Agenda and minutes

To appoint a vice-chair for this committee for the municipal year 2023/24.

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2023-24.

It was proposed by Councillor John Livermore and seconded by Councillor David Whitaker: “That Councillor Paul Stubbins be appointed Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2023/24”. There being no further nominations, the Chair declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

That Councillor Paul Stubbins be appointed Vice-Chair of Council Business Committee for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Minutes of meeting held on 2 March 2023 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting of 2^nd March 2023 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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 Paul Stubbins declared a non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 8: Response to Consultation: Introduction of a use class for short term lets and associated permitted development rights. This was due to his ownership of a HMO property in the district.

Councillor John Livermore declared a non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 8: Response to Consultation: Introduction of a use class for short term lets and associated permitted development rights. This was due to being the proprietor of the Craigwell Hotel guest house.

Councillor Prof. Chris Harris declared a non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 8: Response to Consultation: Introduction of a use class for short term lets and associated permitted development rights. This was due to his involvement with the “MyEducation” Student Exchange Program which as part of its function administers a “Host a Student” scheme which may be construed as a short-term let.

Report of the Chief Officer, Planning and Climate Change

The Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change introduced to the Committee a proposed statutory consultation response regarding the Morecambe Offshore Wind Farm development project. This was a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) which was currently in the Pre-Application stage and proposes the construction of up to 40 wind turbines approximately 30 kilometres from the Lancashire Coastline at its nearest point.

The Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change then took questions from the Committee and discussed the consultation process and the City Council’s role within it.

It was then proposed by Councillor David Whitaker and seconded by Councillor Jean Parr that the response be agreed and formally submitted as per Option 1 of the report: “To respond to the consultation with a letter of support, caveated so as the City Council is consulted again should the proposals be amended.”

A vote was taken and the proposal was carried unanimously.

Resolved:

That Lancaster City Council respond to the consultation with a letter of support, caveated so as the City Council is consulted again should the proposals be amended.

To consider a report of the Chief Officer, Planning and Climate Change.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer - Planning and Climate Change concerning a draft response to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Technical Consultation on the Infrastructure Levy.

The Committee discussed the Infrastructure Levy and draft response with the Principal Planning Policy Officer and commented on the high level of both clarity and detail within the draft consultation response and the covering report.

After discussion had concluded it was proposed by Councillor Jean Parr and seconded by Councillor David Whitaker that the draft response be submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as the formal response from Lancaster City Council.

This was agreed unanimously.

Resolved:

That the draft response be submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as the formal response from Lancaster City Council.

To consider a report of the Chief Officer Planning and Climate Change which was marked ‘to follow’. The report was published on 25 May 2023.

The Chief Officer – Planning and Climate change introduced a proposed consultation response to changes to the national planning system regarding the issue of short-term letting accommodation.

After hearing a summary of the issues surrounding short-term letting, the proposed changes to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order and the draft response to these proposals, the Committee then put questions to the Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change.

The Committee asked questions concerning the existing and proposed use classes categorising short-term accommodation and the proposed flexibility for homeowners to let out their homes (C3 dwellinghouses). The discussion highlighted two areas where the Committee felt the draft response could be amended:

·        That the “student housing” use class proposed by the response to Question 5 of the consultation be omitted.

·        That the answer to Question 12 of the consultation be amended to reflect lettings being assessed on a spatial proportionality basis, rather than the number of nights in a calendar year.

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Stubbins and Seconded by Councillor David Whitaker that the consultation response should be formally submitted subject to the amendments suggested by the Committee.

After being put to a vote this was agreed unanimously

Resolved:

That the statutory consultation response be agreed and formally submitted subject to the following amendments:

(1)   That the “student housing” use class proposed by the response to Question 5 of the consultation be omitted.

(2)   That the answer to Question 12 of the consultation be amended to reflect lettings being assessed on a spatial proportionality basis, rather than the number of nights in a calendar year.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Committee considered a proposed change to the Committee timetable in the lead up to the budget setting for the 2024/25 municipal year. The proposed changes were as follows:

a)     To move the Budget Council meeting back from 21 February 2024 to 28 February 2024

b)     To bring forward the 27 February 2024 meeting of Cabinet forward to 20 February 2024

c)     An additional Budget and Performance Panel meeting to be held on 14 February 2024

After a short discussion it was proposed by Councillor David Whitaker and seconded by Councillor John Livermore that the proposed changes to the timetable be approved.

After being put to a vote this was agreed unanimously.

Resolved:

That the following changes to dates in the Committee timetable in the lead up to budget setting for the 2024/25 municipal year be made:

a)     To move the Budget Council meeting back from 21 February 2024 to 28 February 2024

b)     To bring forward the 27 February 2024 meeting of Cabinet forward to 20 February 2024

c)     An additional Budget and Performance Panel meeting to be held on 14 February 2024

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections notified the committee of an urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of Council Business Committee in respect of the submission of a response to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities consultation “Stronger performance of local planning authorities supported through an increase in planning fees.”

The Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change provided a summary of the consultation and the Council’s response as the membership of the Committee had changed since the decision was taken. Upon conclusion of this discussion the report was noted and the Chair thanked officers for their attendance.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.