Agenda and minutes

The Mayor, Pat Case welcomed all Councillors, particularly those newly elected to the Council, to the Annual Meeting of the Council. Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Gary Hall, Chief Executive.

Councillors Mark Perks and Keith Iddon declared a personal and prejudicial  interest in one of the two additional items, a Proposed Chorley Career and Sixth Form Academy.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 3 April 2012 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

The Chief Executive as the Returning Officer will report that at the Elections held on 3 May 2012, the following persons were duly elected as Councillors for the wards stated:

Ward

Peter Wilson (4 year term) and Graham Dunn (2 year term) Adlington and Anderton

David Dickinson  - Brindle and Hoghton

Julia Berry - Chorley East

Adrian Lowe - Chorley North East

Joyce Snape - Chorley North West

Alistair Bradley - Chorley South East

Anthony Gee - Chorley South West

Jean Cronshaw - Clayton le Woods North

John Walker - Clayton le Woods and Whittle le Woods

Robert Finnamore - Coppull

Henry Caunce - Eccleston and Mawdsley

Danny Gee - Euxton North

Kim Snape - Heath Charnock and Rivington

John  Dalton - Lostock

Chris France - Wheelton and Withnell

The Director of People and Places presented the Returning Officer’s report on Ward Councillors elected at the borough elections held on 3 May 2012, as follows:

Peter Wilson (Labour) and Graham Dunn (Labour) - Adlington and Anderton

David Dickinson (Conservative)  - Brindle and Hoghton

Julia Berry (Labour)  - Chorley East

Adrian Lowe (Labour) - Chorley North East

Joyce Snape (Independent) - Chorley North West

Alistair Bradley (Labour) - Chorley South East

Anthony Gee (Labour) - Chorley South West

Jean Cronshaw (Labour) - Clayton le Woods North

John Walker (Conservative) - Clayton le Woods and Whittle le Woods

Robert Finnamore (Labour) - Coppull

Henry Caunce (Conservative) - Eccleston and Mawdsley

Danny Gee (Labour) - Euxton North

Kim Snape (Labour)  – Heath Charnock and Rivington

John Dalton (Conservative) – Lostock

Chris France (Labour) – Wheelton and Withnell

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy welcomed all newly elected Members to the Council and paid tribute to the work of those Members who had not been re-elected this year.

To formally elect the Mayor of the Borough for 2012/2013.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Wilson and seconded by Councillor Dennis Edgerley that Councillor June Molyneaux be elected as Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

RESOLVED – That Councillor June Molyneaux be elected Mayor for the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

Councillor Molyneaux in the Chair

The Mayor thanked all present for her election as Mayor and advised Members that she would be undertaking fundraising activities throughout her Mayoral Year in support of St Catherine’s Hospice; Home Start; Shopmobility; and Chorley Mencap. She introduced her mother, Mrs Florence Molyneaux as her Mayoress for the year.

To formally elect the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for 2012/2013

It was moved by Councillor Eric Bell and seconded by Councillor Greg Morgan that Councillor John Walker  be elected as  Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

RESOLVED – That Councillor John Walker be elected Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Chorley for the 2012/13 Council Year.

The Deputy Mayor introduced Mrs Marie Walker as his Deputy Mayoress for 2012/13.

The Retiring Mayor will be presented with a portrait, medallion and plaque bearing the Borough’s Coat of Arms as a token of thanks for her year of office.

Vote of thanks to the Retiring Mayor.

The Retiring Mayor to address the Council.

The Mayor presented the former Mayor, Pat Case with a portrait of herself in the Mayoral Insignia and past Mayor’s badge of office and a plaque bearing the Council’s Coat of Arms as tokens of their past year of office as Mayor of Chorley.

Political Group Leaders paid tribute to Pat Case who had not stood for re election this year. They referred to the major contributions which Pat had made to the work of the Council and the County Council over the last 20 years and in particular her ward of Heath Charnock and Rivington. Other councillors joined in support of the tributes and passed on their best wishes to Pat for the future.

Pat Case responded  with her congratulations to the new Mayor and Mayoress on their appointment. She had thoroughly enjoyed her year as Mayor, finding it both humbling and uplifting and had been astounded by the many individuals and organisations in the Borough who dedicated themselves to helping others.

