An apology for absence was submitted from Councillor Susan Snape (Finance).

Minutes of the last meeting held on 27 July 2017 attached to be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2017 be approved as a correct record.

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.

The Director of Neighbourhoods, Asset Management and Environmental Health, the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities, the Head of Shared Financial Services and the Legal Services Manager declared prejudicial interests in the Management Structure for Consultation item and indicated that they would leave the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): that the following key themes and actions captured be supported:

1. To create a culture of continual improvement, growth and opportunity, a place where staff feel supported and proud to work.

2. To broaden and deepen the shared service relationship with Chorley Borough Council that serve two independent and sovereign councils.

3. To work in the spirit of the featured operating principles.

4. To present views on the append proposals in writing to the Head of Paid Services by 7 September 2017.

5. To recommend that the Head of Paid Services presents a Chief Officer (Leadership and Management) structure to Full Council for decision on 27 September 2017 (via Shared Service Committee as appropriate).

(The Director of Neighbourhoods, Asset Management and Environmental Health, the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities, the Head of Shared Financial Services and the Legal Services Manager declared prejudicial interests in this item as they were directly affected by the Senior Management Restructure, and left the meeting during the consideration thereof. Another Senior Officer (in the audience) that was directly affected by this also withdrew from the meeting.)

The Chief Executive addressed Cabinet explaining that as Head of Paid Service the council required her to put in place a management structure that would deliver to the corporate agenda set by Council. This agenda was detailed in the Council’s Corporate Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Council experienced a period of instability which impacted on staff morale and the Council’s ability to govern. As agreed in the Transformational Strategy this journey started in 2017-18, by putting in place the building blocks necessary to achieve this shift in focus. This would include transforming services, finding ways to generate income to replace Government Grant, maintaining a skilled, healthy and motivated workforce and Council and having a robust and effective decision-making framework to support new ways of working.

The Chief Executive (Head of Paid Services) was now sharing thinking as illustrated in the appendices (formal consultation document) to the report for the wider views of members/officers and to allow her the opportunity to address any concerns. The consultation would close on 7 September 2017.

The Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) responded to questions and comments from the Cabinet, members in the audience and the public.

The Chief Executive (Head of Paid Services) explained the roles/responsibilities of Statutory Officers, the Council’s vision for shared services with Chorley Borough Council and the anticipated cost savings from the senior management restructure.

The Cabinet noted that this matter had been considered by the Scrutiny Committee held on 30 August 2017 and that the committee would be formalising its response to the Management Re-structure Consultation Document at the rising of this Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet welcomed the consultation process and commented that reference should be made to “growth and opportunity” in recommendation 1.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): that the following key themes and actions captured be supported:

1. To create a culture of continual improvement, growth and opportunity, a place where staff feel supported and proud to work.

2. To broaden and deepen the shared service relationship with Chorley Borough Council that serve two independent and sovereign councils.

3. To work in the spirit of the featured operating principles.

4. To present views on the append proposals in writing to the Head of Paid Services by 7 September 2017.

5. To recommend that the Head of Paid Services presents a Chief Officer (Leadership and Management) structure to Full Council for decision on 27 September 2017 (via Shared Service Committee as appropriate).

Report of the Interim Corporate Improvement Manager attached.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): thata cross party member working group be established to review the way the Council should communicate with residents and businesses in the borough in the future as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Chief Executive presented the report.

With the next edition of Forward being due in early autumn, it was suggested that a cross party member working group was established to review all the options and to make recommendations to Cabinet on the best way to communicate with residents and businesses in the future.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): thata cross party member working group be established to review the way the Council should communicate with residents and businesses in the borough in the future as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report.

Report of the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities attached.

The Cabinet considered a report on a scheme to assist some of the most vulnerable households in the borough in energy efficiency and reducing energy bills.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): that consideration of the matter be deferred until the next scheduled meeting of Cabinet on 25 October 2017 to allow officers to provide further details and to explore other available options.

To approve the latest version of the Cabinet’s Forward Plan as at 29 August 2017.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): that the Forward Plan submitted under Section 22 of the Local Government Act 2000 be noted.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhoods, Environmental Health and Assets attached.

The Cabinet considered a report to commit capital expenditure and accept the most economically advantageous tender for the proposed installation of new toilet facilities on Worden Park, Leyland.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): that consideration of the matter be deferred until further options are explored within the framework of the current budget process of the Corporate Plan.

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).

Not required as the consideration of the Worden Park Toilet Provisionwas contained to the Part 1 (Open Report), min. no. 34 above refers.

Confidential report of the Director of Neighbourhoods, Environmental Health and Assets attached.

This report was not considered as the discussion was contained to the Part 1 (Open Report), min. no. 34 above refers.