Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Mayor invited Members to observe a minute’s silence in memory of former Mayor and Councillor Barry Hodson. 

Councillors Alistair Bradley, John Walker, Alan Whittaker and the Mayor paid tribute and sent their condolences to the family.

Approved.

Resolved (by majority 40:0:1) that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 September 2022 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.

Councillor Matthew Lynch declared a personal interest in item 10. Acquisition of Affordable Homes due to his position on the Board of Jigsaw Homes North. 

The Mayor updated members on her fundraising activities and charity events, including a Santa Dash to Rivington Pike in aid of Derian House. 

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.

To view the procedure for public questions/ speaking click here and scroll to page 119

There were no public questions for consideration.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

That the Corporate Strategy 2022/2023 be approved.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson presented the report of the Director of Change and Delivery which sought approval for the refresh of the Corporate Strategy 2022/2023.

Over the past 12 months, key achievements included enabling a strong recovery from the pandemic and protecting residents and businesses from global economic challenges.  The council had supported communities with a cost of living action plan, provided grants and assistance for local businesses, and developed new opportunities.

Other successful outcomes include completion of the renovations and re-opening of Astley Hall, significant progress with Strawberry Meadows to provide more space for businesses, and works to the town centre market encouraging footfall to support local traders. 

Access to housing had been improved through the development of a registered provider framework for the main social providers in the district, as well as targeted action to prevent homelessness.  As part of transforming the way the Council works, greater use of technology had been deployed to improve the customer experience including a new telephony system and better use of technology to manage waste and grot spots across the borough. 

The Strategy had been revised to focus on ensuring that Chorley would be in the best possible position for the future.  The Council was committed to addressing the issues that matter most for Chorley by delivering action to ‘make it happen’ so that everyone can thrive in a prosperous borough.

Key issues include housing, climate change, community resilience and wellbeing.  The town centre, jobs and skills, events and activities for families to do also remain as central themes towards achieving prosperity for all.

The four new priorities were:

·           Housing where residents can live well,

·           A green and sustainable borough,

·           An enterprising economy with vibrant local centres in urban and rural areas,

·           Healthy, safe and engaged communities.

The performance measures have also been reviewed and updated.  Six indicators have been amended and targets updated to reflect performance over the past months as well as to better align to future priorities.  Three new indicators have been included to ensure a comprehensive view of performance across the year and reflect the new delivery programme.

The key projects that will be delivered under each priority, to support the Council to meet its commitments were:

Housing where residents can live well

·           Deliver affordable housing

·           Deliver flexible housing solutions

·           Open the extra care scheme at Tatton Gardens

·           Implement a home energy support scheme

·           Deliver the Local Plan

A green and sustainable borough

·           Deliver natural green initiatives

·           Launch Sustainable Energy Package for Businesses

·           Improve our council buildings

·           Develop use of green energy in the Borough

·           Deliver improvements to public transport networks

An enterprising economy with vibrant local centres in urban and rural areas

·           Open Strawberry Meadows

·           Continue Development at Astley Hall

·           Launch a Skills and Jobs Programme

·           Deliver improvements to local service centres

Healthy, safe and engaged communities

·           Increase digital connectivity in the rural areas

·           Provide support for families and young people to start and live well

·           Deliver the Cost of Living Action Plan

·           Deliver  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

1.         That the activities planned for the Christmas 2022 celebrations be noted.

2.         That the measures set out in the report with regards to energy efficiency be agreed.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which updated members on the plans for the Christmas celebrations this year and outlined the measures being taken to make the events more energy efficient.

There were three elements of the Christmas activities that generate significant carbon emissions, the Christmas lights across the town centre, the land train and the Christmas attraction, particularly the ice rink.

Members discussed the option of installing an electrical cable, but this had not proven a reasonable option.  Details on the options considered would be shared with Councillor Martin Boardman following the meeting.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was Resolved (unanimously)

1.      To note the activities planned for the Christmas 2022 celebrations.

2.      To agree the measures set out in the report with regards to energy efficiency.

To receive and consider the report of the Director (Planning and Development). 

1.         That the revised Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 be adopted and published.

2.         That Statement of Principles would come into force four weeks after their publication. 

The Executive Member (Planning and Development), Councillor Alistair Morwood, presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which sought approval for the revision of the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

The changes were largely to update some of the information which was out of date and to improve and clarify any issues in the existing document.  There were no major legislative changes included.  No responses were received during the consultation exercise.

The Executive Member (Planning and Development), Councillor Alistair Morwood, proposed and the Chair of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Matthew Lynch seconded and it was Resolved (unanimously)

1.      That the Council adopts and publishes the revised Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

That the Council determines that the Statement of Principles shall come into force four weeks after their publication. 

