Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 15 April 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15 April 2025 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair advised that 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. 

No declarations were made at this point.

Members were advised that there had been no requests to speak at the meeting in accordance with Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

Report of Chief Officer Environment & Place (report published on 14.5.25)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hart )

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Environment & Place to consider and approve a different delivery model for waste and recycling operations, to deliver the outcomes required by the governments national waste strategy.  The report was complimented by an informative power point presentation delivered by the Chief Officer.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Each option presented in the report has been investigated, modelled and forecast based through a number of pieces of work with a focus on a solution that offers an increase in recycling rate, operational efficiency, resident participation increase and financial benefit.

Option 1 would move the districts residual collection frequency to three weekly at the same time as introducing weekly food waste recycling. Wheelie bin investment could offer alternate fortnightly recycling frequencies for residents whilst offering increased capacity to recycle greater volumes. This option offers a potential financial saving with the reduction of fleet vehicles and associated costs. Modelling forecasts an increase in recycling rate but offers significant risk in regard to resident understanding and participation, and also regarding operational planning issues as it offers its complexities. This option, due to its complexities, offers risk with the number of missed, or none presented bins likely to increase at which point this would involve cost increases on collection.

Option 2 would see the district having waste frequencies that would include three weekly collections of residual and recycling streams, with weekly food waste recycling. It is modelled on wheelie bin recycling investment to increase capacity and recycling rate. It is understood that this option will offer a higher recycling rate for the district, offers operational planning benefits and is easy to understand for the resident. The cost of this option is similar to current operations and therefore doesn’t offer a financial efficiency.

Option 3 represents consideration to introduce food waste recycling weekly as mandated by government, but keep other collection methods as they are now, including boxes for recycling. Whilst this option will reduce the burden on the capital investment programme, it will stifle the district’s ability to increase its recycling rate, offer no incentive for residents to participate in food waste recycling and will work against the authorities’ priorities on zero waste to landfill.

Report of Chief Executive (report published on 13.5.25)

This report is likely to contain an exempt appendix and the press and public will be excluded from the meeting at this point if Cabinet are minded to refer to the information within the exempt appendix.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to seek Cabinet’s support for a collaborative bid to Government for an AI Growth Zone in the Lancaster District.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Supporting the proposal aligns with the Council Plan, supports our local economy and shows leadership in looking to take advantage of an opportunity for our District and the wider region.

Not supporting the proposal will forgo our opportunity to lead for our communities and collaborate with a range of partners.

The officer preferred option is that Lancaster City Council continues to work with partners to submit a collaborative proposal.

Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed, seconded by Councillor Bottoms:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

That Cabinet supports Lancaster City Council’s involvement in the development of a proposal for an AI growth zone in the district.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

There is considerable interest in submitting a collaborative bid for an AI Growth Zone to be located around the Imperial Road site in Heysham and it is  clear that we do meet the Government’s criteria which is set out in Appendix A to the report.

The decision is consistent with the Council’s aim for a ‘An inclusive and Prosperous Local Economy’ and the outcomes of sustainable innovation, sustainable skills and investment and regeneration.