Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Adam Yates.

An apology was also received from Councillor Nicola Pryce-Roberts, for attending the meeting remotely, due to work commitments.

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 17 November 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.)

1.     Councillor Coughlan (Tenant of a Council garage) declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to item 6(f) 'Q2 HRA Revenue & Capital Monitoring Report 2023/24' for the reasons indicated (nothing in these reports relates particularly to his interests arising from the tenancy).

2.     Councillors Carl Coughlan, Vicki Cummins and Yvonne Gagen declared a non[1]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.

To receive as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 26 September 2023 be received as a correct record and signed by the Leader, subject to the removal of the formal amendment recorded under Minute 116 'WLBC Safeguarding Policy 2023 and Reporting Procedure'.  Cabinet agreed that the change of the abuse description from 'domestic violence' to 'domestic abuse', would be considered under the delegation arrangements.

Consideration was given to the reports relating to the following matters requiring decisions and contained on pages 1 to 382 of the Book of Reports.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor G Dowling)

Councillor G Dowling introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which detailed the results of the consultation on the draft CIL Funding Programme for 2023 and proposed final recommendations for the CIL Funding Programme in 2023.

The minute of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny 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:   A.     That the consultation feedback report, provided at Appendix 2 to the report, be noted.

B.     That CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the following 9 projects of £100,000 or less in 2023/24:

·       Holmeswood Play Area Fence Replacement, Rufford and Holmeswood Parish Council - £3,000

·       Holmeswood MUGA (Phase 2), Rufford and Holmeswood Parish Council - £13,000

·       Replacement Bus Shelters in Rufford and Holmeswood, Rufford and Holmeswood Parish Council - £9,900

·       Rufford Park Play Area, Rufford and Holmeswood Parish Council - £4,500

·       Aughton Surgery, Aughton - To increase capacity to deliver GP and primary care NHS provision, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) - £50,000

·       Hall Green Surgery, Skelmersdale - To increase capacity to deliver GP and primary care NHS provision, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) - £25,000

·       Hants Lane Clinic, Ormskirk – To increase capacity for the provision of GP and primary care services, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) - £50,000

·       Fairy Glen Green Infrastructure Improvements, WLBC - £55,000

·       Environmental site enhancements at Kiln Lane and Tongbarn playing fields, Skelmersdale, WLBC - £62,700

C.     That CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the following 3 projects over £100,000 in 2023/24:

·        Halsall-Scarisbrick Canal Towpath Improvements, Canal and River Trust - £175,095.14

·       UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Community Grant Scheme Match Funding, WLBC - £344,410.50

·       Beacon Country Park Play Area Improvements, WLBC - £346,500

D.     That Ormskirk Neighbourhood CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the 5 following projects in 2023/24:

·         Whittle Drive Changing Facilities, WLBC - £40,000

·         West End Park Improvements, WLBC - £80,000

·         Halsall Lane Park Improvements, WLBC - £16,500

·         Green Lane Rugby Pitch Improvements, Ormskirk Rugby Club - £9,261.97

·         Whittle Drive Pitch Improvements, Ormskirk West End Football Club - £6,100

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor G Dowling)

Councillor Dowling introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought authorisation to allocate Section 106 (S106) monies received from planning permission 2013/0994/FUL for development of land at 114 Summerwood Lane, Halsall, to The Canal and River Trust (CRT) to assist in the delivery of improvements to a section of the Halsall-Scarisbrick Canal Towpath Improvements.

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

RESOLVED:   That the allocation and spending of £15,000 of S106 funding from planning permission 2013/0994/FUL to assist in the delivery of the Halsall-Scarisbrick Canal Towpath Improvements Project be approved.

·       Decorations Allowance Policy

·       Disrepair Policy

·       Tenant Alterations Policy

·       Repairs Policy

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor N Pryce-Roberts)

Councillor Prcye-Roberts introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought approval of 4 new housing polices:

•         Decorations Allowance Policy

•         Disrepair Policy

•         Tenant Alterations Policy

•         Repairs Policy

The Minute of the Landlord Services Committee (Cabinet Working Group) had been circulated prior to the meeting.

As Councillor Pryce-Roberts was in attendance remotely, the Leader moved the recommendations in the report, which were seconded.

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

RESOLVED:   That the following policies, attached as appendices to the report, be approved:

A.        Decorations Allowance Policy

B.        Disrepair Policy

C.        Tenant Alterations Policy

D.        Repairs Policy

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy)

Councillor R Molloy introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, which provided a summary of the General Revenue Account (GRA) position for the 2023/24 financial year at quarter 2.

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

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

RESOLVED:   That the 2023/24 GRA position be noted and endorsed.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy)

Councillor R Molloy introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, which sought agreement of a Revised General Revenue Account (GRA) Capital Programme for 2023/24 and provided an update on the progress of capital schemes.

The Minute of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny 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:   A.     That the revised Capital Programme, including budget adjustments and re-profiling contained within Appendix A and B 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 & Commercial Services.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor N Pryce-Roberts)

Councillor R Molloy introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, which provided a summary of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Housing capital programme positions for the 2023/24 financial year.

The Minutes of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Landlord Services Committee (Cabinet Working Group) 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 2023/24 HRA and Housing capital programme positions be noted and endorsed.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor R Molloy)

Councillor R Molloy introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, which detailed the Treasury Management operations for the first half of 2023/24 and the Prudential Indicators, where available.

The Minute of the 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 Treasury Management activity and Prudential Indicator performance for the first quarter of 2023/24, be noted.

B.     That the changes to the Prudential Indicators highlighted in section 9.3 of the report be noted and endorsed for approval by Council on 13 December 2023.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holders: Councillors Furey & Yates)

Councillor N Furey introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought approval of the proposed Tree Policy.

The Minute of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny 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:   A.     That the Minute of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee, set out in Appendix 4 to the report, be noted.

B.     That the Tree Policy attached as Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

C.     That delegated authority be given to the Head of Environmental Services in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to make amendments to the Tree Policy during the lifetime of the document.

D.     That the Tree Policy be reviewed and updated with new national legislation, including Biodiversity Net Gain, updates to the Climate Change Act 2008 or local policy, such as the update to the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan that is published.

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holders: Councillor N Furey & Councillor A Yates)

Councillor Furey introduced the report of the Corporate Director Transformation, Housing & Resources, which sought approval of the introduction of Meadow Areas into the borough, to improve biodiversity, pollinators, and invertebrates and to meet the commitments of the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

The report detailed the shortlisted open spaces that are currently subject to regular grass cutting and that will be reduced to create Meadow Areas during the grass growing season, which will benefit the natural environment and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

The Minute of the 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 areas recommended for the potential creation of Meadow Areas be endorsed as identified in Appendix 1 to the report.

B.     That a 4-week public consultation be undertaken, in relation to creating the Meadow Areas detailed in Appendix 1, within the open spaces in West Lancashire.

C.     That the Minute of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee, set out in Appendix 7 of the report, be noted.

D.     That delegated authority be given to the Head of Environmental Services, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to commence work on those proposed Meadow Areas that receive a 50%+ positive feedback following consultation, to enable the creation of Meadow Areas.

E.     That should the Council receive 50%+ positive feedback from the consultation, the Meadow Areas be created at the start of the grass growing season.

F.     That the information signage to be installed at each public open spaces site accessed by members of the public and will provide information on Meadow Areas and the benefits of natural meadows, set out in Appendix 5 to the report, be approved.

G.    That Meadow Areas be reviewed and amended to reflect new national legislation, including Biodiversity Net Gain, updates to the Climate Change Act 2008 or local policy, such as the update to the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan that is published.