Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Birchall, Buckley, Culshaw and A Gee.

Members of the Council are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the Council Chamber and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

No Member disclosed an interest in relation to matters under consideration at the meeting.

Council meeting held on 12 July 2005 – Confirmation as a correct record as signature by the Mayor

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 12 July 2005 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that Mr Alan Croston, the Head of Planning Services would shortly be leaving the Council after 31 years service with the Authority and along with the Executive Leader, the Executive Member for Development and Planning, the Leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups and Councillor R Snape paid tribute to the dedicated and professional service which Mr Croston had given to the Council and extended best wishes for the future to him.

The Mayor informed Members of the following:

(a)       The Mayor’s Charity Meal would be held after this evening’s Council meeting at 8.00pm in Corellis Bistro, High Street, Chorley. The proceeds will go to Mayoral Charities.

(b)       A nine mile Charity Walk will be held on Saturday 15 October 2005. The route is a Chorley Circular linking Chorley’s countryside and taking in the delights of Frederick Ice Cream Parlour. Sponsor forms are available from the Mayor’s Secretary.

(c)        The sum of £541 was raised from the proceeds of the “Travelling Mulberries” Concert held on 16 September 2005 at St Josephs Parish Centre. The Mayor extended thanks to everyone who attended and/or helped with the arrangements for the event.

General Report

The Chair of the Development Control Committee presented a report summarising the more significant proposals considered at meetings of the Committee held on 26 July and 30 August 2005.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

General Report

The Chair of the Licensing and Safety Committee presented a report summarising the principal matters considered at meetings of the Committee held on 19 July and 24 August 2005 and a meeting of the Statutory Licensing Committee held on 24 August 2005.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

General Report

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented a report summarising the principal matters considered at a meeting of the Committee held on 6 September 2005 and the ongoing work of its Panels.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Executive Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal presented a report recommending amendments to the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution to allow the Head of Housing Services to deal with issues under the Right to Buy legislation.

RESOLVED -That approval be given to the amendment of the Executive

Functions in Appendix 2 of Part D of the Council’s Constitution to allow the

Head of Housing Services to:

i)       consent on behalf of the Council to the addition of family members onto

          Right to Buy applications where either they were not included originally

          or they do not fulfil the 12 months residency requirement; and

ii)      act on behalf of the Council in respect of officers/requests received

          under the Right of First Refusal regulations.

The Executive Member for Environmental Services presented a report

recommending amendments to the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s

Constitution to allow the Head of Environmental Services to deal with

enforcement issues under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act

2005.

RESOLVED -That approval be given to the amendment of the Executive

Functions in Appendix 2, Part D of the Council’s Constitution to allow the

Head of Environmental Services to discharge the following functions pursuant

to Sections 3 and 4 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005:

(i)          authorising the service of notices and the taking of consequential action, including carrying out work in default and the recovery of costs;

(ii)     issuing formal cautions;

(iii)     recommending to the Director of Legal Services the institution of legal

          proceedings; and

(iv)     authorising Officers to exercise statutory powers of entry (including

          attaining warrants)

The Executive Leader presented a report summarising the more significant items of business dealt with at a meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 8 September 2005.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

General Report

The Chair of the Special Committee for the Chief Executive’s Appointment presented a report giving details of the recruitment process undertaken by the Committee, supported by the Consultants, Tribal Executive Resourcing to deal with the appointment of  a new Chief Executive, following the retirement of Mr J W Davies with effect from 2 January 2006.

The Chair of the Committee circulated an addendum report at the meeting which recommended the appointment of Donna M Hall to the post of Chief Executive, following the comprehensive assessment centre held on 15 and 16 September 2005.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the appointment of Donna M Hall to the post of Chief Executive upon the retirement of the current incumbent.