Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tony Anderson, Richard Austen-Baker, Abbott Bryning, Darren Clifford, Jason Firth, Jake Goodwin, Mike Greenall, Debbie Jenkins, Sarah Knight, Faye Penny, Oliver Robinson, Alistair Sinclair and Luke Taylor.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 25 January 2022 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2023 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. 

It was noted that the Monitoring Officer had granted a dispensation under the Localism Act 2011 to Councillor Bannon and Councillor Young to allow them to participate and vote on the budget despite having a DPI by virtue of their employment by Citizens Advice.

The Mayor announced that a minute’s silence would be held at Morecambe Town Hall and in the Memorial Gardens of Lancaster Town Hall at 11am on Friday 24 February 2023 to reaffirm solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine on the anniversary of the Russian invasion.

The Mayor announced that Commonwealth Flag Raising ceremonies were taking place in Lancaster, Morecambe & Carnforth on the morning of Monday 13 March.  All councillors were welcome to attend one of the ceremonies and further details wound be circulated in due course.

The Mayor referred to the recent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey that had caused such loss of life and devastation and asked that the meeting stand in a minute’s silence to reflect on this devastating news.

Members observed a minute’s silence in memory of lives lost.

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 the public in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.

The Mayor welcomed  Mr Christopher Tinmouth who had registered to speak about the Museums, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Mr Tinmouth’s speech had been circulated to Councillors in advance.

After Mr Tinmouth delivered his address, Councillor Thornberry, Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture, Leisure & Wellbeing thanked him and responded to his address.

The Mayor thanked Mr Tinmouth for taking the time to come and speak at the meeting.

The Mayor then welcomed Mr Robin Ashcroft who had also registered to speak to the Council about the Museums, in accordance with the Council’s constitution.

Mr Ashcroft’s speech had been circulated to Councillors in advance.

During Mr Ashcroft’s speech there was some disruption in the public gallery that necessitated the Mayor adjourning the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 6.26pm and re-convened at 6.34pm when order had been restored.

On reconvening the Mayor apologised to Mr Ashcroft for the interruption and invited him to continue with his address to the meeting.  Councillor Thornberry, Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture, Leisure & Wellbeing thanked him and responded to his address.

The Mayor thanked Mr Ashcroft for taking the time to come and speak at the Council meeting.

The Mayor then welcomed Mr Dealtry who had registered to speak to Council on matters concerning the environment and local democracy. 

Mr Dealtry’s speech had been circulated to Councillors in advance.

After Mr Dealtry had delivered his address, Councillor Caroline Jackson, Leader of the Council thanked Mr Dealtry and responded to the issues he had raised.

The Mayor thanked Mr Dealtry for taking the time to come and speak at the Council meeting.

The Leader presented her report updating Members on various issues since her last report to Council.

Councillor Gardiner moved that Council Procedure Rule 12 be suspended for this item of business. The proposition was seconded by Councillor Budden and was carried when put to the vote.

The Leader then responded to a number of questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

(1)  That Council Procedure Rule 12 be suspended for the duration of the Leader’s  report item of business (Item 8).

(2)  That the Leader’s report be noted.

Report of Cabinet

Councillor Whitehead, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented Cabinet’s final budget proposals to allow Council to complete its revenue budget setting for 2023/24. She responded to Councillors’ questions.

Councillor Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox, proposed:

“That recommendations 1 to 5 as set out in the report be moved with recommendations (1) & (2) which were subject to a recorded vote being taken together: recommendations (3) & (4) taken together and recommendation (5) being taken separately.”

A recorded vote was taken on recommendations (1) & (2):

For the proposition:  Councillors Anderton, Askari, Bannon, Biddulph, Black, Blaikie, Boyd-Power, Brookes, Budden, Cleet, Dant, Dennison, Dowding, Frea, Gardiner, Greenwell, Guilding, Hamilton-Cox, Hartley, Heath, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Joan), King, Knight (Geoff), Lenox, Lewis, Maddocks, Matthews, Mills, Parr, Pattison, Pritchard, Redfern, Stubbins, Thomas, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Whitehead, Wild, Wood, Yates, Young (44).

Against the proposition:   None.

Abstentions:   None.

Councillors then voted on recommendations (3) & (4) as set out in the report which were clearly carried.

Councillors then  voted on recommendation (5) as set out in the report which was agreed unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the General Fund Revenue Budget of £21.091M for 2023/24 be approved, resulting in a Council Tax Requirement of £10.610M, excluding parish precepts, and a Band D basic City Council tax rate of £249.18.

(2)        That the supporting General Fund Revenue Budget proposals be approved, as summarised at Appendices A, B and B1.

Resolved:

(3)        That the budget transfer (virements and carry forwards) limits be approved as set out in Appendix D.

(4)        That Council notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness of budget estimates, the adequacy of reserves and balances, specifically the advice that the minimum level of balances be retained at £5.0M, to provide for added uncertainty.

Resolved unanimously:

(5)        That Council approves the acceptance of a Local Council Tax Support Fund Grant received from the government, with a delegation to the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources to agree a further Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24 covering vulnerable households.

The meeting adjourned at 7.55pm for a short break and reconvened at 8.08pm.

Report of Cabinet

Councillor Matthews, the Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the Housing Revenue Account Budget Framework 2023 to 2028 presenting Cabinet’s final budget proposals in relation to the Housing Revenue Account in order that the City Council could complete its budget setting for 2023/24 and update its financial strategy to 2028.

