Agenda, decisions and minutes

Approved.

Decision (unanimous) that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 May 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.

The Mayor, Councillor Steve Holgate and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julia Berry declared a personal interest in item 11. Coppull Neighbourhood Plan Area Designation as they are members of Coppull Parish Council and have had involvement in the working group relating to this item. 

The Mayor advised that the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle and himself would be undertaking a charity kayak for Inspire Youth Zone. 

The Civic Dinner will take place on 10 September and Civic Sunday on 12 September. 

The Mayor explained that it is Eid ul Adha, which is the Eid at the end of Pilgrimage (HAJJ).  He thanked Councillors Hasina, Zara and Samir Khan for the Eid Card and gift for all those in attendance at the meeting.

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 receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

Noted.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley presented the Council’s Annual Report which summarises the council’s achievements during 2020/21.

The report details performance against each of the council’s key priority areas, highlighting successful delivery of key projects and also includes new investments.  The report also sets out how the council responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.   

Looking ahead, the council will need to balance anticipated increased demand for services as communities emerge from Covid-19 and recovery begins, against the potential for retraction in public spending.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Debra Platt, echoed the thanks to all those who have contributed to supporting residents and services during the pandemic. 

In response to a query the Executive Leader noted that a number of outdoor events will be taking place over the next few months, including the Flower Show, and this is an opportunity to thank some of those who have contributed.  A gesture to all those who have volunteered will also be considered. 

Members referenced the administration and distribution of the business grants by the council and how important these had been during the pandemic. 

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

To consider a general report of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 17 June 2021. 

Noted.

Members considered a general report of the meeting of Executive Cabinet held on 17 June 2021.

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

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

Executive Cabinet took the decisions to

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

4.      Note the slippage requests outlined in Appendix 2 of the report to finance expenditure on specific items or projects in 2021/22.

5.      Note the 2020/21 outturn position on the Council's reserves outlined in Appendix 3.

Council took decisions to

1.         Approve the capital programme to be delivered in 2020/21 to 2023/24 as outlined in Appendix 4.

2.         Approve the changes within the capital programme as detailed in paragraph 84 and 89 namely

a)        Unit Above Iceland - This project has not yet started but work has been undertaken to assess likely costs against this £485k budget and as a result it is proposed to vire this budget to the following works:

·                £135k for internal works at Strawberry Fields to increase commercial capability and relocate the CCTV monitoring service.

·                £150k for the relocated Management Suite at Market Walk.

·                £200k to reconfigure the Unit above Iceland for a prospective new dentist.

b)             Works to Existing Markets - A further £150k has been added to this scheme from 21.22. This is to reflect additional costs in trader cabin upgrades and toilet refurb works.

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

The accounts are provisional at this stage and are also subject to final checking and scrutiny by the Council’s external auditor.  Should there be any significant changes to the general fund as a result of this process, a further report will be submitted to Executive Cabinet.

The borrowing undertaken allows the council to generate around one million pounds in revenue through its assets, including Market Walk. 

The deficit relating to the Leisure Centre is less than anticipated and members noted the need to work together for the benefit of the residents moving forwards. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, noted some expenditure has been taken on by the council where other organisations have cut services.

Councillor Aidy Riggott raised a query regarding the release of documentation relating to Buckshaw Parkway and it was agreed the documents will be shared following the meeting.  The need for all partners involved to work together was noted. 

Executive Cabinet took the decisions to

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

2.      Note the slippage requests outlined in Appendix 2 of the report to finance expenditure on specific items or projects in 2021/22.

3.      Note the 2020/21 outturn position on the Council's reserves outlined in Appendix 3.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the (unanimous) Decision that approval be given to the following:

1.         Approve the capital programme to be delivered in 2020/21 to 2023/24 as outlined in Appendix 4.

2.         Approve the changes within the capital programme as detailed in paragraph 84 and 89 namely

a)        Unit Above Iceland - This project has not yet started but work has been undertaken to assess likely costs against this £485k budget and as a result it is proposed to vire this budget to the following works:

·               £135k for internal works at Strawberry Fields to increase commercial capability and relocate the CCTV monitoring service.

·               £150k for the relocated Management Suite at Market Walk.

·               £200k to reconfigure the Unit above Iceland for a prospective new dentist.

b)        Works to Existing Markets - A further £150k has been added to this scheme from 21.22. This is to reflect additional costs in trader cabin upgrades and toilet refurb works.