Pat referred to her political career both at Chorley Council, the County Council and with the Health Authority and her pleasure in supporting her ward residents in Heath Charnock and Rivington. She also reported on her allocation of charitable funding for the year as follows:

·         Derian House £1000

·         St Catherine’s Hospice £1000

·         Homestart £1000

·         Young Oncology Unit at Christies £500

·         Rosemere Unit at Preston Hospital £500

·         Barnardos £300

·         Runshaw College “Give a Dam” Campaign £400

·         Help the Homeless £300

·         Army Cadet £100 towards a fundraising parachute jump which then raised £2500

She thanked all concerned for their support over her 20 years in office and in her Mayoral year, particularly during her recent illness. She presented the gift of a watercolour of Rivington Pike to the Council.

To appoint an Executive Leader of the Council.

Councillor Peter Wilson proposed, Councillor Dennis Edgerley seconded and it was RESOLVED – that Councillor Alistair Bradley be appointed Executive Leader for the forthcoming Council Year.

Councillor Alistair Bradley responded to his appointment by outlining the plans of the new administration under a ten point plan which focussed on the following priorities:

1.    Tackling unemployment

2.    Increasing volunteering

3.    Improving neighbourhood working

4.    Tackling housing and homelessness issues

5.    Improving the economy

6.    Developing the town centre

7.    Business start up grants and support

8.    Open and accessible government

9.    Increasing consultation and engagement

10.  Campaign to publicise what actions the Council is taking

The Executive Leader proposed and Councillor Peter Wilson seconded, a proposal to provide funding for a further ten apprenticeships and it was RESOLVED – that funding for a further 10 apprenticeships be approved at a cost of £110,000 to be found from forecasted underspend within the current budget framework.

The Executive Leader will inform the Council of the appointment of the Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Cabinet Members for 2012/2013.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley reported that he had made the following appointments to the Executive Cabinet:

·         As Executive Leader he would also have portfolio responsibility for Economic Development and Governance

·         Deputy Leader and Executive Member (Resources, Policy and Performance) – Councillor Peter Wilson

·         Executive Member (People) – Councillor Bev Murray

·         Executive Member (Places) – Councillor Terry Brown

·         Executive Member (LDF and Planning) - Councillor Dennis Edgerley

·         Executive Member (Homes and Business) – Councillor Adrian Lowe

RESOLVED – that the Executive Leader’s appointments to the Executive Cabinet for 2012/13 be noted.

To approve the appointment of Members of the Council to Committees, other bodies and positions on the Council and to note shadow appointments for 2012/2013.

A schedule of nominations will be circulated.

The Council considered a schedule of nominations for the appointment of committees, working groups and panels in accordance with the political balance rules, together with respective Chairs and Vice Chairs for the forthcoming Council year. The list also contained a list of shadow portfolio and support members.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Leader of the Conservative Group expressed his disappointment that the ruling administration had not offered the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to the opposition, in line with the practice in recent years. The Executive Leader reported that his Group were looking to improve engagement with residents and it was proposed that overview and scrutiny would have a role in this.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Greg Morgan, that the Conservative Group be offered the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was LOST and Councillor Goldsworthy then withdrew his Group’s membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed and Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED

1.    That the following appointments be approved for 2012/13:

To consider a report of Lancashire County Council regarding appointments to the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel (enclosed).

Members considered a report of the Chief Executive on the creation of a Lancashire Police and Crime Panel as a result of the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Under the new arrangements, Lancashire County Council would be the authority charged with the establishment of a Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire and appended to the report was information from Lancashire County Council on the Panel responsibilities; how it would operate; and proposed membership. Chorley Council was being asked to nominate one representative. There were still discussions taking place on the political balance of the Panel and how it reflected the political makeup of Councils across Lancashire.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed, Councillor Dennis Edgerley seconded and it was RESOLVED –

1. That the establishment of a Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire as a Joint Committee of the 15 local authorities for the Lancashire Police force area be agreed;

2. That the Panel Arrangements proposed in Appendix B to the Lancashire County Council Report titled “Lancashire Police and Crime Panel Establishment: Panel Arrangements, Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure” be agreed; and

3. That Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader be appointed as Chorley Council’s representative on the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire.

To consider the attached report agreed at the LSP Executive on 17 April 2012, proposing that a Town Centre Team replace the current Town Centre Workshop.

