Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 17 May 2011 (enclosed). 

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 17 May 2011 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of Council held on 21 June 2011 (enclosed).

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 21 June 2011 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adrian and Marion Lowe.

Councillor Eric Bell declared a personal interest in relation to the allotments review under item 12: Overview and Scrutiny Reporting Back.

The Mayor asked that Councillors refrain from using mobile phones, including “tweeting”, during this and future Council meetings.

The Mayor reported on some of the Mayoral duties she had undertaken, including those where the achievements of Chorley people had been recognised and celebrated. This has included an awards ceremony at Runshaw College, a graduation ceremony for students of the University of Central Lancashire and a service to recognise the successes of Chorley’s St John Ambulance Cadets, three of whom would be going on  to represent the borough  in a national first aid competition.

The Mayor referred to the fact that this would be the last Council meeting Donna Hall would attend as Chief Executive of Chorley before taking up the post of Deputy Chief Executive at Wigan Council. She thanked Donna for her inspiration leadership which had been of tremendous benefit across the organisation.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Executive Leader of the Council referred to Donna achievements for Chorley – both the Council and its partnerships, and the enormous reputation she would take with her for her leadership of a high performing Council. He thanked Donna for all her work for Members, officers and the people of Chorley.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Ralph Snape and Ken Ball as leaders of the other political groups all reiterated their thanks for her hard work and commitment to Chorley Council and her refreshing approach. They wished her every success in her future role at Wigan Council.

Donna responded by thanking political group leaders for their comments. She referred to her pride in all that had been achieved in Chorley, the team working and the journey to achievement. She thanked Members for their support both personally and professionally and for their good wishes for the future.

There had been no requests received from members of the public.

Report of the Executive Leader (enclosed). 

The Executive Leader submitted a report on the outcome of the appointments process for a new Chief Executive. The Chief Officer Appointments Panel had undertaken the interview process on 1 July 2011 and now sought full Council approval to the Panel’s recommended appointment of Gary Hall as Chief Executive with effect from 8 August 2011.

The report set out the terms and conditions of the appointment and indicated that there would be subsequent changes to Corporate Director responsibilities which would reported to Members once proposals had been developed. In addition there would be a requirement for some Constitutional changes and these would be the subject of a report to the next meeting of the Council.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of the Labour Group echoed the welcome of other Members to the appointment of Gary Hall, but expressed his concern that although the Executive Cabinet had taken into account the decision of the Extraordinary Council meeting on 21 June 2011 regarding remuneration, they had not actually implemented the Council decision.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Ken Ball, Deputy Executive Leader seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that following the unanimous recommendation of the Chief Officer Appointments Panel, Gary Hall be appointed as Chorley Council’s new Chief Executive with effect from 8 August 2011 on the terms and conditions contained in the report.

Report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy (enclosed).

Councillor Alan Cullens, Executive Member (Partnerships and Planning) presented a report seeking approval to the documents which formed the “preferred option” stage of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Development Plan under the Local Development Framework. Once approved, these would be subject to public consultation in August and September 2011.

In addition to a report which outlined the approach to the site allocations process through the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and the development management policy formulation, the following information was provided for Members:

·         Predicted housing by core strategy hierarchy and settlement

·         Predicted employment supply by core strategy hierarchy and settlement

·         Schedule of preferred allocations for development

·         Schedule of preferred position on all other suggested sites

·         Policy schedule

·         New policies

·         Changes to national planning policy guidance since 2007

·         Maps of the areas of the borough affected

Also circulated, was supplementary information regarding an announcement on 11 July 2011 by the inspector examining the Central Lancashire Core Strategy on proposed housing policy and whether it conformed to the Regional Spatial Strategy for housing delivery.

The Executive Member wished to formally acknowledge the work undertaken by Jennifer Moore, Head of Planning and the staff of the Planning Policy team for their hard work in drawing up the documents. There had been a range of sessions provided to keep Member informed including a Member Learning Session; group meetings; ward Councillor briefings; and one to one meetings with Councillors. If approved, it was intended that following consultation, the site allocations preferred options document would be adopted in December 2012. This would help the Council prevent the loss of safeguarded land as the old Local Plan could no longer be relied upon for the protection of greenbelt land.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, on behalf of the Labour Group, submitted a written schedule of comments on the proposed site allocation and this would go forward as part of the formal consultation process. Councillor Dennis Edgerley raised some concerns regarding more efficient use of land by increasing housing densities to reduce the number of housing sites required and encourage more affordable housing. He also asked that the number of employment sites be re-examined.

Members raised concerns regarding a number of sites proposed for allocation for housing development, issues of rural housing need and housing densities.

