Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 13 March, 2012 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13 March 2012 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 Blamire)

Report of Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to seek approval of the draft Corporate Plan for the 3 year period 2012 to 2015 and to request that Cabinet recommends the Corporate Plan to full council for formal approval in May.

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

Option 1 - Approve the draft Corporate Plan as presented or to approve with minor amendments.  Assuming no significant impact on resources and forward planning arrangements, minor amendments could be managed without interruption to the strategic planning cycle and the Corporate Plan could be submitted for consideration by full council in May.

Option 2 - Corporate Plan not recommended to Council at this stage.  This option was likely to lead to delays in publication of the Corporate Plan leading to uncertainty regarding the council’s intentions and possible interruptions to delivery of some services or activities.

The Officer preferred Option was Option 1 as this would underpin council activities as well as business and resource planning from an early point in the municipal year.  In addition, local residents, communities and partners would be clear about the council Priorities, Actions and the Outcomes it wishes to achieve for the next three year period.

The council’s strategic planning arrangements created an opportunity each year to consider the changing needs and aspirations of local communities and shifting priorities, opportunities and challenges and refresh the Corporate Plan to reflect these. The draft Corporate Plan for 2012 – 2015 has been developed taking into account the additional fourteen priority areas recommended by Cabinet, feedback from engagement workshops and the draft budget information and options set out in the Budget and Policy Framework Update.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-

“(1)      That Cabinet approve the draft Corporate Plan 2012 – 2015 with minor agreed amendments.

(2)        That the updated draft Corporate Plan be circulated to Cabinet Members prior to consideration by Council on 14 May 2012 “

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet approve the draft Corporate Plan 2012 – 2015 with minor agreed amendments.

(2)        That the updated draft Corporate Plan be circulated to Cabinet Members prior to consideration by Council on 14 May 2012.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Reasons for making the decision:

The Corporate Plan was a central part of the council’s Policy Framework stating the key priorities, the actions that were necessary to deliver the priorities and the outcomes that the council hoped to achieve for the district.  The decision enables the Council to consider its Corporate Plan in good time to provide a clear framework for officers to work within.

The Chief Executive declared a personal interest in the following item, left the meeting at this point and provided no advice on the discussion thereon.

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 3 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 CouncillorHanson and seconded by Councillor Bryning:-

“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 paragraph 3 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 paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hamilton-Cox and Leytham)

Report of Head of Property Services and Head of Regeneration and Policy

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hamilton-Cox and Leytham)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Property Services and Head of Regeneration and Policy which was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, 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 Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-

“(1)      That Cabinet agrees to use the 2010 General Consent Order and transfer the 999 year interest in the land to the rear of 57 – 67 St Georges Quay, Lancaster to a registered housing provider, as set out in Option 1 of the exempt report.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet agrees to use the 2010 General Consent Order and transfer the 999 year interest in the land to the rear of 57 – 67 St Georges Quay, Lancaster to a registered housing provider, as set out in Option 1 of the exempt report.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Property Services

Head of Regeneration and Policy

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council’s Corporate Plan identified Housing Regeneration as a priority as well as seeking new opportunities to include affordable housing within schemes including the need to provide affordable housing at Luneside East.  There was a relationship to the Core Strategy adopted in July 2008, setting out a sufficient supply of affordable housing as being a key local priority and the decision linked to the Medium Term Corporate Property Strategy by using assets to meet and deliver corporate objectives.