Agenda, decisions and minutes

A minutes silence was observed for former Councillor, Sue Prynn, who had passed away on 31 May 2023.

No apologies were received.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

No declarations were received.

Minutes of the meeting held Wednesday, 15 March 2023 attached to be signed as a correct record.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 15 March are agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The Notice of Executive Decisions and Cabinet Forward Plan for the period 1 June 2023 – 31 May 2024 is available on the website.

A copy of the latest version, as of agenda publication, is attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

The Cabinet Forward Plan was noted.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To approve the tourism strategy.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented a report of the Chief Executive that presented the South Ribble Tourism Strategy for consideration.

Councillor Foster explained a vision had been created for the borough and by 2028 it was expected that South Ribble would thrive as a popular tourist destination with a recognised events programme that collectively supports the local economy.

The strategy contained a delivery plan on how this vision would be delivered and managed for success through the three-year period.

Members of Cabinet thanked the officers for a clear and accessible report and celebrated recent successes such as Music in the Park and Leyland Festival.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Bylinski Gelder, advised that she would like to see links to local accommodations included which would encourage people to stop off on their travels to major cities. Councillor Foster explained that the website would be enhanced with links to local accommodations and when the strategy comes forward for refresh those parameters would be analysed further.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To approve the tourism strategy.

Reasons for recommendations:

It was a Corporate Strategy project to create a tourism strategy and so to complete this a draft strategy needing approving.

Other options considered and rejected:

The alternative option would have been not to produce a strategy for approval but this was rejected because it was a Corporate Strategy project.

Report of the Director of Change and Delivery attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To note the report.

2.     Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee, explaining that the new Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital) would attend a future meeting when sufficiently settled in his role.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented a report of the Director of Change and Delivery that sought to provide Cabinet with a position statement for the Corporate Strategy for quarter four (January – March) 2022/23.

Councillor Foster explained the authority was continuing to deliver services well. It was noted that the Credit Union had not met it’s key performance indicator’s due to other factors such as the cost of living crisis, but there was more to be done with the union and overall it was performing well.

Councillor Foster referred to the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee and stated that he accepted the comments and recommendations; however the Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital) would attend a future meeting when sufficiently settled in his role.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    To note the report.

2.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee, explaining that the new Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital) would attend a future meeting when sufficiently settled in his role.

Reasons for recommendations:

The Council’s performance framework sets out the process for reporting progress against the objectives of the Corporate Strategy. Robust monitoring ensures that the Council continues to deliver its priorities and achieves the best outcomes for residents.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

Report of the Director of Finance.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To approve the revised capital programme as attached at Appendix A, which includes amendments to the programme, as detailed in the report, since the last Capital Monitoring report for the nine months to 31 December 2022 was approved by Cabinet in February 2023.

2.     To note the variations to the programme.

3.     To note the position in the Balance Sheet Monitoring section of the report in respect of cash, investment and loan balances and debtors as at 31 March 2023.

4.     Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer that outlined the financial position of the Council in respect of the capital programme as at 31 March 2023. Highlighting key issues and explaining key variances, providing an overview of various elements of the Council’s Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023.

Councillor Tomlinson explained the authority had spent less than expected due to delays in high profile projects. However, assurances were given that the funds would be spent and investments placed into local communities. Since the report had been written, work was already beginning on Worden Park and the Leisure Centre refurbishment programme.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To approve the revised capital programme as attached at Appendix A, which includes amendments to the programme, as detailed in the report, since the last Capital Monitoring report for the nine months to 31 December 2022 was approved by Cabinet in February 2023.

2.     To note the variations to the programme.

3.     To note the position in the Balance Sheet Monitoring section of the report in respect of cash, investment and loan balances and debtors as at 31 March 2023.

4.     Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the Council’s Capital Programme is monitored effectively.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

Report of the Director of Finance attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To note the 2022/23 provisional outturn for revenue and the level of reserves based on the position as at 31 March 2023.

2.     To note the virements made to and from the revenue budget during the year, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.     Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer that set out the revenue and reserves provisional outturn for 2022/23 for the Council, based on the position as at 31 March 2023.

Councillor Tomlinson explained that despite the current economic climate the authority had slightly underspent on the budget. It was intended that the underspend be used to boost the general reserve fund which was currently at £4.53 million which would emphasise the Council’s reputation as a fiscally responsible and financially healthy authority.

The Leader of the Council asked for confirmation of the Council’s debt position and Councillor Tomlinson explained that short term and long-term borrowing was nil. The council’s authorities total borrowing was also nil.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    To note the 2022/23 provisional outturn for revenue and the level of reserves based on the position as at 31 March 2023.

2.    To note the virements made to and from the revenue budget during the year, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

Report of the Director of Communities attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    Cabinet recommends to Council the proposed amendments to the Community Hub boundaries as outlined in the report.

2.    Cabinet recommends to Council the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs for the period of twelve months until the first business meeting of the Council in May 2024.

The Cabinet Member (Communities, Leisure and Wellbeing), Councillor Clare Hunter, presented a report of the Director of Communities that brought forward a proposed enhancement to the boundaries of the Community Hubs. It also recommended the appointment of the new Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the hubs.

Councillor Hunter advised that members had listened to comments from local residents and fellow members and proposed to reverse the decision taken on 15 May 2019 to change the boundaries of the Community Hubs. The proposal to re-establish the previous boundaries is made in order to strengthen communications with members of the local community and to increase their involvement in Council decisions about services which affect them.

Councillor Hunter outlined the arrangements would be as follows:

1.     Western Parishes – Hoole, Longton and Hutton West, New Longton and Hutton East

2.     Penwortham – Broad Oak, Charnock, Howick and Priory, Middleforth

3.     Central Villages – Farington East, Farington West and Lostock Hall

4.     Leyland – Broadfield, Buckshaw and Worden, Earnshaw Bridge, Leyland Central, Moss Side, Seven Stars, St Ambrose

5.     Bamber Bridge, Walton-le-Dale and Eastern – Bamber Bridge East, Bamber Bridge West, Coupe Green and Gregson Lane, Samlesbury and Walton, Walton-le-Dale East, Walton-le-Dale West

The following Chairs and Vice-Chairs were recommended for appointment:

Members of the Cabinet welcomed the report and acknowledged that the decision was being taken due to comments and concerns raised by local residents and fellow members.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     Cabinet recommends to Council the proposed amendments to the Community Hub boundaries as outlined in the report.

2.     Cabinet recommends to Council the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs for the period of twelve months until the first business meeting of the Council in May 2024.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure we continue to enhance the Community Hubs by amending the boundaries of the Hubs and appointments are made to the Chair and Vice-Chair positions.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.