Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Mayor invited Members to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Terry Brown, former councillor and Mayor of Chorley in 2008 to 2009 who sadly passed away on 13 January. 

Decision (unanimous) that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 November 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.

There were no declarations of interests received.

The Mayor advised that the 007 Casino Royale Charity Ball will be held on 26 March.  There will also be a Chorley In Bloom Gardening Event on 19 March. 

The Mayor also congratulated Dave Ryding on winning Great Britain's first Alpine skiing World Cup by taking first place in the Kitzbuhel Slalom.

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.

To view the procedure for public questions/ speaking click here and scroll to page 119

There were no public questions for consideration.

To consider a general report of the Executive Cabinet meetings held on 11 November and 9 December.  The report from the meeting held on 20 January will follow.

Noted.

Members considered a general report of the meetings of Executive Cabinet held on 11 November and 9 December.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, queried the deadline for the submission of the next round of Neighbourhood Area projects and was advised that the projects need to be selected at each of the forthcoming meetings. 

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

To receive and consider the general report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 30 September, the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meetings held on 28 October and 16 December and Task Group update.

The report from the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meeting held on 13 January will follow. 

Noted.

Members considered a general report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 30 September, the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meetings held on 28 October and 16 December and 13 January and Task Group update.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Walker proposed and the Councillor Hasina Khan seconded the (unanimous) Decision that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the general report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 24 November.  The report of the meeting held on 19 January will follow.

Noted.

Members considered a general report of the meetings of the Governance Committee held on 24 November and 19 January.

The Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Debra Platt proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Hasina Khan seconded the (unanimous) Decision that the report be noted.

To appoint

Councillor Mark Clifford to the Governance Committee in place of Councillor Sarah Ainsworth.

Councillor Karen Derbyshire as a Help the Homeless trustee. 

To appoint

1.         Councillor Mark Clifford to the Governance Committee in place of Councillor Sarah Ainsworth.

2.         Councillor James Nevett as reserve on the Governance Committee in place of Councillor Mark Clifford

3.         Councillors Sarah Ainsworth and Magda Cullens as second reserve on the Governance Committee

4.         Councillor Karen Derbyshire as a Help the Homeless trustee.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the (unanimous) Decision to approve the following changes to committees and outside bodies:

Committee appointments

·                Councillor Mark Clifford to the Governance Committee in place of Councillor Sarah Ainsworth

·                Councillor James Nevett as reserve on the Governance Committee in place of Councillor Mark Clifford

·                Councillors Sarah Ainsworth and Magda Cullens as second reserve on the Governance Committee

Outside Body appointment

Councillor Karen Derbyshire as a Help the Homeless trustee.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Planning and Development.

To establish a budget and to purchase the land off Burgh Lane to encompass it into Yarrow Valley Country Park for the purpose of tree planting and habitat protection at a cost of £250,000 funded through borrowing.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which sought approval to purchase land off Burgh Lane adjacent to Yarrow Valley Country Park for the purposes of biodiversity net gain and to increase the land mass of the Country Park. 

No additional investment is needed to alter the land at present as it already functions as part of the Country Park.  The existing ranger team and volunteers will continue to incorporate the land into the maintenance plans for the park.  The land includes ancient woodland designated as Biological Heritage Site, steep valleys, rolling grassland, pond and a pasture field. It is a mature landscape presenting a mixed mosaic of habitats that are all advised to be protected.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, noted his support for the project but expressed concern that borrowing was proposed to fund it as other options to achieve carbon neutrality were available.  Councillor Wilson noted the Council has a Climate Change strategy which sets out the actions proposed in this area. 

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Debra Platt, queried if an adjoining parcel of land might be included within the project in the future.  It was noted that this would be considered as an option moving forwards.

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

To establish a budget and to purchase the land off Burgh Lane to encompass it into Yarrow Valley Country Park for the purpose of tree planting and habitat protection at a cost of £250,000 funded through borrowing.

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

1.         Consider the recommendation of the Governance Committee.

2.         Approve that Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited be recommissioned to act as the appointing person for the appointment of an external auditor for Chorley Council for the five financial years commencing 1 April 2023.

The Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Debra Platt presented the report of the Director of Governance which set out the options available to the Council for the appointment of an external auditor for the period 2023/24 to 2027/28.  The report had previously been considered by the Governance Committee.

The Council must appoint an external auditor to audit its accounts and make a decision whether to opt into the national arrangement for the procurement of external audit or procure external audit for itself. 

