Agenda and minutes

Members joined the Mayor in a two-minute silence to remember Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. 

The Mayor and other Members recognized the service given by Her Majesty, to the country and beyond.

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

RESOLVED         The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 27^th July were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Cllr Andy Fewings declared an interest in items 6e, 6f and 6g.  He left the room and took no part in the debate or decision making.

To consider a report and recommendations.

Consideration was given to a report detailing Constitutional updates, reporting and committee appointments.

It was RESOLVED that:

a. The call-in waiver relating to the urgent decision by the Executive on 28th July 2022 be noted.

b. The following additions to the Terms of Reference for the Audit & Standards Committee and to its member qualifications be approved:

1. That the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee should not be held either by a member of the Executive, or the Scrutiny Chair.

2. The Head of Internal Audit and the representative of External Audit will have free and confidential access to the Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee. Members of the Audit and Standards Committee have free and confidential access to the Head of Internal Audit and the representative of External Audit.

3. That the Committee should have a focus on Strategic Risk.

c. Delegated powers be granted to the Head of Housing and Development Control in consultation with the Chair of Development Control Committee (or Vice-Chair if the Chair is not available) to revoke planning permission where such revocation would be unlikely to rise to a substantial claim for compensation.

d. The delegation in Part 3 of the Constitution (Council Functions) section a) Development Control Committee – Head of Housing and Development Control, be amended to increase the threshold for the number of objections received before determination by Development Control Committee is required to three or more objections.

e. Section 16.3 of the Council Procedure Rules be amended to read:

Voting at Meetings Unless a recorded vote is demanded under Rules 16.4 and 16.5, or the Mayor requests a roll-call under 16.6, the Chair will take the vote either by affirmation of the meeting if there is no dissent; by show of hands or by the use of an electronic voting system.

f. Council noted the revised Political Balance of the Council and approved the    following changes to committee memberships:

g. Council approved the introduction of an additional long service award to recognise 20 years of service as an elected member.

h. Council noted that a recruitment exercise will commence shortly to fill the vacancy for Parish Council representative on the Audit and Standards Committee and that the outcome would be reported to Council for approval.

To consider the report and recommendations.

Consideration was given to a report on Community Governance Review.

It was RESOLVED that Council approve:

a.     a Community Governance Review be undertaken for the Parish of Worsthorne with Hurstwood to increase the number of Parish Councillors from seven to nine.

b.     The Part 3 (Council Functions) Scheme of Delegation be amended to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to carry out a Community Governance Review on receipt of a valid request from a Parish.

c.     To proceed with the review as set out in the attached draft Terms of Reference.

d.     The findings of the review be reported to Full Council for final decision.

To consider a report and a request to waive S85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration was given to a report setting out a request to waive the requirements of S.85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was RESOLVED that Council approve the reason for the Councillor’s failure to attend meetings as set out in the report until such time as:

a.       The Councillor has resumed attendance OR

b.       The reason for this approval no longer applies OR

c.   The Councillor’s term of office has ended.  Whichever is the sooner.

To consider a report and recommendations.

Consideration was given to a report setting out the findings of the Hearings Panel.

It was RESOLVED That Council note the decision of the Hearings Panel of 22^nd August 2022.

To consider a report and recommendations.

With reference to Executive Minute 37, consideration was given to a report on the Review of Statement of Licensing Policy.

It was RESOLVED that Council approve the draft Statement of Licensing Policy for implementation from 1^st October 2022.

To consider a report and recommendations.

With reference to Executive Minute 38, consideration was given to the Q1 Revenue Budget Monitoring Report.

It was RESOLVED that Council approve:

a. The latest revised net budget of £15.322m as shown in Table 1, and

b. The net transfers from earmarked reserves of £3.175m

To consider a report and recommendations.

With reference to Executive Minute 39, consideration was given to the Quarter 1 Capital Budget Monitoring Report.

It was RESOLVED that Council approve:

a.     Net budget changes totalling an increase of £25,000 giving a revised capital budget for 2022/23 totalling £41,433,311.

b.     The proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £41,433,311.

To consider a report and recommendations.

With reference to Executive Minute 40 and the Revenue Budget 2023-26 report,

It was RESOLVED that Council approve £198,000 further savings to assist in balancing the 2023-26 revenue budget.

It was RESOLVED that the reports be noted.

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