Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday 5 July 2011    following the revision agreed upon at the meeting on 26th July (minute 17 refers)  along with the minutes for 26 July 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday  5 July 2011 following the revision agreed upon at the meeting on 26th July (minute 17 refers) together with the minutes for the meeting held on 26 July 2011were 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 Blamire)

Report of the Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive which provided information on the priorities review, to enable Cabinet to decide how it wished to proceed in terms of the Corporate Plan and Budget for 2012-15.

There were no options listed in the report, which provided details on a number of areas of activity which Cabinet Members had requested be considered in more detail.  Brief details on how to review each of the activities identified and the process for reporting to Members was set out in the report with the areas of activity identified as follows:

• Increased provision for social housing (including the possibility of council housing new build)
• More allotments because of the current very long waiting lists
• A programme for renewable energy on council houses – to increase energy production to reduce bills for tenants and as a potential financial investment for the council
• Protection of heritage on the Canal Corridor site
• Support for the arts in the district
• Continued funding for PCSO’s
• Look at levels of street cleansing and improvement of open spaces
• Diversionary activities for young people
• Housing Regeneration
• Council housing opportunities – new regulations
• Council Tax Benefits localisation and grant reduction
• Implications of business rates changes as far as can be forecast
• Apprenticeships
• Working with the voluntary sector to reduce the amount of rough sleeping in the district.

The report highlighted areas of service for review which could, in turn, affect the council’s future priorities. Cabinet were advised that the report needed to be seen in the current financial context which required savings to outweigh growth.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

(1)        “That Cabinet agree that the areas of activity identified in the report be fed into the Corporate Plan and budget process and recognise that these relate to all parts of the district, city, coast and countryside.”

(2)        “That the areas of activity be amended as follows: 2.2 to include reference to the allotment initiative at Heysham, 2.7 to include reference to visitor as well as street signage.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet agree that the areas of activity identified in the report be fed into the Corporate Plan and budget process and recognise that these relate to all parts of the district, city, coast and countryside.

(2)        That the areas of activity be amended as follows: 2.2 to include reference to the allotment initiative at Heysham, 2.7 to include reference to visitor as well as street signage.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision to agree to the areas of activity recognises the council’s commitment to

city, coast and countryside and will assist in the development of the budget process.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Head of Regeneration and Policy

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration and
Policy to review the Cabinet decision of 6 December 2009 with regard to keeping all existing trees within Market Square (minute 95, 1) refers.

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

Option 1 had disadvantages that compromised and restricted how Market Square could be used for different uses. These could be read as risks also. Options 2 and 3 had no risks. Option 4 gave high risk that the council could not begin to improve the square at a difficult economic time when the improvement should help support and sustain the city centre.

Option 1 adhered to the previous Cabinet decision but would mean that the re- design of the square was less accommodating and beneficial for the outdoor market than it should be, was restricting for the staging of events and less advantageous for general pedestrian circulation and enjoyment than it should be. Options 2 and 3 involved tree loss but enabled the adjusted project design to be implemented largely as planned.  Option 3 was the preferred officer option and had significant additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire and Bryning)

Joint Report of the Leader of the Council and Finance Portfolio Holder

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a joint report from the Leader and Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility for Finance in respect of the corporate performance report for the 1^st Quarter of the Performance Review Team Cycle for 2011/12.

The report was for noting and comment.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the report be noted.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council’s Performance Management Framework requires the regular reporting of operational and financial performance to Cabinet as part of the Performance Review Team cycle of meetings.  The Corporate PRT report provides a summary of key issues and associated actions that have arisen in the quarter and have been escalated to the Leader of the Council for attention.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement which sought approval of the proposed Terms of Reference for the Climate Change Cabinet Liaison Group, as set out in the appendix to the report, in order for the Liaison Group to be formally re-established.

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

Option 1 was the officer preferred option. The re-establishment of the Climate Change Cabinet Liaison Group with revised terms of reference would contribute toward effective implementation of the long-term climate change vision and development of the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan for Lancaster City Council. Member input and consultation, anticipated to be through the group, was a positive contribution.

Councillor Barry proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the Terms of Reference of the Climate Change Cabinet Liaison Group be approved as follows:

            The Climate Change Cabinet Liaison Group will:

1. Consider and make recommendations for the ongoing development of the Council’s Climate Change Policy – Vision for 2020

2. Provide a forum for Member consultation on the development and delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan

3. Consider the delivery of outcomes and recommend any revised actions to achieve targets, which mitigate and adapt to climate change within the framework of the Corporate Plan

4. Consider and recommend effective links to external and internal policies relevant to delivery of the Corporate Plan priority on climate change and the Climate Change Policy

5. Request and consider reports from relevant Officers and Officer groups on the delivery of climate change objectives and the opportunities to secure external funding

6. Promote and raise awareness of the Council’s approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change

7. To advise the Portfolio holder on budget proposals in relation to climate change projects

8. The Group will be Chaired by the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Change and Property Services – Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox

9. The Group will meet as required but in any event, no less than quarterly.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Head of Governance

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision to approve the terms of reference and re-establish the Climate Change Cabinet Liaison Group supports the effective delivery of the corporate priority on climate change and will provide an important forum to discuss climate change and sustainability issues  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of the Head of Governance

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Governance to inform Members of the establishment of the Lancashire Tourism Forum and to make an appointment on the basis that full Council would determine that the appointment be made by virtue of position on Cabinet.

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“That, on the basis that full Council determine the appointment to the Lancashire Tourism Forum be made by virtue of position on Cabinet, Councillor Sands as Cabinet Member with responsibility for Culture and Tourism, be appointed as the City Council’s representative to this outside body.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

That, on the basis that full Council determine the appointment to the Lancashire Tourism Forum be made by virtue of position on Cabinet, Councillor Sands as Cabinet Member with responsibility for Culture and Tourism, be appointed as the City Council’s representative to this outside body.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Governance

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision ensures that the City Council is adequately represented on this outside body.  Lack of appropriate representation on outside bodies has the potential to affect the Council’s ability to perform its Community Leadership role.  The 2009-12 Corporate Plan identifies ‘Leading our Communities as one of the City Council’s core values and representation on outside bodies forms part of this Community Leadership role.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry) 

Oral update from the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry)

The Chief Executive confirmed that following on from the decision made by Cabinet on 26^th July 2011(Minute 21 refers) a report detailing all relevant options would be considered at the next full Council meeting on 14^th September 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 for information to Cabinet.  Oral reports are provided only where no decision is required.