Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor and Councillors Matt Black, Tom Fish, Peter Jackson, Jack Lenox, Sarah Punshon, Grace Russell and Paul Stubbins.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 25 September 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2024 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 Deputy Mayor reported the sad death of former Councillor Bob Roe in October.

Bob served as Councillor for Carnforth and Millhead Ward from 2007 to 2011

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

The Deputy Mayor informed Councillors that tickets to the Mayor's Christmas party, which will would take place on Friday the 13th of December, were on sale, priced £5 from 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 Deputy Mayor advised that no questions had been received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.

The Deputy Mayor informed Members that no petitions or requests to address Council had been received from members of the public.

The Leader presented his report updating Members on various issues since his last report to Council. He indicated that Councillors Ainscough, Parr, Potter and Wood had resigned from Cabinet and that he had removed Councillors Caroline Jackson, Hamilton-Cox, Stubbins, and Wilkinson from Cabinet.

The Leader then resigned. 

The Deputy Mayor agreed to a fifteen minute adjournment at this point to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.

(The meeting adjourned at 6.18pm, reconvening at 6.35pm)

Report of the Chief Finance Officer.

Published 6 November 2024.

In the absence of a Cabinet Member with particular responsibility, the Chief Finance Officer present the report providing information regarding the latest position regarding the delivery of the approved capital programme for 2024/25. It also set out information regarding any delays surrounding capital expenditure and other matters for Councillors’ consideration.

The Chief Finance Officer agreed to supply written answer to

·       Councillor Maddocks regarding funding for electric taxis for the disabled; and

·       Councillor Bottoms (copied to all Councillors) regarding sustainable growth for flooding shown in the report.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendations as set out in the report. Councillor Black seconded the proposition.

There was a short debate before a vote was taken on the motion, which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

That Council:

(1)     Approves the adjustments to the capital programme as set out in Appendix C of the report.

(2)     Notes that relevant revenue adjustments in respect of minimum revenue provision and future borrowing requirements will be built into projected revenue estimates and considered alongside future reports in respect of the budget and policy framework updates.

(3)     Approves the use of capital receipts to fund the acquisition of properties and other additional works identified within the Housing Revenue Account subject to it having a nil impact on the net position of the account.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer.

Published 6 November 2024.

The Chief Finance Officer presented a report seeking Council’s consideration of various matters in connection with the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2024/25. He responded to questions from Councillors.

The report was simply for noting.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillor Jean Parr and seconded by Councillors Joanne Ainscough, Catherine Potter and Jason Wood.

(During this item, Councillor Gardiner declared an ‘other’ interest (non-prejudicial) as an Elected Member of Lancashire County Council.)

The following motion of which notice had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15 was moved by Councillor Pattison and seconded by Councillor Whitaker:-

“Lancaster City Council notes:

·       The concerns raised by residents with regard to the increased volume of camper vans and motorhomes parking overnight on Morecambe Promenade.

·       The impact upon the accessibility of Morecambe Promenade.

·       The visual and environmental, health and safety impact upon a prominent part of the district which may affect tourism and the local economy.

·       The potential for reputational damage to Lancaster City Council for perceived inaction, despite the issue falling under the authority of Lancashire County Council.

This council therefore resolves:

(1)        To engage with partner organisations, including Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Constabulary, to seek authority to enact a ban on overnight parking on Morecambe Promenade for camper vans and motorhomes.

(2)        To initiate a ban for overnight parking across all Lancaster City Council car parks for camper vans and motorhomes.

(3)        To establish a working group with partner organisations, to explore alternative locations which can be used by camper van and motorhome users within the district."

An officer briefing note had been included with the agenda, to aid the debate.

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Cooper:

“That the word ‘authority’ in (1) be removed and that Morecambe Town Council be added to the list of partner organisations.”          

With the agreement of the meeting and her seconder, Councillor Pattison accepted this as a friendly amendment.

Councillor Dowding put forward a change to the wording of (2) to change the word ‘parking’ to ‘sleeping’. However, this was not accepted by the proposer of the motion, or her seconder, and Councillor Dowding withdrew the amendment.

A further amendment, proposed by Councillor Riches was also accepted as a friendly amendment by Councillor Pattison and Whitaker. This was to reword (2) to read:

(2)        To consider a ban for overnight parking across all Lancaster City Council car parks in Morecambe for camper vans and motorhomes.

At the conclusion of the debate a vote was taken, when the motion was clearly carried.

