Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

If, by virtue of the date by which a decision must be taken, it has not been possible to follow Rule 15 (i.e. a matter which is likely to be the subject of a key decision has not been included on the Forward Plan) then the decision may still be taken if:

a)    The Borough Solicitor, on behalf of the Leader, obtains the agreement of the Chairman of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee that the making of the decision cannot be reasonably deferred,

b)    The Borough Solicitor, on behalf of the Leader, makes available on the Council’s website and at the offices of the Council, a notice setting out the reasons that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

There were no items of special urgency.

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.)

There were no declarations of interest.

Residents of West Lancashire, on giving notice, may address the meeting to make representations on any item on the agenda except where the public and press are to be excluded during consideration of the item.  The deadline for submissions is 10.00am Friday 11 October 2019.  A copy of the public speaking protocol and form to be completed is attached.

There were no items under this heading.

The Leader announced that it was the last meeting of Cabinet to be attended by Kim Webber Chief Executive, John Harrison Director of Development and Regeneration and Terry Broderick Borough Solicitor, and expressed his thanks to them for the advice and support they have provided to Cabinet and wished them all the best for the future.

Consideration was given to the report relating to the following matter requiring a decision as circulated and contained on pages 479 - 484 of the Book of Reports.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

The Leader introduced the report of the Director of Development and Regeneration which sought consent for the installation of a commercial photovoltaic (PV) system at West Lancashire Investment Centre in order to harness a green energy source to reduce operating costs.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the details as set out in the report before it, and accepted the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED  A.      That a commercial photovoltaic (PV) system be installed at the West Lancashire Investment Centre.

                        B.      That call-in is not appropriate for this item as the matter is one where timely action is required in order that installation can take place before the worst of the winter weather and panels can be energy producing so serving to help reduce operating costs as soon as possible.  Furthermore the current availability of an experienced management resource/project lead is time limited.

It is recommended that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item 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 3 (financial/business affairs) and 5 (Legal Matters) 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.

(Note: No representations have been received about why the meeting should be open to the public during consideration of the following items of business).

Part 2

(Not open to the public)

RESOLVED              That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and 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 3 (financial/business affairs) and 5 (legal matters) 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.

(Note: No representations had been received in relation to the following item being considered in private)

Consideration was given to the report relating to the following matter requiring a decision as contained on pages 485 – 514 of the Book of Reports.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

The Leader introduced the report of the Director of Development and Regeneration which provided an update on progress on the proposed first phase retail development at Skelmersdale Town Centre and sought agreement to continue to move forward with the project.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the details as set out in the report before it, and accepted the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED  A.      That delegated authority be given to the Director of Development and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration, to take all necessary steps to enable a Phase 1 scheme to proceed, including agreeing terms and accepting LEP Growth Funding, as set out in paragraph 7.2 of the report.

B.     That call-in is not appropriate for this item due to the limited timescales to agree a fixed price tender for the construction contract and the deadline for project completion should the LEP Growth Fund grant application be successful.