Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Jacky Alty, Renee Blow, Harold Hancock, Michael Higgins, John Rainsbury, Stephen Thurlbourn and Barrie Yates. 

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.

Councillors Michael Green, David Howarth and Matthew Tomlinson declared a personal interest in item 19. The Future of Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal as members of Lancashire County Council. 

Councillor Carol Wooldridge declared a personal interest in item 12. Social Prescribing Service. 

Approved.

Resolved: (unanimously) That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 be approved as a correct record. 

The Mayor gave an update on his recent engagements from across the Borough, including the A Taste of Leyland event, the bonfire in Worden Park and Remembrance Sunday events. 

To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet held on 16 November. 

Noted.

Members received a general report of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 November 2022. 

Councillor Alan Ogilvie queried if members could attend the Youth Council to observe.  This would be queried and clarified following the meeting. 

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously) that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer.

The Mayor advised that the item had been withdrawn from the agenda as no urgent decisions had been taken since the last Council meeting. 

To receive and consider the report of the Scrutiny Committee held on 11 October and the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel held on 14 November. 

Noted.

Members received a general report of the Scrutiny Committee held on 11 October and the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel held on 14 November.

It was proposed by the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Angela Turner, seconded by Councillor Karen Walton and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously) that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Governance Committee held on 27 September.

Noted.

Members received a general report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 27 September 2022.

It was proposed by the Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Ian Watkinson, seconded by Vice Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Colin Sharples and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously) that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Standards Committee held on 2 November.

Noted.

Members received a general report of the Standards Committee meeting held on 15 September and 2 November 2022. 

It was proposed by the Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Carol Wooldridge, seconded by Vice Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Jacqui Mort and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously) that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Change and Delivery. 

That the Corporate Strategy 2022/23 – 2023/24 be approved.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented the report of the Director of Change and Delivery which sought approval for the Corporate Strategy 2022/23 – 2023/24.

Over the last 12 months, the council had delivered significant impact and outcomes for South Ribble, promoting a positive recovery from the pandemic and setting the borough up for the future.

Corporate Strategy projects have included reopening Worden Hall, Music in the Park, insourcing of critical services and furthering plans for massive investment in our town and local centres.  The community hub model was flourishing, and local partners have been supported with grants and assistance reflecting the collaborative ethos.  Commitment to tackling climate change remains critical with recent approval of the biodiversity strategy and decarbonisation of assets.  Governance and financial management was now stronger and more robust, confirmed by positive feedback to the peer review.

Through the refreshed Corporate Strategy, residents would benefit from greater engagement and collaboration with the Council through local hubs; more affordable and fit for purpose housing to be delivered; community and leisure facilities across the borough to be enhanced to encourage health and wellbeing; more events and activities for families; and economic growth to be promoted through initiatives to support investment and skills.

The approved vision and four corporate priorities have been retained to demonstrate a commitment to the values and principles under which the administration was elected:

• An exemplary council,

• Thriving communities,

• A fair local economy that works for everyone,

• Good homes, green spaces, well places.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Karen Walton, queried the performance of telephony side of Customer Services, with regards to abandoned calls and the length of time.  Councillor Foster, requested that any specific complaints be passed on to himself for investigation, and stressed that performance was moving in the right direction.

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously) that the Corporate Strategy 2022/23 – 2023/24 be approved.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer.

1.         That the new Code of Conduct (Appendix A) be approved.

2.         That the Investigations and Hearings Procedure (Appendix B) be approved.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented the report of the Director of Governance which presented the proposed new Code of Conduct for Members and proposed new Investigations and Hearings Procedure.

Councillor Foster thanked the Standards Committee for their work on the proposals.  The Mayor undertook to write to the Independent Member, Mr Parsonage, to thank him for his contribution to the Standards Committee and the Council. 

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by the Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Carol Wooldridge and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously)

1. That the new Code of Conduct (Appendix A) be approved.
2. That the Investigations and Hearings Procedure (Appendix B) be approved.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

1.         To approve the establishment of a social prescribing service for South Ribble and allocate funding of £240k from the Covid Recovery Fund Reserve.

2.         To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing to proceed with subcontracting negotiations with Ribble Medical Group for the purpose of enhancing social prescribing provision in the Borough.

Councillor Michael Green arrived at 6.40pm.

Councillor Carol Wooldridge declared a personal interest in this item. 

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing), Councillor Michael Titherington, presented the report of the Director of Change and Delivery which proposed the establishment of an integrated social prescribing service.

