PROCEEDINGS A meeting of the Lancaster City Council was held at the Town Hall, Morecambe, at 2.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 15th October, 1997, when the following Members were present:- J. Airey A. M. Kay I. S. Barker G. Knight D. J. Beckingham J. R. Lodge E. Blamire T. A. Metcalfe M. E. Blamire M. Morgan M. Blenkinship R. J. Newman-Thompson A. Briggs R. V. Newman-Thompson C. J. Broad M. Newton A. C. Bryning N. T. O'Connor K. W. Budden P. M. Quinton S. Burns J. Race E. Bush M. M. Rainford (Deputy Mayor) R. Clark Alexander Roberts R. J. Day P. Robinson S. E. Denwood C. G. Rogers T. E. Evans S. Rostron J. A. Fearnley P. L. Rye W. Glaister R. J. Sherlock H. A. Gorst H. M. Shuttleworth (Mayor) C. M. Grattan D. B. Stanley G. Hannah J. G. Sutton J. Hanson T. Tattersall J. T. Harrison J. Taylor H. R. Helme I. H. Thompson R. M. Henderson A. H. Thornton S. Henig A. M. B. Wade J. Horner G. K. Wilson E. E. Jones P. Woodruff P. J. Kavanagh J. E. Yates -1- COUNCIL 15TH OCTOBER, 1997 19 COUNCIL MINUTES The Minutes of the proceedings of the Lancaster City Council held on 16th July, 1997 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record. 20 ITEM OF URGENT BUSINESS AUTHORISED BY THE MAYOR The Mayor reported that she had agreed to the following item of urgent business being considered in order that the Council may make immediate representations to the National Westminster Bank on its proposals to close its Caton branch. National Westminster Bank - Caton Branch - Proposed Closure The following proposition was proposed by Councillor P. M. Quinton and seconded by Councillor R. M. Henderson:- "That the City Council write to the National Westminster Bank, expressing its concerns at the proposed closure of the Caton branch, such decision being taken after the closure of the branch in Hornby two years ago, resulting in no branch of National Westminster Bank being located in the villages between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale. The City Council urges the Bank to consider the effect this would have on both residents and businesses in the Lune Valley and asks for an urgent meeting with representatives of the City Council, the Caton- with-Littledale Parish Council and the Lancaster Member of Parliament." Resolved:- That the proposition be agreed. 21 MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS (a) Welcome Host Awards The Mayor displayed to the Council two awards received from the North West Tourist Board and English Tourist Board in recognition of the City Council's success in the Welcome Host Awards Scheme. (b) Councillor G. Hannah The Mayor reported that she had received a letter from Councillor G. Hannah indicating that this meeting would be the last full Council meeting he would attend before leaving the District and expressing his thanks to Members and Officers of the City Council for the help and assistance given to him as a City Councillor and particularly during his terms of office as Conservative Group Leader and Secretary. Representatives of the various Groups on the Council expressed their best wishes to Councillor Hannah for the future. 22 PLANNING COMMITTEE The Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 11th August, 1997 and 15th September, 1997 were submitted for the Council's acceptance by Councillor M. Eileen Blamire, with the exception of Application Nos. A5 97/00070/FUL, A6 97/00069/CON, A25 97/00670/OUT and A26 97/00740/FUL which were submitted for acceptance by Councillor E. E. Jones, Application No. A24 97/00645/CU which was submitted for acceptance by Councillor P. M. Quinton and Application No. A23 97/00862/CU which was submitted for acceptance by Councillor K. W. Budden, subject to the following amendments:- -2- COUNCIL 15TH OCTOBER, 1997 Application No. A12 97/00275/LB - Bulk Ward should read Castle Ward. Application No. A13 97/00277/CON - Bulk Ward should read Castle Ward. Application No. D3 97/00764/LB - Castle Ward should read Bulk Ward. Application No. A12 97/00275/LB - Bulk Ward should read Castle Ward. Councillor I. S. Barker declared an interest in Planning Application A24 97/00645/CU and Councillor R. M. Henderson declared an interest in Planning Application C1 97/00746/CPA and took no part in the discussion. Resolved:- That, subject to the above amendments, the Minutes be received. 