Decisions

Councillor Anderson presented the report of the Assistant Director of Corporate & Customer Services, as contained on pages 77-90 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval for the Council Priorities Delivery Plan for 2025/26.

RESOLVED: That the Council Priorities Delivery Plan be approved.

Councillor Lawton presented the report of the Assistant Director of Environmental Services, as contained on pages 91-98 of the Book of Reports, which sought authority to introduce fees and charges to non-household municipal premises to allow the implementation of commercial/trade dry recycling waste collections in West Lancashire by 31 March 2025.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer) be given delegated authority to set and review fees and charges to enable delivery of a financially viable commercial/trade dry recycling waste collection.

B.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to apply annual inflationary increase to fees and charges.

C.    That the Council approve the use of existing resources to fulfil a statutory requirement, to provide existing commercial customers with a commercial dry recycling collection.

Councillor Anderson introduced the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 23-30 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on progress on capital schemes.

RESOLVED:

A.   That the revised Capital Programme, including budget adjustments contained within Appendix A of the report, be noted.

B.   That progress against the Revised Capital Programme at Quarter 3 be noted.

Councillor Pryce-Roberts introduced the report of the Assistant Director of Housing, as contained on pages 45-52 of the Book of Reports, which briefed members on the Regulator of Social Housing's "Sector Risk Profile 2024" and identified elements that have a particular impact on West Lancashire.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Councillor Anderson presented the report of the Assistant Director of Corporate & Customer Services, as contained on pages 53-76 of the Book of Reports, which outlined performance monitoring data for the quarter ending 31 December 2024.

RESOLVED:   That the Council's corporate performance for the quarter ending 31 December 2024 be noted.

Councillor Pryce-Roberts introduced the report of the Assistant Director of Housing, as contained on pages 39-44 of the Book of Reports, which updated members on the outcome of the inspection of West Lancashire Borough Council by the Regulator of Social Housing, which took place in November 2024, following publication of judgement on 26 February 2025.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted and that a Housing Regulation update on progress against the standards continues to be provided annually at full Council.

Councillor Gagen presented the report of the Chief Legal & Democratic Services Officer, as contained on pages 99-158 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval for the proposed Councillor Development Strategy and Programme.

RESOLVED:   That the Councillor Development Strategy and Programme, attached as an appendix to the report, be approved.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 4 February 2025 be received as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

Councillor Anderson introduced the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 19-22 of the Book of Reports, which provided a summary of the General Revenue Account (GRA) position for the 2024/25 financial year based upon Quarter 3 (Q3) monitoring.

RESOLVED: That the GRA Q3 revenue position be noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 69 to 72 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update in relation to the Councils new Contract Procedure Rules        approved at Council on Wednesday 11th December 2024.

RESOLVED:

A.       That the report be noted.  

B.       That the quarterly report on Waivers, to the Contract Procedure Rules, will replace the quarterly report on Exemptions.

Georgia Jones, Grant Thornton (External Auditors) provided a detailed explanation of the External Annual Audit report, as contained on pages 299 to 342 of the Book of Reports.

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·       Opening Balance Disclaimer concerns

·       Capacity of the Finance Team to produce quality evidence

·       External Audit Statutory powers

·       Tracking of external audit recommendations mechanisms

·       New IT system in place for 2024/25, which should improve information management

·       Independent Member on the Audit Committee – Key recommendation

·       Financial training for Councillors needed

RESOLVED:

A.    That the report be noted.

B.    That an Action Planner and Tracker be submitted to future meetings in respect of the external audit recommendations.

C.    That financial training for all Councillors be sourced from an external provider.

Georgia Jones, Grant Thornton (External Auditors) introduced the Audit Findings report, as contained on pages 251 to 298 of the Book of Reports.

Members raised concerns at the late distribution of reports.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted and any future reports be circulated at least 1 week prior to Committee, at the latest.

Georgia Jones, Grant Thornton (External Auditors) introduced the Statement of Accounts 2023-24, as contained on pages 115 to 250 of the Book of Reports.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Georgia Jones, Grant Thornton (External Auditors) introduced the Letter of Representation 2023-24, as contained on pages 19 to 24 of the Book of Reports.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Consideration was given to the future work programme of the Committee, as contained on pages 75 to 76 of the Book of Reports.

