Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 6 June 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 6 June 2023 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors 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, Councillors 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, Councillors 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 Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wilkinson)

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth (report published on 5.7.23)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wilkinson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth to approve the submission of the Lancaster Canal Quarter Masterplan to Full Council for its consideration, approval, and adoption into the council’s Policy Framework. The final Masterplan version has been compiled in consideration of the wide stakeholder input and public views received on the consultation Masterplan draft issued last year. The report also summarised next steps in progressing the development phases and proposals, including delivery of the early phase housing proposals.

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

The officer preferred option is Option 1.

Securing delivery would be an ongoing and iterative process which was dependent on the current centralised funding landscape and mainly driven by the opportunities arising under central government mandates – particularly around the “Levelling Up” agenda. However, in adopting a defined masterplan, the council was in a better position to engage with major funding partners and progress sites as funding opportunities presented themselves.

The Canal Quarter could be broken down into 5 main phases/areas. A summary of the ongoing work, practical progress, and issues, against each phase was provided in the report with further detail in Appendix 2 to the report.

Councillor Wilkinson proposed, seconded by Councillor Dowding:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Black)

Report of Chief Officer Governance

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Phillip Black)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Governance in order that Cabinet could make appointments to a number of Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards as determined by Council on 21 June 2023.

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

Cabinet is requested to appoint members to the Outside Bodies listed in Appendix 1 to the report. Members were reminded that Members nominated to outside bodies, partnerships and boards by Cabinet were representing the views of Cabinet in such positions, rather than any views they might hold as individuals. It was recommended that appointments be aligned as closely as possible to individual Cabinet Members’ portfolios.

Councillor Phillip Black proposed, seconded by Councillor Wood:-

“That the appointments to Outside Bodies be agreed and appended to the minutes.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)         That the appointments to Outside Bodies be agreed and appended to the minutes.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer Governance

Reasons for making the decision:

Representation on Outside Bodies is part of the City Council’s Leadership role.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Black)

Report of Chief Officer Governance

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Phillip Black)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Governance to enable Cabinet to consider whether to continue or stand down the various Cabinet Advisory Groups that were established in the previous administration.

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

Cabinet was requested to consider each current Advisory Group and confirm whether the Advisory Group should be reconvened, whether the terms of reference needed revising for any reconvened Advisory Group or whether it should be stood down. If Cabinet was minded to reconvene an Advisory Group consideration should be given to both the frequency of the meetings and as to where/how the Advisory Groups should meet.

Cabinet confirmed that they wished to continue with a number of Advisory Groups and identified those that required more support namely the various Housing AG’s, Visitor Economy, Culture, Arts & Heritage AG and the Local Plan Review Group. It was suggested that  officer involvement would ordinarily extend to scheduling meetings and invitations and that apart from a few exceptions the meetings could proceed online with those hosting ensuring that the action points were documented.  It was recognised that there would be occasions when face to face meetings would be beneficial but Cabinet was mindful of the limited officer resource to support meetings.

After some discussion it was proposed by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr and unanimously agreed when put to the vote:

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That the following Advisory Groups be stood down:

·        Canal Quarter AG

·        Bailrigg Garden Village AG

·        Economic Development & Regeneration AG

(2)             (a)That the following Advisory Groups be maintained:

·        Building Community Wealth Partnership Group

·        Morecambe Vision AG

·        Homeless AG

·        Climate Emergency & Environment AG

           (b) That the following Advisory Groups merge/be renamed:

·        Community Wellbeing AG & Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise AG

·        Culture Heritage Cabinet AG to be renamed Visitor Economy, Culture, Arts & Heritage AG

·        Housing Advisory Group (sub groups green skills & community led housing) to be renamed Housing Task Force

(c) That the following additional Advisory Groups be established:

·        Low Carbon Transport AG

·        Parks & Public Spaces  AG

·        Council Housing Advisory Group

(3)             That with regard to the operating arrangements the following was agreed:

·        That where possible the meetings be conducted via Teams with invitations sent out by the linked officer save for those circumstances when a face to face meeting was deemed beneficial.

·        That groups made their own arrangements to keep points for action with notes kept in a central location. e.g. Teams file.

·        That where a more formal structure was required this be agreed and resourced by the officer and chair.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

Advisory Groups provide an opportunity for Cabinet Members to meaningfully engage with communities and stakeholders on significant topics across the policy landscape, with members benefiting from an enhanced range of perspectives to inform decision-making.  The decision for using Teams to support these groups where possible is in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

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 items in private. 

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 items 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 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 Wood and seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-,,

“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 Wilkinson)

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth (report published on 5.7.23)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Nick Wilkinson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth with regard to the Heron Works, Canal Quarter. The report was exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3, 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 Wilkinson proposed, seconded by Councillor Potter:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

The resolution is set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer Sustainable Growth

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council’s priorities. Exactly how the decision fits with Council priorities is set out in the exempt minute.

Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Nick Wilkinson, Caroline Jackson and Tim Hamilton-Cox.

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth (report published on 5.7.23)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillors Nick Wilkinson, Caroline Jackson, and Tim Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth with regard to Early Phase Housing Regeneration Proposals. The report was exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3, 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 Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

The resolution is set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer Sustainable Growth

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council’s priorities. Exactly how the decision fits with Council priorities is set out in the exempt minute.