Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Phil Bradley, Dave Brookes, Claire Cozler,  Jack Lenox, Jean Parr, Sarah Punshon and Robert Redfern.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 12 March 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2025 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 Cooper declared an interest in the motion on notice (item 14) in view of his position as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and being a member of a political group with a seat on the Cabinet. This was not an interest which would prohibit Councillor Cooper from taking part.

The Mayor thanked Councillors and officers for their support during her Mayoral year with regard to her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. She especially thanked her Deputy Mayor, Councillor Hamish Mills, for chairing the Council meetings in her absence.

The Mayor informed Councillors that her final fundraiser as Mayor would be a sponsored walk up Clougha on Sunday 27 April for Cancer Care. Anyone wishing to join the Mayor would be welcome.

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 a number of questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

To receive the annual report of the Mayor.

In accordance with Part 1, paragraph 7.1(i) of the Constitution, the Mayor presented her Annual Report for 2024/25. The report contained contributions from the Deputy Mayor and the Assistant Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Pattison, the Mayor-elect, thanked the Mayoral team for the excellent work and fundraising they had undertaken throughout 2024/25.

Resolved:

That the report be received.

To receive the Cabinet’s Annual Report containing the Business Progress Reports of the Leader and each Cabinet Member in accordance with Part 2, Section 4 of the Council’s Constitution [paragraphs 3.1 (j) and 5.1(m)].

The reports of individual Cabinet Members are included in this agenda and will be

presented at the meeting:

Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Communities, Well-Being and Partnerships.

Climate Action.

Corporate Services.

Environmental Services.

Finance and Property. (Published 11 April 2025)

Lancaster Regeneration and Local Economy. (Published 11 April 2025)

Morecambe Regeneration and Local Economy.

Planning.

In accordance with Part 2, Section 4 paragraph 3.1(j) of the Constitution, the Leader and each Member of Cabinet had produced a written progress report for 2024/25. The Leader presented her annual report and answered a number of questions.

Councillors Jackson (Peter), Dowding, Maddocks, Hart, Hamilton-Cox, Wilkinson, Bottoms and Tyldesley then presented their annual reports and responded to Members’ questions.

In response to a question from Councillor Cleet, Councillor Caroline Jackson agreed to supply a written update on Lune House and Derby House on the Mainway site following a meeting of the Mainway Project Board, which was scheduled for 25 April 2025.

Resolved:

That the reports of Cabinet Members Councillors Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Dowding, Maddocks, Hart, Hamilton-Cox, Wilkinson, Bottoms and Tyldesley, be received.

To receive the Annual Report of Overview and Scrutiny.

In accordance with Part 2, Section 5 paragraph 9.13 of the Constitution, the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2024/25 had been published and was presented to Council by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Cooper and the Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel, Councillor Hunter.

Resolved:

That the Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report for 2024/25 be received.

To receive the Annual Report of the Audit Committee.

Published 11 April 2025

In accordance with Part 3, Section 5 paragraph 6.30 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chair, Councillor Stubbins, presented the 2024/25 Annual Report of the Audit Committee. He responded to questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the Audit Committee’s Annual report for 2024/25 be received

Report of Audit Committee.

The Chair of the Audit Committee introduced the External Auditors report for the financial years 2020/21 to 2022/23.

The report explained that the External Auditors were required to complete a Value for Money (VfM) assessment as part of the audit of the accounts. The National Audit Office (NAO) Code of Practice regulations set out how the auditor was required to report whether an authority had put in place proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources. The Audit Committee had considered the Annual Audit Report at its meeting on 19th March 2025 and referred it on to Council for noting ahead of publication on the Council’s website.

Resolved:

That the External Auditors report for the financial years 2020/21 to 2022/23 be noted.

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillor Jason Wood and seconded by Councillors Joanne Ainscough, Louise Belcher, Phillip Black, Colin Hartley and Jean Parr.

