Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Gardner, Alan Greenwell, Paul Hart, Kate Knight, Shelagh McGregor and John Wild.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 8 November, 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2023 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 informed Councillors that he had three announcements.

Firstly, it was his sad duty to report the sad and sudden passing of Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson of Lancashire Constabulary. The Council sent its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Members stood in a minute’s silence in memory of Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson

On behalf of Marsh Ward Councillors, Councillor Dowding had asked the Mayor to thank the Chief Executive and all the staff who had been involved in dealing with the fire on the Lune industrial estate. They had been working round the clock in stressful conditions and their efforts were much appreciated.

The Mayor reminded Councillors that tickets were on sale for his Christmas Carol Concert to be held on Friday 15^th December at 7pm. The St John's Hospice choir would be performing to raise funds for the Hospice. Tickets were still available priced at £10, available from the Mayor or the Mayor’s office.

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 one question had been received from a member of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.  He invited Mr Khaldoun Jayousi to put his question to the Council.

A copy of the question had been circulated at the commencement of the meeting. Mr Jayousi asked:

Do you agree that international violence and the current situation in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel is having a terrible impact on the well-being and safety of many residents in our local community and do you recognise this is making Arabs and Muslims of Lancaster more exposed than before to racism, islamophobia and attacks?

He also asked his supplementary question at the same time:

What are you, as a City Council, prepared to do using your influence to end the violence in the Middle East and help us all live in peace in this district?

Councillor Peter Jackson, Cabinet Member for Communities, Well-Being and Partnerships responded:

Yes, I do wish to respond on behalf of the City Council. I do agree and the Council agrees that the current situation in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank is having terrible effects for some Lancaster residents. I also agree that this situation may increase the risk of Islamophobic attacks, and the fear of such attacks, for our Arab and Muslim residents. Council must, of course, consider the interests of all residents and I note that the risk to our Jewish community of antisemitic attacks, and fear of such attacks, may also be increased because of this situation. Council will seek to monitor these risks through the Community Safety Partnership and in cooperation with the Police will respond if attacks on any member of any community occur. Thus far, since October 7^th, there are very few reported hate crimes in our district. You have just referred to one, and the right thing to do is to report it to the Police as you have done, as should anyone who encounters hate crime.

Regarding Mr Jayousi’s supplementary question Councillor Peter Jackson responded:

As I have described, Council accepts that it has a duty to work for the safety of all communities. It does this through the Community Safety Partnership which is made up of a wide range of bodies from our district, Police, Fire Service, Health etc, and it addresses issues based on assessment of the risk they present. We also facilitate the Communities Together group, which is an independent group, not a council group although we facilitate it, where many local ethnic and faith communities meet to increase mutual understanding and good relations.

However, while individually councillors and political groups may express their concerns and opinions about the violence in the Middle East, Council, again as previously stated, will focus on the safety of our residents and not express a view about how to end the ongoing violence.

The Mayor thanked Mr Jayousi and Councillor Peter Jackson for their question and response.

The Mayor informed Members that three requests to address Council had been received from members of the public. No petitions had been received.

The texts of all three addresses had been circulated to Councillors at the start of the meeting.

The first two addresses were about the same topic, the Israel-Gaza conflict, so would be heard together before a response would be given by Councillor Peter Jackson, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Communities, Well-Being and Partnerships .

Mr Peter Moser spoke first, followed by Ms Audreye Glover. There was disruption from the public gallery during the address from Ms Glover and during the response which followed from Councillor Peter Jackson.

Finally, Mr Chris Dealtry, who had submitted an address about Constitutional matters and telecommunications masts was invited by the Mayor to deliver his speech. Mr Dealtry chose not to do this, instead he spoke about matters raised by the previous speakers and the question from the public. He was informed by the Mayor that he must deliver his submitted speech or be silent.

Mr Dealtry suggested that the Council hold a one-minute silence for the lives lost in the Israel-Gaza conflict and the Mayor agreed, since Councillors and the public in attendance expressed a wish to do so.

Councillors and attendees stood to observe a one minute silence for the victims of the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

Councillor Peter Jackson asked that it be minuted that he thanked the members of the public in the gallery for listening to his response.

To receive the Cabinet Leader’s report on proceedings since the last meeting of Council. 

(Immediately prior to this item, the Mayor reminded Councillors Colbridge, Dowding and Punshon, who all attempted to speak about the conflict in Israel-Gaza, that he had moved to item 8 on the agenda, the Leader’s report and their contribution could not be heard. Councillor Colbridge had asked for a letter from the Council in support of a ceasefire, a request which the Leader picked up on. His response is minuted below.)

The Leader presented his report updating Members on various issues since his last report to Council. At the Leader’s invitation, the Chief Executive gave an update to Councillors about the fire on the Lune Industrial Estate.

The Leader then responded to a number of questions from Councillors and assured Councillor Colbridge that there had already been discussions about a letter to the Prime Minister with support for calls for a ceasefire to the conflict in Israel-Gaza. He informed Councillors that he would undertake to send a letter in his name as Leader of the Council with that aim in mind.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

Report of Cabinet.

Published 7 December.

The Leader, Councillor Phil Black, presented a draft Council Plan 2024/2027 to Members for approval.

He responded to questions from Councillors before proposing::

“That the Council Plan 2024/2027, as recommended by Cabinet, be approved.”