Members considered a report of the Head of Economic Development recently approved by the Chorley Partnership Executive proposing that the Town Centre Workshop be replaced by a Town Centre Team which would support the delivery of the economic regeneration strategy and report to the Local Strategic Partnership by feeding into the “You and Chorley” strand.

It was proposed by the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, seconded by the Deputy Leader, Peter Wilson and RESOLVED –

1.    That a Town Centre Team be established to support the Local Strategic Partnership by feeding into the “You and Chorley” strand;

2.    That it be chaired by the Executive Leader as the lead Member on  economic development;

3.    That there be a total of 18 representatives as outlined in the report but with additional representation from Chorley Little Theatre and Runshaw College; and

4.    That the Town Centre Workshop be disbanded – including the cancellation of the meeting scheduled for 24 May 2012.

To appoint representatives to outside bodies for 2012/2013.

A schedule of nominations will be circulated.

A schedule of nominations for the appointment of Council representatives on outside bodies for the forthcoming Council Year 2012/13 was circulated.

Councillor Goldsworthy indicated that he felt that nominations to the Heapey and Wheelton Village Hall Committee should be the ward councillors for Wheelton and Withnell. He then proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Greg Morgan, that Councillor Alison Hansford rather than Councillor Kim Snape should be a representative on the Heapey and Wheelton Village Hall Committee.

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

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed and Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the following appointments to outside bodies be approved for 2012/13:

The Council is requested to confirm the following timetable of meetings of the Council to be held at the Town Hall, Chorley at 6.30pm for the Council year 2012/2013.

17 July 2012

25 September 2012

6 November 2012 (Policy Council)

4 December 2012

28 February 2013 (Budget Council)

9 April 2013

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed, the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was RESOLVED -

1.    That the Council meetings take place on the following dates:

17 July 2012

25 September 2012

6 November 2012 – Policy Council

8 January 2013

28 February 2013 – Budget Council

9 April 2013

2.    That future meetings of the Executive Cabinet, Informal Cabinet and the Governance Committee would commence at 6.00pm; and any further minor changes to meetings and meeting dates would be reported to members through intheknow.

The Mayor reported that she had accepted the following two items of business requiring urgent action.

At this point in the meeting Councillors Perks and Iddon left the meeting following their declaration of personal and prejudicial interest in this item.

Councillor Alistair Bradley tabled a report regarding the proposed Chorley Career and Sixth Form Academy. The report had been drawn up in response to recent consultation which had formally closed on 28 April 2012 and to enable the Council to agree and put forward a late submission of views on the free school proposal for Chorley. The report listed reasons why it was felt that a free school in Chorley would have a negative impact on current education arrangements in Lancashire and in particularly Chorley. In summary these related to:

·         The plans for the Chorley Career and Sixth Form Academy appear under developed and require more extensive consultation;

·         If successful, there will be additional, surplus secondary school places. Whilst an increased demand for secondary school places is forecasted in the longer term, this is at least 5 years away. This impacts on the financial and educational viability of existing secondary schools.

·         Chorley has very good secondary school provision with two schools with Academy status. All secondary schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.

·         There is evidence that parental choice over secondary school places is satisfied by existing provision.

·         Sixth form entry requirements for the proposed school are high (minimum 5 A* - C grade GCSEs, including English and Maths) and therefore at odds with its aim of reducing those who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs).

·         The existing sixth form provision at Runshaw is high performing with an extensive range of subject choices. Rathbone in Chorley town centre also offer foundation learning for 16 to 18 year olds and apprenticeships for 16 to 24 year olds.

RESOLVED – that the detailed comments set out in paragraphs 7 (a to j) of the report be agreed as a basis for a formal response from the Council to the Department of Education on the proposed establishment of the Chorley Career and Sixth Form Academy.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Executive Leader referred to a report in that day’s Lancashire Evening Post on the proposed closure of the Youth Court at Chorley. The Council had not yet formally been notified of the proposals but it was suggested that strong objections be put made to the closure on the basis that local justice will not be served locally; local magistrates gain knowledge and insight into young people, their families and communities; and that the decision was being taken on financial grounds rather than what was best for local people. There were further concerns regarding the future of Chorley Magistrates Court.

RESOLVED – that on receipt of the formal consultation documents, the Council make formal objections to the Secretary of State asking that the closure of the Youth Court be reconsidered and seeking assurances to the long term future of the Magistrates Court in Chorley.