Agenda, decisions and minutes

Decision: That the minutes of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 10 December 2020 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Executive Leader.

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.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the respective Executive Member(s).  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question. 

There were no public questions.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (enclosed).

1.    To grant approval to consult on the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy Action Plan at Appendix 1.

2.    To delegate to the Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Service Reform formal adoption of the final version of the action plan subject to no significant alternations being made.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which seeks to grant approval to consult on the draft Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy (OSSR) Action Plan and where there are no significant amendments or additions, to grant adoption of the plan through Executive Member decision.

In order to support the preparation of the new Central Lancashire Local Plan, consultants Knight, Kavanagh and Page Ltd were commissioned by the three councils of Preston, South Ribble and Chorley to produce evidence detailing the need for open space, sports and recreation provision. The evidence will be used to inform future investment decisions including where developer contributions are required and how they should be used to meet future demand in the Borough through to 2036.

The consultants worked with many stakeholders including sports clubs, teams, parish councils, ward members, national governing bodies, and organisations to produce robust, accurate data which has been distilled into a Chorley Action Plan spanning from 2020-2036. It is proposed to reconsult with these key stakeholders and Members were encouraged to assist with this where links to the groups existed.

Members welcomed the report, in particular how it supported the green agenda through natural greenspaces, wildlife corridors, and woodland management.

Decision:

1.    To grant approval to consult on the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy Action Plan at Appendix 1.

2.    To delegate to the Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Service Reform formal adoption of the final version of the action plan subject to no significant alternations being made.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

Consultation of the document will ensure that the action plan is robust and has the longevity needed to support the forthcoming Local Plan.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

To not refresh the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy, which was rejected on the basis that it would not enable a plan-led approach to improving open spaces and would not support the Local Plan process.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Director of Finance (enclosed).

That members agree the contents of this report in order to start the budget consultation process and note the following proposed budget items, in particular:

·         A proposed 1.99% increase in council tax in 2021/22 with no proposed cuts to services

·         The forecast balanced budget for 2021/22 and the forecast budget position in 2022/23 and 2023/24

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources) presented the report of the Deputy Director of Finance which sets out the budget position for 2021/22 including the forecast for the following 2 years to 2023/24 and also presents the relevant proposals in respect of the use of forecast resources identified in 2021/22 and the budget consultation.

Members noted the proposed Council Tax increase of 1.99% in 2022/23 and 2022/23. This would be revisited every year and would be dependent upon the outcome of the Government announcements regarding the Fair Funding Review and review of the business rates system. It was also noted that investment of approximately £1m would be continued to deliver corporate strategy priorities, alongside capital investments of over £56m in corporate priority projects and strategies to reduce the budget deficit in the medium term.

Members supported the proposed increase in Council Tax and discussed the support available to those who may struggle to pay their council tax because of the challenging circumstances they find themselves in. It was suggested that communications be released highlighting why the council propose the increase. Members also addressed whether parking charges would need to increase in the future and considered the impact this would have on the Town Centre.

Decision:

That members agree the contents of this report in order to start the budget consultation process and note the following proposed budget items, in particular:

·         A proposed 1.99% increase in council tax in 2021/22 with no proposed cuts to services

·         The forecast balanced budget for 2021/22 and the forecast budget position in 2022/23 and 2023/24

Reasons for recommendation(s):

The council wishes to set out its budget proposals and consult on them with residents

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None, this is the draft budget and alternative budgets may be considered as part of the final budget proposal.

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 1972.

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).

Decision: To exclude the press and public for the following items 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 1972.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Customer and Digital (enclosed).

1.    To approve the contract award procedure for a number of joint procurements with South Ribble Council outlined at Appendix 1 for software, hardware and support services.

2.    To approve the use of existing procurement frameworks such as Crown Commercial Services or similar.

3.    To approve the evaluation criteria of 80% cost and 20% quality.

4.    That the decision to award is delegated to the Executive Member of Resources at both Chorley and South Ribble Councils.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources) presented the confidential report of the Director of Customer and Digital which informs members of the proposed shared procurement for ICT hardware, software and support to seek agreement to the sharing of costs and assessment criteria.

Members supported the proposals within the report.

Decision:

1.    To approve the contract award procedure for a number of joint procurements with South Ribble Council outlined at Appendix 1 for software, hardware and support services.

2.    To approve the use of existing procurement frameworks such as Crown Commercial Services or similar.

3.    To approve the evaluation criteria of 80% cost and 20% quality.

4.    That the decision to award is delegated to the Executive Member of Resources at both Chorley and South Ribble Councils.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

1.    By jointly procuring these contracts it ensures alignment of software and hardware across both Authorities supporting Shared Services.

2.    It is anticipated that a joint procurement exercise will achieve greater efficiencies across both Councils.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Each Council could procure software independently, but this would make it very difficult to align software or services in future.