Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 1 June, 2023 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting of 1^st June 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 Gina Dowding declared a non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 5: Consultation – Lancaster Port Commission Harbour Review Order, stating that Glasson Dock and its surrounding areas fell within Lancashire County Council’s Lancaster Central division for which she was the current representative. Councillor Dowding also wished to declare that she had consulted with Councillor Sally Maddocks and Thurnham with Glasson Parish Council as part of the background research for a proposed response to the consultation that she wished to bring forward for consideration at the meeting.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections introduced the report of the Monitoring Officer concerning the Lancaster Port Commission Harbour Revision Order consultation. Councillor Sally Maddocks had requested that the Committee make a response to the consultation in accordance with its terms of reference set out in paragraph 8.2 of Part 2, Section 2.5 of the Council’s Constitution.

The Committee was informed that the Marine Management Organisation had agreed to extend the closing date for responses until 6^th September 2023 to provide additional time for the Council to respond. The Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections explained that, as per the report, Lancaster City Council would be responding to the consultation in its capacity as Local Planning Authority but that this would be independent of any separate response that the Committee wished to make.

The Chair then asked the Committee to consider recommendation (1) of the report. It was proposed by The Chair and seconded by Councillor Gina Dowding:-

“That the Committee agrees to the request from Ward Councillor Sally Maddocks to make a response to the Marine Management Authority regarding the consultation on the Lancaster Port Commission Harbour Revision Order.”

This was voted upon and agreed unanimously.

The Chair invited Councillor Dowding to address the Committee to present a proposed draft response to the consultation that had been circulated prior to the meeting. Councillor Dowding explained that the draft had been prepared in conjunction with Councillor Maddocks and was being presented to the Committee as a starting point for discussion with any requested changes being welcome.

The Committee then discussed the proposed response and suggested several amendments to make the wording more robust and to add an additional clause concerning the statutory duty of conservancy.

At the conclusion of the discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Harris and seconded by Councillor Livermore: -

“That the wording of the response agreed at this meeting be submitted to the MMO by Democratic Support to meet the deadline of 6 September 2023.”

This was put to a vote and agreed unanimously.

Resolved: -

(1)   That the Committee agree to the request from Ward Councillor Sally Maddocks to make a response to the Marine Management Authority regarding the consultation on the Lancaster Port Commission Harbour Revision Order.

(2)   That the wording of the response agreed at this meeting be submitted to the MMO by Democratic Support to meet the deadline of 6 September 2023.

The full text of the agreed response is appended to these minutes.