Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain for the evening, Deacon Peter of St Anne's church, led Members and officers in prayer.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Devine, Eccles, Pope, Marsh-Pritchard and Rear.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Head of Legal and Democratic Services 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 2024/25 and in relation to item 12 ‘Determination of Council Tax 2024/25’, but were entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption. 

2.         a)    Councillors Blundell, de Freitas, Gordon, Howard, Mrs Marshall, Gaynar Owen, Patel, Webster, Whittington and Witter declared a pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budget in respect of item 11 'GRA Revenue Report and MTFS Update 2024/25 to 2026/27' and item 12 'Capital Strategy And Programme 2024/25 to 2026/27', 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, Bailey, Fillis, N Hennessy and D Westley declared a pecuniary interest in relation to relevant lines in the budget in respect of item 11 ‘GRA Revenue & Capital Programme Budget Setting 2023/24’ and item 12 'Capital Strategy And Programme 2024/25 to 2026/27' as Members of Lancashire County Council (LCC) as did Councillors Coughlan, Cummins and Gagen as employees of LCC, and indicated that they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected LCC.*

* 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 Blundell, de Freitas, Gordon, Howard, Mrs Marshall, Gaynar Owen, Patel, Webster, Whittington and Witter declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 12 ‘Determination of Council Tax 2024/25’, item 15 ‘Capital Finance and Treasury Management Strategy’, item 18 'Statutory Polling Review 2024' and item 19 'NNDR Discretionary Scheme' in view of their membership of a Parish Council. 

4.         Councillors Aldridge, Bailey, Fillis, N Hennessy and D Westley declared a non pecuniary interest in relation to item 12 ‘Determination of Council Tax 2024/25’, item 21 ' Public Health, Healthy Weight Collaboration Agreement', item 25 'Tawd Valley Developments Limited – Business Plan Update',  item 26a 'Devolution Deal - Lancashire - Motion', and item 26b 'Highways – Motion', as Members of Lancashire County Council, as did Councillors Coughlan, Cummins and Gagen as an employee of Lancashire County Council.

5.         Councillors Gaynar Owen, Nixon and West (Tenant of a Council flat/house) Coughlan (Tenants of a Council garage) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to item 14 ‘Housing Account – Revenue and Capital Budget Setting’ 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).

6.         Councillors Aldridge, de Freitas, Nixon and Rigbydeclared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 14 ‘Housing Account – Revenue and Capital Programme’ as they have a connected person who is a tenant of rented Council accommodation. Insofar as that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To receive as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 December 2023.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on Wednesday 13 December 2023, were received as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor announced the following fund raising events:

A.     Friday 5 April 2024 – Murder Mystery night at the Buffs, Skelmersdale

B.     Saturday 27 April 2024 – The Mayor's Charity Dinner/Ball at Lancashire Manor

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 5 December 2023 and 13 February 2024

B.     Planning Committee – Thursday 18 January and 15 February 2024

C.    Audit & Governance Committee – Tuesday 30 January 2024

To consider the report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 31 to 56 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 detailing the Authority’s policy on Workforce remuneration, as required by the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED:

A.   That the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 attached at Appendix (i) to the report, be approved, published on the Council’s website and included in the Constitution.

B.   That the approval of any administrative updates following a pay award implementation or changes to pension contributions banding requirements during any particular year is delegated to the Head of Corporate and Customer Services, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Human Resources.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 57 to 64 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2024/25 and endorsement of the Membership of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

RESOLVED:

A.     That the IRP’s report for 2024/25, attached at Appendix 2, be received and taken into account when considering the recommendations at 2.2 and 2.3 below.

B.     That in accordance with paragraph 10 of the IRP's report, a Members Allowance Scheme be made, effective from 1 April 2024, incorporating:

(a)  A Basic Allowance of £4,950

(b)  Provision for Special Responsibility Allowances, as detailed on the Schedule attached as Appendix 1 to the report

(c)  Childcare and Dependent Carer’s Allowance to be set at the same level as the 'Real' Living Wage (£12.00 from 1 April 2024). 

C.     That the Head of Legal & Democratic Services update the Members’ Allowances Scheme for the period commencing 1 April 2024, such scheme to be incorporated into the Constitution and subsequently published.

D.     That the Membership of the IRP for 2024/25 and the respective terms of office be noted and endorsed as follows:

          Mrs G Stanley (Chairman)1 May 2027 

          Mr J Boardman                 1 May 2026

          Mr I Thompson                  1 May 2025

To enable the Portfolio Holder / Shadow Portfolio Holder / Spokesperson for OWL 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.)

