Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Claire Cozler, Paul Gardner, John Hanson, Caroline Jackson, Peter Jackson, Jack Lenox, Sheila McGregor, and Robert Redfern.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 27 September 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 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. 

No declarations of interest were made.

The Mayor made two announcements.

He reminded Councillors that Remembrance Services would be taking place over the weekend, with short services at both Morecambe Cenotaph and the Memorial Gardens at 10.50am on Saturday 11th November. On Sunday 12th there would be full Remembrance Services at Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth commencing from 10.30am.

The Mayor advised that tickets were on sale for his Christmas Carol Concert to be held on Friday 15^th December at 7pm. The St John's Hospice choir would be performing to raise funds for the Hospice. Tickets were priced at £10, available from the Mayor or the Mayor’s office.

The Mayor informed Councillors of his intention to move items 9 and 10 to the end of the agenda because there was a recommendation to exclude press and public for the item on the White Lund Depot Improvements. Moving the item would avoid any need to exclude and then re-admit the public and reset the livestream.

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 Councillors that there would be two addresses from the public. Copies of both speeches had been circulated before the meeting.

The first speaker, Ms Sue Saunders, addressed Council about the future of The Platform entertainment venue and the closure of the two Visitor Information Centres.

The Cabinet Member for the Visitor Economy, Community Wealth Building and Culture thanked Ms Saunders for speaking to Councillors and responded to the points raised..

Ms Paula Baker then spoke to Council about 5G & 6G installation in the Morecambe and Surrounding Area. Councillor Parr, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking responded to Ms Baker and thanked her for speaking to Councillors.

The Mayor thanked both public speakers for attending the Council meeting.

The Leader presented his report updating Members on various issues since his last report to Council. He then responded to a number of questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Council Business Committee.

Councillor Whitaker, Chair of Council Business Committee, introduced the Committee’s report seeking agreement for a timetable of meetings for the municipal year 2024/25 including venues and start times. 

Members asked a number of questions, which Councillor Whitaker responded to.

Councillor Whitaker, seconded by Councillor Wood, proposed:

“(1)    That Council approves the proposed timetable of meetings for the municipal year 2024/25 attached to the report.

(2)     That the start time of ordinary meetings of Council remains 6pm.”

Councillor Wood proposed a friendly amendment, in the form of an addendum, which Councillor Whitaker accepted:

“(3)    That the start time of Budget and Performance Panel, Standards Committee and People and Organisational Development Committee be changed from 6.10pm to 6pm.

(4)     That it be noted that Cabinet meetings will be held at Morecambe Town Hall in 2024/25 in order to be livestreamed.”

After debate, a vote was taken on the proposition, which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)     That Council approves the proposed timetable of meetings for the municipal year 2024/25 attached to the report.

(2)     That the start time of ordinary meetings of Council remains 6pm.

(3)     That the start time of Budget and Performance Panel, Standards Committee and People and Organisational Development Committee be changed from 6.10pm to 6pm.

(4)     That it be noted that Cabinet meetings will be held at Morecambe Town Hall in 2024/25 in order to be livestreamed.

The approved timetable, venues and start times are appended to these minutes.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive, in his role as Returning Officer, presented a report to enable Council to determine the outcome of the review of polling districts and polling places in the Parliamentary Constituencies of Morecambe and Lunesdale and Lancaster and Fleetwood (to become Morecambe and Lunesdale and Lancaster and Wyre from the next UK Parliamentary General Election).

Councillors asked questions which the Returning Officer responded to.

Councillor Wood proposed, seconded by Councillor Gardiner:

“(1)    That Council approves the amendments to polling districts and polling places for the parliamentary constituencies in the Lancaster City Council area as outlined in appendix A of the report.

(2) That Council authorises the publication of the prescribed statutory information about the outcome of the review.”

The proposition was carried unanimously when put to the vote.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)    That Council approves the amendments to polling districts and polling places for the parliamentary constituencies in the Lancaster City Council area as outlined in appendix A of the report.

(2) That Council authorises the publication of the prescribed statutory information about the outcome of the review.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

No changes 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. 

Councillor Cleet asked a number of questions about The Platform entertainment venue which are set out in an appendix to these minutes with the answers.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 12 September 2023.

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.

“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.”

The Mayor reminded Council that it had been recommended to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information.

Councillor Gardiner moved, seconded by Councillor Wood:

“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.” 

A vote was taken and the motion was carried unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

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 of the press and public left the Council Chamber at this point. Council adjourned for a comfort break at 7.15pm, reconvening at 7.25pm.

Report of Cabinet

Published 3 November 2023

The Chief Officer, Housing and Property submitted a report providing feedback on improvements required at the White Lund Depot to address building problems on the site and to seek instruction on next steps to be completed. The report was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The full minute and resolution are set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.