Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Phil Black, Brett Cooper, Claire Cozler, Gina Dowding, Kate Knight, Abi Mills, Paul Newton, Sue Penney, Robert Redfern and Paul Tynan.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2024 were signed by the Deputy 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 Deputy Mayor reported the sad passing of Honorary Alderman Stuart Mews who died on 29th August 2024. Stuart was elected in 1978 and was made an Honorary Alderman in 1993.

Members stood for a minute’s silence in memory of

Honorary Alderman Stuart Mews

The Deputy Mayor reminded Councillors about the Music with the Mayor events that would be taking place through out the year, covering a range of music styles. Posters were around the Town Halls advertising an event on Saturday and further details could also be found on the Mayor’s Facebook page.

All Councillors were urged to attend if they could to raise money for the Mayor’s Charities.

The Deputy Mayor informed Councillors that a written Leader’s report would be circulated to Members when it became available and would be appended to the public minutes of the next meeting of full Council.

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

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

Report of Chief Finance Officer.

Published 19 September 2024

The Chief Financial Officer submitted a report seeking Council’s consideration of various matters in connection with the annual Treasury Management outturn report for 2023/24.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Resources, presented the report and responded to questions from Councillors.

The report was for noting.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Council considered a report setting out the calculations relating to the allocation of seats in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Councillor Wood, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Corporate Services, presented the report, which had been submitted due to a change to the political composition of the Council when Councillor Bradley left the Labour Group to become a non-aligned independent Councillor.

Councillor Wood proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox, that:

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

There was no debate. The proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act, 1989 and Part 4 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations, 1990, the City Council approves the calculations and allocation of seats set out in this report, including the adjustments set out in the table in 3.4 of the report.

Report of Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Councillor Wood presented a report asking Council to consider nominating a Councillor for appointment as a Trustee of the Lancaster Charity in place of Councillor Claire Cozler. The Council had six places for Trustees on the Lancaster Charity, the five other Councillors were Councillors Brookes, Budden, Pritchard, Redfern and Tynan.

The report explained that the basis of this appointment had been determined by Council in June 2023 as one which should be determined by the Labour Group, since a resolution was made at that meeting that:

“…the six places on the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charities be appointed to in approximate proportionality of two Labour, two Green, one Liberal Democrat and one Conservative. If one of the seats is not filled it is to go to a vote at Council.”

Councillor Wood proposed that the basis agreed in June 2023 be reconfirmed. Councillor Hanna seconded the proposition which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

The Labour Group had informed Democratic Support that they would be nominating Councillor Belcher. This was confirmed by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Hanna.

After a vote approving the nomination, the Deputy Mayor declared that Councillor Belcher be recommended to the Lancaster Charity for the vacant Trustee place.

Resolved:

(1)     That the basis of appointment to the Lancaster Charity agreed by Council in June 2023 be reconfirmed.

(2)     That Councillor Belcher be recommended for appointment as a Trustee of the Lancaster Charity.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

The Deputy Mayor informed Councillors that, since the last Council meeting, the following changes had taken place.

·       Councillor Brookes had taken the Green Group vacant seat on the Standards Committee

·       Councillor Stubbins had taken the Green Group vacant seat on the People and Organisational Development Committee

·       Councillor Stubbs had taken the places on Budget and Performance Panel and the Standards Committee left vacant by the resignation of Councillor Sophie Maddocks

·       Councillor Abi Mills had stepped down from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, with Councillor Deery taking her place

·       Councillor Hamilton-Cox had stepped down from Licensing Committee to be replaced by Councillor Deery.

It was reported that, as a result of the adjustments required as a result of the new calculation of political balance (minute 40 refers):

·       Councillor Hamilton-Cox would take the place of Councillor Cozler on the Planning Regulatory Committee.

·       Councillor Gardiner would take the place of Councillor Ainscough on the Appeals Committee.

The Deputy Mayor afforded Councillor Gardiner the opportunity to speak to thank all Councillors and officers who had passed good wishes to him during his recent illness and asked that the Deputy Mayor pass on his best wishes to the Mayor for her recovery.  

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 no questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.  

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 9 and 31 July 2024. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 9^th and 31^st of July 2024.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.