RESOLVED:   That Council Procedure Rule 13.4 be suspended to enable the Portfolio Holder / Shadow Portfolio Holder / Spokesperson for OWL to present their budget statement for Agenda Items 11 and 14. (This Rule limits the length of a speech to 5 minutes.)

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy)

Consideration was given to the revised report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 559 to 580 of the Book of Reports, which sought to set a balanced Revenue Budget for the forthcoming financial year 2024/25 and presented the updated Medium-Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) for the following financial years 2025/26 to 2026/27, noting the latest forecast budget gap of £1.533m, comprising:

·       £1.803m in 2025/26

·       (£0.270)m in 2026/27

and informed of the reserves position as at 31 March 2023 and the forecast position to 2026/27.

A Motion to agree the recommendations in the revised report, was moved and seconded.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, voting on Motion was recorded as follows:

FOR:          Councillors: Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Furey, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hogan, Lawson, Lloyd, Molloy, Nixon,

G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts, West and Yates (TWENTY FIVE)

AGAINST: Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Daniels, de Freitas, Gordon, Hesketh, Howard, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Rigby, Webster,

D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (FIFTEEN)

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the General Revenue Account (GRA) budget for 2024/25, set out in the revised report, be approved.

B.    That the latest GRA Medium-Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) budget gap for 2025/26 to 2026/27, as set out in the report, be noted.

C.    That the latest GRA reserves position as at 31 March 2023 and forecast to 2026/27 be noted and the GRA reserves policy be approved.

D.    That delegated authority be given to the Chief Operating Officer and the Corporate Director to take all necessary action to implement the changes resulting from the budget proposals.

E.    That delegated authority be given to the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services (Section 151 Officer) to apply an annual inflationary increase to fees and charges.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy)

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services, as contained on pages 89 to 104 of the Book of Reports, which set out the framework for capital financing and treasury management operations for the next financial year.

The Minutes of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet had been circulated prior to the meeting.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, voting on the Motion was recorded as follows:

FOR:          Councillors: Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Furey, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hogan, Lawson, Lloyd, Molloy, Nixon,

G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts, West and Yates (TWENTY FIVE)

AGAINST: Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Daniels, de Freitas, Gordon, Hesketh, Howard, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Rigby, Webster,

D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (FIFTEEN)

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   That the Capital Strategy and Programme for 2024/25 be agreed.

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

(Relevant Porfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy)

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services, as contained on pages 589 to 681, which proposed the Council Tax rate for each property band for the whole of the Borough Council’s area, and included the Council Tax rate 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 and confirmed the statutory resolutions that are required in order to set the Council Tax for 2024/25.

A Motion to move the recommendations in the revised report, were moved and seconded.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, voting on the Motion was recorded as follows:

FOR:          Councillors: Aldridge, Anderson, Bailey, Blundell, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Daniels, de Freitas, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hogan, Howard, Juckes, Lawson, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts, West, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, Witter and Yates (THIRTY SEVEN)

AGAINST:  (NONE)          

ABSTENTIONS:      Councillors: Hesketh, Rigby and Webster (THREE)

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.     That it be noted that on the 31 January 2024, the Borough Treasurer declared the Council Tax Base amounts set out in Appendix A for the financial year 2024/25 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012.

B.     That the Budget for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25 (excluding parish precepts) be set at £17,135,991 in accordance with the earlier Budget Requirement report.

C.     That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2024/2025 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act):

a)     £60,231,600 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)     £50,580,886 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act

c)     £9,650,714 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)     £251.61 being the amount at C(c) above divided by 38,356.55 (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 2024/2025.

e)     £765,419 being the aggregate amount of all special items (i.e. Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

f)      £231.65 being the amount at C(d) above, less the result given by dividing the amount at C(e) above by 38,356.55 (the Tax Base), calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for 2024/2025 for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.

g)     Part of the Council's  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor N Pryce-Roberts)

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Service, as contained on pages 111 – 132 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget and capital investment programme for the next financial year 2024/25.

The minutes of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Landlord Services Committee (Cabinet Working Group) and Cabinet had been circulated prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

A.       That the rent and service charges set within delegated authority, as detailed in sections 4 and 5 of the report, be noted.

B.       That the 2024/25 HRA budget, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

C.       That the 30-year capital programme in paragraph 7.2 of the report, be approved.

D.       That, subject to any updated approvals in regard to Tawd Valley Developments, the HRA budgets be added to reflect the HRA share of each scheme cost, as detailed in paragraphs 7.3 to 7.6 of the report.

E.       That the reserves policy set out in appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

F.       That the HRA 30 year business plan in appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

G.      That delegated authority be given to the Director of Transformation, Housing and Resources to take all necessary action to implement the decisions of Council.

