Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 7^th November 2017 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7^th November 2017 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. 

Councillor Pattison declared a personal interest with regard to the Heysham Swimming Pool report in view of her being a Governor at Heysham High School. (Minute 53 refers).

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 Hanson)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to consider Council’s recommendations to Cabinet on appointments to Growth Lancashire Limited.

No options were provided and Cabinet was requested to consider the resolution made by Council on 15 November 2017 as follows:

That Cabinet is recommended to appoint the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration to the Growth Lancashire Limited directorship, with the Leader of the Council as alternate director.

Councillor Clifford proposed, seconded by Councillor Warriner:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration be appointed to the Growth Lancashire Limited directorship, with the Leader of the Council being appointed as an alternate director.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Legal & Governance)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision endorses the resolution made by Council on 15^th November 2017.  Membership of Growth Lancashire Limited is relevant to the Corporate Plan Priority of Sustainable Economic Growth.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Darren Clifford)

Report of Chief Officer (Health & Housing)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Clifford)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Health & Housing) to consider a proposal from the Leader of Lancashire County Council to share the shortfall in funding required for Heysham High School to take ownership of and operate Heysham swimming pool.

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

Cabinet was asked whether it wanted to grant capital funding of £36k to Heysham School to support the continued operation of the pool for the benefit of the community.

Councillor Clifford proposed, seconded by Councillor Pattison:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That Cabinet supports the proposal to share the shortfall in capital funding to enable Heysham School to take on and operate Heysham Pool. 

(2)             That Cabinet approves to grant capital funding of £36k (to be funded from the Budget Support Reserve) to Heysham School, subject to the City Council being satisfied that, as far as is reasonable, the school has a robust business plan in place to support the ongoing operation of the pool to the benefit of the community.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Health & Housing)

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Health & Wellbeing priority within the City Council’s Corporate Plan and enabling the continued operation of the pool for the benefit of the community will mean greater access to leisure facilities including the vital resumption of school swimming provision in that vicinity. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of Chief Officer (Legal & Governance)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Legal & Governance) which provided an update on progress towards embedding principles of Information Governance into the Council and meeting the 25^th May 2018 deadline for compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 (GDPR).

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

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Leyshon:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That progress to date be noted.

(2)       That the governance structure appended at appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

(3)       That the budget for the work to date and the budget for the anticipated work, as summarised in the report be approved, with the additional funding requirement of £83.1k being met from the Budget Support Reserve, to make the City Council fully compliant with the regulations.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Legal & Governance)

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision will ensure that the comprehensive action plan to address identified weaknesses in Information Governance will be completed.  This will ensure that the Council is able to meet the requirements of GDPR and has a robust system in place to guard against any breaches of personal data.

(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 update Members on the proposed project to improve the River Lune flood defences and authorise further actions to assemble the funding package and progress the project.

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 2.  This decision allows the council to accept RFCC resources to progress the detailed design and bring more certainty to deliverability and costs in order to inform other funding applications.  Progressing a phased tender under the WEM framework will give the council the detail it requires to secure funding and statutory approvals and also mean that a preferred contractor is available to deliver the scheme immediately on full funding being secured for the whole scheme, confirmation of WEM compatibility and statutory approvals being granted.  

While progressing a full ERDF funding application does not commit the council to accepting ERDF funds, or progressing a full scheme, more detailed work has to be undertaken if the application is to be successful and for there to be the a chance of meeting ERDF contracting and delivery deadlines and the EA’s Outline Business Case requirements for FDGiA.  Option 2 also allows officer to explore in more depth the appetite of the major businesses to assist with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of Assistant Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Assistant Chief Executive which sought approval to supporting participation in an affordable energy initiative available across Lancashire.

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

The options are limited to participating or not.  This represents a low risk opportunity to support access to affordable energy.

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Clifford:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That Cabinet support this initiative with the necessary steps taken to seek approval through the appropriate decision- making processes for the Council to support this scheme.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Assistant Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Health & Wellbeing priority within the Council’s Corporate Plan and demonstrates the Council’s commitment to raising awareness of the opportunity to access energy supplies that are less costly and therefore benefit any member of the community who subscribes.

(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 secure Cabinet’s endorsement of recommendations with regard to the Local Plan prior to it being considered by Council.

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.  Officers recommend that the emerging proposed Local Plan is finalised for presentation to Council, potentially on 20^th December 2017.

The intended publication edition of the Local Plan, specifically the Strategic Policies & Land Allocations DPD, and a review of the Development Management Policies DPD, are at an advanced stage of preparation. It is anticipated that these will reported to Council on 20^th December 2017. Whilst many issues are still to resolved a delay in advancing the Local Plan will mean that the current development plan policies will become further out of date, exposing the Council to an increasing risk of losing appeals on sites that do not represent sustainable development. Failure to advance the plan will also greatly undermine the opportunity to secure very significant financial contributions that can address the district’s deficits in highway and transport infrastructure, through time-sensitive fund-bidding processes.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Warriner:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That Cabinet support the intention to take the Local Plan for Lancaster District to Council, anticipated on 20^th December 2017, with a recommendation seeking a resolution to publish the Local Plan for Lancaster District, obtain formal representations and then submit the document to the government for Independent Examination. This will ensure that the relevant regulations are followed and will enable stakeholders, including residents, to have their view on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Chief Officer (Resources) – Report to follow

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which provided an update on the Council’s budget strategy and financial outlook, to help inform development of Cabinet’s corporate planning and budget proposals.

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

Regarding the budget strategy, 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 various strategic matters.  Any changes that Cabinet puts forward should also be framed in that context.

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

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Pattison:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

1.            That the proposed changes to budget strategy as set out in section 3.4 of the report be approved.

2.            That the draft budgetary position for current and future years be noted, accepting that this is an interim update.

3.            That prior to Christmas and drawing on information contained within this report, Cabinet:

-         continues to refine its proposals for an ambitious, deliverable and affordable Corporate Plan; and

-         identifies its initial budget proposals from 2018/19 onwards

to form the basis for engagement and consultation in the New Year, ahead of Budget Council.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

Draft budget proposals will be considered by Cabinet on 16^th January 2018 and by the Budget & Performance Panel on 23^rd January 2018.