Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Suhir Abuhajar, Kate Knight, Izzy Metcalf-Riener, Jean Parr and Sandra Thornberry.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 28 January 2026 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2026 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

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. 

Members were advised that the Monitoring Officer had granted a dispensation under the Localism Act 2011 to Councillor Bannon to allow her to participate and vote in the Budget despite having a DPI by virtue of her employment by Citizens Advice.

The Mayor reported the sad death of Honorary Alderman Mike Greenall on 12^th February 2026.  Mike was elected in 1999 and was Mayor in 2021-22.  Mike’s funeral would be held on 2^nd March at 2.30pm at Lancaster and Morecambe Crematorium. 

The Mayor asked Councillors to remember Honorary Alderman Jean Yates who passed away on 20^th February 2026.  Jean was both a City and County Councillor who served as Mayor in 1994-95 and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in 2016.  Her funeral was being held on 13^th March at 2.30pm at Lancaster and Morecambe crematorium.

The Mayor informed the Councillors of the passing of former Councillor Richard Rollins who was a City Councillor for four years from 2011.

Members stood in a minute’s silence in their memory.

The Mayor advised the meeting that tickets were still available for the Cabaret Evening at the Mazuma Stadium on 7^th March at 7pm.

The Mayor announced that in compliance with the law and Council Procedure Rule 19.7 from the City Council Constitution a recorded vote would be taken on budget decisions.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 11.1 and 11.3 which require members of the public to give at least 3 days’ notice in writing of questions to a Member of Cabinet or Committee Chairman. 

The Mayor advised that no questions had been received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.

The Mayor informed Members that no petitions or requests to address Council had been received from members of the public.

The Leader presented her report updating Members on various issues since her last report to Council. She then responded to a number of questions from Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

Report of Cabinet.

The Mayor reminded Council that this item would require a recorded vote on the budget decisions and that, whilst the report itself was public, appendices C1 and C2 were exempt from publication. Any discussions on those appendices would require Council to consider excluding the press and public from the Chamber.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Property, introduced a report presenting Cabinet’s final budget proposals in order that the Council could complete its revenue budget setting for 2026/27. He thanked the Chief Finance Officer and his staff for the work put into the budget preparation.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox took questions from Councillors and advised he would provide a written response to Councillor Gardiner’s question regarding commercial assets and any loans being paid on these. 

Councillor Hamilton-Cox then proposed:

“That recommendations (1) to (3), as set out in the report, be moved.”

Councillor Bottoms seconded the proposal with an amendment ‘to reduce the amount being transferred to the internal LGR reserve of £460K by £35K to £425K to allow for a fund for small festivals with individual applications accepted capped at £5K .  Allocation decisions would be delegated to the portfolio holder and officers in consultation with the Leader.”

Councillor Phillip Black raised a point of order and questioned whether under the constitution any amendments could be brought to the budget during the meeting although if deemed necessary any variation could be brought to a subsequent meeting.  The Monitoring officer confirmed that Councillor Black was correct and Councillor Bottoms withdrew the amendment.

Councillor Hamish Mills then seconded Councillor Hamilton-Cox’s proposal.

It was noted that recommendations (1) to (3) were subject to a recorded vote. Recommendations (4) & (5) of the report were simply for noting.

A debate on the budget proposals followed before a recorded vote was taken on recommendations (1) to (3):

For the proposition:  Councillors, Bannon, Blaikie, Bottoms, Brookes,   Colley,  Deery, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hart, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks, McGowan, Mills (Abi), Mills (Hamish), Otway, Pritchard, Punshon, Riches,  Sommerville, Stubbins, Tyldesley, Tynan and Wilkinson.(30).

Against the proposition:   Councillors Budden, Gardiner, Newton and Wild. (4).

Abstentions: Councillors Ainscough, Armistead, Belcher, Black (Matthew)Black, (Phillip), Bradley, Cleet, Colbridge, Cozler, Gawith, Hanna, Hanson, Harris, Hartley,  Pattison, Penney, Potter, Redfern, Stubbs, Whitaker and Wood (21).

