Agenda and draft minutes

Before starting the meeting the Mayor welcomed Councillor Colley to his first Council meeting in the Chamber since being elected to represent John O’Gaunt Ward in the by-election held on 1 May 2025.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Suhir Abuhajar, Matt Black, Claire Cozler, Paul Hart, Kate Knight, Joyce Pritchard, Robert Redfern, Paul Tynan and John Wild.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 23 April 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2025 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 thanked all Councillors who had attended the Mayor Making meeting on Friday 9 May, who made the day so memorable for her and her family.

To receive nominations and elect the Leader of the Cabinet/Leader of the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution set out below:- “The Leader will be a Councillor elected for a two year term to the position of Leader by simple majority of the Council. In the event that only one nomination is put forward a vote will still be taken.”

The Mayor asked for nominations for Leader of the Council for the municipal years 2025/26-2026/27.

Councillor Phil Black nominated Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. Councillor Dowding nominated Councillor Caroline Jackson, seconded by Councillor Brookes.

19 Councillors voted for Councillor Wood, 31 Councillors voted for Councillor Caroline Jackson, therefore the Mayor declared Councillor Caroline Jackson appointed.

Resolved:

That Councillor Caroline Jackson be appointed Leader of the Council for the municipal years 2025/26-2026/27.

To consider the report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Council considered a report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections, regarding the Executive Arrangements and Scheme of Delegation to Officers. The report informed Council of an addition to the Executive Arrangements made by the Leader on 7 April 2025. This was a new delegation to the Chief Officer, Environment and Place.

The Leader of the Council informed Councillors of her Cabinet, details below.

Councillor Caroline Jackson – Leader of the Council and portfolio holder for Housing and Homelessness

Councillor Peter Jackson - Deputy Leader of the Council and portfolio holder for Communities, Well-Being and Partnerships

Councillor Bottoms – Morecambe Regeneration and Local Economy

Councillor Hamilton-Cox – Finance and Property

Councillor Hart – Environmental Services

Councillor Maddocks – Corporate Services

Councillor Riches – Climate Action

Councillor Tyldesley – Planning

Councillor Wilkinson - Lancaster Regeneration and Local Economy

The Leader’s executive arrangements were for noting. 

Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Hamish Mills proposed:

“That Council confirms the non-executive delegations in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers.”

There was no debate. The proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

(1)            That Council notes the executive arrangements including the executive delegations to officers and the addition to those delegations made by the Leader on 7 April 2025 (set out in paragraph 3 of the report).

(2)            That Council confirms the non-executive delegations in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections

Published 6 May 2025

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections had submitted a report to advise Council of the calculations relating to the allocation of seats in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as required at the Annual Council meeting.

Councillor Brookes proposed “That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.” The proposition was seconded by Councillor Deery.

There was no debate. The proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act, 1989 and Part 4 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations, 1990, the City Council approves the calculations and allocation of seats set out in the report.

To receive nominations and appoint Members to serve on the under-mentioned bodies in accordance with the political balance arrangements agreed at Item 8.

(a) Overview and Scrutiny Committee (9 non-Cabinet Members)

(b) Budget and Performance Panel (9 non-Cabinet Members)

(c) Planning Regulatory Committee (15 Members)

(d) Licensing Committee (10 Members)

(e) People and Organisational Development Committee (7 Members)

(f) Appeals Committee (7 Members)

(g) Audit Committee (7 Members)

(h) Standards Committee (7 Members)

(i) Council Business Committee (7 Members)

(j) LGR working group (9 Members and one MBI non-voting participating observer)

A list of Councillors nominated by several of the political groups for appointment to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny bodies, Committees and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Working Group had been circulated at the commencement of the meeting.

Council was informed of a number of additions to the list which had been made prior to the meeting starting. The MBI group gave their appointments at the meeting.

Appointments were also made to the LGR Working Group. The Working Group was not included in the political balance calculation, however Council had resolved that appointments to that body be made in accordance with political balance for a standalone Working Group of nine Councillors.

All the nominations put forward by the groups for appointment to Overview and Scrutiny bodies, Committees and the LGR Working Group were proposed by Councillor Gawith, seconded by Councillor Blaikie. The proposal was clearly carried.

Resolved:

That the nominations made by the groups for appointments to Overview and Scrutiny bodies, Committees and the LGR Working Group be approved. 

The appointments are appended to these minutes.

To receive nominations and appoint Chairs to each of the under-mentioned bodies noting that, in accordance with the terms of reference in the Council’s Constitution, only non-Cabinet Members are entitled to vote on (a) and (b) below:-

(a)        Overview and Scrutiny Committee – shall not be a member of any political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet (except where no nominations from non-Cabinet groups are received).

