Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Julia Berry, Alan Cullens, Magda Cullens, Laura Lennox, Mark Perks, Debra Platt and Edward Smith.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial 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.

No Member declared an interest in relation to matters under consideration at the meeting.

Councillors Stella Walsh and Debra Platt

The Mayor welcomed back Councillor Stella Walsh following her illness and the Leader took the opportunity to inform Members that Councillor Debra Platt was recovering from an appendix operation that had involved complications and wished her a speedy recovery.

The Mayor announced a number of charity events coming up in October with all proceeds going to his charity appeal in aid of St Catherines Hospice, Homestart Chorley, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Breast Care Endowment Fund at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

Charity Dog Walk – Sunday, 5 October

The Mayor informed everyone that he was holding a charity dog walk at Yarrow Valley Country Park on Sunday, 5 October.  Two routes would be available – one which will take about half an hour and the other will take up to three hours.

East Meets West Night – Saturday, 11 October

The Mayor informed everyone that he was holding a charity event in the Lancastrian Suite on Sunday, 11 October which would bring together eastern and western cultures for a family show including Bollywood dancers, Chinese dragon dancing and street dancing.

Tickets were just £5 per person or £20 for a family ticket which admits two adults and three children under 16.  Doors would open at 7.00pm and the show starting at 7.30pm.

Junior Fishing Match – Wednesday, 29 October

The Mayor announced that he would be holding a junior fishing match for children aged 8 to 16 during the half term holidays on Wednesday, 29 October.  The draw would take place at 9.00am at Iron Bridge at the bottom of Grey Heights Views and fishing will be from 10.00am to 1.00pm between Bagganley Lane to Cowling Brow.  Prizes and trophies were to be on offer for the winners.  Tickets were £3 and available from Coppull Anglers and Millington’s Tackle. 

He also recommended that he had events coming up in November including a quiz night at Sacred Heart Club on Friday, 14 November, £2 per person and a Soul Night in the Lancastrian Suite on Friday, 21 November, £6 per person.  Details would be circulated in the near future.

Remembrance Day – Sunday, 9 November

The Mayor announced that on Sunday 9 November, all Members would be invited to accompany him in the procession to St Laurence’s Church and to the Cenotaph in Astley Park for Remembrance Sunday.  Those attending would assemble in the Lancastrian Suite no later than 9.15am.  Afterwards, tea and coffee will be served in the Lancastrian.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask question(s) on any item(s) on the agenda will be asked to put their question(s) to the Council. Members of the public will be allowed to ask one supplementary question within their allocated 3 minutes.

There had been no requests from any member of the public to speak at the meeting on any of the agenda items.

To confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 15 July 2008 as a correct record for signature by the Mayor (copy enclosed)

It was moved by the Executive Leader, seconded by Councillor Pat Case, (Deputy Leader of the Council) and subsequently RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 15 July 2008 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

To receive a report of the Executive Cabinet (enclosed).

The Executive Leader presented a report recommending a number of alterations to the 2008/09 Capital Programme and reviewing the situation in relation to the capital resources required to finance the programme.

The report recommended changes, which would increase the Capital Programme in respect of the Eaves Green Link Road, the play area scheme at Clayton Brook with Places for People and the Coronation Recreation Ground lighting scheme by a total of £163,400, to be financed wholly from external sources.

The report also drew attention to the expected shortfall in the level of capital resources in 2008/09 as a result of the reduction in capital receipts from the disposal of assets and ‘right to buy’ sales.  It was accepted that the implications of the expected capital shortfall would need to be addressed by the Executive Cabinet.

It was moved by the Executive Leader, seconded by Councillor Pat Case (Deputy Leader of the Council) and subsequently

RESOLVED 1) That the revised Capital Programme for 2008/09, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, at a total cost of £10,197,590, be approved.

2) That a comprehensive review of the 2008/09 Capital Programme be authorised in light of the expected available resources.

To receive the General Report of the Executive Cabinet (enclosed).

