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 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.

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.)

Councillors J Wilkie and K Wilkie (tenants of Council accommodation) and Councillor Wright (connected person tenant of Council accommodation) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in agenda item 7d (Housing Account – Revenue and Capital Budget Setting) but considered they were entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption as nothing in the reports relate particularly to their relevant tenancy or lease.

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 10 January 2020.

A representation from a resident was received in relation to Agenda Item 7(i) – CIL Funding Programme 2020/21.

The Leader changed the order of business to enable agenda item 7(i) CIL Funding Programme 2020/21 to be considered prior to agenda item 5.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting of Cabinet held on 5 November 2019.

RESOLVED               That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 November 2019 be received as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To consider proposed revisions to the Terms of Reference

Consideration was given to the proposed revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Community Wealth Building Cabinet Working Group agreed at its inaugural meeting on 11 November 2019.

RESOLVED  That the Terms of Reference of the Community Wealth Building Cabinet Working Group be revised as follows:-

1.    To contribute to (when appropriate) and consider the outcomes of the study being commissioned through Lancashire Leaders, which will explore the principles and the "Preston Model" and how it could potentially be scaled up across Lancashire, as well as exploring other social value good practice, and how it could be applied to West Lancashire;

2.    To commission a report on the development of a strategic approach to community wealth building in West Lancashire Borough Council;

3.    To commission research and gather evidence on barriers to Community Wealth Building in West Lancashire and identify solutions to those barriers;

4.    To recommend to Cabinet/Council the actions leading to the development of a Community Wealth Building Strategy and report on the next steps;

5.    To consider the role of other local organisations in developing Community Wealth Building initiatives.

Consideration was given to the report relating to the following matters requiring decisions and contained on pages 705 to 1124 of the Book of Reports.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor A Yates)

Councillor Yates introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services which provided a summary of the General Revenue Account budget for the next financial year.

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 the financial position for 2020-21 and later years be noted, and consideration be given to how a balanced budget can be achieved.

B.     That the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Transformation be given delegated authority to submit firm proposals to Council on 26 February 2020 to enable the budget to be set.

C.     That call-in is not appropriate for this item as it is to be submitted to the next meeting of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30 January 2020.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor A Yates)

Councillor Yates introduced the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services which set out details on the GRA medium term capital programme position for the next 3 years.

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 the medium term financial position be noted, and consideration be given to how a balanced capital programme can be achieved.

                        B.      That the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Transformation be given delegated authority to submit firm proposals to Council on 26 February 2020 to enable the capital programme to be set.

                        C.     That call-in is not appropriate for this item as it is to be submitted to the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30 January 2020.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

The Leader introduced the report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager which provided an update on the Council's use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and sought approval of the updated RIPA policy document. 

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

RESOLVED              That the updated RIPA Policy at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor J Wilkie)

Councillor J Wilkie introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which provided a summary of the Housing Account's financial position.

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 the financial position be noted and consideration be given to the budget matters set out in the report.

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

C.     That the report be used for consultation purposes prior to the Council considering this matter in February 2020.

D.     That the Housing and Landlord Services Portfolio Holder be given delegated authority to submit firm proposals to Council on 26 February 2020 to enable the budget to be set.

E.     That call-in is not appropriate for this item as it is to be submitted to the next meeting of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30 January 2020.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

The Leader introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources which presented performance monitoring data for the quarter ended 30 September 2019.

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 the Council's performance against the indicator set for the quarter ended 30 September 2019 be noted.

                        B.      That the call-in procedure is not appropriate for this item as the report was considered by the Corporate & Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 5 December 2019.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Y Gagen)

Councillor Gagen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which considered a proposal for the use of Section 106 monies for the enhancement of public open space provision in Ormskirk

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

RESOLVED              That the use of £11,001 of S106 monies be approved to enable improvements to be made at Thompson Avenue Play Area, Ormskirk, subject to a sum of £28,999 CIL funding also being approved.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Y Gagen)

Councillor Gagen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which considered a proposal regarding the use of Section 106 monies for the enhancement of public open space provision in Skelmersdale.

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

RESOLVED              That the use of £103,590 of S106 monies be approved to enable improvements to be made in Tawd Valley Park.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Y Gagen)

Councillor Gagen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which considered a proposal regarding the use of Section 106 monies for the enhancement of public open space provision in Tanhouse, Skelmersdale.

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

RESOLVED              That the use of £32,169 of S106 monies be approved to enable improvements to be made at Ennerdale, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale, subject to the remaining funding being approved from other sources.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor D Evans)

Councillor D Evans introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which advised of the outcome on the consultation of, and proposed final recommendations for, the CIL Funding Programme in 2020/21.

Additional information from the Corporate Director of Place and Community was circulated at the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the representations from a resident (minute 72 refers), the additional information from the Corporate Director of Place & Community and the details as set out in the report before it and accepted 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 project in 2020/21:

·  £100,000 to the re-build of Hesketh Bank Community Centre

                        C.     That Ormskirk Neighbourhood CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the following project in 2020/21:

·         £29,000 to play area improvements at Thompson Avenue, Ormskirk

D.     That previously saved CIL monies be allocated to the delivery of the following project in 2020/21:

·   £225,000 to the play area at Tawd Valley, Skelmersdale

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor D Evans)

Councillor D Evans introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which sought approval for the change in the fee for inclusion on the Self Build and Custom Build Register.

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 the proposal to set a fee of £50 per application to be included on the Self Build and Custom Build Register for a four year period be approved, and that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place and Community, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to review and amend the application fee as necessary to reflect costs associated with the application and administrative processes.

                        B.      That the two existing individuals on the Self Build and Custom Build Register be refunded £70 each to reflect the proposed new fee for an application, and be able to remain on the Register for four years from the date of their admission to the Register.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor D Evans)

Councillor D Evans introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which sought endorsement of a new Local Development Scheme, which provided a new timetable for the preparation of the new Local Plan and an update on the Council's five year Housing land Supply position.

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 the Review of the Adopted West Lancashire Local Plan 2012-2027 (at paragraphs 3.2-3.4 of the report and at Appendix A to the report) be noted.

B.     That the update in the Council's position on five-year housing land supply set out at paragraphs 3.5-3.7 of the report and in the Updated Housing Land Supply Position Statement (at Appendix B to the report) be noted.

C.     That the Local Development Scheme (at Appendix C to the report) be endorsed for publication.

D.     That delegated authority be granted to the Corporate Director of Place and Community, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to update the Local Development Scheme and publish it on the Council’s website as required.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor D Evans)

Councillor D Evans introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which sought approval to consult on a draft new Statement of Community Involvement.

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, subject to B. below, the draft West Lancashire Statement of Community Involvement 2020 attached at Appendix A to the report be approved for public consultation

                        B.      That delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director of Place and Community in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to consider revision(s) of the draft West Lancashire Statement of Community Involvement 2020 in the light of any agreed comments from Planning Committee, prior to public consultation.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: K Wright)

Councillor Wright introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which sought approval of the draft Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy 2019-2024 for public consultation.

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 the draft Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy 2019-2024 be made available to the public and stakeholders for a period of consultation.

                        B.      That the Corporate Director of Place and Community be authorised to make any minor changes to the strategy following the consultation period.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Y Gagen)

Councillor Gagen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community which considered a proposal regarding the use of Section 106 monies for the enhancement of public open space provision in Halsall.

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

RESOLVED              That the use of £25,426 of S106 monies be approved to enable improvements to be made at Halsall Memorial Hall.