Agenda and minutes

Apologies

 

Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of County Councillor

Y Motala.

 

Nelson Mandela

 

The Council stood in silent tribute following the recent death of Nelson Mandela. The Chairman reported that a letter of condolence was to be sent from the County Council to the South African Embassy on behalf of the people of Lancashire.

 

Pearson Teaching Awards

 

The Chairman announced that two Lancashire teachers had recently won awards at the Pearson Teaching Awards in London. They attended Full Council to receive the Council's congratulations.

 

• Sean Hardeley, science teacher, Holy Cross Catholic High School in Chorley won the award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year

 

• Shaun Jukes, headteacher of Sir Tom Finney Community High School (a special school for educational needs, learning difficulties and disabilities) in Preston won the award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School

 

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools added his congratulations and provided details of the citations for the awards.

 

National Transport Awards

The Chairman announced that the County Council had won in the ‘Road safety, traffic management and enforcement’ category at the recent National Transport Awards. Officers from the Environment Directorate attended to represent the relevant teams and receive the Council's congratulations:

 

• Rhiannon Leeds, Safer Travel Adviser and
• Carol Melhuish, Transportation Officer.

 

County Councillor John Fillis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, added his congratulations.

 

Retirement

 

The Chairman announced that Steve McCreesh, Project Director Heysham to M6 Link, was to retire at the end of January.  County Councillor Janice Hanson presented him with a certificate of recognition following his many years of hard work on this project, and the Council congratulated him on his achievements.

 

Name of Councillor	Agenda Item No.	Nature of Interest (all non pecuniary unless stated)
G Driver	Part C – Motion No. 7	LGPS Pensioner
J Shedwick	Part C – Motion No. 7	LGPS Pensioner

 

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on the 3 October 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

 

Report to follow

There were two matters that required the approval of full council:

 

i.  Introduction of the Living Wage for Lancashire County Council Employees

 

Cabinet, at its meeting on 7 November 2013, had considered a report setting out proposals for Lancashire County Council to become a 'Living Wage Employer'. Cabinet had agreed the proposals for a phased introduction of the Living Wage as set out in the report presented, and recommended Full Council to approve the adoption by the County Council of the Living Wage on the basis of the proposed phasing arrangements.

 

Resolved: That adoption by the County Council of the Living Wage, as set out in the report now presented, on the basis of the proposed phasing arrangements, be approved.

 

 

ii.  Treasury Management Indicators for Interest Rate Exposure

 

Cabinet, at its meeting on 5 December 2013 had considered a report setting out issues regarding treasury management indicators for interest rate exposure. It referred to relevant advice from the County Council's treasury management advisers, Arlingclose Ltd, for necessary changes to the Treasury Management Strategy. The report now presented set out the recommendations of Cabinet.

 

 

Resolved: That approval be given to the County Council's Treasury Management Strategy being amended:

 

1. To adopt the 'amount of net interest payable' indicator, option C set out at Appendix A in the report now presented, in replacement of the current indicator;

  ii.  In line with Arlingclose's advice, an upper limit of £5m net interest should be set for variable rate exposure and a limit of £37.6m net interest set for the fixed rate indicator;

  iii.  To incorporate the local indicator 'impact of an immediate interest rate rise of 1%' with a maximum limit of £25m.

 

The Full Council was asked to approve the timetable of Full Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings for 2014/15 as set out at Appendix A to the report now presented.

 

Resolved:  That the timetable of Full Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings for 2014/15 as set out at Appendix A to the report now presented, be approved.

 

The report explained that the Employment Committee was to meet on 9 December to consider proposed changes to the Committee's Terms of Reference, which were set out at Appendix A to the report now presented. The Employment Committee also considered a report in relation to the appointment of a new Chief Executive.

 

The Leader reported that, at its meeting on 9 December, the Employment Committee had recommended that Full Council be asked to approve a salary range for the post of Chief Executive of £170,000 (minimum) to £180,000 (maximum) on the basis that the appointment would be made on a single salary point within the range as determined by the Employment Committee to reflect the experience of the candidate (the overall package also to include a lease car allowance of £6,500, or cash alternative, as well as fees relating to Returning Officer duties).

 

Resolved: That,

 

  i.  The Terms of Reference of the Employment Committee, as set out in the report now presented, be approved.

  ii.  A salary range for the post of Chief Executive of £170,000 (minimum) to £180,000 (maximum) on the basis that the appointment would be made on a single salary point within the range as determined by the Employment Committee to reflect the experience of the candidate (the overall package also to include a lease car allowance of £6,500, or cash alternative, as well as fees relating to Returning Officer duties), be approved.

