Agenda and minutes

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. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of Chief Officer - Planning and Climate Change

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented a draft response to the open consultation published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, National Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy Generation (EN-7).

The Committee was asked to note the proposed draft response and consider it for submission as the Council’s corporate response to the consultation on or before the deadline of 3^rd April 2025.

After noting the consultation and reviewing the proposed responses to each question, it was proposed by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Livermore and resolved unanimously as follows: -

Resolved: -

1)     That the Committee notes the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s consultation on the National Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy Generation (EN-7)

2)     That the responses to the consultation on the National Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy Generation (EN-7), as proposed in Appendix 1 of the report, be submitted as the Council’s corporate response to the consultation.

It was at this point that Councillor Abuhajar arrived.

Report of the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth.

The Committee was asked to note the Lancashire County Combined Authority’s consultation on the Lancashire Growth Plan and to consider submitting the draft response provided by the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth with any alterations required by the deadline of 11^th April 2025.

After noting the consultation and summary provided by the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth, the Committee requested clarification on points pertaining to the retention of graduates in the area and also requested that Glasson Dock also be mentioned alongside the Port of Heysham when listing the economic assets of the district.

At the conclusion of discussion it was proposed by Councillor Parr, Seconded by Councillor Maddocks and unanimously resolved as follows:

Resolved

1)     That Council Business Committee note the summary content of the consultation version of the Lancashire Growth Plan.

2)     That the draft response contained in the report be agreed with inclusion of comments made by Council Business Committee.

3)     That the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth incorporate any comments raised by the Committee and submit the final version of the response to the County Combined Authority by 11th April 2025.