Councillor Caroline Jackson seconded the proposition.

There was a short debate before a vote was taken and the proposition was clearly carried.

Resolved:

That the Council Plan 2024/2027, as recommended by Cabinet, be approved.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 7 December.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance and Resources, presented a report regarding the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2024/25 to Council and took questions from Members.

Councillor Black asked a question about Councillors who may be in receipt of Council Tax benefit and whether they should declare an interest.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer sought definitive advice from the Monitoring Officer, who was in attendance remotely via the livestream having tested positive for COVID. The Mayor agreed to move to a break at that point in the meeting to facilitate that, rather than taking the break at the scheduled time of 8pm.

(The meeting adjourned at 7.20pm, reconvening at 7.30pm.)

The Deputy Monitoring Officer gave advice on interests, quoting from government guidance provided by the Monitoring Officer during the adjournment.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions from Councillors before proposing, seconded by Councillor Dowding:

“(1)      That Option (1) in the report, the retention of the existing Localised Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme for 2024/25, subject to minor consequential amendments to match changes in Housing Benefit rules, be approved.

(2)       That that the s151 Officer be authorised to finalise and publish the Council’s approved Scheme for 2024/25 and make all other necessary arrangements for its implementation in the next financial year.”

Debate followed. When a  vote was taken on the proposition, it was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)       That Option (1) in the report, the retention of the existing Localised Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme for 2024/25, subject to minor consequential amendments to match changes in Housing Benefit rules, be approved.

(2)       That that the s151 Officer be authorised to finalise and publish the Council’s approved Scheme for 2024/25 and make all other necessary arrangements for its implementation in the next financial year.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 8 December.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented the Medium Term Financial Strategy which provided an update on the Council’s financial forecasts for 2024/25 to 2028/29 and outlined the approach to balancing the budget.

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

The report was for Council’s consideration and noting.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Chief Finance Officer.

Published 8 December.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented a report of the Chief Finance Officer seeking Council’s consideration of various matters in connection with the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2023/24.

He responded to questions from Councillors before proposing:

“(1)    That the amendments to the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 (as set out in Appendix B of the report) in accordance with CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management (the Code) and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (the Prudential Code) be approved.

(2)     The various matters in connection with the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2023/24 be noted.”

Councillor Hunter seconded the proposition which was put to the vote after a short debate.

The proposition was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)     That the amendments to the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 (as set out in Appendix B of the report) in accordance with CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management (the Code) and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (the Prudential Code) be approved.

(2)     The various matters in connection with the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2023/24 be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive.

Published 8 December.

The Leader of the Council presented a report of the Chief Executive to allow Council to consider the draft Lancashire Devolution Deal and agree the principles of a response to the formal consultation.

There were a number of questions from Councillors which the Leader responded to, before proposing the recommendations set out in the report:

“(1)    That Council notes the draft Lancashire Devolution Deal and Proposal set out in Appendix A and B of the report. 

(2)     That Council agrees to submit a response to the eight sections of the formal consultation, feeding back the comments in part 3.0 of the report.

(3)     To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise the consultation response (including completion of the online consultation and a formal written response) based on recommendation (2), above.

(4)     That the Council promotes the consultation and seeks to encourage our district’s residents and organisations to respond.”

Councillor Hamish Mills seconded the proposition.

After a lengthy debate, the Mayor called for a vote. The proposition was carried unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)     That Council notes the draft Lancashire Devolution Deal and Proposal set out in Appendix A and B of the report. 

(2)     That Council agrees to submit a response to the eight sections of the formal consultation, feeding back the comments in part 3.0 of the report.

(3)     To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise the consultation response (including completion of the online consultation and a formal written response) based on resolution (2), above.

(4)     That the Council promotes the consultation and seeks to encourage our district’s residents and organisations to respond.

To appoint a Mayor-Elect to be put forward for election by the City Council in May 2024, for the municipal year 2024/25.

The Chief Executive reported that he had contacted Councillor Abi Mills, the most senior Member of the Council eligible to be invited to become Mayor in accordance with the Constitution. Councillor Mills had indicated that she would be happy to accept such an invitation.

It was then moved by Councillor Cooper and seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson:

“That Councillor Abi Mills be invited to hold the office of Mayor of the City of Lancaster for the Municipal Year 2024/25.”

A vote was taken on the motion which was carried unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

That Councillor Abi Mills be invited to hold the office of Mayor of the City of Lancaster for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

The Labour Group reported that Councillor Thornberry would be a named substitute member of the Audit 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 two questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules as follows:

(1)       Councillor  Fish Councillor Wood regarding the Council’s Constitution.

(2)       Councillor Abuhajar to Councillor Peter Jackson regarding tackling racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia.

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

The Mayor invited Councillor Hamilton-Cox to clarify a matter regarding questions on notice which had been submitted by Councillor Sally Maddocks.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox explained that Councillor Sally Maddocks had submitted two questions on notice before the deadline. She subsequently withdrew one, but not both of her questions.  Due to a misunderstanding, the question she wished to ask, which was about housing benefit, had not been put forward to the meeting. Councillor Hamilton-Cox offered to provide a written response to Councillor Sally Maddocks who agreed that this would be acceptable.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting.