Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carla Brayshaw, Brett Cooper, Sheila Denwood, Janice Hanson, Helen Helme, Geoff Knight, Jane Parkinson, Susan Sykes, John Wild and Peter Yates.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the City Council held on 16^th May and 15^th June, 2016 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meetings held on 16^th May and 15^th June 2016 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest made at this stage.

The Mayor welcomed the Council’s new Chief Executive, Susan Parsonage to her first Council meeting at Lancaster City Council.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 11.1 and 11.3 which require members of the public to give at least 3 days’ notice in writing of questions to a Member of Cabinet or Committee Chairman. 

The Mayor advised that no questions had been received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.

To receive a petition and address from Mrs Janet Taylor to Council, notification of which has been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Members are advised that the petition has in excess of 200 signatures and relates to a local matter which affects one ward. It has been scheduled for debate at this meeting and a report of the Chief Officer (Regeneration and Planning) is attached, in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme.

Ms Janet Taylor formally presented a petition and addressed Council in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.  The wording of the petition was as follows:

“We the undersigned petition the council to recognise that building on the UE2/Denny Beck area will increase the danger to life and property through flooding as outlined in the NPPF: ‘Inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk, but where development is necessary, making it safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere.’

Justification: Advice on Sustainable Drainage Systems from specialists has uncovered that the use of UE2 may exacerbate the danger at Denny Beck by increasing flooding and not taking into account the UK Climate Change Commission who advise planners that extreme rainfall may be 30% worse in future.”

The Mayor thanked Ms Taylor for speaking. 

A report had been prepared by the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) and the Chief Executive drew Members’ attention to paragraph 2.4 of the report and the recommendation.  The Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) responded to questions from Members about the report.

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Peter Williamson:

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

Councillor Barry, seconded by Councillor Joan Jackson proposed an addendum:

“That Ms Taylor’s address be considered as part of the evidence in the consultation on housing sites.”

The wording was accepted as a friendly addendum by the proposer and seconder of the original proposition.

The Mayor called for a vote on the proposition, as amended, which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)    That, although the petition contains sufficient signatures to trigger a Council debate in accordance with the Petition Scheme, in order to avoid prejudicing the preparation of a Local Plan for Lancaster District, Council defer full consideration of the issue until a draft Local Plan is debated in due course.

(2)    That Ms Taylor’s address be considered as part of the evidence in the consultation on housing sites.

To receive a petition and address to Council, notification of which has been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Members are advised that the petition has in excess of 200 signatures and relates to a local matter which affects one ward. The petition has been scheduled for debate at the next meeting on 28^th September 2016, and an officer report will be provided at that meeting to accompany the debate, in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme.

The Chief Executive advised that a petition with regard to Ryelands Park was due to be presented, which had more than the required number of signatures to trigger a Council debate. The debate had been scheduled for the next meeting of Council on the 28^th September and in view of this, the petition organisers had agreed to postpone presenting the petition and making their address until the September Council meeting.

The Leader presented her report updating Members on various issues since her last report to Council. She then responded to a number of questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillors David Smith, Karen Leytham and Sam Armstrong:-

We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes of any description have no place in our country.

We at Lancaster City Council condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally.

We will not allow such behaviour to become acceptable. We will work with other bodies, Community Safety Partnership, Communities together, Lancashire county council, Town and Parish councils to challenge such behaviour and prevent such crimes.

Lancaster City council wish to assure all of the Districts residents and visitors that they are valued members of our society.

An officer briefing note is attached.

Councillor Smith had submitted the following motion having given the required notice to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15:-

“We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes of any description have no place in our country.

We at Lancaster City Council condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally.  We will not allow such behaviour to become acceptable. We will work with other bodies, Community Safety Partnership, Communities together, Lancashire county council, Town and Parish councils to challenge such behaviour and prevent such crimes.

Lancaster City council wishes to assure all of the district’s residents and visitors that they are valued members of our society.”

An Officer Briefing note had been provided with the agenda to assist Councillors.

Councillor Smith moved the motion, seconded by Councillor Leytham.

By way of a friendly amendment, which was accepted as such by the proposer and seconder of the motion, Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed, seconded by Councillor Scott, the following addendum:

“This Council resolves that:

(1)   That the statement above is displayed on the city council website, that it also directs residents to www.istreetwatch.co.uk for anonymous reporting of hate crime and that a press release is issued to publicise the motion.

(2)   That council recommend the Overview and Scrutiny Committee review the current local and city council measures taken to counter racism, xenophobia, and hate crime and report back to  Full Council as soon as practicable.

(3)     That all councillors consider increasing their involvement with, and support for, those organisations which strengthen communities and increase tolerance and respect between peoples from different countries, cultures and faiths.”

Members started to debate the motion.

