Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor and Councillors Suhir Abuhajar, Matthew Black, Phil Bradley, Tom Fish, John Hanson, Caroline Jackson and Paul Newton.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the City Council held on 13 November 2024 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 25 November 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the City Council held on 13 November 2024 and the extraordinary meeting held on 25 November 2024 were agreed 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 made two announcements on behalf of the Mayor.

The first was regarding the Mayor’s Christmas Party Disco to be held on Friday 13 December. Tickets were still on sale priced £5, or pay on the door. Councillors were asked to contact the Mayor’s office for tickets.

The second announcement related to the Mayor undertaking the “12 Dips of Christmas Challenge” which involved going for twelve cold-water dips during the festive period. The Deputy Mayor had sponsorship forms with him for any Councillor who wished to sponsor the Mayor. For Councillors wishing to donate online, the Mayor would be contacting all Members shortly with a link to her Cancer Research donation page via email.

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.

To receive any petitions and/or addresses which have been notified to the Chief Executive in accordance with the Council's Constitution. 

Councillor Peter Jackson had submitted an address to Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.

The Deputy Mayor invited Councillor Peter Jackson to speak and he delivered his address:

“Council, I address you to offer my personal thanks, and the thanks of the Liberal Democrat group, to Councillor Phillip Black as Council Leader, and Councillors Jean Parr, Jason Wood, Catherine Potter and Joanne Ainscough as Cabinet members for their hard work and commitment during the period from May 2023 until November 13th 2024.

I recognise the energy and enthusiasm with which these councillors carried out their cabinet roles, and I hope all councillors will agree that their contributions should be acknowledged.”

The Deputy Mayor thanked Councillor Peter Jackson for his address.

The Deputy Leader presented the Leader’s report in the Leader’s absence. He responded to a number of questions from Councillors and agreed to ask the Leader to supply written answers to questions raised by Councillors Belcher, Pattison, Ainscough, Gardiner, Potter, Thornberry and Wood.

The written replies to these questions were to be forwarded to all Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

Report of Chief Financial Officer

Published 5 December 2024.

A report of Cabinet was presented by Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Property.

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy forecasts for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and outline the approach to balancing the budget.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 5 December 2024.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Property, presented a report of Cabinet to enable Council to consider approving a Localised Council Tax Support (“LCTS”) Scheme for application in 2025/26. He responded to a number of questions from Councillors, agreeing to send a written response to a question raised by Councillor Gardiner.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed:

“That the existing Localised Council Tax Support Scheme be retained for 2025/26.”

The proposition was seconded by Councillor Phil Black.

At the close of debate, the Deputy Mayor called for a vote. The proposition was clearly carried.

Resolved:

That the existing Localised Council Tax Support Scheme be retained for 2025/26

Report of the Senior Manager – Democratic Support and Elections.

Council noted the report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections, setting out the Leader’s executive arrangements including the Cabinet Members and their portfolio areas. The report was submitted in accordance with Cabinet Procedure Rule 2 in the Constitution.

A number of questions were raised for the Leader to respond to by Councillors Parr, Knight, Potter and Black (Phil). The Deputy Leader agreed to pass these on to the Leader to provide written answers.

(The list of portfolio holders and their areas of particular responsibility is appended to these minutes.)

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Council received a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel, setting out the Panel’s recommendations for amending the Councillors’ Allowances Scheme following their recent review. The Chair of the Panel had given apologies for the meeting.

Councillor Maddocks proposed, seconded by Councillor Deery:

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

It was noted that the report stated that the City Council had two Champions, one for Armed Forces and for Disabilities, when in fact there were three Champions; the Champion for Diversity was missing from the list.

Councillors thanked the Panel for their work during the short debate which followed. The Deputy Mayor then called for a vote. The proposition was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)               That the Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances (including the Mayor/Deputy Mayor allowances) be increased by 2.5% with effect from 6 April 2025.

(2)               That no change is recommended to the Travel Allowances. The current levels of mileage allowance are in line with HMRC guidelines.

(3)               That subsistence allowances will be considered during the next full review of the Scheme, due to be carried out prior to the 2027 elections. Regarding Dependents Carers Allowance.

(4)               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 £12.60 per hour).

To receive nominations and appoint Chairs to the Licensing Committee and any other Committee(s) where the position of Chair is vacant.

It was noted that Councillors Maddocks and Hartley had stood down as chairs of the Licensing and Audit Committees respectively.

The Deputy Mayor called for nominations for the position of chair of the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the municipal year 2024/25.

Councillor Tyson was nominated by Councillor Brookes, seconded by Councillor Dowding, Councillor Gardiner was nominated by Councillor Knight, seconded by Councillor Budden and Councillor Pattison was nominated by Councillor Belcher, seconded by Councillor Hartley.

Before a vote was taken, Councillor Gardiner’s nomination was withdrawn by Councillors Knight and Budden at Councillor Gardiner’s request.

On being put to the vote 27 Members voted for Councillor Tynan and 24 for Councillor Pattison.  The Deputy Mayor declared Councillor Tynan appointed Chair of the Licensing Committee.

The Deputy Mayor then called for nominations for the position of chair of the Audit Committee for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor Stubbins was nominated by Councillor Tynan, seconded by Councillor Riches. There were no further nominations and the Deputy Mayor declared Councillor Stubbins appointed.

Resolved:

That:

(1)            Councillor Tynan be appointed Chair of the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year.

(2)            Councillor Stubbins be appointed Chair of the Audit Committee for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

It was reported that Councillor Bottoms had replaced Councillor Dennison on the Planning Regulatory Committee, with Councillor Dennison becoming a substitute member.

The Green group administrator informed Council of several changes:

Councillor Bannon to replace Councillor Maddocks on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Metcalfe-Reiner to replace Councillor Maddocks on the Budget & Performance Panel.

Councillor Maddocks to replace Councillor Bannon as a member of the People & Organisational Development Committee.

Councillor Bannon to become a substitute member in place of Councillor Tyldesley on the People and Organisational Development Committee. 

Councillor Maddocks to replace Cllr Dowding as a substitute member on the Council Business Committee.

Councillor Otway to replace Councillor Hamilton-Cox on the Planning Committee.

Councillor Cooper informed Council that he would replace Councillor Bottoms on the Budget and Performance Panel with Councillor Dennison as a substitute member.

The Liberal Democrat group informed Council that Councillor Livermore would replace Councillor Hart on the Overview and Scrutiny 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 Deputy Mayor advised that no questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.