Agenda and minutes

To receive, as read, the Minutes of the proceedings of the previous Council meeting held on the 26^thJanuary 2022, and to confirm them or otherwise.

To add as an administrative update to Minute 7 of the Minutes of 27th May 2020 Full Council the following as Paragraph (3);

That the appointment of Kathryn Haworth be approved as the parish representative member of the Audit and Standards Committee from 9^th April 2020 until 8^th April 2023.

RESOLVED         The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 26^th January 2022 were confirmed and signed by the Chair. It was also RESOLVED to add an administrative update to Minute 7 of the Minutes of 27^th May 2020 Full Council as Paragraph (3);That the appointment of Kathryn Haworth be approved as the parish representative member of the Audit and Standards Committee from 9^th April 2020 until 8^th April 2023

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

It was announced that Councillor Paul Campbell and Councillor Sue Graham will have achieved 8 years’ service to the Council by the end of this Municipal Year, and this was recognised by the award of a Long Service Award.

Councillor Sue Graham was presented with the award, with Councillor Paul Campbell not being present at that time.

It was also stated that for this meeting after consultation with Member Structures Working Group it was decided that the Strategic Progress Reports would not be on the agenda as they had been discussed at the recent meeting of Full Council on 26^th January 2022.

It was further announced that Imelda Grady, an Officer who has provided over 20 years service to the Council within the Democracy Team, will be retiring from the Council soon and she was presented with flowers by the Leader Councillor Afrasiab Anwar on behalf of all Group Leaders.

Group Leaders and other Members expressed their thanks to Imelda for her great service to the Council.

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

Fiona Wild addressed the Council under the Right To Speak policy on Nitrous Oxide Misuse.

To consider Revenue Budget Monitoring Q3 2021/22

With reference to Minute 87 of the Executive (14^th February 2022) consideration was given to the forecast outturn position for the year as at 31^st March 2022 based upon actual spending and income to 31^st December 2021 and to note the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

RESOLVED

(1)  That approval be given to the latest revised net budget of £15.419M as shown in Table 1;

(2)  That approval be given for the net transfers from earmarked reserves of £2.166M as shown in Table 2; and

(3)  That approval be given for the carry forward of forecast unspent budgets as requested by Heads of Service in Appendix 3. These amounts totalling 182k are to be transferred into the Carry Forward Reserve. The monies will be transferred back out to create additional revenue budgets in 2022/23 or when required.  

To consider Capital Budget Monitoring Q3 2021/22

With reference to Minute 88 of the Executive (14^th February 2022) consideration was given to capital expenditure and the resources position along with highlighting any variances.

RESOLVED

(1)  That approval be given of net budget changes totalling a decrease of £5,725,705 giving a revised capital budget for 2021/22 totalling £36,670,513 as detailed in Appendix 1;

(2)  That approval be given for the proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £36,670,513 as shown in Appendix 2; and

(3)  That the latest estimated year end position on capital receipts and contributions be noted showing an assumed balance of £1,840,205 at 31 March 2022 as shown in Appendix 3.  

To consider the Revenue Budget 2022/23

Consideration was given to the Medium Term Financial Strategy, Revenue and Capital Budget 2022/23, Treasury Management Strategy 2022/23, Revenue Budget Statutory Report, Council Tax 2022/23, and the Members Allowance Scheme relating to Items 5(c ) to 5(i) on the agenda.

Consideration was also given to the relevant Minutes 89,90,91, and 92 of the Executive (14^th February 2022).

It was Moved by Councillor Sue Graham and Seconded by Councillor Afrasiab Anwar;

“That the Council approves the proposals contained in Items 5 (c ) to 5 (i) on the agenda and as set out in the relevant Minutes 89-92 of the 14^th February 2022 Executive.”

An Amendment was submitted by the Green Group and Moved by Councillor Scott Cunliffe and Seconded by Councillor Martyn Hurt ;

“Item 5d Revenue Budget Appx 2 Page 96 Growth Proposal

Proposed Additional Budget Line £15,000 Source: Covid Reserve

30 new allotment plots in Burnley Borough

Reasoning:

1. The council should aspire to provide an allotment to anyone who wants one 2. There are currently 300 people on allotment waiting lists across the borough

3. Greenspaces have identified potential sites for new allotments

 4. Fresh produce from allotments help families to reduce food costs

5. Allotments improve the wellbeing of residents 6. Allotments improve biodiversity within the borough

Item 5e Capital Budget Appendix 3 Page 114

Amendment: p.114 £21,000 IT Upgrades: Replacement of circa 65 tablets (iPads) used by members and officers to access electronically meeting agenda papers and reports.