To receive and consider the general report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 1 July 2021, the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meeting held on 24 June 2021 and Task Group update.

Noted.

Members considered a general report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 1 July 2021 and the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meeting held on 24 June 2021.

Councillor Aidy Riggott highlighted that he had requested some information regarding empty properties at the Performance Panel meeting.  A written response will be provided following the meeting. 

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Walker proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Roy Lees seconded the Decision that the report be noted.

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

Noted.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Walker, presented Scrutiny Reporting Back, a summary of the work of the Committee in 2020/21.

The Chair thanked Members and Officers for their contributions to the work of the Committee and acknowledged that it had been a challenging year.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Walker proposed and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Roy Lees seconded the Decision – that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the general report of the Governance Committee meeting held on 26 May 2021. 

Noted.

Members considered a general report of the meeting of the Governance Committee held on 26 May 2021.

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

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

Approve the designation of the Neighbourhood Plan area boundary for Coppull as shown at Appendix 1.

The Mayor, Councillor Steve Holgate and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julia Berry declared a personal interest as they are members of Coppull Parish Council and have had involvement in the working group relating to this item.  They did not take part in the debate and did not vote.

The Executive Member (Planning and Development), Councillor Alistair Morwood, presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development.

Coppull Parish Council wishes to develop a Neighbourhood Plan and requested the parish boundary be designated as a Neighbourhood Area.  The council held a six week statutory consultation, inviting interested parties to make representations to the council on the proposed boundary for the area of the Neighbourhood Plan.  Once designated, Coppull Parish Council will prepare an evidence-based draft Neighbourhood Plan.

The Executive Member (Planning and Development), Councillor Alistair Morwood proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the unanimous Decision to approve the designation of the Neighbourhood Plan area boundary for Coppull as shown at Appendix 1.

To consider any changes to Committee appointments.

Licensing and Public Safety – Councillor William Simmance to be appointed as reserve.

Outside Body appointments

Chorley Consolidated Charities – Councillor Debra Platt. 

Determinants of Health System Delivery Board - Councillor Margaret France with Councillor Alex Hilton as substitute.

LCC Health and Well-being Board - Councillor Alex Hilton with Councillor Margaret France as substitute.

LCC Health Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Alex Hilton with Councillor Margaret France as substitute.

PIVOTAL - Councillor Margaret France with Cllr Alex Hilton as substitute.

Central Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Partnership is no longer operating.

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 appointment

Licensing and Public Safety – Councillor William Simmance to be appointed as reserve.

Outside body appointments

Chorley Consolidated Charities – Councillor Debra Platt. 

Determinants of Health System Delivery Board - Councillor Margaret France with Councillor Alex Hilton as substitute.

LCC Health and Well-being Board - Councillor Alex Hilton with Councillor Margaret France as substitute.

LCC Health Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Alex Hilton with Councillor Margaret France as substitute.

PIVOTAL - Councillor Margaret France with Cllr Alex Hilton as substitute.

Central Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Partnership is no longer operating.

A question has been received from Councillor Christine Turner.  The question was received within the deadline. 

The quarter 4 performance report showed a rise in the percentage of 16 - 17 year olds who are not in education, employment or training. 

My question is in two parts.   Firstly are any of the young people open to the Youth Offending Team, are any Looked after Children or recent care leavers.

Secondly, if so what support over and above what is mentioned in the report is being given to the young people to help them access education or training

A question has been received from Councillor Christine Turner for Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention).

“The quarter 4 performance report showed a rise in the percentage of 16 - 17 year olds who are not in education, employment or training.

My question is in two parts.   Firstly are any of the young people open to the Youth Offending Team, are any Looked after Children or recent care leavers.

Secondly, if so what support over and above what is mentioned in the report is being given to the young people to help them access education or training”. 

Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention), advised that the data in the quarter performance report is provided by Lancashire County Council (LCC).  A request has been made for further information about this data to LCC.

The council is working with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to establish a Youth Hub in Chorley.  The council had an opportunity to work collaboratively with Inspire Youth Zone to access Flexible Support Grant funding that will allow the development of an innovative Youth Hub concept which is due to open at the end of the month in Chorley Youth Zone. 

DWP Work Coaches will help young jobseekers access local training and job opportunities, as well as a range of services to address wellbeing needs.  The coaches will be delivering a 13-week Youth Employment Programme (YEP) helping ensure quality, joined up support is accessible to those that need it.

