Agenda and minutes

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

 WAS AGREED

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 27^th May 2020 were agreed as an accurate record.

To receive questions, statements or petitions (if any) from members of the public.

Samina Ali and the Bishop of Burnley, Right Reverend Philip North addressed the Council under the Request to Speak Policy on the annexation of the  occupied West Bank.

It was moved by Councillor Bea Foster and seconded by Councillor Shah Hussain that;

Residents in Burnley, including those in the interfaith community are very concerned about what is happening in the Holy Land.  This issue has been debated regularly by the Building Bridges in Burnley Forum.  As a town we need to continue to work hard on the relationship between all sections of the community, and the situation in Palestine is of direct relevance to building community cohesion in Burnley.

It is proposed that the Council resolve to send a letter to our local MP to ask him to represent these concerns over the plans of the new Israeli coalition 2020.

The annexation is a breach of international Law, which rejects any acquisition of territory through force and would be a major threat to peace and the 2 state solution, which is the official Government policy for all who live in Israel/Palestine.  As a Council, we call on the MP and the Government to speak out against this injustice and support whatever international sanctions are necessary to stop this illegal annexation taking place, which against numerous UN resolutions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.4 a recorded vote was taken.

On being put to the vote the motion was declared to be carried and it was RESOLVED accordingly.

To consider the Executive response to the motion first submitted in February 2020.

Consideration was given to the Executive`s response to a motion on Tackling Homelessness and Providing a Night Shelter for Rough Sleepers in the Borough of Burnley which had been referred to the Executive because if carried it would have the effect of materially increasing the expenditure or reduce the revenue of the Council or involve capital expenditure.

(Full Council Minute 67 refers)

The matter was an Executive function and the Executive`s decision was

That the Executive

1.    Approves the implementation of the temporary housing scheme A Bed Every Night as set out in the report; and

2.    Approves the use of £45,000, identified through the budget amendment approved at Full Council on 26^th February 2020, as a contribution to fund the scheme; and

3.    Reports to Full Council that the proposals in the report is more sustainable than a night shelter and will strengthen the Council`s capacity to tackle rough sleeping; and

4.    Reports to Full Council that a draft Prevention of Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy has been prepared and that a consultation process would be undertaken soon.

RESOLVED

That the decision of the Executive be noted.

To consider a report on a potential Lancashire Combined Authority.

Consideration was given to whether the Council should work with other Lancashire Councils to explore a Lancashire Combined Authority with a directly elected Mayor.

It was moved by Councillor Charlie Briggs and seconded by Councillor Margaret Lishman that

1.    That Full Council approves that the Council should work with other Lancashire Councils to explore a Lancashire Combined Authority with a directly elected Mayor; and

2.    If Full Council supports 1. above a report be brought back to a future Full Council for further consideration on the results of the work and any associated options.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Mark Townsend and seconded by Councillor Lian Pate (amendment shown in bold and underlined) as follows;

2a. Council notes the previous decision of the Council in December 2015 on a Combined Authority without an elected Mayor and no requirement to acknowledge that local government functions may need to be simplified.

2b. That Council approves that, after the Governments  English Devolution White Paper has been published, the Council should work, with all 14 other Lancashire Councils to explore a Lancashire Combined Authority with a directly elected Mayor, with limited powers as agreed by Lancashire Leaders at their meeting on June 10th, 2020.

2c. If full Council supports 2b. a report would be brought to a future Full Council for further consideration on the results of the work and any associated options.

2d. That Council rejects any form of local government reorganisation, or simplification, as a condition for the establishment of a Lancashire Combined Authority.

Adjournment of meeting

The mayor adjourned the meeting at 7.48 pm

The meeting reconvened at 8.03 pm

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared to be carried

An amendment to 2 (b) of the substantive motion was moved by Councillor Andy Fewings and seconded by Councillor Sarah Hall (amendments shown in bold and underlined)

2b. That Council approves that, after the Governments  English Devolution White Paper has been published, the Council should work, with all 14 other Lancashire Councils to explore a Lancashire Combined Authority with all governance options on the table, including without an elected mayor, at the outset of these new discussions.

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared to be LOST

On being put to the vote the substantive motion was declared to be CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED

1.    The Full Council approves that the Council should work with other Lancashire Councils to explore a Lancashire Combined Authority with a directly elected Mayor;

2.    (a) Council notes the previous decision of the Council in December 2015 on a Combined Authority without an elected Mayor and no requirement to acknowledge that local government functions may need to be simplified.

(b) That Council approves that, after the Governments  English Devolution White Paper has been published, the Council should work, with all 14 other Lancashire Councils to explore a Lancashire Combined Authority with a directly elected Mayor, with limited powers as agreed by Lancashire Leaders at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To consider a report outlining the potential budget implications of the Coronavirus.

Further to Minute 12 of the Executive 7^th July 2020 consideration was given to the potential financial impact on the 2020/21 revenue budget following the Coronavirus pandemic.

RESOLVED

1.    That the current forecast financial impact of Covid-19 as shown be noted, and the financial impact be modified and updated regularly to inform action plans to deal with the loss of income and increased expenditure;

2.    That Officers continue to work on a number of options to mitigate potential financial impact and bring forward options for decisions as appropriate.  It be noted that a review of some service provision may be necessary if additional Central Government funding is not forthcoming;

3.    That the Council, along with other District Councils and industry groups continue to lobby Central Government for additional funding; and

4.    It was recognised that additional funding has been received from Central Government following publication of the agenda/report.

In accordance with Council procedure rule 13 (i) Members considered a motion without notice to continue the meeting beyond three hours in duration until the business was concluded and it was RESOLVED accordingly

To inform Members of minor amendments to the Constitution and Urgent Decisions made by the Chief Executive using Urgency Powers.

Consideration was given to the constitutional updates and Council delegations made since the last meeting.

RESOLVED

1.    That the minor amendment to Part 2 of the Constitution increasing the number of officers authorised to seal documents be noted;

2.    That the Urgent Delegated (Council/Executive Function) decisions be noted relating to;

·         Local Authority Discretionary Business Grant Scheme

·         Local Authority Discretionary Business Grant Scheme Amendment

·         Environmental Health (Compliance Officer) – Streetscene

3.    That the call-in waiver be noted for Urgent Executive Decisions relating to;

·         Local Authority Discretionary Business Grant Scheme

·         Local Authority Discretionary Business Grant Scheme Amendment

·         Environmental Health (Compliance) Officer – Streetscene

·         Burnley Market Recovery Plan

To consider appointments to Committees for the remainder of 2020/21.

Consideration was given to appointments to the Audit and Standards Committee and to the outside body of Lancashire County Council (LCC) Health Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED

1.    That Councillor Margaret Lishman be appointed to the Audit ad Standards Committee for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year to replace Councillor Howard Baker; and

2.    That Councillor Lian Pate be appointed as Lead member on the LCC Health Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Tracy Kennedy and Councillor Tracy Kennedy by the substitute member.

RESOLVED              That the reports of the Chairs of Scrutiny, Audit and Standards, Development Control and Licensing should be noted.

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