Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Susie Charles, Jane Parkinson, Jean Parr, Elizabeth Scott and Nick Wilkinson.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 27^th September 2017 and 31^st October 2017 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2017 and the extraordinary meeting held on 31 October 2017 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record, subject to the following change to minute 44 of the meeting on 27 September 2017:-

The words “He showed Members the inscribed medal which had been presented to the Council” to be replaced with the words “He showed Members the inscribed book which had been presented to him”.

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. 

Councillor Devey declared a non-prejudicial interest in item 9, the motion regarding Holiday Hunger, because his employer campaigned on child poverty and free school meals.

Councillors were reminded of the sad passing of Councillor Roger Sherlock on 8 November 2017. The Mayor announced that a civic funeral would take place on Wednesday 22 November at Lancaster Priory commencing at 11am, followed by the committal at Lancaster and Morecambe crematorium.

Members stood in a minute’s silence in his memory.

The Mayor informed Councillors that he would wish to adjourn the meeting if it was still in progress after one and a half hours, because he still had some difficulty sitting for long periods, following his operation.

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.

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

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.

Councillor Blamire asked Councillor Hamilton-Cox to put his question regarding British Land’s holdings in Hercules Unit Trust, based in Jersey, in writing to her. She would then supply a written answer.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillors John Reynolds, Tracey Brown, Margaret Pattison, Claire Cozler, Darren Clifford, Carla Brayshaw and Robert Redfern.

“The Council is concerned at reports by teachers’ unions and others concerning the growth of “holiday hunger” amongst children.

Holiday hunger occurs when families who are usually entitled to free school meals during term time have that provision taken away during school holidays.  This is most acute during the long summer holidays with an extra cost to families affected of an average of £30 to £40 per week to feed their children.

This Council notes:

1.      A survey led by the NUT (National Union of Teachers) found that as many as four in five staff reported a rise in “holiday hunger” over the past two years.  78% of teachers polled said that they recognised children arriving at school hungry.  More than a third went as far as to say that pupils were returning after the school holidays showing signs of malnutrition.

2.      That Mark Hendrick MP has sponsored a Private members’ Bill by Frank Field MP which places a legal duty on local authorities to ensure the provision of free meals and activities during school holidays.  This would be paid for by earmarking 10p from every pound raised from the sugar tax on soft drinks.

3.      It has been reported that the Bill has received a certain amount of cross party support with 14 Conservative MPs publicly backing the Bill, which means that more Private Members’ Bills are likely to become law if the government gives support to them.

This Council resolves:

1.      To support the Bill and asks the Chief Executive to write to our two MPs namely Cat Smith and David Morris to explain the Councils support and request that they also offer their support and actively persuade the Conservative led government to put Mr Field’s Bill into law.

2.      The Chief Executive writes to all Council Leaders across Lancashire asking them to support the Bill and requesting them to write to their own Members of Parliament to offer support for the Bill.

3.      The Chief Executive writes to Mark Hendrick thanking him for sponsoring the Bill and making him aware it has the support of Lancaster City Council.  The Council should also publicise its support for the Bill.”

An officer briefing note is attached.

The following motion, of which notice had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15, was moved by Councillor Reynolds and seconded by Councillor Brown:-

“The Council is concerned at reports by teachers’ unions and others concerning the growth of “holiday hunger” amongst children.

Holiday hunger occurs when families who are usually entitled to free school meals during term time have that provision taken away during school holidays.  This is most acute during the long summer holidays with an extra cost to families affected of an average of £30 to £40 per week to feed their children.

This Council notes:

1.         A survey led by the NUT (National Union of Teachers) found that as many as four in five staff reported a rise in “holiday hunger” over the past two years.  78% of teachers polled said that they recognised children arriving at school hungry.  More than a third went as far as to say that pupils were returning after the school holidays showing signs of malnutrition.

2.         That Mark Hendrick MP has sponsored a Private members’ Bill by Frank Field MP which places a legal duty on local authorities to ensure the provision of free meals and activities during school holidays.  This would be paid for by earmarking 10p from every pound raised from the sugar tax on soft drinks.

3.         It has been reported that the Bill has received a certain amount of cross party support with 14 Conservative MPs publicly backing the Bill, which means that more Private Members’ Bills are likely to become law if the government gives support to them.

This Council resolves:

1.         To support the Bill and asks the Chief Executive to write to our two MPs namely Cat Smith and David Morris to explain the Council’s support and request that they also offer their support and actively persuade the Conservative led government to put Mr Field’s Bill into law.

2.         The Chief Executive writes to all Council Leaders across Lancashire asking them to support the Bill and requesting them to write to their own Members of Parliament to offer support for the Bill.

