Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED, THAT: The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 24^th January 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are required to declare any personal or personal and prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this agenda and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Councillor M Lishman declared a other, non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 5h Revenue Budget 2024/25 as Chair of the Council for Voluntary Services for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale and as a relative of Parish Councillors.  She was permitted to remain in the meeting throughout and participate fully in the debate and vote.

Councillor Reynolds declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 5p Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Although the item was for noting only, he indicated that he would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

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

The Mayor informed the meeting that the Mayoress’ Committee was operating a pop-up shop in Charter Walk shopping centre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. The shop was operating on a cash only basis and was stocked with a wide range of products.

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

No questions, statements or petitions had been received from members of the public.

To consider recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Consideration was given to the findings of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) in respect of a proposed percentage increase to the current Members’ Allowance Scheme (MAS) for the financial year 2023/24.

RESOLVED, THAT: an increase of 4.6% to the members’ basic allowance for the financial year 1^st April 2023 to 31^st March 2024 and the resulting increases to Special Responsibility Allowances as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

To consider the Strategic Plan for 2024/25.

With reference to minute 73 of the Executive (15^th February 2024), consideration was given to the Strategic Plan 2024.

RESOLVED, THAT: the Strategic Plan be approved.

To consider a report on the forecast outturn position for the year ending 31 March 2024 based upon actual spending and income to 31 December 2023.

With reference to minute 74 of the Executive (15^th February 2024), consideration was given to the forecast outturn position for the year ending 31 March 2024 based upon actual spending and income to 31 December 2023.

RESOLVED, THAT:

(1)  The latest revised net budget of £16.267m as shown in Table 1 be approved;

(2)  The net transfers from earmarked reserves of £6.014m as shown in Appendix 2 be approved, and

(3)  The requested carry forwards of £69k as shown in Appendix 3 be approved.

To provide Members with an update on capital expenditure and the resources position along with highlighting any variances.

With reference to minute 75 of the Executive (15^th February 2024), consideration was given to an update on capital expenditure and the resources position, with any variances highlighted.

RESOLVED, THAT:

(1)  Net budget changes totalling a net increase of £69,936 giving a revised capital budget for 2023/24 totalling £41,727,259 as detailed in Appendix 1 be approved, and

(2)  The proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £41,727,259 as shown in Appendix 2 be approved.

To report treasury management activity for the period 1 April to 31 December 2023.

With reference to minute 76 of the Executive (15^th February 2024), consideration was given to an update on treasury management activity for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2023.

RESOLVED, THAT: the quarterly update on the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 in compliance with the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management be endorsed.

To consider a report on the Medium Term Financial Strategy - 2025/26-2028/29 Incorporating the Reserves Strategy.

Consideration was given to the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2028/29 incorporating the Reserves Strategy, the 2024/25 Treasury Management Strategy and 2024/25 to 2026/27 Prudential and Treasury Indicators, the Revenue Budget 2024/25, the Revenue Budget 2024/25 Statutory Report of the Chief Financial Officer, the Council Tax Resolution 2024/25, the Capital Budget 2024/25 and Capital Investment Programme 2024/29, and the Council Tax Support Scheme and Empty Homes Premium Policy. Consideration was also given to the relevant minutes 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81 of the Executive (15^th February 2024).

It was moved by Councillor M Lishman and seconded by Councillor Anwar that the recommendations outlined in agenda items 5f to l and as set out in minutes 77 to 81 of the Executive (15^th February 2024) be approved.

An amendment was submitted by the Labour Group and moved by Councillor Townsend and seconded by Councillor Graham.

‘Resources for vital services, a welcoming town centre and additional support for those in need.

a. £50000 for Greenspaces with a priority being improving the maintenance of grassed areas and verges in residential areas across the Borough.

b. £50000 for Streetscene with the priority being improving the cleanliness of the Boroughs’ streets with a focus on littering and dog fouling (clean up and prevention).

c. A one off £25000 for the town centre Business Improvement District (BID) towards their key theme of implementing projects and services that support a safer, more attractive visitor experience.

d. A one off £20000 for Streetscene to provide targeted waste management services for households in financial need and requiring crisis support. Qualifying households to be referred by Streetscene/Housing/Burnley Together/Calico as per similar schemes provided in 23/24 under the Household Support Fund.

e. £1000 for Treasury Management to cover for loss of interest income arising from financing these proposals.

