Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Mayor invited Members to observe a minutes silence in memory of Father Jonathan Cotton OSB.

Father Cotton had been St Mary’s Parish Priest for thirty years from 1992-2022, Chaplain to a number of previous Mayors, led Remembrance Sunday services and played an important part in the civic life of the Borough.

The Mayor and Councillors Jane Bell, David Howarth, Caleb Tomlinson, Mary Green, Jacky Alty, Michael Green, Karen Walton and Lou Jackson paid tribute and sent their condolences.

Apologies were received from Councillor Hilary Bedford.

Councillors Margaret Smith and Angela Turner attended on Microsoft Teams.

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 no declarations of interest.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

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

Resolved: (Unanimously)

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

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson referred to his remarks at the meeting surrounding the amount of funding to be received by Liverpool Combined Authority (LCA). Councillor Tomlinson advised that the correct level of funding to be received by LCA was £600m.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

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

The Mayor gave an update on his recent duties, including his Christmas Banquet, royal visit at Worden Hall and holocaust memorial services at South Ribble.

To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet held on 13 December and 17 January.

Report was noted.

Members received a general report of the Cabinet meeting held on 13 December and 17 January.

Councillor Foster advised that there would be some changes to the Cabinet portfolios as Councillor Ashton would be taking a sabbatical:

·         The Deputy Leader would be responsible for Neighbourhoods and Waste

·         The Leader of the Council would be responsible for Major Developments

·         The Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection) would be responsible for Assets.

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

Resolved:

Report was noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Governance Committee held on 28 November 2023 attached.

Report was noted.

Members received a general report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 28 November 2023.

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

Resolved:

Report was noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Community and External Scrutiny Committee held on Monday 27 November 2023.

The report of the Community and External Scrutiny Committee held on Monday 22 January will follow.

Report was noted.

Members received a general report of the Community and External Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 27 November and 22 January.

It was proposed by the Vice Chair, Councillor Lou Jackson, seconded by Councillor Lesley Pritchard and subsequently,

Resolved:

Report was noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Standards Committee held on 21 December 2023.

Report was noted.

Members received a general report of the Standards Committee meeting held on 21 December.

It was proposed by the Chair of Standards Committee, Councillor Kath Unsworth, and seconded by the Vice Chair of Standards Committee, Councillor John Rainsbury and subsequently,

Resolved:

Report was noted.

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

1.    That the 2024/2025 Calendar of Meetings be approved with the following amendments to the Planning Committee meetings:

a.    The meeting in July be moved to 18 July from 11 July.

b.    The meeting on 1 August 2024 be deleted.

c.    The meeting on 5 September be moved to 12 September.

d.    The planning training scheduled for 12 September will be rescheduled.

2.    That the Director of Governance be given authority to make the necessary amendments to the constitution to enable the Mayor Making meeting to take place after the Annual Meeting of the Council.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented a report that presented members with, and sought approval of, the calendar of meetings scheduled for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor Foster advised that there was a significant number of meetings to schedule and half terms had been kept clear where possible. The report also sought authorisation for the Director of Governance to make necessary amendments to the Constitution to allow the Mayor Making meeting to take place after the Annual Meeting of the Council.

An amendment was proposed by the Chair of Planning Committee, Councillor Caleb Tomlinson and seconded by Councillor Matthew Tomlinson that sought to make the following changes to the Calendar of Meetings:

·         The meeting in July be moved to 18 July from 11 July.

·         The meeting on 1 August 2024 be deleted.

·         The meeting on 5 September be moved to 12 September.

·         The planning training scheduled for 12 September will be rescheduled.

Councillor Foster accepted the amendment.

A vote was undertaken on the proposed amendment, and it was subsequently,

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    That the 2024/2025 Calendar of Meetings be approved with the following amendments to the Planning Committee meetings:

a.    The meeting in July be moved to 18 July from 11 July.

b.    The meeting on 1 August 2024 be deleted.

c.    The meeting on 5 September be moved to 12 September.

d.    The planning training scheduled for 12 September will be rescheduled.

2.    That the Director of Governance be given authority to make the necessary amendments to the constitution to enable the Mayor Making meeting to take place after the Annual Meeting of the Council.

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

1.    That Councillor Peter Mullineaux be nominated as Mayor-elect for 2024-2025.

2.    That Councillor Paul Wharton-Hardman be nominated Deputy Mayor-elect for 2024-2025 with a view to becoming Mayor in 2025-2026.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented a report that sought agreement on the Mayor-elect and Deputy Mayor-elect for 2024-2025.

Councillor Foster advised it was a constitutional requirement for the Council to appoint the Mayor-elect and Deputy Mayor-elect for the municipal year.

Councillor Howarth sought clarification from the Mayor as to how the vote would be taken. The Mayor advised that there was no precedent for voting on individual recommendations and the vote would be taken together.

Councillor David Howarth seconded by Councillor Harry Hancock, proposed that the decision be deferred for a short period of time to allow the Leader to re-consider the nomination for Deputy Mayor-elect.

Councillor Howarth spoke to the amendment and outlined his reasons for recommending the decision be deferred.

Members debating the amendment included Councillors Michael Green, Jacky Alty, Matthew Tomlinson, Jane Bell and Caleb Tomlinson.

Councillor Foster stated that he did not accept the amendment.

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

Resolved: (For: 3, Against: 30 and Abstain: 3)

That the amendment be lost.

For: Councillors Hancock, Howarth and Lillis

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

Abstain: Councillors Campbell, Shaw and Mullineaux

The debate resumed on the substantive motion and Councillor Foster spoke to the recommendations and urged members to participate in the vote.

