Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tony Anderson, Paul Anderton, Vicki Boyd-Power, Merv Evans, Jake Goodwin, Sarah Knight, Stuart Morris, Jean Parr, Faye Penny, Stewart Scothern, Paul Stubbins and Joanna Young.

The Mayor reminded Members that there had been a spike in Covid infections in the district during the last couple of weeks and asked that speeches in debate be brief to limit the length of the meeting.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the City Council held on 28 July 2021 and 25 August 2021 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2021 and the extraordinary meeting held on 25 August 2021 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

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. 

Members advised of the following interests at this stage:

Councillor Guilding declared an ‘other’ non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 9, the motion on notice regarding Primary Care Patients in Lancaster in view of sitting on the local Integrated Care Communities (ICCs).  (Minute No. 62 refers.)

Councillor Dennison declared an ‘other’ non-pecuniary interest in relation to the motion on notice he had submitted at Item 10, regarding the Armed Forces. This was in view of his role as the Council’s Veterans’ Champion. (Minute No. 63 refers.)

The Mayor reminded Councillors of the recent resignation of former Councillor John Reynolds. He advised that a casual vacancy for that seat in Carnforth and Millhead Ward was currently advertised on the website along with the vacancy in Bare Ward.

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.

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. She agreed to look into the invitations to Ward Councillors to the opening of the Caton Road Flood Defences on 1^st October as it appeared that not all relevant Councillors had received an invitation.

Councillor Gardiner queried the word ‘unwilling’ in paragraph 3.6 of the report about the Eden project, regarding David Morris MP. The Leader explained that no criticism had been intended and she had in fact spoken to Mr Morris informally about the project at a social event where both happened to be in attendance.

The Leader agreed to provide a written answer to a question posed by Councillor Robinson regarding what plans the Council had made to establish itself as a trusted partner for major project delivery such as Eden North. 

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillor Austen-Baker. Seconders are Councillors De La Mare and Joan Jackson.

The motion is enclosed with the officer briefing note. The briefing note was marked ‘to follow’ and was published on 23 September 2021.

The following motion on notice had been submitted by Councillor Austen-Baker:-

"Whereas there is some disquiet among residents at the service provided to primary care patients since the merger into one of several hitherto independent primary medical practices in Lancaster.

And whereas the Council is involved in the anticipated development of large numbers of new residential units to the south of the city, which, if realized, is likely to add significantly to demand for primary medical care in the district.

And whereas plans being developed by the Council, with partners, also anticipate the development of new primary medical care facilities, it is hereby resolved that:

(1)     The Council, by its Cabinet and its executive officers, will take all such steps, working with its partners, as are lawful and practicable, to bring about (or facilitate the bringing about of) the establishment of new primary medical care facilities for NHS patients within a new practice, independent of existing practices within the Lancaster district; and

(2)     The Council, by its Cabinet and its executive officers, will take a proactive approach, so far as lawful and practicable, to attracting to the area provision of primary medical care services ("general practice") for private patients within the Lancaster district.”

The motion was accompanied by an officer briefing note.

Councillor Austen-Baker asked Council’s permission under Council Procedure Rule 17.3 to amend the motion, replacing the wording at (2) with:-

“(2) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee establish an annual meeting to discuss healthcare matters in the district, to which should be invited representatives of relevant NHS bodies, including the local Clinical Commissioning Group.”

Councillor De La Mare seconded the request to amend the motion and Council signified agreement when a vote was taken.

Councillor De La Mare seconded Councillor Austen-Baker’s amended motion and there was a short debate.

The Mayor called for a vote and the motion was clearly carried.

Resolved:-

Whereas there is some disquiet among residents at the service provided to primary care patients since the merger into one of several hitherto independent primary medical practices in Lancaster.

And whereas the Council is involved in the anticipated development of large numbers of new residential units to the south of the city, which, if realized, is likely to add significantly to demand for primary medical care in the district.

