Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Nora Ball, Eric Bell, Alistair Bradley and Shaun Smith.

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 23rd September and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 17th October 2008 as a correct record for signature by the Mayor. (Copies 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 on 23 September 2008 and the Extraordinary Meeting on 17 October 2008 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor subject to the Leader providing a written response under Minute 08.C.181, question 3 under Council Procedure Rule 7.

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.

Remembrance Day – Sunday, 9 November

The Mayor invited all Members to accompany him in the main procession to St Laurence’s Church for the Remembrance Sunday Service at 10.00am, followed by a wreath laying service at the Cenotaph in Astley Park.

Quiz Night – Friday, 14 November

The Mayor reported that he was holding a quiz night at Sacred Heart Social Centre on Worthy Street on Friday, 14 November at 8.00pm in aid of his Charity Appeal.

Soul Night – Friday, 21 November

The Mayor reported that he was holding a Soul Night in the Lancastrian Suite on Friday, 21 November.

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.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance) (enclosed)

The Executive Member for Policy and Performance presented a proposed Corporate Strategy for 2008-9 to 2010-11.

The Corporate Strategy sets out the Council’s long term vision, priorities and strategic outcomes and targets for the next three years.  It is reviewed and refreshed on an annual basis with new key projects introduced to support achievements against outcomes and targets.

The Corporate Strategy is developed alongside the Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Area Agreement and is the key document in the Council’s business planning process.

The report detailed changes to the wording of two of the Council’s strategic objectives and a number of the long-term outcomes.  The Strategy contained a number of new measures, many of which were due to the replacement nationally of the Best Value Performance Indicators with the National Indicators set.  The Strategy set out 33 projects, 23 of which were new, the rest of which were carried forward from last year for completion in 2009.

In debating this item, the following amendments were put forward for consideration:

1.  Column 1 (Strategic Objectives)

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Dennis Edgerley and seconded by Councillor Adrian Lowe to add to the strategic objective of strengthening Chorley’s economic position in the Central Lancashire Sub-Region “and act as an engine for economic growth in the sub-region”.

The amendment was put to the vote and LOST.

2.  Column 1 (an additional key project)

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Adrian Lowe and seconded by Councillor Anthony Gee to add an additional key project.

“To develop and implement a free parking scheme for the first hour, on town centre car parks”.

The amendment was put to the vote and LOST.

3.  Column 4 (revised outcome 4.3)

Following a proposal by Councillor Roy Lees, the Leader agreed to investigate an amendment to the measure for outcome 4.3 to ‘improve’ rather than ‘maintain’ the current level of biodiversity as assessed in the Local Development Framework.

4.  Column 5 (an additional key project)

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Laura Lennox and seconded by Councillor Dennis Edgerley to add an additional key project.

“To work with Redrow who have offered to transfer 200 houses to the social rented sector”.

The Leader reported that Redrow had not made such an offer.

An amendment was put to the vote and LOST.

5.  Column 5 (an additional key project)

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Laura Lennox and seconded by Councillor Dennis Edgerley to add an additional key project.

“That the Council will develop and implement a solution for temporary accommodation”.

The amendment was put to the vote and CARRIED.

6.  Column 5 (an additional key project)

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Dennis Edgerley and seconded by Councillor Adrian Lowe to add an additional key project.

“That the Council investigate and pursue the provision of a sporting village”.

The amendment was put to the vote and LOST.

7.  Column 4 (an additional key project)

Following a proposal by Councillor Edgerley, the Leader agreed that if the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 195.