A vote was taken on the substantive motion, proposed by Councillor Foster and seconded by Councillor Bylinski Gelder and it was subsequently,

Resolved: (For: 41, Abstain: 6)

1.    That Councillor Peter Mullineaux be nominated as Mayor-elect for 2024-2025.

2.    That Councillor Paul Wharton-Hardman be nominated Deputy Mayor-elect for 2024-2025 with a view to becoming Mayor in 2025-2026.

For: Councillors Adams, Alty, Ashton, Bell, Bretherton, Buttery, Bylsinki Gelder, Campbell, Coulton, Farnworth, Flannery, Forshaw, Foster, Gabbott, Gleave, Gleeson, Mary Green, M Green, Hindle-Taylor, Hunter, Jackson, King, Lomax, Martin, Mullineaux, Peet, Pillinger, Pritchard, Rainsbury, Rear, Roberts, Sharples, Stevens, Stringfellow, C Tomlinson, M Tomlinson, Unsworth, Watkinson, Watson, Wharton-Hardman and Williams.

Abstain: Councillors Hancock, Howarth, Lillis, Shaw, P Smith and Walton

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

1.    That Council formally adopt the updated Taxi Licensing Policy following approval by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee on 12 December 2023.

The Chair of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee (LPS), Councillor Jane Bell, presented a report that sought formal adoption of proposed changes to the Taxi Licensing Policy following consideration by the LPSC.

Councillor Bell explained that the changes to policy would allow for wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) that are not euro 6 compliant to be exempt from the requirement of being euro 6 compliant. These vehicles would also be permitted to remain licenced until 12 years old.

Members thanked Committee and Officers for their work on ensuring that the Council fulfilled its duties, ensuring that WAV were available for residents.

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

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    That Council formally adopt the updated Taxi Licensing Policy following approval by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee on 12 December 2023.

Councillor Howarth asked the Leader for more information on an open letter he had written to the MP, Katherine Fletcher regarding Pickering’s Farm and why it had not been circulated to members. The Leader responded by explaining it was sent in his role as Leader to the MP challenging some of her recent statements heard. He was unaware why it was posted on a website and apologised that members had not seen the letter. The Leader advised that all members would receive a copy of the letter.

Councillor Bretherton asked the Leader if there were any plans to improve the Energy Efficiency ratings of Council Assets, including investment properties and commercial buildings before 2027 and 2030 deadlines. The Leader explained that changes were not required by legislation yet, however this area was being considered and a final decision and policy would come before Council once legislation was approved. Where possible the Council was fully compliant.

Councillor Wharton-Hardman asked the Leader for an update on the communications between Lancashire County Council (LCC) and South Ribble Borough Council (SRBC) on the Farington Waste site and if he would support the Community Hub in writing to LCC. The Leader advised that the authority knew little about the waste site and were not consulted by LCC. The Leader advised that he did support the Community Hub contacting LCC.

Councillor Michael Green asked for clarification and reassurance that facilities would be offered to market traders to allow them to continue trading whilst works were underway. The Leader explained that detailed consultation was undergoing with traders and deals would be made for the benefit of individual traders. Consultation was being undertaken on a case by case basis.

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

Councillor Karen Walton asked if businesses surrounding Hope Terrace Car Park could be reassured their comments would be taken into consideration when the car parking scheme was reviewed. Councillor Bylinski Gelder explained that a survey had been undertaken by the Central Villages Community Hub which had produced the same results as the original car parking consultations. Comments would be taken into consideration when a final report is brought before Cabinet in March.

Councillor Walton asked a supplementary question, and asked when the electric vehicle charging points would be active on Hope Terrace Car Park. Councillor Bylinski Gelder responded that she would find out and provide a response outside of the meeting.

Councillor Walton asked if the refuse collection, taking place during school time on Thursday mornings near St Paul’s School could be investigated and rescheduled due to safety concerns. Councillor Bylinski Gelder stated that officers would look into it. Farington Parish Council had recently closed a car park in the area which may be exacerbating the issue.

Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection)

A written question had been received in advance from a Member of the Public which asked the following:

“How much of the budget is allocated to maintaining Council Assets, e.g. Playgrounds, Buildings and Bus Shelters.

The Council is trying to get people to use public transport more. But the poor state of bus shelters does nothing to promote this, they are poorly maintained, have poor paintwork, windows missing or broken, lighting is not working, and dangerous electrics.

I have reported a number to neighbourhood services and they stated no budget was allocated. Therefore, these valuable assets fall into disrepair.

FYI the bus stop just outside the Civic Centre was the one with dangerous electrics.”

Councillor Tomlinson explained that the Council would spend around £14.4 million on the maintenance of assets, parks, leisure centres, civic buildings, green and open spaces. There is a day-to-day maintenance budget of approximately £400,000. The Council are responsible for 116 bus shelters which are assessed annually, at the last inspection two needed some remedial works. Four complaints had been received this municipal year regarding bus stops and these had come from the same person.

Cabinet Member (Neighbourhoods and Waste)

Councillor Keith Martin asked if Cabinet could investigate retro fitting or fitting new greener bus shelters. Councillor Matthew Tomlinson took the question and advised that examples had been seen and when refurbishing the Council would consider the possibility.

Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital)

Councillor Karen Walton asked for clarification on the Print Strategy and asked if members could be assured, they would be able to access paper copy agendas if they wish to. Councillor Ian Watkinson explained that the Print Strategy was considered and approved by Cabinet in December. There had been some issues with the printer in the group room but IT Officers were working to fix these. All members and officers had been issues with kit to enable them to do their role  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.