Decisions made

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting held Tuesday, 13 December 2022 be approved as correct record for signing by the Mayor.

1.    Council approves the revised Discretionary Housing Payment Policy.

2.    Council notes the reduction in government funding.

1.    Council endorse the outline Lancashire 2050 strategic framework as the strategic framework that will guide further development of shared detailed priorities and actions.

2.    Agreed that the Leader of the Council continues to work with Lancashire Leaders in line with the principles already agreed by the Council in January 2022 including that the Leader will make representations to that forum any matters arising from Full Council’s consideration of the report.

3.    Any additional proposals will require further approval by Full Council at the appropriate time.

1.    Council approves the designation of the Neighbourhood Plan area for Mawdesley as shown at Appendix 1.

Recommendations approved.

Reasons for recommendations

Ending the employment relationship through mutual agreement to protect the Council from the potential financial and reputational impact of any employment tribunal claim.

Other options considered and rejected

1.    To approve the policy enabling the Select Move partnership to consult on the policy.

2.    To agree that any changes following the consultation are delegated for approval to the Executive Member for Homes and Housing.

1.    To note the current levels of budgeted fees and charges and the issues specific to these;

2.    To approve an uplift in the Strawberry Fields service charge of £1 per square foot to better reflect the current costs incurred at the site, as detailed at point 21.

3.    To approve an uplift in the rents of all Council owned housing (including Extra Care) of 7%. (This is lower than the agreed approach of increasing them by CPI plus 1% [based on CPI at September each year] as agreed at Cabinet in July 2022, which would result in an increase of 9.8%, but is consistent with the recent government consultation on rents as detailed at points 18 and 19).

4.    To approve the increase to the gas charges at Primrose Gardens to £21 per week and set a new charge for Tatton at £32 per week for electricity as detailed at point 20.

5.    To approve a general increase of 5% in the fees (limited to the services listed in Table 3 of Appendix 1) for 2023/24. Given that the rate of CPI is currently running at 9.6%, and RPI at 14.2%, the recommended uplift is less than inflation.

6.    To approve the full list of fees and charges for upload onto the Council website

To approve the Customer Access Charter including:

a)    Customer access standards

b)    Feedback policy

c)    Improvements to general online contact and customer processes

d)    Uniforms

e)    Performance measures

To agree the contents of the report in order to start the budget consultation process as follows;

·         A proposed 1.99% increase in council tax in 2023/24 with no proposed cuts to services;

·         A forecast balanced budget for 2023/24, based on a 1.99% increase in council tax as noted above;

·         A forecast budget shortfall for 2024/25 which will continue into 2025/26, to be addressed through the development and delivery of the council’s Transformation Strategy and savings programme;

·         To note the proposals in the report for investment in the Labour Administration’s priority areas.

To exclude the public and press.

Planning permission granted, subject to conditions.

Reserved matters consent granted, subject to conditions.

Planning permission granted, subjected to conditions.

Outline planning permission granted, subject to conditions.

Planning permission refused for the following reason.

“The first floor element of the proposed development would, by reason of its siting, height and proximity to neighbouring side facing habitable windows, result in unacceptable adverse impacts of loss of light, overbearing effect and loss of outlook for the residents of no.6 and no.8 Oakmere Avenue which would be detrimental to their living conditions. The proposed development, therefore, fails to accord with policy HS5 of the Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026 and The Householder Design Guidance Supplementary Planning Document.”

Members voted to approve the officer recommendation as set out in the report.

Approved.

Recommendations approved.

Reasons for recommendations:

Ensures compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

Other options considered and rejected:

The opportunity could be advertised openly, but the Council is confident the final commercial position represents best value for money and ensures continuity of supplier presenting the least risk to the Councils.

Recommendations approved.

Reasons for recommendations:

Following negotiations between the parties the proposed terms have been provisionally agreed by the Council’s Retail Consultants and reflect current market conditions within the Market Walk Centre in line with other leases which have been recently agreed/completed.

Other options considered and rejected:

1.    Termination of the lease and remarketing of the units.

2.    This was rejected on the grounds of potential loss of income and creation of voids and gaps of occupation in the Centre which would reduce footfall and detract from the marketability of other units and the value of the Centre. Also the tenant has been trading successfully from this unit since 2005 and is regarded as less of a risk than bringing in a new “unknown” tenant.

Recommendations approved

Reasons for recommendations:

To promote economic growth in Chorley and generate revenue to ensure that the Strawberry Fields development is financially sustainable.

Other options considered and rejected:

To proceed without the grant of a lease would place both parties at significant legal risk.

Recommendations approved.

Reasons for recommendations:

To promote economic growth.

Other options considered and rejected:

To proceed without the issue of a lease would place both parties at significant legal risk.

Recommendations approved.

Reasons for recommendations:

As outlined in the report.

Other options considered and rejected:

As outlined in the report.