Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stuart Bateson, Brett Cooper, Helen Helme, Geoff Knight, Malcolm Thomas and Andrew Warriner.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 14th December 2016 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2016 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members 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, Members 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, Members 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 made at this stage.

The Mayor advised that the Co-op had kindly offered to host a Wine Tasting evening on Wednesday 22^nd February, the proceeds of which would be going to the Mayor’s Charity. Tickets were available from the Mayor’s Office.

The Chief Executive advised Councillors that the Mayor intended to re-order the agenda slightly, to take item 11 first, the Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel, to allow Panel Members to be heard first.

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.

The Mayor informed Members that no petitions or requests to address Council had been received from members of the public.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

The Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel, Kirsten McAteer, presented a report detailing the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel regarding members’ allowances for 2017/18.  Harsha Shukla, MBE, a member of the Panel, also attended for this item.  The Panel recommended that there be no change to the scheme. 

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Peter Williamson:

“That Council agrees with the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation not to change the members’ allowance scheme for 2017/18.”

By way of an amendment (which was accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer of the recommendation but not by the seconder), Councillor Barry proposed:

“That the basic allowance for members be increased by 1% for 2017/18.”

Councillor Caroline Jackson seconded the amendment.

After a brief debate a vote was taken on the amendment which was clearly carried with 41 Members in favour, 11 Members against and 1 abstention. 

Members then voted on the substantive motion.  42 Members voted in favour of the substantive motion which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)       That the basic allowance for members be increased by 1% for 2017/18.

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:

(1)    That the report be noted.

Referral from Cabinet.

Councillor Whitehead, the Cabinet Member for Finance, presented a report of Cabinet to update Council and gain its feedback on the latest position regarding the development of the budget and policy framework for 2017/18 to 2020/21 and in that context, to seek approval of the level of council tax increase for 2017/18 together with targets for subsequent years, subject to local referendum thresholds.

The Chief Executive advised Members that, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and Council Procedure Rule 19.7, a recorded vote would need to be taken in respect of the second part of the recommendation in the report, as this would be a ‘budget decision’ within the terms of the regulations.

Members asked a number of questions, which Councillor Whitehead and Chief Officers responded to.  In response to a question from Councillor Barry regarding the hours worked and ‘double time’ overtime figures for last year and those proposed for next year for street cleansers, the Chief Officer (Environment) confirmed that he would provide further information.

Councillor Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Blamire proposed:

“That the revised budget for 2016/17 be approved with the net overspending of £39K reducing the in-year contribution to Balances from £56K to £17K.”

During the course of the debate several issues were raised to provide feedback to Cabinet.  These were:

-       Further details regarding the £500K economic growth reserve.

-       A request for realistic savings as many proposed savings did not come to fruition last year.

-       That Cabinet consider reappraising the Solar Farm, Middleton.

At the end of the debate Members voted on the proposition.  39 Members voted in favour, 14 against with 1 abstention and the Chairman declared the proposition to be carried.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:

“That a City Council tax increase of £5 for 2017/18, together with a year on year target of £5 for future years, subject to local referendum thresholds, be approved.”

The Mayor called for a recorded vote on the proposition, which was carried, with the votes recorded as follows:

36 Members voted for the proposition (Councillors Armstrong, Ashworth, Atkinson, Biddulph, Blamire, Brayshaw, Brookes, Brown, Bryning, Burns, Clifford, Clift, Cozler, Denwood, Devey, Hall, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Hartley, Hughes, Caroline Jackson, Kay, Kershaw, Leyshon, Leytham, Metcalfe, Mills, Pattison, Redfern, Reynolds, Sands, Scott, Sherlock, Thynne, Whitaker and Whitehead).

17 Members voted against the proposition (Councillors Barry, Charles, Edwards, Gardiner, Goodrich, Guilding, Joan Jackson, Mace, Novell, Parkinson, Rogerson, Sykes, Wild, Wilkinson, Peter Williamson, Phillippa Williamson and Yates).

1 Member abstained (Councillor Woodruff).

Resolved:

(1)          That the revised budget for 2016/17 be approved with the net overspending of £39K reducing the in-year contribution to Balances from £56K to £17K.

(2)          That a City Council tax increase of £5 for 2017/18, together with a year on year target of £5 for future years, subject to local referendum thresholds, be approved.

Feedback to Cabinet:

-       Further details regarding the £500K economic growth reserve.

-       A request for realistic savings as many proposed savings did not come  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

The meeting adjourned at 8.30pm and reconvened at 8.50pm.

Referral from Audit Committee.

The Chief Officer (Resources) submitted a report which sought Council’s approval for proposals relating to the future appointment of an external auditor to the Authority, as required by the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

The report was presented by Councillor Bryning, who, seconded by Councillor Hartley, proposed:

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

There was no debate and a vote was taken which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)          That full Council approves the proposal that this Council opts in to the appointing person arrangements made by Public Sector Audit appointments (PSAA) for the future appointment of external auditors.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Council considered a report of the Chief Executive which advised Council of the calculations relating to the allocation of seats in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Council’s agreed protocol, following a recent by-election.

