Agenda and draft minutes

Before starting the meeting the Deputy Mayor welcomed new Councillor Maria Deery to her first Council meeting since being elected to represent University Ward in the by-election held on 4^th July 2024.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Catherine Armistead, Matt Black, Phil Black, Phil Bradley, Dave Brookes, Roger Cleet, Roger Dennison, Tom Fish, Andrew Gardiner, Tim Hamilton-Cox, Sophie Maddocks, Izzie Metcalf-Riener, Abi Mills, Sarah Punshon and Paul Tynan.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the City Council held on 10 May and 13 May, 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meetings held on 10 and 13 May 2024 were signed by the Deputy 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 Deputy Mayor reported the sad death of Honorary Alderman John Day MBE in May. John was the Mayor of Lancaster in 2004/05 and stood down from the Council in 2011 when he was made an Honorary Alderman. 

John’s funeral was held on 7 June 2024.

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

The Deputy Mayor’s second announcement was to celebrate the Planning and Climate Change team’s success at the recent Local Government Chronicle Awards where the Council picked up the top award in the Net Zero category for the work on the Climate Emergency Local Plan Review. The Deputy Mayor noted that this was also referenced in the Leader’s report.

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.

Mrs Gwen Abbott addressed Council and presented a petition in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 13 and 27.

The wording of the petition was:-

"We, the undersigned, residents of Leachfield Close, Galgate, request Lancaster City Council to:

1)             Enable the residents to enjoy their homes once more without fear or anxiety by using their powers to restore peace and order back to the close by:

·            Installing security systems and door chains to appropriate bungalows

·            Working closely with the Police to ensure that information is shared promptly and acted in swiftly in order to build an evidence base

·            Keep in touch regularly with us, the residents to provide reassurance and a visible presence

·            Listen to us when we tell you things are getting worse and we have had enough

2)         Follow the principles in the Housing Anti-Social Policy anti-social behaviour policy that states :

“(2.1) The needs of the victim and the witnesses will not be outweighed by the needs of the person who is causing the ASB, the focus will remain on the harm that is being caused to the victims and the wider community”.

“(2.2) Our aim is to take a stand together against anti-social behaviour, and to move away from situations where communities tolerate problems, to one where everyone works together to tackle the problems and improve the quality of life for all”

“(3.2.) To respond to reports of ASB in a timely manner, based on risk and take all reports seriously.”

3)      Work towards a sustainable solution in partnership with the police and our local councillor Sally Maddocks, who we trust, and who we empower to speak on our behalf if necessary.”

The petition contained fewer than the 500 signatures required to debate the matter, therefore Councillor Caroline Jackson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Housing and Homelessness, responded to Mrs Abbott.

The Deputy Mayor thanked Mrs Abbott for her petition and for attending the Council meeting to speak to Members.

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

The Leader, having given apologies for the meeting, was not present to introduce his report. The report updated Members on various issues since his last report to Council.  No questions were raised on Leader’s report.

Resolved:                                   

That the report be noted. 

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

Report published 17 July 2024.

Councillor Wood, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Corporate Services, introduced a report asking Council to consider a change to the Constitution to create a new role of Assistant Deputy Mayor.

The report set out that the role would not carry any remuneration. It would only be necessary should a Mayor be unavailable for a substantial period during their Mayoral year. The reasoning for creating the new role was that, whilst a Deputy Mayor would be able to perform some duties, depending on their personal circumstances, they may have to turn events down. This would likely disappoint organisations who have asked for the Mayor or Deputy to be in attendance. An Assistant Deputy Mayor would be able to cover those events. That would be the extent of the role, it would not be to Chair Council in the event of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor being absent from a meeting.

Councillor Wood suggested that the role could be monitored and kept under review before proposing:

“(1)    That the Constitution be changed to create a role of Assistant Deputy Mayor, as set out in the report.”

Councillor Hanson seconded the proposal. There was a short debate before the Deputy Mayor called for a vote and the motion was clearly carried.

Councillor Wood then proposed, seconded by Councillor Cooper: 

(2)     That Councillor Riches be appointed to the role of Assistant Deputy Mayor for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year.”

There was no debate, a vote was taken in favour of the proposition and the Deputy Mayor declared Councillor Riches appointed.

(1)     That the Constitution be changed to create a role of Assistant Deputy Mayor, as set out in the report. 

(2)     That Councillor Riches be appointed to the role of Assistant Deputy Mayor for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Council considered a report of the Senior Manager Democratic Support and Elections setting out a temporary change, made by the Leader, to the membership of his Cabinet.

It was noted that Councillor Dowding would be temporarily replaced by Councillor Stubbins to take over her portfolio area of Climate Action from 1 August to 30 November 2024.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Following on from Minute 24, it was noted in a report from the Senior Manager Democratic Support and Elections, that Councillor Stubbins, shortly to take on temporary responsibilities as a Cabinet Member, was currently the Chair of Audit. The Constitution did not permit the Chair of Audit to be a Member of Cabinet, therefore he had stepped down from his position as Chair.

With the position of Chair of Audit vacant, the Deputy Mayor asked for nominations to the role.

Councillor Gawith, seconded by Councillor Stubbins, nominated Councillor Hartley.

There were no further nominations. The Deputy Mayor declared Councillor Hartley appointed to the role of Chair of the Audit Committee.

Resolved:

That Councillor Hartley be appointed Chair of the Audit Committee.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Senior Manager Democratic Support and Elections had submitted a report recommending that two new Panel Members be appointed to the Independent Remuneration Panel. Councillor Wood, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services presented the report, which would give a pool of five Panel Members, making it much easier to convene meetings, since the requirement for quoracy was a minimum of three members.

Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Dowding, proposed:

“That Mr George Krawiec and Miss Monica Law be appointed to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel.”

The proposition was carried unanimously when put to the vote.

Resolved unanimously:

That Mr George Krawiec and Miss Monica Law be appointed to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections had 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 following a by-election for the University Ward held on 4 July 2024.

Councillor Wood proposed “That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.” The proposition was seconded by Councillor Peter Jackson.

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

Resolved unanimously:

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 3.4 of the report.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

The Deputy Mayor informed Councillors of the following changes to committees which had taken place since the last meeting of Council:

The Labour Group had filled the place on the Licensing Committee left vacant by former Councillor Eric Hall, with Councillor Hanson.

To effect the changes necessary as a result of the recalculation of political balance, the Labour and Conservative groups had given up the following seats to the Green Group:

• Councillor Stubbs seat (Labour) on the Standards Committee; and
• Councillor Newton’s seat (Conservative) on the People and Organisational Development Committee.

The Green Group would inform Democratic Support of the members who would take up those seats following the meeting.  

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

(1)       Councillor McGowan to Councillor Parr regarding the Castle Car Park.

(2)       Councillor Cleet to Councillor Ainscough regarding management of weed growth.

Details of the questions and the answers given at the meeting are appended to the minutes,

It was noted that Councillor Cleet, having given apologies for the meeting, was not present to ask his question. Councillor Ainscough had agreed to email her written answer to all Councillors.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 4 June 2024. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2024.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.