Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain for the evening, Rev Pauline Bicknell, led Members and officers in prayer.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors T Blane, S Currie, Mrs C Evans, G Hodson, C Lockie, Mrs J Marshall, D Westley and Mrs J Witter.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Sue Gregson to the Council, following the By-Election held on 21 November 2019 in the Birch Green Ward and advised that the Election results could be found on the Council's website.

Members paid tribute to former Councillor and Chairman, Cyril Ainscough who had recently died and passed on their thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Legal & Democratic Services Manager 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.         Councillors Aldridge and O’Toole declared a non pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 8 'Approval of revised Statement of Licensing Policy Required by the Licensing Act 2003' and agenda item 12 'Parish and Town Council Charter for West Lancashire - Review', as Members of Lancashire County Council (LCC), as did Councillors Coughlan and Gagen as employees of LCC, and indicated that they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected LCC.

2.         Councillors Ashcroft, Mrs Blake, Dereli, Gordon, Mee, Moran, Owen, Pope, Ms Sutton and Whittington declared a pecuniary / non pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 11 'Revised Capital Programme', agenda item 12 'Parish and Town Charter and item 8 'Approval of revised Statement of Licensing Policy Required by the Licensing Act 2003' as Members of a Parish Council and indicated they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected the finances of those bodies specifically.*

* By virtue of a dispensation granted by the Standards Committee all Councillors who have disclosable pecuniary or pecuniary interests in relation to relevant lines in the budget may participate and vote in the budget debates but not engage in detailed discussions about matters which affect those interests.

3.         Councillors Delaney, Devine, Owen, Nixon, West and J Wilkie (Tenant of a Council flat/house) Aldridge and Coughlan (Tenant of a Council garage) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to item 9 ‘HRA Revenue and Capital Mid-Year Review’ for the reasons indicated but were entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption (nothing in these reports relates particularly to their respective interests arising from the tenancy or lease).

4.         Councillors Aldridge, Mee and Wright declared non-pecuniary interests in relation to item 9 ‘HRA Revenue and Capital Mid-Year Review’ as they have a connected person who is a tenant of rented Council accommodation. Insofar as that interest becomes a pecuniary interest (as it could affect the financial position of their relative and a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard this as so significant that it is likely to prejudice their judgement of the public interest) they declared that interest but considered that they were entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption as nothing in these reports relates particularly to the relevant tenancy or lease.

To receive as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday, 16 October 2019.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday, 16 October 2019, were received as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor announced the following Charity evens being held:

• Prize Bingo Night at 'The Hut' Crawford Village – Saturday 1 February 2020
• The Mayor's Charity Ball at Holland Hall Hotel, Up Holland – Friday 27 March 2019

The Mayor also gave special thanks to Councillor Maureen Nixon for the assistance she had given to the Mayor baking cakes for many of her events.

The following Question and Response from the Leader were circulated:

"Purchase of cleaning equipment - Question from Councillor Kate Mitchell:

At the Council meeting on 27^th February, approval was given to spend £5,000 on the purchase of a pressure washer and water bowser for use in deep cleaning in the Borough.

·       On what date was the order placed to purchase this equipment?

Response:  17 June 2019

·       On what date was delivery of this equipment taken?

Response: 4 July 2019

·       Would the Council Leader provide details of what areas have been cleaned with this equipment to date?

Response:

The equipment was purchased to enable the Council to undertake ad-hoc graffiti removal on Council owned structures as required, it will also be utilised for chewing gum removal on areas of high footfall (town centres / shopping parades) in addition to cleaning signage as resources allow.  Additionally, it will be utilised to clean litter bins that are still in a viable condition and will be retained but need to be improved aesthetically so that will be built into the litter bin replacement/improvement programme.  The Clean & Green resources are fully committed to the grass cutting schedules during the April – October season and, although tested, and training provided, the pressure washer equipment will now be utilised during the winter programme."

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.     Chief Officers Committee – Tuesday 8 October, Thursday 31 October and Tuesday 26 November 2019.

B.     Licensing & Appeals Committee – Tuesday 8 October 2019.

C.    Planning Committee – Thursday 17 October and 28 November 2019.

D.    Audit & Governance Committee – Tuesday 29 October 2019.

(Note: Jacqui Sinnott-Lacey left the meeting during consideration of the minutes of the Chief Officers Committee 26 November 2019 as they included a recommendation to appoint her as the Chief Operating Officer.)

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community, as contained on pages 967 to 1030 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the revised Statement of Licensing Policy as required by the Licensing Act 2003.

Members were advised that Appendix E, the minute of the Licensing & Gambling Committee held on 3 December 2019 had been circulated.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the Statement of Licensing Policy 2020, attached at Appendix C to the report, be approved.

B.   That the Corporate Director of Place and Community be given delegated authority to publish and operate the Statement of Licensing Policy 2020, attached at Appendix C to the report.

C.   That the Corporate Director of Place and Community be given delegated authority to make any minor/inconsequential amendments to the Statement of Licensing Policy.

To consider the joint report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources and the Corporate Director of Place & Community.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Corporate Director of Place & Community and the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources, as contained on pages 1031 to 1044, which provided a summary of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Housing capital programme positions for the 2019/20 financial year.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the 2019/20 HRA and Housing capital programme positions be noted.

B.   That the proposed budget adjustments, identified in Appendix 1 and Appendix 3 of the report, be approved.

To consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Property Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Property, as contained on pages 1045 to 1050 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update of the General Revenue Account (GRA) budget position for the current year and issues for the next financial year.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the financial position of the GRA be noted including the position on reserves and balances.

B.   That the projected level of exit costs arising from the SORP be noted and that the costs of HRA staff are met from the projected favourable HRA budget variance in the current year and the costs of GRA staff are met from available capital receipts.

