Agenda and minutes

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

Apolgies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Cooper, Jukes, Lockie, O'Toole and Whittington.

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 Aldridge, Pope and D Westley declared a non pecuniary interest in relation to item 8 ' Our New Deal for a Greater Lancashire' and 13 ' Revised Capital Programme' as Members of Lancashire County Council, as did Councillors Coughlan, Cummins and Gagen as an employee of Lancashire County Council, and indicated that they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected their employment with LCC.

2.         Councillors Dereli, Gordon, Jane Marshall, Mee, Moran, Owen, Pope, Ms Sutton and Witter declared a non pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 13 ' Revised Capital Programme' as Members of a Parish Council and indicated they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected those bodies specifically.

3.         Councillors Delaney, Devine, Owen, West and J Wilkie (Tenant of a Council flat/house) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to item 12 'HRA Revenue & 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 Sutton declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 12 'HRA Revenue & 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, 15 December 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 15 December 2021 were received as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Council meeting held a minute silence to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.  

The Mayor announced:

A.    That the Blind Wine Tasting Quiz Night on 18^th February 2022 had been cancelled due to Covid.

B.    That on 27^th March 2022, a fund raising event was being held at Skelmersdale United Football Club and on Friday 22^nd April 2022, the Mayor's Charity Dinner/Ball was being held at Hurston Hall Golf & Spa Resort.

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.    Licensing & Appeals Committee – Tuesday 7 December 2021

B.    Licensing & Gambling Committee – Tuesday 7 December 2021

C.   Planning Committee – Wednesday 12 January 2022

To consider the report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 769 to 782 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on work undertaken towards development of strengthened joint working, a long term strategic plan and a County Deal for the Lancashire area and sought agreement to progress the work.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the outline "Our New Deal for a Greater Lancashire" set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be supported, as the initial draft basis for further discussion and development of a possible County Deal for the Lancashire area.

B.   That the principles of governance for any future deal, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be agreed.

C.   That the Leader of the Council continues to work with Lancashire Leaders in line with the principles agreed in A and B above, and it be noted that any formal proposals will require approval by Full Council at the appropriate time.

(Note: Councillor Gregson arrived during consideration of this item.)

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 783 to 806 of the Book of Reports, which set out a review and update of the Commercial Property Strategy.

A Motion, circulated prior to the meeting was moved and seconded.

An Amendment to the Motion, circulated prior to the meeting was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the Amendment, which was LOST.

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

RESOLVED:   A.   That the revised Commercial Property Strategy, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

                          B.   That the terms of reference for the Strategic Assets Purchasing Committee be amended, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 807 to 812 of the Book of Reports, which provided a summary of the projected revenue position on the General Revenue Account (GRA) at the mid-year point of the financial year 2021-22. 

RESOLVED:   That the forecast GRA outturn position and the comments contained in sections 4 and 5 of the report, be noted.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 813 to 830 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the Revised General Revenue Account (GRA) Capital Programme for 2021/22 and provided 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 to 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 Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 831 to 846, which provided a summary of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Housing capital programme positions for the 2021/22 financial year.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the 2021/22 HRA and Housing capital programme positions be noted.

B.   That the proposed budget adjustments identified in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 847 to 856 of the Book of Reports, which set out details of Treasury Management operations in the year and reported on the Prudential Indicators for 2020/21, where available.

RESOLVED:   That the Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management activity, in the six months ended 30^th September 2021, be noted.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources, as contained on pages 857 to 868 of the Book of Reports, which set out the recommendations of the Member Development Commission, following a review of Scrutiny Arrangements of West Lancashire Borough Council, and to authorise next steps.

A Motion, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken, the Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Review undertaken by the Member Development Commission on behalf of the Council, previously adopted and implemented set out in paragraph 6 of the report, and the recommendations set out in paragraph 7.2.C, be noted.

B.   That the Council continue with 2 scrutiny committees (Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee).

C.   That, subject to approval of the financial implications set out in paragraph 10 of the report, the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee establish Task and Finish Groups to undertake in depth scrutiny work, rather than the work being undertaken by the main Committee, as follows:

            (a) Membership:

·    6 Members (3 Lab, 2 Con, 1 OWL), subject to change each year to reflect political makeup and inclusion of Independent councillor(s) as appropriate

·    Additional Members (To be appointed by the Task & Finish Group/Committee if required)

·    Co-optees: If required

(Members volunteer to be a member of the group, and selection is made on the members particular interest and expertise in the area being scrutinised. Members not to be restricted to Scrutiny Members, but open to all. Cabinet Members by invitation only.)

(b) Meetings

·    to be held ad hoc, dependent on the nature of the topic, eg if there is a set deadline for a review to take place and conclude in order to make a decision, the group will meet several times within a short timeframe.

·    To be held virtually

(c) Remit:

·    Initial meeting will set out the Terms of Reference, membership, timeframe, etc via a project plan proforma

·    Final reports of the Task & Finish Group to be submitted to Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee for approval prior to consideration by Cabinet / Council.

·

D.   That subject to budget approval, a permanent allocation of 10 hours per week at Grade SO1 at 10 hours per week be assigned to facilitate this work, either as a standalone Member Services Officer role or a more substantive role combined with other duties.

E.   That the Members Update to remain in its current format.

F.    That the Legal & Democratic Services Manager be authorised to make any necessary amendments to the Constitution.

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 869 to 874 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the timetable of meetings for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

A Motion, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken, the Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   That the timetable for the meetings for the 2022/23 Municipal Year, attached as an appendix to the report, be approved, subject to a uniformed start time of 7pm for the following  meetings:

·         Cabinet

·         Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·         Corporate and Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee  

·         Licensing and Appeals Committee

·         Audit and Governance Committee

·         Planning Committee

·         Standards Committee

Full Council meetings to remain at start time of 7.30pm.

To consider the report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 875 to 879 of the Book of Reports, which detailed proposals for freedom of entry to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment following the granting of Freedom of the Borough in 2010.

RESOLVED:   A.   That it be noted that on the 25 May 2022 the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment will be marching through the streets of Ormskirk, West Lancashire, with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying.

B.   That the Chief Operating Officer be authorised to make all necessary arrangements for the event being held on 25 May 2022 and the sum of up to £12,000 be identified from Reserves and balances to meet costs associated with the event.

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 879 to 880 of the Book of Reports, which sought nominations for the appointment of the Chairman of the Polling Districts & Polling Places Committee and the Vice-Chairman of the Strategic Assets Purchasing Committee.

A nomination to appoint Councillor Gaynar Owen to both positions, was moved and seconded.

RESOLVED:   A.   That Councillor Gaynar Owen, a Member of the Polling Districts & Polling Places Committee, be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

B.   That Councillor Gaynar Owen, a Member of the Strategic Assets Purchasing Committee, be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

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 881 to 882 of the Book of Reports, which advised that for the period 1 December 2020 to 30 November 2021, there were no decisions taken under Access to Information Procedure Rule 16 (Special Urgency).

RESOLVED:   That it be noted that Access to Information Rule 16 (Special Urgency) was not exercised during the period 1 December 2020 to 30 November 2021.