The Mayor invited Members to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Ralph Snape who sadly passed away on 15 September and former Councillor Dennis Edgerley who passed away suddenly on 6 September. 

Decision: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 23 July 2019 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 interests received.

The Mayor thanked all those who had attended the Eid Ul Adha celebration. 

The Mayor advised that future charity events include a Bollywood Night, a Choir Concert, Quiz, Christmas by Candlelight event and the annual Charity Ball.

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 1 August 2019.

Members considered a general report of the meeting of Executive Cabinet held on 1 August 2019.

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

To consider and receive the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Chief Finance Officer. 

From November 2019, a year-long commemoration will mark the 400^th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage.  Chorley has a strong connection to the Mayflower voyage through Myles Standish.  It is proposed that a sum of £57k is set aside from the 2019/20 revenue underspends to be part of the national programme of events and to create a fixed term events coordinator post for 18 months to support this programme.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, noted that reserves are estimated to be around £4.073m at 31 March 2020 and queried if this was sufficient.  The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson advised that reserves are reviewed regularly, and each project is reviewed at the outset in terms of changes to the reserves. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, queried why the income levels for the sale of bins looks unlikely to meet the income budget set for 2019/20.  The Executive Member (Customer, Advice and Streetscene Services), Councillor Adrian Lowe, advised that it was envisaged technology would help clarify situations around damaged or lost bins, but this will be in place from 1 April 2020.  There have been some minor faults with bins and this will be monitored. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, noted the budget for events within the borough and queried the use of future underspend.  The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson advised that future underspend may be used to fund events, amongst other things. 

Members noted that the spend relating to the National Graduate Development Programme relates to the employment of a graduate, with a view to them developing their career at Chorley whilst providing additional resource and strategic support. 

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the unanimous Decision – that approval be given to the following:

1.    To note the full year forecast position for the 2019/20 revenue budget and capital investment. 

2.    To note the forecast position on the Council's reserves.

3.    To request Council approval for the contribution of £57,000 from in-year revenue underspends to finance the Council’s Mayflower 400 celebrations.

4.    To note the capital programme to be delivered in 2019/20 to 2021/22.

To receive and consider the general report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 July 2019 the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 10 July 2019 and Task Group update.

Members considered a general report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 July 2019 and the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 10 July 2019.  The Chair of the Task Group, Councillor Steve Holgate, advised that the first meeting had been held the previous week and had been productive.

Members queried the figures for staff sickness absence and noted that the figures will be kept under review.  The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, advised that health and wellbeing measures have been put in place for staff.  A new reporting system is now in place which enables HR to analyse trends and identify any issues. 

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

To receive and consider the Council’s Annual Report on Overview and Scrutiny in 2018/19.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Walker, presented Scrutiny Reporting Back, a summary of the work of the Committee in 2018/19.

The Chair thanked Members and Officers for their contributions to the work of the Committee.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, queried the prosecutions undertaken by the Enforcement Team.  The Executive Member (Public Protection) Councillor Alistair Morwood explained that enforcement action has increased since the creation of the new Enforcement Team.  It was noted that with offenses such as dog fouling and fly tipping it is difficult to catch people in the act. 

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

To receive and consider the general report of the Governance Committee held on 24 July 2019. 

Members considered a general report of the meeting of the Governance Committee held on 24 July 2019. 

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

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Chief Executive which sets out the findings of the Polling Place Review 2019 and proposes alternative options for polling stations.

Members noted the reasons for the recommendation and supported it. 

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the unanimous Decision – that approval be given to the following:

1.    That there be no changes to existing polling district, polling place and polling station arrangements for the current wards.  The rational for this recommendation is to allow voters to attend their usual polling station should an anticipated parliamentary election be announced. Implementing changes at this stage, would result in a significant number of voters having to attend different polling stations than they would normally, which would cause confusion amongst residents.  In some cases, voters may decide not to vote on this occasion citing the change of polling station as the reason.

2.    That the issues raised during the consultation are considered by officers at greater length alongside the new warding arrangements that have been implemented following an electoral review of Chorley Council.  Proposed changes will be presented at a future Council meeting for approval prior to implementation at the local authority election scheduled for 7 May 2020.

