Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Paul Gardner who, due to illness, had not yet been able to make his declaration of acceptance of office.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the City Council held on 26 April 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 26 April 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. 

Councillor Wilkinson declared an ‘other’ interest, as set out in Section 2 paragraph 8 of Part B of the Councillors Code of Conduct, in relation to Item 17, Appointments to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards. Councillor Wilkinson’s interest was as a Director of the Lancaster BID.

The Mayor welcomed all the newly elected Councillors to their first annual meeting of the City Council.

To consider the report of the Returning Officer setting out the results of the City Council elections held on 4 May 2023.

Council noted the report of the Returning Officer setting out the results of the City Council Elections held on 4 May 2023. It was noted that there was a mistake in the table which erroneously showed the wrong political group for Councillor Kate Knight who had been elected as the Conservative Party Candidate for Bare Ward.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, setting out the seniority of Members of the City Council following the elections.

The Chief Executive submitted a report which set out the Seniority of Members on the City Council, following the draw made by the Mayor to determine seniority between the new Councillors elected on 4 May 2023.  Council noted the report.

To receive a list, compiled by Democratic Services, setting out the Political Groups constituted in accordance with the Regulation of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

The constitution of political groups following the recent elections was noted by Council.

To consider the report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Services.

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections, submitted a report to advise Council of the calculations relating to the allocation of seats in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This was to allow Council to appoint to Committees as required at the annual meeting,

It was proposed by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Blaikie:

“That in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act, 1989 and Part 4 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations, 1990, the City Council approves the calculations and allocation of seats set out in the report, including the adjustments set out in paragraph 4 of the report.”

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

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act, 1989 and Part 4 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations, 1990, the City Council approves the calculations and allocation of seats set out in the report, including the adjustments set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

To receive nominations and elect the Leader of the Cabinet/Leader of the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution set out below:- “The Leader will be a Councillor elected for a two year term to the position of Leader by simple majority of the Council. In the event that only one nomination is put forward a vote will still be taken.”

The Mayor asked for nominations for Leader of Cabinet/Leader of the Council for the municipal years 2023/24-2024/25.

Councillor Thornberry nominated Councillor Phil Black, seconded by Councillor Dowding. There were no further nominations.

A vote was taken as required by the Council’s Constitution (Part 2, Section 4, paragraph 4.1) and the proposition to appoint Councillor Phil Black was clearly carried.

Resolved:

That Councillor Phil Black be appointed Leader of Cabinet/Leader of the Council for the municipal years 2023/24-2024/25.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer (This report was marked ‘to follow’ and was published on 18 May 2023)

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report regarding the executive arrangements and the Scheme of Delegation to Officers. The report also sought approval from Council for changes to the Constitution, namely:

·       revised terms of reference for the Audit Committee

·       a change of title for the Personnel Committee to the People and Organisational Development Committee

·       removal of the Appendix to Part 3, Section 1, the Procedure Rules for the Regulation of Remote Proceedings, which was in place during the pandemic.

Councillor Phil Black confirmed that he was not in a position to give full details of his Cabinet at that point and would provide that information at a later date. He did, however, name his Deputy Leader as Councillor Caroline Jackson.

Councillor Dowding, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackso,n moved the recommendations as set out in the report. The proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That

a)    the Council notes the executive arrangements including the executive delegations to officers, the appointment of Councillor Caroline Jackson as Deputy Leader of the Council, and that Cabinet appointments and portfolio areas will be reported by the Leader at a later date;

b)    the non-executive delegations in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be ratified by Council;

c)     that Council approves the changes to the Constitution detailed in paragraph 3.0 of the report

To receive nominations and appoint Councillors to serve on each of the following Overview and Scrutiny bodies in accordance with the political balance arrangements agreed at Item 9. In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, only non-Cabinet Councillors (if Cabinet membership is known) are entitled to vote on this item.

a)    Overview and Scrutiny Committee (9 Councillors)

b)    Budget and Performance Panel (9 Councillors)

A list of Councillors nominated by political groups for appointment to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny bodies had been circulated at the commencement of the meeting. The list was incomplete and it was noted that the Labour Group nominations would be communicated to Democratic Support following the meeting.

The Mayor reminded Members that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution only non-Cabinet members were entitled to vote on this item, therefore Councillor Phil Black and Councillor Caroline Jackson should not vote.

The nominations made by the groups for appointment to the Overview and Scrutiny bodies were proposed by Councillor Cooper, seconded by Councillor Brookes and accepted by Council when put to the vote.

Resolved:

1.     That the nominations made by the Green, Liberal Democrat, Conservative and MBI groups for appointment to Overview and Scrutiny bodies be accepted.

2.     That the Labour Group nominations be reported to Democratic Support following the meeting.

To receive nominations and appoint Members to serve on the under-mentioned Committees in accordance with the political balance arrangements agreed at item 9. The number of Councillors on each Committee is shown in brackets.

a)     Planning Regulatory Committee (15)

b)     Licensing Committee (10)

c)     Personnel Committee (7)

d)     Appeals Committee (7)

e)     Audit Committee (7)

f)       Standards Committee (7)

g)     Council Business Committee (7)

A list of Councillors nominated by political groups for appointment to the Council’s Committees had been circulated at the commencement of the meeting. The Labour Group nominations were not included on the list and it was noted that the Labour Group administrator would pass the names to Democratic Support following the meeting. However, since there were meetings very shortly for the Audit Committee and the Planning Committee, Councillor Wood informed Council of the names of the Labour Group members for those two committees.

