Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

No declarations were made by Executive Members.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the following meeting:

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26^th February 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To consider any matters referred by the Council or by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

a)  Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group Review of the Council’s Scrutiny Function

On behalf of the Scrutiny committee, its Chairman, Councillor M. Young, introduced the report, compiled in the light of the DCLG’s First Report of Session 2017-19 on the Effectiveness of Local Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and drew attention to some of the key recommendations the Committee had made in respect of a potential local response. Councillor Harding, as Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, reported that her Committee endorsed the recommendations. On behalf of the Executive, the Leader welcomed the report, and advised that a formal response to its recommendations would be made I due course.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the content of the report be noted.

(2)        That a full response be made to the Scrutiny Committee in due course.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Investment.

Note: A related report is to be considered in Part II of this agenda.

1.      That the outcome of the 2017/18 Land Sales Programme be noted.

2.       That the Strategic Land Review Programme for 2018/19 as set out in the report be approved.

3.       That it be approved that the Council pursue direct development of sites, subject to a suitable options appraisal and business cases on a site by site basis.

4.       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director, EGEI to:

a.            negotiate and accept bids.

b.            engage external resources where this will assist in implementing the programme.

c.            Commission, submit and/or authorise as appropriate:

i. any applications for planning permission on any properties included in the programme where this will assist in marketing and /or add value.

ii. commission as necessary any surveys / investigations where such surveys will reduce the risks associated with redevelopment and/or add value to the capital receipt /revenue return.

iii. Any design for the site and or premises in association with either obtaining a planning consent or as part of options in respect to either direct or development in partnership.

iii. Any demolitions or physical alterations this will either reduce the risks associated with holding the premise or accelerate the redevelopment and/or add value to the capital receipt /revenue return.

d.            offset eligible disposal costs against capital receipts in accordance with capital regulations

e.            advertise the intention to dispose of a site in the event that it comprises open space as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in accordance with the relevant statutory procedure, and if any objections are received, to refer to the relevant portfolio holder for consideration in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services.

f.             To acquire adjacent land or property where the acquisition will either add value to the overall development or derisk the disposal /development of the Council asset.

g.            i)  add to or substitute sites into the programme during the year.

ii)  commission security services.

iii)authorise alternative methods of disposal where appropriate.

5.       That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Corporate Director, EGEI and where appropriate, the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

The Executive Member for Investment submitted a report which advised Members of the outcome of the 2017/18 Land Sales Programme, proposed a Strategic Land Review Programme for the disposal or development of land and buildings during the financial year 2018/19, seeking the necessary delegations, and advising on proposals for 2019/20 and 2020/21. A related report, setting out financial details in relation to the programme, was considered in Part II of the agenda. (Minute 213 below refers.)

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the outcome of the 2017/18 Land Sales Programme be noted.

(2)        That the Strategic Land Review Programme for 2018/19 as set out in the report be approved.

(3)        That it be approved that the Council pursue direct development of sites, subject to a suitable options appraisal and business cases on a site by site basis.

(4)        That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director, EGEI to:

a. negotiate and accept bids.

b. engage external resources where this will assist in implementing the programme.

c. Commission, submit and/or authorise as appropriate:

i. any applications for planning permission on any properties included in the programme where this will assist in marketing and /or add value.

ii. commission as necessary any surveys / investigations where such surveys will reduce the risks associated with redevelopment and/or add value to the capital receipt /revenue return.

iii. Any design for the site and or premises in association with either obtaining a planning consent or as part of options in respect to either direct or development in partnership.

iii. Any demolitions or physical alterations this will either reduce the risks associated with holding the premise or accelerate the redevelopment and/or add value to the capital receipt /revenue return.

d. offset eligible disposal costs against capital receipts in accordance with capital regulations

e. advertise the intention to dispose of a site in the event that it comprises open space as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in accordance with the relevant statutory procedure, and if any objections are received, to refer to the relevant portfolio holder for consideration in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services.

f. To acquire adjacent land or property where the acquisition will either add value to the overall development or derisk the disposal /development of the Council asset.

g.i)  add to or substitute sites into the programme during the year.

ii)  commission security services.

iii)  authorise alternative methods of disposal where appropriate.

(5)        That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Corporate Director, EGEI and where appropriate, the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services.

1. That the allocation of the approved highways programme as set out in the appendices to the report be approved.

2. That approval be given to the addition of £17m additional expenditure, including £5.9m in 2018/19. A further investment of £5.5m and £5.6m in 2019/20 and 2020/21 respectively, subject to resource availability, to be assessed as part of the budget setting process for 2019/20.

3. That authority be delegated to the Acting Corporate Director, EGEI to make subsequent minor changes to the above agreed programmes.

4. That it be recommended that Council approves the additional expenditure of £17m, financed from borrowing £16.6m and one-off contributions as detailed in the report over the next three years and the updated prudential indicators as included in Appendix I to the report.

The Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services submitted a report which set out the schemes proposed under the highways capital programme for the 2018/19, identified as priorities for the next financial year. A list of reserve schemes had also been prepared; with the intention of this being called upon in the event of underspend due to efficiencies or reprogramming. This would ensure capital funds were fully committed in order to maintain the standard of the asset portfolio. The report also set out additional capital investment in maintaining highways, and included details of updated prudential indicators. In response to a question, it was agreed that further information would be provided of the state of repair grading of schemes selected for attention. The Executive noted that Council would need to approve the proposed additional expenditure and Prudential Indicators, and that resolution 4 below was accordingly a recommendation to Council.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the allocation of the approved highways programme as set out in the appendices to the report be approved.