RESOLVED: That the future work programme be noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Legal & Democratic Services Officer, as contained on pages 45 to 58 and 343 to 354 of the Book of Reports, which advised of progress against the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·       Fraud investigations – report awaited for Committee

·       Fleet Vehicle washing costs are high

·       Gas compliance issues

·       Leisure Centre income collection

·       Cyber security arrangements

RESOLVED: That progress to date be noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Legal & Democratic Services Officers, as contained on pages 73 to 74 of the Book of Reports, which detailed the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

RESOLVED:   That it be noted that the Council has not had cause to use its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2020 (RIPA) during the last 12 months.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 25 to 44 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of Accounting Policies to be used as the basis of preparation for the Council's Statement of Accounts for 2024-25 highlighting any changes from the previous year.

RESOLVED: That the Accounting Policies be approved for use within the Statement of Accounts 2024-25.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Legal & Democratic Services Officer, as contained on pages 59 to 68 and 355 to 362 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on the Council's outstanding Internal Audit recommendations.

The Committee was advised that where there is continued delay in the implementation of Internal audit Recommendations, the responsible officer or Director/Assistant Director, could be asked to attend the Committee to answer questions on the reasons for the non-completion of agreed Internal Audit recommendations or delay in implementation.

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

• Attendance at Committee by and Executive Management Team officer.
• The significant improvement for implementing recommendations

RESOLVED:  

A.    That the status of outstanding audit recommendations and the progress to date, be noted.

B.    That relevant officers be asked to attend the next meeting of the Committee, in respect of the outstanding internal audit recommendations in relation to the following audit reviews:

(i)              Business Continuity

(ii)             Corporate Land Allocations

(iii)           Markets

3. That an officer from the Executive Management Team be asked to attend at least one meeting a year of the Committee.

Consideration was given to the report of Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages   to    of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the detailed allocation of the £17.726m net revenue budget for the

forthcoming financial year 2025-26 as approved at Council on 26 February 2025 and the current budget gap for 2025-26 of £1.76m, which needed to be covered through savings proposed of £0.895m and £0.865m use of reserves.

The report presented the current Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for

the following two financial years 2026/27 to 2027/28, noting the latest forecast

budget gap of £2.002m, comprising:

·       £1.315m in 2026/27

·       £0.687m in 2027/28

Set out the current and the forecast position of reserves to 2027/28, a Section 25 S151 statement, the current MTFS and Reserves statement, a full list of Savings proposals and revised MTFS and Reserves Statements, demonstrating the impact of those savings.

A Motion to approve the recommendations in the report, was moved and seconded.

The 1^st Amendment, from Councillor Whittington, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the 1^st Amendment, which was LOST.

The 2^nd Amendment, from Councillor Owens, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the 2^nd Amendment, which was LOST.

The 3^rd Amendment, was moved and seconded in the following terms:

"That the saving proposal set out in Appendix 4 to the report, entitled 'Public Bins within Parish Boundaries - achieve a cost neutral position for emptying bins' be amended to implement the proposal in the financial year 2026/27."

A vote was taken on the 3^rd Amendment, which was LOST.

A vote was taken on the original Motion, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:            Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts and West (TWENTY-THREE)

AGAINST:    Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Gordon, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Juckes, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, Witter (TWENTY)

ABSTENTIONS:      NONE

The original Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.    That, subject to any necessary consultation, the savings proposals detailed in the General Revenue Account (GRA) budget for 2025-26 at Appendix 4 be approved.

B.    That the latest GRA Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) budget gap for 2026/27 to 2027/28 be noted.

C.    That the latest GRA reserves position as at 31 March 2024 and forecast to 2027/28 be noted and the GRA reserves policy be approved.

D.    That Local Government Act 2003 (Section 25) report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer) at Appendix 1 with regards to the financial robustness and adequacy of reserves be noted.

E.    That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive to take all necessary action to implement the changes resulting from the budget proposals including authority to undertake consultation where necessary.

Consideration was given to the revised report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 343 – 354 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval to set the Council Tax rate for each property band for the whole of the Borough Council’s area, including the Council Tax rate as set by the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, and the local Parish Council in parished areas, and to confirm the statutory resolutions that are required to set the Council Tax for 2025/26.

A Motion to approve the recommendations in the revised report circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, it was recorded as follows:

FOR:      Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Bailey, Blundell, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Eccles, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, de Freitas, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Juckes, Lawton, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Molloy, Nixon, Owen, Owens, Patel, Parlour, Pope, Pryce-Roberts, Rigby, Webster, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (FORTY-THREE)

AGAINST: NONE

ABSTENTIONS: NONE

The Motion was CARRIED

RESOLVED:

A.     That it be noted that on the 15 January 2025, the Borough Treasurer declared the Council Tax Base amounts set out in Appendix A for the financial year 2025/26 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012.

