approved, as set out in Appendix B of the report.

(4)             That the minimum level of HRA unallocated balances be retained at £750,000 from 01 April 2024, and that the full Statement on Reserves and Balances, as set out at Appendix C of the report, be approved.

(5)             That Council notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness of budget estimates, the adequacy of reserves and balances and the affordability of borrowing.

The Mayor called for a ten minute comfort break at this point. Council adjourned at 7.50pm and reconvened at 8.00pm.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 22 February 2024

The Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 was presented to Council by Councillor Hamilton-Cox. The report set out the 2024/25 framework for Council’s approval.

There were no questions. Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendations set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Phil Black.

No one wished to debate the proposal, which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

(1)           That the report be noted.

(2)           That Council approves The Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25, Appendices A to C specifically the Council’s The Authorised Limit for External Debt (section 4.7 of the report).

Report of Chief Financial Officer.

Published 21 February 2024

Councillor Hamilton-Cox provided an update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) forecasts for 2024/25 to 2028/29. The report was for noting.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Chief Financial Officer.

Report to follow.

The Chief Finance Officer had submitted a report seeking Council’s approval for the 2023/24 Council rates for the district.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Black.

A recorded vote was taken on the proposals, as required by regulations.

Votes were recorded as follows:

For the proposition:  Councillors Abuhajar, Ainscough, Armistead, Bannon, Blecher, Black (Matthew), Black (Phil), Blaikie, Brookes, Cleet, Colbridge, Cooper, Cozler, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gawith, Hall, Hamilton-Cox, Hanna, Hanson, Hartley, Harris, Hart, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks (Sally), Maddocks (Sophie), McGowan, Mills (Abi), Mills (Hamish), Parr, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Pritchard, Riches, Russell, Sommerville, Stubbins, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Wilkinson and Wood.(48).

Against the proposition: None.

Abstentions: Councillors Budden, Gardiner, Knight, Newton and Wild. (5).

.

The full resolution, including all the Council Tax tables, is shown on the appended document.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections, had submitted a report to consider nominating a Councillor for appointment to a vacancy on the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity following Councillor MacGregor’s resignation.

It was noted that Council Trustees of Lancaster Charity had previously been selected by nomination and voting at full Council. Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed recommendation (1) of the report:

“That Council notes the vacancy on the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity and that the six representatives on that body have previously been selected by nomination and voting at full Council (as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report)”. 

The Mayor called for nominations to put forward for appointment to the Board of Trustees until the next City Council elections in 2027.

Councillor Sally Maddocks nominated Councillor Tynan, seconded by Councillor Brookes. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Tynan selected to be put forward for appointment to the Board.

Resolved:

(1)        That Council notes the vacancy on the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity and that the six representatives on that body have previously been selected by nomination and voting at full Council. (as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report). 

(2)        That Councillor Tynan be nominated to the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity to fill the Council vacancy on the Board, 

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

The Mayor reported that Councillor Sally Maddocks had:

·       Replaced Councillor Lenox on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·       Replaced Councillor Tynan on the Budget and Performance Panel; and

·       Taken the previously vacant Green group seat on Audit Committee.

No further changes were reported.

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. 

No questions had been submitted under Council Procedure Rule 12.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 16 January, 2024.

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of 16 January 2024. No questions were raised.