Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Catherine Armistead, Martin Bottoms, Brett Cooper, Hamish Mills, Jean Parr and Robert Redfern.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 13 December 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2023 were agreed and would be signed by the Mayor as a correct record following the meeting.

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 deaths of serving Councillor Paul Gardner and former Councillor James Outram before Christmas.

Councillor Gardner was a Councillor for Carnforth and Millhead Ward. He was elected in May 2023 having previously served on the City Council from 2003-2007 and 2011-2015. Paul’s funeral was held on 9 January 2024.

Mr James Outram had been elected to serve Scotforth ward in the 1970’s and had passed away in December after a long illness, aged 85.

The Mayor reminded Councillors that 5 February 2024 would mark the 20^th anniversary of the cockling tragedy in Morecambe Bay, when 23 cockle picking fishermen and women lost their lives.

He asked that Members join him for one minute of silence to remember Councillor Paul Gardner, former Councillor James Outram and all those who had perished in the cockling tragedy in 2004.

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

The Mayor reminded Members that they had been sent an email inviting them to a candlelight memorial and vigil to be held at 6pm on 5 February 2024 to remember the  cockle pickers who lost their lives 20 years ago in Morecambe Bay.

He hoped that Councillors would be able to attend.

The Mayor invited Councillor Dowding to speak.

Councillor Dowding spoke on behalf of Marsh Ward Councillors to thank Fire and Rescue, other services and Council officers for their concerted effort to extinguish the fire at the Lune Industrial Estate.

The Mayor echoed these thanks on behalf of all other Councillors.

He then informed Members that he would take the IRP report, Item 10 on the agenda, after item 7 to reduce the waiting time for the Chair of the IRP, who was present to introduce the report. He also reminded Councillors that Item 9, the setting of the Lancaster City Council’s portion of Council Tax, would require a recorded vote, in line with legislation and Council Procedure Rule 19.7 in the Constitution.

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.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

The Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel, Mr Ameer Hakim, introduced the Panel’s review of the Councillors’ Allowances Scheme for 2024/25, undertaken from October-December 2023.

There were no questions for Mr Hakim about the report.

Councillor Wood proposed:

“That the recommendations of the IRP, as set out in the Panel’s report, be approved.”

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Gardiner.

The proposer and seconder thanked Mr Hakim and the other members of the Panel, Mrs Harsha Shukla and Mr Ryan Hyde, for the work they had undertaken to complete the review.

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

Resolved:

With regard to the Basic Allowance:

(1)            That the basic allowance be increased by 3% from £4,200pa to £4,326pa with effect from 5 April 2024. 

(2)            That, for future years, the IRP will review the level of basic allowance and make a recommendation to Council for consideration at its January meeting.

With regard to Special Responsibility Allowances (including the Mayor/Deputy Mayor allowances):

(3)            That Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) be increased by 3% with effect from 6 April 2024.

(4)            That, for future years, the IRP will review the level of SRAs and make recommendations to Council for consideration at its January meeting.

With regard to the Dependents Carers Allowance:

(5)            To reconfirm that the Dependents Carers Allowance should allow for reimbursement of up to a maximum of the Real Living Wage as determined by the Living Wage Foundation (currently £12.00 per hour).

The Leader presented his report updating Members on various issues since his last report to Council. He also provided a verbal update on two matters which had arisen since his report had been drafted. These were:

·       An announcement of additional monies from Central Government for District Councils. This would be a one-off payment the exact amount not yet known

·       The receipt of the Subsidy Advice Unit’s assessment report for the Eden North Project

The Leader then responded to a number of questions from Councillors and agreed to send a written answer to Councillor Sally Maddocks regarding recouping money the Council had spent on the Lune Industrial estate fire, including the possibility of using the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 19 January 2024

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Resources, presented a report of Cabinet updating Council on the budget strategy for 2024/25 and financial outlook up to 2028/29.

Specifically, the report considered the budget and Council Tax proposals for 2024/25 and recommended that Council approve a 2.99% increase to the Band D Council Tax (from £249.18 to £256.63) as the Lancaster City Council element of the Council Tax charge for 2024/25.

Members asked a number of questions, which Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, seconded by Councillor Phil Black, proposed:

“(1)   That Council approves a City Council Tax increase of 2.99% to the Band D Council Tax (from £249.18 to £256.63), together with a year-on-year target of the maximum allowable under the Government’s local referendum thresholds for future years.”

Council noted the proposed revenue budget for 2024/25 as set out in the report and there was some debate on the budget proposals.

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 Abuhajar, Ainscough, Bannon, Belcher, Black (Matthew), Black (Phil), Blaikie, Brookes, Budden, Cleet, Colbridge, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gardiner, Gawith, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hanna, Hanson, Harris, Hart, Hartley, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson, (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks (Sally), Maddocks (Sophie), McGowan, Mills (Abi), Newton, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Pritchard, Punshon, Riches, Russell, Sommerville, Stubbins, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Tynan, Whitaker, Wild, Wilkinson and Wood.

Against: Councillor Bradley (1)

There were no abstentions.

Resolved:

(1)     That Council approves a City Council Tax increase of 2.99% to the Band D Council Tax (from £249.18 to £256.63), together with a year-on-year target of the maximum allowable under the Government’s local referendum thresholds for future years.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections, had submitted a report asking Council to consider nominating a Councillor for appointment to the Lancaster and Skipton Rail User group. The report explained that the basis of this appointment had been determined by Council in May 2023 as one which should be filled by nomination and voting at full Council.

The Mayor called for nominations.

Councillor Pritchard nominated Councillor Blaikie. The nomination was seconded by Councillor Hart.

Since there were no further nominations, the Mayor declared Councillor Blaikie appointed to the Lancaster and Skipton Rail User group.

Resolved:

That Councillor Blaikie be appointed to the Lancaster and Skipton Rail User group.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

Changes reported since the last Council meeting were from the Labour Group, as follows:

Councillor Gawith would become a member of the Planning Regulatory Committee to fill the vacancy left by the sad passing of Councillor Paul Gardner. Councillor Bradley would replace Councillor Gawith as a substitute member of that Committee and Councillor Wood had been appointed a named substitute for the Standards 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 been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

To receive the Minutes of Meetings of Cabinet held 24 October and 5 December 2023. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 24 October 2023 and 5 December 2023. No questions were raised.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.