Councillor Matthews then took questions from Councillors and agreed to provide a written response to Councillor Black’s enquiry regarding the impact of the revised figures for the Mainway Regeneration Project.

Councillor Matthews proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:

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

There was no debate and a recorded vote was taken on the proposals.

For the proposition:  Councillors Anderton, Askari, Bannon, Biddulph, Black, Blaikie, Boyd-Power, Brookes, Budden, Cleet, Dant, Dowding, Frea, Gardiner, Greenwell, Guilding, Hamilton-Cox, Hartley, Heath, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Joan), King, Knight (Geoff), Lenox, Lewis, Maddocks, Matthews, Mills, Parr, Pattison, Pritchard, Redfern, Stubbins, Thomas, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Whitehead, Wood, Yates (41).

Against the proposition: None.

Abstentions: None.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet’s recommendation to approve the council housing rent levels for 2023/24, as set in accordance with statutory requirements, be noted.

(2)        That the Housing Revenue Account budgets and future years’ projections be approved, as set out in Appendix A.

(3)        That the Council Housing Capital Programme be approved, as set out in Appendix B.

(4)        That the minimum level of HRA unallocated balances be increased to £750,000 from 01 April 2023, and that the full Statement on Reserves and Balances as set out at Appendix C be approved.

(5)        That Council notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness of budget estimates, the adequacy of reserves and balances and the affordability of borrowing.

Report of Cabinet

Councillor Whitehead introduced the report for the next item, Capital Programme 2023/24 to 2027/28 and Capital Strategy (Investing in the Future) to  present Cabinet’s final budget proposals in order that the Council could approve a General Fund Capital Programme for 2023/24 to 2027/28 and a Capital Strategy 2023/24 as required by regulation.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Joan Jackson as to why the report had not been considered by the Budget & Performance Panel the Monitoring Officer confirmed that he would expand on this and copy in all Councillors.

Councillor Whitehead responded to questions before proposing the recommendations set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox. Following a short debate, a vote was taken, and the proposition was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)             That the General Fund Capital Programme be approved, as set out at Appendix A to the report.

(2)             That the Capital Strategy (Incorporating the Capital Investment Strategy: 

            Investing in the Future) at Appendix B to the report, be approved.

Report of Cabinet

The Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 was presented to Council by Councillor Whitehead. The report set out the 2023/24 framework for Council’s approval.

There were no questions. Councillor Whitehead proposed the recommendation set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox.

No one wished to debate the proposal, which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

(1)             That the Treasury Management Framework and associated Prudential Indicators for 2023/24 financial year as set out in Appendices A to C of the report be noted and approved.

(2)             That Council notes and approves the revision to the Councils Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy for financial year 2022/23 (Appendix D to the report).

Report of the Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Finance Officer had submitted a report to provide an update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24-2027/28.

Councillor Whitehead presented the report and responded to questions. The report was for noting.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer

Report published on 21 February 2023

The Chief Finance Officer had submitted a report seeking Council’s approval for the 2023/24 Council rates for the district.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Whitehead and seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox.

A recorded vote was taken on the proposals, as required by regulations.

Votes were recorded as follows:

For the proposition:  Councillors Anderton, Askari, Bannon, Biddulph, Black, Blaikie, , Brookes, Budden, Cleet, Dant, Dowding, Frea, Gardiner, Greenwell, Guilding, Hamilton-Cox, Hartley, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Joan), King, Knight (Geoff), Lenox, Lewis, Maddocks, Matthews, Mills, Parr, Pattison, Pritchard, Redfern, Stubbins, Thomas, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Whitehead, Wood, Yates, (39).

Against the proposition: None.

Abstentions: None.

The vote was unanimous and the full resolution, including all the Council Tax tables, is shown on the appended document.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report for Council to consider making appointments to vacancies on outside bodies as several vacancies had occurred since the last meeting of Council.

Councillor Wood proposed, seconded by Councillor Yates:

(1)   That Council determines that the basis of appointment to any of the roles be by nomination and voting at Council.

(2)   That nomination(s) for current vacancies be taken and appointment(s) made at the first business meeting following the elections in May 2023 along with all other outside body appointments.

(3)   That Council notes and thanks all Councillors who have served on outside bodies over the life of this municipal term, and in particular, notes and expresses its thanks to Cllr Abbott Bryning for his dedication and service on the Council through appointments to outside bodies during his 56 years of continuous service as a local Councillor.

There was a brief debate during which Councillor Redfern requested that the Mayor write to Councillor Bryning to thank him for his service and contribution to and participation in a number of outside bodies throughout his service on the City Council.

Upon being put to the vote Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposition.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That Council determines that the basis of appointment to any of the roles be     by  nomination and voting at Council.

(2)             That nomination(s) for current vacancies be taken and appointment(s) made at the first business meeting following the elections in May 2023 along with all other outside body appointments.

(3)             That Council notes and thanks all Councillors who have served on outside bodies over the life of this municipal term, and in particular, notes and expresses its thanks to Cllr Abbott Bryning for his dedication and service on the Council through appointments to outside bodies during his 56 years of continuous service as a local Councillor.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

No changes to committee memberships were reported.

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 no questions had been received by the Chief Executive.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 17 January 2023. 

Council considered the minutes of Cabinet held on 17 January 2023.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.