Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Eric Bell (Executive Member Places), Keith Iddon (Lead Member Licensing), Henry Caunce and Geoff Russell. 

The minutes of the last meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 17 February 2011 were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Executive Leader.

There were no declarations of interest by any of the Executive Cabinet Members in any of the meeting’s agenda items.

The Executive Leader reported that there had been no requests from any members of the public to speak on any of the meeting’s agenda items.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy (enclosed). 

1. Recommendation approved.

2. Recommendation approved.

The Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy presented a report informing Members of the recent change to national planning policy on Transport.  Amendments have been made to reflect the localism agenda, and in particular, the requirement for local planning authorities to set and apply maximum car parking standards for residential development has been removed.

An interim policy on parking standards for residential development has been considered necessary to allow account to be taken of local circumstances and to assist in determining proposals for residential development.

The policy allows for negotiation with developers on a case by case basis and sets out proposals for dwellings with 1 bedroom 1 space, dwellings with 2-3 bedrooms 2 spaces and dwellings with 4 or more bedrooms 3 spaces.

Decision made

1.         Approval of the draft interim policy on Residential Car Parking Standards for a six week public consultation exercise.

2.         Delegated authority granted to adopt the policy, as approved, to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.  This delegation to be exercised only if there were no objections to the adoption of the policy received during the consultation period.  In the event of objections being received the results of the consultation be brought back to the Executive Cabinet for the policy to be considered further.

Reason for decision

To ensure an appropriate response to changes in national policy and to reflect local circumstances in determining proposals for residential development.

Alternative option(s) considered and rejected

None. 

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

Recommendation approved. 

The Chief Executive presented a report which contained the Community Engagement Strategy 2011/12 for approval by Executive Cabinet.

The purpose of the Strategy was to bring together the Council’s current community engagement activities and to clearly define the approach to community engagement with actions to help improve existing methods.

The Corporate Strategy 2010/11 – 2013/14 had a number of long term outcomes which relied on successful community engagement in order to be achieved.  The Community Engagement Strategy aimed to Inform, Consult, Involve and Devolve.

The Cabinet noted that one of the actions was the development of a Citizens’ Jury.

Decision made

Approval of the Community Engagement Strategy 2011/12.

Reason for decision

The Corporate Strategy 2010/11 – 2013/14 has a number of long term outcomes which relies on successful community engagement in order to be achieved.  This includes being ‘an excellent community leader’ (9.2), ‘community that residents actively take care of and improve’ (4.3), and ‘empowered local people managing community assets’ (6.2).  Having good community engagement also ensures the Council will be able to develop services around customer need.  By adopting this Community Engagement Strategy, the Council will ensure that it is able to achieve these outcomes, and will have a consolidated approach to the way in which the Council engages with the community.

Alternative option(s) considered and rejected

The alternative option would be to not adopt a Community Engagement Strategy for Chorley Council.  This had been rejected on the basis that the Council need the strategy to ensure that we meet our Corporate Strategy outcomes.

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

Recommendation approved. 

The Chief Executive presented a report enclosing a revised version of the Equality Scheme for the Executive’s consideration and approval.

Since the last refresh, in February 2008, the legislation regarding equality had been superseded by the Equality Act 2010.  The Scheme identified nine Equality Strands, with each strand identifying a group of customers who share a similar characteristic, which were protected by law.  

The exception to this was the rurality strand, which was not protected by law but was contained within the scheme to ensure that the needs of customers who live in rural areas were considered.

The Equality Strands were:

Age                                                           Disability

Gender Reassignment                           Pregnancy and Maternity

Race                                                         Religion and Belief

Rurality                                                      Sex and

Sexual Orientation

In terms of service delivery, the Equality Scheme described how the Council would ensure that equality was embedded into processes, and indicated the information and tools that were used to do this.

Decision made

Approved of the updated Equality Scheme 2011.

Reasons for recommendation

By adopting the new Equality Scheme, the Council will ensure that we are meeting the duties required by law with regards to Equality.  However, a strong commitment to equality and diversity does not only meet legal obligations, but it also makes good business sense.  As an organisation that is committed to understanding and shaping services around customers needs, the Council needs to be able to recognise and adapt to the diverse nature of our customers.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to update the Equality Scheme. 

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

Recommendation approved. 

The Chief Executive presented a report outlining the Core Funding allocation for 2011/12.

Core Funding was provided to local voluntary, community and faith sector organisations whose activities contributed towards the delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy.  The process of allocating, managing and monitoring Core Funding had undergone some changes this year to ensure that value for money was being achieved through an effective and proportionate process.

There were now three types of funding: Large Core Funding, Project Funding, and Small Community Grants.  Forty applications had been received by the close date at the end of February and a panel scored them against assessment criteria as set out in the guidance.

Decision made

Approval to the recommendations in Appendix A, subject to agreeing and signing contracts and or grants with the organisations listed in Appendix A and subject to three amendments:

1.         the constitution of one organisation will be checked,

2.         there will be a condition that two organisations ensure no duplication in their projects, and

3.         the funding for ‘Dial a Ride’ will be provided for a three month period whilst a countywide review is undertaken.

Reasons for recommendation

To provide local voluntary, community and faith sector organisations with Core Funding for 2011/12, to enable them to deliver services in the Borough which contribute towards the delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to award Core Funding Grants in 2011/12. 

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 Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Recommendation approved. 

RESOLVED - The press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

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

Recommendation approved. 

The Executive Cabinet received and considered a report which sought approval of proposed changes to the Shared Assurance budget from 2011/12.

Decision made

Approved to proposed changes, as recommended by the Shared Services Joint Committee, which will achieving the 2011/12 savings target approved by Council of £45,000.

Reasons for recommendation

To approve the planned resources for Shared Assurance which will underpin the Service’s workload in 2011/12 as set out in the Business Improvement Plan and Internal Audit Plans for the new financial year.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The alternative options have already been considered during detailed consultations with External Audit, the Audit Committee of this Council and the Governance Committee of South Ribble Borough Council.

At the last meeting of the Shared Services Joint Committee on 24th January 2011 the Members recommended that the proposals be approved by the Cabinets of both host authorities.  The Cabinet of South Ribble Borough Council approved the proposals on 16February 2011.

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

Recommendation approved. 

The Director of Transformation presented a report which sought approval for the sale of land at Pall Mall. 

Decision made

1.         Approval to the disposal of land at Pall Mall.

2.         Authorisation to Liberata UK Limited to issue instructions to the Head of Governance for the completion of the disposal.

Reasons for recommendation (s)

The sale of the strips of land will allow the overall development proposals for the superstore, petrol filling station and associated areas including car parking, public realm and landscaping to the sites full potential;

The sale of the parcels of land identified above will result in a capital receipt for the Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Refuse to sell the strips of land which are currently laid out as redundant highway strips of land that serve no purpose to the Council which would result in the developers application for highway closure not being contiguous to the overall development proposals;

The community would not benefit from the development proposals that will ultimately create employment opportunities and lead to a new large scale commercial development for Chorley town centre;

The council would not benefit from a substantial capital receipt.