Agenda and minutes

The Leader proposed that permission to speak at the meeting be not granted to any Councillor not a member of the Cabinet, other than County Councillor Aidy Riggott and the Leader and Deputy Leader of the main opposition party, in accordance with Standing Order 19(1).

Resolved: That permission to speak at the meeting be not granted to any Councillor not a member of the Cabinet, other than County Councillor Aidy Riggott and the Leader and Deputy Leader of the main opposition party, in accordance with Standing Order 19(1).

Apologies were received from County Councillor Peter Buckley.

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.

There were no interests disclosed.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2018 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Cabinet received a report on the future of Hameldon Community College, Burnley. It was confirmed that, following the initial approach of the Governors of the school to the county council, all the statutory requirements placed on the authority before making a decision on the future of a maintained school had been completed, and the details, including responses received in the representation period, had been provided to Cabinet to consider.

It was recognised that the decision to close a school was a sensitive and complex one, and that full support would be given to parents and children, including ensuring that current Year 10 students would be able to complete their GCSE studies at Hameldon before closure.

The efforts of the parents and members of the community who had run a positive and well-presented campaign to keep the school open were recognised.

Resolved: That

  i.  the information in this report be noted

  ii.  the proposal as detailed in the statutory notice to close Hameldon Community College, Burnley, be approved with implementation commencing from 31 August 2018

  iii.  that an appropriate statutory decision letter be sent out, as specified under legal requirements, to give the reasons for the decision to those who are to be informed of them.

Cabinet considered a report providing an update on the procurement process for the Preston Youth Zone Operator, noting the increase in the cost estimate since the previous Cabinet approval, and proposing an approach to managing that.

Resolved: That the proposal to proceed with the procurement process for the Preston Youth Zone Operator be approved on the basis that the county council's capital contribution is capped at £5.925m and all additional capital requirements, estimated at £2.605m, are met by the private/voluntary sector delivery partner.

Cabinet received a report setting out a recommendation to amend the basis upon which the Cuerden Development Site – Earthworks procurement exercise will be undertaken, including a revised estimated contract value of £3.8m, following the identification of additional works required as part of this procurement exercise.

Resolved: That the commencement of the procurement exercise, as revised and as set out in the report be approved.

Cabinet received a report proposing the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order to address anomalies in restrictions and to clarify and simplify a number of traffic orders in the Preston and South Ribble districts, and proposing new in the districts of Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Preston, Rossendale and South Ribble.

Resolved: That the proposals for parking restrictions on the various lengths of road within the Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Preston, Rossendale and South Ribble Districts as detailed within this report be approved.

Cabinet considered a report on Burnley BEST, a tendered Dial-a-Ride taxi service, designed to take passengers to employment and training opportunities within the Burnley and Pendle area where other public transport services were not available or the passenger was not able to access them.

Resolved: That the cessation of the service following the termination of the current contract on 31 July 2018 be approved.

A report was presented on a Traffic Regulation Order required to enable the Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative public realm improvement scheme, approved by Cabinet in February 2018, to operate as designed and with the aim of ensuring safe and efficient operation of the public highway.

Resolved: That the proposal for the introduction of a prohibition of right turn from Burnley Road onto Market Street as detailed within the report be approved.

Cabinet received a report seeking approval for a proposal to install a puffin crossing and undertake bus stop upgrades at Bolton Road, Anderton in line with planning conditions for the Stewart Milne residential development.

Cabinet noted concerns about an adjacent junction, and would consider alleviation measures if necessary.

Resolved: That the proposals to install a puffin crossing and undertake bus stop upgrades on Bolton Road, Anderton be approved

Cabinet received a report seeking authorisation to formally complete the agreement between Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council with regard to inspections and ordinary maintenance of highways, with a view to establishing further efficiencies.

Resolved: That

  i.  the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations be noted.

  ii.  the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to complete the agreement and arrange for it to be sealed on behalf of the county council.

