Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday 9 November 2010 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9 November 2010 were approved 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. 

Councillor Langhorn declared a personal interest with regard to the Shared Service Delivery – Public Realm report, as Chairman of Caton-with-Littledale Parish Council. (Minute 80 refers).

Councillor Ashworth declared a personal interest with regard to the Shared Service Delivery – Public Realm report, as a member of Morecambe Town Council. (Minute 80 refers).

Councillor Kerr declared a personal interest with regard to the Shared Service Delivery – Public Realm report, as a member of Morecambe Town Council (Minute 80 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 Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Ashworth and Bryning)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Ashworth and Bryning)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement in order to decide whether to offer Council support to develop a regionally significant centre for rowing, canoeing and kayaking at the current site of the Lancaster John O’ Gaunt Rowing Club on the River Lune in Lancaster.

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

Officer Preferred Option (and comments)

There was no officer preferred option but as the scheme was in its early stages officers would have to monitor their time spent against demands from other areas on their time should option 1 be approved.

Councillor Bryning proposed, seconded by Councillor Ashworth:-

“(1)      Cabinet notes the details of the proposal, progress to date and partners involved.

(2)        Cabinet supports the concept of providing a regionally significant centre for rowing, canoeing and kayaking at the current site of the Lancaster John O’ Gaunt Rowing Club on the River Lune in Lancaster.

(3)        Cabinet agrees to provide officer support from within the Community Engagement and Regeneration and Policy services as appropriate to assist the development of the water centre.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved:

(7 Members (Councillors Ashworth, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Fletcher, Kerr and Langhorn) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Robinson) abstained.)

(1)        Cabinet notes the details of the proposal, progress to date and partners involved.

(2)        Cabinet supports the concept of providing a regionally significant centre for rowing, canoeing and kayaking at the current site of the Lancaster John O’ Gaunt Rowing Club on the River Lune in Lancaster.

(3)        Cabinet agrees to provide officer support from within the Community Engagement and Regeneration and Policy services as appropriate to assist the development of the water centre.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Head of Regeneration and Policy

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision fits in with the corporate priorities with regard to visitor economy, energy coast and partnership working and the scheme is potentially a considerable improvement on the current offer.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Policy.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

Members noted that additional information had been received in relation to this item and it was proposed by Councillor Langhorn, seconded by Councillor Kerr and resolved unanimously:

Resolved unanimously:

That the item be deferred for consideration at a reconvened meeting on Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 10.00am in Lancaster Town Hall.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Barry and Langhorn)

Report of the Head of Environmental Services.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Barry and Langhorn)

(Councillor Langhorn declared a personal interest in this item in view of his role as Chairman of Caton-with-Littledale Parish Council.  Councillors Ashworth and Kerr declared personal interests in this item in view of their role as Morecambe Town Councillors.)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Environmental Services which sought approval for the principle of the City Council directly delivering a range of public health services on behalf of the County Council.

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

Officer preferred option

Option1 is the officer preferred option for the reasons set out.

Councillor Barry proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:-

“(1)      That Cabinet approve the principle of the City Council directly delivering a range of public realm services on behalf of the County Council.

(2)        That the Head of Environmental Services is delegated to agree the details of the public realm agreement with County.

(3)        That, once details are agreed relevant general fund budgets are updated accordingly, subject to there being no costs falling to the City Council.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet approve the principle of the City Council directly delivering a range of public realm services on behalf of the County Council.

(2)        That the Head of Environmental Services is delegated to agree the details of the public realm agreement with County.

(3)        That, once details are agreed relevant general fund budgets are updated accordingly, subject to there being no costs falling to the City Council.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Environmental Services

Head of Financial Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision will enable closer working and shared delivery arrangements between Lancaster City and Lancashire County Councils and provide better value for money and improved service delivery standards for citizens of Lancashire.  A key action of the City Council’s corporate plan is ‘to implement the Council’s agreed programme for shared services and research other opportunities for working wherever possible.’

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Report of the Head of Financial Services.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Financial Services to seek approval for entering into a full shared service with Preston City Council for the provision of Revenues and Benefits services on the basis as set out in the business case, subject to the necessary constitutional changes being approved in due course.

