Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain for the evening, Father Kenny, led Members and Officers in prayer.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Mrs Baybutt.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Legal and 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 Delaney, Devine, Owen, Nixon, West and J Wilkie (Tenant of a Council flat/house) Coughlan (Tenant of a Council garage) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to item 8 ‘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).

2.       Councillors Aldridge, Blane, Cooper, Mee, Nixon, Sutton, K Wilkie and Wright declared non-pecuniary interests in relation to 8 ‘HRA Revenue and Capital MidYear 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.

3.       Councillors Aldridge and O’Toole declared a non pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 15 ' Shared Services Contract ' 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.

To receive as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 14 October 2020.

RESOLVED:          That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 October 2020 were received as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor welcomed Father Kenny to his first Council meeting and wished him all the best in his new role serving the people of Skelmersdale.

He advised that given the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, that civic visits or charity events were still not being undertaken.

He wished all fellow Councillors and Staff a peaceful Christmas with his best wishes for a much happier and safer New Year.

He expressed his heartfelt and warmest wishes to all the residents in the Borough for a peaceful Christmas and their families and looked forward to a much safer 2021.

A question had been received from Councillor Adrian Owens as follows:

1.  "The date on which West Lancashire Borough Council purchased land at Spencers Mews in Skelmersdale?

2. Which council committee or individual made the decision to purchase the land at Spencers Mews in Skelmersdale?

3. If applicable, which portfolio holder was consulted on the decision to make the purchase of the land at Spencers Mews in Skelmersdale?

4. The legal entity off whom the Council purchased the land at Spencers Mews in Skelmersdale?"

The Leader advised that a response to the question would be circulated after the meeting.

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, as contained on pages 541 to 552 of the Book of Reports.

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

(a)       Licensing and Appeals Committee held on Tuesday, 6 October 2020

(b)     Planning Committee held on Thursday, 15 October 2020

(c)      Planning Committee held on Thursday, 12 November 2020

(d)     Planning Committee held on Thursday, 3 December 2020

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community as contained on pages 553 to 567 of the Book of Reports, which provided a summary of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Housing Capital Programme positions for the 2020/21 financial year.

RESOLVED:  A.      That the 2021/21 HRA and Housing Capital Programme  positions be noted.

                             B.  That the proposed budget adjustments identified in Appendix 2 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 Services as contained on pages 569 to 574 of the Book of Reports the purpose of which was to provide a summary of the projected revenue position on the General Revenue Account (GRA) at the mid-year point of the financial year 2020-21.

RESOLVED:   That the overall summary and the position on reserves and balances because of the COVID-19 Pandemic be noted.

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 Services as contained on pages 575 to 586 of the Book of Reports the purpose of which was to agree a revised General Revenue Account (GRA) Capital Programme for 2020/21 and provide an update on progress on capital schemes.

RESOLVED:   A.  That the revised Capital Programme, including the re-profiling, virements and budget adjustments contained within Appendix A of the report be approved.

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

To consider the report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager.

Consideration was given to the report of the Legal and Democratic Services Manager as contained on pages 587 to 589 of the Book of Reports the purpose of which was to approve the appointment of the Independent Persons (Standards Committee).

RESOLVED:    That Mr. Stephen Garvey and Mr Mike Fawcett be appointed Independent Persons, with an annual allowance of £375 each.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages 591 to 594 of the Book of Reports which advised that, for the period 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2020, 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 2019 to 30 November 2020 at the Cabinet meeting held on 9 June 2020 in relation to the item "Use of Capital Funding for Public Realm Improvements at Wheatsheaf Walk".

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

The following Motion was considered at the request of the Member indicated:

This Council resolves to:

·     require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

·           actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people–including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

·           write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

·           encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display

The following Altered Motion was moved and seconded, with the agreement of the meeting:

"This Council resolves to:

·   encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

·      actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people–including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

·      write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

·      encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display"

RESOLVED:  That this Council resolves to:

A.   encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

B.   actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people–including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

C.   write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

D.   encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display"

It is recommended that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s) of business in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Individuals/Financial & Business Affairs/Labour Relations) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and as, in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED:    That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 & 4  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act and as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages 595 to 613 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on the proposals outlined in the report presented 21 November 2019 regarding Payroll, Revenue and Benefits and ICT provision and sought approval of the recommendations outlined in Section 2 of the Report.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the proposal to return Revenues and Benefits to an in-house service be approved.

                        B.  That the proposal to enter into a 3 year contract for payroll to be provided by Lancashire County Council be approved.

                        C.  That the proposal for a shared IT provision with Lancashire County Council, on a collaboration arrangement, be approved, as outlined in section 8 of the report.

                        D.  That the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources be given delegated authority, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to undertake any actions required to progress the proposals outlined above.