3.         The Chief Executive writes to Mark Hendrick thanking him for sponsoring the Bill and making him aware it has the support of Lancaster City Council.  The Council should also publicise its support for the Bill.

An officer advice note had been prepared to accompany the motion.  

A number of Councillors spoke in favour of the motion and, at the conclusion of the debate, a vote was taken and the motion was clearly carried.

Resolved:-

The Council is concerned at reports by teachers’ unions and others concerning the growth of “holiday hunger” amongst children.

Holiday hunger occurs when families who are usually entitled to free school meals during term time have that provision taken away during school holidays.  This is most acute during the long summer holidays with an extra cost to families affected of an average of £30 to £40 per week to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Council considered a report submitted by the Chief Executive, setting out the calculation in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Part 4 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. The calculation had been carried out following two recent by-elections in the Skerton West and Halton-with-Aughton wards.

Councillor Clifford, seconded by Councillor Brookes, moved recommendation (1), to approve the calculations and allocation of seats, as set out in the report.

A vote was taken and the Mayor declared the proposition clearly carried.

With regard to recommendation (2), to approve the adjustments set out in the report, the Conservative Group had given advance notice that it wished to pass Councillor Gardiner’s place on the Budget and Performance Panel to the Labour Group and that Councillors Peter and Phillippa Williamson would change places on the Panel, with Councillor Peter Williamson becoming a member of the Panel and Councillor Phillippa Williamson becoming a substitute member.

Councillor Frea was nominated by Councillor Clifford to fill the place on the Budget and Performance Panel and he also nominated Councillor Frea to take the place on the Licensing Act Committee left vacant by Honorary Alderman Paul Woodruff. Councillor Clifford also asked that Councillor Armstrong be replaced by Councillor Burns on the Budget and Performance Panel with Councillor Cozler as a named substitute. Councillor Brown seconded the nominations. The adjustments were all carried when put to the vote.

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 following adjustments be approved:

a)    Councillor Gardiner to give up his seat on the Budget and Performance Panel.

b)    Councillor Phillippa Williamson to give up her place on the Budget and Performance Panel and become substitute member, with Councillor Peter Williamson taking her seat on the Panel.

c)    Councillor Frea to be appointed to the Budget and Performance Panel.

d)    Councillor Frea to be appointed to the vacant place on the Licensing Act Committee.

e)    Councillor Burns to replace Councillor Armstrong on the Budget and Performance Panel and Councillor Cozler to be appointed as a named substitute on the Panel.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Council considered a report submitted by the Chief Executive. The report noted that four vacancies had arisen on the Board of the Dukes and one vacancy had arisen on the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity. In addition, Growth Lancashire Limited had invited the Council to appoint a Director.

The Mayor asked that each body be considered in turn, starting with the Board of the Dukes, where all four appointed Members had recently resigned to avoid any conflict of interest when Council was required to consider Canal Corridor issues.

There were several queries from Members about conflicts of interests regarding the Dukes and the Canal Corridor development proposals, which the Monitoring Officer responded to.

Councillor Edwards asked whether the issue of the Canal Corridor had, historically, caused any conflict of interests for Members appointed to the Dukes Board. Officers present at the time could not recall this but agreed to check and respond to Councillor Edwards after the meeting.

Councillor Clifford proposed recommendation (1) as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Blamire.

A vote was taken on the proposal, which was clearly carried.

For the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity, Councillor Clifford proposed Councillor Cozler, seconded by Councillor Brown.

There were no further nominations and the Mayor declared Councillor Cozler appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Charity.

Councillor Clifford, seconded by Councillor Brown, then proposed recommendation (3), as set out in the report. The proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That:

(1)     Council does not fill the vacancies on the Dukes Board at the present time, as any Member taking up a place on the Board would be ineligible to take part in further discussions and voting on progress with the Canal Corridor North project, due to a conflict of interests.

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

(3)     Council recommends to Cabinet that the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration be appointed to the Growth Lancashire directorship, with the Leader of the Council as alternate director.

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 five questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules, however Councillor Barry had asked for his question to be deferred to the December Council meeting, and Councillor Caroline Jackson had agreed to accept a written answer to her question, which, due to an administrative error, had not been forwarded to the Cabinet Member in advance of the meeting.

The questions were:

(1)      Councillor Hartley to Councillor Hanson regarding Heysham Gateway.

(2)      Councillor Hamilton-Cox to Councillor Clifford regarding the Salt Ayre landfill site and renewable energy.

(3)      Councillor Hamilton-Cox to Councillor Hanson regarding student accommodation in Bulk Ward.

(4)      Councillor Caroline Jackson to Councillor Hanson regarding the Canal Corridor proposals and car parking spaces.

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 3^rd October 2017. 

Council noted the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2017.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.