RESOLVED – that the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 25 July 2017 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

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 interest received.

The Mayor updated on his fundraising activities with a Charity Band Night, proposed for 30 November at the Filling Factory, Buckshaw Village.

The Mayor also referred to the fact that it was the last Council meeting for Jamie Carson, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Early Intervention and Support, who had decided to take voluntary redundancy. The Mayor thanked Jamie for his hard work and dedication to the Authority over the last 20 years, and on a personal note, for the support he had provided to him as a ward councillor and a former Leisure portfolio holder.

All political group leaders, plus Councillor Anthony Gee thanked Jamie for his long term commitment to the work of the Council and his support for councillors both within the Council and also at meetings in the community. They referred to his enthusiasm for his work and that of the Council, most recently in the development of Chorley Youth Zone. He would be very much missed by elected Members.

Jamie Carson responded with thanks for their support over the years and for the opportunities that had been provided to him through the various roles he had held. On a personal level, he would miss working with staff and councillors, and also working with the many community groups across the borough.

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 meeting of Executive Cabinet held on 3 August 2017 (enclosed).

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader presented a general report of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 3 August 2017.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive agreed by Executive Cabinet on 3 August 2017 and requiring Council approval (enclosed). 

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources presented a report of the Chief Executive on the provisional revenue and capital outturn figures for the Council as compared against the budgets and efficiency savings targets set for the 2017/18 financial year. The forecast was for an underspend of £321,000 against the existing revenue budget. The report had been considered at Executive Cabinet on 3 August and now required Council approval.

Councillor Alan Cullens praised the improvement works undertake at Cotswold House in recent years which he felt had transformed the facility. He asked for an update on the Market Walk Extension project and in response, the Executive Leader said there had been many communications with people acting on behalf of Marks and Spencer and he hoped the current minor obstacles could be overcome quickly. Negotiations were also ongoing with other tenants. The Executive Leader agreed to a request of Councillor Cullens that a meeting of the Market Walk Steering Committee be held, if no agreement is in place by 29 September 2017.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources proposed, Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED –

That approval be given for the contribution of £259,000 from in-year revenue underspends to General Balances in 2017/18 to put the Council on target to achieving the goal of increasing general fund balances to £4m, achieving it one year earlier than set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. This would therefore replace the proposed budgeted contribution to balances in 2018/19 as previously detailed in the Medium Term Financial Strategy and also help reduce the budget deficit in 2018/19.

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

The Director of Business, Development and Growth submitted a report updating Members on the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) and objectively assessed need for Central Lancashire and Chorley. The report also sought approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Preston and South Ribble Councils which reflects the partnership working together across the housing market area.

Councillor Paul Walmsley, Executive Member for Public Protection presented the report which referred to the Central Lancashire Core Strategy which had been prepared jointly by Chorley, Preston and South Ribble Councils and adopted in 2012. This included the housing delivery requirements for each local authority at the time, which was Chorley 417 (dwellings per year); South Ribble 417; and Preston 507.

The Core Strategy is informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment which provides evidence based information. It doesn’t set housing targets but provides an assessment of the need for housing in an area. Preston Council commissioned a company to produce a new SHMA for the three Councils in 2016 and the outcome of their assessment and the rationale, was contained within the report.

It was proposed that a formal MoU be entered into with South Ribble and Preston to agree to retain the distribution of housing requirement. Attached to the report as Appendix 1, was a proposed Joint MoU and Statement of Co-operation relating to the Provision of Housing Land.

Councillor Paul Walmsley, Executive Member for Public Protection proposed, Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader seconded and it was

RESOLVED –

1.    That Chorley Council enters into a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council to agree to retain the distribution of housing requirement as set out within the existing Central Lancashire Core Strategy. This would mean an annual housing requirement for Chorley of 417 dwellings.

2.    That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Business, Development and Growth, in consultation with the Head of Legal, Democratic and HR Services, to agree any subsequent minor changes to the Memorandum of Understanding.

