Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor John Rainsbury.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Mayor.

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.

There were none.

The Mayor gave an update on the engagements he had carried out across the Borough which included:

The Mayor of Rossendale’s Charity Ball in Whitworth

The Mayor of Burnley’s Charity Ball at Burnley Football Club

The Mayor of Preston’s Coronation Ball at UCLan

The official opening of radio Leyland’s new studio

Autism Awareness Fun Day at St Mary’s Community Centre, Leyland

St Teresa’s Primary School, Penwortham

Mental Health Awareness Day at St Mary’s Community Centre

He also announced that the Mayor Making Ceremony for the new Mayor Elect, Councillor Chris Lomax, will take place on Wednesday ,24 May 2023 at 6.00pm.

To receive the report of the Returning Officer.

That the persons elected as Councillors for the wards as stated at the Borough elections on 4 May 2023 be noted.

The Chief Executive presented a report detailing all persons elected as councillors for the wards stated at the Borough elections on 4 May 2023 as follows:

It was moved by Councillor Foster, seconded by Councillor Bylinski Gelder, and it was

Resolved:

That the persons elected as Councillors for the wards as stated at the Borough elections on 4 May 2023 be noted.

Prior to consideration of the following agenda items, it was moved by Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, seconded by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder, and it was

Resolved:

That standing orders in relation to Part 4A, paragraph 1.2 relating to the First Business Meeting after Mayoral Installation be waived.

To appoint the Leader of the Council for a four year term until the Annual Council meeting of the Municipal Year 2027/28.

That Councillor Paul Foster be appointed Leader of the Council for a four year term until the Annual Council meeting of the Municipal Year 2027/28.

It was moved by Councillor James Flannery, seconded by Councillor Jane Bell, and it was

Resolved: (by majority 33:15):

That Councillor Paul Foster be appointed Leader of the Council for a four year term until the Annual Council meeting of the Municipal Year 2027/28.

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

Against: Councillors Bretherton, Buttery, Campbell, Coulton, Forshaw, Gleave, Mary Green, Michael Green, King, Mullineaux, Rear, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Walton, Watson.

To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader and Members of the Cabinet appointed by the Leader of the Council; to note amendments to the Cabinet portfolios and Lead Member roles.

1.    That the appointment of the Deputy Leader and Members of the Cabinet appointed by the Leader of the Council be noted;

2.    That the amendments to the Cabinet portfolios and Lead Member roles be noted.

The Council considered a report that was circulated on behalf of the new Leader that set out the following details of the membership of the Cabinet along with their portfolio responsibilities for 2023/24. The report also confirmed Lead Members and Member Champions for 2023/24.

To approve the appointment of Members of the Council to Committee’s Working Groups, etc for 2023/24.

1.         That the composition and allocation of committee places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules as set out in the report be approved;

2.         That the Members, Chairs and Vice Chairs for the committees, panels and working groups set out in the appendix to this report and agreed at the meeting be appointed for the period of twelve months until the First Business Meeting of the Council in May 2024; and

3.         That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution to take into account the consequential changes as a result of this report. 

The Council considered a report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer in order to allocate places on the various committees of the Council in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and to make appointments to those committees in accordance with Section 16 of the Act, together with the appointment of the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the appropriate Committees.  The report also appoints to a number of panels and working groups.

Arising from the above a question was asked by a member of the public in which it was suggested that the Local Plan Working Group look into concerns regarding sewage discharge into UK rivers as detailed on the Rivers Trust website. 

The Leader indicated that the Working Group was currently under review and that arrangements would be confirmed in due course.

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Aniela

Bylinski Gelder, and it was

Resolved (unanimously):

1.         That the composition and allocation of committee places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules as set out in the report be approved;

2.         That the Members, Chairs and Vice Chairs for the committees, panels and working groups set out in the appendix to the report and agreed at the meeting be appointed for the period of twelve months until the First Business Meeting of the Council in May 2024 as follows:

To approve the appointment of the Community Hub Chairs and Vice Chairs for 2023/24.

That the appointment of Community Hub Chairs and Vice Chairs for 2023/24 be approved.

Council considered a report of that allocated the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Council’s Community Hubs for 2023/24.

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder and it was

Resolved (unanimously):

That the appointment of Community Hub Chairs and Vice Chairs for 2023/24 be approved as follows:

To appoint Members of the Council to represent the Authority on outside bodies in 2023/24.

That those nominated Members of Council be appointed to represent the Authority on outside bodies in 2023/24.

The Council considered a report outlining the nominations for Appointments to Outside Bodies 2023/24.

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder and it was

Resolved (43:3:2):-

That those nominated Members of Council be appointed to represent the Authority on outside bodies in 2023/24 as follows:

To note the programme of Council Meetings for 2023/24:

·                19 July 2023

·                20 September 2023

·                22 November 2023

·                31 January 2024

·                28 February 2024

·                27 March 2024

·                15 May 2024

·                22 May 2024

That the programme of Council meetings for 2023/24 be noted.

The Council was provided with the programme of Council meetings 2023/2 for information.