Councillor Dennis Edgerley proposed and Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the following amendment to the recommendation:

“The Council does not agree to the “preferred option” document for the Site Allocations and Development Management DPD being authorised for consultation. Officers are requested to review this document to reduce land allocations. The officers are asked particularly to look at using higher densities in housing allocations, where appropriate, in order to reduce the number of sites, to reduce the number of employment sites and to allocate more brownfield sites for housing. It further resolves that when the document is released for consultation there should be a second consultation after the Council has formulated its response to the first.”

The amendment was put to the vote which was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206.

Report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy (enclosed).

Further to the decision at Council on 5 April 2011 to look into a change to the existing scheme of delegation to allow ward councillors greater say in whether a planning matter could be considered by the Development Control Committee rather than as a delegated decision, Councillor Alan Cullens, Executive Member for Partnerships and Planning presented a report setting out a proposal for how this might work in practice.

Members raised concerns about the proposed requirement that in order to be considered by the Development Control Committee, objections received must be judged to be material and substantial planning objections as judged by the Director in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee.

The Executive Leader referred to the need to use the provision in a responsible way to support constituents valid planning objections.

Councillor Roy Lees proposed, Councillor Chris France seconded and it was RESOLVED - 

1.That the following change to the Scheme of Delegation within the Constitution be agreed:

A ward councillor acting in that capacity, may request that a planning application which is recommended for approval under delegated powers, is determined instead by the Development Control Committee, providing that at least one written objection to the application has been received by the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy. The request from the ward councillor must be received in writing within 4 weeks of the application appearing on the published weekly list of planning applications. 

This provision may also apply to ward councillors in an adjacent ward where a planning application is reasonably deemed to affect that ward if determined so by the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Development Control Committee.

     2.   That the use of this provision be monitored with the expectation that Councillors will use it to support their ward residents with valid planning objections.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Executive Leader of the Council has submitted the following two motions:

1.    “That this Council responds to the 12 week consultation with a formal objection to the close or sale of operational policing stations at Wheelton and Adlington and the closure and sale of operational rural beat stations at Croston, Eccleston and Mawdesley. 

The Council will work with Lancashire Police to secure alternative hubs in these local areas.”

2.    “That this Council urges Central Lancashire PCT to proceed with the construction of Friday Street Medical Centre, to the specification consulted on, as a matter of urgency given the lack of suitable GP facilities in this locality. “

Councillor Dennis Edgerley has submitted the following motion:

3.    “This Council resolves to withdraw support from that part of the Botany/Great Knowley employment site to the east of the Leeds Liverpool canal, as a site of sub regional importance. It further resolves to inform the inspector considering the Central Lancashire Core Strategy of this decision immediately”

Councillor Peter Wilson has submitted the following motion:

4.    “This Council supports the Police Federation and local residents in their opposition to the severe cuts being made to the police budget by the coalition government. The Council condemns the government for imposing such measures which will see a reduction in the number of officers, a reduction in the number of police staff, a reduction in the number of police stations, and a reduction in the number of police vehicles across Lancashire and seriously undermine crime prevention strategies currently in place. Therefore in order to help build on the good work done by the police, Council and other agencies in the area of crime reduction the Council urges the government to withdraw from imposing cuts of 20% on our police force and ensure that community safety remains a top priority.”

The Council meeting considered four motions put forward as follows:

1.    Consultation on Operational Police Stations.

Councillor P Goldsworthy submitted the following motion:

“That this Council responds to the 12 week consultation with a formal objection to the close or sale of operational policing stations at Wheelton and Adlington and the closure and sale of operational rural beat stations at Croston, Eccleston and Mawdesley. 

The Council will work with Lancashire Police to secure alternative hubs in these local areas.”

Following debate, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and Councillor Chris France seconded, an amendment to the motion to add the following wording to the original motion

“and in the meantime write to the Home Secretary asking the Government to provide the necessary funding to keep these open”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was LOST.

The Executive Leader proposed and Deputy Executive Leader seconded the original motion and on being put to the vote it was RESOLVED – that the original motion be supported.

2.    Friday St Medical Centre

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy submitted the following motion:

“That this Council urges Central Lancashire PCT to proceed with the construction of Friday Street Medical Centre, to the specification consulted on, as a matter of urgency given the lack of suitable GP facilities in this locality. “

Following debate and the circulation of an update from the PCT by Councillor Julia Berry, the Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Alan Cullens seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the motion be supported.

3.    Botany/Great Knowley Employment Site

Councillor Dennis Edgerley submitted the following motion:

“This Council resolves to withdraw support from that part of the Botany/Great Knowley employment site to the east of the Leeds Liverpool canal, as a site of sub regional importance. It further resolves to inform the inspector considering the Central Lancashire Core Strategy of this decision immediately”

Following debate Councillor Dennis Edgerley proposed, Councillor Chris France seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the motion be rejected.