B.     That the Budget for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding parish precepts) be set at £17,725,544 in accordance with the earlier Budget Requirement report.

C.     That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2025/2026 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act):

a)     £64,781,386 being the aggregate of the amounts, which the Council estimates for the items, set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

b)     £54,662,805 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act

c)     £10,118.582 being the amount by which the aggregate at C(a) above exceeds the aggregate at C(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year.

d)     £259.20 being the amount at C(c) above divided by 39,037.56 (the Tax Base) calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31(B) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for 2025/2026.

e)     £805,001 being the aggregate amount of all special items (i.e. Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

f)      £238.58 being the amount at C(d) above, less the result given by dividing the amount at C(e) above by 39,037.56 (the Tax Base), calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for 2025/2026 for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.

g)     Part of the Council's area:

                        being the amounts given by adding to the amount at C(f) above the amounts of the special item relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area mentioned above divided in each case by the relevant Tax Base for those areas, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of the Council Tax for 2025/2026 for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a special item (i.e. Parish Precepts) relate.

h)         Part of the Council's area for each valuation band, being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at C(f) and C(g) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands (See Schedule 1).

D.     That it be noted that for the year 2025/2026 Lancashire County Council has stated the following amounts in precept issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, for each of the categories of dwelling shown below:

E.     That it be noted that for the year 2025/2026 the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire has stated the following amounts in precept issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each of the categories of dwelling shown below:

F.     That it be noted that for the year 2025/2026 the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority has stated the following amounts in precept issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each of the categories of dwelling shown below:

G.    That having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at C(h), D, E and F, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Act, hereby sets the amounts shown in Schedule 2 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2025/2026 for each of the categories of dwellings shown.

Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Chief Executive, as contained on pages 313 to 314 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"Council notes:

-       West Lancashire Borough Council have had large bollards in place on Bobby Langton Way, Burscough for many years, initially arising from issues linked with planning permission for housing at the former Victoria Park and the new football ground

-       Burscough Football Club’s new ground has been operating with both Burscough FC and Skelmersdale United playing home games

-       The new housing development on the former Victoria Park is now completed (or nearing completion)

-      West Lancashire Borough Council’s recent £3.188million refurbishment of Burscough Wellbeing & Leisure Hub, formerly Burscough Sports & Racquet Centre, and its relaunch and reopening in early 2025

-       Community concerns raised about lawfulness of existing highways and access arrangements in the area

Council believes:

-       In light of the area bearing new housing, a new football ground, the new wellbeing and leisure hub, the general area around Bobby Langton Way is blighted by an increasingly derelict Barons Club and seemingly now wasteland of Bobby Langton Way

-      Traffic flow in and through Burscough village is exacerbated by the presence of the bollards and lack of access via Bobby Langton Way to local amenities including the football ground, wellbeing & leisure hub, Tesco and the train station

-      A mutually agreeable solution must be agreed between all parties, not least the inadvertently but evidently adversely affected owners of the Barons Club, and indeed the wider community of Burscough for whom the Barons Club is now no longer available to them

Council resolves:

-       That officers of the council, across all departments including, leisure, estates and planning, engage urgently and meaningfully with local partners to progress towards a solution to the current situation

-      Local partners could include, but not limited to, Burscough Wellbeing & Leisure Hub, Tesco Burscough, Lancashire County Council (Highways), Burscough Football Club and the Barons Club

-       That work towards a resolution be progressed immediately, with Members appraised of progress on a quarterly basis until such point as a resolution is agreed, which itself may be a decision for Members at a future Full Council meeting

-       That the owners of the Barons Club be communicated with on a monthly basis to ensure continued progress towards a resolution and a named senior officer be appointed as a central point of contact to ensure continuity

-       That any resolution must retain the commemoration of Bobby Langton, whatever the outcome"

An Amendment to the Motion, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the Amendment, which was LOST.

