Agenda and minutes

It was noted that Councillor Shirley Burns had sent apologies as she would be arriving late.

Minutes of meeting held on 17^th January 2008 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th January 2008 were agreed and accepted as a true and accurate record.

The Chairman informed the meeting that in accordance with the procedure for urgent business, as out in the constitution, she had agreed to accept the following two items of urgent business on the grounds that they required a decision before the next scheduled meeting of the Committee which with regard to Minute 39 would delay the creation of a Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership Shadow Board and Minute 40 that the Council would not be able to respond before the end of the consultation period.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of Chief Executive

The principal Democratic Support Officer introduced a report of the Chief Executive setting out a request from the Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership for the Council to appoint a representative to the Local Strategic Partnership Board and requesting that the new Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership constitution be noted. It was noted that Council Business Committee was being asked to consider this matter as urgent business on behalf of Council as it had been deemed impractical to convene a meeting of full Council.

Resolved:

1) That the adopted Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership constitution (as appended to these minutes) be noted.

2) That it be agreed that Cabinet appoint the member and substitute member on the Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership Board and Management Group from among their number.

3) That it be agreed that Cabinet should make future appointments to the Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership Thematic Groups as and when requested.

Report of Head of Democratic Services

The Principal Democratic Support Officer introduced the proposed City Council response to the consultation by the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service on their Draft Risk Management Plan 2008/11.

Resolved:

That the draft consultation response as appended to these minutes be approved for submission as the Council’s response to the consultation.

Report of Head of Planning Services

The Principal Democratic Support Officer introduced the proposed City Council response to the consultation by the government on new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Development.

Resolved:

1) That the new PPS on Sustainable Economic Development be generally welcomed.

2) That it be requested that any reference to live-work developments should include clear requirements for conditions to ensure that the work element remains available in perpetuity even if this requires sale of units after business occupation ceases. This aspect of the policy should also highlight the potential for abuse of planning policy in rural areas and support local authorities in firm enforcement action where appropriate to prevent it.

Report of Head of Planning Services

The Principal Democratic Support Officer introduced the proposed City Council response to the consultation by the government on the review of planning call in directions.

Resolved:

1)                  That the Department for Communities and Local Government be advised that Lancaster City Council agrees that all of the call in criteria should be contained in a single direction, and accepts the proposed content and wording of the direction.

2) That in future where consultation responses are considered by the Committee the agenda should state, ‘Members are requested to indicate by 12 noon 2 days prior to the meeting whether they wish to request that the officer who has prepared the consultation response to attend the meeting.’

Report of Head of Democratic Services

The Committee considered the report outlining the process for the Special Council Meeting 2008. The Committee noted the positive feedback set out in the report and agreed that a similar event should be held on 22^nd October 2008 and in future years the October meeting of Council shall be timetabled to be in Local Democracy Week and that meeting shall be pre-designated as the ‘Special Council meeting’.  

Resolved:

1) That the head of Democratic Services be requested to commence arrangements and develop proposals for this year’s Special Council meeting.

2) That the Head of Democratic Services canvass members, Directors and Heads of Service on possible themes.

3) That the 2008 event be held on 22^nd October 2008 at The Platform, Morecambe.

4) That in future years the October meeting of Council shall be timetabled to be in Local Democracy Week and that meeting shall be pre-designated as the ‘Special Council meeting’.