Resolved:

(1)        That the General Fund Revenue Budget of £27.833M for 2026/27 be approved, resulting in a Council Tax Requirement of £11.931M, excluding parish precepts, and a Band D basic City Council Tax rate of £272.20

(2)        That the supporting General Fund Revenue Budget proposals be approved, as summarised at Appendices A, C, C1 and C2 to the report.

(3)        That the budget transfer (virements and carry forwards) limits be approved as set out in Appendix E to the report.

(4)        That Council notes Cabinets authorisation for the use of the General Fund Unallocated Reserve to fund the £0.831M contribution required to the Lancashire Local Government Reorganisation Transition Fund.

(5)        That Cabinet notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

Report of Cabinet.

Councillor Caroline Jackson, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Housing and Homelessness, advised the meeting that Councillor Hamilton-Cox would present the report for 2026/27 to 2031. Councillor Hamilton-Cox confirmed that Councillor Caroline Jackson would respond to any qualitative questions. The report presented Cabinet’s final budget proposals in relation to the Housing Revenue Account to allow the Council to complete its budget setting for 2026/27 and update its financial strategy to 2031.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions and confirmed that written responses would be provided to Councillor Maddocks’s question on depreciation and to Councillor Gardiner’s question on formula rents and these answers would be circulated to all members.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson:

“That recommendation (2) to (4) as set out in the report, be approved.”

Recommendations (1) and (5) of the report were simply for noting.

Following an animated debate a recorded vote was taken in relation to recommendations (2) to (4), in accordance with regulations and the Council’s Constitution.

For the proposition:  Councillors Bannon, Blaikie, Bottoms, Brookes, Budden, Colley, Cooper, Deery, Dennison, Dowding, Fish, Gardiner, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hart, Hunter, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks, McGowan, Mills (Abi), Mills (Hamish), Newton, Otway, Pritchard, Punshon, Riches, Sommerville, Stubbins, Tyldesley, Tynan, Wild and Wilkinson.(35).

Against the proposition:   None.

Abstentions: Councillors Ainscough, Armistead, Belcher, Black (Matthew) Black (Phillip), Bradley, Cleet, Colbridge, Cozler, Gawith, Hanna, Hanson, Harris, Hartley, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Redfern, Stubbs, Whitaker and Wood. (21).

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet’s recommendation to approve the council housing rent levels for 2026/27, as set out in accordance with statutory requirements, be noted.

(2)        That the Housing Revenue Account budgets and future years’ projections be approved, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

(3)        That the Council Housing Capital Programme be approved, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

(4)        That the minimum level of HRA unallocated balances be retained at £750,000 from 01 April 2026, and that the full Statement on Reserves and Balances as set out at Appendix C to the report be approved.

(5)        That Council notes the Section 151 Officer’s advice regarding robustness of budget estimates, the adequacy of reserves and balances and the affordability of borrowing.

At this point the Mayor advised the meeting of a revision to the order of the agenda and that the MTFS item would now be tabled after the Treasury Management report.

Report of Cabinet.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented a report of Cabinet, explaining that statutory guidance from the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) had enabled local authorities to make flexible use of capital receipts to fund projects which were likely to generate savings to the authority and / or other public bodies.

To make use of this provision, authorities had to submit a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy to the Secretary of State, setting out how the provision would be applied in the next financial year.

The report proposed a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2026-27 to complement the ongoing Council’s Outcomes-Based Resourcing programme – Fit for the Future.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions and confirmed that a written response would be provided to Councillor Phillip Black’s question on how the fund had been used in previous years.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendation as set out in the report:

Councillor Bottoms seconded the proposition. A short debate followed before a vote was taken and the proposition was carried unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

That Full Council approves the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2026/27 set out in the report, in accordance with the relevant statutory guidance.

Report of Chief Finance Officer.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox presented the General Fund Capital Programme report for 2026/27 - 2035/36. The report presented Cabinet’s final budget proposals to allow Council to approve a General Fund Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2035/36 and a Capital Strategy as required by regulations.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox responded to questions from Councillors.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox, seconded by Councillor Bottoms, proposed the recommendations as set out in the report.

