Agenda and minutes

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this agenda. 

Members 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 10 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members 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, members 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.

Report of the Financial Services Manager and Assistant Head of Community Engagement (Wellbeing).

At its meeting on 25 September 2012 the panel deferred consideration of the Salt Ayre Sports Centre report. It is attached to this agenda for members consideration.

Members were reminded that at its meeting on 25 September 2012, the panel had considered the report of the Financial Services Manager and the Assistant Head of Community Engagement (Wellbeing). At that meeting the panel had deferred consideration of part of the report until this meeting.

The panel had also requested that financial information contained within the report be presented in such a way that more clearly showed allocation of management and administration costs including a more detailed/informative breakdown. The Financial Services Manager outlined the process by which management and administration costs were allocated in detail. It was advised that there were three main drivers chosen for allocating costs, these were as follows:

Employees – percentage allocation.

Planned and reactive repair and maintenance – based on previous years spend.

All other costs – based on area (m²)

Members requested that an additional report be provided to the panel which would consider whether it was possible to estimate the social value of the services provided by Salt Ayre to the council and other public sector partners. The Head of Community Engagement advised that such a report might have to be delivered in two parts.

The panel also requested that this report contain financial information regarding the amounts spent on leisure centres by other local authorities in the North West, in order that comparisons might be made with expenditure by Lancaster City Council on Salt Ayre Sports Centre.

Members also requested that a report be provided by officers on the two previous resolutions of the panel (minute no. 16 refers).

Resolved:

(1)        That an additional report be provided to the panel which would consider whether it was possible to estimate the social value of the services provided by Salt Ayre to the council and other public sector partners.

(2)        That the additional report include financial information regarding the amounts spent on leisure centres by other local authorities in the North West, in order that comparisons might be made with expenditure by Lancaster City Council on Salt Ayre Sports Centre.

(3)        That a report be provided by officers on the two previous resolutions of the panel (minute no. 16 refers).

Report of the Head of Resources.

Councillor Bryning was in attendance for this item in his capacity as Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits, in order to answer questions relating to the Storey Creative Industries Centre (SCIC) (minute no. 15 refers).

Members were reminded that on 25 September 2012, the panel had deferred consideration of answers to two questions relating to the Storey Creative Industries Centre (SCIC), and also asked a number of additional questions. The Head of Resources presented a report to provide additional information and allow further consideration of these issues. The panel had also requested information regarding the liability of directors; this information was also included within the report.

The Head of Resources presented the answers to questions (originally numbered four and five) which were deferred from the meeting of the panel held on 25 September 2012), and members asked questions accordingly.

The panel queried whether any discrepancies had been identified between the figures in the company accounts as at 1 April 2011 and the starting point of the forecasts and projections produced by the SCIC in support of the company’s request for a £90,000 loan. Councillor Mace advised that he had identified a number of such discrepancies, and he had produced a summary for consideration by the panel. Members discussed the discrepancies identified by Councillor Mace.

It was proposed by Councillor Mace, seconded by Councillor Sykes, and agreed by the panel:

“That the information provided by Councillor Mace regarding discrepancies between the figures in the company accounts as at April 2011, and the starting point of the forecasts and projections produced by the company in support of the company’s request for the £90,000 loan, be provided to the liquidators of the Storey Creative Industries Centre.”

The Head of Resources presented the answers to the additional questions which had arisen from the meeting of the panel held on 25 September 2012. Members asked extensive questions regarding the answers provided in the report. The Head of Resources also provided information relating to the liabilities of directors and former directors of the SCIC.

The chairman welcomed Councillor Abbott Bryning, Cabinet member with responsibility for Finance, Revenues and Benefits, to the meeting, and invited him to pass comment on the SCIC and the contents of the report. Councillor Bryning advised members of his role as a director of the SCIC, and the panel asked questions accordingly.

The Head of Resources presented the answers to the additional questions which had arisen from the meeting of the panel held on 25 September 2012. Members asked extensive questions regarding the answers and information provided in the report.

It was proposed by Councillor Mace, seconded by Councillor Brookes, and agreed by the panel:

“That Democratic Services be requested to consider arranging for additional training to be provided to members who have been appointed by the council as a representative on outside bodies.”

Resolved:

(1)        That the information provided by Councillor Mace regarding discrepancies between the figures in the company accounts as at April 2011, and the starting point of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Report of the Assistant Head of Community Engagement (Partnerships).

Members were reminded that, at its meeting on 15 October 2012, the panel had resolved to defer consideration of the Partnerships report to a future meeting of the panel.

Report of the Head of Governance.

The panel noted the work programme report.

Resolved:

(1)        That the report be noted and that the work programme be updated accordingly.