Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 17^th March 2009 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th March 2009 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider any such items authorised by the Leader and to consider where in the agenda the item(s) are to be considered. 

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

To consider any such declarations. 

Councillors Charles and Fletcher declared a personal interest with regard to the Urgent Business Report as far as it related to Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan Review. (Minute 176 refers).

To consider any such requests received in accordance with the approved procedure. 

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

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Archer)

Report of Corporate Director (Regeneration).

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Archer)

The Corporate Director (Regeneration) submitted a report informing Members on the implications of selling 29 Castle Hill by auction, and to obtain approval to sell the property as detailed in the report.

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

Option 1 - To sell 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster by auction, to authorise the Head of Property Services to set the auction reserve in conjunction with the Auctioneer, to agree to the payment of his fees and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale.  This would be in accordance with the Council’s approval to dispose of surplus properties.

Option 2 - Sell the property by alternative methods e.g. private treaty.  As similar sales have fallen through in the past, this could not guarantee a disposal.

Option 3 - Not to sell the property.  This would not be accordance with the Council’s approval to dispose of the premises, the premises are listed in the General Fund Disposal schedule.  The City Council would be left with recurring management liabilities and costs.

Option 1 is the Officer preferred option, for the reasons outlined above and that Cabinet approves the disposal by auction and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale. 

It was moved by Councillor Archer and seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

“(1)      That 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster, be sold at auction.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster, be sold at auction.

It was moved by Councillor Archer and seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

“(2)      That the Head of Property Services be authorised to fix the auction reserve in conjunction with the Auctioneer, to agree to the payment of the auctioneers fees and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved:

(8 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Burns, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour and 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) voted against)

(2)        That the Head of Property Services be authorised to fix the auction reserve in conjunction with the Auctioneer, to agree to the payment of the auctioneers fees and to authorise the relevant officers to complete the sale.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Regeneration)

Head of Property Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is in accordance with the Council’s policy to dispose of surplus properties.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Charles)

Report of Corporate Director (Finance and Performance).

 (Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Charles)

The Corporate Director (Finance and Performance) submitted a report on the third quarter of Performance Review Team meetings for 2008/09 for Members to note.

It was moved by Councillor Charles and seconded by Councillor Gilbert:-

“That the report be noted.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the report be noted.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Finance and Performance)

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council’s Performance Management Framework requires the regular reporting of performance to Cabinet as part of the Performance Review Team cycle of meetings.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services.

(It was noted that Councillors Charles and Fletcher had previously declared an interest in this item as far as it related to the Arnside and Silverdale AONB)

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report to advise Members of actions taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the scheme of delegation.

It was moved by Councillor Mace and seconded by Councillor Barry:-

“(1)      That the actions taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, the relevant Cabinet Member and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation, in relation to the following matters, be noted:

(a)     Award of contract for ICON card payment services

(b)     Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities

(c)     Arnside/Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan review.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the actions taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, the relevant Cabinet Member and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation, in relation to the following matters, be noted:

(a)     Award of contract for ICON card payment services

(b)     Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities

(c)     Arnside/Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan review.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision fulfils the requirements of the City Council’s Constitution in advising Cabinet of urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the City Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

Report of the Chief Executive.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking Cabinet’s approval to the filling of established vacancies where recommended.

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

The information contained within each form provides details related to the risks of not filling the related vacancy.  Cabinet has the option of releasing funding on either a time limited or permanent basis or withholding funding.  If funding is not released, there will be an impact on Service provision.  If funding is time limited, it will be more difficult and possibly more expensive to fill a post.

Officer Preferred Option (and comments):

To fill those posts as recommended by Service Heads unless Cabinet identifies the work as being of a low priority.

It was moved by Councillor Kerr and seconded by Councillor Archer:-

“(1)      That the four vacancies for Casual Lifeguards be approved.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved:

(8 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Burns, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour and 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) voted against)

(1)        That the four vacancies for Casual Lifeguards be approved.

It was moved by Councillor Kerr and seconded by Councillor Archer:-

“(2)      That Cabinet Members agree that the other vacancies recommended for filling by Service Heads are filled as soon as possible (Posts CL0341; PP0003; AD0016; ED0008; ED0029; PL0098; AD0063; RS0126; RS0164; RS0192; 3 Outdoor Ranger Posts; 4 Beach Patrol posts and the new posts of Development Officer and Assistant Programmes Officer).

(3)        That the action taken by the Corporate Director (Community Services) on behalf of the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation, in respect of the following vacancy, be noted:-

(a)     That the Conditions of Employment for Posts EH0193 and EH0194 in Health & Strategic Housing Services be amended from fixed term posts to permanent posts with effect from the 01 April 2009.

(b)     That the Conditions of Employment for Post EH0038 in Health & Strategic Housing Services be amended to increase the hours from 22.2 to 37 on a temporary basis from 01 April 2009 to 06 July 2009.

(c)     That the call in be waived in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 17 to allow immediate implementation.

(4)        That the Revenue Budget be updated accordingly, for any deleted or deferred posts.

(5)        That Resolution (5) from the Cabinet Meeting held on the 12 November 2008, “that this process be reviewed following the next annual Council meeting in May 2009,” be noted” 

Resolved:

(8 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Burns, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour and 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) abstained)

(2)        That Cabinet Members agree that the other vacancies recommended for filling by Service Heads are filled as soon as possible (Posts CL0341; PP0003; AD0016; ED0008; ED0029; PL0098; AD0063; RS0126; RS0164; RS0192; 3 Outdoor Ranger Posts; 4 Beach Patrol  ...  view the full minutes text for item 177.