Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Jane Bell, Damian Bretherton, Jasmine Gleave and James Lillis.

The Mayor invited Members to observe a minute’s silence in memory of former councillor, Don James Harrison.

Councillors Paul Foster, Karen Walton and David Howarth paid tribute and sent their condolences to family.

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 was no declarations of interest.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record for signing by the Mayor.

The Mayor gave an update on his recent duties, including meeting children on the HAF scheme, attending a dementia charter event, the second birthday of the food larder and attending a summer BBQ with the Veterans.

To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 13 September.

That the report be noted.

Members received a general report of the Cabinet meeting held on 13 September 2023.

Councillor David Howarth asked if the credit union would be visiting other areas within the borough. The Leader of the Council explained that the credit union had already met with some community hub Chairs and had been working with Councillor Will Adams to explore how the hub could be taken mobile to Penwortham.

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, second by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder 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The Mayor advised Members that this item had been withdrawn as no urgent decisions had been taken.

To receive and consider the report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 8 August.

That the report be noted.

Members received a general report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 8 August 2023.

It was proposed by the Chair of Governance Committee, Councillor Colin Sharples, seconded by the Vice-Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Wesley Roberts and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 11 September.

That the report be noted.

Members received a general report of the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee held on 11 September 2023.

It was proposed by the Chair of the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Will Adams and seconded by the Vice-Chair, Councillor Michael Green and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Report was noted.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented a report of the Chief Executive.

The report provided an update on the Council’s achievements during 2022/23 and provided an overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the council in 2023/24.

The report listed several projects of success for the Council, such as investment at Worden Park and the affordable homes site at McKenzie Arms. It also looked at key achievements such as recycling 33 tonnes of waste weekly, delivering £15,000 disabled facilities grants weekly and providing 15,000 places for young people on the HAF programmes.

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.

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

1.    To allocate £150,000 from the Covid recovery reserve to cover the costs of Music in the Park 2024.

2.    To agree the waiver of contract procedure rules for the event partner UK Media & Events Ltd for 2024.

3.    To delegate the decision to award the contract award for 2025-2027 to the Leader of the Council, following a procurement exercise.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented a report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

The report outlined plans for the Music in the Park event over the next few years and request a budget to allow for the event to grow and to maximise the benefit for the local economy.

The following members participated in the debate: Councillors Paul Foster (Leader of the Council), David Howarth (Leader of the Liberal Democrats), Will King, Michael Green, Angela Turner, Harry Hancock and David Shaw.

Members discussed the event and the impact it had on local economy noting that a government backed economic impact calculator estimated a £169,000 boost on local economy.

Some members raised concern over the funding of the project and sought assurances that it would become cost neutral over the coming years.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Will King on behalf of the Conservative Group and seconded by Councillor Michael Green, that sought to remove recommendation four and replace it with the following,

“agree to request a further report be presented to Council to consider whether the event should continue in 2025 and if so, to consider how the contract for the event is procured and the level of budget required from Council resources.”

Councillor Foster did not accept the amendment and spoke against it.

Councillor Foster proposed moving to a vote on the amendment, seconded by Councillor Bylinski Gelder and subsequently

Resolved: (For: 29, Against: 17) that the meeting move to the vote on the amendment.

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

Against: Councillors Buttery, Campbell, Coulton, Forshaw, Mary Green, Michael Green, Hancock, Howarth, King, Rainsbury, Rear, Shaw, M Smith, P Smith, Turner, Walton and Watson.

A vote was undertaken on the proposed amendment and subsequently

Resolved: (For: 16, Against: 27) that the amendment be lost.

For: Councillors Buttery, Campbell, Coulton, Forshaw, Mary Green, Michael Green, Howarth, King, Mullineaux, Rainsbury, Rear, Shaw, M Smith, P Smith, Walton and Watson.

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

The debate resumed and the following members spoke, Councillors Michael Green, Angela Turner, Harry Hancock, David Shaw and Paul Foster.  

A number of points were raised including the calculated boost to local economy, how many attendees were present at the event and the funding for future events.

A vote was undertaken on the proposed recommendations and subsequently

Resolved: (For: 28, Against: 1 and Abstain: 16) to:

1.    To allocate £150,000 from the Covid recovery reserve to cover the costs of Music in the Park 2024.

2.    To agree the waiver of contract procedure rules for the event partner UK Media & Events Ltd for 2024.

3.    To delegate the decision to award the contract  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

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

1.    Councillor Matthew Tomlinson to become a member of the Shared Services Joint Committee Appointments Panel and Councillor Ian Watkinson becoming a reserve.