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

Option 1: to approve the business case for entering into a full shared service with Preston City Council for the provision of Revenues and Benefits services, on the basis as set out at Appendix A to the report (with supporting recommendations regarding contractual and constitutional matters).  This provided for a full appraisal of this option, including risk considerations.

Option 2: to not approve the business case and instead instruct officers to pursue an alternative option as outlined in the business case.  Whilst the key advantages and disadvantages are outlined in the Appendix to the report, depending on the alternative chosen, officers may need to undertake further development work and report back accordingly.

Officer Preferred Option (and comments)

The Officer preferred option is Option 1, as this is considered to the most cost-effective option at this time; the full rationale is set out in the attachment to the report.

Councillor Langhorn proposed, seconded by Councillor Kerr

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That having considered the Business Case as set out at Appendix A, Cabinet approves a shared service arrangement for the delivery of the Revenues and Benefits service, with Preston City Council acting as host authority.

(2)        That further reports be presented to Members in due course to address the further details of the governance and contractual arrangements.

(3)        That in due course Personnel Committee be requested to update the Council’s establishment.

(4)        That the Revenue Budget be updated accordingly, including changes in respect of any approved efficiency proposals.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Financial Services

Head of Revenues & Benefits

Reasons for making the decision:

The Business Case demonstrates that there is a strong case for creating a shared service in Revenues and Benefits and highlights opportunities for improving service efficiency at a much reduced cost.  The Officer Project Board has endorsed the Business Case and considers that the full shared service delivery model best meets the needs of both Councils.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Financial Services (to follow).

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Members noted that in view of a further delay in the issuing of the settlement information consideration of this report which had been marked ‘to follow’ on the agenda had been deferred.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry) 

Oral update, for information only, from the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry)

Councillor Barry confirmed that the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group were due to receive a presentation from the market experts at their meeting that evening (7 December).

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the oral update be noted.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Deputy Chief Executive

Head of Property Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The terms of reference of the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group stipulate regular reports to Cabinet.

The Chairman asked for any further declarations of interest from Cabinet Members regarding the exempt report.

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

“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 paragraphs 1 & 2 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 paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (to follow).

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Cabinet received a report from the Deputy Chief Executive which was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraphs 1 & 2 of Part 1 of 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.

Councillor Langhorn, seconded by Councillor Kerr proposed the recommendations as set out in the exempt report.

Councillors then voted:-

(6 Members (Councillors Ashworth, Barry, Fletcher, Kerr, Langhorn and Robinson) voted in favour, and 2 Members (Councillors Blamire and Bryning) abstained.)

Resolved:

(1)        The resolution is set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Deputy Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The reasons for making the decision are set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The meeting adjourned at 12.10pm and reconvened in public at 10.00am on Tuesday 14 December 2010 at Lancaster Town Hall in accordance with the resolution within minute 79.

The following officers were present:  Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Governance/MO Officer and the Principal Democratic Support Officer.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

The Deputy Chief Executive advised the meeting that in light of the recent discussions with Urban Splash where the City Council had been unable to come to any agreement regarding the amendment of the Development Agreement taking into account the marina feasibility study, officers would recommend that members defer dealing with the extension of the Development Agreement until the formal planning position on the pending application from Urban Splash was known.  Officers would then be able to see how this met with the current contractual position with Urban Splash.

The letter from Urban Splash advised that they were not in a position to consider amending by agreement and would like to see the planning application determined. 

Councillor Langhorn proposed, seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

“That consideration of the Morecambe Central Promenade Development Agreement be deferred until the pending planning application by Urban Splash had been determined.”

Councillors then voted:

Resolved:

(7 Members (Councillors Ashworth, Barry, Bryning, Blamire, Fletcher, Kerr and Langhorn) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Robinson) voted against.

(1)        That consideration of the Morecambe Central Promenade Development Agreement be deferred until the pending planning application by Urban Splash had been determined.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Deputy Chief Executive.

Reasons for making the decision:

The outcome of the feasibility study in its current form is not considered robust enough to challenge any existing planning policies, and Urban Splash have advised that they would not be prepared to amend the current Agreement unless significant funds are made available by the Council.  Urban Splash have requested that the Planning application is determined, and as such, any further discussions regarding the Contractual position should be deferred, until the outcome of the planning position is known.