Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 September 2022.

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, proposed and the Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder, Councillor Roger Berry seconded that the minutes of the meeting of the full Council held on 15 September 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

It was agreed, unanimously, that the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 15 September 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of interest from any Member on any item on this agenda.

Councillor Ian Amos declared a personal, non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8, Honorary Alderman.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council, Members of the Cabinet, a Chairman of a Committee or the Chief Executive.

The Mayor made announcements to remind councillors about three forthcoming events that were being held in support of the Mayor’s charities.

They were:

o   Saturday 19 November at 7pm, a Pre-loved Fashion Show at Wyrebank, The Moorings, Garstang;

o   Monday 19 December at 2pm, a Christmas Concert in the Members’ Lounge at the Civic Centre;

o   Saturday 25 February 2023, the Mayor’s Ball at the Garstang Golf Club.

Tickets for all events were available from the Mayor’s Secretary, Debra Thornton.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public under Procedure Rule 9.1.

None.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council to the Mayor, a member of the Cabinet or the Chairman of a Committee under Council Procedure Rule 12.1.

None.

To receive reports from Cabinet Members. (In accordance with Procedure Rule 11.3 Councillors will be able to ask questions or make comments).

The Leader of the Council, Councillor David Henderson, submitted a report, which was presented by the Deputy Leader of the Council. Councillor Michael Vincent, in the absence of Councillor Henderson.

Cllr Vincent responded to questions from Cllr Fail and Cllr Sir Robert Atkins about how the council would continue to assist the neediest people in the borough during the current cost of living crisis.

The report was noted.

The Resources Portfolio Holder submitted a report.

Councillor Michael Vincent updated paragraph 4.2 of his report, confirming that 248 households had advised that they were not eligible for a mandatory energy rebate. A total of £37,200 had so far been spent on households as part of the discretionary scheme.

Councillor Vincent also responded to a question from Cllr Lady Atkins about sponsored Ukrainians in Wyre.

The report was noted.

The Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder submitted a report.

Councillor Simon Bridge, responded to a question from Cllr Fail about dog fouling enforcement figures and agreed that it would be beneficial to concentrate more on ensuring that dog walkers had the means to pick up after their dogs.

Councillor Bridge responded to a number of compliments about the Pocket Park (Cllr Stirzaker), the Garstang Fairtrade Climate Day (Cllrs Lady Atkins and S Turner), fly-tipping (Cllr George) and cleaning up after an incident of anti-social behaviour (Cllr Kay).

The report was noted.

The Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder submitted a report.

Councillor Alice Collinson thanked Fiona Riley and her team for their work on the Local Plan Partial Review examination in September, which had gone very well.  It was hoped that the report would be received before Christmas and then come before Council in January 2023.

The report was noted.

The Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder submitted a report.

Councillor Roger Berry responded to questions about what actions the council was planning to take during the coming months for the people who really needed it (Cllr Sir R Atkins), assistance for Ukrainian families (Cllr Lady Atkins), coastal defences (Cllr Moon) and food banks (Cllr Ballard).

Councillor Berry confirmed that the council would be building on the work of Lancashire County Council in providing warm centres.  This would include Fleetwood library as well as provision in other parts of the borough in collaboration with partner organisations and churches. The council was also hoping to assist with food banks by bidding for money that was available from the Government.  Additionally, efforts were being made to ensure that people were claiming all the benefits to which they were entitled.

The report was noted.

The Leisure, Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder submitted a report.

Councillor Lynne Bowen responded to positive comments made by Councillor Lady Atkins regarding the relocation of the Garstang TIC to Garstang library.

Councillor Cheryl Raynor expressed her appreciation that the Beer and Cider Festival had returned to the Marine Hall.

The report was noted.

Report of Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive.

Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive, submitted a report to enable the Council to consider conferring the title of Honorary Alderman, posthumously, on the late Rita Amos.

Agreed, unanimously, that a special meeting of the Council be arranged by the Chief Executive on a date to be arranged.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Marianne Hesketh, Corporate Director Communities.

Papers to follow.

Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Garry Payne, Chief Executive, submitted a report to enable significant structural works at Fleetwood Market costing an estimated £1,922,155 to be added to the Council’s Capital Programme for 2022/23.

Agreed, unanimously, that the recommendations be approved.  

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources and S151 Officer.

Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources, submitted a report on the overall position and activities in respect of Treasury Management for the first half of the financial year 2022/23, covering the period from April to September 2022. 

Agreed, unanimously, that the recommendation be approved.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources.

Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources, submitted a report on the recently amended ICT Service Desk Computer Use Policy and User Agreement and the council’s ICT and Digital Transformation Strategies 2022/23 – 2026/27.

Agreed, unanimously, that the recommendations be approved.

Report of Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive.

Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive, submitted a report on the Calendar of Meetings 2023/24.

Agreed, unanimously, that the recommendation be approved.

Report of Councillor Peter Cartridge, Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

Councillor Peter Cartridge, Chairman of the Licensing Committee submitted a report. 

The report was noted.

None.

None.