The Mayor became unwell during the debate and left the meeting.  In the absence of the Deputy Mayor, there was a short adjournment until the Mayor was well enough to return.  Debate resumed for a short time until the Mayor again felt unwell. At this point the Chief Executive asked Members to nominate a chair for the remainder of the meeting. Several Councillors nominated and seconded Councillor Jon Barry, who took the chair.

At the conclusion of a lengthy debate, Members voted unanimously in favour of the motion, as amended.

Resolved:

That;

(1)          We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes of any description have no place in our country.  We at Lancaster City Council condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally.  We will not allow such behaviour to become acceptable. We will work with other bodies, Community Safety Partnership, Communities together, Lancashire county council, Town and Parish councils to challenge such behaviour and prevent such crimes. Lancaster City council wishes to assure all of the Districts residents and visitors that they are valued members of our society.

(2)     That the statement above is displayed on the city council website, that it also   directs residents to www.istreetwatch.co.uk for anonymous reporting of hate crime and that a press release is issued to publicise the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillors Caroline Jackson, Tim-Hamilton-Cox and Rebecca Novell:-

This council notes that:

Lancaster has a good record as a district of tackling hate crime and racist attacks both through police and council action and that its citizens are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant community within a diverse and tolerant society.

It is regrettable that a few racial/hate crime incidents have been reported in the district since the EU referendum but that the police service is confident that previous outreach and confidence-building work means that members of our communities are more willing to report incidents.

This council believes that:

All people living in Lancaster district are valued members of our community regardless of origin and that xenophobic or racist hate cannot become socially acceptable.

This council resolves that:

1)      Lancaster City Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally and believes that racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our district or our country.

2)      Lancaster city council will work to ensure local bodies and programmes are supported to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

3)      That the statements in points 1&2 are displayed prominently on the city council website and that a press release is issued to publicise the motion.

4)      That O&S reviews the current local and city council measures taken to counter racism, xenophobia, and hate crime and reports back to Full Council within 4 months.

5)      That all councillors consider increasing their involvement with, and support for, those organisations which strengthen communities and increase tolerance and respect between peoples from different countries, cultures and faiths.

An officer briefing note is attached.

Councillor Caroline Jackson advised the meeting that she wished to withdraw this motion.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Council considered a report submitted by the Chief Executive.  Two vacancies had arisen on outside bodies.  These were for the Lancashire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, to which only non-Cabinet members could be nominated, and the James Bond/Henry Welch Trust.  Members were requested to approve a further recommendation with regard to the appointment to Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities Limited, the basis of the appointment being as a Ward Councillor for Heysham South.

The Chairman called for a proposition regarding the Lancashire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee first.  Councillor Hartley was nominated by Councillor Armstrong and seconded by Councillor Brown.  Councillor Joan Jackson was nominated by Councillor Rogerson and seconded by Councillor Edwards.  On being put to the vote 33 members voted for Councillor Hartley and 12 for Councillor Joan Jackson, whereupon Councillor Hartley was appointed.

Nominations were then taken for the vacancy on the James Bond/Henry Welch Trust.

Councillor Warriner was proposed by Councillor Armstrong and seconded by Councillor Brown.  Councillor Guilding was proposed by Councillor Phillippa Williamson and seconded by Councillor Edwards.  On being put to the vote 26 members voted for Councillor Warriner and 21 for Councillor Guilding, whereupon Councillor Warriner was appointed.

The Chairman requested members to note that Councillor Hartley had stepped down from Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities Limited and that Councillor Biddulph would take up the appointment.

Resolved:

(1)          That Councillor Hartley be appointed to the Lancashire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee.

(2)          That Councillor Warriner be appointed to the James Bond/Henry Welch Trust.

(3)          That Councillor Biddulph replace Councillor Hartley on the Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities Limited.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 12.2 and 12.4 which require a Member to give at least 3 working days’ notice, in writing, of the question to the Chief Executive. 

The Chairman advised that 6 questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules as follows:

(1)      Councillor Whitaker to Councillor Blamire regarding derelict sites

(2)      Councillor Whitaker to Councillor Blamire regarding  responsibility to develop sites

(3)      Councillor Mace to Councillor Blamire regarding implications following the EU referendum vote on Lancaster Canal Corridor North

(4)      Councillor Barry to Councillor Whitehead regarding Luneside East 15/16 year end accounts

(5)      Councillor Hamilton-Cox to Councillor Whitehead regarding contracts with companies which base assets or operations in offshore tax havens

(6)      Councillor Hamilton-Cox to Councillor Clifford regarding the conventional gas-fired CHP plant at Salt Ayre.

Details of the questions and answers together with any supplementary questions and responses are appended to the minutes.

To receive the Minutes of Meetings of Cabinet held on 26^th April and 28^th June, 2016. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 16^th May and 15^th June 2016.  The Leader and Cabinet Members responded to questions.  Councillor Hamilton-Cox requested a written answer with regard to minute 97, St Leonard’s House call-in referral as the report was exempt and requested clarity of what had been carried through in the final agreement with Robertson Property.