Resolved:-

(1)        To engage with partner organisations, including Lancashire County Council, Morecambe Town Council and Lancashire Constabulary, to seek to enact a ban on overnight parking on Morecambe Promenade for camper vans and motorhomes.

(2)        To consider a ban for overnight parking across all Lancaster City Council car parks in Morecambe for camper vans and motorhomes.

(3)        To establish a working group with partner organisations, to explore alternative locations which can be used by camper van and motorhome users within the district.

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillors Margaret Pattison and David Whitaker.

Councillor Parr proposed the following motion having given the required notice to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15:-

“Council notes that:

·        Globally, every 11 minutes a woman is deliberately killed by a partner or family member

·        One in three women in England and Wales experience violence in their lifetime

·        Girls are at particular risk – 1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by her partner

·        On average, in England and Wales, a woman is killed by a man every three days

·        The ONS reported that in 2020 alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man

·        16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign which runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day

·        Street harassment and violence against women and girls is endemic in the UK: 80% of women of all ages have been sexually harassed in public, with 90% of these women not reporting it as they don’t believe it will make a difference

·        One in two women are sexually harassed in the workplace

·        One in five women will be raped in their lifetime

·        Women who report rape have a 3% chance of the report ending in conviction. Most women who survive domestic violence do not receive justice from the criminal justice system

Council believes that:

·        All women and girls have the right to feel safe in our streets and in their homes and workplaces

·        Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.

·        Perpetrators of serious violence usually have a history of inflicting abuse and harassment against other women and girls. Tackling violence against women and girls means dismantling this culture.

·        The seeds of violent behaviour are often sown at a young age and if the right interventions are not made in time, the problem perpetuates.

Council resolves to:

·        Support the work of local groups marking the UN 16 days of activism against gender based violence

·        Stand in solidarity with protestors who oppose violence against all women and girls.

·        Commends the commitment of the local Police and Crime Commissioner and Lancashire Police to tackle violence against women and girls

·        Work to ensure appropriate provision is in place for perpetrators of violence against women and girls to seek to change their behaviour

·        Do all we can as a council and in our communities to champion the rights and entitlements of women and girls and to tackle violence against them. This includes listening and responding to women and girls about the action we need, and calling out misogyny and sexism wherever we see and hear it.

·        To support those providing services in Lancaster district to deliver culturally competent services for VAWG which fully serve our diverse population.

·        To commit to the white ribbon pledge and to promote schemes that aim to educate men through campaigns that empower male “allies”.

·        Encourage licensed premises to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer had submitted a report asking Council to consider approving a period of absence from meetings, pursuant to Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, for the Mayor, Councillor Abi Mills.

The report noted that Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 stated that “if a member fails throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of his/her last attendance to attend any meeting of the authority, he/she shall, unless the failure was due to some reason approved by the authority before the expiry of that period, cease to be a member of the authority.” Councillor Abi Mills had been unable to attend Council meetings since 29 May 2024 due to a diagnosis of breast cancer and an ongoing course of treatment. It was noted that the Mayor was still undertaking her Mayoral engagements where she felt able and carrying out her ward work.

Councillor Riches, seconded by Councillor Dennison proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Dennison and Councillor Phil Black expressed their support for the Mayor and for all the work she was continuing to do whilst undergoing her treatment.

The proposition was carried unanimously when put to the vote.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Council notes that the Mayor, Councillor Abi Mills, has not been able to attend meetings of the Council since 29 May 2024 due to ill health.

(2)     That in accordance with Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, Council approves Councillor Abi Mills’ ill health as the reason for her non-attendance at meetings of the authority for a period of up to six months from the date of this meeting (until 13 May 2025).

(3)     That Council extends its sympathy to Councillor Abil Mills and wishes her a speedy recovery.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Council considered a report setting out the calculations relating to the allocation of seats in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which had been submitted due to a change to the political composition of the Council. The change was the result of a by-election for Scotforth East ward, held on 3 October 2024, when Councillor Otway was elected for the Green Group.

Councillor Wood proposed, seconded by Councillor Ainscough, that:

“The recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

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

Resolved unanimously:

(1)     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 this report; and

(2)     Council notes that no adjustments to committee memberships need to be made.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

The Deputy Mayor reported that Councillor Russell had replaced Councillor Metcalf-Riener on the substitute membership for Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Livermore had replaced Councillor Peter Jackson as a substitute member of Budget & Performance Panel.

Councillor Tynan asked Democratic Support to check whether Councillor Brookes had been added to the Standards Committee membership.

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 informed Councillors that no questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 10 September 2024. 

Council noted the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2024.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.