C.   That the proposed costs to buy in additional consultancy support to enable work to continue on implementing the Sustainable Organisation Review Project (SORP) be noted.

D.   That the existing Council Tax Support Scheme be continued for the next financial year.

To consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Property.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Property, as contained on pages 1051 to 1060, which sought approval of a Revised General Revenue Account (GRA) Capital Programme for 2019/2020 and provided an update on progress on capital schemes.

Revised recommendations were displayed on the screens.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the revised Capital Programme, including the re-profiling, virements and budget adjustments contained within Appendix A to the report, be approved, subject to the reference to the "Playgrounds Improvements" scheme being amended to "Leisure Facilities".

B.  That progress against the Revised Capital Programme at the mid-year point be noted.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources, as contained on pages 1061 to 1082 of the Book of Reports, which set out the revised 'Parish and Town Council Charter for West Lancashire'.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the revised 'Parish and Town Council Charter for West Lancashire' attached at Appendix A to the report, be endorsed and approved.

B.   That the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources be authorised to make any minor changes/updates to the Charter.

C.   That it be noted, that the 'Parish and Town Council Charter for West Lancashire' will be reviewed every 2 years by the Parish Clerks Liaison Group, with any significant changes reported to Council and any minor changes being reported via the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Members Update.

D.   That the request received from LALC (West Lancs Area Committee), detailed at paragraph 3.3 of the report, to extend the time limit for Parish Council representatives to speak at Planning Committee from 3 minutes to 5 minutes, be referred to Planning Committee for consideration.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources, as contained on pages 1083 to 1086 of the Book of Reports, which advised that, for the period 1 December 2018 to 30 November 2019, one decision was taken under Access to Information Procedure Rule 16 (Special Urgency).

RESOLVED:   That it be noted that Access to Information Rule 16 (Special Urgency) was exercised once during the period 1 December 2018 to 30 November 2019 at the Cabinet meeting held on 12 March 2019 in relation to the item “Local Plan Review Preferred Options – Initial Feedback”.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources, as contained on pages 1087 to 1088 of the Book of Reports, which sought to appoint the Vice-Chairman of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:     That Councillor Maureen Nixon be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

To consider the following Motion included on the agenda at the request of Councillor Adrian Owens on behalf of the Our West Lancashire Group:

"Recent research shows eight million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the world's oceans each year, endangering marine life while it is estimated that plastics in landfill can take hundreds of years to decompose. 

300 million tons of plastic are produced around the globe each year. Of this, 50% is for disposable applications such as packaging.

The Government has previously considered a possible tax on single use plastics, but this Council believes that we should eliminate their use as soon as possible wherever practicable.

Council therefore resolves to:

• Develop a robust strategy to make West Lancashire Borough Council a 'single-use plastic free' authority by the end of 2020 including an end to the purchase and procurement of SUPs through the Council's supply chain and the transition to the use of compostable bags for litter collection by the Council’s Clean and Green teams;
• End the provision of SUP products such as cups and cutlery in council buildings and at council run events;
• Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by West Lancashire Borough Council to encourage the phasing out of SUP cups, bottles, cutlery and straws;
• Encourage the Borough's businesses, organisations and residents to go 'single- use plastic free' working with best practice partners to provide business support, practical guidelines and advice to help local businesses transition from SUPs to sustainable alternatives."

The following Motion, included on the agenda at the request of Councillor Adrian Owens, on behalf of the Our West Lancs Group, was considered:

"Recent research shows eight million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the world's oceans each year, endangering marine life while it is estimated that plastics in landfill can take hundreds of years to decompose. 

300 million tons of plastic are produced around the globe each year. Of this, 50% is for disposable applications such as packaging.

The Government has previously considered a possible tax on single use plastics, but this Council believes that we should eliminate their use as soon as possible wherever practicable.

Council therefore resolves to:

• Develop a robust strategy to make West Lancashire Borough Council a 'single-use plastic free' authority by the end of 2020 including an end to the purchase and procurement of SUPs through the Council's supply chain and the transition to the use of compostable bags for litter collection by the Council’s Clean and Green teams;
• End the provision of SUP products such as cups and cutlery in council buildings and at council run events;
• Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by West Lancashire Borough Council to encourage the phasing out of SUP cups, bottles, cutlery and straws;
• Encourage the Borough's businesses, organisations and residents to go 'single- use plastic free' working with best practice partners to provide business support, practical guidelines and advice to help local businesses transition from SUPs to sustainable alternatives."

An Amendment to the Motion, as circulated prior to the meeting, was accepted by the mover and seconder of the Motion and with the consent of the meeting.

A vote was taken on the Altered Motion, which was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:     A.     That whilst this Council accepts that the use of single use plastics is a major global issue, it also recognises that this is simply one environmental issue out of an abundance which we all have a responsibility to address.  This was reflected in the actions of July 2019 when, following the IPCC Report which declared a Climate Emergency, Cllr Dereli submitted a Climate Change Emergency motion, which saw this council sign a joint pledge (with other councils).  Following this, the Council has started to develop a Carbon Neutrality Plan with the aim to reduce and off-set the carbon footprint of West Lancashire Borough Council in its day to day activities, carrying on the work already started through the Solar PV installations on residential and commercial premises, the removal of single use plastic cups, and the installation of electric vehicle charging points at council car parks.

B.     That this Council notes the development of the Carbon Neutrality Plan and recommends that the following actions in relation to the elimination of Single Use Plastics, be considered as part of that plan, with input from members when the report is presented in Spring 2020:

1.      The development of a robust strategy to make West Lancashire Borough Council a 'single-use plastic free' authority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.