(During this item, Councillor Hunter declared an interest as he held the role of Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel and was part of the Liberal Democrat Group which had two Councillors serving on the Cabinet. This was not an interest which would prohibit Councillor Hunter from taking part.)

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

“To amend the Constitution Part 2, 2.5 clauses 9 and 10 to take effect from annual business Council on 12 May 2025

To ADD to both clauses 9 and 10:

"The Chair shall not be a member of any political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet (except where no nominations from non-Cabinet groups are received)."

The current clauses currently state:

“9 Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Composition: Nine Councillors in political balance.

Members of the Committee shall not be members of the Cabinet.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be appointed by Council annually. However, only non-Cabinet Councillors are entitled to vote for the Chair.

The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet.

10 Budget and Performance Panel

Composition: Nine Councillors in political balance.

Members of the Committee shall not be members of the Cabinet.

The Chair of Budget and Performance Panel will be appointed by Council annually. Only non-Cabinet members are entitled to vote for the Chair.

The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet. “

If the amendment is approved by Council, these clauses will then read …

“9 Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Composition: Nine Councillors in political balance.

Members of the Committee shall not be members of the Cabinet.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be appointed by Council annually. However, only non-Cabinet Councillors are entitled to vote for the Chair.

The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet.

The Chair shall not be a member of any political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet (except where no nominations from non-Cabinet groups are received).

10 Budget and Performance Panel

Composition: Nine Councillors in political balance.

Members of the Committee shall not be members of the Cabinet.

The Chair of Budget and Performance Panel will be appointed by Council annually. Only non-Cabinet members are entitled to vote for the Chair.

The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet.

The Chair shall not be a member of any political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet (except where no nominations from non-Cabinet groups are received).”

A preamble to the motion explained the purpose:

“This proposed amendment to the Constitution below is intended to encourage opposition groups to nominate and hold Scrutiny  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

No changes were reported.

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 Mayor advised that one question had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules. The question was from Councillor Cleet to Councillor Bottoms, as follows:

Now that Place Capital has decided not to develop Centenary House on Regent Road in the West End of Morecambe can the cabinet member for the regeneration of Morecambe give an update to the future of this dilapidated council owned building?

Councillor Bottoms responded:

“Regarding the council's plans for Centenary House, we are continuing to progress the work to deal with structural issues at Centenary House and the original aim to make it an attractive proposition for a housing developer. 

The Brownfield Land Release Funding that the council secured can only be spent on the structural issues identified in the bid that make redevelopment of this property uneconomic. Unfortunately, there are no resources allocated to improving the appearance of Centenary House.

We are working with the appointed contractor, Seddon Construction, to obtain quotations and price the next phase of work. The priorities to address are:

• Stopping water ingress via the roof that has damaged the structure. Replacement roof coverings and rainwater goods. The roofing works will also need to upgrade the thermal performance of the roofs.
• Stopping and managing water ingress in the basement that has damaged the structure. Replace waterproofing over the section of the basement that projects beyond the Westminster Road building elevation. Install cavity wall drains, floor channels and sumps to manage water ingress through the basement walls and floor.
• Ventilate basement to manage moisture and corrosion risk.
• Renew protective coverings for all structural steel.
• Replace rotten roof timbers and address identified structural deficiencies.
• Repair damaged concrete floors.
• Replace failed concrete lintels, both internal and external
• Remove asbestos containing soffits and flues once scaffold for roof is erected.
• Structural works to steel and timber floor supports to prevent the risk of disproportionate collapse.

Alongside the works, we need to secure a housing partner. The council has undertaken early market engagement to explore opportunities with several housing providers operating in Morecambe. This has been to both Registered Social Landlords and Private Rental Sector specialist developers. These discussions aim to promote the opportunity and gauge interest. The challenge for RSLs is the current uncertainty with the next funding round and its relatively short-term outlook. Further work is needed to define the next steps.”