Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Mort and Marsh.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 15 July 2020 be signed as a correct record by the Mayor.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 July 2020 be signed as a correct record by the Mayor.

Councillor Green, as a Lancashire County Council Cabinet Member and Councillor Yates, as the Chair of the Development Control Committee at Lancashire County Council, declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 22, Land Partnership with LCC.

To formally elect the Mayor of the Borough from September 2020 until May 2022.

The motion will be proposed, seconded and voted upon.

It was moved by Councillor Foster, Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor Jones JP, Cabinet Member for Environment and it was

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That Councillor Jane Bell be elected as Mayor of South Ribble for 2020/2021 for an extended period until October 2021.

Councillor Bell signed the declaration of acceptance of office of Mayor and thanked Councillors for her appointment.

To formally elect the Mayor of the Borough from September 2020 until May 2022.

The motion will be proposed, seconded and voted upon.

It was moved by Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Blow and it was

RESOLVED: (Unanimously): That Councillor Howarth be elected as Deputy Mayor for South Ribble for 2020/21 for an extended period of office until October 2021.

Councillor Howarth signed the declaration of acceptance of office of Mayor and thanked councillors for his appointment.

The Retiring Mayor will receive tributes following his year in office.

The Mayor thanked the Retiring Mayor, Councillor Harold Hancock, and his Mayoress, Marion Hancock, for their hard work as ambassadors for South Ribble during a challenging period of office due to the CO-VID19 pandemic.

Councillors Foster and Shaw also paid tribute to the Retiring Mayor and Mayoress particularly their work for the Mayoral Charities.

Councillor Hancock thanked councillors, his Retiring Mayoress, Marion Hancock, Mayor’s Secretary, the Mayor’s attendant and Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev. John Maiden, for their support over his term of office.

To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet held on Wednesday, 5 August 2020 attached.

To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet held on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 to follow.

Members received the general report of the Cabinet relating to meetings held on 5 August 2020 and 16 September 2020. 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 Monday, 28 August 2020 attached.

Members received a general report on the Governance Committee meeting held on  Monday, 24 August 2020. It was proposed by the Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Ian Watkinson, seconded by the Vice-Chair, Councillor Colin Sharples and subsequently

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel’s held on 3 August and 14 September 2020 attached.

Members received a general report of the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel meetings held on 3 August 2020 and 14 September 2020.

It was proposed by the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor David Howarth, seconded by Councillor Will Adams and subsequently

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the report be noted.

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

Council considered a report of the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services outlining a number of changes to the membership of various committees.

It was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Foster and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Titherington and it was

RESOLVED (unanimously):

1.    That Councillor Harry Hancock replace Councillor David Shaw as a member of the Planning Committee.

2.    That Councillor Mick Higgins replace Councillor Keith Martin as a member of the  Planning Committee.

3.    That Councillor Gareth Watson replace Councillor Cliff Hughes on the Planning Committee.

4.    That Councillor Cliff Hughes replace Councillor Gareth Watson on the Licensing and Public Safety Committee.

5.    That Councillor Keith Martin replace Councillor Mick Higgins on the Licensing and Public Safety Committee.

6.    That Councillor Colin Sharples to be appointed Chair of the Leyland My Neighbourhood Community Hub and Councillor Jacky Alty its Vice-chair.

7.    That Councillor Angela Turner to be appointed Chair of the Penwortham My Neighbourhood Community Hub and Councillor Keith Martin its Vice-chair.

8.    That Councillor Harry Hancock to replace Councillor David Howarth as a member of the Member Development Steering Group. 

Report of the Shared Services Lead (Legal) and Deputy Monitoring Officer attached.

Council considered a report of the Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer outlining the results of a consultation exercise undertaken throughout January / February 2020 and of proposals to amend the Council’s taxi licensing policy, which had been approved by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee on 10 March 2020.

It was moved by the Chair of Licensing and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Flannery, seconded by Councillor Rainsbury and was

RESOLVED (unanimously):

1.    That the contents of the report be noted.

2.    That the Council formally adopts the agreed proposals following the approval by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee on 10 March 2020.

Report of the Shared Services Lead (Legal) and Deputy Monitoring Officer attached.

Council considered a report of the Shared Services Lead Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer which advised members of a proposal in respect of the annual licensing of vehicles and which had been approved by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee on 10 March 2020. The proposal was to amend the policy to issue vehicle plates on a 12 monthly cycle rather than every 6 months, which would proactively reduce the Council’s carbon footprint, in the light of the Corporate Plan.

It was proposed by the Chair of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Flannery, seconded by Councillor Rainsbury and was

RESOLVED (unanimously):

1.    That the contents of the report be noted.

2.    That the Council formally adopts the agreed proposal as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report, following approval by the Licensing and Public Safety Committee on 10 March 2020. 

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive attached.

Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive seeking approval for the Corporate Strategy 2020/21 – 2022/23.

Councillor Bylinski Gelder referred to the term ‘Social Value’ used in the Strategy and sought to clarify its meaning to the Council. She explained that the term was enshrined in law under the Social Value Act 2013 which enabled public services to consider social, environmental and economic benefits in respect of procurement, to help commissioners achieve greater value for money. Arising from further debate regarding social value, the Mayor stressed that ‘social value’ and ‘value for money’ were separate concepts. It was suggested that perhaps this may be a useful topic for a future member learning session.

It was moved by Councillor Foster, Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor Titherington, Deputy Leader of the Council and it was

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Corporate Strategy 2020/21 – 2022/23 be approved.

Report of the Director of Planning and Property Attached.

Council considered a report of the Director of Planning and Property, presented by Councillor Evans, Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and City Deal regarding the draft Leyland Town Investment Plan.

Councillor Evans invited Jennifer Gadsdon, Chair of the Leyland Town Deal Advisory Board, to address Council. Ms Gadsdon explained the Town Deal Fund represented a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform and establish an identity for Leyland City Centre through the three projects outlined in the report. She welcomed the support of Council to enable the redevelopment and vision of the area.

It was moved by Councillor Evans, Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and City Deal, seconded by Councillor Foster, Leader of the Council and it was

RESOLVED (unanimously): –

1.    That Council supports the draft Town Investment Plan.

2.    That Council notes the timeline for submission and delegates Council support for the finalised Plan to its representatives on the Town Board.

3.    That Council confirms that the budgets identified at section 30 to 34 of this report can be used as match as part of the wider programme in the Town Investment Plan.

4.    That delegated authority is given to the Council’s Director of Planning and Property and Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader to confirm the Council’s final support on costs at the point of submission to Government.

5.    That Council wishes the Leyland Town Board every success in their bid and subsequent negotiations with Government.

Councillor Howarth asked a question in relation to the local government reorganisation of Lancashire proposed by Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet. Councillor Foster referred to separate proposals which South Ribble Borough Council had already submitted which included a directly elected Mayor, and indicated that a government response was still awaited. However, Councillor Foster said he was able to confirm that South Ribble would not be included in the first tranche of local government reorganisation.

Councillor Adams, a member of the Business Recovery Post CO-VID19 Member Working Group, asked whether the government would provide additional funding for businesses in the light of expected further restrictions over the winter. Councillor Foster made reference to the fact that Councillor Adams was an NHS employee working in the frontline and conveyed his thanks to Councillor Adams and to all NHS staff, on behalf of the Council. Councillor Foster indicated that the Council had spent 100% of the government grant funding received so far and said that he hoped the Chancellor would make adequate funding available for businesses as the pandemic continues.

Question to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health, Wellbeing and Leisure)

Councillor Alan Ogilvie submitted the following written question to Councillor Titherington, Cabinet Member (Health, Wellbeing and Leisure) prior to the meeting:

I have received queries from residents about the recommencement of children’s gymnastics classes at Leyland Leisure Centre. They are aware that Chorley Council has restarted these classes as have a number of private clubs. Please advise when children’s gymnastics classes are due to recommence in Leyland?

Subsequently Councillor Titherington had provided the following written response:

Serco have responded by advising that they have been in touch with British Gymnastics and it is felt that the guidelines available do not present a viable class structure. There are no plans at present to recommence classes. Obviously, the circumstances are constantly under review.

Further to the above, Councillor Titherington stressed at the meeting that safety was of paramount importance. He indicated that he would provide any further updates on the issue to all Members.

Question to the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Assets

Councillor P Smith asked a question as regards value for money in relation to the former McKenzie Arms site; for example, if a social rented house cost £153,000 to build, but the actual value of the property is only £100,000, this would have financial implications for the Council under the ‘Right to Buy’ Scheme. Councillor Tomlinson responded that the conditions attached to the land were prohibitive and that the Council would not been able to profit from it until 2032. It was essentially a derelict site that that Council were unable to sell or use for its intended purpose. He said that he did feel the housing development represented value for money, and be a legacy that he would be proud of. He stressed that he supported council housing and was investigating all options available to ensure that the land would not be used under the Right to Buy Scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Member for Environment

Councillor Ogilvie asked whether the 90 minute time restriction on Worden Park Car Park had now been implemented. Councillor Sue Jones JP explained that there had been a 12 month trial and a public consultation which had just finished. She indicated that she would be discussing the results of the consultation with the Leader of the Council and a report would be brought to Council in November.

Questions to Chairs of My Neighbourhood Hubs

Councillor K Martin congratulated the new Chair of Penwortham My Neighbourhood Hub, Councillor Turner. As the ex-chair of the previous Neighbourhood Forum he also paid tribute to the members and officers who had supported him and particularly Sue Simpson.

Questions to Chairs of Committees

Councillor Thurlbourn asked the Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Watkinson, if the utilities contractors could be invited back to the Committee to discuss if the Council’s energy is ‘green’ and if it is getting the best value for money in terms of kilowatt hours and for that report to then be brought to Full Council. Councillor Watkinson asked that Councillor Thurlbourn submit the request in writing for him to consider and take forward.

Councillor Adams asked the Chair of Planning Committee, Councillor C Tomlinson, if he and the Cabinet Member for City Deal, Planning and Regeneration would engage with central government and developers to ensure that whilst the borough welcomes house building, development must also build and support sustainable communities. Councillor C Tomlinson confirmed that this was the case and that they would ensure developers put the needs of communities at the heart of development.

Councillor Walton asked Councillor Sharples, Chair of the Leyland Neighbourhood Hub, when the next meeting would be. Councillor Sharples responded that he would be speaking the newly appointed Neighbourhood Hub officers to arrange a meeting and that he would let Councillor Walton know the date.

Questions to Member Champions and Representatives on Outside Bodies

There were none.

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(s) 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Paragraph 4: Information relating to any consultation 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.

It was moved by Councillor Foster, seconded by Councillor Evans and

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as it involved the disclosure of information defined as exempt from publication under paragraphs 3 and 4 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of a third party, including the authority holding that information; and

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

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive attached.

Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive setting out proposals to create a new grade structure for shared services and adopt a shared approach to job evaluation. The report also included proposals for new travel benefits for shared services as the final element of the terms of conditions.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Foster, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Titherington and was

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That recommendations 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the confidential report be approved.

Report of the Director of Planning and Property attached.

Council considered a report of the Director of Planning and Property seeking approval for a budget to take forward a potential project on Lancashire County Council land.

It was moved by Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Titherington, seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Foster and was

RESOLVED (unanimously): –

That recommendations 3, 4 and 5 of the confidential report be approved.