It was reported that, as a result of the re-calculation, some adjustments were necessary to the Overview and Scrutiny grouping.  The regulatory and other standing committee groupings remained unchanged.

Councillor Armstrong proposed, seconded by Councillor Reynolds:

“That recommendations (1) & (2) as set out in the report, be approved and that Councillor Burns replace Councillor Clift on the Audit Committee.”

There was no debate and when put to the vote recommendations (1) & (2) and the Labour group change to the Audit Committee were clearly carried.

In accordance with recommendation (3) of the report, Councillor Phillippa Williamson advised that the Conservative Group would pass a place on the Budget and Performance Panel to the Green Group. Councillor Phillippa Williamson would be replaced by Councillor Hamilton-Cox.

Councillor Charles proposed, seconded by Councillor Armstrong:

“That the Conservative Group pass a place on the Budget and Performance Panel to the Green Group with Councillor Phillippa Williamson being replaced by Councillor Hamilton-Cox.”

There was no debate and on being put to the vote the proposition was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)          That in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act,

1989 and Part 4 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups)             Regulations, 1990, the City Council approves the calculations and allocation of

            seats set out in Appendices B and C of the report.

(2)          That the adjustments required to the Overview and Scrutiny Grouping of             committees, detailed in paragraph 3 and Appendix C of the report, be approved.

(3)          That Councillor Burns replace Councillor Clift on the Audit Committee.

(4)          That the Conservative Group pass a place on the Budget and Performance Panel to the Green Group with Councillor Phillippa Williamson being replaced by Councillor Hamilton-Cox.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

The Monitoring Officer and interim Legal Services Manager left the meeting prior to the consideration of the following item.

The Chief Executive presented a report to enable Council to designate an officer to be the Monitoring Officer with effect from 1^st March 2017.

The Chief Executive responded to a question.

Councillor Atkinson proposed, seconded by Councillor Peter Williamson:

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

There was no debate and on being put to the vote the recommendation was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)          That the interim Legal Services Manager, Anne Streeter, be designated as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 1^st March 2017.

The Monitoring Officer and Interim Legal Services Manager returned to the meeting at this point.

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 Lancaster University Court and the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity.

The Chairman called for a proposition regarding the Lancaster University Court first.  Councillor Burns was nominated by Councillor Armstrong and seconded by Atkinson and Councillor Joan Jackson was nominated by Councillor Peter Williamson and seconded by Councillor Charles.  On being put to the vote 33 members voted for Councillor Burns whereupon Councillor Burns was appointed.

Nominations were then taken for the vacancy on the Board of Trustees of Lancaster Charity.  Councillor Thynne was nominated by Councillor Armstrong and seconded by Councillor Atkinson and Councillor Charles was nominated by Councillor Peter Williamson and seconded by Councillor Parkinson. On being put to the vote 32 members voted for Councillor Thynne whereupon Councillor Thynne was appointed.

Resolved:

(1)          That Councillor Burns be appointed to the Lancaster University Court.

(2)          That Councillor Thynne be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity.

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 Mayor advised that 11 questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules as follows:

(1)      Councillor Barry to Councillor Clifford regarding charging points for electric vehicles.

(2)      Councillor Mace to Councillor Whitehead regarding new homes.

(3)      Councillor Mace to Councillor Blamire regarding prosperity and economic growth.

(4)      Councillor Edwards to Councillor Whitehead regarding business rates.

(5)      Councillor Edwards to Councillor Hanson regarding bidding for economic development funding.

(6)      Councillor Caroline Jackson to Councillor Leytham regarding council provided funerals.

(7)      Councillor Caroline Jackson to Councillor Leytham regarding dog on dog attacks.

(8)      Councillor Gardiner to Councillor Blamire regarding alternative options to combined authorities.

(9)      Councillor Gardiner to Councillor Blamire regarding a mayor for Lancashire.

(10)    Councillor Hamilton-Cox to Councillor Whitehead regarding Preston CC’s work on community health building.

(11)    Councillor Hamilton-Cox to Councillor Hanson regarding Canal Corridor North progress negotiations.

Councillors Barry, Mace, Edwards and Hamilton-Cox agreed to receive a written response to their questions.  The responding Cabinet members agreed to provide written responses to any supplementary questions which might arise from the written responses, within a reasonable period of time. 

Councillor Leytham and Councillor Blamire responded to Councillor Caroline Jackson’s questions and Councillor Gardiner’s questions at the meeting.

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

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held on 6^th December 2016 and 17^th January 2017. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 6^th December 2016 and 17^th January 2017.  

Resolved:

(1)       That the minutes be noted.