The Executive Leader presented a report, which summarised the principal matters considered at the meetings of the Executive Cabinet held on 14 August 2008 and 4 September 2008.

It was moved by the Executive Leader, seconded by Councillor Pat Case (Deputy Leader of the Council) and subsequently RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To receive the General Report (enclosed).

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Dennis Edgerley) presented a report, which summarised briefly the matters discussed at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 August 2008.  The report also summarised the situation and issues discussed at meetings that had taken place of the Task and Finish Groups.

It was moved by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Dennis Edgerley), seconded by the Vice–Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny committee (Councillor Alan Cain) and subsequently RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To receive a report recommending a candidate to be appointed as an additional Independent Member of the Standards Committee. (Report to follow).

The Council received a report of the Chair of the Standards Committee (Mr R A Ellwood) which recommended the Council to appoint an additional Independent member of the Standards Committee.

It was moved by Councillor Keith Iddon, seconded by Councillor Thomas McGowen and subsequently RESOLVED that the report be noted and that Susan Alty be appointed as the third Independent member of the Standards Committee.

To receive the report of Corporate Director (Business), with attached Development Plan document (enclosed).

The Council received a report of the Corporate Director (Business) making Members aware of the receipt of a binding Inspection Report into the Submitted Sustainable Resources Development Plan Document.  The binding report concluded that the document was sound, subject to a number of proposed changes and therefore should be adopted by the Council as Policy.

It was moved by the Councillor Peter Malpas (Executive Member (Business)), seconded by the Executive Leader and subsequently RESOLVED that the Sustainable Resources Development Plan Document be adopted, subject to amendment by the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive on recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel (enclosed). 

The Council received a report of the Chief Executive requesting the meeting to consider the recommendation of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to Members Allowances.

It was moved by the Executive Leader, and seconded by Councillor Pat Case (Deputy Leader of the Council) and subsequently:

RESOLVED – That the following special responsibility allowances be

established with effect from the Annual Meeting held on 13 May 2008:

Overview and Scrutiny allowances

£2,500.00 - Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

£300.00 as a one off payment to any Councillor chairing a Task and Finish Group on completion of the inquiry.

Equality Forum Chair

£1362.92 - Equality Forum Chair.

To receive a report of the Corporate Director (Business) (enclosed)

The Chair of the Development Control Committee (Councillor Greg Morgan) presented a report requesting the Council to approve an application for deemed planning permission for the proposed demolition and rebuilding of a reception area to enable the instillation of a Disabled Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant lift to enable access to the first floor of Clayton Green Sports Centre.

The Committee were minded to support the application, but as the Council’s Constitution precluded the Development Control Committee’s determination of applications for deemed planning permission, the application was required to be submitted before the full Council for decision.

It was moved by the Chair of the Development Control Committee (Councillor Greg Morgan) and seconded by the Vice Chair (Councillor Geoff Russell) that planning permission be granted to application 08/00415/CB3.

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted for planning application 08/00415/CB3 for the demolition and building of a reception area to enable the installation of a DDA compliant lift to enable access to the first floor of Clayton Green Sports Centre, Clayton-Le-Woods subject to the following conditions:

1.         The proposed development must be begun not later than three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.            Before the development commences, full details of the treatment of all the proposed windows and doors shall have been submitted to and been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The submitted details shall include the proposed method of construction, the materials to be used, fixing details (including cross sections) and their external finish including surrounds, cills and/or lintels.

            Reason: In the interest of the character and appearance of the building and in accordance with Policy No. GN5 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

3.         The development hereby permitted shall not commence until full details of the colour, form and texture of all external facing materials to the proposed building(s) (notwithstanding and details shown on the approved plans) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall only be carried out using the approved external facing materials.

            Reason: To ensure that the materials used are visually appropriate to the locality and in accordance with Policy Nos. GN5 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

The following questions were submitted in writing by Councillor Dennis Edgerley under Council Procedure Rule 7.