Propose that the cost should be spread over 3 years. i.e. £7k per year triggering a capital saving of £14k this year. 

Amended text:  Replacement of tablets (iPads) as required by members and officers to access electronically meeting agenda papers and reports.

Reasoning:

 1) All members should be asked if they require a tablet to conduct their Council business. For example, 3 out of 5 of the current Green Group do not require a Council funded tablet

2) All existing tablets should be tested to examine if they are in a good condition to carry out the required function. The ones received by our group are in a good working order.  Once an accurate need is known it could trigger savings in year 2 and year 3. 

Item 5e Capital Budget Appendix 3 Page 114

Amendment: p.114: £100,000 Audio & Visual Upgrade to Facilitate On-line Meetings. Replacement of the delegate public address and induction loop systems in the Council Chamber and public gallery; plus, the installation of an electronic delegate voting system and display and fixed cameras to facilitate the live streaming of Council meetings.

Amended text: Replacement of the delegate public address and induction loop systems in the Council Chamber and public gallery; plus, the installation of an electronic delegate voting system and display and fixed cameras to facilitate the live streaming of Council meetings, electric plug charging points that can be accessed by members and staff, and improved chamber accessibility for all members.

Reasoning: 

Estimates received for the original replacements  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To consider the Strategic Plan 2022

With reference to Minute 84 of the Executive (14^th February 2022) consideration was given to the Strategic Plan 2022.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the Strategic Plan 2022, including the amendment at the Executive to PR2 below;

PR2-We will proactively support the Borough`s businesses in the urban and rural areas to innovate and expand, and make the Borough a natural choice for business relocation.

To consider a Pay Policy Statement- Localism Act 2011

With reference to Minute 93 of the Executive (14^th February 2022) consideration was given to the Localism Act 2011 Pay Policy Statement which is required to be published prior to the end of March each year.

RESOLVED

(1)  That this report and the attached Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23 be approved;

(2)  That the Council’s Gender Pay Gap report which is at Appendix H of the Pay Policy Statement be noted;

(3)  That a delegation to the Strategic HR Manager to make minor amendments to finalise the Pay Policy Statement following agreement of pay awards for 2021-22 be approved; and

(4)  That, subject to reaching a collective agreement or following consultation with affected employees, an amendment to NJC terms and conditions which will require employees on Grades 7-11 to provide a minimum of 2 months’ notice of termination and for employees on Grades 12-14 to provide a minimum of 3 months be approved

To consider the Appointment Process of External Auditors 2023/27

With reference to Minute 26 of the Audit and Standards Committee (27^th January 2022) consideration was given to the Appointment process of External Auditors for 2023/27.

RESOLVED

That the Council accepts the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) invitation to opt into the sector-led Option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government and police bodies for 5 financial years commencing 1 April 2023.

To consider the Appointment Process to Burnley Leisure as an Outside Body

Members considered the arrangements for the appointment of Members to Burnley Leisure Trust`s Board of Trustees.

RESOLVED

That the changes to the nomination and appointment of Local Authority Trustees to the Board of Burnley Leisure Trust be approved as outlined in Section 9 of the report.

To consider Constitutional Updates and Reporting, including Appointment to a Working Group

Consideration was given to a Constitutional Amendments and Reporting report.

RESOLVED

(1)  That Members were informed of a waiver of call-in relating to an urgent decision (Executive Functions) taken by the Chief Executive on 28 January 2022 relating to Omicron Additional Restrictions Grants;

(2)  That Part 3 (Council Functions) Scheme of Delegation relating to the Licensing Committee and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be amended in accordance with Appendix A of the report to 2^nd February 2022 Licensing Committee (attached as Appx 2) to enable the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to act where training requirements are not met; and

(3)  That Councillor Scott Cunliffe be appointed to Member Structures Working Group to replace Councillor Andy Fewings relating to the Green Group.

To consider reports from Committee Chairs

RESOLVED

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