Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Vicky Boyd-Power, Dave Brookes, Gina Dowding, Merv Evans, Jake Goodwin, Tricia Heath, Mandy King, Faye Penny, Alistair Sinclair, Katie Whearty and Peter Yates.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 23 February 2022 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2022 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.

Councillors were reminded of the plight of the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Mayor noted that he was in touch regularly with the Mayor of Lublin Council, Lancaster’s twin town in Poland. Lublin was situated 70 miles from the border with the Ukraine, the first Polish city over the border, and had been receiving many refugees fleeing from the fighting.

The Mayor then reported the recent sad death of Honorary Alderman Shirley Burns.

Shirley had been elected to the Council in September 1978 and was Mayor in 1995/96. Shirley stood down from the Council in 2015, when she became an Honorary Alderman.

Members stood in a minute’s silence reflecting on the conflict in Ukraine and in memory of Honorary Alderman Shirley Burns.

Councillors were informed that Councillor Bryning would shortly celebrate his 90^th birthday. The Mayor said he had been told that Councillor Bryning was born in the same year that Morecambe Town Hall had been built. Councillor Lewis spoke to confirm this fact and to acknowledge Councillor Bryning’s long service.

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 her report updating Members on various issues since her last report to Council. She then responded to a number of questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

Report of the Chief Executive Recruitment Committee (to follow)

The chair of the Chief Executive Recruitment Committee (CERC), Councillor Hamilton-Cox, presented a report of the Committee seeking approval for appointment of a recommended candidate for the post of Chief Executive in order that a formal offer of employment could be made.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox informed Councillors that the recommended candidate was Mark Davies, currently the Council’s Director of Communities and Environment. He explained the reasons why Mark had been chosen by the CERC and recommended him to Council for appointment.

On behalf of the CERC Councillor Hamilton-Cox thanked consultants Tile Hill, Technical Assessor Karen Satterford, Head of HR Arshaluse Gougazian and her staff in HR for their support during the recruitment process.  He also thanked the other members of the CERC for working so constructively on the cross-party ad hoc committee.

There were no questions from Members.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed:

“That the appointment of Mark Davies as Chief Executive be approved, to allow a formal offer of employment to be made.”

Councillor Lewis seconded the proposition and spoke in favour.

There was no debate.

A vote was then taken on the proposition, which was carried unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

That the appointment of Mark Davies as Chief Executive be approved, to allow a formal offer of employment to be made.

Report of the Personnel Committee (This report was marked “to follow” and was published on 14 March 2022).

Councillor Anderton, chair of the Personnel Committee introduced the Committee’s report regarding the Pay Policy Statement 2022/23. The report explained that an annual Pay Policy Statement was required to be published, in compliance with the Localism Act 2011.

There were no questions from Councillors. Councillor Anderton proposed:

“That the Pay Policy Statement 2022/23, appended to the report, be approved.”

Councillor Wood seconded the proposition.

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

Resolved unanimously:

That the Pay Policy Statement 2022/23, appended to the report, be approved.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive had submitted a report regarding the Honorary Recorder. The report set out that, since the retirement of His Honour Judge Phillip Sycamore, the role had been vacant. Council was asked to consider appointing His Honour Judge John (known as Robert) Altham to the role at the Annual Council meeting.

Councillor Dennison proposed, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson:

“That His Honour Judge Robert Altham be appointed Honorary Recorder of Lancaster at the Annual Meeting of the City Council”

There was no debate and a vote was taken on the proposition, which was carried unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

That His Honour Judge Robert Altham be appointed Honorary Recorder of Lancaster at the Annual Meeting of the City Council.

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. 

The Mayor advised that three questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules as follows:

(1)       Councillor Dant to Councillor Matthews regarding grant funding for insulation and other works to housing.

(2)       Councillor Dant to Councillor Hamilton-Cox regarding Canal Corridor.

(3)       Councillor Dant to Councillor Brookes regarding sand on the promenade in Morecambe following storms.

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 8 February 2022. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2022. There were no questions for the Leader.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.