Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adrian De La Mare, Andrew Gardiner, Abi Mills, Jack O’Dwyer-Henry, John Reynolds, Stewart Scothern and Katie Whearty.

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. 

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any addresses from members of the public which have been notified to the Chief Executive in accordance with the Council's Constitution. 

The Mayor informed the meeting that 7 members of the public had registered to speak in accordance with the Constitution on the Collaboration Agreement – South Lancaster Growth Catalyst and their statements had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting via email.  The public speakers were invited in turn to deliver their addresses,

David Morgan addressed the meeting on behalf of Lancaster Civic Society. Kevan Walton spoke on behalf of Ashton-with-Stodday Parish Council.  Barbara Walker addressed the meeting on behalf of CLOUD (Citizens of Lancaster opposed to unnecessary development). Dr Emily Heath and Dr Noel Cass also addressed the meeting and were followed by the Vice-Chair of Ellel Parish Council, Peter Mather. The final public speaker to address the meeting was Charles Ainger.  (A copy of all the statements has been appended to the minutes).

The Mayor thanked the public speakers for their contribution to the meeting.

Council 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 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.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for Council itself to decide whether or not to consider it 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.

Councillor Dennison proposed, seconded by Councillor Knight:

“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.”

Several Councillors expressed their support for holding as much of the meeting in public as possible as it was important for residents to hear the debate and it was recognised that the meeting could go into private session if it became necessary to refer to any exempt information. 

On being put to the vote the proposal to exclude the press and public was clearly lost.

The press and public were NOT excluded from the meeting at this point.

To consider the report of the Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration  (the report was marked ‘to follow’ and published on 20 August 2021)

The Monitoring Officer reminded Members that whilst the press and public had not been excluded from the meeting the documents were still confidential and Members needed to be mindful of the detail they went into during consideration of the item.

The Leader introduced a report to enable Council to determine whether to agree that Lancaster City Council entered into a legally binding Collaboration Agreement with Lancashire County Council for the purposes of recovering funds through the use of planning powers (granted under S.106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990) to repay Lancashire County Council for the forward provision of infrastructure related items pursuant to the delivery of the South Lancaster Growth Catalyst (HIF). 

The Leader responded to a number of questions from Members before proposing:

“That members of the City Council do NOT enter into a legally binding Collaboration Agreement with Lancashire County Council as requested by the officer’s report but move with all speed to enable the sustainable development of housing in south Lancaster as agreed in the Local Plan.”

The proposition was seconded by Councillor Frea.  A debate followed during which Councillor Dowding, seconded by Councillor Dant proposed the following amendment:

“We will instead instruct our officers to start work immediately on an Alternative Plan to ensure that development of truly sustainable housing as outlined in the current Local Plan is facilitated in south Lancaster, which is neither car nor new motorway-access  dependent. This would include among other measures

·        Allocating the £ 4.6m in the City Council capital budget currently earmarked for HIF related activities,  to enabling such works

·        Working with the highways authority i.e. County Council to look to reduce Galgate traffic and traffic flow problem and the associated air pollution, emissions with a package of local solutions in Galgate

·        Work with partners including Lancaster University to address Highways England’s concerns about back up on the motorway through a package of measures to reduce, rather than re-direct motorway traffic

·        A sustainable transport and access plan including enhanced cycle and bus infrastructure until such time that the Local Plan is reviewed.”

This was accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer and seconder of the original proposition.

In accordance with Rule 10 of the Council Procedure rules the meeting adjourned at this point and reconvened at 8.15pm.

On reconvening Councillor Dowding proposed that the press and public be temporarily excluded from the meeting in order that confidential financial information could be discussed. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Dant and when put to the vote the proposal was carried although Councillor Wood asked that it be recorded that he had voted against excluding the press and public.

Resolved:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting at this point.

After further debate in private session Councillor Penny proposed, seconded by Councillor Sinclair that the public be re-admitted to the meeting and with the agreement of the meeting the press and public were re-admitted.

Resolved:

That the press and public be re-admitted to the meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.