The council has also developed an Employability Pathway and a Chorley Employment Taskforce.  The Taskforce meets on a monthly basis and is an opportunity for external partners to information share and network. 

The council are advocates of the Kickstart programme, which encourages businesses to provide paid placement opportunities to young people.  We have also been providing application support to businesses in need of further guidance.

To consider the attached notice of motion submitted by Councillor Alistair Bradley.

Chorley Council believes that planning works best when the local council, developers and the local community work together, to shape local areas to deliver necessary new homes.  And therefore, calls on the government to empower local communities to work in partnership with their local councils to generate a new local plan that provides more certainty over the type, scale and design of development, and further protect the rights of communities and individuals to object to individual planning applications. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the following Motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

“Chorley Council believes planning works best when developers and the local community work together to shape local areas and deliver necessary new homes; and therefore calls on the Government to protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications”.

The Deputy Executive Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, seconded the motion and spoke in support of it.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Debra Platt, proposed an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Harold Heaton.  However, a further amendment was proposed by Councillor Bradley and seconded by Councillor Wilson.  The amendment proposed by Councillor Debra Platt was withdrawn. 

Decision (unanimous) to support the amended Notice of Motion as follows:

Chorley Council believes that planning works best when the local council, developers and the local community work together, to shape local areas to deliver necessary new homes.  And therefore, calls on the government to empower local communities to work in partnership with their local councils to generate a new local plan that provides more certainty over the type, scale and design of development, and further protect the rights of communities and individuals to object to individual planning applications.

To receive and consider the report of the Returning Officer.

1.         The Chief Executive is authorised to respond on behalf of the council to address administrative issues which arise as a result of the proposals.

2.         The Leaders of the Groups are asked to provide any group responses to the Chief Executive by 4pm on 28 July for incorporation into his response. It will be made clear that any responses from groups are from those groups and not the council as a body.

3.         The Council is opposed to the removal of the Adlington & Anderton ward and the Chorley North East ward from the Chorley constituency. Both areas have formed part of the Chorley parliamentary constituency since 1918 with local residents having close links to the town and borough. We therefore ask the Boundary Commission to re-examine the proposal to move the two wards into the newly formed West Pennine Moors constituency and ensure that they remain within the Chorley constituency.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Returning Officer which informs members of a consultation which is currently underway about changes to the parliamentary constituency boundaries due for implementation in 2023.

It was clarified that a third recommendation had been circulated to all members by email earlier in the day. 

Members debated the proposals within the consultation and noted the strength of feeling regarding this, from residents and within the chamber.  The need for change was noted. 

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

1.         The Chief Executive is authorised to respond on behalf of the council to address administrative issues which arise as a result of the proposals.

2.         The Leaders of the Groups are asked to provide any group responses to the Chief Executive by 4pm on 28 July for incorporation into his response. It will be made clear that any responses from groups are from those groups and not the council as a body.

3.         The Council is opposed to the removal of the Adlington & Anderton ward and the Chorley North East ward from the Chorley constituency. Both areas have formed part of the Chorley parliamentary constituency since 1918 with local residents having close links to the town and borough. We therefore ask the Boundary Commission to re-examine the proposal to move the two wards into the newly formed West Pennine Moors constituency and ensure that they remain within the Chorley constituency.

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 Commercial.

1.         Approve an increase in the budget from £15,740,000 to £16,150,000, an increase of £410,000. £170k relating to cost reviews and additional £240k contingency.

2.         Acknowledge that the additional expenditure is offset by the Getting Building Fund grant of £5.2m secured in November 2020.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Director of Commercial which details the cost increase on the Tatton Gardens project.  The report requests an increase in the approved budget to cover the additional expenditure, whilst acknowledging the positive commercial return.

Whilst every effort was made at design stage and prior to entering into Contract with the Contractor to capture all costs associated with the development, it is highlighted that the design period was expedited to ensure that the timescales for the getting building funding were achieved.

A provision was included for any anticipated additional costs and the risks that remained with the Council, however some costs have been significantly higher than anticipated and some design issues have been identified that were not anticipated.

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

1.         To approve an increase in the budget from £15,740,000 to £16,150,000, an increase of £410,000. £170k relating to cost reviews and additional £240k contingency.

2.         To acknowledge that the additional expenditure is offset by the Getting Building Fund grant of £5.2m secured in November 2020.