Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 28 June 2016 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28 June 2016 were approved as a correct record.

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 9 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.

Members were advised that there had been no requests to speak at the meeting in accordance with Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire & Whitehead)

Report of Chief Officer (Resources)

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire & Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which provided an overview of the Council’s financial position for Quarter 1 of the 2016/17 monitoring cycle and the supporting actions underway.

The report was for comments and noting.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be noted and that an updated version of Appendix A, General Fund – 2016/17 Approved Savings and Growth Monitoring, be provided for each Cabinet meeting.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

That the Corporate Financial Monitoring report and appendices be noted and that an updated version of Appendix A, General Fund – 2016/17 Approved Savings and Growth Monitoring, be provided for each Cabinet meeting.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The City Council’s Performance Management Framework requires the regular reporting of operational, as well as financial performance.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) to obtain agreement for the City Council to bid for Coastal Communities Team (CCT) status for an area based around the central areas of Morecambe and Heysham, and to act as accountable body for funds in the event of a successful bid.  Members were also asked to support Morecambe Bay Partnership’s proposal for a Morecambe Bay CCT for the smaller settlements along the coastline.

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

The preferred option is Option 2: Agree to submit a bid for CCT status and act as accountable body.  The implications of declining to bid for CCT status are mainly around the potentially negative view of the area’s ability to engage with Government.  Progress with other CCTs has clearly made an impact on DCLG who see them as critical in providing support to build strong coastal economies.

Under Option 2 there is a danger of partnership fatigue in the area and potentially a range of overlapping policy plans.  Morecambe Town Team’s focus is still finishing off and winding up Portas Pilot funding (including their street art initiative which has been hampered by poor weather).  The Town Team has not expressed a formal view on whether or not they want to continue but it is clear they see the Morecambe Business Improvement District body as the substantive legacy body arising out of the Portas initiative.

Morecambe Town Council have also undertaken initial investigations into the development of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

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 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. 

It was moved by Councillor Pattison and seconded by Councillor Whitehead:-

“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 Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) to consider the outcome of the developer tender exercises for the Bold Street site, the preferred development scenario and delivery partner. 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in a report exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Pattison:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That PlaceFirstbe approved as the Council’s preferred developer for the Bold Street site to secure a scheme for new homes for market rent, subject to:

-        the satisfactory completion of due diligence and any appropriate negotiations, to help ensure deliverability, suitability and financial viability of the proposed scheme;

-        no further site assembly/clearance costs falling on the Council.

(2)             That subject to a satisfactory outcome of (1) above:

-        the site as shown in Appendix 1 to the exempt report be disposed of to PlaceFirst (as set out in recommendation (2) of the report), recognising that this action is in support of improving the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the area given the scheme benefits to be gained (as set out in section 6.7 of the exempt report);

-        Officers be authorised to conclude and complete all contractual matters for the scheme, to protect the Council’s interests and to secure timely development of the site.

(3)             That in the event that (1) above cannot be achieved, then a further report be brought back to Cabinet for due consideration.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council’s 2016-20 Corporate Plan which states that the Council’s Vision for Morecambe and Heysham is: a confident community with a regenerated living, working and leisure environment, acting as a focal point on Morecambe Bay to enjoy and interact with the wider landscape.  Regenerating the West End of Morecambe is a long-standing corporate priority and the proposal will also have local community safety benefits by removing derelict properties which are susceptible to illegal and anti-social activities.