Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor and Councillors Matt Black, Phil Bradley, Brett Cooper, Chris Harris, Kate Knight, Joyce Pritchard, Grace Russell and Paul Tynan.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 22 January 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2025 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 noted that the Monitoring Officer had granted a dispensation under the Localism Act 2011 to Councillor Bannon to allow her to participate and vote in the budget despite having a disclosable pecuniary interest by virtue of her employment by Citizens Advice.

The Deputy Mayor did not make any announcements. He did, however, remind Councillors that recorded votes would be required on budget decisions to comply with regulations and that he would make it clear which decision would require recorded votes when they arose.

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.

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

The Leader presented her report updating Members on various issues since her last report to Council. She then responded to numerous questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

Report of Cabinet.

The Deputy Mayor reminded Council that this item would require a recorded vote on the budget decisions and that, whilst the report itself was public, appendices B1 and B2 were exempt from publication. Any discussions on those appendices would require Council to consider excluding the press and public from the Chamber.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Property, introduced a report presenting Cabinet’s final budget proposals in order that the Council could complete its revenue budget setting for 2025/26. He thanked the Chief Finance Officer and his staff for the work put into the budget preparation and thanked Councillor Hunter, Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel for scrutiny work on the budget information.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox took questions from Councillors before proposing:

“That recommendations (1) to (3), as set out in the report, be moved.”

Councillor Brookes seconded the proposal.

It was noted that recommendations (1) to (3) were subject to a recorded vote. Recommendation (4) of the report was simply for noting.

A lengthy debate on the budget proposals followed before a recorded vote was taken on recommendations (1) to (3):

For the proposition:  Councillors Abuhajar, Bannon, Blaikie, Bottoms, Brookes,    Deery, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hart, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks, McGowan, Metcalf-Reiner, Mills (Hamish), Otway, Punshon, Riches,  Sommerville, Stubbins, Tyldesley and Wilkinson.(28).

Against the proposition:   Councillors Budden, Gardiner, Newton and Wild. (4).

Abstentions: Councillors Ainscough, Armistead, Belcher, Black, (Phil), Cleet, Colbridge, Cozler, Gawith, Hanna, Hanson, Hartley, Parr, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Redfern, Stubbs, Thornberry, Whitaker and Wood (20).

Resolved:

(1)        That the General Fund Revenue Budget of £27.201M for 2025/26 be approved, resulting in a Council Tax Requirement of £11.550M, excluding parish precepts, and a Band D basic City Council tax rate of £264.30.

(2)     That the supporting General Fund Revenue Budget proposals be approved, as summarised at Appendices A and B and exempt appendices B1 and B2.

(3)     That the budget transfer (virements and carry forwards) limits be approved as set out in Appendix D

(4)     That Council notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness of budget estimates, the adequacy of reserves and balances, specifically the advice that the minimum level of balances be retained at £5.0M, to provide for added uncertainty.

Report of Cabinet.

Councillor Caroline Jackson, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Housing and Homelessness, presented Cabinet’s Housing Revenue Budget and Policy Framework report for 2025 to 2030. The report presented Cabinet’s final budget proposals in relation to the Housing Revenue Account to allow the Council to complete its budget setting for 2025/26 and update its financial strategy to 2030.

During the introduction to this report, a door alarm sounded making it difficult to hear the presentation and an interruption to the electrics caused the livestream to stall. The Deputy Mayor, with the consent of Councillors, agreed to a request to adjourn until the alarm ceased. Council adjourned at 7.22pm, reconvening at 7.30pm without the livestream, which could not be restarted.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented information in the report about rents, income and expenditure.

Councillors Jackson (Caroline) and Hamilton-Cox responded to questions from Councillors, before proposing recommendations (2) to (4) as set out in the report, with Councillor Caroline Jackson proposing, Councillor Hamilton-Cox seconding.

Recommendations (1) and (5) of the report were simply for noting.

There was a lengthy, animated debate. A recorded vote was taken in relation to recommendations (2) to (4), in accordance with regulations and the Council’s Constitution.

For the proposition:  Councillors Abuhajar, Ainscough, Armistead, Bannon, Belcher, Black (Phil), Blaikie, Bottoms, Brookes, Budden, Cleet, Colbridge, Cozler, Deery, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gardiner, Gawith, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hanna, Hanson, Hart, Hartley, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks, McGowan, Metcalf-Reiner, Mills (Hamish), Newton, Otway, Parr, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Punshon, Redfern, Riches, Sommerville, Stubbins, Stubbs, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Wild, Wilkinson and Wood.(52).

Against the proposition:   None.

Abstentions: None.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That Cabinet’s recommendation to approve the council housing rent levels for 2025/26, as set in accordance with statutory requirements, be noted.

(2)             That the Housing Revenue Account budgets and future years’ projections be approved, as set out in Appendix A of the report.

(3)             That the Council Housing Capital Programme be approved, as set out in Appendix B of the report.

(4)             That the minimum level of HRA unallocated balances be retained at £750,000 from 1 April 2025, and that the full Statement on Reserves and Balances, as set out at Appendix C of the report, be approved.

(5)             That Council notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness of budget estimates, the adequacy of reserves and balances and the affordability of borrowing.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 20 February 2025.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented a report of Cabinet, explaining that statutory guidance from the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) had enabled local authorities to make flexible use of capital receipts to fund projects which were likely to generate savings to the authority and / or other public bodies.

To make use of this provision, authorities had to submit a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy to the Secretary of State, setting out how the provision would be applied in the next financial year.

