Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 9^th January, 2019 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2019 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item: -

“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 the Committee 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. 

Resolved :-

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. 

Report to follow. 

The Chairman welcomed Members of the Budget and Performance Panel and other Councillors who had been invited to the meeting.

The Director of Economic Growth and Regeneration presented a report to the Committee detailing the current grant use for city centre arts provision.

It was reported that the City Council had supported arts and culture in the district in various ways in recent years playing a strong role in terms of support, development, investment, promotion and delivery. As part of this, investments had been made to support the activities of a number of arts organisations and, until more recently, small arts grants.

It was noted that the City Council’s currently invested in The Dukes, Litfest, More Music, and Ludus Dance. Full Council had also approved a policy to assist the Musicians’ Cooperative in Lancaster.

The Committee was advised that the role of the Section 151 Officer was to ensure that the funding the City Council provided was spent on arts provision and could not be used for any other purpose. Further, the Section 151 Officer needed to be satisfied that the organisations were viable for that period. It was reported that monitoring was undertaken on a quarterly basis.

Members discussed the current provision and the Service Level Agreements that were in place with the organisations and how these were reviewed.

Resolved:-

That the Budget and Performance Panel be recommended:

·         To consider a strategic review of arts spend and Service Level Agreements for the management and governance of grants to support arts provision in the district.  Documentation to be provided to include the accounts of organisations when available.   

·         To receive and consider the end of year activity report forms on at least an annual basis.

Note:  At this point the Press and Public were re-admitted to the meeting.

The Committee will be given a presentation on the Economic Growth Plan by the Director of Economic Growth and Regeneration.

Members were given a presentation which provided an overview of the City Council’s proposed Economic Growth Plan which would guide the district strategically for the next 10 years.

It was reported that the district was performing well in comparison to the rest of Lancashire with unemployment significantly reduced, an improved highway network and growth in higher education, digital tourism and visitor economy sectors. Expected key growth sectors were Eden (North), Bailrigg Garden Village and the Canal Quarter which were coupled with the City Council’s ambitions to invest locally.

The importance of local wealth building was emphasised and it was recognised that the City Council was now catching up with other local authorities in terms of self-promotion of the district. The geographical strategic advantage of the Lancaster district was noted in terms of our links to ports to the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Members were informed that the Economic Growth Plan would highlight measurable outputs and outcomes such as growth in business revenues, increased visitor spend, creation and safeguarding of jobs and the improvement of skills and prospects for local people.

The Committee discussed the importance of the City Council taking a strategic view of the economic growth of the district.

Resolved :-

That the presentation be noted.

The Director of Economic Growth and Regeneration to provide an update. 

The Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration gave the Committee an update on the City Council’s Local Plan. It was reported that the date for the Public Enquiry had been set and would commence in April 2019.

Members queried the length of time the Enquiry would take as community groups were expressing frustration as to the length of time it was taking.

Resolved :-

That the update be noted.

Scoping to be agreed. 

Members considered the scoping document that had been produced for the Property Portfolio Informal Task Group and unanimously agreed to set up the Informal Task Group.

Resolved :-

That the Property Portfolio Informal Task Group be established.

Scoping to be agreed. 

Members considered the scoping document that had been produced for the Eden (North) Informal Task Group and unanimously agreed to set up the Informal Task Group.

Resolved :-

That the Eden (North) Informal Task Group be established.

To consider any updates. 

There were no updates to report.

To consider any issues. 

There were no updates to report.