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

(Relevant Portofolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy)

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 133 to 161 of the Book of Reports, which detailed the framework for capital financing and treasury management operations for the next financial year.

An Addendum to the report, setting out a revised paragraph 1.8.1 of Appendix 1, including the Minutes of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet, had been circulated prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

A.     That the projected position in respect of the Prudential Indicators for 2023-24 set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.

B.     That the Treasury and Prudential Indicators for the next three years, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

C.     That the capital expenditure projections, detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.  

D.     That the Capital Financing Requirement projections, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

E.     That the minimum revenue provision policy, as set out in section 4.5 of the report, be approved.

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

(Relevant Porfolio Holder: Councillor N Pryce-Roberts)

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, as contained on pages 161 to 174 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval to proceed with the development of Digmoor area of Skelmersdale in accordance with the Digmoor Revival Scheme and the demolition of the existing blocks of flats in Blythewood and Banksbarn, shown in the current site plan, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, and thereafter take all steps necessary to develop the site to facilitate the development of 45 new Council homes for affordable/social rent.

The minute of Cabinet had been circulated prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

A.    That having regard to the decision of Cabinet, the development, as outlined in the report be approved and the proposal be funded from the £9m budget which has previously been set aside for this purpose.

B.    That the Head of Housing be given delegated authority to take all steps necessary to implement the development outlined within the report, to include, but not be limited to instructing TVD Ltd, obtaining planning permission, entering into grant funding arrangements with Homes England, contracts with design and build businesses, demolition of existing properties, relocation of tenants and repurchase of leaseholds.

C.    That the Head of Housing, following discussion with the relevant Portfolio Holder, be given delegated authority to, as a last resort, use the power of compulsory purchase.

D.    That the Head of Housing be given delegated authority to make ongoing adjustments to the delivery of the scheme, following discussions with the relevant Portfolio Holder.

To consider the joint report of the Chief Operating Officer and the Head of Legal & Democratic Services.

Revised appendices had been circulated prior to the meeting.

A Motion to approve the recommendations in the report, was moved and seconded.

An Amendment from Councillor Rigby, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken, the Amendment was LOST.

A Further Amendment from Councillor D Westley, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken, the further Amendment was LOST.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Dowling, gave an undertaking to meet with the Leaders of the Conservative and Our West Lancashire Groups, to discuss any proposed changes to the new Constitution.

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

To consider the report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 395 to 406 of the Book of Reports, which provided details of the Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places to be conducted in line with the Representation of the People Act 1983, as amended (the 1983 Act).

RESOLVED:

A.    That the outline timetable for the Review, as set out in Appendix 1 of this report, be approved.    

B.    That the Electoral Services Manager administer the Review for both parliamentary and local government polling districts and polling places.

C.    That the (Acting) Returning Officer(s) be consulted on the Review and provide comment on all existing polling stations and any new polling stations.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Transformation, Housing & Resources, as contained on pages 407 to 448 of the Book of Reports, which proposed changes to National Non-Domestic Rates Relief for 2024-25 following recent Government announcements and to note the Policy to underpin these Schemes, as appended to this Report.

RESOLVED:

A.     That the content of the Policy to underpin implementation of the Borough Council's proposed Discretionary Scheme, as appended to the report, be approved.

B.     That the Policy coverage to underpin the recently announced Government changes, be noted.

C.    That delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders to implement the new Non-Domestic Discretionary Rate Relief and make any minor/inconsequential amendments to the scheme as and when announced by the Government.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, as contained on pages 449 to 456 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval to receive Home Office grant funding and to use this funding to enhance the Council's CCTV network.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the receipt of Home Office funding of £160,000 be approved and committed to be spent in accordance with paragraph 3.3 of the report.          

B.    That the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services be granted delegated authority, in discussion the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Community Safety, to bid, accept and administer opportunities for Community Safety external grant funding, where the timescale and/or requirements for such funding prevent the matter from being presented to Members and that would otherwise lead to the funding opportunity not being taken.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor V Cummins)

Consideration was give to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, as contained on pages 751 to 756 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Lancashire County Council (Public Health Team) to deliver a five-year Healthy Weight service in West Lancashire for adults, children and families. The report also sought authority to:

·       receive £75,000 per annum funding from Lancashire County Council's Public Health Team to deliver Healthy Weight Programmes and interventions.

·       spend the funding received from Lancashire County Council's Public Health Team, to deliver Healthy Weight Programmes and interventions in West Lancashire between April 2024 to 31st March 2029.

·       receive and spend any additional funding beyond the initial term of this agreement by a further period up to a maximum 36 months.

