Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17 April 2012 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 was one item of urgent business. This related to the Disposal of Land at Wellington Terrace, Morecambe (Minute 4 refers).

Councillor Blamire declared a personal interest with regard to this item as her son-in-law worked in the same office as the agent referred to in the report. Councillor Blamire vacated the chair and left the meeting at this point and did not vote on this item.  Councillor Hanson took the chair.

Members are asked whether they need to declare any further declarations of interest regarding the exempt reports. 

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 item 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 the Council 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 should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

It was moved by Councillor Bryning and seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

“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:-

(6 Members (Councillors Barry, Bryning, Hanson, Leytham, Sands and Smith) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Hamilton-Cox) voted against).

Resolved

(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 Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Property Services which 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 Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

“(1)      That approval be given to the selling of 0.344 acres of land at Wellington Terrace, Morecambe as shown on the plan attached to the exempt report, on the terms and conditionsset out in the exempt report.

(2)        That the shortfall in capital receipts be taken into account in re-assessing the 2012/13 Capital Programme, for reporting to Cabinet in  due course.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That approval be given to the selling of 0.344 acres of land at Wellington Terrace, Morecambe as shown on the plan attached to the exempt report, on the terms and conditionsset out in the exempt report.

(2)        That the shortfall in capital receipts be taken into account in re-assessing the 2012/13 Capital Programme, for reporting to Cabinet in  due course.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Property Services

Head of Financial Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision supports the objective of the Morecambe Action Plan to address housing related issues in the central area of Morecambe and the Housing Strategy and is consistent with the Corporate Plan and coalition priorities to implement housing renewal and neighbourhood management in the Poulton Ward.

The Corporate Property Strategy requires that the Council review its asset base and only retain those assets required to meet its agreed objectives and priorities. Where assets are not required for this purpose they should be disposed of at best value. This is an opportunity sale and removes a liability from the City Council’s property portfolio and is an opportunity for the Council to improve the management of its assets.

Councillor Blamire returned to the meeting at this point and took the chair.  The press and public were re-admitted to the meeting.

To consider any such declarations. 

No further 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 Blamire)

Report of the Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to consider the Cabinet Liaison Groups currently constituted and Cabinet appointments to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards.

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

The options regarding Cabinet Liaison Groups were:

·         To note existing arrangements and make no amendments.

·         To consider and approve, where appropriate, any proposals from Cabinet Members.

With regard to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards, Cabinet was requested to make appointments, as set out in Appendix C to the report.

            It was recommended that appointments be aligned as closely as possible to individual Cabinet Members’ portfolios.

Councillor Bryning proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“(1)      That the Cabinet Liaison Groups previously constituted, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be re-constituted for the 2012/13 municipal year with the following exception:

q       That the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group be stood down.

(2)        That the Lead Cabinet Member of each Cabinet Liaison Group be requested to inform the Chief Executive of the participants he/she wishes to invite to such meetings.

(3)        That appointments be made to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards as set out in the appendix to these minutes with the exception of British Resorts Association.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the Cabinet Liaison Groups previously constituted, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be re-constituted for the 2012/13 municipal year with the following exception:

q       That the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group be stood down.

(2)        That the Lead Cabinet Member of each Cabinet Liaison Group be requested to inform the Chief Executive of the participants he/she wishes to invite to such meetings.

(3)        That appointments be made to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards as set out in the appendix to these minutes with the exception of British Resorts Association.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Head of Governance

Reasons for making the decision:

The establishment of Cabinet Liaison Groups assists the Cabinet in the discharge of executive functions.  Representation on Outside Bodies is part of the City Council’s community leadership role.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to seek members’ views on the use of Second Homes funding for 2012 – 2013.

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

A preferred option was not recommended as officers were aware that whilst any of the identified options were helpful, there were significant issues and opportunities facing these sectors and the Second Homes funding available was insufficient to address all of these concerns.   Cabinet’s views were sought on the use of the funds available.