(b)        Budget and Performance Panel – shall not be a member of any political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet (except where no nominations from non-Cabinet groups are received).

(c)        Planning Regulatory Committee

(d)        Licensing Committee

(e)        People and Organisational Development Committee - recommended to include at least one Cabinet Member

(f)         Appeals Committee

(g)        Audit Committee – shall not be a Member of Cabinet or Overview and Scrutiny

(h)        Standards Committee

(i)         Council Business Committee

(j)         Local Government Reorganisation Working Group

The Mayor requested nominations for Chairs for the Overview and Scrutiny bodies, for each of the Council’s Regulatory and Standing Committees and for the LGR Working Group. 

The Mayor reminded Members that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution only non-Cabinet Members were entitled to vote on the Chairs proposed for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Budget and Performance Panel. Nominations for those roles were to be from groups who did not have Councillors on the Cabinet, unless no nominations from non-Cabinet groups were received.

In relation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Gawith was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. There were no further nominations and  Councillor Gawith was appointed Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

For the Budget and Performance Panel, Councillor Hanna was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. Councillor Budden was nominated by Councillor Gardiner, seconded by Councillor Newton.  26 votes were cast for Councillor Hanna; 8 votes were cast for Councillor Budden. The Mayor declared Councillor Hanna Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel.

For the Planning Regulatory Committee, Councillor Thornberry was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. There were no further nominations and  Councillor Thornberry was appointed Chair of the Planning Regulatory Committee. 

Two nominations were made for Chair of the Licensing Committee. Councillor Tynan was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Dowding. Councillor Pattison was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr.

On being put to the vote Councillor Tynan received 29 votes and Councillor Pattison received 24 votes, therefore Councillor Tynan was appointed Chair of the Licensing Committee.

Next, Councillor Wood was proposed by Councillor Harris, seconded by Councillor Parr, for the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee. No further nominations were made and the Mayor declared Councillor Wood appointed.

In relation to the Appeals Committee, Councillor McGowan was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Dowding. Councillor Armistead was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr.

Councillor McGowan received 29 votes, Councillor Armistead received 19 votes. The Mayor declared Councillor McGowan appointed Chair of the Appeals Committee.

For the Audit Committee, Councillor Hartley was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. Councillor Stubbins was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Brookes. With 30 votes for Councillor Stubbins and 19 votes for Councillor Hartley, Councillor Stubbins was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee.

Next, Councillor Phil Black was proposed by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr, for the Chair of the Standards Committee. Councillor Hamish Mills was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Lenox. Councillor Hamish Mills was appointed, having received 28 votes to Councillor Black’s 24 votes.

In relation to the Council Business Committee, Councillor Parr was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Phil Black. Councillor Hunter was proposed by Councillor Peter Jackson, seconded by Councillor Greenwell. With 19 votes for Councillor Parr and 29 votes for Councillor Hunter, the Mayor  declared Councillor Hunter Chair of the Council Business Committee.

Finally, for the LGR  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections had submitted a report to allow Council to reconfirm its appointments to outside bodes, partnerships and boards and to the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel.

A vacancy on the George Fox School Educational Trust was detailed in the report, which also showed the list of current appointees to all outside bodies in an appendix.

The Mayor informed Councillors that she had stepped down from the Heysham Nuclear Power Station Community Liaison Council, leaving a vacancy on that body to be filled.

Councillor Wood proposed recommendations (1) and (2) as set out in the report. Councillor Brookes seconded the proposition, which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Regarding the vacancy on the George Fox School Educational Trust, Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Lenox, nominated Councillor Punshon for the role. There were no further nominations and the Mayor declared that Councillor Punshon would be the Council’s nominee to join the Trust. 

Councillor Wood then nominated Councillor Belcher for the vacant place on the Heysham Nuclear Power Station Local Community Liaison Council. Councillor Parr seconded the nomination. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Belcher appointed.

Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Brookes, then proposed recommendation (3) as set out in the report. This was to re-confirm the basis of appointment to the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel as nomination and voting by Council. This proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote. Councillor Metcalf-Riener nominated Councillor Maddocks. Councillor Deery seconded the nomination. There were no further nominations therefore the Mayor declared Councillor Maddocks appointed.

Resolved:

(1)     That Council re-confirms the appointments to outside bodies set out in Appendix 1b of the report.

(2)     That Councillor Punshon be the Council’s nomination to the George Fox School Educational Charity to fill the vacancy for a City Councillor

 (3)    That the basis of appointment to the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel be re[1]confirmed as nomination and voting by Council and Councillor Maddocks be appointed for 2025/26.

(4)     That Councillor Belcher be appointed to the Heysham Nuclear Power Station Community Liaison Council.

(5)     That Council confirms that all appointments to outside bodies made or re-confirmed at this meeting will extend until the next City Council Elections in 2027.