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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk L39 2DF. View directions

Contact: Jacky Denning 

Items
No. Item

61.

Apologies

Minutes:

There were no apologies received.

 

62.

Special Urgency (Rule 16 Access to information procedure rules)/Urgent Business

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 Chief Operating Officer, 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 Chief Operating Officer, 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.

Minutes:

There were no items of special urgency.

63.

PUBLIC SPEAKING pdf icon PDF 243 KB

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 21January 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items under this heading.

64.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 299 KB

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.)

Minutes:

The following declarations were received:

 

1.   Councillors Vicki Cummins and Yvonne Gagen declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda items relating to Lancashire County Council (LCC) as  employees of Lancashire County Council and did not enter into detailed discussions, which affected LCC.

 

2.   Councillor Gaynar Owen (tenant of Council accommodation) declared a disclosable pecuniary interests in agenda items 6b 'Housing Account - Revenue and Capital Programme' but considered that she was entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption as nothing in the report relates particularly to the relevant tenancy or lease.

65.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 238 KB

To receive as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 2 November 2021.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 2 November 2021 be received as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

66.

MATTERS REQUIRING DECISIONS

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the reports relating to the following matters requiring decisions and contained on pages 1475 to 1650 and 1657 to 1664 of the Book of Reports.

67.

Draft Revenue & Capital Programme Budget pdf icon PDF 134 KB

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Adam Yates)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Yates introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services, which set out the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the 3 years ending 31st March 2025, together with the Revenue Budget for 2022/23 and the Capital Programme for the 3 years ending 31st March 2025, attached at appendix A.

 

The Minute of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 January 2022 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:That the report be noted.

 

 

68.

Housing Account - Revenue and Capital Programme pdf icon PDF 395 KB

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Jenny Wilkie)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jenny Wilkie introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services, which provided information to enable the Council to set its Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget and capital investment programme for the next financial year 2022/23

 

The minute of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 13 January 2022 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:   A.   The financial position and the budget matters set out in the report be noted.

 

B.     That the use of the Director of Place & Community's delegated authority in relation to rent and service charge changes be noted and endorsed.

 

C.    That this report be used for consultation purposes prior to the Council considering this matter on 23 February 2022.

 

D.    That the Housing and Landlord Services Portfolio Holder be given delegated authority to submit firm proposals to Council on 23 February 2022 to enable the budget to be set.

69.

Council Plan Delivery Plan Q2 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 760 KB

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Adam Yates)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Moran introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources, which presented performance monitoring data for the quarter ended 30 September 2021.

 

The Minute of the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 9 December 2021 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:   That the Council’s performance against the Council Plan for the quarter ended 30 September 2021 be noted.

 

70.

CIL Funding Programme 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 302 KB

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Gaynar Owen)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Gaynar Owen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community, which set out the consultation feedback on the draft CIL Funding Programme for 2022/23, and proposed final recommendations for the CIL Funding Programme in 2022/23.

 

The minute of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 13 January 2022 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:   A.   That the consultation feedback report provided at Appendix A to the report, be noted.

 

B.     That CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the following projects in 2022/23:

 

· £31,555 – Dial-a-Ride service (Year 2)

· £37,650 – Creation of an active hub, Skelmersdale  

  Ecumenical Centre.

 

C.    That Skelmersdale Neighbourhood CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the following project in 2022/23

 

· £12,760 – Track and trim-trail at St James' Primary School, Ashurst.

 

D.    That Ormskirk Neighbourhood CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the following project in 2022/23:

 

· £60,000 – Improvements to Whittle Drive changing facilities.

 

E.     That the underspend (c.£6835) from the previously approved Burscough towpath improvement scheme be transferred to the previously approved Parbold towpath scheme to increase the available funding for that project.

 

F.     That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Place and Community, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to consider and authorise any reasonable changes to the details of the Cabinet approved schemes contained within the report, including minor changes to CIL funding or delivery timescales, that may be necessary to facilitate the subsequent delivery of an approved project, and that this delegation level is updated in the Council Constitution.

71.

Barns Road Allotments & Associated Land (Transfer) pdf icon PDF 82 KB

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Yvonne Gagen)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Gagen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place & Community, which sought authority for the transfer of land to the Council at a nil premium.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:   A.   That authority is granted to the Corporate Director of Place and Community to take all necessary steps to acquire the land shown hatched on the plan attached to the report.

 

B.     That if further similar opportunities arise to increase the allotment provision within the Borough that the Corporate Director of Place and Community be given delegated powers to effect such transfers

72.