Members debated the proposals, including Councillor Karen Walton, Alan Ogilvie, Phil Smith and noted that this was not a statutory service, but that it would benefit the residents of the Borough.  There was a fixed two-year contract as part of the proposals.    

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington, seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously)

1.      To approve the establishment of a social prescribing service for South Ribble and allocate funding of £240k from the Covid Recovery Fund Reserve.

2.      To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing to proceed with subcontracting negotiations with Ribble Medical Group for the purpose of enhancing social prescribing provision in the Borough.

The Mayor has agreed to accept this as an urgent item as the recommendation approved at Council on 21 September last will not enable the delivery of the decarbonisation works within the timescales required by the government’s decarbonisation fund and the associated scheme at significant risk.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Governance.

That recommendation 2 approved on 21 September be amended to read

‘That the Council appoints a contractor by direct award via an appropriate framework to enable co-ordination of decarbonisation and refurbishment works and to better manage risk and disruption’.

The Mayor advised he had agreed to accept the following as an urgent item as the recommendation approved at Council on 21 September last would not enable the delivery of the decarbonisation works within the timescales required by the government’s decarbonisation fund and put the associated scheme at significant risk.

Members debated the proposal, including Councillors Karen Walton, Alan Ogilvie and Phil Smith.  It was noted that the timescales for the project were tight and that work undertaken was within an approved framework of contractors to ensure best value. 

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously)

That recommendation 2 approved on 21 September be amended to read

‘That the Council appoints a contractor by direct award via an appropriate framework to enable co-ordination of decarbonisation and refurbishment works and to better manage risk and disruption’.

Councillor Will Adams noted the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Emergency Cover Review Consultation which had been considered by the Scrutiny Committee and asked if the Leader would write to the Chief Officer to set out concerns regarding the proposed changes.  Councillor Foster agreed he would.   

Councillor Michael Green noted his (and Councillor Foster’s) attendance at a Lancashire Day event in London earlier in the day and noted the opportunity to work together for the residents of Lancashire.  He also wished everyone a Happy Lancashire Day.  Councillor Foster supported the plans for the future of Lancashire and their consideration at a future meeting.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Karen Walton, noted there had been a number of staff who had left the authority by mutual agreement and the cost of these.  Councillor Foster agreed to share information following the meeting, noting the confidential nature of the information. 

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing) - Councillor Mick Titherington

There were no questions.

Cabinet Member (Communities, Social Justice and Wealth Building) –

Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder

Councillor Mary Green noted a recent training course attended by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder regarding a Community Wealth building study for the Co-Operatives Council innovation network and how this will benefit the residents of South Ribble.  Councillor Bylinski Gelder agreed to write setting out the detail of the course. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Karen Walton, queried a recent Planning Committee where two young people had indicated their wish to speak at the meeting.  Councillor Bylinski Gelder agreed to look into the detail and come back to Councillor Walton. 

Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) – Councillor Matthew

Tomlinson

Councillor Damian Bretherton queried progress on the McKenzie Arms project and requested an update on the costs and valuation.  The position regarding right to buy was also queried.  Councillor Tomlinson undertook to write with the detail, but noted that the aim was to develop quality homes for residents. 

Councillor Paul Foster inquired whether Councillor Tomlinson had read a letter from the Secretary of State regarding that housing is of the highest standard.  Councillor Tomlinson advised he had. 

Cabinet Member Planning, Business Support and Regeneration) – Councillor James Flannery

Councillor Angela Turner thanked Councillor Flannery for the work undertaken on the Penwortham Masterplan and queried plans to deliver  RIBA stage 3 and 4, who would be doing this, when the final design would be achieved / implementation.  Councillor Flannery noted a report would be presented to a future meeting of the Cabinet and Council regarding the required budget.  Final designs were anticipated by the end of Quarter Two next year with implementation hoped by Quarter One 2024. 

A question was received by a member of the public, S Fox.  The question and response were enclosed with the agenda papers, but Councillor Flannery agreed to meet with the member of the public to discuss the concerns raised. 

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

Approved.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster proposed, the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington seconded, and it was Resolved (unanimously)

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

To approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing), Councillor Michael Titherington, presented the confidential report of the Director of Communities which requested additional funding from South Ribble Borough Council due to extraordinary and unbudgeted increases in energy and salary costs at South Ribble Leisure Limited.

Members debated the proposals, including Councillors Karen Walton and Phil Smith. 

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington, seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously)

1.     To note the current forecast financial position of South Ribble Leisure Limited and the requirement for additional funding.

