Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary 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 received.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 16 July 2013 be approved and signed as a correct record, subject to an amendment regarding the attendance of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor referred to the recent death of former Councillor Ted Smith who represented the Chisnall ward until 2011. Members of the Council stood in silence in memory of the former Councillor.

The Mayor also referred to the recent confirmation of the local election date in 2014 as 22 May, the same date as the European Parliamentary Elections. This would mean some changes to the meetings calendar and Members were advised that Annual Council would be held on 3 June, Civic Dinner would take place on 6 June, Civic Sunday on 8 June and the Development Control Committee currently scheduled for 20 May would be brought forward to 13 May 2013.

The Mayor reminded Councillors of the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday on 10 November and also updated on his fundraising activities.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask question(s) on any item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the relevant Councillor. Members of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question.

There were no public questions to be considered.

To consider the attached general report of the meeting held on 15 August 2013. A general report of the meeting held on 12 September 2013 will follow.

Members considered a general report of two meetings of the Executive Cabinet held on 15 August and 12 September 2013.

In relation to performance monitoring, Councillor Edgerley, Executive Member for LDF and Planning, highlighted that the introduction of the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) regime had impacted significantly on the performance of processing planning applications within target timescales. The planning team were working to try and get performance back on track.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed, the Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive recommended for approval by Executive Cabinet on 15 August 2013.

Members considered a report of the Chief Executive on the provisional revenue outturn figures for the Council as compared against the budget and efficiency savings set for the financial year 2013/14. The report had been considered by Executive Cabinet on 15 August 2013.

Members questioned how far initiatives undertaken by the Council as part of the investment in local economic development could be seen as part of the improving picture of economic growth in the area plus queries about the delay in the redevelopment of the former McDonalds site.

In response, Councillor Wilson reported that the package of measures to support economic development had not all been implemented as yet but collectively they would assist in sustained growth in the local employment situation. The delay in the McDonalds site development was due to more extensive site investigation works. At the current time, over 15 people had expressed interest in occupying the units.

The Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded, and it was RESOLVED –

1.         That the use of £143,000 of the Town Centre Reserve for revenue financing of the capital scheme for resurfacing of three Town Centre car parks be approved;

2.         That the use of the £40,000 one-off Minimum Revenue Provision saving, relating to Regeneration Projects in the 2013/14 Capital Programme be approved, to finance revenue costs relating to the projects including the cost of business rates for 98-102 Market Street outlined in paragraph 21 of the report; and

3.         That the use of the one-off £35,950 Minimum Revenue Provision saving, arising from the rephasing of capital expenditure from 2012/13 be approved, for the reduction of debt as detailed in paragraph 28 of the report.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive, recommended for approval by Executive Cabinet on 15 August 2013.

Members considered a report of the Chief Executive updating the capital programme for 2013/14 and provisional budgets for 2014/15 and 2015/16, to take account of additional resources and other proposed budget changes. The report also provided an updated analysis of the receipt and use of developer contributions for the financing of capital projects between 2013/14 and 2015/16.

The Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded, and it was RESOLVED –

1.    That the amendments to the Capital Programme for 2013/14, as presented in column (2) of Appendix 1of the report be approved; and

2.    That the amendments to the provisional budgets for 2014/15 and 2015/16, as presented in columns (5) and (8) of Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

To consider the attached general report of Overview and Scrutiny meetings held in July, August and September.

Members considered a general report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Performance Panel and Task Group meetings held during July, August and September.

Councillor Steve Holgate, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee proposed, Councillor Mark Perks, Vice Chair seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

To consider the attached general report of the meeting held on 12 September 2013 (to follow).

Members considered a general report of the meeting of Governance Committee held on 12 September 2013.

Councillor Paul Leadbetter, Chair of Governance Committee proposed, Councillor Alison Hansford, Vice Chair seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive on recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

On behalf of the Independent Remuneration Panel, the Chief Executive submitted a report detailing the Panel’s recommendations for changes to the Members Allowance Scheme and consequential changes to the Constitution.

The Executive Leader presented the report which made recommendations in respect of the remuneration for the position of Vice Chair of the Governance Committee and also changes to the travel scheme, including the introduction of the use of an electronic system for Member travel claims.

The Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded, and it was RESOLVED –

3.         That the approved duties list be revised so that Members may claim travel for those meetings where they are appointed as a formal member; where they are attending as a nominated substitute member; or are attending Executive Cabinet.  All other meetings, whether acting as an observer or speaking as a ward Councillor, to be outside the scheme and therefore not eligible for travel expenses.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Partnership, Planning and Policy.

The Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy submitted a report seeking approval to the adoption of the Open Space and Playing Pitch Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as part of the Core Strategy. SPDs allow local planning authorities the opportunity to add guidance in specific policy areas. The document had been subject to consultation and had been revised to take account of comments received.

Members commented on the increasing trend at Development Control Committee for developers to quote viability as a reason for not undertaking development. Councillor Dennis Edgerley, Executive Member for LDF and Planning agreed this was an issue and that the Council would monitor the frequency with which developers use the viability argument.

Councillor Dennis Edgerley, Executive Member for LDF and Planning proposed, Councillor Paul Walmsley, Chair of the Development Control Committee seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the Open Space and Playing Pitch Supplementary Planning Document be approved for adoption as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

There were no questions received under Procedure Rule 8.

There were no notices of motions received under Procedure Rule 10.

The Mayor informed Members that he had accepted the following two urgent items of business on the basis that their consideration could not be postponed until the next scheduled meeting of the Council.

·         Landsbanki: Proposal to Factor Debt

·         Market Walk

The Mayor then proposed an adjournment to allow Members to fully consider the reports which had been circulated at the meeting and for which the press and public were likely to be excluded.

At this point the meeting was adjourned and later reconvened.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED – that the press and public be excluded for the remaining two items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the attached urgent item of business, a report of the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer.

Members considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer on a proposal from the Local Government Association in relation to the Landsbanki debt with Chorley Council.

The Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

To consider the attached urgent item of business, a report of the Chief Executive and Executive Leader.

Members considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and Executive Leader on the potential for the Council to purchase the Market Walk site which was up for sale by its current owners. The report recommended that a Steering Committee of Councillors be established to investigate the options.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed, the Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded, and it was RESOLVED –