Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 12^th February, 2020 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th February, 2020 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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. 

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendations 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 it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

It was unanimously agreed :

“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.”

The Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration will provide a presentation.

The Chair welcomed the Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration to the meeting.

The Committee was given a presentation on the initial stages of the Future High Streets Project for Morecambe. The Government had pledged £1 billion to renew town centres across the UK with £25 million available for local authorities to bid for.

It was agreed that it would be useful for the Councillors of Central Morecambe to be part of the discussions on the future plans if the bid was successful.

Resolved :-

(1)   That the Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration be thanked for his attendance at the meeting.

(2)   That, if the City Council was successful in its bid for Future High Streets funding, the Councillors of Central Morecambe be part of the discussions on the future plans.

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Planning Policy:-

·         Planning including local plan

·         Conservation & Urban Design

·         Development & Building Control

·         Compulsory Purchase

·         Transport

·         Climate change resilience

·         Neighbourhood plans

·         Parking

Councillor John Reynolds has been invited to the meeting for this item.

The Chair welcomed Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Planning Policy, Planning including Local Plan, Conservation & Urban Design, Development & Building Control, Compulsory Purchase, Transport, Climate Change Resilience, Neighbourhood Plans and Parking  to the meeting.

The Committee had been requested to submit questions for Councillor Reynolds before the meeting.  Councillor Reynold responded to a number of questions that had been received relating to issues such as Neighbourhood Plans, student housing, Canal Quarter, the A6 in Lancaster City Centre, Bailrigg Garden Village and the Local Plan.

Regarding a question relating to student accommodation and Council tax, Councillor Reynolds offered to provide a written answer.

The Committee went on to discuss the Frontierland site and it was reported that enforcement action had been initiated by the City Council.

Resolved :-

(1)   That Councillor Reynolds be thanked for his attendance at the meeting.

(2)   That Councillor Reynolds provides a written response to the question relating to student accommodation and Council tax.

To consider any issues that the Committee may wish to add to the Work Programme.

The Chair requested that the Committee receive a presentation on the work of Community Connectors and how they fit within the Council’s structure.

Members of the Committee were reminded that an extra meeting had been arranged for 16^th April to consider the Salt Ayre Leisure Centre Local Authority Trading Company proposal.

Resolved :-

(1)   That the additional meeting arranged for 16th April 2020 be noted.

(2)   That the Committee receive a presentation on the work of Community Connectors and how they fit within the Council’s structure and that this be added to the Committee's work programme.