Agenda and minutes

Apologies

 

Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of County Councillors Mohammed Iqbal, Alycia James and Jeff Sumner.

 

Announcements

 

Death

 

The Chairman reported the sad death on 19 June of former County Councillor Albert Thornton. Tributes were paid in his memory on behalf of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups who also offered condolences to his friends and family.

 

The council stood in silent tribute.

 

Award in the Queen's Birthday Honours List

 

The Chairman announced that County Councillor Geoff Driver had been awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to local government.

 

The Chairman asked that the congratulations for his achievements be placed on record.

 

MJ Award

 

The Chairman announced that the County Council had recently won the MJ Award for 'Workforce Transformation'.

 

This prestigious award highlighted the excellent work that the council is doing to engage its employees through the 'Lancashire way'.

 

Representatives from the winning team attended full council to acknowledge the council's congratulations:

 

·  Pam Goulding, Head of Learning and Development Service

·  Ben Kinley, Head of Business Improvement

·  Karen Gregory, Employee Engagement Business manager

·  Suzanne Ward, Human Resources Manager (was unable to attend)

 

The County Council was also commended by the MJ for 'Innovation in Social Care', and a team from Democratic Services had also reached the final for its work in delivering Local Member Grants.

 

Name of Councillor	Agenda Item No.	Nature of Interest (all non pecuniary unless stated)
M Brindle	Part C – No 1	Member of Burnley Borough Council
D Howarth	Part C – No 2	Member of South Ribble Borough Council
D Whipp	Part C – No 1 Part C – No 2	Member of the Vegetarian Society Member of Pendle Borough Council

 

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on the 23 May 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

 

Lancashire Youth Justice Service Continuous Improvement Plan 2013/14

 

The Cabinet had considered at its meeting on 11 July 2013 a report setting out the Lancashire Youth Justice Service Continuous Improvement Plan 2013/14 and agreed to recommend it to the Full Council for approval.

 

Resolved: That the Lancashire Youth Justice Service Continuous Improvement Plan 2013/14, as now presented, be approved.

 

It was explained that the report into the Examination in Public of the Joint Lancashire Site Allocation and Development Management Policies Local Plan and accompanying Policies Map, had now been received from the Planning Inspectorate. The report included a number of recommended modifications without which the plan could not be considered to be sound.

 

The Inspector's Report and the Plan and Policies Map contained in Appendix A to the report now presented, as proposed to be adopted, were available to view in the Members' library and to download at www.lancashire.gov.uk/mwdf.

 

All the Inspector's proposed modifications had already been considered by the Full Council at its meeting on 12 July 2012, or had been made in response to the request by Full Council that the Planning Inspector recommend any necessary modifications.

 

Other minor or additional modifications had been made under delegated powers. These modifications had been made to improve the clarity of the plan but did not impact on its substance.

 

Therefore, it was proposed under section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 that the Local Plan and Policies Map now be adopted by the Full Councils of Lancashire County Council, Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen at their respective meetings the last of which was due to be held on 26 September 2013, which would be the date of adoption of the joint plan.  The adoption would then be advertised under regulations 26 and 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

Resolved: That the recommended modifications made by the Inspector be accepted and the Joint Lancashire Site Allocation and Development Management Policies Local Plan and Policies Map, as amended and now presented, be adopted.

 

The Leader of the Council moved Part B of the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on the 8 and 11 July 2013.

 

Resolved: That the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on the 8 and 11 July 2013, be noted.

 

The Leader of the Council moved Part B of the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on the 8 and 11 July 2013.

 

Resolved:  That the report of Urgent Key Decisions taken by the Leader of the County Council, as now presented, be noted.

 

County Councillor Bill Winlow presented the report of the Scrutiny Committee from its meeting on 14 June 2013.

 

Resolved: That the report of the Scrutiny Committee, as now presented, be received.

 

County Councillor Clare Pritchard presented the report of the Audit and Governance Committee from its meeting on the 24 June 2013.

 

Resolved:That the report of the Audit and Governance Committee, as now presented, be received.

 

County Councillor Terry Burns presented the report of the Pension Fund Committee from its meeting on the 7 June 2013.

