Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain for the evening, Father Godric Timney, led Members and officers in prayer.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Bailey and Gagen.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Borough Solicitor in advance of the meeting.  (For the assistance of members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet.)

The following declarations were received:

1.       All Members present declared a pecuniary interest in item 9 ‘Members’ Allowances Scheme 2017/18 and Appointment of Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and in relation to item 12 ‘Determination of Council Tax 2017/18’, but were entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption. 

2.       a)   Councillors Ashcroft, Barron, Mrs Blake, Blane, Gordon, Kay, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Pope and Whittington declared a pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budget in respect of item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’ and item 13 ‘Medium TermGRA Capital Programme’ in relation to Parish Council matters in view of their membership of a Parish Council and indicated they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected the finances of those bodies specifically.* 

          b)    Councillors Aldridge, Barron, Hennessy, O’Toole and D Westley declared a pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budget in respect of item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’ and item 13 ‘Medium TermGRA Capital Programme’ as Members of Lancashire County Council (LCC) as did Councillor McKay as an employee of LCC and indicated that he would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected LCC.*

c)    Councillor Cooper declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budget in respect of item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’ and item 13 ‘Medium TermGRA Capital Programme’ in respect of her appointment to West Lancashire Community Leisure.*

d)     Councillors Mrs Blake, Nixon and Pendleton declared a non pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budgets in respect of item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’ in respect of the Skelmersdale Community Centres in view of their appointment to the Tanhouse Action Group.*

e)     Councillor Pendleton declared a pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budget in respect of item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’ in respect of the ‘Skelmersdale Community Centres’ in view of his role on the Tanhouse Enterprise Board.*

f)      Councillor Wynn declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’, as he is employed by Essential Fleet Services Ltd to maintain Council vehicles and works at the Robert Hodge Centre and indicated he would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected his employer or employment.*

g)     The following Councillors, appointed by the Council to the bodies listed, declared a pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budget in respect of item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’ regarding the ‘Grant to Voluntary Organisations’*:

        Councillors                          Voluntary Body

·       Devine                          Lancashire West CAB

·       Pendleton                      West Lancs Dial A Ride Association

·       G Hodson                     West Lancs CVS

Cooper

Nixon

        Pryce Roberts

·       Aldridge                        Homestart Central Lancashire

Ms Melling

h)     Councillor Whittington declared a pecuniary interest in relation item 11 ‘Budget Requirement 2017/18’ in respect of the ‘Grant to Voluntary Organisations’ as his wife is a trustee of Lancashire West CAB as this body had been recommended to receive funding for 2017/18:*

          *By virtue of a dispensation granted by the Standards Committee on 20  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 December 2016.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 14 December 2016, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

A.    The Mayor announced:

1.     That the following events were being organised for the Mayor’s Charity:

·       The Easter Bingo on 7 April at St Anne’s Social Centre. Tickets £2 including refreshments and a free draw

·       A Tea Dance on Thursday 30 March 2 – 4 p.m. in The Civic, Ormskirk – Tickets £5 including afternoon tea

·       A Gala Evening at Hurlston Hall Golf Club on 21 April at 7.30 p.m.  Tickets £25 including 3 course meal and entertainment by The Arts Centre, Skelmersdale

and asked for the support and attendance of Members at these events.

2.     That the Mayor’s Charity had been extremely successful over the year, with the total amount raised currently standing at £17,850 and that the last main event ‘The Sportman’s Dinner' raised an amazing £5715.50.  The mayor thanked all those who have been involved during the year.

B.    The Chief Executive announced:

1.     That the Council had been successful, along with other Councils and partners, in securing £1.3m of the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) funding for victims of domestic abuse in Lancashire, which would benefit West Lancashire alongside other areas and thanked several services who worked with the Liberty Centre and Lancashire County Council on the bid.

2.     That Heidi McDougall, the new Director of Street Scene, was able to take up her position on Wednesday 1 March 2017, which was slightly earlier than originally anticipated.  Special thanks were given to Phil Samosa, and his team for the work they had done in overseeing the service in the interim period.

There were no items under this heading.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings, to confirm, if appropriate, such of the minutes as require confirmation and to pass such resolutions as the Council may deem necessary:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the undermentioned meetings of the Committees shown.