                      The availability of Second Homes funding had now been informally confirmed by Lancashire County Council and as a result  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to seek members support for the ambition to secure the Silverdale Hoard for the district.

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

                      Members had the option to either support or not support the ambition to secure the Silverdale Hoard for the district. There was no risk at this stage as the decision to support securing the Hoard was an in principle one and this would need to be appreciated by all parties and communicated clearly.

                      The Silverdale Hoard was a significant find for both the district and Lancashire. Acquiring the necessary funding to both secure the Hoard and conserve, research and interpret it within the City Museum would be costly and access to external funding would be required.

Councillor Sands proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet supports, in principle, the ambition to secure the Silverdale Hoard for the district.

(2)        That a further report be brought back to Cabinet setting out the financial implications of securing the Hoard once a valuation has been made and the longer term strategy for the conservation, research and interpretation of the Hoard.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Reasons for making the decision:

The district’s museums and their collections are an important element of the Council’s priorities of Economic Regeneration. The Silverdale Hoard is a significant find for both the district and Lancashire as the collection would have significant visitor appeal and the in principle decision is consistent with the following extract from the Corporate Plan: ‘An improved future for the district’s museums is secured’.  The decision enables a further report to be brought back to Cabinet once a valuation has been made.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Smith)

Report of the Head of Environmental Services

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Smith)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Environmental Services to seek a decision on the future of the highway maintenance functions currently provided by the City Council on behalf of the County Council, prior to referral on to Council.

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

The officer preferred option was option 1.  That said, it was considered appropriate to seek a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Head of Regeneration and Planning

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration and Planning to obtain authority to spend ‘ring-fenced’ receipts on the Bold Street regeneration project.

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.  There was an immediate and pressing need for action on Bold Street. Whilst the proposal was effectively using funds that could potentially be earmarked for Chatsworth Gardens, it was considered that the proposal made the most appropriate use of some fairly limited resources available to the council.  Given the scale of this project, and the expectation that the HCA would take a positive approach going forward, it was not considered that this sum would be critical to finding a solution to the Chatsworth Gardens project.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Smith:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet agrees to re-use the income from the sale of 9 & 11a Bold St, to fund further property acquisitions, demolitions  and temporary re-surfacing elsewhere in Bold Street and that the Capital Programme be updated accordingly.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Regeneration and Planning

Head of Financial Services

Reasons for making the decision:

Regenerating the West End of Morecambe has been a long-standing corporate priority, subject to funding being identified, and was central to the council’s health and well being and economic growth aspirations as set out in the Corporate Plan and Local Development Framework.  There was an immediate and pressing need for action on Bold Street and the proposal would have local community safety benefits by removing derelict properties which are susceptible to illegal and anti-social activities.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Head of Regeneration and Planning

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration and Planning to propose changes required to better manage access to and traffic within the city centre pedestrian zone, to suggest how to progress these and to update more generally on associated progress with the Square Routes initiative.

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

(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 which provided an update on the outcome of negotiations regarding Customer Services and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) provision with One Connect Limited (OCL).

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

Councillor Barry proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet notes the outcome of negotiations and:

-        in respect of face to face Customer Services, supports separate discussions to progress the development of shared service delivery by the City Council, on behalf of both it and the County Council; and

-        in respect of ICT, supports further development of the City Council’s ICT strategy for subsequent consideration by Cabinet.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Head of Financial Services

Reasons for making the decision:

One of the actions included in the City Council’s Corporate Plan was to ‘develop a programme with Lancashire County Council and others to reduce costs by sharing more of our services.’  The decision to progress the development of a shared service in respect of face to face Customer Services which may have a more visible positive impact for the community as a whole is consistent with the Corporate Plan.  Whilst the basic premise of different tiers of local government joining up to provide better integrated and more cost effective services was recognised and supported any arrangements needed to work for all parties involved.  With regard to IT, time and energy would now be put into developing an IT strategy rather than a shared service. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of the Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

It was reported that consideration of this item had been deferred to enable Cabinet Members to undertake a Site Visit.