Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the last meeting held on 14 April 2015 be approved 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.

The Chief Executive as Returning Officer will report that the following persons were duly elected as Councillors for the wards stated at the Borough Elections on 7 May 2015:

The Returning Officer reported on the results of the Borough Elections on 7 May 2015, with Councillors elected as follows:

The Mayor and the Executive Leader formally welcomed all newly elected Councillors to the meeting, and paid tribute to the work of Councillors Rogerson and Holgate who had not been re- elected on 7 May 2015.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item on the agenda will be asked to put their question(s) to the Council.  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one supplementary question within his/her allocated 3 minutes. 

There were no public questions for consideration.

Report of the Chief Executive  (attached).

The Mayor reported that this item of business had been withdrawn from the agenda and would be considered at the next Council meeting on 21 July 2015.

To formally elect the Mayor of the Borough for 2015/16.

It was formally proposed by Councillor Danny Gee, and seconded by Councillor Anthony Gee, that Councillor Marion Lowe be elected as Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

RESOLVED – that Councillor Marion Lowe be elected as Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council year.

Councillor Marion Lowe in the Chair

The Mayor signed the declaration of acceptance of office and thanked all present for her election to the office of Mayor. She informed Members that she would be undertaking fundraising activities throughout her Mayoral year in support of St Catherine’s Hospice, Derian House and Home-Start, plus Cuerden Valley Park Trust, Crossroads Chorley and the PDSA. The Mayor introduced her husband, Councillor Adrian Lowe as her Consort for the year.

To formally elect the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for 2015/16.

It was formally proposed by Councillor Mark Perks and seconded by Councillor John Walker that Councillor David Dickinson be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

RESOLVED – That Councillor David Dickinson be elected as Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

The Deputy Mayor signed the declaration of acceptance of office and introduced his granddaughter Lydia Dickinson, as his Deputy Mayoress for the year.

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 his year in office.

The Mayor presented the Retiring Mayor, Councillor Roy Lees with a portrait of himself in the Mayoral Robes; a past Mayor’s badge of office; and a plaque bearing the Council’s Coat of Arms, as tokens of his past year of office as Mayor of Chorley. The Retiring Mayoress, Mrs Margaret Lees was presented with a past Mayoress’s badge of office.

Political group leaders and ward colleagues paid tribute to the Retiring Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Roy and Margaret Lees for an extremely successful Mayoral year with the organisation of many excellent fundraising events in aid of their chosen charities.

Councillor Roy Lees responded, saying he had been proud to serve as Mayor of the Borough, it had been both an honour and a privilege. He thanked Members and staff for their support and Reverend Cox for serving as his chaplain. He thanked all who had supported his fundraising events and was pleased to announce that he and his Mayoress had raised over £21,000 towards their chosen charities.

Councillor Lees presented to the Council, two plaques for the Mayor’s Parlour, to accompany the photographs of the first and current Mayors of the Borough.

To receive a report of the Executive Leader (enclosed).

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader informed the Council of his appointments to the Executive Cabinet for 2015/16.

Appointment to the Executive Cabinet and portfolio support roles were reported as follows:

RESOLVED – that the appointments be noted.

To approve the appointment of Members of the Council to Committees, Working Groups, etc and to note shadow appointments for 2015/16 (information enclosed).

The Council considered a schedule of nominations for the appointment of committees, working groups and panels in accordance with the political balance of the Council, together with nominations to Chair and Vice Chair positions and a list of shadow portfolio positions.

The Executive Leader proposed, the Executive Member for Resources seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the following appointments be approved for 2015/16:

To appoint Members to represent the Council on outside bodies in 2015/16 (information enclosed).

A schedule of nominations for the appointment of Council representatives on outside bodies for the forthcoming Council year was circulated, with an amendment proposed at the meeting to replace Councillor Alan Whittaker with Councillor Steve Murfitt on the CCH Board.

The Executive Leader proposed, the Executive Member for Resources seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the following appointments (as amended) be approved for 2015/16:

To confirm the following timetable of Council Meetings for 2015/16. Meetings will be held in the Council Chamber at Chorley Town Hall starting at 6.30pm:

·         6 June 2015 – (Special Meeting to award Freedom of the Borough to 3 Medical Regiment)

·         21 July 2015

·         22 September 2015

·         24 November 2015 (Policy Council)

·         19 January 2016

·         1 March 2016 (Budget Council)

·         12 April 2016

The Executive Leader proposed and the Executive Member for Resources seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the Council Meetings in 2015/16 take place as follows:

6 June 2015 (Special meeting to award Freedom of the Borough)

21 July 2015

22 September 2015

24 November 2015 (Policy Council)

19 January 2016

1 March 2016 (Budget Council)

12 April 2016

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following item 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 to the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – that the press and public be excluded from the following two items of business on the grounds that it is likely that exempt information will be disclosed as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act.

Option 3 Proposals (enclosed).

Councillor Graham Dunn, Executive Member for Resources presented an update on the corporate project to develop a business case for an extra care scheme on Fleet Street, including the architect and site survey work and findings of the financial viability modelling.

Members considered a detailed report of the Director of Customer and Advice Services which sought approval to proceed with the project including the selection of one of four alternative design options and their associated capital costs. The timescale for the project had been brought forward to enable a bid to be made to a recently announced Care and Specialised Housing Fund from the Homes and Communities Agency. Fund criteria included older persons extra care, physical or learning disabilities and those with dementia.

The report indicated a preference for design Option 3 and recommended a financial model with proposals for working with Lancashire County Council on the scheme which was subject to their approval.

All political party leaders spoke in support of the Extra Care Scheme which would be a flagship scheme for the Council and could make a real difference for local residents.

Councillor Graham Dunn, Executive Member for Customer and Advice Services proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources seconded and it was RESOLVED -

Report of the Director of Public Protection, Streetscene and Community (attached).

The Executive Member for Resources presented a report seeking approval to the contract award for the extension at Clayton Brook Village Hall and a budget transfer in order to meet the difference between the estimated cost of the scheme and the contract price.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources proposed, Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member for Community Services seconded, and it was RESOLVED -

2.         The proposed budget transfer to meet the shortfall between the estimated cost of the extension and the actual contract price be approved.