Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor D Gee.

Members of the Executive Cabinet 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 declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 3 November 2005 (copy enclosed)

The public minutes of the meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 3 November 2005 were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Executive Leader.

Scrutiny Inquiry Report produced by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel (copy enclosed)

The Executive Cabinet considered the final report of the inquiry conducted by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Accessibility Cycling as a Leisure Pursuit in Chorley.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Walker) and the Chair of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Councillor McGowan) reported on the main findings and recommendations set out in the report.

Decision made:

That the Head of Public Space Services and Head of Development and Regeneration be requested to examine the feasibility of implementing the recommendations in the report and submit a report to a future meeting of the Executive Cabinet.

Reasons for Decisions:

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

None

Report of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the proposed process for scrutinising the draft budget proposals for 2006/07 (copy enclosed)

The Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Walker) presented a report to inform Members of the Executive Cabinet of the proposed process for scrutinising the Cabinet’s draft budget proposal for 2006/2007, which will be circulated for consultation after the Executive Cabinet meeting scheduled for the 12 January 2006.

Decision made:

That the proposed involvement of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Panels in the 2006/2007 budget consultation process be noted.

Reasons for Decisions:

To enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Panels to contribute effectively to the budget setting process.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

None

Report by SOLACE Enterprises enclosed. The Executive Cabinet is requested to submit a recommendation to the Council meeting on 13 December 2005 that the recommendations in the report be accepted and implemented.

The Executive Cabinet received a report from Solace Enterprises on the Review conducted for the Council on Developing Effective Political Leadership.

Decisions made:

That the Council be recommended to accept and implement the recommendations set out in the report.

Reasons for Decisions:

To strengthen political relationships within the Council and to contribute to the sustainability of the Council, in future by increasing its capacity and embedding ways of working which improve policy development and decision making.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

None.

Report of the Director of Finance (copy enclosed)

The Director of Finance submitted a report setting out the current financial position of the Council as compared against the budgets and efficiency saving targets it set itself for 2005/2006 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account.

Decisions made:

1.         That the report be noted.

2.         That approval be given for the Group Directors to conduct a review of the information, provided in appendix 5, of the report  relating to the potential savings from vacant posts and agency costs. On completing the review, action can then be taken to either terminate or confirm agency positions to the end of the year.

Reasons for Decisions:

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

None.

Report of the Head of Corporate and Policy Services (copy enclosed)

The Head of Corporate and Policy Services submitted a report which sought agreement to a suggested response to the Audit Commission on the options set out in a consultation paper on a new Framework for Comprehensive Performance Assessments of District Councils to be implemented from April 2006.

Decisions made:

That the proposed response to the consultation papers  as set out in the report be approved.

Reasons for Decisions:

The deadline for the close of the consultation period is 30 November 2005 and it would be useful for the Council to express its view to the Audit Commission.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

The draft letter sets out the reason for the response to each of the questions the Audit Commission is asking.

Report of the Chief Executive (copy enclosed)

The Chief Executive submitted a report which provided an update on the proposals for the implementation of an Area Forum pilot scheme in three areas of the Borough as part of the Council’s approach to community engagement set out in the Corporate Improvement Plan and the Community Strategy Action Plan 2005/2008 and sought approval to the dates and venues for the initial Forum meetings, procedure rules and promotional arrangements for the pilot scheme.

Decisions made:

1.                              That the proposed dates and venues for the Area Form Pilot Scheme be approved as follows:

2.                              That the promotional arrangements for the pilot scheme be approved.

3.                              That arrangements are made for a Member of the Executive Cabinet and a Chief Officer to attend each Area Forum meeting during the period of the Pilot Scheme.

4.                              That the Council be requested to give approval to;-

·         The draft terms of reference and the procedural rules for the Area Forum Pilot Scheme set out in appendices 1 and 2 of the report for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

·         The appointment of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the three Area Forums from the Members of each Forum who areBorough Councillors and represent a ward within the area, as set out in the procedural rules for the Area Forum Pilot Scheme.

Reasons for Decision:

To determine the administrative arrangements for the Area Forum Pilot Scheme.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

None.

Report of the Head of Customer, Democratic and Office Support Services (copy enclosed)

The Head of Customer, Democratic and Office Support Services submitted a report explaining the measures to be undertaken during the next twelve months to enable the implementation of the third phase of the ‘Strategy for an Accessible Public Service One Stop Shop Contact Centre’, which was adopted in March 2002.

Decisions made:

1.         That the Council’s strategic commitment to the provision of all customer first point of contact through a single contact centre be confirmed.

2.         That the proposed timetable for the transfer of services and resources into the Contact Chorley be approved.

Reasons for Decisions:

To achieve the Council’s Strategic objective of providing all customer first point of contact through a single contact centre.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

Not to migrate any more services into Contact Chorley.

