Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chair in accordance with paragraph 6.0 of the Joint Committee Procedure Rules. The Chair will rotate annually between each of the principal members.

Councillor Archibald proposed that Councillor Lewis be appointed Chair of the Joint Committee for twelve months, to reflect Lancaster City Council’s role as host authority. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Frea.

There were no further nominations.

Resolved:

That Councillor Erica Lewis be appointed Chair of the Joint Committee from 22 July 2020 to 21 July 2021.

Councillor Brooks’ apologies were noted.

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 their 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 the interests of clarity and transparency (and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 for Lancaster City Councillors) Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in their Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Lancaster City 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

To appoint a Vice-Chair in accordance with paragraph 6.0 of the Joint Committee Procedure Rules. The role of Vice-Chair will rotate annually between each of the principal members.

Councillor Archibald proposed that Councillor Thomson be appointed Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee. Councillor Lewis seconded the proposal.

There were no further nominations.

Resolved:

That Councillor Ann Thomson be appointed Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee from 22 July 2020 to 21 July 2021.

The terms of reference for the Joint Committee are set out below:-

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a)       act as a key strategic forum for sustainable economic prosperity issues in the Lancaster and South Cumbria Region and to make representations and recommendations on sustainable economic development opportunities, programmes and investments to other bodies, to include Government, Local Government and the Cumbria and Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs);

b)    act as a key strategic forum for meeting the climate emergency across the Lancaster and South Cumbria Region and to make representations and recommendations on sustainable economic development opportunities, programmes and investments to other bodies, to include Government, Local Government and the Cumbria and Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs);

c)    act as the key strategic forum for reducing inequality across the Lancaster and South Cumbria Region and to make representations and recommendations on sustainable economic development opportunities, programmes and investments to other bodies, to include Government, Local Government and the Cumbria and Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs);

d)   actively engage with a range of experts, community organisations, businesses and institutions in the Lancaster and South Cumbria Region in relation to economic, social and environmental wellbeing development decision making and to engage with other stakeholders where appropriate;

e)    consider and advise on the appropriateness and viability of alternative, successor economic, social and environmental governance arrangements;

f)     to have direct and strategic oversight of key growth focused projects and initiatives that the Joint Committee has influence over the funding of and across the Lancaster and South Cumbria Economic Region.

The terms of reference of the Committee, as set out in the Joint Committee’s Procedure Rules, were noted.

Report of the Chief Executives

Mr Darren Wisher, Managing Director of Hatch Regeneris presented the draft report which the authorities had jointly commissioned “The Bay Prosperity and Resilience Strategy”.

It was noted that the report could make more of the area’s cultural and heritage assets and the visitor economy. It was agreed that a sub-group of two Councillors and two officers should meet to look at revising the draft Strategy with this aim in mind and that the meeting should take place as soon as possible bearing in mind that summer breaks would be coming up.

Resolved:

That Councillors Ashcroft and Lewis meet as soon as possible with the Chief Executive of Barrow BC and the Head of Economic Development at Lancaster City Council to revise the draft Strategy.

For discussion.

Agenda items 7 (Tackling Inequalities and Developing Community Wealth Building) and 8 (Addressing Climate Change) were taken together, these being three priority areas for the Joint Committee. There were no accompanying reports, the topics were for discussion.

It was noted that all three authorities had declared a climate emergency and were committed to reducing inequality for their residents. There was a discussion regarding taking this work forward and how a wider group of Councillors, businesses and other organisations could also be involved.

Councillor Frea reported that he had spoken to Dr Andy Knox, Director of Population Health and Engagement for Morecambe Bay, who was keen to link the discussions about the economy and ‘building back’ after COVID-19. Dr Knox had indicated that he would like to take part in the conversation around those areas. Councillor Frea offered to lead on addressing Climate Change issues regarding renewable energy resources around the Bay and money available for insulation. 

For community wealth building, South Lakeland offered to lead on financial resilience and poverty alleviation and take forward things that which could be done in the area. It was suggested that South Lakeland Councillor Suzie Pye would be asked to lead on this as the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Financial Resilience.

Barrow’s CE reported that the Borough Council were doing lots of work around poverty and inequality and working with the Poverty Truth Commission so would be very keen to be involved in those issues, too.

Resolved:

(1)            That Lancaster City Council lead on Climate Change.

(2)            That South Lakeland Council lead on Poverty.

(3)            That Barrow Borough Council lead on Health and Wellbeing.

NOTE REGARDING THE LEAD AUTHORITIES ON EACH OF THE THREE AREAS: Due to communication problems at the meeting, these will be confirmed at the next meeting, once all Leaders are able to join the meeting in full.