The Chair of the Governance Committee, Councillor Debra Platt proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Hasina Khan seconded the (unanimous) Decision

1.         To note the recommendation of the Governance Committee.

2.         To approve that Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited be recommissioned to act as the appointing person for the appointment of an external auditor for Chorley Council for the five financial years commencing 1 April 2023.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive.

1.         Support the outline "Our New Deal for a Greater Lancashire" at Appendix 1 as the initial draft basis for further discussion and development of a possible County Deal for the Lancashire area;

2.         Agree the principles of governance as set out in Appendix 2 for any future deal; an

3.         Agree that the Leader of the Council continues to work with Lancashire Leaders in line with the principles agreed in recommendations 1 and 2 above, and note that any formal proposals will require approval by Full Council at the appropriate time.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Chief Executive which updated Members on work undertaken towards development of strengthened joint working, a long term strategic plan and a County Deal for the Lancashire area and seek agreement to progress this work.

The report would be considered by the Full Council of each of the fifteen local authorities in Lancashire, the county council, two unitary authorities and each of the 12 district councils.

The report set out the general principles and high level priorities of a long term strategic plan and County Deal.  As progress is made, more details about specific asks would be developed, and there would be opportunities for all of the partner authorities to contribute to and influence that, including identifying specific schemes and activities.

Councillor Aidy Riggott noted the significant contribution made by Councillor Bradley and Gary Hall in getting to this point. 

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

1.         Support the outline "Our New Deal for a Greater Lancashire" at Appendix 1 as the initial draft basis for further discussion and development of a possible County Deal for the Lancashire area;

2.         Agree the principles of governance as set out in Appendix 2 for any future deal; an

3.             Agree that the Leader of the Council continues to work with Lancashire Leaders in line with the principles agreed in recommendations 1 and 2 above, and note that any formal proposals will require approval by Full Council at the appropriate time.

No questions were asked under Council Procedure Rule 8.

To consider the attached notice of motion submitted by Councillor Alan Cullens.

To defer consideration of this item until the next meeting.  

Councillor Alan Cullens presented a Motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.  This was seconded by Councillor Aidy Riggott.

An amendment was proposed by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, this was seconded by Councillor Mark Clifford.

Following debate it was proposed to defer consideration of this item until the next meeting by the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, which was seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Debra Platt.

Decision (unanimous) To defer consideration of this item until the next meeting. 

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).

Approved.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the (unanimous) 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 Planning and Development.

1.         Approval of the outline budget to deliver the project.

2.         Note the management and lease arrangement of the building and land.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the confidential report of the Director of Planning and Development. 

The purpose of the report was to obtain Member approval of the budget to deliver a new archery facility and associated infrastructure at Wigan Lane Playing Field in Chorley.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Executive Member for Planning and Development, Councillor Alistair Morwood seconded the (unanimous) Decision

1.         To approve the outline budget to deliver the project.

2.         To note the management and lease arrangement of the building and land.

To receive and consider the report Director of Customer and Digital. 

1.         To establish a capital budget of £1.120million, in respect of the councils share of ICT spend in a joint procurement between Chorley Council and South Ribble Council.

2.         To fund capital expenditure through the repurposing of existing budget and reserves, but to note that further work will be undertaken over the coming weeks, as we approach the end of the financial year, to consider if there are any advantages to funding some of the costs of the proposal through borrowing; if borrowing is deemed to be preferable, then approval for a change in the proposed funding mechanism will be presented to Council.

3.         Agreement in principle to repurpose existing infrastructure and formulae to distribute cost between the respective councils. This be determined later under delegated powers by the Executive Member (Resources) at Chorley Council and Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) at South Ribble Council.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the confidential report of the Director of Customer and Digital.

The purpose of the report was to seek approval to allocate the necessary capital funding for the procurement of ICT hardware, software, and professional services.

Members noted that detail of the procurement will be considered by the Executive Cabinet.  The schemes would be added to the capital programme and monitored through the usual budget monitoring processes.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed, the Executive Member (Customer and Streetscene Services), Councillor Adrian Lowe seconded, the (unanimous) Decision

1.         To establish a capital budget of £1.120million, in respect of the councils share of ICT spend in a joint procurement between Chorley Council and South Ribble Council.

2.         To fund capital expenditure through the repurposing of existing budget and reserves, but to note that further work will be undertaken over the coming weeks, as we approach the end of the financial year, to consider if there are any advantages to funding some of the costs of the proposal through borrowing; if borrowing is deemed to be preferable, then approval for a change in the proposed funding mechanism will be presented to Council.

3.         Agreement in principle to repurpose existing infrastructure and formulae to distribute cost between the respective councils. This be determined later under delegated powers by the Executive Member (Resources) at Chorley Council and Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) at South Ribble Council.