Meeting documents

None, all members of the Cabinet were present.

Declarations of Interest
Councillor Hughes declared a personal interest in item 4 in so far as it related to St Catherine?s Hospice (as a member of the hospice) indicated he would not take part in the voting thereon.

RESOLVED (unanimously):
That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. That council approves the list of initial local infrastructure projects contained within Tables 2 (as amended) and 3; and
2. That subject to (1) above, council approves that financial support be sought from the City Deal Executive Board towards the local infrastructure projects in South Ribble.

The Cabinet member for Regeneration, Leisure and Healthy Communities (Councillor P Smith) introduced this item and in doing so, proposed that the recommendation be amended to include ?? subject to being signed off by the My Neighbourhood Chairmen.? It had been another successful year with some significant achievements, thanking the chairmen and officers for their hard work. There were again some ambitious projects for 2015/16.

Members commented that following the introduction of the My Neighbourhoods they had been successful and there was more buy-in/ownership/engagement by residents/communities. They enabled ideas/aspirations/opportunities to be turned into tangible projects. It was also interesting and pleasing to see the diversity of projects (whether large or small) across the borough.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That subject to being signed off by the My Neighbourhood Chairmen, council approves the 2015-2016 My Neighbourhood Plans.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods & Streetscene (Councillor Mullineaux) introduced this item explaining these were regulations that the council had to adhere to and the report explained the process. He was pleased to state that the council was fully compliant.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the council?s current collection system for recycled materials be approved as being compliant with the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.

The Cabinet member for Finance and Resources (Councillor Robinson) introduced this item explaining that the council?s current two year gas contracts expired in September 2015. The council?s energy broker had advised that energy values were expected to reduce between March-May 2015 but due to price fluctuations in the energy market the best time could not be predicted. The council would need to make a decision when notified. Whilst the values of electricity contracts were within the threshold to be dealt with by officers, those for gas were not. Therefore, whilst not taken lightly, it was recommended that standing orders be waived to enable the council to secure the gas contracts at the best and most advantageous rates.

There was a discussion with a member of the public around whether the council?s contracts should be for a shorter period. It was explained that the recommended course of action was based on external professional advice/expertise which the council did not itself possess.

RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. That council agrees to invoke part 44, paragraph 44.1 of the Contract Procedure Rules to allow the waiving of the standard procurement process due to the exceptional circumstances outlined in the report; and
2. That council approves the delegation of the acceptance of the most economically advantageous energy contract for the supply of gas to the Director of Neighbourhoods, Environmental Health and Assets.

The Leader (Councillor Mrs M Smith) introduced this item, explaining the proposed new Employee Code of Conduct updated the 2012 existing code and was part of the council?s suite of policies. This item had previously been discussed at both the Governance and Standards Committees without any significant changes.

It was confirmed that the reference on page two of the report to vexatious/unreasonable complaints against officers, would also apply to behaviour (such as when they attended meetings).

RESOLVED (unanimously): That council approves the new draft Code of Conduct for Employees be formally adopted as part of the update of the Council?s Constitution.

RESOLVED (unanimously):
That the Forward Plan submitted under Section 22 of the Local Government Act 2000 be approved.

RESOLVED (unanimously):
That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following item of business as it involved the discussion of information defined as exempt from publication under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, ?Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).? and, in which the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing it.

?

At this point based on the information available on the agenda, a member of the public took exception to the exclusion indicating it was contra to openness and transparency. However, when the nature of the subsequent item was explained the reason for the exclusion was understood and accepted.

The Cabinet member for Finance and Resources (Councillor Robinson) introduced this item and background to the current position relating to land at St Andrews Way (Hulmes Mill), Leyland.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That council approves that the bid be accepted.