Agenda item

To consider the motion submitted by Councillors Tricia Heath, Geoff Knight, Merv Evans, Cary Matthews and Roger Dennison;

“It has not escaped the general public’s attention that there were no ice cream vans in their usual spots on Morecambe promenade during the very hot spell of weather at Easter. 

Lancaster City Council has for many years received guaranteed revenue from leasing these sites to local business. This ended this year as Lancaster City Council has apparently decided it would make much more money from selling ice creams themselves.

We all know this will never be the case. It has been proved by the council’s failed attempts to run business in the past.

Lancaster City Council has already lost 1/2 years rental income from concessionaires and we see no evidence that the council has put any money aside to provide their own ice cream vans. Does this mean that this council no longer has any plans to provide ice cream vans on Morecambe promenade? If so, we are leaving the door wide open for unregulated traders to turn up which raises Health and Safety concerns.

Apparently it has also been the policy to cancel leases on cafes at the end of their term. This means that a local resident who has worked hard and put their heart and soul into building up a business will have this taken away from them by the council on the grounds that the council will now keep the profit.  This does not inspire entrepreneurship in the town nor does it inspire being in partnership with Lancaster City Council. Is there any member here that thinks this is a sensible or desirable way forward?  

Other cafe owners have now been told that they will not be able to renew their lease - what incentive is there to invest in or improve their business.

We propose that the Council:-

1)     Does not take the livelihoods of local residents away from them by not renewing their leases;

2)     Does not begin the business of selling ice creams on Morecambe Promenade;

And that:

3)     The Council’s priorities should be on fulfilling its statutory duties”

An officer briefing note is attached.

Councillor Budden left the meeting at this point, having previously declared an interest.

The following motion of which notice had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15 was moved by Councillor Heath and seconded by Councillor Geoff Knight:-

“It has not escaped the general public’s attention that there were no ice cream vans in their usual spots on Morecambe promenade during the very hot spell of weather at Easter. 

Lancaster City Council has for many years received guaranteed revenue from leasing these sites to local business. This ended this year as Lancaster City Council has apparently decided it would make much more money from selling ice creams themselves.

We all know this will never be the case. It has been proved by the council’s failed attempts to run business in the past.

Lancaster City Council has already lost 1/2 years rental income from concessionaires and we see no evidence that the council has put any money aside to provide their own ice cream vans. Does this mean that this council no longer has any plans to provide ice cream vans on Morecambe promenade? If so, we are leaving the door wide open for unregulated traders to turn up which raises Health and Safety concerns.

Apparently it has also been the policy to cancel leases on cafes at the end of their term. This means that a local resident who has worked hard and put their heart and soul into building up a business will have this taken away from them by the council on the grounds that the council will now keep the profit.  This does not inspire entrepreneurship in the town nor does it inspire being in partnership with Lancaster City Council. Is there any member here that thinks this is a sensible or desirable way forward?  

Other cafe owners have now been told that they will not be able to renew their lease - what incentive is there to invest in or improve their business.

We propose that the Council:-

1)     Does not take the livelihoods of local residents away from them by not renewing their leases;

2)     Does not begin the business of selling ice creams on Morecambe Promenade;

And that:

3)     The Council’s priorities should be on fulfilling its statutory duties.”

An officer briefing note had been prepared and circulated with the agenda to assist Councillors with the debate.

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Hamilton-Cox, seconded by Councillor Lewis:

“Cabinet Members wish to take further soundings on the matters raised by the motion and propose that the agenda item returns to full council on 17 July 2019 for a final decision.”

After some discussion and clarification, Councillor Heath and her seconder accepted this proposal as a friendly amendment to the motion.

At the conclusion of the debate a vote was taken and the motion, as amended, was clearly carried.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Members take further soundings on the matters raised by the motion and that the agenda item returns to full council on 17 July 2019 for a final decision.

Councillor Budden returned to the Council Chamber.