Decision: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 November 2019 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor, subject to the inclusion of “taking a walk on Market Street, Fazakerly Street and Chapel Street there were 27 empty retail units” within the comments of the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman at 19.C.90. 

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 interests received.

The Mayor highlighted the work undertaken by the Council and Chorley Prince’s Trust relating to a 16-week programme and the positive impact of this. 

The Mayor advised that future charity events include her Valentine’s Bollywood Charity Ball on 14 February and the Mayor’s Charity Concert with Sing It Big Community Choir on Tuesday 24 March.

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 for consideration.

To receive and consider a general report of the Executive Cabinet meetings held on 17 October and 14 November 2019 and 16 January 2020 (came to follow). 

Members considered a general report of the meeting of Executive Cabinet held on 17 October, 14 November 2019 and 16 January 2020.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, requested an update on the Cowling Farm site.  A letter has been received from Homes England and an update will be presented to a future meeting of the Executive Cabinet. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the Decision – that the report be noted.

To consider and receive the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

The Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy reported that working balances are currently maintained at £4.0m due to the financial risks facing the Council. After the contribution to the Shared Services reserve of £90k from in-year underspends, the forecast level of balances at 31 March 2020 will be £4.0m. It should be noted however that there may be further call for the use of general balances throughout 2019/20.

In the 2019/20 budget the expected net income from Market Walk after deducting financing costs is £1.046m.  There is currently one vacant unit within Mark Walk. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, queried the loss of income in relation from vacant properties reported as £70k.  The details will be forwarded following the meeting. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, noted the fall in income levels for Building Control fees and staffing shortages within the team.  The Executive Member (Public Protection), Councillor Alistair Morwood, reported that two members of staff have been recruited and are undertaking the necessary training to bring their existing qualifications up to date.  Further details will be provided following the meeting.   

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the unanimous Decision – that approval be given to the following:

1.         To note that Executive Cabinet noted the full year forecast position for the 2019/20 revenue budget and capital investment programme.

2.         To note that Executive Cabinet noted the forecast position on the Council's reserves.

3.    To approve the capital programme to be delivered in 2019/20 to 2021/22 and to approve that the remaining £105k Recreation Pitch Strategy will be re-invested to enhance play areas and fund environmental improvements. £170k was set aside as part of the 2015/16 budget to support the Play, Open Space and Playing Pitch Strategy. To date £65k has been provided to Cuerden Valley Visitor Centre.

To receive and consider the general report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 26 September 2019, the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meetings held on 10 October 2019 and Task Group update.

Members considered a general report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 September 2019, the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meetings held on 10 October 2019 and Task Group update.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Walker proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Roy Lees seconded the Decision – that the report be noted. 

To receive and consider the general report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 20 November 2019. 

Members considered a general report of the meeting of the Governance Committee held on 20 November 2019.

The Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Debra Platt proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Anthony Gee seconded the DECISION – that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Governance. 

The Mayor advised that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda. 

The Executive Leader requested any comments on the proposals by the end of the following week.

No questions were asked under Council Procedure Rule 8.

No Notices of Motion were presented in accordance with Council procedure Rule 10.

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.

By Virtue of Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the Decision – that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Commercial Services. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the confidential report of the Director of Commercial Services which updates Members on the current lettings position and final costs of the project. 

Councillor Bradley commented on the buzz within the town centre on the Friday before Christmas with the opening of the cinema and escape, which had had a positive impact on many of the retailers within the town centre.  

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, queried the current revenue forecast and noted that details set out in paragraph 53 of the report resolved the query. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the majority Decision –

1.         To approve the agreement of Heads of Terms with a retailer for Units 2&3 combined in the Market Walk Extension.

2.         To authorise the Director of Governance to prepare and complete an Agreement for Lease (if required) and Lease based on the agreed terms with the retailer.

3.         That the Director of Commercial Services have delegated authority to agree any minor changes to these Heads of Terms, such delegation to be exercised in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources.

4.         That the Director of Commercial Services have delegated authority to agree Heads of Terms for units 4 & 5, such delegation to be exercised in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources.

5.         To authorise the Director of Governance to prepare and complete an Agreement for Lease (if required) and Lease based on the agreed terms with tenants for Unit 4 & 5 as above.

6.         To approve additional capital budget to fund variations to contract expenditure. These mostly relate to tenant variation requirements and some of the budget will be recharged to tenants.

7.         To approve additional capital budget to fund foreseeable works combining units 2&3 and 4&5 and requirements of incoming tenants.

8.         To approve additional capital budget incurred in the delivery of the final Market Walk scheme and associated works. This figure includes a CIL payment which is an obligation of the development.