And whereas plans being developed by the Council, with partners, also anticipate the development of new primary medical care facilities, it is hereby resolved that:

(1)     The Council, by its Cabinet and its executive officers, will take all such steps, working with its partners, as are lawful and practicable, to bring about (or facilitate the bringing about of) the establishment of new primary medical care facilities for NHS patients within a new practice, independent of existing practices within the Lancaster district; and

(2)   The Overview and Scrutiny Committee establish an annual meeting to discuss healthcare matters in the district, to which should be invited representatives of relevant NHS bodies, including the local Clinical Commissioning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillor Dennison. Seconders are Councillors Heath and Knight.

The motion is enclosed with the officer briefing note. The briefing note was marked ‘to follow’ and was published on 23 September 2021.

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

"This Council recognises the sacrifices both physical and mental suffered by our armed forces in serving our nation both locally and internationally. To show our commitment to them all, serving, reserves and veterans, I ask that Lancaster City Council commit itself to achieving Covenant Gold Status as an employer by the end of 2022.”

Councillor Heath seconded the motion.

An officer briefing note had been provided with the motion.

A number of councillors expressed support for the motion. At the conclusion of the debate a vote was taken and the motion was clearly carried.

Resolved:-

This Council recognises the sacrifices both physical and mental suffered by our armed forces in serving our nation both locally and internationally. To show its commitment to them all, serving, reserves and veterans, Lancaster City Council commits itself to achieving Covenant Gold Status as an employer by the end of 2022.

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillors Erica Lewis, Caroline Jackson, Cary Matthews, Richard Austen-Baker, Merv Evans, Anne Whitehead, Sandra Thornberry, Oliver Robinson, Jason Wood, Jean Parr, Mandy King, Tim Hamilton-Cox, Dave Brookes, Adrian De La Mare and Tricia Heath.

The motion is enclosed with an officer briefing note. The officer briefing note was marked ‘to follow’ and was published on 24 September 2021.

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

“The Council notes that:

a)          it has previously discussed the need to take an ethical and sustainable approach to investment of Lancaster City Council funds to support our priorities and to ask the same of those who manage our officers’ pensions through the Lancashire Pensions Fund and Local Pensions Partnership; 

b)          increasingly pension funds are large investors who are being asked to take an ethical and sustainable approach to investment including considerations of workers’ condition in properties owned by funds, and where these funds have a geographic link, to support community wealth building;

c)          many of the Sustainable Development Goals speak to the importance of investment as a driver for securing fundamental human rights, building resilience within communities and meeting the challenge of the climate emergency;

d)          it is preferrable to take a comprehensive approach to an ethical and sustainable investment policy rather than addressing it on a topic-by-topic basis; 

e)          taking the time to develop a comprehensive approach will strengthen the policy, give the council one reference point for full council’s position on ethical and sustainable investment, and allow for one set of new investment instructions to be made, reducing development and implementation costs.

f)       bringing together a comprehensive ethical and sustainable investment policy is a significant piece of work that should involve consultation with a range of stakeholders as well as taking expert advice;

g)          undertaking this process via an overview and scrutiny task group will allow councillors to explore what are often complex ethical issues in a more discursive environment and with the benefits of expert advice and a mechanism to listen to community perspectives;

h)          almost by definition ethical issues are rarely clear cut and there are often reasonable competing perspectives.

i)            it is important we conduct a careful and respectful debate and reaffirm our commitment to this district being a place that supports everyone to know, claim and enjoy their human rights, and to be strong allies to everyone who faces discrimination and structural oppression in all its forms.

j)            consistently with the obligation in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the development of the policy must have due regard to the need to foster good relations between persons of different nationalities, ethnicities and religions.