The Cabinet received a report setting out a revised Highways Safety Inspection Policy, in line with the county council's statutory duty under the Highways Act 1980 to maintain that part of the highway network which is maintainable at public expense. It was reported that the proposed revised took into account changed national guidance.

Resolved: That the proposed Highway Safety Inspection Policy as set out in the report be approved

Please note that Appendices 'A' and 'B' to this report are in Part II and appear as Item No. 22 on the agenda.

Cabinet received a report providing an update on the delivery of the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone.

Resolved: That

  i.  the serving of an Option Notice under an Option Agreement with BAE Systems' Operations Division and Pension Fund be approved to allow the drawdown of 250 year leases of land for spine road, drainage and ecological purposes to the county council for a total cost of £3.00.

  ii.  the Directors of Corporate Services; Property Services; and Economic Development and Planning be authorised to enter into such legal agreements necessary to secure the provision of off-site ecological mitigation, as per the county council's obligations within the Local Development Order dated 7 February 2014.

Cabinet considered a response to the Transport for the North consultation on a draft Strategic Transport Plan for the North of England.

Resolved: That

  i.  the county council's response to the consultation as set out in the report be approved

  ii.  the decision be designated as urgent in accordance with Standing Order 35 as any delay in its implementation could adversely affect the efficient execution of the County Council's responsibilities. This was because the closing date for response to the consultation was 17 April 2018

The Cabinet considered a new policy on non-residential care charging, as part of the ongoing review of all adult social care policies following the introduction of the Care Act 2014.

Resolved: That the Non-Residential Care Charging policy, as set out in the report, be approved.

Cabinet received a report presenting a Dementia Strategy which would provide the strategic direction for Lancashire County Council in supporting people with dementia and their carers and families.

Resolved: That the Lancashire Dementia Strategy – Dementia Friendly Lancashire 2018 – 2023, as set out in the report be approved

The following urgent decisions have been taken by the Leader of the County Council and the relevant Cabinet Member(s) in accordance with Standing Order 34(1) since the last meeting of Cabinet, and can be viewed by clicking on the relevant link(s):

1.  Dedicated School Grant - Addressing the Forecast Overspend in the High Needs Block

2.  Lancashire Lifesavers - Funding for Defibrillators

3.  Appointment of a Chief Executive for Marketing Lancashire Limited

4.  Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry Service

The urgent decisions taken by the Leader of the County Council and Cabinet Members were 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.

Staffing in Children's Services

The Leader of the Council, as Chair, agreed to take an item of Urgent Business in relation to staffing in Children's Services. The reason for urgency was to ensure that a permanent and enhanced staffing structure would be in place as soon as possible.

The report presented proposals to make a number of temporary posts permanent and to establish additional posts within Children's Services

Resolved: That

  i.  the staffing proposals relating Children's Services, as set out in the report be approved

  ii.  the decision be designated as urgent in accordance with Standing Order 35 as any delay could adversely affect the efficient execution of the County Council's responsibilities. The reason for this was to ensure that a permanent and enhanced staffing structure was in place as soon as possible.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on Thursday, 10 May 2018 at 2.00 pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the date of the next meeting would be Thursday 10 May at 2pm at County Hall, Preston.

No representations have been received.

Click here to see the published Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private.

The Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private was noted.

Resolved: That Cabinet considered that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as indicated against the heading to the item.

(Not for Publication - Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to theLocal Government Act 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of thecase the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interests in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered a report on the disposal of land at Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington.

Resolved: That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

(Not for Publication - Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The report contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interests in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered a report on residential options for children and young people.

Resolved: That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

(Not for Publication - Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The report contains Information relating to any individual; information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interests in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered a report on the future of Queen Street Mill Museum and Helmshore Textile Mills Museum.

Resolved: That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

(Not for Publication - Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The report contains Information relating to any individual; information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interests in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered a report on the options for the future of the Judges Lodgings Museum.

Resolved: That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

(Not for Publication - Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The report contains information relating to any individual, information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interests in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered a report on older people's residential care.

Resolved: That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.