Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brett Cooper, Andrew Gardiner, Chris Hanna, Peter Jackson, Kate Knight, Jack Lenox, Izzy Metcalf-Riener, Jean Parr and Paul Tynan.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Ordinary and Special Meetings of the City Council held on 17 December 2025 (previously circulated). 

At this point Councillor Phil Black referred to an inaccuracy in minute 96 of the ordinary Council meeting held on 17 December which stated the Leader had responded to a question from Councillor Gawith.  Councillor Black asked that the sentence be amended to read the Leader ‘failed to answer a question from Councillor Gawith.” As the meeting did not agree to this revision a vote was taken with Councillor Phil Black, seconded by Councillor Matthew Black formally requesting that the minutes be amended.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried, and the minutes were amended prior to being signed by the Mayor.

The minutes of the Special meeting and amended minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 17 December 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. 

There were no declarations of interest made at this stage.

The Mayor announced that she would be hosting a Cabaret Evening at the Mazuma Stadium on 7^th March at 7pm.  Tickets for this lovely evening of entertainment which included a pie supper were available from the Mayor’s office.

The Mayor announced that in compliance with the law and Council Procedure Rule 19.7 from the City Council Constitution a recorded vote would be taken on item 9 as this related to the making of a Council Tax calculation.

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.

Councillors were informed that two speakers had registered to speak at the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.

The first speaker was Claire Cooper and the second Jason Park, Chair of Cockerham Parish Council. The speakers expressed the anger, frustration and concern of the residents of St Michaels Gardens, Cockerham who for four years had been living in an unsightly estate amongst fly tipping, incomplete landscaping, driveways, roadways and drainage.  The speakers spoke passionately about the problems they were experiencing and implored the city council to expedite legal proceedings as the continued delays contributed significantly to the distress of the residents.

Copies of both speeches had been circulated to members.

Councillor Tyldesley, Cabinet member with responsibility for Planning, responded to Claire Cooper and Jason Park and thanked them for their heart felt addresses.   Councillor Tyldesley assured those attending that the Council was listening and doing what it could to deal with this very unsatisfactory situation and expressed her hope that the publicity around this case make the developers realise that it was in their interests to do the right thing and improve the living conditions for those presently living on the site.

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

The Leader and Councillor Hart responded to a number of questions and the Leader confirmed that a written response would be provided to Councillor Cleet’s question on whether a referendum would be necessary in the event of the formation of a Heysham  Parish council and the possibility of the ward of Heysham North breaking away from Morecambe Town Council to join Heysham Parish Council.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Cabinet.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Property, presented a report of Cabinet providing an update on the Council’s budget strategy for 2026/27 and financial outlook up to 2030/31.

The report specifically considered the budget and Council Tax proposals for 2026/27 and recommended that Council approve a 2.99% increase to the Band D Council Tax as the Lancaster City Council element of the Council Tax charge for 2026/27.

Councillor Matthew Black declared an interest at this point in view of him working for the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Authority.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions.

Council noted the latest revenue budgetary information set out in the report.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Bottoms:

“That Council approves a City Council Tax increase of 2.99% to the Band D Council Tax (from £264.30 to £272.20), together with a year on year target of the maximum allowable under the Government’s local referendum thresholds for future years.”

At the conclusion of the debate, a recorded vote was taken on the proposition as required by legislation and Procedure Rule 19.7 in the Council’s Constitution. The results of that vote were recorded as follows:

For: Councillors, Ainscough, Armistead, Bannon, Belcher, Black (Matthew), Black (Phil), Blaikie, Bottoms, Brookes, Cleet, Colbridge, Colley, Cozler, Deery, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gawith, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Hart, Hartley, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Livermore, Maddocks,  McGowan, Mills (Abi), Mills (Hamish), Otway, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Pritchard, Punshon, Redfern, Riches, Sommerville, Stubbins, Stubbs, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Wilkinson and Wood (46)

Against: Councillors Abuhajar, Bradley and Harris  (3)

Abstentions: Councillors Budden, Newton and Wild (3)

Resolved:

(1)            That Council approves a City Council Tax increase of 2.99% to the Band D Council Tax (from £264.30 to £272.20), together with a year on year target of the maximum allowable under the Government’s local referendum thresholds for future years.

Report of the Chief Officer, Governance.

Council considered a report from the Chief Officer Governance to inform Council of interim changes to Cabinet responsibilities whilst the Deputy Leader is absent and to report an addition to the executive delegations to the Chief Officer, Housing and Property. 

In response to a question regarding the temporary redistribution of responsibility for car parking the Leader provided clarification and apologised for any confusion this may have caused but confirmed that this would only be on a short-term basis.

Resolved:

That Council notes:

( a) the interim changes to executive arrangements whilst the Deputy Leader is absent (b) an addition to executive delegations to the Chief Officer, Housing and Property

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

Changes to Committee memberships since the last Council meeting were reported.

It was reported that Councillor Budden had taken up the vacant Conservative seat on Budget and Performance Panel.

Councillor Wild had taken up the vacant Conservative seat on Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Dowding to replace Councillor McGowan on Overview and Scrutiny 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 9 Councillors had submitted questions to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

Councillor Parr had submitted 3 questions to Councillor Bottoms regarding car park occupancy. In view of her absence the Mayor read out her questions.

Councillor Colbridge submitted a question to Councillor Caroline Jackson solar array panels in blocks of flats.

Councillor Potter submitted a question to Councillor Hart regarding gritting with a further question to Councillor Bottoms regarding the calculation of economic benefit to the district of events.

Councillor Ainscough submitted a question to Councillor Riches regarding EV charging points.

Councillor Redfern submitted a question to Councillor Bottoms with regard to parent and child spaces in council operated car parks.

Councillor Belcher submitted a question to Councillor Bottoms regarding blue badge provision.

Councillor Matthew Black submitted a question to Councillor Bottoms regarding Castle car park.

Councillor Cozler submitted a question to Councillor Bottoms regarding walking distances from Kingsway car park.

Councillor Phillip Black submitted a question to Councillor Bottoms regarding the closure of St Leonardsgate.

Details of the questions and answers together with any supplementary questions and responses are appended to the minutes.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 2 December 2025. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 26 November and 2 December 2025.