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 no declarations of interest from members of the Cabinet.

Councillor Jacky Alty (although she was not involved in taking the decision) in the interests of openness and transparency declared a pecuniary interest in relation to the item “Worden Hall – Leases”, insofar as she was one of the owners of a preferred business as detailed in the report’s recommendations.

Minutes of the last meeting held on 13 July 2022 attached to be signed as a correct record.

Decision made (unanimously):

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on Wednesday, 14 July 2022 be signed as a correct record.

The latest published Notice of Executive Decisions/Cabinet Forward Plan for 1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023 is available on the Council’s website.

A copy of the version as of the date of agenda publication, is attached.

Decision made (unanimously):

That the latest published Notice of Executive Decisions/Cabinet Forward Plan for 1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023 be noted.

Report of the Director of Change and Delivery attached.

Decision made

That the report be noted.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Strategy and Reform), Councillor Paul Foster, presented a report of the Deputy Chief Executive providing Cabinet with a position statement for the Corporate Strategy for quarter one (April – June) 2022/23.

Councillor Foster referred to performance targets in relation the Town Deal being marked amber in the report. He explained that this was due to the delay in feedback from the Government and assured members that the Council would be pursuing this with the new Secretary of State.

He also referred to the performance figures in relation to answering telephone calls from the public. He indicated that the issue was being addressed and expected an improvement in the next quarterly performance report.

Councillor Foster also highlighted concern that the Council was not meeting its  targets in relation to homelessness both in terms of number of people in temporary accommodation and their length of stay in temporary accommodation. He explained that this was particularly challenging as there had been a substantial increase in the numbers of people declaring themselves homeless. It was a Cabinet priority and they would be seeking Government intervention.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing), Councillor Mick Titherington, also expressed concern and stressed that while everything would be done to support vulnerable people, sadly homelessness figures were expected to increase due to increased demand and fewer properties which would make it more difficult to meet performance targets.

Decision made (unanimously):

That the report be noted.

Reasons for decision

The Council’s performance framework sets out the process for reporting progress against the objectives of the Corporate Strategy. Robust monitoring ensures that the council continues to deliver its priorities and achieves the best outcomes for residents.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, for the reasons given above.

Report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 officer attached.

Decision made

1.     To approve the revised capital programme as attached at Appendix A which includes approved amendments to the programme, as detailed at point 11 of the report, since the last Capital Monitoring report was approved by Cabinet in June 2022;

2.     To note the variations to the programme, (which are detailed, by scheme, at Appendix B and referenced within the body of the report);

3.     To note the position in the Balance Sheet Monitoring section of the report in respect of cash, investment and loan balances and debtors as at 31^st July 2022.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 officer which outlined the  financial position of the Council in respect of the capital programme as at 31 July 2022, highlighting key issues and explaining key variances, and providing an overview of various elements of the Council’s Balance Sheet as at 31st July 2022.

Decision made (unanimously):

1.     To approve the revised capital programme as attached at Appendix A which includes approved amendments to the programme, as detailed at point 11 of the report, since the last Capital Monitoring report was approved by Cabinet in June 2022;

2.     To note the variations to the programme, (which are detailed, by scheme, at Appendix B and referenced within the body of the report);

3.     To note the position in the Balance Sheet Monitoring section of the report in respect of cash, investment and loan balances and debtors as at 31^st July 2022.

Reasons for decision

To ensure the Council’s Capital Programme is monitored effectively.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None, for the reasons given above.

Report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 officer attached.

Decision made

1.     To note the forecast outturn for revenue and the level of reserves based on the position as at 31^st July 2022.

2.     To note the virements made to and from the revenue budget during the period, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 officer setting out the revenue and reserves forecast for 2022/23 for the Council, based on the position as at 31July 2022.

During Cabinet discussion of the report a number of factors were highlighted, such as staff pay increases and utility bill costs, which would increase cost pressures on the Council.

Decision made (unanimously):

1.     To note the forecast outturn for revenue and the level of reserves based on the position as at 31^st July 2022.

2.     To note the virements made to and from the revenue budget during the period, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

Reasons for decision

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development to follow.