RESOLVED  That the minutes of the undermentioned meetings and any recommendations contained in them, be approved:

A.    Planning Committee held on Thursday, 8 December 2016 and 12 January 2017.

B.    Polling Districts and Polling Places Review Committee held on Tuesday 24 January 2017.

C.    Audit and Governance Committee held on Tuesday 31 January 2017.

D.    Licensing and Appeals Committee held on Tuesday 7 February 2017.

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Treasurer, as contained in the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18 detailing the Authority’s policy on workforce remuneration, as required by the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED:   That the Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved, published on the Council’s website and included in the Constitution.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor, as contained in the Book of Reports, which set out the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), sought approval of the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2017/18 and detailed the Membership of the IRP.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the IRP’s report for 2017/18, attached at Appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

B.   That in accordance with paragraph 4 of the IRP’s report, a Members Allowance Scheme be made, effective from 1 April 2017 incorporating a Basic Allowance of £4,842 (no increase) and provision for SRA payments, as detailed on the Schedule attached at Appendix 1 to the report (no change).

C.   That it be noted that the Basic Allowance of £4,842 has been fixed for a 4 year period until 31 March 2020, as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the IRP’s report, the Council being able to ask the IRP to consider an increase in any year and to give specific reasons for the request.

D.   That the Borough Solicitor update and publish the Members’ Allowances Scheme for the period commencing 1 April 2017, such scheme to be incorporated into the Constitution.

E.   That the Membership of the IRP for 2017/18 and the respective terms of office be noted and endorsed as follows:

      Mrs G Stanley (Chairman)    1 May 2018

      Mr J Boardman                    1 May 2020

      Mr I Thompson                              1 May 2019

To enable the Portfolio Holder / Shadow Portfolio Holder to present their budget statement it will be necessary to suspend Council Procedure Rule 13.4 for Agenda Items 11 and 14.  (This Rule limits the length of a speech to 5 minutes.)

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Treasurer, as contained in the Book of Reports, which set out the General Revenue Account (GRA) Reserves Policy and the Draft GRA Estimates.

Councillor Wynn, Portfolio Holder for Finance, moved a Motion that provided details of the Labour Budget Proposals (as circulated at the meeting and contained in the Book of Reports), which was seconded.

Councillor Whittington, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Finance, moved an Amendment that provided details of the Conservative Budget Proposals (as circulated at the meeting and contained in the Book of Reports), and referred to the inclusion of item G of the Amendment to  'Reverse the decision to introduce green waste charging' in line with the Motion included on the Agenda at Item 20(d) 'Green Waste £30 Charge - Motion', which was seconded.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, the voting on the Amendment was recorded as follows:

FOR:          Councillors Ashcroft, Barron, Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blane, Cains, Curry, Mrs C Evans, Gordon, Greenall, Kay, C Marshall, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Ms Melling, Moon, O'Toole, Pope, D Westley, Mrs Westley and Whittington (TWENTY ONE)

AGAINST:  Councillors Aldridge, Bullock, Cooper, Cotterill, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, D Evans, Furey, Hennessy, G Hodson, J Hodson, Hudson, McKay, McKenna, Mills, Moran, Nixon, Owen, Patterson, Pendleton, Pritchard, Pryce-Roberts, Savage, West, Wilkie, Wright and Yates (TWENTY NINE)

ABSTENTIONS: Councillor Owens

The Amendment was LOST.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, the voting on the Motion was recorded as follows:

FOR:          Councillors Aldridge, Bullock, Cooper, Cotterill, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, D Evans, Furey, Hennessy, G Hodson, J Hodson, Hudson, McKay, McKenna, Mills, Moran, Nixon, Owen, Patterson, Pendleton, Pritchard, Pryce-Roberts, Savage, West, Wilkie, Wright, Wynn and Yates (THIRTY)

AGAINST:  Councillors Ashcroft, Barron, Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blane, Cains, Curry, Mrs C Evans, Gordon, Greenall, Kay, C Marshall, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Ms Melling, Moon, O'Toole, Owens, Pope, D Westley, Mrs Westley and Whittington (TWENTY TWO)

The Motion was CARRIED.

(Note:   Councillor Wynn declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and left the meeting during consideration of the Conservative Group Budget Proposals as it contained reference to the Green Waste Charge.)

To consider the report of the Borough Transformation Manager and Deputy Director of Housing & Inclusion.

