Agenda and minutes

To receive, as read, the Minutes of the proceedings of the previous Council meeting, and to confirm them or otherwise.

RESOLVED         With the addition of Cllr Bill Horrocks to the attendance the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 7^th December 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any declarations of interest.

It was noted that the Chief Operating Officer would leave the meeting during Minute 53 – Arrangements for the Recruitment and Appointment of Chief Executive..

It was moved by Councillor Martyn Hurt and seconded by Councillor Sue Graham that;

This council notes :

1.       Street clutter is increasing over time, particularly within the town centre.

?      Street clutter includes (but is not limited to) items like Advertising boards, guard rails, wheelie bins, outdoor tables and chairs, planters, badly places signposts and lampposts, telecommunication boxes and masts, poorly placed EV chargers and bollards.

2.       Other issues that affect accessibility include pavement parking, parking over dropped kerbs, pavement cycling/E-Scooter riding and overgrown bushes and hedges.

3.       Visually impaired residents and visitors in particular are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate our streets and town centre, with guide dogs struggling to safely guide their owners around obstacles; high obstacles such as rope barriers causing canes to miss them, causing them to walk into them, or safe routes completely blocked, requiring visually impaired residents having to use the road.

4.       The lack of tactile definition of roadway and pavement means that visually impaired people and guide dogs cannot tell if they are on the road or pavement in some areas, such as the pedestrianised area of St James’s Street.

5.      That Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Police are not fulfilling its duties around vehicles obstructing pavements and dropped kerbs.

6.       That there are not enough dropped kerbs within the borough, and many stretches of pavement have no accessible routes, leaving those with accessibility issues having to use the road.

This council believes that:

1.              The streets of Burnley and Padiham should be accessible for all.

2.              Public realm works should consider the accessibility needs of all residents in their design.

3.              Reducing street clutter benefits everyone but has a greater benefit for those with additional accessibility needs.

4.       On-Street EV Charging points should be built out into the highway rather than taking pavement space.

This council resolves to:

1.       Place accessibility at the heart of future building and public realm works.

2.       That the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive write to the Chief Executive and Leader of Lancashire County Council requesting:

?          That all highways works take into account accessibility, and that improving accessibility of our pavements is treated high priority, such as increasing the number of dropped kerbs, particularly on streets where there are no accessible routes currently in place, and that dropped kerbs and crossing points should have tactile surfaces to indicate their location.

?          That requests for pruning and trimming works to bushes, trees and hedges that are causing pavement obstruction are dealt with promptly, and that they encourage residents to use the Love Clean Streets app to report these issues.

?          Request that when working on the roll-out of on-street EV chargers, that charging points are built out into the highway and not take pavement space.

?          That they make full use of their powers in enforcing issues such as pavement obstruction and parking on dropped kerbs.

3.          Work with Urbaser to ensure that bins and waste receptacles are put in a place that does not obstruct  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To consider amendments to committees and panels.

Consideration was given to appointments to Committees and Panels.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.     That the changes to the Political Balance are noted, and the consequential amendments to Committees are approved as set out below:

2.  That David Sparrow be re-appointed to the Independent Remuneration Panel until May 2025.

To consider making changes to polling stations for future elections.

Consideration was given to changes to polling stations for future elections.

It was RESOLVED that:

Full Council approve the following permanent changes to Polling Stations:

(a) Bank Hall Ward (EB) from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Belvedere Road BB10 4BQ to Burnley Tennis Club, 30 Lower Ridge Close, off Belvedere Road, BB10 4BW.

(b) Rosegrove with Lowerhouse Ward (LB) from Parkside Methodist Church, 175 Cog Lane BB11 5AH to West End Community Centre, Venice Street, BB11 4BA.

(c) Coalclough with Deerplay Ward (KA) from Parkside Methodist Church 175 Cog Lane BB11 5AH to Coal Clough Community Centre, 2 Pasturegate Avenue, BB11 4DD.

(d) With the exception of a) to c) above, Members note the Returning Officers

decision not to change any other polling stations.

To consider the Food Safety Delivery Plan for 2023/24.

Having regard to Minute 70 of the Executive consideration was given to the Food Safety Delivery Plan and it was RESOLVED that the plan be approved.

To consider the Health & Safety Delivery Plan for 2023/24.

Having regard to Minute 71 of the Executive consideration was given to the Health & Safety Delivery Plan and it was RESOLVED that the plan be approved.

To consider a report on the progress in developing the Lancashire 2050 Strategic Framework.

Having regard to Executive Minute 68 consideration was given to a report on Lancashire 2050.  It was RESOLVED that Council:

(i)              Endorse the outline Lancashire 2050 strategic framework (Appendix 'A') as the strategic framework that will guide further development of shared detailed priorities and actions with partners and stakeholders across the whole of Lancashire.

ii)       Agree that the Leader of the Council continues to work with Lancashire Leaders and that the Leader will make representations to that forum on any matters arising from the Council’s consideration of this report.

To consider a report on the arrangements for the recruitment of a new Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to the arrangements for the recruitment and appointment of a Chief Executive.

With the following clarification – The Appointments Committee would comprise The Leader, Deputy Leader, another Executive Member and the Group Leaders of the Liberal Democrat, Green and Conservative Groups (or appointed substitutes) – it was RESOLVED that Council:

a)    Confirm the Appointment Committee’s authority to conduct the recruitment within the financial parameters set out in the report; and

b)    Establish a budget of £20,000 for the cost of recruitment support and advertising as set out in the report.

To receive a report for information on the performance and quality of decision making in planning.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider under Local Government Act 1972 Section 100B part 4b an urgent item relating to the delegation of Council Functions in the Constitution. 

This is an urgent item in order that the ordinary business of the Council can continue to be progressed in the absence of a Head of Service. 

Having regard to Minute 75 of the Executive, it was RESOLVED:

That Council agrees to add the following delegation to those of the Chief

Operating Officer:

‘The Chief Operating Officer is delegated authority to discharge

delegations and functions afforded to a Head of Service in the

Constitution and Standing Orders; in the absence of the relevant

Head of Service, excluding those finance functions afforded to the

Section 151 Officer.’

Reports of Committee Chairs were noted as presented.

RESOLVED            That the Strategic Plan Progress Reports of Executive Members be noted.