Decision made

1.           That Cabinet reviews the attached plan and agrees the proposed scope of the project and outline proposals. 

2.          That Cabinet agrees for a public consultation event to be held within the park to canvass views of the public on the proposed Masterplan.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Commercial to consider the Draft Improvement Masterplan for Worden Park.

The report also requested approval for a public consultation event to canvass the views of the public on the proposed Masterplan.

Arising from discussions the Leader of the Council referred to the long standing Green Flag status of Worden Park and also announced that the Council would be applying for Green Flag in Withy Grove Park, Bamber Bridge and Farington Park.

Decision made (unanimously):-

1.           That Cabinet reviews the attached plan and agrees the proposed scope of the project and outline proposals. 

2.          That Cabinet agrees for a public consultation event to be held within the park to canvass views of the public on the proposed Masterplan.

Reasons for decision

Agreement of the outline proposals was sought to allow the project scope to be defined prior to the start of the detailed design phase, public consultation and application for planning consent. 

Other options considered and rejected

The option of progressing the detailed design stage prior to consultation with Cabinet was rejected to allow Members visibility of the early proposals.  

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)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

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

That the press and public be excluded 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.

Decision made (unanimously):-

That the press and public be excluded 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.

Report of the Director of Commercial attached.

Decision made

1.     To note the expressions of interest for the single retail unit and two office units.

2.     To agree the preferred choice for the retail unit as detailed in recommendation 2 of the report.

3.     To agree the preferred bidders for the two office units as detailed in recommendation 3 of the report.

4.     To delegate the final decisions over the terms of the three units (and any subsequent letting space that may become available) to the Director of Commercial Services, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) presented a report of theDirector of Planning and Development to consider the expressions of interest received for the retail and office spaces at Worden Hall and to determine the preferred bidders.

Decision taken

1.     To note the expressions of interest for the single retail unit and two office units.

2.     To agree the preferred choice for the retail unit as detailed in recommendation 2 of the report.

3.     To agree the preferred bidders for the two office units as detailed in recommendation 3 of the report.

4.     To delegate the final decisions over the terms of the three units (and any subsequent letting space that may become available) to the Director of Commercial Services, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council.

Reasons for decision

To enable the lease of the new retail and office spaces within Worden Hall.

Other options considered and rejected

There is the option of not agreeing the preferred bidders for the spaces. However, this will cause further delays to securing leases for the premises.

Report of the Director of Customer and Digital attached.

Report of the Director of Commercial attached.

Decision made

1.     To approve the procurement strategy to appoint a NEC (4) Project Manager and cost consultant via Open Tender through the Chest.

2.     To approve the tender evaluation criterion of 60% cost and 40% quality.

3.     To approve the delegation of the contract award to Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Strategy and Reform).

4.     To acknowledge that no formal appointment will be made until the final budget approval of the scheme is achieved, scheduled for Council meeting in November 2022.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Strategy and Reform) presented a report to consider the procurement strategy to appoint a NEC (4) Project Manager and cost consultant for RIBA Stages 5-7 of the Jubilee Gardens Extra Care Development and to note the progress on the scheme to date.

Decision taken

1.     To approve the procurement strategy to appoint a NEC (4) Project Manager and cost consultant via Open Tender through the Chest.

2.     To approve the tender evaluation criterion of 60% cost and 40% quality.

3.     To approve the delegation of the contract award to Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Strategy and Reform).

4.     To acknowledge that no formal appointment will be made until the final budget approval of the scheme is achieved, scheduled for Council meeting in November 2022.

Reasons for decision

To ensure robust administration of the construction contract.

To ensure best value is achieved for the Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected

To undertake the role internally was dismissed because the Council does not have sufficient resources.

To directly appoint the incumbent cost consultant to deliver the services, this option has been rejected as it would not allow best value to be demonstrated.

Report of the Director of Commercial attached.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Strategy and Reform) presented a report of the Director of Commercial informing Members of the proposed Site Investigation Procurement associated with the Leyland Town Deal project.

The Leader of the Council expressed concern regarding the lack of information from the Government so far and indicated that the MP for South Ribble had also sent a letter expressing her concern.