Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 3 June 2014 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

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.

On behalf of the Council the Mayor expressed sympathy to the family of Donald Simkin who had passed away in June.  Mr Simkin had been Mayor of the Borough in 1993/4. 

The Mayor then gave an update on forthcoming fundraising events, in particular a charity golf day to be held on 2 September at Duxbury Park Golf Course. 

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.

Report of the Chief Executive (enclosed).

Members received the Annual Report for 2013/14.  Councillor Alistair Bradley highlighted several key achievements, including the Working Together With Families Programme, the Chorley Time Credits Programme and connecting communities through food pilot.  A range of improvements to the town centre have been made and local businesses have benefitted from grants for improvements and expansion.  The development of the inward investment plan had promoted economic growth in the borough and helped to create jobs. 

The Council was proactively working with partners to deliver the Friday Street Health Centre and had taken steps to become a Dementia Friendly Community.  The Council had delivered 129 affordable homes and put Chorley on the national map with the entry to Britain in Bloom.  The success of the high street Credit Union was proving an alternative to pay day lenders.  The recent Peer Challenge Review highlighted what the Council was doing well and identified where the Council could improve. 

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of the Council proposed and Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the Chorley Council Annual Report be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive on a revision to the Fleet Street/Gillibrand Street Masterplan (enclosed).

Members considered the Fleet Street/Gillibrand Street Masterplan which had been subject to a five week consultation.

Over 100 responses had been received and following this, the Masterplan had been revised.  The key points raised by the consultation included concerns over the loss of West Street Car Park, the protection of the St Johns Ambulance Hall and the former hospital building.  Other comments were generally about car parking and support for the potential provision of an extra care facility. 

Members supported the revision of the Masterplan and thanked the Council for acting on the consultation received.  Councillor Peter Wilson gave assurances that West Street Car Park would not be built on, that discussions would take place for the St Johns Ambulance Hall to remain or be replaced, and that the hospital building façade would be retained. 

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources proposed and Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of the Council seconded and it was RESOLVED –

1.         That the results of public consultation on the Fleet Street/Gillibrand Street Masterplan be noted,

2.         That approval be granted to the revised Fleet Street/Gillibrand Street Masterplan being used to inform the delivery of housing/extra care facility,

3.         That the revised Fleet Street/Gillibrand Street Masterplan be adopted for Development Control purposes.

Report of the Chief Executive (enclosed).

Members considered the Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).  SPDs offered local planning authorities the opportunity to add guidance in specific policy areas.  The document had been  prepared in consultation with interested parties. 

The SPD provided an overview of the various renewable and low carbon energy technologies available such as wind turbines and solar power, and identified the planning issues associated with each technology.  The SPD also provided further advice and guidance for applicants on the requirements of the relevant Core Strategy policies. 

18 representations had been received in relation to the consultation and a summary of the main issues raised and how those issues had been addressed were included in Appendix 2 of the report.  Approximately 1,500 people and organisations had been consulted including statutory consultees, other organisations and members of the public that had asked to be kept informed of work on the Local Plan.

Councillor Paul Walmsey, Executive Member for Public Protection proposed and Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of the Council seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the Renewable and Low Carbon Energy SPD be adopted as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

General report of the Executive Cabinet on 26 June 2014 (enclosed).

Members considered a general report of the meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 26 June 2014.

Members raised issues relating to the Croston Flood Management Scheme, the Select Move Overview and Scrutiny Task Group report, the Friday Street Health Centre, the Youth Zone and Young Peoples’ Champion post. 

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

Annual report of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2013/14 (enclosed).

Members considered the Annual Report on Overview and Scrutiny in 2013/14 and noted the achievements of the Committee during the last Municipal Year. 

Councillor Steve Holgate, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2013/14, proposed and Councillor Mark Perks, Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2013/14, seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

General report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 10 April and 19 June 2104 (enclosed).

Members considered a general report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 10 April and 19 June, including updates on the work of scrutiny task groups.

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

General Report of the Governance Committee held on 25 June 2104 (enclosed).

Members considered a general report of the meeting of Governance Committee held on 25 June 2014.

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

Report of the Head of Governance (enclosed) which was approved at Governance Committee on 25 June and requires full Council approval.

Members considered a report seeking approval to an amended procedure for the dealing of complaints made under the code of conduct for Members. This included the provision of guidance on the role of the Independent Member. 

Councillor Paul Leadbetter, Chair of the Governance Committee proposed and Councillor Julia Berry, Vice Chair, seconded and it was RESOLVED – That approval be granted to the proposed amendments to the Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints about the Conduct of Existing Members in accordance with the report and the Monitoring Officer be authorised to finalise the wording and incorporate those changes into the Council’s Constitution.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (enclosed).

Members considered a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel with recommendations about the Members Allowances Scheme and some consequential changes required to the Constitution.

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

1.         That approval be granted to the allowance paid to the role of Member Responsible (formally Portfolio Champions) at £714.27.

2.         That approval be granted to the creation of a role for Council Champions with an allowance of £314.44.

3.         That approval be granted to the definition of a Portfolio Champion being maintained and renamed as Member Responsible and the consequential Constitutional changes be approved.

4.         That approval be granted to the definition of a Council Champion, as set out in the report, and the consequential Constitutional changes; and

5.         That approval be granted to the proposals of the IRP in relation to reviewing support for Councillors with disabilities/health issues.

To approve the following Conservative Group changes to Council Appointments for 2014/15.

·         Councillor John Walker to be appointed as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel.

