Agenda and minutes

At the commencement of the meeting the Chair advised that due to transportation issues the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance and Property would not be able to be in attendance at the meeting at 6.00pm and, in view of this information, the Panel agreed to a short adjournment.  Following the adjournment the meeting of the Panel re-convened. 

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business. 

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 Chris Hanna, Chair, advised that he would declare an interest regarding the voluntary sector if the Panel discussed this issue. 

Councillor Hamish Mills advised that he would declare an interest as a Lancashire County Council if the Panel discussed Council Tax. 

Presentation of the City Council’s proposed priorities and budget.  

Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property. 

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance and Property, provided a presentation to the Panel’s Budget Consultation meeting on the City Council’s 2026/27 General Fund Draft Budget.  Slides were shown to assist with the presentation of the budget information. 

Members asked a number of questions, which Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to. 

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked Councillor Hamilton-Cox for his attendance at the meeting and presentation to the Panel.