Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Terry Brown who was recovering following an operation.  Members of the Council expressed their best wishes to Councillor Brown for a speedy recovery.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 14 July 2009 (enclosed).

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 14 July 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor thanked members for their support at the recent charity events including the Ten Pin Bowling Challenge, the Music of Four Decades and the Corporate Challenge.

The Mayor invited Members to support her during a forthcoming sponsored Zip Slide at Preston North End Football Club in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice and at a Quiz Night to be held at St Gregory’s Club in Chorley.

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 public questions submitted.

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

The Executive Member (Resources) presented a report proposing a revised capital programme for 2009/10 and provisional capital programme figures for 2010/11 and 2011/12.

The report detailed the reallocation of budgets, increases and reductions in costs, slippage of expenditure to later years and associated changes in finance.  Increases in the Regional Housing Pot capital grant had allowed the reallocation of the grant to specific housing capital schemes and the adjustment of the Affordable Housing budgets to match the developer contributions available to finance the expenditure.

The effect of changes was to reduce the 2009/10 capital programme to £8,029,400.  The provisional capital programme for 2010/11 would increase to £3,592,180 and, for 2011/12 to £1,451,110.  The main changes in both of these years relate to slippage from earlier years and an increase in estimated Regional Housing Pot capital grant. 

It was moved by the Executive Member (Resources), Councillor K Joyce, and seconded by the Executive Leader and RESOLVED:

1.         That the revised capital programme for 2009/10 be approved; and

2.         That the provisional capital programme figures for 2010/11 and 2011/12 be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Cabinet meetings held on 13 August and 3 September 2009 (enclosed).

The Executive Leader presented a report which summarised the key issues considered at meetings of the Executive Cabinet held on 13 August and 3 September 2009.

Questions were raised by Members on the inclusion of the collection of food waste for composting through the Lancashire Waste Management Strategy; the timescale and amount that could be expected back from the Council’s investment in Landsbankii in 2008; and the Growth Point bid and the likely housing development in Chorley.

It was moved by the Executive Leader and seconded by the Deputy Leader and RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 10 August and 1 September 2009 (enclosed).

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented a report summarising the matters considered by the Committee at meetings held on 10 August and 1 September including the work of Scrutiny Task Groups.

It was moved by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor D Edgerley and seconded by the Vice Chair, Councillor A Cullens and RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Governance) (enclosed).

Members considered a report of the Corporate Director (Governance) on a review of a number of elements of the Council’s Constitution.  Following consultation with the Leader of the Labour Group, the Leader of the Council proposed that consideration of the report be deferred for further discussions.

RESOLVED – That the report be deferred until the next ordinary meeting of the Council to allow further discussions between the political groups.

The Council has received a petition instigated by the Chorley Moor Young Peoples Time Bank Volunteers containing 254 signatures supporting the following statement:

“Please sign our petition asking for the Council to get a move on and build the Community Centre we have waited so long for.”

A copy of the covering letter to the petition is enclosed.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23, the Council will need to determine whether the petition should be referred for further consideration to a future meeting of the Council, the Executive or a Committee or Sub-Committee of the Council. 

The Council considered a 254 signature petition which had been received from Chorley Moor Residents and Tenants Group, but instigated by the Chorley Moor Young People’s Time Bank Volunteers asking the Council to make progress in building the promised Community Centre.

The Leader reported that the Chief Executive had been in contact with the Group and that a meeting would be taking place.  Councillor Peter Malpas, Executive Member (Business), would report back to Executive Cabinet on the matter as soon as possible.  The formal response would also be sent to the Ward Councillors.

RESOLVED – That the response of the Leader be noted.