2.     To approve the request for additional resources of £154k on a recurring basis as part of the cost of the Leisure Contract payment, and £500k on a non-recurring basis in 2022/23. These requests are to cover the financial impact of:

a.         The estimated increase in the cost of utilities of £500k – assumed to be a non-recurring cost at this point but to be reviewed for 2023/24 as part of the budget setting process;

b.         The increase in the cost of the pay award estimated to be approximately £100k – recurring increase in the cost of the Leisure Contract;

c.         The increase in the costs of the SLA provision of £54k – a recurring cost to the Leisure company from the Council in respect of services provided which were understated in the original budget.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.   

To approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented the confidential report of the Deputy Chief Executive which sought approval for the budget to deliver the 72 bed extra care scheme at West Paddock. 

Members debated the proposals, including Councillor Will Adams, Michael Green, Damian Bretherton, Angela Turner, Karen Walton and Caleb Tomlinson. 

Discussions included the need for the facility, the complex financial arrangements and trees on the site.  Clarification would be provided regarding a specific chestnut tree. 

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

Resolved (by majority 23: 0: 19)

1.     To approve an overall budget of £18,735,864.

2.     To approve a funding application to Homes England for a minimum funding amount of £5,760,000.

3.     To approve a virement from the Sumpter Horse capital scheme of £2,000,000

4.     To delegate the approval of the Homes England funding agreement to the Director of Governance.

5.     To approve the entering into a Section 278 agreement with Lancashire County Council to deliver Highway works associated with the scheme and delegate the final agreement to the Director of Governance.

6.     To acknowledge that Officers will be approaching Lancashire County Council to request capital funding support for the scheme.

For: Councillors Will Adams, Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Mal Donoghue, James Flannery, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, David Howarth (Mayor), Clare Hunter, Lou Jackson, Chris Lomax, Susan Jones, Keith Martin, Colin Sharples, David Shaw, Mick Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Matthew Trafford, Angela Turner, Kath Unsworth, Ian Watkinson, Paul Wharton-Hardman, Carol Wooldridge.

Against:

Abstain: Councillors Damian Bretherton, Julie Buttery, Matt Campbell, Carol Chisholm, Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Michael Green, Jon Hesketh, Cliff Hughes, Jim Marsh, Caroline Moon, Jacqui Mort, Peter Mullineaux, Alan Ogilvie, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, David Suthers, Karen Walton, Gareth Watson.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Planning and Development.

That the Council adopt as our primary position option B and look to negotiate with our partners the termination of the City Deal Agreement on mutually acceptable terms. The Council will look to agree

•        that outstanding works be completed; and

•        to limit the financial contributions of the parties to a reasonable proportion of those works with a further limit on the period of contribution for a term certain; and

•        Negotiations must be completed within a maximum of 6 months

This will reflect the terms of the current Agreement and recognise that the reduction in available funding will lead to a reduced infrastructure delivery. This approach will also provide certainty to the partners both in terms of what will be delivered and contribution and period of commitment.

In the event that these negotiations are unsuccessful then we should pursue option A and allow the current deal until it expires. This Council is committed to a reasonable and fair delivery of the City Deal and will meet our obligations under the initial agreement.

Councillor Michael Green declared a personal interest in this item as a member of Lancashire County Council and left the meeting at 7.50pm.

Councillors David Howarth and Matthew Tomlinson declared a personal interest in this item, but remained in the room.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, introduced the confidential of the Director of Planning and Development which updated members on the current position of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal and to seek a Council view on the options for the future of the City Deal.

Members debated the proposals, including Councillors Phil Smith, Caroline Moon, David Shaw, Alan Ogilvie, Margaret Smith and Karen Walton.  Issues surrounding the provision of information, financial implications, outstanding infrastructure works, timescales, robust auditing and the need for Council to ratify any agreement. 

The Mayor adjourned the meeting for a short time to allow discussions within political groups and resumed the meeting at 8.50pm. 

An amendment was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously)

That the Council adopt as our primary position option B and look to negotiate with our partners the termination of the City Deal Agreement on mutually acceptable terms. The Council will look to agree

•        that outstanding works be completed; and

•        to limit the financial contributions of the parties to a reasonable proportion of those works with a further limit on the period of contribution for a term certain; and

•        Negotiations must be completed within a maximum of 6 months

This will reflect the terms of the current Agreement and recognise that the reduction in available funding will lead to a reduced infrastructure delivery. This approach will also provide certainty to the partners both in terms of what will be delivered and contribution and period of commitment.

In the event that these negotiations are unsuccessful then we should pursue option A and allow the current deal until it expires. This Council is committed to a reasonable and fair delivery of the City Deal and will meet our obligations under the initial agreement.