Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 6 December 2022 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 6 December 2022 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 Wood)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wood)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive which updated Cabinet on  progress on the Fair Work Charter and sought approval for the draft charter to progress to external consultation and implementation via a partnership model.

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

The officer preferred option is for the draft charter and implementation and engagement proposals to be approved. 

Councillor Wood proposed, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the progress made on the development of a Lancaster District Fair Work Charter to reduce social inequality and drive improvements to pay and working conditions of local residents be noted.

(2)        That the current draft be approved and further external consultation with a focus on local businesses be authorised.

(3)        That the Fair Work Charter engagement and implementation plan be approved.

(4)        That Cabinet recommends that Personnel Committee agrees that the Council, as an employer, will commit to the Fair Work Charter journey.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The rationale of the introduction of Fair Work Charters is built on the business case that to offer decent terms and conditions of employment is equally good for business, employees and local society. The proven benefits are that good terms of employment attract high calibre staff, enhance productivity and customer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Head of Financial Services (report published on 13.01.23)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Financial Services that asked Members to endorse the Fees and Charges Policy for 2023/24 and also to consider a range of charging options as deemed appropriate to the service area.

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.

Fees and Charges are reviewed on an annual basis and as outlined within the report, significant factors have become apparent as to why differing treatment is required within a couple of areas. It is felt that the recommendations made are of a fair nature and in-line with the policy attached to the report.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Wood:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet endorses the Fees and Charges Policy as set out at Appendix A to the report, and during 2023/24 as part of the mid-year budget strategy review determines whether any other areas of income generation be explored further for 2024/25 onwards.

(2)        That Cabinet endorses the freezing of car parking pay and display charges, for a further twelve month period.

(3)        That Cabinet endorses the increase of garden waste collection charges by £1 to £41 per annum.

(4)        That Cabinet endorses the return to applying inflationary increases to fees and charges across all remaining areas as appropriate, as reported as part of the current 2023/24 budget setting process.

(5)        That Cabinet endorses the implementation of the new charge in respect of electrical vehicle recharging on off-street car parks, as reported as part of the current 2023/24 budget setting process.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Financial Services

Reasons for making the decision:

Between 2022/23 and 2023/24 gross income from comparative fees and charges is expected to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Chief Finance Officer  (report published on 17.1.23)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Finance Officer that provided an update on the Council’s budget strategy for 2023/24 and financial outlook up to 2027/28. Specifically, the report considered the budget and Council Tax proposals for 2023/24

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

It is essential that the Council Tax rate is set in line with the Council Tax billing timetable. Any delay would put the Council at risk of not being able to collect the tax which would have serious cash flow implications.

Regarding the budget strategy, Cabinet may approve the proposals as set out, or ask for 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 priorities and service outcomes. The proposed approach is in line with that broad aim and any changes that Cabinet puts forward should also be framed in that context.

In terms of the actual budget position, the report put forward a balanced budget. If Cabinet agrees the budget, then it will form their proposal to Budget and Performance Panel on 01 February 2023. The feedback from this meeting will be considered by Cabinet and incorporated into a final budget proposal which will be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 07 February 2023 and recommended to Council on 22 February 2023.

The current budget proposal produces a balanced budget through utilisation of the Councils reserves. Cabinet and Officers will continue to work ahead of Cabinet’s 07 February 2023 meeting to identify further opportunities for savings, efficiencies, and income generation in order to further reduce the use of reserves.

Whilst the longer-term financial forecasts contain numerous estimates and assumptions, which will change over time, the forecasts clearly highlight potential annual and cumulative budget deficits over the next 5 years and the perilous position the Council now faces. Although this position is not unique to this Council, and is reflected nationally across many public sector bodies, the gaps identified for 2024/25 and beyond are of such a level that both Members and Officers need to be under no illusion of the size of the challenge ahead. Significant transformational change in the way that the Council delivers both its statutory and non-statutory services across the district will be required.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That Cabinet make recommendations to Council regarding the Lancaster City Council element of the Council Tax as set out in paragraph 3.3 (option one) of this report which is a 2.99% increase to the Band D Council Tax (from £241.95 to £249.18).

(2)             That Cabinet makes recommendations regarding its initial budget proposals as set out in section 5 and Appendix A of the report.

(3)             That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

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 Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Wood:-

“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 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 Matthews)

Report of Head of Housing  (report published on 13.1.23)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Matthews)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Housing which sought approval for the next steps in relation to the wider Mainway site. 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:

Head of Housing

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 Hamilton-Cox & Matthews)

Report of Head of Housing, and Head of Property, Investment, and Regeneration (report published on 13.1.23)

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hamilton-Cox & Matthews)

Cabinet received a joint report from the Head of Housing and Head of Property, Investment, and Regeneration that detailed the next steps in delivering early phase regeneration proposals and sought approval for the necessary funding package and procurement route approvals to progress the next stages of work.  The report was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12 A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

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

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:

Head of Housing

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.