Report of the Head of Development and Regeneration (copy enclosed)

The Head of Development and Regeneration submitted a report seeking endorsement for the draft Preferred Options Document and Supplementary Planning Document on Sustainable Resources that will form part of the Local Development Framework.

Decisions made:

1.         That the Council be recommended to endorse the content of the draft documents for consultation and community involvement purposes and give delegated authority to the Head of Development and Regeneration to make any minor textural amendments to the document.

2.         That subject to the approval of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel be requested to:

(a)   examine how the Council can encourage the use of renewal energy within the Borough, and

(b)  how the Council can take a lead on this issue on a cost neutral basis.

Reasons for Decisions:

To ensure that the Council fulfils its commitment set out in the Local Development Scheme to produce such documents in a timely fashion.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

None.

Report of the Head of Development and Regeneration (copy enclosed)

The Head of Development Regeneration submitted a report on the representations received to the Statement of Community Involvement submitted to the Secretary of State and to seek a proposed amendment to the Statement.

Decision made:

That approval be given to the change of paragraph 9.1 of the submitted Statement of Community involvement as submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Reasons for Decision:

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that the local planning authority must produce a Statement of Community Involvement, as part of the Local Development Framework. The change to paragraph 9.1 of the submitted Statement of Community Involvement would improve the content of the document.

Alternative Options considered and rejected.

None.

Report of the Head of Housing Services (copy enclosed)

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report seeking approval for the Housing Strategy 2005 – 2008.

The Council is required to produce a Housing Strategy setting out the housing priorities across all tenures. It is an over arching strategy including issues such as housing needs and demand, housing standards, homelessness and community safety. The strategy has been prepared in consultation with key stakeholders and sets out how the Council can work with our key partners to achieve its priorities.

Decisions made:

That the Housing Strategy 2005 – 2008 be approved.

Reasons for Decision:

This Housing Strategy is a ‘Fit for purpose’ strategy. It responds to the current national, regional and sub-regional agendas. It is a key strategic document and contributes to achieving the Council’s corporate objectives and the priorities set in the Community Strategy 2005 – 2008.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

None

Report of the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services (copy enclosed)

The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services submitted a report on a request for Core Funding received from Home-Start Chorley and South Ribble.

Core funding is revenue grant aid to organisations that provide non-profit making services in the Borough, which further the Council’s strategic objectives and the strategic priorities in the Borough’s Community Strategy.

Decisions made:

That Home-Start Chorley and South Ribble be invited to submit a significantly reduced Core funding application as part of the 2006/2007 Core Funding bidding process.

Reasons for the Decision:

To consider a request for Core Funding in 2006-2007 from Home-Start Chorley and South Ribble along with other potential applicants.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

To commit £25,000 of 2006/2007 Core Funding in advance of the official process.

Report of the Director of Legal Services (copy enclosed)

With the consent of the Executive Leader to the consideration of this urgent item, the Director of Legal Services submitted a report which sought approval to a scheme of private street works for the making up of a length of Crosse Hall Lane, Chorley.

Decision made:

1          That the plans, specifications, sections, estimates and provisional apportionments for the making up of Crosse Hall Lane, Chorley as submitted pursuant to Section 205 of the Highways Act 1980 be approved.

2.         That all costs of the scheme be borne by Morris Homes Ltd.

3.         That the Director of Legal Services be authorised to serves appropriate notices on all frontagers.

Reason for Decisions:

Crosse Hall Lane, Chorley is an unadopted road, in a poorly surfaced condition and lacking any proper system of highway drainage or street lighting. The prospect of new housing development on a site in close vicinity to the road, means Crosse Hall is set to serve as the sole means of highway access to and from that new development. Clearly Crosse Hall Lane in its current material condition could not in any way satisfactorily serve in such a role and the only way of upgrading the length of road concerned to a satisfactory highway standard is by way of commissioning a scheme of private works pursuant to the provisions of the Highways Act 1980.

Alternative Options considered and rejected:

The other alternatives available for facilitating the making up of Crosse Hall Lane, e.g. an agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 31, Section 38 or Section 278 of the highways Act 1980, are contingent upon landownership and therefore cannot be applied in this instance.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED - That the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph.1 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

To confirm as a correct record the non - public minutes of the meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 3 November 2005 (copy enclosed)

The non-public minutes of the meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 3 November 2005 were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Executive Leader.

Report of the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services (copy enclosed)

Approval to negotiations being commenced with the preferred bidder for the management and operation of Duxbury Park Golf Course and that a further report be submitted to the Executive Cabinet outlining the final agreement in due course.

Report of the Head of Corporate and Policy Services (copy enclosed)

Approval to the initiatives for the further development of the CCTV system within Chorley.