Decisions made

Decision:

Recommendations approved.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

Included within the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Included within the report.

To exclude the public and press.

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.

To note the report.

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.

Recommendations approved.

Recommendations approved.

Members considered a general report of the meetings of Executive Cabinet held on 15 October, 12 November and 10 December 2020.

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

Decision that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 November 2020 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

All members and reserves on the Planning Committee left the call to avoid any future allegations of predetermination or bias. 

This included Councillors June Molyneaux, Christopher France, Aaron Beaver, Martin Boardman, John Dalton, Gordon France, Danny Gee, Tom Gray, Yvonne Hargreaves, Alistair Morwood, Neville Whitham, Alan Whittaker.  As reserves Councillors Julia Berry, Val Caunce, Anthony Gee, Keith Iddon, Paul Walmsley.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which outlines the immediate challenges facing the council with regards to speculative applications seeking outline planning permission for housing development on sites which are not allocated for current housing development in the existing local plan.

The Chorley Local Plan designates 11 sites as safeguarded for future development needs, with one of those sites, Pear Tree Lane, Euxton the subject of a successful planning appeal in Summer 2020. Of the remaining 10 sites, the council have received and validated applications for housing on 5 of those. These will be determined in accordance with statutory requirements.

Following the outcome of the Pear Tree Lane appeal the Planning Inspector instructs the council to make use of the Government Standard Method of 569 homes per annum. The council does not agree with this outcome nor the methodology behind the standard method and it leaves Chorley in a position that a 5 year supply of deliverable housing sites cannot be demonstrated on that basis.

It is the view of the council that it is for the local plan process to review strategically the cumulative impact of the future development of the borough as part of a comprehensive assessment. Given that Chorley has now delivered the bulk of the existing local plan allocations, a thorough review of the impact on infrastructure taking account of matters such as school places, transport, flooding and health is crucial. National policy is very clear that all development should be sustainable, and that green belt must be protected.

LCC Schools Planning Team are engaged in reviewing the data they use to plan for additional school places and other consultants are also engaged.  Information considered at a recent meeting regarding school places will be emailed following the meeting. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor John Walker, reminded Councillor Bradley of comments by the Conservative Group made when the Local Plan was approved highlighting this issue and this was acknowledged. 

Councillor Bradley noted that, in principle, applications for housing not in accordance with the existing local plan, are considered to be premature.  These additional homes have not been accounted for in terms of plans for infrastructure needs such as schools, transport, and health services.

Chorley Council is of the view that the standard method is flawed, and it is for the local plan process to address longer term distribution and allocation of land for housing needs. The council strongly encourage our partners; land owners, agents, and developers to get involved in that process and talk to us about their future aspirations.

The council remain committed to a plan-led approach, to providing certainty to local communities as to the location of where new housing will be and that land designated as safeguarded is not intended to meet housing need now, it is for future generations. There is finite land available in Chorley and it must be used carefully.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the Decision to note the update.

Councillors June Molyneaux, Christopher France, Aaron Beaver, Martin Boardman, John Dalton, Gordon France, Danny Gee, Tom Gray, Yvonne Hargreaves, Alistair Morwood, Neville Whitham, Alan Whittaker.  As reserves Councillors Julia Berry, Val Caunce, Anthony Gee, Keith Iddon, Paul Walmsley were invited to rejoin the call.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which outlines the proposal to establish a member-led Climate Change Working Group.

Cross party support was indicated for the establishment of this group.

Councillor Martin Boardman queried the proposals regarding BREEAM for the new Tatton Gardens development. This information will be confirmed by email following the meeting. Councillor Bradley advised there have been some relaxations regarding this, but that the council strives to deliver a high standard regarding BREEAM. 

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

1.         A Climate Change Working Group is established which is a member led, non-decision-making body which will provide strategic leadership to the Council on climate change matters, monitoring performance to achieve climate change targets and informing policy decisions.

2.         The Terms of Reference (appendix one) are adopted to inform the governance and structure of the group.

3.         The membership of the group to be (5:2:0)

1. Councillor Peter Wilson (Chair)

2. Councillor Alistair Bradley

3. Councillor Bev Murray

4. Councillor Steve Holgate

5. Councillor Mark Clifford

6. Councillor Martin Boardman

7. Councillor Val Caunce

Two reserves from each group will be confirmed at the next meeting

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the 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.

Members considered a general report of the meeting of the Governance Committee held on 25 November 2020 and 20 January 2021.

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

Members considered a general report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 1 October 2020, the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel meetings held on 8 October and 19 November 2020 and Task Group update.

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.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

The projected revenue outturn currently shows a forecast in line with the budget for 2020/21. The forecast of capital expenditure in 2020/21 is £21.713m.

The Council’s budget for 2020/21 included a savings target of £150k from management of the staffing establishment. The full savings of £150k has been achieved.

The budgeted net rental income from Market Walk and Market Walk Extension after taking account of financing costs in 2020/21 is £1.373m. Tenants which have agreed contract extensions and renewals, even with rent free periods, continue to pay business rates liabilities and the service charges.

Strawberry Fields was budgeted to break-even in 20/21 with income covering the running and borrowing costs of the facility. Income is expected to be £433k short of the budget in 2020/21 due to the number of vacant units and reduced take up during the Covid-19 period. It was confirmed in August 2020 that the eligibility criteria for the units can be widened until August 2022 resulting in a significant increase in interest in the offices and flexible working spaces.

Primrose Gardens continues to perform well with occupancy now at 97% that is higher than budgeted for. As such the project is forecast to underspend by £28k in 2020/21.

The impact of Covid-19 on the council’s budgets is varied and includes delays to recruitment and restructuring, reduction in income and additional expenditure. Two areas this may significantly affect the council’s finances is the impact on its business rates and council tax collection funds.

There are a number of different Covid-19 Grant Funding Support which the council administers on behalf of the Government. Councillor Wilson thanked the staff engaged in administering the wide range of grants at this time and this was supported by members. 

Councillor Martin Boardman queried the lengths of time the different types of businesses can sign up for at Strawberry Fields and the measure the council is taking to promote the facility.  This information will be confirmed by email following the meeting. 

It was noted that the Market Walk tenant that fallen into administration had been located in the original section of Market Walk, rather than the new extension. 

Members discussed the recent flooding at Ackhurst Lodge and expressed their sadness at the situation. A resolution will be found in partnership with Lancashire County Council. Members thanked the officers who have been working to resolve the issues. 

In response to a query regarding Buckshaw Parkway the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, advised that the council are actively pursuing this project with partners, including Northern Rail.     

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

2.         To note the forecast position on the council's reserves

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