Councillor Whittaker left the room at 7.10pm

To receive and consider the report of the Monitoring Officer. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Monitoring Officer. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the unanimous Decision – That changes to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, made as a result of the implementation of the Senior Management Restructure be adopted and the Constitution be amended accordingly.

To consider any changes to Committee appointments.

Agreement was sought to appoint to the newly created Wholly Owned Company working group.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the unanimous Decision - that the following appointments be approved:

No questions were asked under Council Procedure Rule 8.

Councillor Whittaker re-entered the room at 7.15pm

The enclosed Notice of Motion has been submitted by Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader of the Council. 

Councillor Peter Wilson presented the following Motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

“Chorley Council notes the recent proposals published by Our Health, Our Care regarding the future of Accident & Emergency services in the Chorley, South Ribble and Preston Hospitals. The report indicates that any A&E provision at Chorley would not be viable. The Council strongly opposes any proposal for a single site Accident & Emergency based at Preston Hospital. The Council believes such a proposal would have a detrimental impact on the quality of local health care for the local population and that Chorley needs a 24 hour Accident & Emergency department. The Council believes the only potential viable proposal for a single site Accident & Emergency would be through a new super hospital located at a central point within the Chorley, South Ribble and Preston area.  However, this option has not been included in the list of options produced by Our Health Our Care. Chorley Council asks that all options are included for consideration. In addition the Council urges the Hospital Trust to address the reasons why an A&E at Chorley Hospital is not deemed viable rather than simply propose to close the unit and move all A&E services to Preston”.

Councillor Steve Holgate seconded the motion and spoke in support of it.

Following debate, Members unanimously made the Decision - that the motion be supported.

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 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act.

By Virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

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).

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).

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the Decision – that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act.

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

The Executive Member (Early Intervention), Councillor Bev Murray presented the confidential report of the Director (Early Intervention and Support).

The report seeks approval for providing up-front funding for investment and improvement works at Duxbury Park, subject to consultation and agreement of a final design.

Members considered the proposals for investment and noted that the Council will increase the rent charged to Glendale Golf Limited as part of the proposal, in addition to the improvements to the Council’s asset. 

The Executive Member (Early Intervention), Councillor Bev Murray proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the unanimous Decision –

1.    That the Council fund investment of £450k into improvements at Duxbury Park.

2.    That the Chief Legal Officer be given delegated authority to finalise agreement with Glendale Golf Limited for the variation of lease to increase the annual rent.

3.    That, following consultation to be undertaken by Glendale with interested parties, the Executive Member (Early Intervention) should consider the final design and determine whether the proposals should be funded.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive. 

The Executive Member (Homes and Housing), Councillor Graham Dunn presented the confidential report of the Chief Executive.

The report presents proposals to extend shared services as developed by C.Co who are independent consultants.  C.Co were commissioned on behalf of the Shared Services Joint Committee.

Members noted that the Authorities are currently sharing the Chief Executive and that there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of Shared Services. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the unanimous Decision –

1.    To approve the recommendations of the Shared Services Joint Committee

2.    The phase 1 proposals to extend share services which includes establishing seven shared senior posts.

3.    The governance model and implementation timescales as set out in the report.

4.    The establishment of a project team and creation of an implementation budget to progress the implementation and transformation of phase 1, the development of a joint digital strategy and shared board, and the development of a business case for phase 2.

5.    The review and refresh of the Shared Services Agreement based on the principles set out in the report.

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

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the confidential report of the Director (Early Intervention and Support).

The report sets out the review of, and amendments to, the existing shared services for finance between South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Borough Council. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the unanimous Decision –

To approve the recommendations of the Shared Services Joint Committee to approve the changes to the Financial Systems and Exchequer Services as set out in paragraph 13 of the report. 

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

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the confidential report of the Director (Early Intervention and Support).

The report sets out the review of, and amendments to, the existing shared services for finance between South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Borough Council. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the unanimous Decision –

To approve the recommendations of the Shared Services Joint Committee to approve the changes to the Financial Systems and Exchequer Services as set out in paragraph 13 of the report.