Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Magda Cullens, David Dickinson, Chris France, Marie Gray, Greg Morgan and Pauline Phipps.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 September 2013 be approved and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on 11 November 2013 be approved and signed as a correct record with the inclusion of, at the request of Councillor Joyce, the following sentence at the end of the fourth paragraph of Minute No 13.C.89

“There is no mitigation should those risks occur.”

2.    It was noted that the purchase of the Market Walk Shopping Centre had now been completed and the Market Walk Steering Committee would meet again in the new year.

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.

Councillor Kim Snape declared a non pecuniary interest in the item - Public Footpath No. 6 Adlington: Public Path Diversion Order 2013.

The Mayor thanked everyone who attended the Remembrance Sunday Parade and service at St Laurence and the Cenotaph. The turnout by local people was greater than ever for the Service of Remembrance around the Cenotaph.

The Mayor updated on his forthcoming fundraising events, the Charity Ball on 14 February and a Cabaret Night hosted by Dave Spikey on 28 March 2014. He also referred to other fundraising opportunities including his Christmas Raffle and donations instead of sending Christmas Cards.

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 report of the Chief Executive.

Members considered a report of the Chief Executive presented by Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance, seeking approval to a refresh of the Council’s Corporate Strategy for 2013/14 to 2016/17.

The report summarised the performance of the Corporate Strategy in 2012/13 and proposed changes for 2013/14. Over 70% of projects were completed or nearing completion with the rest set to deliver by March 2014.

The proposals for 2013/14 retained the current priorities but with 20 new projects to support those priorities. These were contained within a schedule along with what the projects expected to achieve and the measures which would demonstrate success. The proposed new Corporate Strategy diagram was appended to the report.

In presenting the report, Councillor Peter Wilson, said that the proposals built on work carried out in the last 12 months with the key themes remaining in place, targeting resources where they were needed. Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader reported that resident satisfaction had increased and remained highest in the rural areas. There was, however, a need to tackle problems in some rural areas with, for example, initiatives to deal with social isolation, working with key partners from the LSP.

Members also considered a report from the Conservative Group containing their proposals for Corporate Strategy Development, presented by Councillor Paul Leadbetter, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group. This contained proposals for a new vision and values and four strategic priorities with associated objectives. Councillor Leadbetter reported that the focus of the strategy was on value, delivering for a cost that was affordable.

Members debated both sets of proposals with questions on proposals to reduce debt; comments on the purchase of Market Walk Shopping Centre; measures to tackle the high rate of alcohol consumption by young people; the plight of ”the working poor”; and the merits of a shop local campaign.

Councillor Paul Leadbetter, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group proposed, and Councillor Kevin Joyce seconded, an amendment to adopt the Conservative Group proposals for a Corporate Strategy as set out in the report circulated at the meeting. On being put to the vote, the motion was LOST.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance proposed, Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the Corporate Strategy for 2013/14 to 2016/17 be approved as set out in the report of the Chief Executive.

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

The Director of Partnership, Planning and Policy submitted a report presented by Councillor Dennis Edgerley, Executive Member for Planning and LDF, suggesting amendments to the current terms of reference for the Local Development Framework Joint Advisory Committee with Preston and South Ribble Councils.

The Joint Advisory Committee had been set up in 2008 to progress the Central Lancashire Core Strategy to adoption. Whilst this had been achieved, the authorities still needed to work together on Supplementary Planning Documents and site allocation Local Plan documents. In addition, the success of the City Deal bid which predominantly involves Preston and South Ribble Councils had led to greater Lancashire County Council involvement. It was still important for Chorley to be involved in the discussions because of the implications for housing. Chorley would only have observer status on City Deal project items.

The business and governance arrangements of the Joint Advisory Committee were originally set out in a Legal Agreement which would need revising.

Councillor Dennis Edgerley, Executive Member for Planning and LDF proposed, Councillor Paul Walmsley, Chair of Development Control Committee seconded and it was RESOLVED –

1.    That the revised terms of reference for the Joint Advisory Committee be approved as set out in paragraph 8a to 8e in the report;

2.    That the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy in consultation with the Head of Governance be authorised to negotiate and conclude a legal agreement setting out the revised governance arrangements for the Joint Advisory Committee; and

3.    The Executive Member for LDF and Planning be given delegated authority to sign off the legal agreement.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Governance.

The Head of Governance submitted a report requesting approval to the diversion of footpath No 6 at Fairview Farm, Adlington. Since the construction of the Fairview housing estate the original route of the footpath had been deemed by the Public Rights of Way Officer not wide enough and therefore it was proposed to divert it. The report contained the detail of the legal processes required and also a plan of the estate with the existing and proposed new routes.

Councillor Paul Walmsley, Chair of Development Control Committee proposed and Councillor Dennis Edgerley seconded it and it was RESOLVED – that the Head of Governance be authorised to make a diversion order under s.119 Highways Act 1980 in respect of the lengths of public Footpath No. 6 as shown on the Map attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Head of Governance be also authorised to arrange any necessary press advertisement about the order and serve notice on consultees prescribed in legislation.