A vote was taken on the original Motion, which was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.       That Council notes:

1.     West Lancashire Borough Council have had large bollards in place on Bobby Langton Way, Burscough for many years, initially arising from issues linked with planning permission for housing at the former Victoria Park and the new football ground

2.     Burscough Football Club’s new ground has been operating with both Burscough FC and Skelmersdale United playing home games

3.     The new housing development on the former Victoria Park is now completed (or nearing completion)

4.     West Lancashire Borough Council’s recent £3.188million refurbishment of Burscough Wellbeing & Leisure Hub, formerly Burscough Sports & Racquet Centre, and its relaunch and reopening in early 2025

5.     Community concerns raised about lawfulness of existing highways and access arrangements in the area

B.       That Council believes:

1.     In light of the area bearing new housing, a new football ground, the new wellbeing and leisure hub, the general area around Bobby Langton Way is blighted by an increasingly derelict Barons Club and seemingly now wasteland of Bobby Langton Way

2.     Traffic flow in and through Burscough village is exacerbated by the presence of the bollards and lack of access via Bobby Langton Way to local amenities including the football ground, wellbeing & leisure hub, Tesco and the train station

3.     A mutually agreeable solution must be agreed between all parties, not least the inadvertently but evidently adversely affected owners of the Barons Club, and indeed the wider community of Burscough for whom the Barons Club is now no longer available to them

C.       That Council resolves:

1.     That officers of the council, across all departments including, leisure, estates and planning, engage urgently and meaningfully with local partners to progress towards a solution to the current situation

2.     Local partners could include, but not limited to, Burscough Wellbeing & Leisure Hub, Tesco Burscough, Lancashire County Council (Highways), Burscough Football Club and the Barons Club

3.     That work towards a resolution be progressed immediately, with Members appraised of progress on a quarterly basis until such point as a resolution is agreed, which itself may be a decision for Members at a future Full Council meeting

4.   That the owners of the Barons Club be communicated with on a monthly basis to ensure continued progress towards a resolution and a named senior officer be appointed as a central point of contact to ensure continuity

5.   That any resolution must retain the commemoration of Bobby Langton, whatever the outcome

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 35 to 40 of the Book of Reports, which  provide a summary of the budget and medium-term financial strategy to assist and support decision making and advised that the full Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and Budget Setting report for 2025-26 was included later on the agenda following consideration of the following savings and efficiency proposals:

·       Future direction of the Wellbeing and Leisure Service

·       Review of the Ranger Service

·       Review of Human Resources and Organisational Development Team Structure

·       Community Safety Review

The Director of Finance & Corporate Resources addressed the meeting to stress the legal requirement to set a balanced budget, to reiterate that the council's reserves were at a critical level and the need to approve savings in 2025-26 and future years and that if those savings could not be achieved, a Section 114 Notice could be issued.

RESOLVED: That the current projected savings requirement be noted.

RESOLVED: 

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the 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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of 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: During this item, a motion to allow the meeting to continue past 11pm, in order to consider the remaining items of business on the agenda, was moved, seconded and approved by the Members present.)

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday, 11 December 2024, be received as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

RESOLVED:

That Council Procedure Rule 13.4  be suspended for items 17 'GRA Revenue Report and MTFS Update 2025-28' and 19 'Housing Revenue Account 2025/26', to enable the Lead Member / Conservative Shadow Lead Member / OWL Shadow Lead Member to present their budget statement.  The Rule limits the length of speech to 5 minutes.

(Note: The meeting was adjourned for 20 minutes)

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services, as contained on pages 63 to 88 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of an operational model for the Council's Ranger Service following a review of the service.

RESOLVED:

A.       That the savings proposals outlined within the report be noted.

B.       That the Assistant Director of Planning and Regulatory Services be given delegatedauthority to apply, receive and thereafter administer the use of Government subsidies, Community Infrastructure Levy and relevant funding outlined in the report to provide revenue for greenspace management by the Ranger Service.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 89 to 92 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval for the implementation of the savings proposals from the Human Resources and Organisational Development Team in support of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), savings and efficiency proposals and 2025/26 budgets.

RESOLVED:

A.       That the financial efficiencies and saving outlined in the report be approved.

B.       That the Assistant Director Corporate and Customer Services be given delegated authority to take all necessary steps to implement the approved financial and efficiency savings.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing, as contained on pages 41 to 62 of the Book of Reports, which provide an update on the work carried out to review Wellbeing and Leisure Services, including consideration of the comprehensive consultation process that took place between October and December 2024.

A Motion to approve the recommendations in the report was moved and seconded.

An Amendment, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

During the course of the debate the Amendment was altered by the mover and seconder of the Amendment, with the agreement of the meeting, which read as follows:

"A.    That the strong opposition to the closure of the facilities in the consultation responses at 88.5% be noted.

B.     That the Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres remain open and full financial provision be made for doing so when considering the GRA Revenue Budget Report and MTFS Update 25-26 later in the Agenda.

C.     That the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing to bring a Report to the next Meeting of the Full Council setting out proposals for a programme of essential repairs for both Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres to ensure continued operation for the coming 5 years.

