Agenda, decisions and minutes

Decision: That the minutes of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 21 January 2021 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 Director of Communities.

1.    That the Executive Cabinet agree the proposal involving a clean air strategy and formal consultation.

2.    That the Executive Member for Early Intervention be given delegated responsibility for approving the final proposal following the period of formal consultation, subject to there being no significant changes to those proposed within this report.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), presented the report of the Director of Communities which seeks approval to consult upon the proposed draft clean air strategy and secure approval to publish via an Executive Member Decision.

Upon establishment of a resource to deliver the strategy and completion of the options appraisal for a new method of collecting data on air quality, a Member Learning Session on air quality will be delivered.

Chorley Council declared a climate emergency on the 19th November 2019 with the overarching goal of “rendering the borough carbon neutral by the year 2030”, 20 years ahead of the UK target of 2050. To enable this target to be met a Clean Air Strategy for Chorley has been drafted. The Strategy sets out a clear picture of the current state of air quality and monitoring practices in Chorley, our legal obligations as a council in monitoring air quality and the legislation which governs this.

Members welcomed the Air Quality Strategy and recognised the importance of engagement via the consultation. Therefore, it was proposed that maximum communications be delivered on this to ensure the consultation be circulated as widely as possible.

Decision:

1.    That the Executive Cabinet agree the proposal involving a clean air strategy and formal consultation.

2.    That the Executive Member for Early Intervention be given delegated responsibility for approving the final proposal following the period of formal consultation, subject to there being no significant changes to those proposed within this report.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

As part of the Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutral status by 2030 the Council needs to consider how to achieve this goal. The adoption of the proposed Clean Air Strategy, which seeks to improve air quality across the borough, would be essential in achieving carbon neutrality, as well as improving health outcomes for the residents of Chorley.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

There are no alternatives to the proposal as this would not address the Council’s commitment to look at the issue of air quality in more detail and demonstrate a commitment to improving air quality locally, the respiratory health of the residents of Chorley. In addition, the Council needs to adopt an Air Quality Strategy, to tie in with work at the national level.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

1.    Note the full year forecast position for the 2020/21 revenue budget and capital investment programme.

2.    Note the forecast position on the Council's reserves.

3.   Approve the capital programme to be delivered in 2020/21 to 2022/23.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources), presented the report of the Chief Finance Officer which sets out the provisional revenue and capital outturn figures for the Council as compared against budgets and efficiency savings targets set for the financial year 2020/21.

In summary, the projected revenue outturn currently shows a forecast underspend of £13k compared to the budget for 2020/21 and the forecast of capital expenditure in 2020/21 is £14.587m. The Council’s budget for 2020/21 includes a savings target of £150k from management of the staffing establishment. Members noted that the full savings of £150k have been achieved.

The Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy reported that working balances are currently maintained at £4.0m due to the financial risks facing the Council and the forecast level of general fund balances at 31 March 2021 will be £4.013m.

Decision:

1.    Note the full year forecast position for the 2020/21 revenue budget and capital investment programme.

2.    Note the forecast position on the Council's reserves.

3.    Approve the capital programme to be delivered in 2020/21 to 2022/23.

Reason for recommendation(s):

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

To note the report.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources), presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which sets out the performance against the delivery of the Corporate Strategy and key performance indicators during the third quarter of 2020/21, 1 October to 31 December 2020.

Overall, the performance of key projects is excellent with 85% of the projects rated as green and 15% currently rated as amber; there are two action plans for the amber projects. Those projects that are not yet complete will either be carried over for delivery through the 2020/21 Corporate Strategy as planned, are due to be completed in quarter four, or will continue to be delivered through business as usual activity.

Performance of the Corporate Strategy indicators and key service delivery measures is good with 67% of Corporate Strategy measures and 83% of key service delivery measures performing on or above target, or within the 5% threshold. Given the current challenges and environment the council is operating in, performance against agreed measures remains positive. Those indicators performing below target have action plans outlined with measures to improve performance.

Decision:

To note the report.

Reason for Recommendation(s):

To facilitate the on-going analysis and management of the Council’s performance in delivering the Corporate Strategy.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.

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).

To exclude the public and press.

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 Planning and Development.

1.    To approve the proposed procurement methodologies and evaluation criteria for the building contract comprising a single stage open tender with suitability questionnaire / quality element and the use of the JCT standard form of building contract.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which seeks approval for the procurement approach and evaluation criteria for the appointment of a contractor to deliver a new sports pavilion and associated infrastructure at St George V Playing Fields in Adlington.

Members supported the proposals in the report and requested that the green agenda be considered as part of the tender process.

Decision:

1.    To approve the proposed procurement methodologies and evaluation criteria for the building contract comprising a single stage open tender with suitability questionnaire / quality element and the use of the JCT standard form of building contract.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

The use of an open tender process, with a quality element is the best way of delivering best value for the project within the budget.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.

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

1.    To approve the proposed procurement methodologies and evaluation criteria for the building contract comprising a single stage open tender with suitability questionnaire / quality element and the use of the NEC 3 Short building contract.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which seeks approval for the procurement approach and evaluation criteria for the appointment of a contractor to deliver Astley Park Lighting.

Members supported the proposals in the report and hoped the work would increase the popularity of the park further by making it more accessible.

Decision:

1.    To approve the proposed procurement methodologies and evaluation criteria for the building contract comprising a single stage open tender with suitability questionnaire / quality element and the use of the NEC 3 Short building contract.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

The use of an open tender process, with a quality element is the best way of delivering best value for the project within the budget.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.