Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Wednesday 2^nd November 2016 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 2^nd November 2016 were approved as a correct record.

The Chairman advised that there was one item of urgent business. This was with regard to the Lancashire ESIF Project (Minute 41 refers).

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 Hanson and Leyshon)

Report of Chief Officer (Resources) & Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hanson and Leytham)

Cabinet received a joint report from the Chief Officers (Regeneration) and (Resources) to enable consideration and agreement of an overall strategy for the development of Heysham Gateway to guide future decisions affecting council assets in the area.

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

Heysham Gateway Development Principles

Use of Council assets at the Heysham Gateway

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibilty Councillor Hughes)

Report of Chief Officer (Environment). 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hughes)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Environment) which sought approval to make a Public Spaces Protection Order covering the Lancaster City Centre.

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

Option 1 is the preferred officer option, and has the support of the Community Safety Partnership and the local community.

Councillor Hughes proposed, seconded by Councillor Clifford:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order covering the designated area of Lancaster City Centre, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Environment)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision supports the Council’s priorities of Clean, Green and Safe Places and Community Leadership.  The making of a Public Spaces Protection Order covering the designated area of Lancaster City Centre should enable the better policing of this public space and bring relief to local residents.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Chief Officer (Resources)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which sought approval for the 2017/21 budget strategy and timetable, and provided an update on the Council’s financial position to help inform development of Cabinet’s planning and budget proposals.

In term of the actual budget position, the report was primarily for information, to assist Cabinet in its budget deliberations.  No specific decisions were sought at this time.

Regarding the budget strategy and timetable, Cabinet may approve the proposals as set out in the report, or require changes to be made to the suggested approach.  The overriding aim of any budget setting process is to approve a balanced budget by statutory deadlines, allocating resources to help ensure delivery of the Council’s corporate and service objectives.  The proposed approach is in line with that broad aim, drawing on the time and other resources available to the Council, to help ensure a robust approach.  Any changes that Cabinet puts forward should also be framed in that context.

The Council remains well placed to address future financial challenges, but the scale of those challenges will be influenced by forthcoming Government announcements and future policy.  Budget work has progressed well to date, and the outlook for next year means that the Council has time to focus on more strategic planning and its future direction ahead of the 2018/19 budget, and reassessing its resource needs accordingly.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That Cabinet approves the budget strategy and timetable as summarised in Appendices A and B to the report.

(2)          That the draft budgetary position for current and future years be noted, accepting that this is an interim update, but taking account of Government’s confirmation of the 4-year Settlement up to 2019/20.

(3)          That for the next Cabinet meeting in January, Cabinet determines its initial draft budget proposals for 2017/18 onwards, drawing on information from this report, any budget options currently being developed by Officers, and Government’s announcements regarding the Spending Review and the Settlement.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

Draft budget proposals will be considered by Cabinet on 17^th January and presented to the Budget and Performance Panel on 24^th January 2017.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

In accordance with Part 4, Section 7, Urgent Business Procedure Rules and S100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Health & Housing) to approve the Council’s participation in a bid for European Structural and Investment Funds being made by Lancashire Sport and for the Council to act as a ‘cluster lead’ to support the More Positive Together tackling worklessness project within social housing in the district.  An urgent decision was required to enable the Council to assess the ESIF funding.

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

The Officer preferred option was for Cabinet to accept the bid and funding being sought by Lancashire Sport for European Structural and Investment Funds and to act as a “cluster lead” for the More Positive Together programme within this district.

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Pattison:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)       That approval is given to the Council’s participation in a bid for European Structural and Investment Funds being made by Lancashire Sport, and for the Council to act as a “cluster lead” to support the More Positive Together tackling worklessness project within social housing in this district.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Health & Housing)

Reasons for making the decision:

Supporting the bid is compatible with the Council’s core purposes to:

·         “bring communities and agencies together to work in partnership to address the major issues affecting the district”, and

·         “maintain a sustainable and cohesive community by ensuring we understand the needs of our communities and provide equality of access to our services and employment opportunities.”

If the bid is successful the funding will enable the Council to support households with multiple and complex barriers to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

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 paragraphs 1 & 2 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 by Councillor Clifford and seconded by Councillor Blamire:-

“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 paragraphs 1 and 2 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 paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Report of Chief Officer (Health and Housing). 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Health & Housing) which sought approval for proposals to restructure the housing management service of the Council and for the budgetary provision to support the proposed restructure.  The report was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraphs 1 and 2 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 Clifford:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That subject to consultation and (2) below, the proposed approach, as set out in Option 1 in the exempt report, be approved and implementation of the specific restructure proposals are reported to Personnel Committee for approval as appropriate. 

(2)             That implementation of the above is subject to the required funding being identified and ensuring that it fits in with the overall 30 Year HRA Business Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), for approval as part of the 2017/21 Budget Process.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Health & Housing)

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision will enable the Council to provide a modern, high quality and improved housing management service to tenants and leaseholders and is consistent with the   Council’s core purposes to:

·         bring communities and agencies together to work in partnership to address the major issues affecting the district.

·         provide a range of customer-focussed services that deliver our statutory responsibilities, offer value for money and meet the needs of people who live in, work in and visit the district.

·         maintain a sustainable and cohesive community by ensuring we understand the needs of our communities and provide equality of access to our services and employment opportunities.