D.     That a Working Group of Full Council: Leisure Operations Working Group Membership – 8 members – 4 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Owl and 1 Independent be established:

Function: To first meet before 30 June 2025 to closely examine the income and expenditure of the leisure centres and investigate capital investments that would reduce operating costs and make recommendations to full Council that reduce the operating subsidy at the leisure centres."

A vote was taken on the Altered Amendment, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:                      Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Furey, Gordon, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Jukes, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY-TWO)

AGAINST:              Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, Owen, Parlour, Pryce-Roberts (TWENTY-ONE)

ABSTENTIONS:      NONE

A vote was taken on the Substantive Motion, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:                      Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Furey, Gordon, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Jukes, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY-TWO)

AGAINST:              Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, Owen, Parlour, Pryce-Roberts (TWENTY)

ABSTENTIONS:      NONE

RESOLVED:

A.     That the strong opposition to the closure of the facilities in the consultation responses at 88.5% be noted.

B.     That the Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres remain open and full financial provision be made for doing so when considering the GRA Revenue Budget Report and MTFS Update 25-26 later in the Agenda.

C.     That the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing to bring a Report to the next Meeting of the Full Council setting out proposals for a programme of essential repairs for both Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres to ensure continued operation for the coming 5 years.

D.     That a Working Group of Full Council: Leisure Operations Working Group Membership – 8 members – 4 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Owl and 1 Independent be established:

Function: To first meet before 30 June 2025 to closely examine the income and expenditure of the leisure centres and investigate capital investments that would reduce operating costs and make recommendations to full Council that reduce the operating subsidy at the leisure centres.

(Note: Councillor D Westley left the meeting following consideration on this item.)

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The meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes.

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Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Corporate & Customer Services, as contained on pages 289 to 312 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 detailing the Authority’s policy on Workforce remuneration, as required by the Localism Act 2011 (the ‘Localism Act’).

RESOLVED:

A.       That the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 attached at Appendix (1) to the report, be approved, and thereafter published on the Council’s website.

B.       That the approval of any administrative updates following a pay award       implementation or changes to pension contributions banding requirements during any particular year be delegated to the Director of Finance and Resources in          consultation with the Lead Member for Human Resources.

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive, as contained on pages 247 to 288 of the Book of Reports, which proposed changes to National Non-Domestic Rates Relief for 2025-26 following recent Government announcements and set out the Policy to underpin these Schemes.

RESOLVED:

A.       That the Discretionary Non-Domestic Rate Relief – Policy Document 2025/26, attached as an Appendix to the report, be noted.

B.       That delegated authority be given to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Lead Member, to implement the new Non-Domestic Discretionary Rate Relief and make any minor/inconsequential amendments to the scheme as and when directed by the Government.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 211 to 241 of the Book of Reports, which  set the framework for capital financing and treasury management operations for the next financial year.

The minute of Policy & Resources Committee had been previously circulated.

RESOLVED:

A.        That the projected position in respect of the Prudential Indicators for 2025-26, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.

B.        That the Treasury and Prudential Indicators for the next three years, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

C.        That the capital expenditure projections, in Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.  

D.        That the Capital Financing Requirement (CFR) projections, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

E.        That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy, as set out in section 5.5 of the report, be agreed.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 181 to 190 of the Book of Reports, which  set the framework for capital financing and treasury management operations for the next financial year.

The Minute of the Policy & Resources Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.

A Motion to approve the recommendations in the report was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, it was recorded as follows:

FOR:    Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Bailey, Blundell, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Eccles, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, de Freitas, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Juckes, Lawton, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Molloy, Nixon, Owen, Owens, Parlour, Patel, Pope, Pryce-Roberts, Rigby, Webster, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (FORTY-THREE)

AGAINST: NONE

ABSTENTIONS: NONE

The Motion was CARRIED

RESOLVED:That the Capital Strategy and recurring and continuing schemes set out in section 7.0 of the report and in Appendix A, included in the Programme for 2025/26, be agreed.

Consideratin was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 191 to 210 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval to set the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget and capital investment programme for the next financial year 2025/26.

The minutes of the Landlord Services Working Group and Policy & Resources Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the rent and service charges set within delegated authority, as detailed in sections 6 and 7 of the report, be noted.

B.    That the 2025/26 HRA budget set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

C.    That the 30-year capital programme detailed in paragraph 9.2 of the report be approved.

D.    That the budget proposals detailed in section 10 of the report be approved.

E.    That the reserves policy set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

F.    That the HRA 30 year business plan set out in Appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

G.   That delegated authority be given to the Director of Housing and Environment to take all necessary action to implement the decisions above.