There was no debate and the proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved unanimously:

That Council notes the report and approves the following:

(1)        That the General Fund Capital Programme as set out at Appendix A, be approved subject to recommendation 2 below

(2)        That the Capital Strategy (Incorporating the Capital Investment Strategy: Investing in the Future) as set out at Appendix B, be approved

The meeting adjourned at 8pm for a comfort break and reconvened at 8.09pm.

Report of Chief Finance Officer.

The Treasury Management Strategy was presented to Council by Councillor Hamilton-Cox. The report set out the 2026/27 framework for Council’s approval.

There were no questions. Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendations set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Bottoms.

There was a short debate on the proposition, which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That the Council notes the report and approves:

(1)             The Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27, Appendices A to C specifically the Council’s The Authorised Limit for External Debt (section 4.7)

Report of Cabinet.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox provided an update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) forecasts for 2026/27 to 2030/31.  There were no questions.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed recommendation (2) of the report, seconded by Councillor Bottoms.

After a brief debate the proposition was put to the vote and agreed unanimously.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the updated position regarding the production of the consolidated Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as set out in the report be noted.

(2)        That delegated authority be given to the Portfolio Holder and Chief Finance Officer to undertake any required amendments to reflect minor additional content and/ or presentational adjustments.

Report of Chief Finance Officer.

Councillor considered a report of the council tax rates for the district for the year 2026/27.  There were no questions.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed the recommendations as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Bottoms.

The item required a recorded vote:

For the proposition:  Armistead, Bannon, Belcher, Black (Matthew), Black (Phillip), Blaikie, Bottoms, Brookes, Budden, Cleet, Colbridge, Colley, Cozler, Deery, Dowding, Fish, Gardiner, Gawith, Greenwell, Hamilton-Cox, Hanna, Hanson, Harris, Hart, Hartley, Jackson (Caroline), Jackson (Peter), Lenox, Livermore, Maddocks, McGowan, Mills (Abi), Mills (Hamish), Newton, Otway, Pattison, Penney, Potter, Pritchard, Riches, Sommerville, Stubbins, Stubbs, Tyldesley, Tynan, Whitaker, Wild, Wilkinson and Wood.(49).

Against the proposition:   Bradley (1)

Abstentions: None.

Resolved:

(1)      That it be noted that, under delegated powers in accordance with section 84 of the Local Government Act 2003, the following amounts have been calculated for the year 2026/27, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended) made under section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the “Act”):

(a) 43,832.69 being the amount of its council tax base for the whole district [item T in the formula in section 31B of the Act];

(b) 18,007.60 being the amount of its council tax base for the non-parished part of the district; and

(c)

being the amounts of its council tax base for each parish within the district.

(2)     Thatin accordancewith section35 ofthe LocalGovernment FinanceAct 1992,it be notedthat thereare noexpenses tobe treatedas theCity Council’sspecial expenses.

(3)     That thefollowing amountsbe nowcalculated bythe CityCouncil forthe year2026/27 in accordancewith Sections31 to36 ofthe Act,as amendedby theLocalism Act2011:

(a)     £139,350,849.82 being the aggregate of the amounts which the City Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish councils;

(b)     £125,573,457.00 being the aggregate of the amounts which the City Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act;

(c)     £13,777,392.82 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the City Council, in accordance with Section31A(4) ofthe Act,as itscouncil taxrequirement forthe year.[Item Rin the formula in Section 31B of the Act];

(d)   All town and parish councils have notified Lancaster of their precept requirement for 2026-27.  The resulting aggregateamount ofall specialitems (parishprecepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act is £1,846,049.82;

(e)     £11,931,343.00 being the council tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2026/27 (excluding parish precepts);

(f)      £314.32being theamount at3(c) above[Item R],all dividedby theamount at1(a) above [Item T], calculated by the City Council, in accordance with section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year (including parish precepts);

(g)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

No changes to committee memberships were reported.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 12.2 and 12.4 which require a Member to give at least 3 working days’ notice, in writing, of the question to the Chief Executive. 

The Mayor advised that 2 questions had been received by the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rules as follows:

Both questions were from Councillor Wilkinson to Councillor Bottoms with regard to car parking.

Details of the question and answer together with any supplementary questions and responses are appended to the minutes.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 28 January 2026. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2026.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.