Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Catherine Armistead, Keith Budden, Brett Cooper, Gina Dowding, Tom Fish, John Hanson, Colin Hartley, Izzy Metcalf-Riener, Catherine Potter, Sarah Punshon, Robert Redfern and Nick Wilkinson.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the City Council held on 9 and 12 May 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meetings held on 9 and 12 May 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 reported the sad death of Council Officer Sue Taylor on 4 June 2025 after a short illness.

Sue worked for many years within Financial Services before she moved across to Salt Ayre as both an administrator and a fitness instructor.

Sue made a lasting impact on so many people, colleagues and Councillors alike. Her absence would be deeply felt across the team and by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her and thoughts were with her family at such a very sad time.

Councillors stood in a minute’s silence in Sue’s memory.

The Mayor announced that she would be holding her first fundraiser of the year, a Quiz night on Thursday 17^th July commencing at 7.00pm at Lancaster Town Hall.  Teams of no more than five were asked to take part and the cost was £4 per person.  Tickets were available from the Mayor’s office.

Councillors were informed that the Mayor was reordering the agenda slightly in view of the public speakers who were present to hear the debate on the motion. She would take item 9, the motion on notice, before item 8, the Leader’s report.

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. 

No questions had been received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.

The Mayor reported that two members of the public had registered to speak to Council regarding the motion on notice supporting local trans and intersex community in response to the Supreme Court judgement on the definition of ‘sex’ in equality law.

Firstly, Mr Robert Mee addressed Council on behalf of Out in the Bay.   Next, Dr Lewis Turner spoke on behalf of Lancashire LGBT. Copies of each speech had been previously circulated to Councillors.

The Mayor thanked both speakers and invited Councillor Caroline Jackson, Leader of the Council, to respond. 

Councillor Caroline Jackson responded to both speakers and thanked them for taking the time to speak to Councillors.

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillor Phillip Black and seconded by Councillors Joanne Ainscough, Catherine Armistead, Louise Belcher, Matthew Black, Ruth Colbridge, Claire Cozler, Jean Parr, Jackson Stubbs and Jason Wood.

Councillor Phil Black proposed the following motion having given the required notice to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15:-

Like trans and intersex people across the country, the local community is trying to make sense of the supreme court judgement and understand the implications in their daily lives. This is a period of upset, anxiety and uncertainty about the future that is impacting one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. As an employer, public service provider (particularly with facilities such as Salt Ayre Leisure Centre) and political organisation it is incumbent upon us to demonstrate our support for trans and intersex people in our district. Whilst we have no choice but to adhere to laws created in other places, we have the latitude to create and implement local policy founded in principles of equality, equity, dignity and compassion.

Council notes that:

·       The Supreme Court ruling on the definition of ‘sex’ has prompted guidance from the Equality & Human Rights Commission that requires (in the language of the judgement):

§  Workplaces provide single-sex facilities for staff in addition to mixed-sex facilities

§  Public services can provide mixed sex facilities, but must also provide single-sex spaces.

§  Best practice is to provide mixed-sex facilities in addition to single-sex facilities, and indeed it is a requirement that suitable facilities are available for everyone.

§  A mixed-sex facility should have lockable ‘rooms’ rather than cubicles (i.e. have complete floor-to-ceiling sides and doors.)

§  Organisations which offer memberships to more than 25 people can do this on ‘single-sex’ basis.

·       The Supreme Court ruling does not remove the protected characteristic status from trans individuals. Under the Equalities act of 2010 trans people retain a legal right to a life free of discrimination and harassment.

·       Whilst possessing a gender recognition certificate (GRC) does not exempt a trans individual from the implications of this ruling, the Gender Recognition act of 2004 still applies. The legal sex of a person possessing a GRC is that which they have acquired in line with their identity.

·       The council has operated family and unisex changing facilities at Salt Ayre, and unisex toilets in the Storey Institute, successfully for many years.

·       Enforcement of a law is a matter for the Police and justice system.

·       Further guidance is expected in June and the issue will go before Parliament in the summer months.

·       People and Organisational Development Committee are considering a draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy along with reports from consultants on related matters. This is a workstream due for completion in July 2025. Council’s concerns related to this judgement:

·       The guidance from the EHRC suggests there is provision from excluding trans people from any single-sex space based on their appearance/presentation.

·       Repeated instances of challenges and accusations against people attempting to use facilities that they are entitled to use are being reported, typically where these individuals do not conform to stereotypical appearance/presentation (hair-cuts, clothing, build, body-hair, medical conditions such as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) etc).

·       Evidencing ones ‘biological sex’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The Leader reported on events since the last Council meeting and responded to questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

Several changes were reported.

·       Two substitutes had been appointed to the Local Government Reorganisation Working Group since the last Council meeting. They were Councillor Ainscough for the Labour Group and Councillor Greenwell for the Liberal Democrat Group.

·       Councillor Gardiner had been replaced on the Standards Committee by Councillor Newton and on the Licensing Committee by Councillor Wild.

·       Councillor Phil Black had taken up the Labour vacancy on the People and Organisational Development Committee

·       Councillor Wood had taken on a substitute role on both the Council Business and Standards Committees.

·       Councillor Ainscough had taken up the Labour vacancy on the Appeals Committee.

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 in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

To receive the Minutes of Meetings of Cabinet held 11 February, 15 April and 20 May 2025. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 11 February, 15 April and 20 May 2025. Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to a question regarding property.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.