Agenda and minutes

To hold a minutes silence to remember former Councillors of the borough Gary Frayling, Jean Cunningham and Alf Duffield who have recently passed away

The Mayor asked members to join him in a minute silence in remembrance of former borough councillors Gary Frayling, Jean Cunningham and Alf Duffield. 

Members paid tribute to them and passed on their condolences to their respective families.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillors Afrasaib Anwar and Tracy Kennedy declared a personal interest in item 6 on the agenda.  They took no part in the discussion or vote on this item.

Councillors Bea Foster, Margaret Lishman, Lian Pate and Cosima Towneley declared an interest (other) on item 7 (a) on the agenda. They remained in the meeting and voted on the item.

Councillor Andy Fewings declared a personal interest in items 7 (b), 7 (c) and 9 on the agenda.  He took no part in the discussions or vote on these items.

Councillor Bea Foster and Howard Baker declared a prejudicial interest (other) in item 7(c) on the agenda.  They took no part in the discussion or vote on this item.

The Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee, granted dispensations to all members to allow them to participate in item 7(e) in relation to the garden waste collection charges.

To receive, as read, the Minutes of the proceedings of the previous Council meetings of 29^th October and 4^th November 2020, and to confirm them or otherwise.

RESOLVED The Minutes of the meetings held on 29^th October and 4^th November 2020 were agreed as an accurate record.

To receive communications (if any) from His Worshipful the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that the council had received national recognition for its support for Armed Forces Veterans with a Silver Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme run by the Ministry of Defence and was presented with the certificate by Councillors Cosima Towneley and Lian Pate.

The Mayor praised the council`s commitment to supporting the veterans and paid tribute to all members of the armed services past and present.

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

Clare Hales addressed the Council under the Request to Speak Policy on the former allotments on Grove Lane, Padiham, 6-8 Whitefield Street, Hapton and trees on Cambridge Drive, Padiham.

It was moved by Councillor Margaret Lishman and seconded by Councillor Anne Kelly that:

That this Council notes:

(i)            The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on the education of all children; 

(ii)          That the greater impact of the pandemic in the North West of England means that children in our area are suffering greater disadvantage than those in areas which have been less afflicted; and

(iii)         The requirement for children across England to sit GCSEs and A levels in the summer of 2021 will have a significant and deleterious impact on Burnley’s children in view of the education that they have missed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which may lead to discrimination in their choices of higher education.

This Council calls on:

All Members of the Borough Council, the Leader of Council and the Council’s Chief Executive

Burnley’s Member of Parliament

Lancashire County Council, County Councillors and the Education Department

to lobby the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Education to cancel the examination system for GCSEs and A levels in 2021 and to introduce an alternative system of fair assessment for this academic year no later than the beginning of 2021.

The necessary changes should be made as soon as possible.  Students and staff need certainty and clarity now to prepare for next year including assessment criteria which are clear and fair and which take account of the fact that the pandemic has affected different parts of the country to different extents.

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 approval of the council`s covid-19 community recovery plan.

With reference to Minute 58 of the Executive (8^th December 2020) consideration was given to the Council`s Covid-19 Community Recovery Plan.

RESOLVED

That the Council work in partnership- through the development of Burnley Together- to achieve community recovery.

To consider the report and recommendations.

With reference to Minute 60 of the Executive (8^th December 2020) consideration was given to the Council`s capital monitoring quarter 2 to 30^th September 2020.

RESOLVED

1.    That approval be given to net budget changes totalling a decrease of £2,206,530 giving a revised capital budget for 2020/21 totalling £16,908,615 as detailed in Appendix 1;

2.    That approval be given of the proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £16,908,615 as shown in Appendix 2; and

3.    That the latest estimated year end position on capital receipts and contributions showing an assumed balance of £836,227 at 31 March 2021 as show in Appendix 3 be noted.

To consider the report and recommendations.

With reference to Minute 61 of the Executive (8^th December 2020) consideration was given to the forecast outturn position for year as at 31 March 2021 based upon actual spending and income to 30 September 2020.