 

Resolved:That the report of the Pension Fund Committee, as now presented, be received.

 

The Leader presented the report of the Urgency Committee from its meetings on the 28 March, 24 May and 19 June 2013.

 

Resolved: That the report of the Urgency Committee, as now presented, be received

County Councillor Frank De Molfetta presented the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority from its meeting on the 17 June 2013.

 

Resolved: That the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, as now presented, be received.

 

The following Notices of Motion had been submitted under Procedural Standing Order 14.2.1(a).

 

1.  The following Notice of Motion was moved by County Councillor Geoff Driver and seconded by County Councillor Albert Atkinson:

 

"This Council confirms that it will not provide meat to any of its kitchens unless the animal was stunned before it was slaughtered."

 

County Councillor Jennifer Mein moved the following Amendment, which was seconded by County Councillor David Borrow:

 

 

"That consideration of this motion be referred to the Scrutiny Committee with a request that a task and finish group be set up to examine all issues relating to the council's supply of Halal meat"

 

Following a period of debate the Amendment was put to the vote. Six County Councilors requested a recorded vote in accordance with procedural Standing Order 15.2 (9.4).

 

The names of county councillors who voted for or against the Amendment and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (46)

 

T Aldridge	J Fillis	E Oades
A Ali	J Gibson	J Oakes
A Barnes	J Hanson	M Parkinson
L Beavers	M Hassan	N Penney
D Borrow	C Henig	S Perkins
M Brindle	N Hennessy	C Pritchard
T Brown	S Holgate	S Prynn
T Burns	D Howarth	S Serridge
D Clifford	M Johnstone	R Shewan
C Crompton	D Lord	K Snape
M Dad	T Martin	M Tomlinson
B Dawson	J Mein	D Watts
F De Molfetta	G Molineux	D Whipp
C Dereli	Y Motala	B Winlow
G Dowding	B Murray
K Ellard	R Newman-Thompson

 

 

Against (33)

 

T Ashton	M Devaney	M Perks
A Atkinson	G Driver	P Rigby
M Barron	G Gooch	A Schofield
P Britcliffe	M Green	K Sedgewick
K Brown	P Hayhurst	J Shedwick
I Brown	K Iddon	D Smith
P Buckley	T Jones	D Stansfield
S Charles	A Kay	V Taylor
A Cheetham	J Lawrenson	D Westley
A Clempson	D O'Toole	G Wilkins
F Craig-Wilson	M Otter	B Yates

 

 

Abstained (2)

 

C Wakeford

P White

 

 

The Amendment was carried and it therefore became the Substantive Motion and it was:

 

Resolved: That,

 

"That consideration of the motion "This Council confirms that it will not provide meat to any of its kitchens unless the animal was stunned before it was slaughtered", be referred to the Scrutiny Committee with a request that a task and finish group be set up to examine all issues relating to the council's supply of Halal meat."

 

 

2.  The following Notice of Motion was moved by County Councillor Azhar Ali and seconded by County Councillor Gina Dowding:

 

"The excessive consumption of alcohol by individuals is blighting the lives of many people across the country, including residents across Lancashire. Excessive drinking facilitates anti-social behaviour by those drinking; damages their long term health increasing their likelihood of developing chronic illness such as heart disease and liver disease; and increases the likelihood of an admission to A&E.

All of this, as well as creating misery and affecting health & Well-being, adds to the burden of work for health and public services.

The alcohol burden is clear and supported by research:

·  Alcohol related admissions in England are 1.22million (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2013)

·  Alcohol related admissions in the North West were 200,000 in 2011/12 (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2013)

·  Alcohol related hospital admissions for three Lancs PCT areas were 32,000 (2011/12) (North: 8,100; East: 11,500; Central: 12,400)  (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2013)

·  Alcohol costs to Lancashire (county level, inc BwD and Blackpool) have been calculated at £663,610,000 (NHS: £141,920,000; Crime and Licensing: £207,140,000; Workforce and economy: £272,330,000; Social Services: £42,220,000) (The Cost of Alcohol to the North West  Economy, 2012)

·  Alcoholic liver disease admissions in the North West have risen by 85% between 2002 and 2012 (Balance North East, 2013)

 

There is clear evidence that at a population level the amount of alcohol consumed is directly related to how easily accessible it is to consumers: and an important factor in accessibility in the price of alcohol. In light of the recent transfer of responsibilities of Public Health to the County Council and, as the fourth largest in the country, the Council will use its considerable lobbying power to influence Government policy regarding the introduction of a minimum unit price of alcohol.