The report proposed a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2025-26 to complement the ongoing Council’s Outcomes-Based Resourcing programme – Fit for the Future.

There were no questions on the report. Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendation as set out in the report:

“That Full Council approves the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2025/26 set out in the report, in accordance with the relevant statutory guidance.”

Councillor Bottoms seconded the proposition. A short debate followed before a vote was taken and the proposition was carried unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

That Full Council approves the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2025/26 set out in the report, in accordance with the relevant statutory guidance.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 20 February 2025.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented the General Fund Capital Programme report for 2025/26 - 2034/35. The report presented Cabinet’s final budget proposals to allow Council to approve a General Fund Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2034/35 and a Capital Strategy as required by regulations.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions from Councillors and Councillor Hart responded to questions regarding matters relating to his portfolio area.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, seconded by Councillor Dowding, proposed the recommendations as set out in the report. Councillor Wood asked that each of the two recommendations be dealt with as separate proposals, which Councillor Hamilton-Cox and his seconder agreed to.

There was debate on the first proposal, which was to approve the General Fund Capital Programme, as set out at Appendix A of the report.

A vote was taken and the proposal was carried with 28 Councillors voting for, 4 Councillors voting against and 20 abstentions.

There was then debate on the second proposal, which was to approve the Capital Strategy (Incorporating the Capital Investment Strategy: Investing in the Future) as set out at Appendix B of the report.

The proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That Council notes the report and approves the following:

(1)     The General Fund Capital Programme, as set out at Appendix A of the report; and

(2)     The Capital Strategy (Incorporating the Capital Investment Strategy: Investing in the Future) as set out at Appendix B of the report.

Report of Cabinet.

Published 20 February 2025.

The Deputy Mayor agreed to a request to change the order of the agenda to take the Treasury Management Strategy (item 14) before the Medium Term Financial Strategy (item 13).

The Treasury Management Strategy was presented to Council by Councillor Hamilton-Cox. The report set out the 2025/26 framework for Council’s approval.

There were no questions. Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendations set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Bottoms.

There was a short debate on the proposition, which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

(1)        That the report be noted.

(2)        That Council approves the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25, Appendices A to C specifically the Council’s The Authorised Limit for External Debt (section 4.7 of the report).

Report of Cabinet.

Report published 20 February 2025

Appendix published 25 February 2025

Councillor Hamilton-Cox provided an update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) forecasts for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and responded to questions from Councillors.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed recommendation (2) of the report, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson.

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

Resolved:

(1)        That the updated position regarding the production of the consolidated Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as set out in the report is noted.

(2)     Delegated authority be given to the Portfolio Holder and Chief Finance Officer to undertake any required amendments to reflect minor additional content and/ or presentational adjustments.

Report of Chief Finance Officer.

Report to follow.

Councillor considered a report of the council tax rates for the district for the year 2025/26.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendations as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Brookes.

The item required a recorded vote:

For the proposition:  Councillors Abuhajar, Ainscough, Armistead, Bannon, Belcher, Black (Phil), Blaikie, Bottoms, Brookes, Budden, Cleet, Colbridge, Cozler, Deery, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gardiner, Gawith, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hanna, Hanson, Hart, Hartley, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks, McGowan, Metcalf-Reiner, Mills (Hamish), Newton, Otway, Parr, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Punshon, Redfern, Riches, Sommerville, Stubbins, Stubbs, Thornberry, Tyldesley, Whitaker, Wild, Wilkinson and Wood.(52).

Against the proposition:   None.

Abstentions: None.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)     That it be noted that, under delegated powers in accordance with section 84 of the Local Government Act 2003, the following amounts have been calculated for the year 2025/26, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended) made under section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the “Act”):

(a)   43,701.74 being the amount of its council tax base for the whole district [item T in the formula in section 31B of the Act];

(b)   18,427.73 being the amount of its council tax base for the non-parished part of the district; and

(c)  

being the amounts of its council tax base for each parish within the district.

(2)     That in accordance with section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, it be noted that there are no expenses to be treated as the City Council’s special expenses.

(3)     That the following amounts be now calculated by the City Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act, as amended by the Localism Act 2011:

(a)     £126,004,255.62 being the aggregate of the amounts which the City Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish councils;

(b)     £112,693,801.00 being the aggregate of the amounts which the City Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act;

(c)     £13,310,454.62 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the City Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its council tax requirement for the year. [Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act];

(d)     All town and parish councils have notified Lancaster of their precept requirement for 2025-26.  The resulting aggregate amount of all special items (parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act is £1,760,015.62;

(e)     £11,550,439.00 being the council tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding parish precepts);

(f)      £304.57 being the amount at 3(c) above [Item R], all divided by the amount at 1(a) above [Item T], calculated by the City Council, in accordance with section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

The Deputy Mayor reported that, since the last Council meeting the full membership list for the Local Government Reorganisation Working Group had been received. The members were; Councillors Caroline Jackson (Chair), Phillip Black, Andrew Gardiner, Tim Hamilton-Cox, Peter Jackson, Sally Maddocks, Jean Parr, Sam Riches and Jason Wood. Councillor Roger Dennison was a participating non-voting member for the MBI group.

Members were also informed that an error had been made in the membership of Standards. Councillor Paul Newton had erroneously been removed from the Committee and Councillor Jackson Stubbs added however this mistake had now been corrected.

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 one question had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules. The question was from Councillor Dennison to Councillor Tyldesley and it was agreed that a written answer would be provided, copied to all Councillors.

To receive the Minutes of Meetings of Cabinet held 3 December 2024 and 14 January 2025. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 3 December 2024 and 19 January 2025.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.