Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Matthew Black, Phil Black, Phil Bradley, Brett Cooper, Maria Deery, Roger Dennison, Andrew Gardiner, Martin Gawith, Alan Greenwell, Chris Harris, Kate Knight, Abi Mills, Jean Parr, Susan Penney, Catherine Potter, Joyce Pritchard and Sarah Punshon.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the City Council held on 25 February 2026 and the Special Meeting of the City Council held on 5 March 2026 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 February 2026 and the Special Council meeting held on 5 March 2026 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. 

There were no declarations of interest made at this stage.

The Mayor expressed her thanks to all those who attended and assisted with her recent charity event at the Mazuma football stadium.  Over £900 was raised for the Mayor’s charity at the event.

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 and confirmed that a written response would be given to Councillor Belcher’s request for a written update on parking, park and ride, transport and accessibility between Carnforth and Eden.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

Report of People and Organisational Development Committee.

The Mayor informed Councillors that, since the Chief Officers had an interest in the Pay Policy, they would leave the Chamber for the duration of the following item of business.

Councillor Wood, Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee, presented a report of the Committee seeking approval for the Pay Policy Statement 2026/27.  There were no questions and Councillor Wood proposed:

“That the Pay Policy Statement for 2026-2027 be approved.”

The proposition was seconded by Councillor Maddocks.

There was no debate and a vote was taken on the proposition.

Resolved unanimously:

That the Pay Policy Statement for 2026-2027 be approved.

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillor Louise Belcher and seconded by Councillors Joanne Ainscough, Matt Black, Phil Black, Clair Colbridge Claire Cozler, Margaret Pattison, Robert Redfern, Jackson Stubbs, Sandra Thornberry and David Whitaker.

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

“This Council notes that:

• Disabled residents in the Lancaster district have historically been able to access venues, events, and services, including provision for personal assistants or essential carers, by presenting recognised forms of disability verification such as a Blue Badge or evidence of entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

• Some venues have introduced third-party access accreditation schemes, including the Nimbus Disability Access Card, as a method of verifying access requirements.

• The Council has recently indicated that, within the access policy for The Platform, the Nimbus system will operate as a primary method of verification, while also providing a free venue-specific card option and allowing alternative forms of evidence where individuals do not hold a Nimbus card.

• While access card schemes may offer administrative convenience, any system that effectively requires disabled people to obtain third-party accreditation risks creating financial, administrative, or procedural barriers.

• Many disabled people already undergo extensive statutory assessment processes through the Department for Work and Pensions for Personal Independence Payment or through local authority Blue Badge schemes.

• City Council-owned and Council-supported venues have duties under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments and to ensure policies and practices do not place disabled people at a substantial disadvantage.

This Council believes that:

• Disabled residents should not be required to undergo additional third-party assessment processes, or incur costs, in order to demonstrate access needs that have already been recognised through statutory systems.

• Access policies should be inclusive, respectful, and focused on enabling participation rather than creating additional hurdles.

• Where access card systems are used, they must operate as optional tools to support access, not as mandatory gateways.

• Disabled people should be able to request reasonable adjustments using a range of accessible and proportionate methods of verification.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1. Ensure that Council-owned and Council-operated venues do not require disabled people to obtain a Nimbus Access Card or any other third-party access card as a mandatory condition for accessing events, facilities, or personal assistant/essential carer tickets.

2. Confirm that alternative forms of disability verification, including Blue Badges, Personal Independence Payment award documentation, Disability Living Allowance evidence, or confirmation from recognised support services, will be accepted when individuals request reasonable adjustments.

3. Ensure that any access card systems used by Council venues, including those provided by Nimbus Disability, clearly provide a free option and make explicit that holding such a card is not required in order to receive reasonable adjustments.

4. Require that access policies at venues such as The Platform use inclusive and welcoming language, clearly communicating that reasonable adjustments will be made and that multiple routes exist for disabled people to demonstrate access needs.

5. Issue guidance to Council-supported venues, partners, and event organisers encouraging flexible, inclusive verification processes consistent with the duties  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

Changes to Committee memberships since the last Council meeting were reported.

It was reported that Councillor Hamish Mills would replace Councillor Metcalf-Reiner as a substitute for the Overview & 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 Mayor advised that 1 question had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules. The question had been raised by Councillor Whitaker to Councillor Bottoms with regard to Centenary House.

Details of the question and answer together with any supplementary question and responses were appended to the minutes.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 10 February 2026. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 25 February 2026 and 5 March 2026.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.