This Full Council resolves that Lancashire County Council will work with our 12 district councils, Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen and our partners in the health  and third sectors  to lobby our Lancashire MPs and government to introduce a minimum price of alcohol, and one which is set immediately at a level of 50 pence per unit which would have a positive impact on public health and would assist in reducing the burden on our overstretched NHS and related public services; whilst not affecting the vast majority of people who drink sensibly."

 

Following a period of debate the Motion was put to the vote. Six County Councillors requested a recorded vote in accordance with procedural Standing Order 15.2 (9.4). The names of county councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (46)

 

T Aldridge	J Fillis	E Oades
A Ali	J Gibson	J Oakes
A Barnes	J Hanson	M Parkinson
L Beavers	M Hassan	N Penney
D Borrow	C Henig	S Perkins
M Brindle	N Hennessy	C Pritchard
T Brown	S Holgate	S Prynn
T Burns	D Howarth	S Serridge
D Clifford	M Johnstone	R Shewan
C Crompton	D Lord	K Snape
M Dad	T Martin	M Tomlinson
B Dawson	J Mein	D Watts
F De Molfetta	G Molineux	D Whipp
C Dereli	Y Motala	B Winlow
G Dowding	B Murray
K Ellard	R Newman-Thompson

 

 

Against (35)

 

T Ashton	G Driver	A Schofield
A Atkinson	G Gooch	K Sedgewick
M Barron	M Green	J Shedwick
P Britcliffe	P Hayhurst	D Smith
K Brown	K Iddon	D Stansfield
I Brown	T Jones	V Taylor
P Buckley	A Kay	C Wakeford
S Charles	J Lawrenson	D Westley
A Cheetham	D O'Toole	P White
A Clempson	M Otter	G Wilkins
F Craig-Wilson	M Perks	B Yates
M Devaney	P Rigby

 

 

Abstained (0)

 

 

The Motion was carried and it was:

 

Resolved: That,

 

 "The excessive consumption of alcohol by individuals is blighting the lives of many people across the country, including residents across Lancashire. Excessive drinking facilitates anti-social behaviour by those drinking; damages their long term health increasing their likelihood of developing chronic illness such as heart disease and liver disease; and increases the likelihood of an admission to A&E.

All of this, as well as creating misery and affecting health & Well-being, adds to the burden of work for health and public services.

The alcohol burden is clear and supported by research:

·  Alcohol related admissions in England are 1.22million (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2013)

·  Alcohol related admissions in the North West were 200,000 in 2011/12 (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2013)

·  Alcohol related hospital admissions for three Lancs PCT areas were 32,000 (2011/12) (North: 8,100; East: 11,500; Central: 12,400)  (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2013)

·  Alcohol costs to Lancashire (county level, inc BwD and Blackpool) have been calculated at £663,610,000 (NHS: £141,920,000; Crime and Licensing: £207,140,000; Workforce and economy: £272,330,000; Social Services: £42,220,000) (The Cost of Alcohol to the North West  Economy, 2012)

·  Alcoholic liver disease admissions in the North West have risen by 85% between 2002 and 2012 (Balance North East, 2013)

 

There is clear evidence that at a population level the amount of alcohol consumed is directly related to how easily accessible it is to consumers: and an important factor in accessibility in the price of alcohol. In light of the recent transfer of responsibilities of Public Health to the County Council and, as the fourth largest in the country, the Council will use its considerable lobbying power to influence Government policy regarding the introduction of a minimum unit price of alcohol.

This Full Council resolves that Lancashire County Council will work with our 12 district councils, Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen and our partners in the health  and third sectors  to lobby our Lancashire MPs and government to introduce a minimum price of alcohol, and one which is set immediately at a level of 50 pence per unit which would have a positive impact on public health and would assist in reducing the burden on our overstretched NHS and related public services; whilst not affecting the vast majority of people who drink sensibly."