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

The Director of Business, Development and Growth presented a report seeking adoption of the Central Lancashire Employment Skills Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The document had been previously considered by Executive Cabinet in January 2017 and had since been the subject of extensive consultation across Central Lancashire. The issues raised by consultees had been considered and a number of changes made to the SPD, and these were detailed in the report.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Paul Walmsley, Executive Member for Public Protection seconded, and it was RESOLVED -  that the Central Lancashire Employment Skills Supplementary Planning Document be adopted as detailed in Appendix 1 and the Development and Regeneration Manager in consultation with the Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Services Reform be authorised to make any minor text, layout and formatting changes on the publication of the document.

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

Councillor Hasina Khan, Chair of the Equality Forum presented a report of the Director of Policy and Governance on the refresh of the Forum, proposing a number of changes to future meetings.

The Forum was well attended and its aims and objectives would continue, but it was suggested that the structure should change to the delivery of two half day celebration events per year, supplemented by small task and finish groups. The proposals had been considered at a recent meet of the Equality Forum and the refreshed approach had received approval. 

Councillor Hasina Khan, Chair of the Equality Forum proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that changes to the Equality Forum format and delivery be agreed as set out in the report.

There were no questions for consideration under Procedure Rule 8.

There were no motions for consideration under Procedure Rule10.

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

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the press and public be excluded for the remaining items of business due to the disclosure of exempt information under Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act.

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

Members considered a report of the Director of Business, Development and Growth on proposals to develop a Digital Office Park as part of the wider Digital Health Village at Euxton Lane, Chorley. Approval was requested to proceed with the design and delivery of enabling works for the Office Park.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader presented the report and provided the background to the scheme which had been approved by full Council in 2016 and was supported by £4.1m in European funding. The Council had since purchased the site but issues had arisen with the site developer, resulting in new proposals for the Council to seek an alternative plan for the site enabling work to take place.

A Digital Office Park Steering Group had been established to oversee the project and the report had already been considered by those Members and received their support.

To consider the attached report and recommendations of the Shared Services Joint Committee meeting on 14 September 2017.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley presented a report of the Chief Executive on proposals for changes to the Council’s Management Structure, including the expansion of shared services with South Ribble Council. The Chief Executive had provided a briefing for all Members on the proposals prior to the meeting.

The Public Services Transformation Working Group had been progressing work on developing shared services and the Joint Committee on 14 September 2017 had agreed proposals for shared management with the creation of the following shared posts:

There was an agreed ambition to develop a close working relationship between the two authorities with the ultimate aim of developing full shared services serving two independent and sovereign Councils. To progress this, a new shared services agreement would be developed and proposals for operating models for the shared functions would be considered by the Shared Services Joint Committee in December 2017.

There were consequential changes to the remaining Management Structure in Chorley and these were detailed in the report. Consultation had taken place with staff and the responses were summarised in the report. There was a small financial saving from the proposals which would contribute towards wider shared services target savings in the Medium Term Financial Strategy of £600,000 by 2019/20.

In debating the matter, Members discussed that the organisations were very different and there would be a learning process from both sides; there were risks and an exit strategy would be in place as part of the Shared Services Agreement; however there was real opportunity with the proposals which could bring major benefits and make both organisations more resilient in the future.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, seconded and it was RESOLVED -

1.         That the Council agrees the following joint ambition with South Ribble Borough Council - that we will work to develop a close working relationship, with an ultimate aim to develop full shared services serving two independent and sovereign councils.

2.         That the Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Leader and Members of the Shared Services Joint Committee, to finalise and agree a new shared services joint agreement.

3.         That the new management structure set out at paragraphs 16 to 19 of the report is approved for final consultation.

4.         That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Executive Leader to finalise the restructure and consequential changes following consultation.

5.         That the Council agrees to the appointments process for shared posts set out in the Shared Services Joint Committee report (Appendix A). For shared Chief Officers, a joint Member Panel is agreed, comprising the Executive Leader, Deputy Leader and Leader of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.C.466