(2)        That approval be given to the addition of £17m additional expenditure, including £5.9m in 2018/19. A further investment of £5.5m and £5.6m in 2019/20 and 2020/21 respectively, subject to resource availability, to be assessed as part of the budget setting process for 2019/20.

(3)        That authority be delegated to the Acting Corporate Director, EGEI to make subsequent minor changes to the above agreed programmes.

(4)        That it be recommended that Council approves the additional expenditure of £17m, financed from borrowing £16.6m and one-off contributions as detailed in the report over the next three years and the updated prudential indicators as included in Appendix I to the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services.

1. That the allocation of the approved Greenspace Capital programme as set out in the report be approved.

2. That the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure be authorised to make minor changes to the programme.

3. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director, Transformation and Resources in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to authorise the final agreed expenditure on Turn Moss following the tendering process and subject to securing planning permission.

4. That authority be delegated to the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Corporate Director, EGEI and where appropriate, the Chief Finance Officer to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

The Executive Member for Highways, Parks and Environmental Services submitted a report which set out the schemes proposed under the capital greenspace programme for the 2018/19, identified as priorities for the next financial year. An opportunity was provided for Members to discuss issues raised by the report. In response to a question, it was agreed that clarification would be provided of the timing of proposed works in respect of Urmston Meadows.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the allocation of the approved Greenspace Capital programme as set out in the report be approved.

(2)        That the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure be authorised to make minor changes to the programme.

(3)        That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director, Transformation and Resources in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to authorise the final agreed expenditure on Turn Moss following the tendering process and subject to securing planning permission.

(4)        That authority be delegated to the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Corporate Director, EGEI and where appropriate, the Chief Finance Officer to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Housing and Strategic Planning.

1. That the consultation responses and amendments made to the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document be noted.

2. That the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD6) be approved for adoption as Council Policy.

3. That authority for approving any minor changes to the wording and / or layout of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document prior to publication, and for the carrying out of all procedural actions related to the adoption process, be delegated to the Director of Growth and Regulatory Services.

The Executive Member for Highways and Strategic Planning submitted a report which, following the end of the public consultation period and consideration of the responses received, sought approval to adopt a Supplementary Planning Document to support the implementation of an Article 4(1) Direction which removes permitted development rights for the change of a dwelling house (Use Class C3) into a House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4) across the borough. It was noted that the proposed delegation in Resolution 3 should properly be to the Acting Corporate Director of Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the consultation responses and amendments made to the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document be noted.

(2)        That the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD6) be approved for adoption as Council Policy.

(3)        That authority for approving any minor changes to the wording and / or layout of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document prior to publication, and for the carrying out of all procedural actions related to the adoption process, be delegated to the Acting Corporate Director of Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Corporate Resources.

That the proposed amendments to the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy 2017 be approved.

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources submitted a report seeking approval for changes to the existing Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy, to ensure that the Council maximises the funding available.

RESOLVED - That the proposed amendments to the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy 2017 be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

That, for the reasons set out in the report, an inflationary uplift be approved to the care fee rates paid by the Council of:

·        4.07% for the homecare market for 2018/9.

·        3.88% for the residential and nursing care market for 2018/9.

The Executive Member for Adult Social Care submitted a report presenting the outcome of the review of the price for homecare and residential and nursing care, outlining the approach adopted to determine a Fair Price for Care, and taking account of the low response traditionally received from the sector in determining the price for care. Consideration had been given to national factors that have an impact on the current market, in particular the increase of the national living wage and the impact of the retail price index. An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions on the report’s content.

RESOLVED - That, for the reasons set out in the report, an inflationary uplift be approved to the care fee rates paid by the Council of:

·         4.07% for the homecare market for 2018/9.

·         3.88% for the residential and nursing care market for 2018/9.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report providing a progress update on plans for UA92, with particular reference to the Campus Quarter and the UA92 prospectus launched for the academic year 2019/20, with degrees awarded by Lancaster University. An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions on the report’s content; these concentrated on the delineation of the boundaries for the Civic Quarter area.

            RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Corporate Resources and Chief Finance Officer.

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources and Chief Finance Officer submitted a report informing Members of the current 2017/18 forecast outturn figures relating to both Revenue and Capital budgets. It also summarised the latest forecast position for Council Tax and Business Rates within the Collection Fund. An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions in relation to the report. These centred on: vacancy rates, particularly in the context of pressures on Adults’ and Children’s social care services; the current context of CCG integration (on which it was agreed that a presentation could be made to all Members, if desired); pressures arising from Deprivation of Liberty fees (on which a more detailed briefing could be provided); and variances within the EGEI directorate, on which further information would be provided outside the meeting.

            RESOLVED - That the content of the report be noted, in particular:

            a) the forecast revenue budget underspend of £404k;

b) the changes to the Capital Programme as detailed in paragraph 19 of the report.

None currently to be considered.

There were no plans or decisions currently to be reported.

Motion   (Which may be amended as Members think fit):

            That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Investment.

Note: A related report is to be considered in Part I of this agenda.

The Executive Member for Investment submitted a report which set out financial details in relation to the Strategic Land Review Programme for the disposal or development of land and buildings during the financial year 2018/19. A related report was considered in Part I of the agenda. Minute 203 above refers, and details of any formal resolutions in relation to this item are set out at that Minute.