The Green Group reported an addition to their list, with Councillor Caroline Jackson taking a seat on the People and Organisational Development Committee. Councillor Gardiner, for the Conservative Group, informed Council that Councillor Newton would take up the seat for his group on that same Committee.

The nominations made by the groups for appointment to the Overview and Scrutiny bodies were proposed by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Dowding and accepted by Council when put to the vote. (See appendix to the minutes for the memberships which were reported and agreed at this meeting).

Resolved:

1.     That the nominations made by the Green, Liberal Democrat, Conservative and MBI groups for appointment to committees be accepted.

2.     That the Labour Group nominations for the Audit and Planning Regulatory Committees be accepted and the membership of other committees reported to Democratic Support following the meeting.

To receive nominations and appoint Chairs to each of the under-mentioned bodies noting that, in accordance with the Constitution, only non-Cabinet Members (if Cabinet Membership is known) are entitled to vote on (a) and (b) below:-

a)      Overview and Scrutiny Committee – The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors serving on the Cabinet.

b)     Budget and Performance Panel – The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors serving on the Cabinet..

c)     Planning Regulatory Committee

d)     Licensing Committee

e)     Personnel Committee - recommended to include at least one Cabinet Member

f)       Appeals Committee

g)     Audit Committee – shall not be a Member of Cabinet or Overview and Scrutiny Committee or Budget and Performance Panel

h)     Standards Committee

i)       Council Business Committee

The Mayor asked for nominations for the Chairs of the Council’s Committees, starting with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Cooper was nominated for the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Bottoms. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Cooper appointed.

Councillor Hunter was nominated for the Chair of Budget and Performance Panel by Councillor Pritchard, seconded by Councillor Peter Jackson. Councillor Budden was nominated by Councillor Gardiner, seconded by Councillor Wild. The Mayor called for a vote. With 44 votes for Councillor Hunter and 6 votes for Councillor Budden, the Mayor declared Councillor Hunter appointed.

Councillor Thornberry was nominated for the Chair of Planning Regulatory Committee by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Hartley. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Thornberry appointed.

Councillor Sally Maddocks was nominated for the Chair of Licensing Committee by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Abi Mills. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Sally Maddocks appointed.

Councillor Harris was nominated for the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Hartley. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Harris appointed.

Councillor Armistead was nominated for the Appeals Committee by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Bradley. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Armistead appointed.

Councillor Stubbins was nominated for the Chair of the Audit Committee by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Sally Maddocks. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Stubbins appointed.

Councillor Hamish Mills was nominated for the Chair of the Standards Committee by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Sally Maddocks. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Hamish Mills appointed.

Councillor Whitaker was nominated for the Chair of Council Business Committee by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Cozler. There were no further nominations. The Mayor declared Councillor Whitaker appointed.

Resolved:

That the following Councillors be appointed Chairs of the undermentioned Committees for 2023/24:

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Services.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the role of Armed Forces Champion for the four year period 2023/24 to 2026/27.

Councillor Cooper nominated the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Dowding. There were no further nominations, therefore the Mayor was appointed.

Resolved:

That the Mayor, Councillor Dennison, be appointed Armed Forces Champion for the City Council for a four year term of office from 2023/24 to 2026/27.  

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Services.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the role of Disabiity Champion for the four year period 2023/24 to 2026/27.

Councillor Wood nominated Councillor Cozler, seconded by Councillor Parr. Councillor Brookes nominated Councillor Abi Mills, seconded by Councillor Sally Maddocks.

At this point, it was queried whether the role could be shared, rather than voted upon. Advice was given from the Monitoring Officer that, since Council had two candidates duly proposed and seconded in line with Council procedure rules, the next action should be to go to the vote, unless those propositions were withdrawn by Councillor Wood, Councillor Brookes and their seconders. The proposers and seconders then withdrew their nominations at that point and requested a short adjournment. The Mayor agreed to their request to adjourn the meeting for two minutes to allow both parties time to come to some agreement.

There was a two minute adjournment from 6.35pm to 6.37pm

Upon reconvening, it was reported that no agreement had been reached and the two candidates were once again nominated and seconded by the same Councillors.

The Mayor called for a vote. With 24 votes for Councillor Cozler and 25 votes for Councillor Abi Mills, the Mayor declared Councillor Abi Mills appointed.

Resolved:

That Councillor Abi Mills be appointed Disability Champion for the City Council for a four year term of office from 2023/24 to 2026/27. 

To consider the report of the Senior Manager,  Democratic Services

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections had submitted a report setting out the list of appointments to outside bodies, partnerships and boards, including the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel.

Councillor Wood proposed:

“That this item be deferred until the June Council meeting.”

His proposition was seconded by Councillor Phil Black.

There was no debate. A vote was taken on the proposition, which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

That appointments to outside bodies, partnerships and boards be deferred until the next Council meeting on 21 June 2023.