2.    Councillor Ian Watkinson to become a member of the Shared Services Joint Committee and Councillor Paul Foster becoming a reserve.

3.    Councillor Clare Hunter to become a member of the Chorley & South Ribble Partnership Executive in place of Councillor Paul Foster.

4.    To approve the substitutions for the Liberal Democrat group.

5.    Councillor Jacky Alty to become a member of the Citizens Advice – Lancashire West Board of Trustees in place of Councillor James Flannery.

6.    To note the updated titles for two Cabinet portfolio titles.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented a report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer.

The report sought Council’s approval for several changes to committee appointments and to note updated titles for two Cabinet portfolios.

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    Councillor Matthew Tomlinson to become a member of the Shared Services Joint Committee Appointments Panel and Councillor Ian Watkinson becoming a reserve.

2.    Councillor Ian Watkinson to become a member of the Shared Services Joint Committee and Councillor Paul Foster becoming a reserve.

3.    Councillor Clare Hunter to become a member of the Chorley & South Ribble Partnership Executive in place of Councillor Paul Foster.

4.    Councillor Jacky Alty to become a member of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau Lancashire West Board of Trustees in place of Councillor James Flannery.

5.    To approve the substitutions for the Liberal Democrat group.

6.    To note the updated titles for two Cabinet portfolio titles.

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

1.    That, for the purposes of Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011, the Council agree to appoint Victoria Tunnicliffe as an independent person.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented a report of the Monitoring Officer that sought Council’s agreement to appoint a second independent person under the Standards regime.

Members noted that it was a requirement under the Localism Act 2011 to appoint at least one independent persons, however for several years the Council had two independent persons which had worked well.

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    That, for the purposes of Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011, the Council agree to appoint Victoria Tunnicliffe as an independent person.

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

1.    The contents of the report are noted.

2.    Council formally adopts the agreed proposal following approval by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee.

The Vice-Chair of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Paul Wharton Hardman, presented a report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The report invited members of the Council to formally adopt the changes to the CCTV Policy within it is Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy.

Councillor Wharton Hardman explained the changes that had been made to the policy and outlined the consultation process that had been undertaken with the Taxi Trade.

The Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection) thanked members of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee for their diligent work on the policy.

It was proposed by the Vice-Chair of Licensing and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Paul Wharton Hardman and seconded by Councillor Harry Hancock and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    The contents of the report are noted.

2.    Council formally adopts the agreed proposal following approval by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee.

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

1.    Council noted the changes to the Business & Planning Act 2020 introduced by the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

2.    To agree to extend the proposed duration of granting of pavement licences until 30 September 2024 as per the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

3.    To confirm the level of fee charged in respect of applications for pavement licences issued under the Business & Planning Act 2020 as £100.

4.    To extend the delegated authority given to Officers.

The Vice Chair of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Paul Wharton Hardman, presented a report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The report sought approval to extend the current Café pavement licensing scheme until 30 September 2024 in line with the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

It was proposed by the Vice-Chair of Licensing and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Paul Wharton Hardman and seconded by Councillor Harry Hancock and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    Council noted the changes to the Business & Planning Act 2020 introduced by the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

2.    To agree to extend the proposed duration of granting of pavement licences until 30 September 2024 as per the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

3.    To confirm the level of fee charged in respect of applications for pavement licences issued under the Business & Planning Act 2020 as £100.

4.    To extend the delegated authority given to Officers.

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

1.    Creation of a new capital budget of £155,000

2.    The use of Connected Kerb Limited to supply, install and maintain the electric vehicle charging points via direct award KCS framework

3.    The creation of a lease agreement with Connected Kerb Limited, for the identified parking bays at each site to cover the installation, operation and maintenance of the electric vehicle charging points.

The Cabinet Member (Neighbourhood and Waste Services), Councillor Deborah Ashton, presented a report of the Director of Communities.

The report sought authorisation to lease car parking spaces to allow for the installation of 21 electric vehicle chargers (42 charging sockets) on seven sites across the borough, as part of a successful grant application for £154,910.

Members noted the Council’s commitment to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2030 and the target of installing 200 electric vehicle charging points across the borough. The grant funding would cover 60% of the scheme and it was proposed to enter a contract with Connected Kerb Limited, who would be responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of the charging points.