23 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM POLICY COMMITTEE The Minutes of the Economic Development and Tourism Policy Committee from its meeting held on 23rd September, 1997 were submitted for the Council's acceptance by Councillor J. E. Yates. Resolved:- That the Minutes be received. 24 FINANCE AND CORPORATE POLICY COMMITTEE The Minutes of the Finance and Corporate Policy Committee from its meeting held on 25th September, 1997 were submitted for the Council's acceptance by Councillor S. Henig. (a) Nolan Committee Report into Standards of Conduct in Local Government The following recommendation of the Finance and Corporate Policy Committee was moved by Councillor S. Henig and seconded by Councillor J. R. Lodge:- "That the Council be recommended to agree to the establishment of a Shadow Standards and Procedures Group consisting of 7 Members (PR 4:1:1:1) and the Mayor for the time being, who will act as Chair of the Group." Resolved:- (1) That the recommendation be approved. (2) That the Minutes be received. 25 ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE The Minutes of the Environmental and Public Services Policy Committee from its meeting held on 29th September, 1997 were submitted for the Council's acceptance by Councillor J. G. Sutton. Resolved:- That the Minutes be received. -3- COUNCIL 15TH OCTOBER, 1997 26 PLANNING POLICY COMMITTEE The Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Policy Committee held on 1st October, 1997 were submitted for the Council's acceptance by Councillor M. Eileen Blamire. (a) Report of the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life - The Planning System The following recommendations of the Planning Policy Committee were moved by Councillor M. Eileen Blamire and seconded by Councillor P. L. Rye:- "That the Council be recommended:- (1) That the principles contained within the Nolan Committee report on Standards in Public Life in respect of the Planning System be noted. (2) That the Council look forward to the Government's response to the Report. (3) That a seminar be arranged for all Councillors on the implications of the Nolan Report on City Council planning procedures. (4) That following the Government's response, a Working Group of seven members (PR 4:1:1:1) be set up to give detailed consideration to the mechanisms needed to introduce the recommendations of the Nolan Committee for report to the Planning Policy Committee." Resolved:- (1) That the recommendation be approved. (2) That the Minutes be received. 27 ELLEL WARD BY-ELECTION AND VACANCIES The Council considered a report prepared by the Deputy Town Clerk setting out the results of the By-Election in the Ellel Ward of the City held on 24th July, 1997, as follows:- Beach, Nina 321 Broomfield, Eileen Joan 261 Glaister, William Alexander 366 William Glaister was elected Councillor to fill the vacancy caused by former Councillor Mrs. E. D. Huddleston. The Deputy Town Clerk also reported that following the resignations of former Councillors Hilton Dawson, Geraldine Smith and Vera Kirkby, By-Elections had been called in the Skerton West, Alexandra and Arkholme Wards of the City on Thursday, 9th October, 1997. Resolved:- That the report be noted. 28 MRS. VERA I. KIRKBY The following proposition was moved by Councillor S. Henig and seconded by Councillor G. Hannah:- -4- COUNCIL 15TH OCTOBER, 1997 "That the City Council places on record its appreciation of the long and valued service given by former Councillor Mrs. Vera Kirkby to the City Council and the people of Lancaster, in general, and the electors of the Arkholme ward, in particular, whilst serving as a Councillor. It particularly recognises the duties undertaken by Mrs. Kirkby between 1991 and 1997 as Leader of the Conservative Group. The City Council very much regrets that her resignation has arisen as a result of health problems. The City Council wishes to recognise this service by the preparation of a Certificate to be signed on behalf of the Council and formally presented to Mrs. Kirkby by the Mayor, the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Town Clerk." Representatives of each of the Political Groups spoke in support of the proposition. Resolved:- It was resolved unanimously that the proposition be approved. 