RESOLVED

(1)  That approval be given to the latest revised net budget of £15.693m as shown in Table 1; and

(2)  That approval be given to the transfer of the unallocated Tranche 4 Government funding of £0.86m into a newly created Covid-19 Reserve that can be called upon when required and that delegated authority on the use of the reserve be given to the Head of Finance and Property and the Executive Member for Resources.

(3)  That approval be given to waive the current year Service Level Agreement charge to Burnley Leisure of £275k.

(4)  That approval be given to the net transfer of £1.217m to earmarked reserves as shown in Appendix 2.

To consider the report and recommendations.

With reference to Minute 62 of the Executive (8^th December 2020) consideration was given to the treasury management activity for the first half of the year 2020/21 covering the period 1 April to 30 September 2020.

RESOLVED

1.    That the mid-year update on Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21 in compliance with the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy`s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management be endorsed; and

2.    That approval be given for the revised Counterparty list and investment limits for Local Authority and Money Market Funds as set out in Appendix 2 to this report.

To consider the report and recommendations.

With reference to Minute of the Executive (8^th December 2020) consideration was given to the Council`s  proposed fees and charges from 1 January 2021.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Mark Townsend and seconded by Councillor Afrasaib Anwar  to form an additional clause 5 to the existing motion as follows:

5.(1) To recommend that the Leader or relevant Executive member authorise the Head of Streetscene to make necessary adjustments in order to implement a new car parking scheme to be known as ‘Free after 3pm’. ‘Free after 3pm’ will be introduced to Council operated pay and display car parks in Burnley Town Centre from the 20th February 2021 for an initial 3 month period. Under ‘Free after 3pm’ there will be free parking available in these car parks from 3pm every day.

(2) That Full Council approves the budget for the scheme (£27,000) to be met from the Council’s COVID Reserve as the initiative is part of this Council’s plan for the economic recovery of the town as we start to emerge from the worst of the Coronavirus pandemic.”

It was moved by Councillor Andy Fewings and seconded by Councillor Cosima Towneley that there be an adjournment to allow members to consider the amendment.   On being put to the vote the motion to adjourn was LOST.

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

Duration of the meeting

In accordance with Council Procedure rule 13 (i) members considered a motion without notice to extend the meeting by 1 hour beyond three hours in duration and it was  RESOLVED accordingly

Private Session

In accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, it was moved by Councillor Cosima Towneley and seconded by the Mayor that the meeting move into private session in order for legal advice to the given.  On being put to the vote the motion was declared to be CARRIED.

The meeting reconvened at 9.18 p.m.

The Chief Operating Officer clarified that the amendment as carried would be added at recommendation 3 of the original motion.

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

Consideration was given to a number of constitutional update and appointments to outside bodies.

RESOLVED

1.    That the minor amendments to the Constitution – Part 3 Scheme of Delegation in relation to the Head of Streetscene to deal with submission of representations in Licensing matters be noted;

2.    That the Chief Executive be given delegated powers to allow him to make, in exceptional circumstances between polling district reviews, temporary alterations to the designation of polling places in consultation with Group Leaders.

3.    That the revised Executive Portfolios as submitted by the Leader of the Council on 23^rd November 2020 be noted`

4.    That approval be given to the inclusion of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Board on the Council’s list of Outside Bodies, and

i. that the Leader of the Council and one experienced opposition member  be appointed to the Board, and

ii. that the Leader of the Council and Councillor Margaret Lishman as the Experienced Opposition Member’ be appointed to the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Board;

5.    That the  Urgent Delegated (Council Function) decision made by the Chief Executive regarding Temporary Planning & Compliance Officer be noted:

6.    That the  call-in waivers be noted for Urgent Delegated (Executive Function) decisions made by the Chief Executive relating to:

·         Local restrictions Support Grant & Additional Support Grant

·         COVID Grant Acceptance

RESOLVED

That the reports of the Chairs of Scrutiny, Development Control and Licensing be noted.

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

The meeting finished at 10.25 pm