Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor Azhar Ali.

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None declared.

Resolved: - That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

County Councillor Bill Winlow, Chair of the Executive Scrutiny Committee, reported that the recommendations set out in the reports for consideration by Cabinet had been confirmed without modification or amendment at the meeting of the Executive Scrutiny Committee held on 3 March 2015.

The Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, Dean of Blackburn and Chair of the Lancashire Fairness Commission, attended and presented an overview of the recently published report of the Commission 'Fairer Lancashire Fairer Lives'. A number of Commissioners were also in attendance.

The Dean gave an overview of the work of the Commission, following the decision by the County Council's Cabinet in 2013, to commission a feasibility study to consider the possibility of a Fairness Commission. The 21 Commissioners were drawn from the County Council, District Councils, the private sector, Lancashire Constabulary, Public Health and the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector.

Reference was made to the methodology used which was; starting well, living well and ageing well, and the number of evidence gathering sessions held across Lancashire. The work of the Commission was based on Marmot principles and resulted in 156 draft recommendations. The final report contained 27 recommendations with a number of 'softer' recommendations included in the narrative of the report. A number of these recommendations were already being addressed and the intention was that the Commission would meet again in a year to consider progress.

In concluding, the Dean thanked all the Commissioners for their contribution and enthusiasm and also to the officers of the County Council who supported the work of the Commission.

Resolved: - That:

(i)  The overview, now presented, be noted and the report of the Fairness Commission be welcomed;

(ii)  The Dean of Blackburn be thanked for Chairing the Fairness Commission;

(iii)  The Commissioners, and Officers of the County Council supporting the work of the Commission, be thanked.

Eddie Sutton, Assistant Chief Executive, presented a report setting out the progress of a series of proposals which overall would see the regeneration of Preston Bus Station and Multi Storey Car Park, primarily as a public services hub focusing on facilities for young people, bus and coach transportation, pedestrian safety, highway improvements, car parking and the creation of accessible and useable public open space within the heart of Preston City Centre.

Reference was made to the international design competition for the new facilities which would be administered by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The deadline for stage one of the competition was 21 April with shortlisting taking place during the first week of May prior to the final deadline of 7 July and the announcement of the winner at the end of July.

It was reported that good progress was being made in relation to the conservation plan and discussions were taking place with the owners of the Guildhall and St John's Shopping Centre. It was expected that a further update on progress would be presented to Cabinet in June.

The Leader of the County Council welcomed the progress made which, it was anticipated, would open up Preston to further development and benefit Lancashire as a whole.

Resolved: - That the report, now presented, be noted.

Resolved: - That the report, now presented, on Key Decisions taken by the Leader of the County Council and the Interim Executive Director for Environment, respectively, be noted.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

There was no urgent business to be considered.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on Thursday 2 April 2015 at

2.00 pm at County Hall, Preston.

The Cabinet noted that the next meeting would be held on Thursday 2 April 2015 at 2.00pm at County Hall, Preston.