Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies.

Minutes of meeting held on 16 September 2021 (previously circulated).

The minutes of 16th September 2021 were agreed as a true record and were signed by the Chair.

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 the Head of Democratic Services.

The Head of Democratic Services introduced the report, which was to enable the Committee to consider making a submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBCE) on Council size as part of the Commission’s electoral review of the City Council. The submission would be made on behalf of the Council.

Maps of the proposed boundary changes were provided by the Electoral Services Manager, who was also present at the meeting. The deadline for responding to this stage of the Consultation was 23 November 2021.

Members discussed the changes proposed. It was agreed that it would be better for individual councillors and political groups to make responses than for a response to be sent on behalf of the Council. The Head of Democratic Services said she would circulate an email with the necessary information.

The Chair proposed:

“That Members note that the LGBCE is currently consulting on its draft proposals for warding patterns for the City Council.”

“That councillors and political groups be encouraged to respond.”

It was agreed by all, and the Chair declared the proposal be carried.

Resolved unanimously:

That Members noted that the LGBCE is currently consulting on its draft proposals for warding patterns for the City Council.

That councillors and political groups be encouraged to respond.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Head of Democratic Services outlining the timetable of committee meetings for the 2022/2023 municipal year.

It was noted that there was an error in Appendix 1 circulated with the agenda, regarding the venue of the Annual Council (Ceremonial), which would take place at Lancaster Town Hall (rather than at Morecambe Town Hall as indicated). (An amended Appendix 1 is attached to the minutes along with the approved timetable.)

Councillor De La Mare, Chair of  Budget and Performance Panel, asked if it would be possible to have more meetings of the Panel as he believed the current number of five to be insufficient. He also queried if training could be provided to new members of the Panel, so that they could become familiar with jargon and methodologies. Councillor De La Mare said that the matter of the number of meetings would be determined after consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and other Panel Members.

It was agreed:

“That the draft committee timetable be approved, subject to an additional number (up to four) of meetings of the Budget and Performance Panel. That the dates of any additional meetings be determined by the Chair in consultation with Panel Member, the Chief Financial Officer and Democratic Services.”

Resolved unanimously:

That the draft committee timetable be approved, subject to an additional number (up to four) of meetings of the Budget and Performance Panel. That the dates of any additional meetings be determined by the Chair in consultation with Panel Member, the Chief Financial Officer and Democratic Services.