Agenda and minutes

The Mayor invited Members to observe a minute’s silence in memory of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Councillor Colin Clark, former Councillor Tony Kelly and all those families who have lost a loved one this year. 

Councillors Paul Foster and Margaret Smith paid tribute and sent their condolences to the families. 

On behalf of members the Mayor welcome Louise Mattinson as the new Director of Finance and Section 151 officer.

The Mayor thanked James Tomson for standing in as Section 151 officer and noted he will return to his substantive role as Deputy Section 151 officer.

Apologies were received from Councillor Ian Watkinson. 

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.

No declarations of interest were received.

Resolved (Unanimously) That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday, 24 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.

The Mayor gave an update on her recent duties, including virtual attendance at a meeting and engaging via Facebook. 

She had also attended the Service of Thanksgiving at Blackburn Cathedral for HRH Prince Philip. 

To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet held on Wednesday, 24 March.

Members received a general report of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 March.

A typographical error within the report with regard to Provision of a Loan and Grant to facilitate a works project to the Hoole Village Memorial Hall was noted.  The date in the second column, which states the date of the decision as 29 January 2021 should read 10 February 2021.

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.

Members received a report which sets out of a number of urgent decisions taken by the Executive (i.e. Cabinet or Individual Executive Members) over the last three months in accordance with urgency procedures outlined in the Council’s Constitution.

These include ‘key’ decisions (as defined in the Cabinet Forward Plan), decisions which include confidential or exempt information (and therefore must be taken in private), and urgent decisions for which the Mayor agreed to waive scrutiny call-in in.

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 Governance Committee held on Tuesday, 23 March.

Members received a general report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 23 March.

It was noted that there is an amendment required to the report, namely under Risk Management Strategy, paragraph 18, second bullet point which refers to a question from Cllr Bretherton.

The report should state that “Councillor Bretherton made reference to how the Asset Allocation of the Employee Pension Fund was reported in the Statement of Accounts. The make up of the Assets indicated that the Pension Fund was invested in a high risk manner- 53% invested in Private Equity. The Auditor confirmed that the Asset Allocation was incorrectly reported.”

It was proposed by Vice-Chair, Councillor Colin Sharples, seconded by Councillor Christine Melia, and subsequently

Resolved (Unanimously) That the report be noted.

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

Members considered the report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer which seeks approval for changes to the financial regulations and terms of refence of the Governance Committee in the Council’s constitution.

The changes were considered by the Governance Committee on 23 March. 

It was proposed by Vice-Chair, Councillor Colin Sharples, seconded by Councillor Christine Melia, and subsequently

Resolved (Unanimously) To approve the proposed changes to the financial regulations and terms of reference of the Governance Committee in the Council’s constitution as outlined in the report.

To receive and consider the report of the Scrutiny Committee held on Thursday, 18 March, Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel held on Monday, 22 March and associated Task Groups.

Members received a general report of the Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 18 March, Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel held on 22 March and associated Task Groups.

It was proposed by the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor David Howarth, seconded by the Vice-Chair Councillor Michael Green, and subsequently

Resolved (Unanimously) That the report be noted.

Councillor Matthew Trafford asked a question relating to transparency and accountability.  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, gave his assurance that South Ribble Borough Council acts with transparency and accountability. 

Questions for the Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing) - Councillor Mick Titherington

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group, Councillor David Howarth, asked if Councillor Titherington was pleased to see the flood lit multi-use games area at Penwortham leisure centre being used.  Councillor Titherington confirmed he was pleased to see the facilities being used and residents participating in sports. 

In response to a query the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, requested some training for members regarding purdah prior to the next election. 

Questions for the Cabinet Member (Communities, Social Justice and Wealth Building) - Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder

Councillor Matthew Trafford asked a question regarding the use of bailiffs during the pandemic.  Councillor Bylinski Gelder explained that this was an issue she would be investigating with a view to alternative options.  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, advised that a report will be presented to a future meeting on this issue. 

Questions for the Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) – Councillor Matthew Tomlinson

No questions were received.

Questions for the Cabinet Member (Planning, Business Support and Regeneration) - Councillor Bill Evans

No questions were received.