·         Councillor Mark Perks to replace Councillor Greg Morgan as a member of the General Purposes Committee; the Market Walk Steering Group; the Appointments Panel; and the Chief Executive’s Performance Review.

·         Councillor Greg Morgan to replace Councillor Mark Perks as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and as a substitute member of Development Control Committee.

·         Councillor Mick Muncaster to replace Councillor Henry Caunce as a member of the Governance Committee.

·         Councillor John Dalton to be appointed to the Equality Forum.

·         Councillor Kevin Joyce to be appointed as a full member of the Market Walk Steering Committee rather than a substitute.

·         Councillor John Walker to replace Councillor Mick Muncaster on Chorley and District Sports Forum.

Members were asked to approve the following Conservative Group changes to Council Appointments for 2014/15.

Councillor Mark Perks, Leader of the Conservative Group proposed and Councillor Paul Leadbetter, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group seconded and it was RESOLVED –

1.         Councillor John Walker be appointed as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel.

2.         Councillor Mark Perks to replace Councillor Greg Morgan as a member of the General Purposes Committee; the Market Walk Steering Group; the Appointments Panel; and the Chief Executive’s Performance Review.

3.         Councillor Greg Morgan to replace Councillor Mark Perks as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Performance Panel and as a substitute member of Development Control Committee.

4.         Councillor Mick Muncaster to replace Councillor Henry Caunce as a member of the Governance Committee.

5.         Councillor John Dalton be appointed to the Equality Forum.

6.         Councillor Kevin Joyce be appointed as a full member of the Market Walk Steering Committee rather than a substitute.

7.         Councillor John Walker to replace Councillor Mick Muncaster on Chorley and District Sports Forum.

There were no questions under Procedure Rule 8.

The following Motion has been submitted by Councillor Bev Murray:

Chorley Council supports the residents of Buckshaw Village and the patient participate group in their efforts to oppose the termination of the contract for Doctor Nimal at Buckshaw Village surgery.  The Council believes that an excellent service is provided at the surgery and the decision by NHS England to terminate the contract and tender out the service undermines the good work that has been done.

The Council condemns the Tory led government putting dogma before common sense insisting that all NHS contracts go out to tende. The Council will continue to support the work of the MP, elected representatives and local residents to protect the current service in the interests of local users.

The following Motion was submitted by Councillor Bev Murray:

Chorley Council supports the residents of Buckshaw Village and the patient participate group in their efforts to oppose the termination of the contract for Doctor Nimal at Buckshaw Village surgery.  The Council believes that an excellent service is provided at the surgery and the decision by NHS England to terminate the contract and tender out the service undermines the good work that has been done.

The Council condemns the Tory led government putting dogma before common sense insisting that all NHS contracts go out to tender. The Council will continue to support the work of the MP, elected representatives and local residents to protect the current service in the interests of local users.

Councillor Mark Perks expressed concerns. He proposed, and Councillor Paul Leadbetter seconded, the following amendment to the second paragragh of the motion:

“To consult with and act in the best interests of the patients of Buckshaw Village Surgery.  The Patient Participation Group at Buckshaw Village Surgery is deeply concerned to hear that the contract for Dr Muttucumaru and his team is to be terminated in 12 months and put out to tender.  As patients of the surgery, we do not believe this is in our best interests and we are distressed that is has been done without any patient consultation”.

On being put to the vote, Councillors cast their vote for the amended motion as follows:

FOR: Councillors Eric Bell, Henry Caunce, John Dalton, Doreen Dickinson, Keith Iddon, Paul Leadbetter, Greg Morgan, Michael Muncaster, Mark Perks, John Walker.

AGAINST: Councillors Julia Berry, Alistair Bradley, Charlie Bromilow, Terry Brown, Jean Cronshaw, Matthew Crow, Graham Dunn, Robert Finnamore, Christopher France, Gordon France, Margaret France, Anthony Gee, Danny Gee, Mike Handley, Steve Holgate, Mark Jarnell, Hasina Khan, Adrian Lowe, Marion Lowe, Matthew Lynch, June Molyneaux, Alistair Morwood, Steve Murfitt, Bev Murray, Pauline Phipps, Dave Rogerson, Joyce Snape, Kim Snape, Ralph Snape, Richard Toon, Paul Walmsley, Alan Whittaker, Peter Wilson, Roy Lees.

The vote was therefore LOST.

Councillor Bev Murray, then proposed, and Councillor Steve Holgate, seconded, that the motion as circulated to all Councillors be approved.

On being put to the vote, Councillors cast their vote as follows:

FOR: Councillors Julia Berry, Alistair Bradley, Charlie Bromilow, Terry Brown, Jean Cronshaw, Matthew Crow, Graham Dunn, Robert Finnamore, Christopher France, Gordon France, Margaret France, Anthony Gee, Danny Gee, Mike Handley, Steve Holgate, Mark Jarnell, Hasina Khan, Adrian Lowe, Marion Lowe, Matthew Lynch, June Molyneaux, Alistair Morwood, Steve Murfitt, Bev Murray, Pauline Phipps, Dave Rogerson, Joyce Snape, Kim Snape, Ralph Snape, Richard Toon, Paul Walmsley, Alan Whittaker, Peter Wilson, Roy Lees.

AGAINST: Councillors Eric Bell, Henry Caunce, John Dalton, Doreen Dickinson, Keith Iddon, Paul Leadbetter, Greg Morgan, Michael Muncaster, Mark Perks, John Walker.

The vote was therefore CARRIED and the motion approved.