TOTAL £146000 (of which £45000 is for one off proposals)

To be paid for by :

1.             £24000 increase in salary savings from vacant posts (reflects the increase in the salary budget from 23/24 to 24/25)

2.             £30000 from a 2% reduction in utility usage (efficiency target to reduce consumption of electricity/gas)

3.             £47000 contribution to revenue from the £1.4m annual contribution to the Business Rates Volatility reserve

4.             £37500 contribution to revenue from the no longer required Primary Engineer Reserve.

5.             £7500 contribution to revenue from the Cost of Living reserve.

TOTAL £146000’

Adjournment of the meeting

With the consent of the meeting the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 19:00.

The meeting reconvened at 19:10.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.7 a recorded vote was taken on the amendment.

The amendment was declared to be LOST.

An amendment was submitted by the Conservative Group and moved by Councillor McGowan and seconded by Councillor Hosker.

‘Insert the following additional decisions relating to one-off spending in 2024/25

1.1.        Agree savings summarised in Table A from the Revenue Budget, generating a saving of £120,000 for 2024/2025

Table A: Revenue savings

To consider a report on the Council’s Pay Policy Statement which is required to be published prior to the end of March each year. 

With reference to minute 84 of the Executive (15^th February 2024) consideration was given to the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 which was required to be published by the end of March each year.

RESOLVED, THAT:

1)    The report and the attached Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 be approved, and

2)    The Council’s Gender Pay Gap report at Appendix H of the Pay Policy Statement be noted.

To consider a report setting out changes to committee and outside body nominations and appointments.

Consideration was given to a report in respect of changes to committee members, including the nomination of substitutes, and nominations, appointment term and addition to the Council’s list of Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED, THAT:

Committee representatives and roles:

1)    Councillor Sollis be removed from Development Control and Scrutiny Committees;

2)    Councillor Raja be appointed to the Development Control Committee;

3)    Councillor Chaudhary be appointed to the Scrutiny Committee;

4)    Councillor Hurt be appointed Vice-Chair of Development Committee;

5)    Substitutes to committees be appointed as follows:

Audit and Standards: Councillors Cunliffe and Hurt;

Development Control: Councillors Bridges and Broughton;

Licensing: Councillors Bridges, Cunliffe and Hosker;

Scrutiny: Councillors Hosker and Hurt.

Outside Bodies:

6)    Councillor Hurt be appointed as a Trustee to the Board of Burnley Leisure & Culture;

7)    The appointment at 6) above continue until July 2026 provided that the elected member continues to fulfil all the relevant requirements relating to the position;

8)    The change to the appointments process for Burnley Leisure and Culture Trustees as set out at paragraph 23 be approved;

9)    The addition of the Town Board to the Council’s list of Outside Bodies be approved, with the representation on that Board being agreed as the Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Sustainable Development and Growth (to be appointed by the Executive) and an Opposition Member who will be appointed by Council, and

10) Following approval of 9) above, Councillor McGowan be appointed as the Council’s Opposition Member representative on the Town Board.

To consider the Calendar of Meetings for the 2024-25 Municipal Year.

Consideration was given to a calendar of meetings for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED, THAT: The calendar of meetings for the 2024/25 Municipal Year be approved.

Councillor Reynolds left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Consideration was given to a report on the position relating to the appointment of the Mayor and Chair of the Council and Deputy Mayor and Vice-Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

RESOLVED, THAT:

1)    It be noted that Councillor Hussain has accepted the invitation to become Mayor in 2024/25, and

2)    It be noted that Councillor Reynolds has accepted the invitation to become Deputy Mayor in 2024/25.

To deal with questions (if any) relating to matters not contained in the Minutes before the Council and of which notice in writing has been received in accordance with Standing Order No. 10(2).

Councillor Reynolds returned to the meeting.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.2, Councillor Townsend asked the Leader a question relating to any response from the Department of Business, Enterprise, Innovation and Skills (BEIS) to a letter sent by the Chief Executive on 19^th October in relation to the Towns Fund.

The Leader responded accordingly.