To consider any changes to Committee appointments.

1.         Councillor Kim Snape to replace Councillor James Nevett on Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel

2.         There will be a vacant seat on the Equality Forum

3.         Cllr Michelle Le Marinel to take on Council Champion Mental Health Awareness

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was Resolved (unanimously)

That the following appointments be agreed:

1.     Councillor Kim Snape to replace Councillor James Nevett on Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel

2.     There will be a vacant seat on the Equality Forum.

3.     Cllr Michelle Le Marinel to take on Council Champion Mental Health Awareness.

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.

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).

Approved.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was Resolved (unanimously)

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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Commercial Services.

As set out in the report.

Councillor Matthew Lynch declared a personal interest in this item

due to his position on the Board of Jigsaw Homes North West. 

The Executive Member (Homes and Housing), Councillor Terry Howarth, presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which sought approval for the acquisition of a number of residential properties from a developer to meet the Council’s current objectives for housing provision

Members debated the proposals, including Councillors Alan Cullens, Aidy Riggott and Sam Chapman.  Members noted the shortage of completions on affordable homes and that the proposals would guarantee the delivery of these units. 

The Executive Member (Homes and Housing), Councillor Terry Howarth, proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the recommendation as set out in the report.

Following a debate on the motion, a request was made under Council Procedure Rule 17.2 for a recorded vote on the motion, which was as follows:

For: Councillor Sarah Ainsworth, Aaron Beaver, Julia Berry (Mayor), Alistair Bradley, Mark Clifford, Karen Derbyshire, Gordon France, Margaret France, Danny Gee, Tommy Gray, Alex Hilton, Terry Howarth, Hasina Khan, Samir Khan, Zara Khan, Roy Lees, Adrian Lowe, Michelle Le Marinel, June Molyneaux, Alistair Morwood, Beverley Murray, James Nevett, Jean Sherwood, Arjun Singh, Kim Snape, Ryan Towers, Jenny Whiffen, Neville Whitham, Alan Whittaker, Peter Wilson.

Against: Councillor Sam Chapman, Alan Cullens, Magda Cullens, Harold Heaton, Keith Iddon, Alan Platt, Debra Platt, Aidy Riggott, John Walker.

Abstain: Councillor Martin Boardman.

The Mayor declared the recommendation carried and it was Resolved (by majority 30:9:1) that it be approved.

1.         To acquire 24 affordable residential properties at Buckshaw Village from Persimmon Homes, subject to further negotiation

2.         For delegated Authority to be granted to the Executive Member (Resources) to operate within an approved capital budget and, in consultation with the Director of Commercial Services, to agree the final purchase price for the properties following completion of the S106 Agreement and the finalisation of negotiations with Persimmon Homes, up to an agreed upper limit.

3.         To increase the capital programme by up to an agreed upper limit for the purchase of 24 properties from Persimmon Homes with all of the acquisitions to be funded through prudential borrowing and S106 affordable housing contributions.

4.         To increase the revenue budget by £91k per annum to reflect the increase in property maintenance and staffing costs across the council arising from the purchase of the 24 additional properties (note the costs are offset by rental income).

Councillor Zara Khan left the meeting at 8.20pm. 

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

As set out in the report.

The Executive Member (Early Intervention), Councillor Beverley Murray, presented the report of the Director of Communities which sought additional funding from the council due to extraordinary and unbudgeted increases in energy and pay costs, and also due to an under achievement in anticipated income levels.

Members noted that leisure centres were struggling with these issues across the country, but supported the health and wellbeing benefits for residents in using the facilities. 

Following discussions it was noted that a five year business plan and condition report would be considered prior to the budget being set in February 2023.

The Executive Member (Early Intervention), Councillor Beverley Murray, proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was Resolved (unanimously)

1.         To note the current forecast financial position and the requirement for additional funding.

2.         To approve the request for additional resources of £88k on a recurring basis as part of the Council’s contract payment to Chorley Leisure Ltd, and payment of £681k on a non-recurring basis in 2022/23. These requests are to cover the financial impact of:

a.      The increase in the cost of utilities of £263k – assumed to be a non-recurring cost at this point but to be reviewed for 2023/24 as part of the budget setting process;

b.      The increase in the cost of the pay award - based on the current offer of £1,925 per FTE, it is estimated that the increase in cost, over and above the 2% budget provision, will be approximately £56k – this is a recurring cost;

c.      The increase in the costs of the Service Level Agreement for services provided by the Council to the leisure company of £32k, which was understated in the original budget;

d.      A significant reduction in the level of income compared to that included in the draft business plan and working budget for 2022/23, estimated at present to be £418k but to be reviewed for 2023/24 as part of the budget setting process.