RESOLVED:

A.    That approval is granted to receive £75,000 per annum funding from Lancashire County Council for five years (possible plus 3) to deliver Healthy Weight services across West Lancashire   

B.    That approval is granted to enter into a collaboration agreement with Lancashire County Council, April 2024 to March 2029, to deliver the Healthy Weight services for an initial five-year period.

C.    That approval is granted to allow the spending of the grant monies received to deliver healthy weight management services across West Lancashire.  

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 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 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.

Ms Radhika Aggarwal, Independent Legal Advisor on Behalf of the Chief Operating Officer

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 463 to 480 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the future operational management of the Council, following the departure of the Director of Place and Community, to provide strategic leadership that will deliver the Council's new corporate priorities within the new governance framework whilst addressing retention and maximising efficiencies. 

RESOLVED:

A.    That the management structure attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved with effect from 1^st April 2024.

B.    With effect from the 1^st April 2024 the posts set out in Column 1 of Appendix 2 to the report, be redesignated to those shown in Column 2 and the Chief Operating Officer be given delegated authority to agree new naming arrangements going forward.

C.    The revised Chief Officer and Corporate Management Team Local Grade Structure WLa to WLe be revised and replaced by those detailed in Appendix 3 to the report.

D.    That the post of Chief Operating Officer be redesignated as Chief Executive, revised grade CO1 and have the terms and conditions of the JNC Chief Executive applied to this role from the 1 April 2024.

E.    That the post of Corporate Director, Transformation Housing and Resources, revised grade CO2, be redesignated Deputy Chief Executive, with direct line reporting to the Chief Executive, with JNC Chief Officer terms and conditions applied to the post from 1 April 2024.

F.    That the Chief Operating Officer in discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Human Resources and Leader be granted delegated authority to make additional changes to the grade structures (Local and NJC), as appropriate.

G.   That the Chief Operating Officer be given delegated authority to take all action in connection with the implementation of any proposed changes arising from this report.

H.    That the Head of Legal & Democratic Services be granted delegated authority to amend the Constitution (including proper officer provisions and scheme of delegation) and all other policies and procedures be similarly updated to reflect the proposed changes arising from this report, where appropriate.

(Note:   All Members of the Corporate Management Team left the room whilst this item was under consideration and Ms Radhika Aggarwal, Weightmans Solicitors, was present to answer any questions on the report.)

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, as contained on pages 481 to 488 of the Book of Reports, which provide an update on a range of matters concerning the future operation of the Council's Leisure facilities and plans for their renovation and replacement.

A Motion to move the recommendations in the report at paragraph 2, was moved and seconded.

An Amendment, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded in the following terms:

"2.1    That the progress being made on the Burscough Sports and Leisure Hub renovation project be noted and endorsed.

2.2     That no further resources be committed in regard to future management options until the viability of the capital replacement programme is assessed."

A vote was taken on the Amendment, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:            Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Daniels, de Freitas, Gordon, Hesketh, Howard, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Rigby, Webster,

D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (FIFTEEN)

AGAINST:    Councillors: Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Furey, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hogan, Lawson, Lloyd, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts, West and Yates (TWENTY FIVE)

The Amendment was LOST.

A vote was taken on the Motion.

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the progress being made on the Burscough Sports and Leisure Hub renovation project be noted and endorsed.

B.    That the proposed approach for reviewing the options for operating the Leisure facilities be noted and endorsed.

To consider the report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 489 to 548 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval for the latest business plan of Tawd Valley Developments Limited (TVDL), which is the Council's wholly owned development company.

A Motion to approve the recommendations in the report, was moved and seconded.

An Amendment to the Motion, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded in the following terms:

"2.1    That the TVDL business plan set out in the Appendix to this report be approved, subject to the condition that when the future separate report in respect of the GRA scheme for Business Units at Junction 4 comes to Full Council for a separate approval it will include an Independent Professional Valuation that assesses demand, financial viability and projected market valuation.

2.2     That the financial implications for the Council arising from the business plan, as set out in section 5 of this report, be approved."

A vote was taken on the Amendment, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:            Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Daniels, de Freitas, Gordon, Hesketh, Howard, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Rigby, Webster,

D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (FIFTEEN)

AGAINST:    Councillors: Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Furey, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hogan, Lawson, Lloyd, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts, West and Yates (TWENTY FIVE)

The Amendment was LOST.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Dowling, gave an undertaking to provide Members with a copy of the 2022Independent Professional Valuation report.

A vote was taken on the Motion.

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the TVDL business plan set out in the Appendix to this report be approved.

