Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received on behalf of the Leader, Councillor Yvonne Gagen.

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.

There were no items of special urgency.

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 23 June 2023.

There were no items under this heading.

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.)

There were no declarations of interests.

To receive as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on Tuesday 7 March 2023.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 7 March 2023 be received as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

1.   To note the Leader has appointed Cabinet Working Groups for 2023/24 as circulated at the Annual Meeting on 17 May 2023 with the terms of reference now included in the Constitution.

2.   To note the 'Proper Officer Provisions and Scheme of Delegation to Chief Officers' insofar as they are executive functions, and the Scheme of Delegation to Cabinet Members as set out in the Constitution.

RESOLVED:   A.     That it be notes the Leader has appointed Cabinet Working Groups for 2023/24 as circulated at the Annual Meeting on 17 May 2023 with the terms of reference now included in the Constitution.

B.     That it be noted that the 'Proper Officer Provisions and Scheme of Delegation to Chief Officers' insofar as they are executive functions, and the Scheme of Delegation to Cabinet Members as set out in the Constitution.

Consideration was given to report relating to the following matters requiring decisions and contained on pages 17 to 496 of the Book of Reports:

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy

Councillor Rob Molloy introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which present the performance monitoring data for the quarter ended 31 March 2023.

The minute of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee was circulated prior to the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report before it and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the Council’s performance against the Council Plan for the quarter ended 31 March 2023 be noted following consideration of any agreed comments from Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

B.     That the call-in procedure is not appropriate for this item as the report was submitted to the meeting of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 15 June 2023.

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy

Councillor Molloy introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Housing Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought approval of the draft of the new Council Plan 2023-28 for public consultation.

The minute of Overview & Scrutiny Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the draft Council Plan 2023-2028 priorities and areas of focus at Appendix 1 to be used in public consultation, subject to the fourth priority being amended to read "Manage a resilient, financially strong Council that listens to its residents".

B.     That Call In is not appropriate for this item as the report was submitted to the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 June 2023.

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Molloy

Councillor Molloy introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought to approve the Council's first Community Wealth Building Strategy

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the Community Wealth Building Strategy contained at Appendix A be approved.

B.     That the Director of Transformation, Housing and Resources be given delegated authority to make any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Strategy as deemed appropriate.

(Note: The report will also be considered by full Council on 19 July 2023.)

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor G Dowling

Councillor Gareth Dowling introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which detailed the feedback received through the Local Plan 2040 Scope, Issues and Options consultation that ended in January 2022 and sought endorsement of the publication of the two Consultation Feedback Reports, so that all interested parties can review what comments had been submitted to the Council.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the Consultation Feedback Report on the Local Plan 2040 Scope, Issues and Options consultation (provided at Appendix A) be noted and endorsed.

B.     That the Consultation Feedback Report on the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment, 2021 (provided at Appendix B) be noted and endorsed.

C.     That the next steps in the Local Plan 2040 preparation process set out at Section 4.0 of this report are noted.

D.     That the importance of protecting farm land in the development of the Local Plan 2040, be noted.

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy

Councillor Molloy introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which set out the action plan developed through the cross organisational officer Task & Finish Group, following the analysis of the Citizen Survey 2022.

The minute of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet consider the report and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   That the action plan be agreed.

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy

Councillor Molloy introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which set out details of the proposed Procurement Policy.

The minutes of the Audit & Governance and Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committees had been circulated prior to the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report before it and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   That Council be recommended to approve the Procurement Policy.

WITHDRAWN

This item was withdrawn and will be considered by full Council on 19 July 2023.

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Y Gagen

Councillor Dowling introduced the report of the Head of Legal & Democratic Services, which detailed the Council's use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Power's Act (RIPA) and presented the RIPA Policy document for approval.

The minute of the Audit & Governance Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report before it and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   That the Council's RIPA activity and the RIPA Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved. 

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Nicola Pryce-Roberts)

Councillor Nicola Pryce-Roberts introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought approval for the demolition of the Councils void property, 201 Egerton and 4 nearby garages to facilitate the development of 6 new 3 bed Council homes for affordable rent.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report before it and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the demolition of 201 Egerton and the 4 garages, be approved, subject to relevant statutory approvals.

                      B.     That it be noted that the report is not a planning application and due process will be undertaken in that respect.

Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor C Coughlan

Councillor Carl Coughlan introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought approval to authorise the allocation and expenditure of up to £320,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy monies towards the refurbishment of Burscough Racquets and Fitness Centre.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the report before it and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   That Council be recommended:

A.     The sum of £320,000 be taken from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to be used towards the refurbishment of Burscough Racquets and Fitness Centre.

B.     That the Director of Transformation, Housing and Resources and/or the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Human Resources and Leisure and the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Transformation be granted delegated authority to utilise funding allocated CIL Funding to take all steps (including the appointment and payment to Alliance Leisure) to undertake the works set out in Section 5 of the report.