 

 

 

3.  The following Notice of Motion was moved by County Councillor Tim Ashton and seconded by County Councillor Malcolm Barron:

 

"This Council supports the Coalition Government's objective in reducing Britain's financial deficit which they inherited from the previous Labour Government."

 

County Councillor David Borrow moved the following Amendment, which was seconded by County Councillor Jennifer Mein:

 

Delete all after "financial deficit" add full stop and new sentences as follows:

 

"Between 2011 and 2014 Lancashire County Council will have made savings of £217 million and the Council now faces the prospect of making further savings of £300 million between 2014 and 2017. Savings on this scale will be a huge challenge for the Council.

 

This Council has a clear duty to protect the most vulnerable residents in the county as members and officers seek to identify ways to make the required savings."

 

On being put to the vote the Amendment was carried and became the Substantive Motion, which was put to the vote and was carried and it was.

 

Resolved: That,

 

"This Council supports the Coalition Government's objective in reducing Britain's financial deficit.  Between 2011 and 2014 Lancashire County Council will have made savings of £217 million and the Council now faces the prospect of making further savings of £300 million between 2014 and 2017. Savings on this scale will be a huge challenge for the Council.

 

This Council has a clear duty to protect the most vulnerable residents in the county as members and officers seek to identify ways to make the required savings."

 

 

4.  The following Notice of Motion was moved by County Councillor Geoff Driver and seconded by County Councillor Peter Britcliffe:

 

"This Council was appalled to hear of the disgraceful drunken behaviour of County Councillor Serridge at the meeting of the Youth Council on 23rd May and does not consider him to be a fit and proper person to represent the County Council as a member of the Rossendale District Children and Young People's Trust Board. It therefore calls on the Leader of the Council to remove him from this position."

 

Six County Councillors requested a recorded vote in accordance with procedural Standing Order 15.2 (9.4). The names of county councillors who voted for or against the Amendment and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (34)

 

T Ashton	G Driver	K Sedgewick
A Atkinson	G Gooch	J Shedwick
M Barron	M Green	D Smith
P Britcliffe	K Iddon	D Stansfield
K Brown	T Jones	V Taylor
I Brown	A Kay	C Wakeford
P Buckley	J Lawrenson	D Westley
S Charles	D O'Toole	P White
A Cheetham	M Otter	G Wilkins
A Clempson	M Perks	B Yates
F Craig-Wilson	P Rigby
M Devaney	A Schofield

 

 

Against (43)

 

T Aldridge	J Fillis	R NewmanThompson
A Ali	J Gibson	J Oakes
A Barnes	J Hanson	M Parkinson
L Beavers	M Hassan	N Penney
D Borrow	C Henig	C Pritchard
M Brindle	N Hennessy	S Prynn
T Brown	S Holgate	S Serridge
T Burns	D Howarth	R Shewan
D Clifford	M Johnstone	K Snape
C Crompton	D Lord	M Tomlinson
M Dad	T Martin	D Watts
B Dawson	J Mein	D Whipp
F De Molfetta	G Molineux	B Winlow
C Dereli	Y Motala
K Ellard	B Murray

 

 

Abstained (1)

 

P Hayhurst

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was lost and it was:

 

Resolved: That the Motion be not carried.

 

 

5.  The following Notice of Motion was moved by County Councillor Geoff Driver and seconded by County Councillor Albert Atkinson:

 

"In view of the serious financial pressures facing the County Council, Council is concerned that the actions of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council could jeopardise the £1m (approx) pa savings accruing from transferring the fleet maintenance function to BT. It therefore instructs the Chief Executive to ask the External Auditor to conduct a comprehensive review, as a matter of urgency, into:

a.  The process leading up to the decision to accept the tender from BT and

b.  The circumstances surrounding the appointment of DAC Beachcroft."

 

 

County Councillor Jennifer Mein moved that the debate be adjourned on the grounds that the matter be not prejudiced pending a report back to the Leader, Deputy Leader and the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee following a confidential, external review that she had commissioned.  This was seconded by County Councillor David Borrow.

 

On being put to the vote it was.

 

Resolved: That the debate be adjourned.