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder and it was

Resolved (unanimously):

That the following programme of Council meetings for 2023/24 be noted:

· 19 July 2023

· 20 September 2023

· 22 November 2023

· 31 January 2024

· 28 February 2024

· 27 March 2024

· 15 May 2024

· 22 May 2024

To receive and consider the report of the Task Group. 

That the report be noted and Cabinet be requested to consider the proposals for implementation.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Task Review Task Group, Councillor Michael Green, presented a report of the Task Group “Building Better Homes and Neighbourhoods”. He requested that Cabinet consider the proposals for implementation listed within the report.

Further to the above a member of public asked whether Cabinet may consider the following additional proposals:

1.    That there be a requirement for waste bins and dog mess bins in new developments

2.    As Parished areas attract a 25% Community Infrastructure Levy, should areas of the Borough currently unparished (such as Leyland and Bamber Bridge) be parished to obtain this CIL?

It was moved by Councillor Michael green, seconded by Councillor Walton, and it was

Resolved:

That the report be noted and Cabinet be requested to consider the proposals for implementation.

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

That the draft protocol on conferring the title of Honorary Alderman, as outlined at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

Council considered a report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer request approval for a protocol for the conferring of the title of Honorary Alderman on former Members of the Council who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent service.

A member of the public queried an aspect of the proposed protocol as follows “Honorary Aldermen shall not have the right to influence meetings of the Council or its Committees”. It was suggested that this would disadvantage the Council by preventing it from benefiting from the experience Honorary Aldermen may offer.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster responded that the Council would consult with the Monitoring Officer on this matter. 

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder and it was

Resolved: (by majority 43:3:2)

That the draft protocol on conferring the title of Honorary Alderman, as outlined at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

For: Councillors Adams, Alty, Ashton, Bedford, Bell, Bretherton, Buttery, Bylinski Gelder, Campbell, Coulton, Farnworth, Flannery, Forshaw, Foster, Gabbott, Gleave, Gleeson, Mary Green, Michael Green, Hindle-Taylor, Hunter, Jackson, King, Lomax, Martin, Peet, Pritchard, Rear, Roberts, Sharples, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Stevens, Stringfellow, C Tomlinson, M Tomlinson, Unsworth, Walton, Watkinson, Watson, Wharton-Hardman, Williams

Against: Councillors Hancock, Howarth, and Turner

Abstain: Councillors Lillis and Shaw

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Customer and Digital.

1.         That the revised Council Tax Discretionary Reductions Policy be approved.

2.         That in view of the economic climate and the likely increase in applications, the financial position in respect of discretionary reductions be reviewed after 6 months.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Property, Assets, Commercial Services & Major Developments) presented report of the Director of Customer and Digital on the proposed revised and updated Council Tax Discretionary Reductions Policy.

It was moved by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder, seconded by Councillor Paul Foster and it was

Resolved (unanimously):

1.         That the revised Council Tax Discretionary Reductions Policy be approved.

2.         That in view of the economic climate and the likely increase in applications, the financial position in respect of discretionary reductions be reviewed after 6 months.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive.

That Council agrees to amending the Capital Programme by the sum of £110,000 to replace the tower slides at Withy Grove Park Playground.

The Cabinet Member Finance & Public Protection presented a report of the Director of Planning and Development requesting that Council to approve an addition to the agreed Capital Programme by including a project costed at £110,000, to replace the central tower at Withy Grove Park Playground in Bamber Bridge, following an agreement reached with the Council’s insurers. The report also provided context as to how this project was part of a wider improvement programme for Withy Grove Park and Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre.

It was moved by Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, seconded by Councillor Paul Foster, and it was

Resolved (unanimously):

That Council agrees to amending the Capital Programme by the sum of £110,000 to replace the tower slides at Withy Grove Park Playground.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive.

That Council approves the proposed changes to the director structure for consultation in line with the council’s Change Policy.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Policy, Reform and Communications) presented a report of the Chief Executive outlining proposals for changes to the director structure to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

It was then moved by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder:

To approve the proposed changes to the director structure for consultation in line with the council’s Change Policy.

Councillor Karen Walton, Leader of the Opposition criticised the fact that the report had not been considered at the Shared Services Joint Committee.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Phil Smith, seconded by Councillor Walton, that there be a variation to the proposed structure in the report, namely that South Ribble Borough Council appoint its own Director of Planning rather than it being a Shared Services post.

The amendment was put to the vote as follows (13:34):

For: Councillors Buttery, Campbell, Coulton, Forshaw, Gleave, Mary Green, Michael Green, King, Mullineaux, Rear, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Watson.

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

The Mayor declared the amendment lost.

It was then moved by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Matthew Tomlinson and it was

Resolved (by majority 29:15) – That Council moves to the vote on the substantive motion.

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

Against: Councillors Buttery, Bretherton, Campbell, Coulton, Forshaw, Mary Green, Michael Green, Howarth, King, Mullineaux, Rear, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Walton, Watson.

The substantive motion was put to the Council and it was

Resolved (by majority 34:15):

That Council approves the proposed changes to the director structure for consultation in line with the council’s Change Policy.

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

Against: Councillors Bretherton, Buttery, Campbell, Coulton, Forshaw, Gleave, Mary Green, Michael Green, King, Mullineaux, Rear, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Walton, Watson.