B.    That the financial implications for the Council arising from the business plan, as set out in section 5 of the report, be approved.

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

(Members of the press and public were invited back into the meeting.)

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

This council supports the principle of devolution to Lancashire.

This council does not support the devolution package as presented, in which only the three upper tier/unitary authorities of Lancashire have all the power and receive all the funding.

Lancashire deserves a fair devolution package, similar to those adopted by our neighbours in the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority areas.

This council resolves to continue to work with partner districts in negotiating with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Lancashire County Council and Combined County Authority to call for

·        a review of the devolution deal currently being developed for Lancashire to ensure that it will deliver tangible benefits for West Lancashire and the county and that assurances can be made that any devolution deal and associated Governance arrangements will only be implemented if they are supported by majority of communities across Lancashire

·        a commitment to extensive and meaningful consultation with District Councils throughout the devolution deal process and the operation of the CCA

·        the future of UKSPF to be allocated to West Lancashire Borough Council and districts for distribution, enabling the greatest local and social benefit to businesses, voluntary and community sectors

·        working with the District Councils Network, an end to the discrepancy which means that in CCAs only county councils and any unitary authorities within the area get voting rights

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"This council supports the principle of devolution to Lancashire.

This council does not support the devolution package as presented, in which only the three upper tier/unitary authorities of Lancashire have all the power and receive all the funding.

Lancashire deserves a fair devolution package, similar to those adopted by our neighbours in the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority areas.

This council resolves to continue to work with partner districts in negotiating with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Lancashire County Council and Combined County Authority to call for

·        a review of the devolution deal currently being developed for Lancashire to ensure that it will deliver tangible benefits for West Lancashire and the county and that assurances can be made that any devolution deal and associated Governance arrangements will only be implemented if they are supported by majority of communities across Lancashire

·        a commitment to extensive and meaningful consultation with District Councils throughout the devolution deal process and the operation of the CCA

·        the future of UKSPF to be allocated to West Lancashire Borough Council and districts for distribution, enabling the greatest local and social benefit to businesses, voluntary and community sectors

·        working with the District Councils Network, an end to the discrepancy which means that in CCAs only county councils and any unitary authorities within the area get voting rights."

RESOLVED:

A.    That this Council supports the principle of devolution to Lancashire.

B.    That this Council does not support the devolution package as presented, in which only the three upper tier/unitary authorities of Lancashire have all the power and receive all the funding.

C.    That Lancashire deserves a fair devolution package, similar to those adopted by our neighbours in the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority areas.

D.    That this Council continues to work with partner districts in negotiating with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Lancashire County Council and Combined County Authority to call for:

·     a review of the devolution deal currently being developed for Lancashire to ensure that it will deliver tangible benefits for West Lancashire and the county and that assurances can be made that any devolution deal and associated Governance arrangements will only be implemented if they are supported by majority of communities across Lancashire

·     a commitment to extensive and meaningful consultation with District Councils throughout the devolution deal process and the operation of the CCA

·     the future of UKSPF to be allocated to West Lancashire Borough Council and districts for distribution, enabling the greatest local and social benefit to businesses, voluntary and community sectors

·     working with the District Councils Network, an end to the discrepancy which means that in CCAs only county councils and any unitary authorities within the area get voting rights

This council notes that road conditions in West Lancashire have deteriorated to such an extent that vehicles are sustaining damage due to poor infrastructure with the cost of repairing this damage being unfairly burdened upon the residents of West Lancashire.

This council resolves to call upon Lancashire County Council to reinstate the vehicle damage compensation scheme to alleviate the financial strain on our residents caused by their neglect of road maintenance.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"This council notes that road conditions in West Lancashire have deteriorated to such an extent that vehicles are sustaining damage due to poor infrastructure with the cost of repairing this damage being unfairly burdened upon the residents of West Lancashire.

This council resolves to call upon Lancashire County Council to reinstate the vehicle damage compensation scheme to alleviate the financial strain on our residents caused by their neglect of road maintenance."

A vote was taken on the Motion, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:            Councillors: Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Furey, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hesketh, Hogan, Lawson, Lloyd, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts, Rigby, Webster, West and Yates (TWENTY EIGHT)

AGAINST:    Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Daniels, de Freitas, Gordon, Howard, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWELVE)

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.    That this Council notes that road conditions in West Lancashire have deteriorated to such an extent that vehicles are sustaining damage due to poor infrastructure, with the cost of repairing this damage being unfairly burdened upon the residents of West Lancashire.

B.    That this Council calls upon Lancashire County Council to reinstate the vehicle damage compensation scheme to alleviate the financial strain on our residents caused by their neglect of road maintenance.