Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 28 May 2013 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28 May 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 Hanson)

Report of the Head of Regeneration & Planning

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration & Planning which provided details on the decision required concerning a centrepiece for Market Square as part of the next phase of work to implement Lancaster Square Routes.

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

Both options presented fit to the concept design previously consulted on and approved. Both would add much seating capacity to the square, effectively doubling that planned elsewhere on the new benches. The options offered a similar capacity of seating, giving people opportunities to sit in a variety of arrangements.  Both options for a centrepiece were designed to fit to an improved layout of the Charter Market in the square and both took up much less space than did the arrangement of the former fountain in association with the benches around.  As regards the potentials for using the centrepiece as a stage for performance both options offered this but there were differences. These and all other relative differences between the two options were considered further in the table below.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Report of the Head of Regeneration & Planning

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration & Planning which provided an update on the outcomes of a brand engagement exercise.

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. Creating a relevant and up-to-date brand development plan was a major undertaking but was essential if the significant benefits arising out of developments such as Lancaster Castle and the Canal Corridor were to be fully captured. The appetite for partners to work together to develop and deliver this was also there.

The future growth of the district’s economy would rely heavily on the perception of the area in the eyes of potential investors and visitors.  Previous research has shown that the reputation and image of the district did not reflect the true quality  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(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 to advise on the current position following the retirement of the Head of Community Engagement and sought Cabinet’s agreement to recommend that Personnel Committee approve the disestablishment of the post of Head of Community Engagement.

No options were provided as the decision would be made by the Personnel Committee but the report outlined the senior management restructure, chief officer designations and deputising arrangements for the Chief Executive.

Councillor Barry proposed, seconded by Councillor Sands:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet recommend to Personnel Committee that the post of Head of Community Engagement be disestablished and that the revenue budget be updated accordingly, if approved.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Head of Resources

Reasons for making the decision:

The deletion of the Head of Community Engagement post would result in savings of approximately £82K plus inflation each year, and after funding the implementation of the living wage and senior emergency officer cover would still result in extra net savings of around £20K this year, rising to around £40K in future years although these savings would be subject to any further management changes arising and the pay and conditions review.

This is to give further notice in accordance with Part 2, paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item(s) in private. 

Cabinet is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item(s):- 

“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(s) 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 item(s) have been marked as exempt, it is for Cabinet 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 also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the 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 byCouncillor Bryning and seconded by Councillor Sands:

“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 Leytham & Hamilton-Cox)

Report of the Head of Health & Housing

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

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Health & Housing which provided an update on progress with the Homelessness Change Programme and outlined the options to deliver the new hostel for rough sleepers and single homeless households.  The report 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:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That option 1, as set out in the exempt report, be approved but in the event of Option 1 not being deliverable, Option 2 be approved.

(2)        That the Head of Resources, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property Services, be given delegated authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of the removal of the restrictive covenant, and implement accordingly.

(3)        That the land referred to in the exempt report be transferred using specific powers in accordance with the 2010 General Consents under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1988, as set out in the exempt report.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Health & Housing

Head of Resources

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Corporate Plan 2012 - 2015 which seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people, reduce the number of homeless people in the district and reduce the number of people sleeping rough in the district, increase the number of affordable homes and manage the impact of welfare reforms and fits with the following strategies/policies:

§         Lancaster District Homelessness Strategy 2008 – 2013 aims to reduce the number of vulnerable groups becoming homeless including young people, those affected by domestic violence and offenders/rough sleepers.

§         ““No Second Night Out” – Government initiative to end rough sleeping nationally, leading to a Lancashire NSNO strategy and policy, and local policy and protocols.

§         Supporting People Commissioning Plans 2010/2011.  The proposed scheme will meet the needs of the intended client group that were identified and consulted upon by each district/locality within Lancashire which highlighted a need for supported accommodation for single homeless households over 25.

§         The Core Strategy 2008 – to provide 60 units of affordable housing annually.

§         The Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012-2017 – sets out the need for the Council to support Registered Providers to deliver affordable housing on its own land.