Consideration was given to the revised report of the Borough Transformation Manager and the Deputy Director of Housing and Inclusion, as circulated at the meeting and contained in the Book of Reports, which set out the proposed Council Tax rate for each property band for the whole of the Borough Council’s area, including the Council Tax rate as set by the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, and the local Parish Council in parished areas, in order to confirm the statutory resolutions that are required in order to set the Council Tax for 2017/2018.

Councillor Wynn moved a Motion to approve the recommendations in the revised report circulated at the meeting and contained in the Book of Reports, which was seconded.

In accordance with Council Procedure rule 16.5, the voting on the Motion was recorded as follows:

FOR: Councillors: Aldridge, Ashcroft, Barron, Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blane, Bullock, Cairns, Cooper, Cotterill, Currie, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Mrs C Evans, D Evans, Furey, Gordon, Greenall, Hennessy, G Hodson, J Hodson, Hudson, Kay, McKay, McKenna, C Marshall, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Ms Melling, Mills, Moon, Moran, Nixon, O'Toole, Owen, Owens, Patterson, Pendleton, Pope, Pritchard, Pryce-Roberts, Savage, West, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, Wilkie, Wright, Wynn and Yates (FIFTY TWO)

AGAINST: (NONE)

ABSTENTIONS: (NONE)

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   A.   That it be noted that on the 11 January 2017, the Borough Treasurer declared the Council Tax Base amounts, set out in Appendix A to the report, for the financial year 2017/2018 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012.

B.   That the Budget for the Council’s own purposes for 2017/2018 (excluding parish precepts) be set at £12,927,167 in accordance with the earlier Budget Requirement report.

C.   That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2017/2018 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act):

a) £85,500,333 being the aggregate of the amounts, which the Council estimates for the items, set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

b) £78,330,285 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

c) £7,170,048 being the amount by which the aggregate at C(a) above exceeds the aggregate at C(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year.

d) £208.49 being the amount at C(c) above divided by 34,390.20 (the Tax Base) calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31(B) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for 2017/2018.

e) £575,383 being the aggregate amount of all special items (i.e. Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

f)  £191.76 being the amount at C(d) above, less the result given by dividing the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Treasurer, as contained in the Book of Reports, which advised on the Council’s Medium Term Capital Programme.

Councillor Wynn, Portfolio Holder for Finance, moved a Motion, which set out the Labour Capital Programme proposals, as circulated at the meeting and contained within the Book of Reports, which was seconded.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the budget items be approved, based on the Capital Programme proposals circulated at the meeting by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and contained in the Book of Reports.

B.   That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive and Heads of Service to take all necessary action to implement the agreed Capital Programme.

To consider the joint report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion and the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Director Housing and Inclusion and the Borough Treasurer, as contained in the Book of Reports, which advised on the rent and service charges to be applied; and detailed the Public Sector Housing Capital Investment Programme and Housing Revenue Estimates for 2017/18.

Councillor Patterson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services, moved a Motion, as circulated at the meeting and contained in the Book of Reports, which set out Labour proposals in relation to the Draft Housing Revenue Account Estimates for 2017/18 and Public Sector Housing Capital Investment Programme 2017/18, which was seconded.

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Treasurer, as contained in the Book of Reports, which detailed the framework for capital financing and treasury management operations for the next financial year.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the projected position in respect of the Prudential Indicators, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, for 2016-17, be noted.

B.   That the Prudential Indicators for the next three years be agreed, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

C.   That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, be approved for the next financial year.

D.   That the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in section 8 of the report, be approved.

(Note:   Councillors Currie and Pope had left the room during consideration of this item.)

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor, as contained in the Book of Reports, which sought nominations for the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2017/18.

RESOLVED:  That it be noted that the Labour Group nominees for Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017/18 are Councillors Furey and Delaney respectively.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor, as contained in the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the timetable of meetings for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

RESOLVED:  That the timetable for the meetings for the 2017/18 Municipal Year, attached as an Appendix to the report, be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing, as contained in the Book of Reports, which sought approval of an updated Contaminated Land Strategy.    

RESOLVED:   A.   That the updated Contaminated Land Strategy, included at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for publication.

B.   That the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to approve and publish any future minor updates to the strategy.

To consider the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing, as contained in the Book of Reports, which sought approval to make a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

RESOLVED:   A.   That the Public Space Protection Order, detailed at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for commencement on the 1 April 2017.

B.   That any other areas suggested for restrictions during the recent public consultation exercise are kept on file for consideration in any future extension of the PSPO.

