Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Leader Councillor Peter Jackson took the chair.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 20 May 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20 May 2025 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.  However following a question by Councillor Bottoms during consideration of the Public Sector Decarbonisation item (Minute 16), the Monitoring Officer advised Cabinet members who also sat on Planning Committee that they should not now participate in, and leave the room, when this matter came before Planning Committee.

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 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 four of 2024 - 25 (January to March 2025).

As the report was for commenting and noting 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

(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 comments and noting 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.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive requesting that Cabinet appoint or re-confirm appointments to the various outside bodies which Cabinet appoint to.  The current appointments were appended to the report and Cabinet reconfirmed the appointments with the exception of Councillor Wilkinson’s appointment to Growth Lancashire as the council has chosen not to be a member of Growth Lancashire for 2025/26.

Resolved unanimously:

That Cabinet appointments to the various Outside Bodies, as appended to the minutes, be confirmed with the exception of the appointment to Growth Lancashire.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

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

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wilkinson)

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth  (report published on 29.5.25)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wilkinson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth to consider the next steps in agreeing and approving elements which support the Lancaster City Centre Car Parking Strategy and Action Plan Project Programme. Approval was sought for the resources required to take forward initial critical proposals, defined as part of the draft Strategy’s Action Plan, through design development and planning phases to ensure proposals in future iterations of the Strategy were achievable and meet the council’s wider objectives.

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

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 Peter Jackson 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 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 Riches)

Report of Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change  (report published on 29.5.25)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Riches)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Planning and Climate Change to update Cabinet with regard to building decarbonisation work.  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.

Resolved unanimously:

The resolution is set out in an 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 Planning and Climate Change

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 Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wilkinson)

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth (report published on 29.5.25)

The Chair advised the meeting that this report had been withdrawn from the agenda.