The Council hereby resolves to:

(1)            Recommend that Overview and Scrutiny Committee establish a formal task group to consult on and develop a comprehensive ethical and sustainable investment policy for consideration by Cabinet; 

(2)        To amend Council’s previous resolution of 23 June 2021 (in respect of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement motion) to have the effect of not making or requesting any investment changes until a comprehensive ethical and sustainability policy is agreed by Council and that any future requests be made in accordance with that policy.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.1 regarding resolution (2)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services.

Councillor Lewis, as portfolio holder for Corporate Services, presented a report recommending that Mr Mark Davies, currently the Council’s Returning Officer and Director for Communities and the Environment, be appointed to the role of Electoral Registration Officer. She proposed the recommendation as set out in the report:-

“That Mr Mark Davies, the City Council’s Returning Officer and Director for Communities and the Environment, be appointed to the additional role of Electoral Registration Officer with immediate effect.”

Councillor Dennison seconded the proposition. There was no debate and the motion was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That Mr Mark Davies, the City Council’s Returning Officer and Director for Communities and the Environment, be appointed to the additional role of Electoral Registration Officer with immediate effect.

To report any changes to Committee Membership. 

It was noted that since the last meeting, Councillor Young had been appointed to the Chief Executive Recruitment Committee and Councillor De La Mare had been appointed to the Council Business Committee. The Labour Group had also appointed substitute members to the Chief Executive Recruitment Committee.

The Head of Democratic Services reminded Councillors that not all political groups had notified her of their members to be appointed to the reconvened Committee System Working Group and asked that they provide that information as soon as convenient.

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. 

Councillor Whitaker had submitted three questions for Councillor Brookes, portfolio holder for Environmental Services, regarding fly tipping. The first question was:

What standard of service can our residents expect in relation to the management of fly tipping and litter in accordance with The Environmental Protection Act?

Councillor Brookes replied:

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes duties in Part 1 and Part 2 on certain landowners and occupiers to keep specified land clear of litter and refuse and the local authority and Secretary of State to keep clean public highways for which they are responsible. Part 1 contains a Code of Practice issued under Section 89, Part 7 of the Act. It seeks to encourage duty bodies to maintain their land within acceptable cleanliness standards. The emphasis is on the appropriate and consistent management of an area to keep it clean not on how often it is cleaned. The principle of the Code of Practice is practicability. The Council’s street cleansing operations are designed to take account of the guidance contained in the Code of Practice in practical terms. This means that areas that are likely to generate more waste and litter, eg, town centres, densely populated areas, visitor areas, etc, will have more cleansing staff allocated to them. Harbour Ward, as an example, has areas near shops and the promenade that are machine swept every day and also has frequent litter picking and machine sweeping of residential areas. Morecambe as a whole has a response team allocated to it to remove fly tipping every day and there is a similar response team operating in Lancaster.

Councillor Whitaker asked for his thanks to staff involved in cleansing to be recorded, as he recognised that they had a very challenging job. He then asked a supplementary question:

Has there been research and evaluation in regard to best practice in management of fly tipping and littering? And what guidance is the Government offering for us to address this issue as an authority?

Councillor Brookes replied:

There is a Public Realm Development Officer busy researching ways of improving the response to fly-tipping in the district.

Councillor Whitaker’s second and third questions were asked together:

How many Fly Tipping incidents have been recorded within The West End of Morecambe since January 2021?

What have they cost to clear up?

Councillor Brookes responded:

In the nine months to October 2022 there have been 123 reported cases in Harbour Ward. For further context there were 438 reported cases in Harbour Ward in the last financial year from April 2020 to March 2021. So we are now seeing a significant decline in numbers since the highs of lockdown. In 2019/20 across the whole district 1942 instances of fly tipping were recorded. 1,113 were back alley incidents. Of these, further action was taken in 961 cases, which means it is not just cleared, something else happens, and further investigation was carried out in 594 cases. 200 warning letters were subsequently issues, 159 statutory notices were issued, which is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 13 July 2021. 

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 13 July 2021 were considered. There were no questions.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.