Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were none.

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.

Minutes of the last meeting held on Wednesday, 12 February 2020 attached to be signed as a correct record.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That the minutes of the Cabinet held on 12 February 2020 be approved.

Members are asked to approve the suspension of Standing Order 33.

33. Participation by the Public at Meetings of Cabinet,

Committees and Sub Committees

33.1 Members of the Public may ask questions and make

statements or comments during Cabinet, Scrutiny, and

Governance meetings which are relevant to items on the agenda.

Special rules apply to Planning Committee (see rule 34)

33.2 Members of the Public will normally only be allowed to speak

after elected members have been given the opportunity to do so,

but this is at the discretion of the Chairman. Questions, comments

or statements which, in the opinion of the Chairman, are

inappropriate may be disallowed.

33.3 Individual members of the public will be restricted to speaking

for a total of five minutes during the whole meeting.

Members were asked to approve the suspension of standing order number 33 in the Council’s constitution relating to public participation due to the current restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A written representation had been received from Councillor Mary Green opposing the suspension of standing order number 33 as she felt it was a fundamental right for members of the public to be able to attend and comment at any public meeting in an open and transparent way.

The Director of Governance/Monitoring Officer commented that the Council was compliant with the Government regulations and that the meeting would be open and transparent through the technology available.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That standing order number 33 of the Council’s constitution be suspended for the duration of the meeting.

Cabinet Forward Plan attached.

The Leader presented the twelve month Cabinet forward plan from 1 June 2020 – 31 May 2021.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That the Cabinet forward plan be noted.

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel are accepted by Cabinet.

2.    That Cabinet considers and comments on the report.

The Leader of the Council presented the report of the Interim Chief Executive which provided a summary of performance against the Corporate Plan during quarter 4 ending 31 March 2020 (period 2).

It was reported that overall performance during quarter 4 of 2019/2020 had been good with a number of key successes and objectives completed and the majority of projects and activities on track.  4% of projects were completed, 9% succeeding, 70% on track, 15% off track and 2% yet to start.

Reference was made to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and steps now being taken to move to the recovery phase.  Cabinet had commenced work reviewing the Council’s corporate priorities and re-freshing the corporate plan in light of COVID-19.  The acceleration of the Digital to Improve programme to facilitate homeworking for employees was commended.  Cabinet Members praised employees across the Council for maintaining services and also working on the community and business hubs.

The Leader reported on the recommendations of the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel which had considered the report the previous Monday.  The Leader confirmed that he accepted all the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Panel.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That the quarter 4 (period 2) performance monitoring report for 2019/2020 be noted.

Reason(s) for the decision:

The Council’s performance framework sets out the process for reporting progress against the objectives of the Corporate Plan.  All reports will continue to be considered by the Council’s Leadership Programme Board, Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel, Cabinet and a year-end report presented to Full Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable.

Report of the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That Cabinet notes the content of the report.

The Leader of the Council presented a report of the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services outlining the urgent decision taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the Council’s constitution.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That the urgent decisions taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic are noted.

Reason(s) for the decision:

To ensure Cabinet is made aware of the urgent decisions taken in accordance with the Council’s constitution.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable to this report as alternative options were included in the individual urgent decision reports considered.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development and the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet notes the implementation plan from the Strategic Review of Community Involvement, including My Neighbourhoods.

2.    That Cabinet approves the criteria to be used in evaluating the success of the My Neighbourhood model trials in each of the five areas over the next twelve months.

The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Social Justice and Wealth Building presented a joint report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development and the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services.  The report outlined how the recommendations from the cross-party review of community involvement, including My Neighbourhoods considered by the Cabinet on 22 January 2020 are to be implemented.  The report also included proposed criteria for Cabinet to use when evaluating the success of the new My Neighbourhood model trials in each of the five areas.

Reference was made to the successful community hub approach which had been adopted to support residents and communities as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, which would be useful learning for the Council’s future approach to placing communities at the heart of everything we do.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That the implementation plan from the Strategic Review of Community Involvement, including My Neighbourhoods be noted and that the criteria to be used in evaluating the success of the My Neighbourhood model trials in each of the five areas be approved. 

Reason(s) for decision:

To ensure the recommendations from the Strategic Review of Community Involvement are implanted as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

As the recommendations were agreed at a previous Cabinet meeting there are no alternative options to consider.

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 Paragraphs 3 and 4 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)

By Virtue of Paragraph 4: Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under the authority.

Condition:

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

Decision made (Unanimously):

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

Report of the Director of Planning and Property attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That Cabinet approves the recommendation within the confidential report.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Assets presented a report of the Director of Planning and Property on land at Penwortham Mills Development Site.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That Cabinet approves the recommendations contained in the confidential report.

Reason(s) for decision:

The Penwortham Mills site has been identified for development for some time.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

This would be a missed opportunity in terms of delivering a key element of the green links and Central Parks.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That Cabinet approves the recommendations within the confidential report.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure presented a confidential report of the Deputy Chief Executive updating Cabinet on proposals for the South Ribble Museum and Exhibition.

The meeting paid tribute to Dr David Hunt who had recently retired as Curator of South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre after 38 years’ service to the Council and wished him well for the future.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That the operation of the South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre and associated budget be moved into the Communications and Visitor Economy team as of 1 July 2020.

2.    That the temporary staffing arrangements are agreed with a view to making permanent arrangements before 30 March 2021.

3.    The results of the service review and proposals for permanent staffing arrangements will be brought back for approve.

Reason(s) for decision:

Given the opportunity to share the museum service has come around quicker than anticipated it is proposed temporary arrangements are put in place to allow us to undertake a thorough review of the service while allowing us to keep operating the visitor attraction once COVID-19 allow us to do so.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.