It was proposed by the Cabinet Member (Neighbourhood and Waste Services), Councillor Deborah Ashton and seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That approval is given for:

1.    Creation of a new capital budget of £155,000

2.    The use of Connected Kerb Limited to supply, install and maintain the electric vehicle charging points via direct award KCS framework

3.    The creation of a lease agreement with Connected Kerb Limited, for the identified parking bays at each site to cover the installation, operation and maintenance of the electric vehicle charging points.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Finance and Statutory Finance Officer. 

1.    To approve the request from South Ribble Leisure Ltd for financial support of £800,000.

The Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer.

The report detailed the request from the Council’s wholly owned subsidiary company, South Ribble Leisure Ltd, for financial support due to the extraordinary and unbudgeted increases in energy costs and an increase in salary costs over the 5% budgeted (based on the latest offer made in the 2023/24 LJNCC pay negotiations).

South Ribble Leisure Limited (SRLL) has no cash reserves and funded by the local authority. In order to commit to keeping the leisure centres open, additional funding would need to be given from the Council. Although an inflationary protection reserve of £1.5million was established in February 2023 inflation costs had continued to rise.

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson explained that Central Government had proposed grants but only to those authorities who were intending to close swimming pools. Although it was not proposed to close any swimming pools in South Ribble, applications for the grant funding would still be submitted advising that the Council may need to revisit its decision should funding not be approved.

Members commented that the health and wellbeing of residents was important but commented that the leisure centres needed to be viable.

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

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    To approve the request from South Ribble Leisure Ltd for financial support of £800,000.

Councillor Williams asked the Leader if he agreed that the Council was undertaking work to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) despite recent comments made by the local MP. The Leader responded to agree and commented that the additional funding provided to Operation Centurion should be made permanent.

The Leader stated he would arrange for Officers to send a briefing note out to all members and the MP regarding Operation Centurion and other initiatives by the authority to tackle ASB.

Councillor Wharton Hardman referred to recent changes to national climate policy and asked if it would impact any of the Council’s key policies. The Leader confirmed the Council would continue with its net zero pledges by 2030.

Councillor Unsworth expressed concern that individual members were asking officers to carry out tasks and asked the Leader how the member and officer boundaries could be made clear. The Leader explained that there was a governance structure in place and asked that the Monitoring Officer work with the Chair of Governance Committee and Chair of Standards Committee to refresh the Member and Officer Protocol.

Councillor Caleb Tomlinson asked the Leader when the decision on Pickering’s Farm would be taken. The Leader shared his disappointment at the decision having been put back and emphasised the impact this was having on the local community and local plan.

A question was asked to the Leader from a Member of the Public who sought to know if the Council was aware of the three remaining burial plots at St Andrews and if the Council were looking to dedicate or acquire any land for a new cemetery. In response, the Leader explained it would be considered through the Local Plan process and a potential plot had been identified. He would arrange for the local clergy to meet with Officers as quickly as possible to see what can be done.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Property, Assets, Commercial Services and Major Developments)

Councillor Walton asked if the concerns of residents and businesses near Hope Street car park regarding the changes to park restrictions would be considered. Councillor Bylinski Gelder confirmed that there would be a six-month consultation period starting from August 2023 to allow for the changes to become more established and concerns would be monitored. Actions to mitigate the situation, such as leave the ticket machines on constantly, had already been done.

Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection)

Councillor Howarth referred to authorities who had recently become bankrupt and asked the Cabinet Member what would happen to Shared Services if Chorley Borough Council were to find themselves facing financial difficulty. Councillor Tomlinson advised he could not comment on the financial situation of Chorley Borough Council as they were a sovereign council, however he would make inquiries about the Shared Service provisions.

Cabinet Member (Planning, Business Support and Economic Development)

Councillor Mary Green asked for an update on the Local Plan and if there were any steps in place to get the project on track. Councillor Flannery explained that a lot of work had been undertaken in the background such as the preferred options consultation. Slippage in the project had occurred due to external factors such as the delayed decision on Pickering’s Farm.

Councillor Mary Green asked if the local plan would lead to the construction of more bungalows in South Ribble in the future. Councillor Flannery explained that although the Council would like to see more bungalows there was only a limited amount of influence the Council had. Councillor Flannery offered to meet with Councillor Green outside of the meeting to discuss further.

Councillor Phil Smith asked when the Local Plan Working Group (LPWG) would be reformed and when the responses from the preferred options consultation would be made available. Councillor Flannery advised he would consult with Officers and Colleagues on whether it was feasible to reform the LPWG. Councillor Flannery explained that consultation process was still ongoing and there was another meeting on 3 or 4 October and advised Councillor Smith he could attend the meeting or meet with the Cabinet Member after it to discuss further.