Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 7 June 2011 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7 June 2011 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. 

No declarations were made at this point.

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 Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Policy

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration and Policy to consider the outcome and recommendations of the final version of the Lancaster Cultural Heritage Strategy prepared by consultants Blue Sail following extensive consultation.

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

Option 2 was the preferred option as this provideda clear commitment and direction for Cultural Heritage and its contribution to economic regeneration work in the district through the stated policy objectives, priorities and outline action plan. Option 3 was also available to Members and acceptable given the context of changing circumstances/funding environment noted in paragraph 2.6 of the report.  Members were assured that the recommendations had been subject to independent appraisal and wide community consultation.

Essentially the Lancaster Cultural Heritage Strategy and the implementation plan was a programme rather than a collection of individual projects. It provided a strategic overview and a framework for any projects that were ultimately supported to move forward.  As individual projects were developed, and if they had individual council resource/risk implications they would be subject to detailed internal appraisal within the council’s own scrutiny and project management systems. Any individual project  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry) 

Oral update from the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry)

Councillor Barry confirmed that a meeting of the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group had been convened for 18 July 2011 and that a report on developments would be considered at the next Cabinet meeting on 26 July 2011.

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.

Members are asked whether they need to declare any further declarations of interest regarding the exempt reports. 

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

“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 they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst the following items have been marked as exempt, it is for the Council itself to decide whether or not to consider each of them 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 should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.  

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

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

“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 and 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 and 2 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of the Head of Property Services

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Property Services to determine whether the Council should be disposing of its land at the former Shell ICI site, and if so consider the best option for the way forward.

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

Option 1: Do nothing for now.

Advantages - from a strict valuation perspective, although there is good demand for the land at present, many of the uses are potentially speculative and the construction of the M6 Link is likely to bring with it greater demand and potentially increased values. 

Disadvantages - The progression of the Land Allocation DPD may limit the ability of the council to deal with the sites in a flexible manner to achieve best and/or best contribution to its objectives particularly for more intensive commercial/employment activity.

Risks - The risk is that some of the interest may disappear or be taken up by other landowners. The council would also be left with its current land management liabilities.

Option 2: Pursue only those enquiries which have a direct link, or are intrinsically linked, to the energy coast priority of the council – paragraphs 3.3, 3.5, 3.7 and 3.8 above. 

Advantages – This has a direct link with the council’s current priorities. Consideration needs to be given as to whether some of the uses identified could be dealt with in such a way that they could work together e.g. energy generation with adjacent storage.

Disadvantages – the values arising from these uses may not be the highest that could be obtained if the property was openly marketed for all uses.

Risks – none identified

Option 3: Pursue all enquiries by actively marketing the site and seeking expressions of interest to tease out formal enquiries. A selection process could then be followed based on best bids, preferred uses etc. 

Advantages - This would provide most opportunity for development of the site and the potential to bring higher values for the land

Disadvantages – This may result in uses that fit with the council’s current priorities being “priced out” of the market by other uses that are perhaps commercial but not in line with the council’s priorities.

Risks – The risk here is that if the council were to choose a use that was less than “best consideration” it may not be possible to use the General Disposal Consent as the decision to consider such use was not made at the outset. In such circumstances cabinet should be aware that any disposal would then rely on obtaining specific approval from the Secretary of State for a disposal at less than best consideration and that it is quite possible that such consent would not be forthcoming. This would mean that any disposal could not take place.

Option 4: Consider site C as an employment/regeneration opportunity around recycling/waste recovery objectives to be developed alongside the land  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.