Agenda and draft minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10 February 2026 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.

Fit for the Future (report published on 3.3.26) 

Cabinet received a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to request Cabinet consider the recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding Fit for the Future.  Councillor Gawith, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was in attendance to present the report.

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

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s preferred option is Option 1 – to agree to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation.

Officer comments : It is suggested that the project chosen for further review by O&SC is one which is now either in the business as usual phase, with some benefits still to be realised or is approaching completion, in order that the committee can see the measurable outputs. Officers will be able to suggest a number of projects that fulfil the above criteria.

Councillor Gawith responded to a number of questions before Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed, seconded by Councillor Maddocks:-

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

Following the debate the Chair agreed to a request for the recommendations to be voted on individually.

Councillors then voted on recommendation (1) which was agreed unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)   That the Fit For the Future (FftF) programme continues to encourage both modernising and innovative practices and develops a framework of measurable outputs to enable successful monitoring.

Councillors then voted on recommendation (2) which was carried.

Resolved:

(3 Members (Councillors Bannon, Caroline Jackson and Maddocks ) voted in favour, 1 Member (Councillor Hamilton-Cox) voted against and 3 Members  (Councillors Hart, Riches and Tyldesley) abstained.)

(2)   That members recognise the workload and pressure that is already placed on officers so consideration be given as to how one of the current projects could be aligned to demonstrate these measurable outputs. The Committee would be happy to work with officers on a task or working group to see how this can be achieved. The Committee would be happy to select a project with the officers.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

Projects did not fit neatly into boxes as some provided efficiencies and savings and others didn’t.  It was necessary to be clear about the different objectives for different projects and Cabinet in supporting Overview & Scrutiny’s request were hopeful that a suitable project would be selected.

The Fit for the Future Programme delivers on a number of Council Ambitions, namely:

• 1.5 Reduced Waste

• 1.6 Low Carbon and Active Transport

• 2.1 Social Use of Resources

• 2.4 Investment and Regeneration

• 3.3 Access to Culture and Leisure

• 3.4 Community Engagement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Report of Chief Officer Housing and Property

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Housing and Property that along with the associated policy confirmed the Council’s position to rent and service charge setting as laid out within the Council’s HRA budget report (February 2026 – amended annually). 

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: This allows officers to have a clear and transparent policy approach in line with budget setting agreements, and meets regulatory requirements.

Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed, seconded by Councillor Riches:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)            That the Policy as set out is confirmed.

(2)           That Officers review options around introducing market rent for residents with an income over £60,000, and this is consulted on and considered as part of future budget setting processes.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer Housing & Property

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council Plan:

A Co-operative, Kind, and Responsible Council. This approach to rent and service charge setting handling supports openness, fairness, and service improvement.

The Rent and Service Charge Setting Policy provides a robust and transparent framework that supports the Council’s statutory budget-setting arrangements and ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements. It offers a consistent, legally sound basis for annual rent and service charge reviews across the Housing Revenue Account, reflecting the Council’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and effective financial stewardship. Endorsing this policy provides Officers the clarity needed to implement agreed approaches, safeguard the Council’s regulatory position, and ensure alignment with the Corporate Plan’s ambitions for a co-operative, kind, and responsible Council.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive that provided members with an update on corporate performance and strategic projects during quarter three of 2025 - 26 (October - December 2025).

As the report was for noting and comments no options were provided.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

Monitoring of strategic projects and key performance indicators provides a link between the Council Plan 24-27 by providing progress updates. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Executive

This report contains an exempt appendix, and the press and public may need to be excluded from the meeting if Cabinet are minded to refer to the exempt appendix.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive that provided Cabinet with an update on the authority’s progress in updating the Strategic Risk Register.

As the report was for noting and comments no options were provided,

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council have a Risk Management Policy, which is written to provide guidance on the management of risk.  Risk Management is identified in the Council Plan 2024-27.

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. 

It was moved by Councillor Riches and seconded by Councillor Maddocks:-

“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 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 items 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 Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Officer Housing and Property (report published in 6.3.26)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Housing and Property that sought approval to undertake roof refurbishment works to key council buildings following an open tender exercise and confirmation of Project costs and timescales. 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.

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 Housing and Property

Reasons for making the decision:

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

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth. (Report published 6.03.2026)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth that outlined the  next steps for taking forward the previously agreed early phase housing proposals under the council's approved Lancaster Canal Quarter Masterplan.  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.

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 wit the Council’s priorities is set out in the exempt minute.