Climate Change Review Final Report of the Corporate & Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 52 KB

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillors Gaynar Owen, Kevin Wilkie & Jenny Wilkie)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jenny Wilkie introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources, which set out the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee's final report in respect of a review undertaken entitled ' Action on Climate Emergency combined with 'Create/Designate Hedgehog and Wildlife Areas in Public Parks/Gardens Across the Borough', attached at Appendix A to the report, and sought approval of the recommendations contained therein.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:   That the final report of the Committee on the review undertaken on the Action on Climate Emergency' combined with 'Create/Designate Hedgehog and Wildlife areas in public parks/gardens across the Borough', attached as Appendix A to the report be noted, and the recommendations contained therein, be approved as follows:

 

A.        That the following completed Actions/outcomes highlighted by the Committee during the course of the review, be noted:

 

1.      Information regarding the Green Homes Grant has been sent to all residents who requested it, with links to the Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHIL) website, which provides further information, encourages householders to take up free energy efficiency measures in their homes and provides an online application form.

 

2.      An invite to the NW Energy Hub event in June was forwarded to all who expressed an interest, together with another similar event by Electricity Northwest (ENW) 'Powering our Communities' which launched a Fund to support community and local energy groups to develop and grow.

 

3.      A 2nd bid has been submitted to the Office of Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV) for their consideration.  This includes 32 charge points at 16 locations, the majority of which are in communal parking areas on housing estates in Skelmersdale, to ensure those living in properties without off-street parking have access to a convenient charging network. Should the project go ahead, it would attract £374,709.01 investment, at nil cost to the council.

 

B.      That interested parties be contacted to inform about the Rural Community Energy Fund.

 

C.      That the Council continue to investigate a community/group purchasing project for Solar PV, noting that early conversations are underway with NW Energy Hub regarding an application to the Rural Community Energy Fund, with possible partners.  The intention is to community fund a solar PV project on large scale building/s in Skelmersdale occupied by a high energy user to purchase the power (this could be a Council owned commercial building with a high user tenant).  The income generated could then be reinvested to fund a further project or offered back to investors, depending on the community model used.

 

D.        That representatives from North West Energy Hub and Electricity North West be invited to attend a West Lancashire community energy event, following the  outcome of a RCEF fund application in C above.

 

E.        That case studies, with performance and savings figures, from installed renewable technologies on Council housing, be developed and made available on the Council's website, including details of:

 

1.    How much will it cost to install a 2kw 3kw or 4kw?

2.    How much disruption will there be to install them?

3.    What potential returns are there, if any, besides the positive impact on the environment?

 

F.        That working with the Lancashire Woodland Connect Project, continue to identify locations for tree planting and hedgehog and wildlife areas, noting that potential sites currently identified include 2-3 hectares at Fairy Glenn for the Queens 'Green Canopy Scheme'; 2-3 hectares at Tawd Valley Park with the assistance of the 'Friends of Tawd Valley Park'; a community orchard at Whittle Drive, Ormskirk, working with Westend School; hedgehog gardens at the Halsall Lane site, where the Schools will be getting involved, with potential funding being made available from the housing environmental improvement fund.

 

G.       That the potential to provide for an alternative/reduced mowing regime be investigated in order to manage areas specifically for wildlife and wildflower habitats. 

 

H.      That consideration be given to climate change matters within the emerging Local Plan.

 

I.        That officers investigate / explore how businesses in the Borough can be supported with recycling.

 

J.       That 'Water Management Strategies' be considered as a future topic for consideration for inclusion in the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny work programme for 2022/23.

 

K.      That Members receive via a Members Update, frequent updates in respect of the 'Action on Climate Emergency Strategy and Action plan'.

 

L.      That a Lead Member and senior officer be identified to drive forward the Council's agenda for Carbon Reduction/Environment and the importance of appointing an Environmental Strategy Manager to facilitate the actions outlined in the Council's Climate Change Strategy, be expressed. 

 

M.     That an update on progress of the recommendations be reviewed at Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee in September 2022.

 

 

73.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

It is recommended that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 (financial/business affairs) 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, however the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on Thursday, 13 January 2022, did not move the resolution to exclude the press and public and considered the following item in a meeting that was open to the public.)

 

Minutes:

This item was not moved as the report at agenda item 8(a) 'Land Disposal' had been withdrawn.

74.

MATTERS REQUIRING DECISIONS

Minutes:

The report contained on pages 1651 to 1656 of the Book of Reports was withdrawn.

 

75.

Land Disposal (WITHDRAWN)

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn.