A formal response from Jigsaw Homes Group Ltd regarding the Notice of Motion agreed on 20 November 2018 is enclosed for information. 

Decision: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 February 2019 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

Members noted the formal response from Jigsaw Homes Group Ltd regarding the Notice of Motion agreed on 20 November 2018. 

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interests received.

The Mayor thanked all those who had supported her sponsored microlight flight. 

The Mayor referred to the forthcoming elections, wishing all Members well in contesting their councillor seats.  In particular, she referred to Councillors Paul Clark, Alan Cullens, Paul Leadbetter and Mark Perks who were not seeking re-election and wished them well for the future.

Councillors Alistair Bradley, Alan Cullens and John Walker paid tribute to the work of the retiring Councillors.

The Mayor will propose a Vote of Thanks to the members of the Chorley Pals Memorial Trust to formally acknowledge and express the Council’s gratitude for the work undertaken by the Trust members in memory of the Chorley Pals.

The Mayor welcomed the Trustees of the Chorley Pals Memorial Trust.  The purpose of this item is for the Council to formally express its gratitude for the work undertaken by the Trustees in memory of the Chorley Pals. 

The Chorley Pals Memorial Statue was unveiled at the Flat Iron car park during a ceremony attended by more than 1000 people.  Other achievements include the opening of the Chorley Remembers exhibition at the Coach House in Astley Park, later reopened as the Chorley 100 exhibition to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War and a parade from Railway Street to Devonshire Road retracing the steps of the Chorley Pals and Chorley Terriers from the Army Reserve Centre in Devonshire Road to the railway station and off to war.

The Mayor, Councillor Margaret Lees proposed and, the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley and the Leader of the Conservative group, Councillor Alan Cullens seconded the DECISION - to approve a Vote of Thanks to the Chorley Pals Memorial Trust.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask question(s) on any item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the relevant Councillor. Members of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question.

There were no public questions for consideration.

To consider a general report of the Executive Cabinet held on 14 February and 14 March 2019. 

Members considered a general report of the meetings of Executive Cabinet held on 14 February and 14 March 2019.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the Decision – that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the general report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 January, 7 March and 21 March 2019 the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 21 March 2019 and Task Group update.

Members considered a general report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 January, 7 March and 21 March 2019 the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 21 March 2019 and Task Group update.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Walker proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Alistair Morwood seconded the Decision – that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the general report of the Governance Committee held on 23 January and 20 March 2019. 

Members considered a general report of the meetings of the Governance Committee held on 23 January and 20 March 2019.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Anthony Gee, thanked Councillor Paul Leadbetter for his contribution as the Chair of the Governance Committee and wished him well for the future.

The Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Paul Leadbetter proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Anthony Gee seconded the DECISION – that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director (Early Intervention and Support). 

The Executive Member (Housing), Councillor Jane Fitzsimons, presented the report of the Director of Early Intervention and Support which sets out the Housing Strategy for approval.

The Housing Strategy has been developed as a Corporate Strategy project. It is based on an evidence base and aims to sets out the Council’s ambitions to ensure that everyone living in the borough has access to high-quality accommodation. The Strategy covers the period 2019 to 2024, with an action plan for the first 12 months which will be reviewed and refreshed in coming years.

The Strategy sets out four priorities; securing quality across all housing tenures, supporting people to remain independent in their own homes, preventing homelessness and supporting a balanced housing market. 

The draft Strategy was shared with key stakeholders to seek their views and positive feedback received.

The Executive Member (Housing), Councillor Jane Fitzsimons, proposed, and, Councillor Matthew Lynch, seconded the DECISION – that the Housing Strategy and associated action plan be approved

To receive and consider the report of the Director (Business, Development and Growth). 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Director of Business, Development and Growth which advises Members of the responses to the draft Statement of Community Involvement and the document for adoption. 

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) will provide the community and other interested parties with clarity on the levels of involvement in the planning process.  It details how the Council will consult in relation to preparing planning policy documents and in determining planning applications.

The SCI also covers the consultation process for Supplementary Planning Documents, when a Neighbourhood Plan application is submitted, and the consultation process for the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule. 

Once finalised, the Council is required to act in accordance with the adopted document.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the DECISION – To adopt the Statement of Community Involvement.

To receive and consider the report of the Director (Policy and Governance). 

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Director (Policy and Governance) which outlines the final recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) on new warding arrangements for the borough of Chorley following the conclusion of the electoral review.

Following its electoral review of Chorley Council, the LGBCE has concluded that the electoral arrangements for the borough will result in 14 new borough wards, elections will be held by thirds and each ward will be represented by three elected Members. 

The main changes revolve around the ward boundaries for Croston and Mawdesley which now include Euxton South; and relocating the parish of Heskin into a ward with the parishes of Eccleston and Charnock Richard. Changes have also been made to the parish electoral arrangements for Clayton-le-Woods and Euxton.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the DECISION – that the report be noted.

No questions were asked under Council Procedure Rule 8.

No Notices of Motion were given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.