C.   That authority be given to the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing to make any necessary minor amendments to the Public Space Protection Order.

To consider the following Motions included on the agenda at the request of the Members indicated:

The following Motions were considered at the request of the Members indicated:

That this Council welcomes the announcement of a new fleet of Merseyrail trains.  However this Council recognises the role of guards on trains and that safety may be compromised with driver-only trains.

That Council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Managing Director of Merseyrail and Chief Executive of Merseytravel setting out its concerns and that the safety of passengers and staff must be treated as a priority. Also, that all concerns raised by Trade Union officials are considered when introducing these new trains.

This item was withdrawn.

That given the potential for negative social and economic consequences of so-called Brexit, along with possible opportunities, this council seek to work with other like-minded local authorities, especially but not solely within the Liverpool City Region area and Lancashire, to research and as appropriate pursue any lobbying or legislative means, so as to ensure that our local and combined authorities acquire and use to best effect, a substantive place in the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union following a 'triggering' of Article 50 (2).

That the Council resolves that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, write to her counterparts in authorities in Liverpool City Region and Lancashire, setting out initial proposals for a joint approach to this matter.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"That given the potential for negative social and economic consequences of so-called Brexit, along with possible opportunities, this council seek to work with other like-minded local authorities, especially but not solely within the Liverpool City Region area and Lancashire, to research and as appropriate pursue any lobbying or legislative means, so as to ensure that our local and combined authorities acquire and use to best effect, a substantive place in the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union following a 'triggering' of Article 50 (2).

That the Council resolves that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, write to her counterparts in authorities in Liverpool City Region and Lancashire, setting out initial proposals for a joint approach to this matter."

RESOLVED:     A.   That given the potential for negative social and economic consequences of so-called Brexit, along with possible opportunities, this council seek to work with other like-minded local authorities, especially but not solely within the Liverpool City Region area and Lancashire, to research and as appropriate pursue any lobbying or legislative means, so as to ensure that our local and combined authorities acquire and use to best effect, a substantive place in the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union following a 'triggering' of Article 50 (2).

B.   That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, write to her counterparts in authorities in Liverpool City Region and Lancashire, setting out initial proposals for a joint approach to this matter.

That Council is concerned that following severe Government cuts Lancashire Constabulary has lost some 1364 jobs:-

893 Police Officers

331 Police Staff

140 Community Support Officers

That this Council is concerned that continued cuts to Police funding leading to a reduction in front line Policing will only result in more crime and anti-social behaviour within West Lancashire. This will harm our community and prevent residents from feeling safe.

That Council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary setting out our concerns and demanding that cuts to police funding be stopped immediately.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"That Council is concerned that following severe Government cuts Lancashire Constabulary has lost some 1364 jobs:-

893 Police Officers

331 Police Staff

140 Community Support Officers

That this Council is concerned that continued cuts to Police funding leading to a reduction in front line Policing will only result in more crime and anti-social behaviour within West Lancashire. This will harm our community and prevent residents from feeling safe.

That Council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary setting out our concerns and demanding that cuts to police funding be stopped immediately."

RESOLVED:     A.   That Council is concerned that following severe Government cuts, Lancashire Constabulary has lost some 1364 jobs:-

893 Police Officers

331 Police Staff

140 Community Support Officers

B.     That this Council is concerned that continued cuts to Police funding leading to a reduction in front line Policing will only result in more crime and anti-social behaviour within West Lancashire. This will harm our community and prevent residents from feeling safe.

C.     That Council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary setting out our concerns and demanding that cuts to police funding be stopped immediately.

(Note: Councillor D Evans left the meeting during consideration of this item.)

Notwithstanding the decisions taken at the meeting of the Council on the 19 October 2016 to reject the Conservative Motion to remove reference to the introduction of a charge for the collection of Green Waste from the General Revenue Account Policy Options 2017-18 and the subsequent vote that approved the introduction of a charge of £30 per year for the collection of green compostable material (Appendix 5 reference OP9), and given the Conservative budget proposals clearly demonstrate that a balanced budget is possible without the need to impose the charge of £30 for the collection of green compostable material, the following Motion is proposed:

That this Council resolves to rescind the decisions taken at the meeting of the Council on the 19 October 2016 and agrees not to impose a charge of £30 for the collection of green compostable material.

This item was dealt with under Minute 84 'Budget Requirement 2017/18'.