Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12 February 2013 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 receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

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 Leytham)

Report of the Head of Health & Housing

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hanson and Leytham)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration and Planning which provided a summary of the content and purpose of the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012 – 2017 along with the final version of the document for approval.

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

The officer preferred option was option 1, to recommend the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan to Council in its current form.   There had been considerable work carried out on the preparation of the document to date, which had taken nearly a year to complete, with extensive consultation.  Should members approve the document, officers could continue to progress work on the key actions and priorities identified in the Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan within the suggested timescales.

The Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan provided a detailed profile of the current housing provision and housing markets as well as the district’s future housing needs and requirements and defined the actions required to ensure that the district could respond to current and future housing needs over the five year action plan period and beyond.  The Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan would be reviewed annually, with a formal mid-term review planned, which would be reported to members and stakeholders. 

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“(1)      That the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012-2017 be recommended to Council for approval.

(2)        That the issue of general housing being used as student accommodation be considered in more detail.  This would cover the discretion available to the Council in terms of overall numbers, quality and geographical location.

(3)        That section 3.57 in the report be revised to read – ‘Local Planning Authorities through their local plans will specify the standards that new dwellings are required to meet.

Councillors then voted:-

(7 Members (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Leytham, Sands and Smith) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Barry) abstained.)

Resolved:

(1)        That the Lancaster District Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012-2017 be recommended to Council for approval.

(2)        That the issue of general housing being used as student accommodation be considered in more detail.  This would cover the discretion available to the Council in terms of overall numbers, quality and geographical location.

(3)        That section 3.57 in the report be revised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Report of the Head of Health & Housing

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Health and Housing which set out the requirement for the Council as a social housing provider to approve and publish a Tenancy Policy.

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

The adoption of the Tenancy Policy would ensure that the Council met its statutory obligations and would enable tenants and prospective tenants to understand the Council’s approach to tenancy management.

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Barry:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the Council Housing Tenancy Policy annexed to the report be approved.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Health and Housing

Reasons for making the decision:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to update members on the ongoing operational review of Salt Ayre Sports Centre.

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

            Positive discussions with swimming clubs had allowed for changes to the programme to be implemented and as such associated changes to shift rotas. This had resulted in savings being identified for future years through a reduction in staffing numbers.

Councillor Sands proposed, seconded by Councillor Barry:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the proposed changes to opening times for Salt Ayre Sports Centre in 2013/14 be approved as set out in the report, with the effective date being delegated to the Head of Service, taking account of operational needs.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Head of Health & Housing

Reasons for making the decision:

To make savings on the cost of operating Salt Ayre.  The operation of Salt Ayre sports centre supported a number of Council priorities relating to the health and wellbeing agenda.  These operational changes did not impact on that support.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement which sought a decision with regard to an application for Arts Council Funding.

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

The development of the Light up Lancaster festival supported a number of Council priorities in particular the growth of the visitor economy and a bid to the Arts Council was being encouraged by that body.

Councillor Sands proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

“(1)      That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet support the submission of a bid to the Arts Council by the Lancaster Arts Partners.

(2)        That Cabinet note the commitment required to deliver this initiative over the next two financial years.

(3)        That the Council become the Accountable Body for the funding should the bid be successful.

(4)        That the Head of Resources be given delegated authority to update the General Fund Revenue Budget should the bid be successful and subject to there being no additional call on City Council resources.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Head of Regeneration & Planning

Head of Resources

Reasons for making the decision:

The ‘Light up Lancaster’ project aligned closely to a number of council priorities and goals, fitted with the Lancaster Square Routes scheme, opportunities the castle development would provide as well as Marketing Lancashire’s aims to promote Lancaster as a cultural heritage city.  It was consistent with the emerging Arts Strategy for the district, reflecting the Arts Council’s encouragement of bids of this nature.  Partners believed the project had the potential to become a flagship festival for the county and one acknowledged at national level.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire and Barry)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire and Barry)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to make final recommendations on the services to be commissioned from the voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) for 2013 to 2016.

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

The preferred option was Option 1. This reflected the Council’s priorities including the intention to support the most vulnerable in our society.  Objectives and outcomes were informed by detailed assessment of needs and opportunities in the district and engagement with a wide range of service delivery partners.  The commissioning process had been fair and transparent, providing opportunities for service deliverers to propose effective ways of achieving the required outcomes. Achieving Value for Money had been a key element in developing new service arrangements.

The engagement of service delivery partners in the commissioning process had been invaluable and had informed the development of the Council’s approach to VCFS support.  An open, fair and transparent commissioning process had resulted in recommendations to Cabinet that broadly met all of the requirements of the Council’s Commissioning and Delivery Plan, providing optimum service delivery arrangements to deliver maximum possible benefits for local people and organisations.

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Barry:

“(1)      That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)                    That Cabinet note the commissioning process undertaken for services identified in the Council’s Delivery and Commissioning Plan.

(2)                    That Member Panel recommendations for services to be supported be approved and service and financial arrangements agreed with delivery partners, subject to normal contractual requirements and the overall budget approved by Council.

(3)                    That the General Fund Revenue budget be updated to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of the Head of Resources

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Resources to provide an update on the position regarding the Storey Creative Industries Centre (CIC).

As the report was presented primarily for information no options were presented.

In response to questions Members were advised that it was anticipated that a business plan would be available for consideration by Cabinet on 28 May 2013. It was noted that volunteers had undertaken some work on the gardens with a Storey garden ‘open day’ planned for May. 

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“(1)      That the report be noted.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the report be noted.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Resources

Reasons for making the decision:

At its meeting on 9 October 2012 Cabinet requested that written updates on the Storey Creative Industries Centre (CIC) be tabled at each meeting.