4.    Police budget reductions

Councillor Peter Wilson submitted the following motion:

“This Council supports the Police Federation and local residents in their opposition to the severe cuts being made to the police budget by the coalition government. The Council condemns the government for imposing such measures which will see a reduction in the number of officers, a reduction in the number of police staff, a reduction in the number of police stations, and a reduction in the number of police vehicles across Lancashire and seriously undermine crime prevention strategies currently in place. Therefore in order to help build on the good work done by the police, Council and other agencies in the area crime reduction the council urges the government to withdraw from imposing cuts of 20% on our police force and ensure that community safety remains a top priority.”

Following debate the Executive Leader moved and Councillor Alan Cullens seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

“This Council recognises that community safety is a top priority and the Police like  ...  view the full minutes text for item 208.

Report of the Chief Executive (enclosed). 

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Executive Leader presented the Council’s Annual Report for 2010/11 entitled Your Council’s Performance, detailing the authority’s key successes and plans for the future.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Ken Ball, Deputy Executive Leader seconded, and it was RESOLVED that the report be agreed.

General report of the meeting held on 23 June 2011 (enclosed).

Members considered a general report of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 23 June 2011.

It was moved by the Executive Leader, Councillor Peter Goldsworthy and seconded by the Deputy Executive Leader, Councillor Ken Ball and RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

To consider the enclosed report of the Chief Executive agreed by Executive Cabinet on 23 June 2011. 

The Executive Leader presented a report inform the Council that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had indicated that there was a possibility that they would undertake a review of the boundary between South Ribble and Chorley in the Buckshaw area. This was in response to a request submitted in 2008.

The Executive Leader indicated that since the report had been produced there had been an initial meeting of representatives of Chorley and South Ribble Councils with the Director of Reviews at the LGBCE to better understand the processes involved. At that meeting it was made clear by the Commission that they look for Councils involved in boundary reviews to work together to come up with agreed recommendations. On this basis the Executive Leader submitted slightly revised recommendations for a way forward.

It was moved by the Executive Leader, Councillor Peter Goldsworthy and seconded by the Deputy Executive Leader, Councillor Ken Ball and RESOLVED –

1.         That the Council agrees in principle that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England should be formally requested to conduct a principal area boundary review of the boundary between Chorley and South Ribble Councils with a view to Buckshaw Village residents being located under one local authority area.

3.         That it be noted that the Community Governance Review Committee has paused its Community Governance Review into whether or not to create a Parish Council for Buckshaw.

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Director of Transformation (enclosed).

Councillor Kevin Joyce, Executive Member for Transformation presented a report detailing the provisional outturn figures for the 2010/11 Capital Programme; updating the Capital Programmes for 2011/12 to 2013/14 in line with the rephasing of expenditure and other budget changes; and reporting the receipt and use of contributions from developers for the period 2010/11 to 2013/14.

Councillor Kevin Joyce, Executive Member for Transformation proposed and the Executive Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED –

Report of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (enclosed). 

The Chair and Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2010/11 Councillors Adrian Lowe and Alan Cullens, submitted a report on the work of the committee last year including:

·         Scrutiny review work of allotments; asset management; and the Lancastrian Suite;

·         Scrutiny of community safety matters, in particular anti social behaviour

·         Challenges to the Executive; and

·         Scrutiny of performance and budget principles

Councillor Debra Platt moved and Councillor Alan Cullens seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

General report of the meeting held on 11 July 2011 (enclosed).

Members considered a general report of the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 July 2011.

Councillor Holgate indicated that in addition to reviewing Tourism in 2011/12, the Committee had also agreed to consider play areas and housing conditions as reserve list topics.

It was moved by Councillor Debra Platt, Vice Chair of the Committee and seconded by Councillor Peter Wilson and RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

The Chorley and South Ribble Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) has merged with the Preston CVS and the Council is asked to approve a change in the Council representation from Councillor Doreen Dickinson to Councillor John Walker.

Two requests for changes to the Council’s representation on outside bodies were  requested in relation to the CVS and the Chorley Consolidated Charity and Chorley Relief Fund.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Peter Goldsworthy moved and Deputy Executive Leader, Councillor Ken Ball seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the following changes be agreed:

1.    Councillor John Walker to replace Councillor Doreen Dickinson following the merger of the Chorley and South Ribble CVS with Preston CVS; and

2.    Councillor Doreen Dickinson to replace Councillor Magda Cullens on the Chorley Consolidated Charity and Chorley Relief Fund.

General report of the meeting held on 30 June 2011 (enclosed).

Members considered a general report of the meeting of Audit Committee held on 30 June 2011.

Councillor A Gee, Chair of the Committee proposed, Councillor Julia Berry, Vice Chair seconded and it was RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There had been no requests for questions from Members under Procedure Rule 8.