29 BY-ELECTION RESULTS The Council considered a report prepared by the Town Clerk and Chief Executive setting out the results of the following By-Elections held on 9th October, 1997:- Alexander Ward Duncan, Trevor Alan 161 Pinkney, Tony Alan 5 Robinson, Peter 389 Smith, I. Jean 77 Tague, Christopher Nicholas 30 Wilson, Michael Raymond 146 Peter Robinson was elected Councillor to fill the vacancy caused following the resignation of former Councillor G. Smith. Arkholme Ward Airey, James 421 Grave, Richard Ross 99 James Airey was elected Councillor to fill the vacancy caused following the resignation of former Councillor V. I. Kirkby. Skerton West Broad, Philip L. 285 Harrison, John Thomas 427 Hunt, Stephen Geoffrey 198 John Harrison was elected Councillor to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of former Councillor H. Dawson. -5- COUNCIL 15TH OCTOBER, 1997 (a) Suspension of Standing Orders It was moved by Councillor T. Tattersall and seconded by Councillor R. Clark, in accordance with Standing Order No. 2 (5) (b):- "That Standing Orders be suspended for the purposes of debating events leading up to the by-elections in the Skerton West and Alexandra Wards." Resolved:- That the suspension of Standing Orders be agreed. (b) By-Elections A full debate took place upon events leading up to the by-elections held in the Alexandra and Skerton West Wards on the 9th October, 1997. (c) Re-introduction of Standing Orders It was moved by Councillor R. Clark and seconded by Councillor S. Henig "that Standing Orders be re-introduced". Resolved:- That Standing Orders be reintroduced. (d) By-Election Results Resolved:- That the report of the Deputy Town Clerk be noted. 30 ALLOCATION OF SEATS TO POLITICAL GROUPS The Council considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the allocation of seats to Political Groups, which had been prepared reflecting the changes in the composition of the City Council following the By-Elections in the Ellel, Alexandra and Skerton West Wards of the City and taking into account decisions of the Council to remove the Economic Service Development Service Group from its structure and to the amalgamation of the two DSO Boards into one Management Board. Resolved:- That the report be noted. 31 REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES The Council considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk seeking nominations to serve on a number of outside bodies. Resolved:- (1) That the following Members be appointed to the under-mentioned outside bodies for the period of office indicated:- -6- COUNCIL 15TH OCTOBER, 1997 Organisation Appointees Expiry Date of New Term of Office Morecambe & Heysham M. Wilson May, 1998 Carnival Committee Lancaster Citizens' CouncillorI. Thompson May, 1998 Advice Bureau Ryelands Community Councillor J. T. Harrison Indefinite Association Community Council of Councillor J. Airey Indefinite Lancashire Court of the University of Councillor S. Rostron 30th July, 1998 Lancaster Crook O'Lune Advisory Councillor H. M. May, 1998 Committee Shuttleworth Lune Valley Transport Councillor W. Glaister Unspecified Enterprise Lancaster District Councillor P. Robinson June, 1998 Council for Voluntary Services Lancaster Cathedral R.C. T. Stanway 31st August, 2000 School Lancaster St. Joseph's Vacant 31st August, 2000 C.E. School Lancaster St. P. Clegg 31st August, 2000 Bernadette's R.C. School Lancaster St. Luke's C.E. Vacant 31st August, 2000 School Morecambe & Heysham Councillor S. Burns 31st August, 2000 Poulton-le-Sands C.E. School Morecambe & Heysham M. Hewitt 31st August, 2000 St. Mary's R.C. School Morecambe & Heysham Councillor T. E. Evans May, 1998 Carnival Committee North West Regional Councillor S. Henig Unspecified Association -7- COUNCIL 15TH OCTOBER, 1997 (2) That the Secretaries Group be requested to look into the question of the filling of long-standing vacancies on outside bodies. (3) That the Secretaries Group be requested to consider a method of allocating the Council's representatives on outside bodies on a proportional representation basis. ................................. Mayor (The meeting finished at 4.20 p.m.) -8-