Agenda and minutes

The Mayor invited Members to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Elizabeth Raby, former councillor and Mayor of Chorley in 1977-78 who sadly passed away on 7 May.

Decision (unanimous) that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 13 April 2021 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.

Councillors Alan Cullens and Aidy Riggott declared a personal interest in item 11. Notice of Motion. 

The Mayor advised that plans are being developed to hold a special Council meeting to celebrate both retiring Councillors and to welcome newly elected Councillors.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Martin Boardman as the new Leader of the Opposition.  He also welcomed Louise Mattinson as the new Director of Finance and Section 151 officer.

To receive the report of the Returning Officer.

The Mayor congratulated all those Councillors who had been elected or re-elected on 6 May 2021 and in particular welcomed the new and returning Councillors.

The Returning Officer’s report indicated election results as follows:

Decision: that the report be noted.

To elect an Executive Leader for the Council. This is a four-year appointment.

The Mayor advised this item was not required. 

To receive a report of the Executive Leader.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader informed the Council of his appointments to the Executive Cabinet for 2021/22 and welcomed Councillor Peter Gabbott as the new Executive Member for Homes and Housing.

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

Decision: That the appointments be noted, including the correction of Development Control to Planning within the Planning and Development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.C.43

To approve the appointment of Members of the Council to Committees, Working Groups, etc and to note shadow appointments for 2021/22.

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.

Councillor Debra Platt (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) noted the proposed change in time for certain Licensing meetings and suggested this be considered further prior to implementation.  Following legal advice it was noted that the time of the meetings was not part of the decision under consideration, but it was suggested that a discussion be held following this meeting to resolve the matter. 

The Executive Leader Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed, the Deputy Leader Councillor Peter Wilson seconded, the unanimous Decision that the following appointments be approved for 2021/22:

To appoint Members of the Council to represent the Authority on outside bodies in 2021/22.

A schedule of nominations for the appointment of Council representatives on outside bodies for the forthcoming Council year was circulated.

The Executive Leader Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded, a unanimous Decision that appointments to outside bodies be approved as follows:

To note the programme of Council Meetings for 2021/22:

·                20 July 2021

·                28 September 2021

·                16 November 2021

·                25 January 2022

·                22 February 2022

·                19 April 2022

·                17 May 2022

Councillors noted the programme of Council Meetings for 2021/22 as follows:

·                29 June 2021 (celebration event)

·                20 July 2021

·                28 September 2021

·                16 November 2021 (Special)

·                25 January 2022

·                22 February 2022 (Special)

·                19 April 2022

·                17 May 2022

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

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel which set out recommendations to the Council following their review of Members’ Allowances.

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

1.         That the attached Member Allowances Scheme be approved in its current format with effect from 19 May 2021.

2.         That alternative reward systems be considered, similar to those offered to staff (perhaps with the Member Support Working Group).

3.         The role descriptions within the Constitution be reviewed and updated with the Member Support Working Group.

4.             The Member Allowances Scheme be reviewed again in 12 months to monitor any changes, including the provision of a mileage rate for electric vehicles.

With the agreement of the Mayor an urgent Notice of Motion has been accepted, on the basis that it is time constrained. 

The enclosed Notice of Motion has been submitted by Councillor Hasina Khan.

Councillors Alan Cullens and Aidy Riggott declared a personal interest in this item as members of Lancashire County Council. 

The Mayor advised that his had accepted an urgent Notice of Motion presented by Councillor Hasina Khan, on the basis that it is time constrained.  The item was debated following legal advice supporting the acceptance of the item by the Mayor.

Notice of Motion – Grant Maintained Nurseries

“Chorley Council requires the Council Leader to write to the Leader and CEO of Lancashire County Council to demand that it immediately halt the recently announced consultation in to the future of Grant Maintained Nurseries which could see some of the county's 24 maintained nurseries closed including Highfield and Duke St Nurseries here in Chorley.

As we have not yet fully emerged from the Covid- 19 pandemic and face issues of educational ability resulting from education closures and lockdowns, this Council believes that such a consultation is ill-timed and premature. Further we urge Lancashire County Council ask the government to immediately confirm the extension of supplementary funding to 2022, as well as finally providing the long-term funding solution that has been repeatedly promised in the past”.

Councillor Julia Berry seconded the motion and spoke in support of it.

Following debate the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, requested a recorded vote.

For: Councillors Steve Holgate, Julia Berry, Sarah Ainsworth, Aaron Beaver, Alistair Bradley, Mark Clifford, Karen Derbyshire, Gordon France, Margaret France, Peter Gabbott, Danny Gee, Alex Hilton, Terry Howarth, Hasina Khan, Samir Khan, Zara Khan, Roy Lees, Matthew Lynch, June Molyneaux, Alistair Morwood, Bev Murray, James Nevett, Jean Sherwood, Kim Snape, Jenny Whiffen, Alan Whittaker, Peter Wilson.

Against:

Abstention: Martin Boardman, Sam Chapman, Alan Cullens, Magda Cullens, John Dalton, Harold Heaton, Keith Iddon, Alan Platt, Debra Platt, Aidy Riggott, William Simmance, Christine Turner, John Walker.