Agenda and draft minutes

In the absence of the Leader the Deputy Leader took the chair

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 9 July 2024 and Wednesday 31 July 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meetings held on Tuesday 9 July 2024 and Wednesday 31 July 2024 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.

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 were made at this point.

Members were advised that there had been no requests to speak at the meeting in accordance with Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Ainscough)

Report of Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Ainscough)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change that  set out the purpose of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), describing the role of the strategy in agreeing priorities for nature’s recovery across Lancashire. It explained how, on completion, the LNRS would map the most valuable existing areas for nature across the County as well as identify those new areas where habitats could be created or strengthened to improve connectivity and enhance biodiversity.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The preferred option is Option 1: Cabinet grants delegated powers to the Chief Officer of Planning and Climate Change to ensure that the City Council in its role as supporting authority responds to the draft LNRS consultation and publication LNRS within the set 28-day timeframe.  Granting delegated powers will ensure the City Council will be able to fulfil its role as a supporting authority within the required timeframes. This will ensure that the views of the City Council are taken into account and where concerns are raised there is the opportunity to address these ahead of consultation of the draft LNRS. It will also ensure that the final LNRS cannot be published unless the City Council agrees with it.

In view of the limited time for approval Officers are requesting that delegated powers be granted to the Chief Officer of Planning and Climate Change to approve the LNRS for draft consultation and then later for publication on behalf of the City Council. It is understood that similar approval is being requested at other supporting authorities across the County.

Councillor Ainscough proposed, seconded by Councillor Wood:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)            That delegated power be granted to the Chief Officer of Planning and Climate Change to make decisions on the progress of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), particularly in regard of approving the draft LNRS for consultation and to approve the publication of the final LNRS.

Officer responsible for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Finance Officer

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Finance Officer that provided summary information regarding the provisional outturn for 2023/24, including treasury management. It also set out information regarding the carry forward of capital slippage and other matters for Members’ consideration.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The Council has a legal requirement to ensure that its expenditure is fully funded and to produce accounts in accordance with proper accounting practice. In addition, the Prudential Indicators are a statutory requirement linked to the budgetary framework. For these aspects, therefore, there are no alternative options for Cabinet to consider. Members are being asked to endorse certain actions taken by the Chief Finance Officer, and Cabinet should consider whether it has sufficient information to do so or whether it requires any further justification.

The report requests Cabinet to consider a number of revenue overspending, capital slippage and other budget adjustment matters. The framework for considering these is set out in the report but basically Cabinet may:

· Endorse any number of the items / requests, in full or part

· Refuse various requests and if commitments have already been incurred,   require alternative funding options to be identified. Cabinet should note, however, that this may impact on other areas of service delivery

· Request further information regarding them, if appropriate.

The Officer preferred options are as set out in the recommendations, on the assumption that Members continue to support their previously approved spending plans.

Although both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account were able to respond to the financial challenges in 2023/24 and maintain balanced budget positions by utilising its reserves, this does not mean that the financial issues for the Council are resolved, it simply means that the in-year budget pressures were addressed. To put into context, a budget gap of £1.4M is still forecast for 2025/26 and this rises annually to £4.6M in 2028/29 for which the cumulative effect is not sustainable.

The Council has embarked on a programme called Outcomes-Based Resourcing (OBR)/Fit for the Future (FftF) that will see it examine every area of its budget and match resources more closely with its priorities. The OBR/FftF programme includes looking at ways the council can do things differently by utilising technology and being more efficient, as well as considering areas in which it can generate more income.

Given the size of the ongoing financial issues the Council faces this fundamental reshaping of the Council’s services and realigning against its priorities through the OBR/FftF process will be key to shrinking the estimated budget gap and securing the financial sustainability of the Council going forward. It is imperative that the work, or similar principles continues. The application of OBR/FftF across the Council will be a significant piece of work and to fully achieve its stated aims will take an estimated further 12 to 24 months.

Cabinet and Senior Leadership Team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive and S151 Officer that provided sn update on financial performance during the first quarter of 2024/25 (April-June 2024).

As the report was for commenting and noting no options were provided.

Resolved unanimously:

That the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

Performance, project and resource monitoring provides a link between the Council plan and operational achievement by providing regular updates on the impact of operational initiatives against strategic aims.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive that provided an update on performance and projects during quarter 1 of 2024-25 (April-June 2024).

As the report was for commenting and noting no options were provided.

Resolved unanimously:

That the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

Monitoring of strategic projects and key performance indicators provides a link between the Council Plan 24-27 by providing progress updates.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Executive (report published on 3.9.24)

This report contains an exempt appendix, and the press and public will be excluded from the meeting if Cabinet are minded to refer to the information within the exempt appendix.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive that provided an update on the authority’s progress in updating the Strategic Risk Register.

As the report was for noting no options were provided.

Resolved unanimously:

That the updated Strategic Risk Register for Quarter 1 2024/25 as appended to the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council have a Risk Management Policy, which is written to provide guidance on the management of risk. Risk Management is identified in the Council Plan 2024-27.

This is to give further notice in accordance with Part 2, paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private. 

Cabinet is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item:- 

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for Cabinet itself to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public.  In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

It was moved by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Ainscough:-

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members then voted as follows:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Officer – Housing and Property 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Housing and Property with regard to the disposal of a commercial property.  The report was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the exempt report.

Resolved:

The resolution is set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer Housing and Property

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with Council priorities.  Exactly how the decision fits with Council priorities is set out in the exempt minute.