Decision details

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Assets and Public Protection) introduced a confidential report that set out proposals for Civic Centre accommodation in line with changes and opportunities that have arisen with the success of hybrid working over recent years.

Councillor Karen Walton on behalf of the Conservative Group, seconded by Councillor Phil Smith proposed an amendment to the report:

“To replace recommendation 7 of the recommendations to Council with the following;

7. To approve the creation of a Cross Part Working Group to examine the proposals for the creation of a fixed permanent Council Chamber and future improvements to the working spaces at the Civic Centre.”

Councillors Walton, Adams, M Tomlinson, Pillinger, Howarth, Foster and P Smith participated in the debate on the amendment.

Councillor M Tomlinson indicated he was not willing to accept the amendment.

A vote was taken on the amendment, and it was subsequently,

Resolved: (For: 15, Against: 27)

For: Councillors Gleave, Mary Green, Michael Green, Hancock, Howarth, King, Lillis, Mullineaux, Rainsbury, Shaw, M Smith, P Smith, Turner, Walton and Watson.

Against: Councillors Adams, Alty, Ashton, Bedford, Bell, Bylinski Gelder, Farnworth, Foster, Gabbott, Gleeson, Hindle-Taylor, Jackson, Lomax, Martin, Peet, Pillinger, Pritchard, Roberts, Sharples, Stevens, Stringfellow, C Tomlinson, M Tomlinson, Unsworth, Watkinson, Wharton Hardman and Williams.

The debate resumed on the substantive motion and Councillors Foster, C Tomlinson and Martin participated in the debate.

It was proposed by the Cabinet Member (Finance, Assets and Public Protection), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson and seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and subsequently,

Resolved: (For: 32, Against: 10)

1.    That a fixed permanent Council Chamber and improvements to working spaces at the Civic Centre be approved.

2.    That the creation of a capital budget in addition to the utilisation of funds from the Corporate Buildings capital programme be approved.

3.    That the procurement strategy for the associated works be approved.

For: Councillors Adams, Alty, Ashton, Bedford, Bell, Bylinski Gelder, Farnworth, Foster, Gabbott, Gleeson, Hancock, Hindle-Taylor, Howarth, Jackson, Lillis, Lomax, Martin, Peet, Pillinger, Pritchard, Roberts, Sharples, Shaw, Stevens, Stringfellow, C Tomlinson, M Tomlinson, Turner, Unsworth, Watkinson, Wharton Hardman and Williams.

Against: Councillors Gleave, Mary Green, Michael Green, King, Mullineaux, Rainsbury, M Smith, P Smith, Walton and Watson.