Agenda and draft minutes

Before starting the meeting the Mayor welcomed Councillor Metcalf-Reiner to her first Council meeting since being elected to represent Castle Ward in the by-election held on 14^th March.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ruth Colbridge, Brett Cooper, Claire Cozler, Ross Hunter, Sally Maddocks, Hamish Mills, Sue Penney, Sam Riches and Sue Tyldesley.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 13March 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2024 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. 

Councillor Pattison reported that she was a member of Lancashire County Council should there be discussion about the former Supaskips site on the Lune Industrial Estate, mentioned in the Leader’s report.  (Minute No. 152 refers.)

The Mayor reported the sad death of former Councillor Judith Jones (formerly Newton) in March 2024.

Judith was a Councillor for the Carnforth Ward from 2004-07. Her funeral was held at Beetham Hall Crematorium on Thursday 28th March.

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

The Mayor thanked all the Council Officers and those who attended the Truck Pull on Sunday 21 April at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, which raised money for his two chosen charities. It was a fun day which everyone enjoyed. The Mayor was grateful to all  who took part and donated.

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.

To receive the Cabinet Leader’s report on proceedings since the last meeting of Council. 

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. He agreed to supply a written update to Councillors regarding the former Revolution building in Lancaster in response to a question from Councillor Gardiner about enforcement.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

To receive the annual report of the Mayor.

In accordance with Part 1, paragraph 7.1(i) of the Constitution, the Mayor presented his Annual Report for 2023/24.

Resolved:

That the report be received.

To receive the Cabinet’s Annual Report containing the Business Progress Reports of the Leader and each Cabinet Member in accordance with Part 2, Section 4 of the Council’s Constitution [paragraphs 3.1 (j) and 5.1(m)].

The reports of individual Cabinet Members are included in this agenda and will be presented at the meeting:

Leader of the Council (Report to follow).

Climate Action.

Communities, Wellbeing and Partnerships.

Corporate Services.

Environmental Services (published 17 April 2024).

Finance and Resources.

Housing & Homelessness.

Planning & Placemaking

Regeneration, Skills and Digital Innovation

Visitor Economy, Community Wealth Building & Culture.

In accordance with Part 2, Section 4 paragraph 3.1(j) of the Constitution, the Leader and each Member of Cabinet had produced a written progress report for 2023/24. The Leader presented his annual report and answered a number of questions.

Councillors, Dowding, Jackson (Peter), Wood, Ainscough, Hamilton-Cox, Jackson (Caroline), Parr, Potter and Wilkinson then presented their annual reports and responded to Members’ questions.

Councillor Parr agreed to provide a written answer to Councillors regarding whether the income figures for the car parks quoted in her report were gross or net figures. She also agreed to look into the feasibility of Parent and Child parking on some car parks for Councillor Redfern and whether a half-hour parking rate could be introduced on the Pedder Street car park in Morecambe, following a question from Cllr Hart. 

In response to questions from Councillor Knight and Councillor Gardiner, Councillor Wilkinson agreed to supply details to all Councillors of the decision making and procurement steps that had been followed to bring Centenary House back into use. 

Resolved:

That the reports of the Leader and Cabinet Members Councillors Dowding, Jackson (Peter), Wood, Ainscough, Hamilton-Cox, Jackson (Caroline), Parr, Potter and Wilkinson be received.

To receive the Annual Report of Overview and Scrutiny.

In accordance with Part 2, Section 5 paragraph 9.13 of the Constitution, the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24 had been published.

The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel had given apologies for the meeting so were unable to present the report or take questions. However, no questions were raised.

No questions were raised.

Resolved:

That the Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report be received.

To receive the Annual Report of the Audit Committee.

Published 18^th April 2024

In accordance with Part 3, Section 5 paragraph 6.30 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chair, Councillor Stubbins, presented the 2023/24 Annual Report of the Audit Committee. He thanked officers who had supported the Committee and the Council’s governance during the year before responding to questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be received

Report of Licensing Manager

Councillor Jason Wood, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Corporate Services presented the revised Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2027 to Council for approval. He proposed:

“That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (2023-2027) be adopted, with immediate effect.”

Councillor Pattison seconded the proposal.

There was no debate and the proposal was carried unanimously when put to the vote.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)            That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (2023-2027) be adopted, with immediate effect.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer had submitted a report for noting the new requirements in the Councillor Code of Conduct to register offers of gifts and/or hospitality. These had been recommended by the Standards Committee and approved by Council Business Committee on 29 February 2024.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

The Mayor reported several changes to committee memberships which had been made since the last meeting of Council:

The Green Group had replaced Councillor Hamish Mills as a substitute on Overview and Scrutiny Committee with Councillor Metcalf-Riener. They had also added Councillor Tyldesley as a substitute member of Standards Committee.

Additionally, Councillor Metcalf-Riener had replaced Councillor Sally Maddocks on Audit Committee with Councillor Sally Maddocks becoming a substitute member in place of Councillor Fish.

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 there were no questions.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 20 February 2024.

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2024.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.