Question 1

Would the Executive Leader confirm that Redrow have offered a number of properties to the Council as affordable housing?  Given that Redrow have sites in several locations around the Borough, would he agree that the Council should negotiate with Redrow to provide social rented housing around the Borough?

Question 2

Would the Executive Leader confirm that BAE have offered substantial payments as section 106 monies for expenditure on social housing?  If so how much and how does he propose to forward the initiative?

Question 3

Would the Executive Member for Resources provide an itemised list of all capital receipts including section 106 monies received over the last two years or due to be received?  Could he indicate the amounts, the sources, the reason for the payment and the date or likely receipt?

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 7.5 the questions were answered by the Executive Leader without discussion.

Chorley Council is currently represented on the West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee by Councillors Pat Case and Peter Wilson.

The Council is recommended to approve the substitution of Councillor Case  by Councillor Marie Gray.

Each of the three Councillors will remain a member of the Rivington and Brinscall Local Advisory Group.

It was moved by the Executive Leader, seconded by Councillor Pat Case (Deputy Leader of the Council) and subsequently RESOLVED that Councillor Marie Gray replace Councillor Pat Case on the Rivington and Brinscall Local Advisory Group.

To report that a number of letters were received (which have been treated as a petition) regarding a request from the residents of Black Croft, Clayton-le-Woods for the trees between Sheep Lane and Black Croft to be trimmed, (sides and tops). 

A report of the Corporate Director (Neighbourhoods) is enclosed.

In accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules, the Council is requested to acknowledge receipt of the petition and to consider whether the issues should be debated at a future time either in Council or by another body.  Accordingly the only discussion that is permitted is in relation to a motion that the petition should be remitted to a future meeting of the Council, to the Executive, a Committee or a Sub Committee. 

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods) reported that a number of letters were received (which have been treated as a petition) regarding a request from the residents of Black Croft, Clayton-Le-Woods for the trees between Sheep Lane and Black Croft to be trimmed (sides and tops).

It was moved by Councillor Eric Bell (Executive Member (Neighbourhoods)), seconded by Councillor Pat Case (Deputy Leader of the Council) and subsequently RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the meeting of the Executive Cabinet on 13 November 2008.

16.1       Submitted by Councillor Dennis Edgerley:

“The Council calls upon the executive to respond to concerns about housing development in rear gardens by investigating the use of conservation area status to protect areas of special residential character.

Dennis Edgerley

Peter Wilson

Laura Lennox

Anthony Gee

Adrian Lowe”

16.2       Submitted by Councillor Dennis Edgerley:

“The Council calls upon the executive to respond to the petition for up to 4 hours parking on short stay car parks by:

1.                  Introducing the ability to park for up to 4 hours on short stay car parks at a premium rate and

2.                  Relocating staff car parking from the Hollinshead Street car park (adjacent to the Union Street offices) to Water Street and designating the Hollinshead Street car park as a long stay car park. 

Dennis Edgerley

Peter Wilson

Laura Lennox

Anthony Gee

Adrian Lowe”

The following Notice of Motion had been proposed by Councillor Dennis Edgerley and seconded by Councillor Adrian Lowe in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8 of the Council’s Constitution.

“The Council calls upon the executive to respond to concerns about housing development in rear gardens by investigating the use of conservation area status to protect areas of special residential character”.

The Motion was put to the vote and the Mayor declared it carried.

RESOLVED – That the Council calls upon the executive to respond to concerns about housing development in rear gardens by investigating the use of conservation area status to protect areas of special residential character.

The following Notice of Motion had been proposed by Councillor Dennis Edgerley and seconded by Councillor Peter Wilson in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8 of the Council’s Constitution.

“The Council calls upon the executive to respond to the petition for up to 4 hours parking on short stay car parks by:

1.            Introducing the ability to park for up to 4 hours on short stay car parks at a premium rate; and

2.            Relocate staff car parking from the Hollinshead Street car park (adjacent to the Union Street offices) to Water Street and designate the Hollinshead Street car park as a long stay car park”.

The Motion was put to the vote and the Mayor declared it lost.