Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from The Mayor and Councillors Phil Bradley, Brett Cooper, Andrew Gardiner, Alan Greenwell, Chris Harris, Sally Maddocks, Sarah McGowan and Sandra Thornberry.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 23 July 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 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 reported the sad death of former Councillor Darren Clifford on 16 September 2025. Darren was elected to the City Council in May 2015 to represent the Harbour ward in Morecambe, serving until he stepped down in May 2023.

For a time Darren served on the City Council’s Cabinet with the portfolio for Culture, Leisure, Tourism & Climate Change.  

Darren’s funeral would be held on Friday 7 November 2025.

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

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 the public in accordance with 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 paid tribute to former Councillor Darren Clifford before presenting 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 consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillors Fish, Dowding, Peter Jackson, Deery and Riches.

Officer Briefing Note published 18 September 2025.

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

“Council notes:

For 22 months, residents in Lancaster from a range of backgrounds, nationalities and faiths have held a weekly vigil in Market Square to express their horror as the avoidable tragedy in Gaza has unfolded.

The resulting deep humanitarian crisis has prompted a Lancaster-based campaign to fund a water well project in Gaza, led by a Lancaster University PhD graduate who lived here for many years and has since returned to Gaza. Around £35,000 has been raised so far.

Local residents came to speak to Full Council in 2023 imploring the Council to use its influence.

Ward councillors have been approached with requests to represent community concern over the conflict.

Our local communities - frustrated and disappointed in the Government's action to date - look to us to use our local community leadership role to put pressure on the Government and to ensure that the Council is not supporting the arms trade financially.

Lancaster and Lakes Jewish Community and Lancaster Islamic Society have been consulted in the creation of this motion to reduce the risk of harming community cohesion.

The Council’s strategic risk register identifies an uncomfortable level of risk that 'International and national issues [can] impact on the strategic and financial context of the Council and/or partners, businesses and communities’ (SR11), and unfolding political and military events worldwide, including in Ukraine and Palestine, reinforce this position. 

There is immense legal risk associated with investments and cooperation with entities that assist or perpetrate violations of international law.

Lancashire County Pension Fund adopted the revised Responsible Investment Policy in March 2025 which states that ‘Considering Human Rights as a priority for the Fund can support the objective of ensuring long-term, sustainable investment performance’.

Council believes:

·       There is support for the Council to take action from all sections of our community.

·       The Council should now take further action in its commitment to amplify the voices of our local communities who want the Council to support their call for human rights and international law to be respected in Gaza and adhere to robust ethical standards in line with its fiduciary duties in financial matters.

·       The Lancashire County Pension Fund, to which the Council as an employer, as well as Council employees and other district residents contribute, should adhere to robust ethical standards, in line with its fiduciary duty towards scheme members and employers.

Council resolves to:

1)    Request that the Council leader writes to the Prime Minister asking him to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to stop the catastrophic loss of life in Gaza and the West Bank, and the return of all hostages.

2)    Request that the Cabinet member for Finance and Property asks the Chief Finance Officer to explore how the City Council can adopt the following principles to the best of its  ability:

1. avoid any transactions with financial companies or financial instruments which have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer.

Published 18 September 2025

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, presented a report of the Chief Finance Officer on the Treasury Management Outturn 2024/25.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

The Deputy Mayor called for a five minute comfort break at this point. The meeting was adjourned at 7.35pm, reconvening at 7.40pm.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer.

Published 18 September 2025.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented a report of the Chief Officer Finance with recommendations of Cabinet regarding the Capital Programme Mid Year Review 2025/26.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, seconded by Councillor Bottoms, proposed:

“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 to Cabinet in respect of the budget and policy framework updates.”

There was no debate.

A vote was then taken on the proposition, 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 to Cabinet in respect of the budget and policy framework updates.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Council considered a report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections, to consider making an appointment to a vacancy on the Local Government Association (LGA) Coastal Issues Special Interest Group (SIG).

The report asked that, firstly, Council consider the basis of appointment to the LGA Coastal Issues SIG, previously determined as nomination and voting at full Council.

Councillor Dowding, seconded by Councillor Wood, proposed:

“That the basis of appointment remain nomination and voting at Council.”

The Deputy Mayor called for nominations.

Councillor Dowding nominated Councillor Dennison, seconded by Councillor Hamish Mills.

Councillor Wood nominated Councillor Hartley seconded by Councillor Penney.

There were 31 votes in favour of Councillor Dennison and 19 votes in favour of Councillor Hartley. The Deputy Mayor declared Councillor Dennison appointed to the LGA Coastal Issues SIG.

Resolved:

That Councillor Dennison be appointed to the LGA Coastal Issues SIG until the next scheduled elections in May 2027.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

It was noted that the Labour group had appointed three substitute Members:

Councillor Cozler for the Planning Regulatory Committee;

Councillor Ainscough for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

Councillor Potter for the Budget and Performance Panel.

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 Matt Black to Councillor Peter Jackson regarding Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.

(2)            Councillor Matt Black to Councillor Hart regarding the ‘Love Clean Streets’ app.

Details of the questions and answers together with any supplementary questions and responses are appended to the minutes.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 31 July 2025. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2025. The Leader responded to Members’ questions.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.