 

Report withdrawn

The Leader of the Council moved Part B of the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on the 10 Octoberand 7 November 2013.

 

Resolved: That the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on the10 Octoberand 7 November 2013 as now presented, be noted.

 

The report set out Urgent Key Decisions taken during the preceding three months.

 

Resolved:  That the report of Urgent Key Decisions taken by the Deputy Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, and the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services as now presented, be noted.

 

County Councillor Bill Winlow presented the reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees from their meetings as follows:

 

Scrutiny Committee – 13 September, 11 October, 8 November and 14 November 2013

Health Scrutiny Committee - 22 October 2013

Education Scrutiny Committee - 5 November 2013

 

Resolved: That the reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees,

as now presented, be received.

 

County Councillor Clare Pritchard presented the report of the Audit and Governance Committee from its meetings on the 30 September and 25 November 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 29 November 2013.

 

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

 

 

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

 

It was moved by County Councillor Michael Green and seconded by County Councillor Susie Charles.

"Council notes that fires frequently occur at schools. When damage is done by fires, there is an impact upon our communities, the education of our young people and the environment, and of course the costs of rebuilding are significant.

Council believes that the case for sprinklers is compelling and resolves that all new local authority schools and extensions to existing local authority schools in Lancashire must have sprinkler systems installed. Council further resolves to urge all other providers of schools in our county to do likewise."

County Councillor David Howarth moved the following Amendment, which was seconded by County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson:

 

"Council notes that when fires occur at schools, there may be an impact upon our communities, the education of our young people and the environment, and the costs of rebuilding can be significant.

 

Council resolves that all new local authority schools, and extensions to existing local authority schools in Lancashire, should consider all available fire prevention measures including the installation of a sprinkler system. Council further resolves to urge all other providers of schools in our county to do likewise."

 

Following a period of debate the Motion was put to the vote. Before the vote was taken County Councillor Tomlinson confirmed that a working group would be established to consider policy regarding fire prevention measures in schools.

 

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 Iqbal	R Shewan
C Crompton	M Johnstone	K Snape
M Dad	D Lord	M Tomlinson
B Dawson	T Martin	D Watts
F De Molfetta	J Mein	D Whipp
C Dereli	G Molineux	B Winlow
G Dowding	B Murray
K Ellard	R Newman-Thompson

 

Against (36)

 

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

 

Abstained (0)

 

The Motion was carried and it was:

 

Resolved:

 

"Council notes that when fires occur at schools, there may be an impact upon our communities, the education of our young people and the environment, and the costs of rebuilding can be significant.

 

Council resolves that all new local authority schools, and extensions to existing local authority schools in Lancashire, should consider all available fire prevention measures including the installation of a sprinkler system. Council further resolves to urge all other providers of schools in our county to do likewise."

 

 

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

 

It was moved by County Councillor Fabian Craig-Wilson and seconded by County Councillor Sandra Perkins:

 

"Dementia Care

It is a fact that the number of people suffering from dementia will increase in future years, and the treatment of this terrible disease must be a priority for Lancashire County Council.  It is vital that the County Council ensures that there is adequate, high quality care available for those suffering from this currently incurable illness.  It is therefore particularly disappointing that the current administration has cancelled the previous Conservative administration's plans to build a Centre of Excellence for Dementia Care to replace the existing Home for the Elderly at Bowgreave Rise in Garstang. The previous Conservative administration was able to put £5 million in the County budget to fund this development.

The Council therefore resolves to reinstate the construction of this Centre of Excellence for Dementia Care at Bowgreave House in the Capital Programme, and instructs officers to bring forward a comprehensive plan, which should also provide proposals for Sheltered and Very Sheltered Accommodation on the site."

County Councillor Tony Martin moved the following Amendment, which was seconded by County Councillor Chris Henig:

 

"Dementia Care

 

It is a fact with current medication, that the number of people suffering from dementia will increase in future years, and the treatment of this terrible disease is a priority for Lancashire County Council.

 

Council notes the Government have recently announced a doubling of the research funding into the causes of dementia and its treatment by 2025, which is welcome news for the future.

 

It is vital that Lancashire County Council ensures there is adequate high quality care available for those suffering from the currently incurable disease.

Council notes that no decision has been made on a centre of excellence and welcomes the retention of the £5million allocated for dementia care in North Lancashire in the face of £300 million of savings the current administration has to make at a time of austerity for the County Council, and affirms the County Council's commitment to work with other public and private sector partners to enable the additional funding and facilities required to be identified to make a Dementia centre of excellence happen in North Lancashire in the near future."

 

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 Iqbal	R Shewan
C Crompton	M Johnstone	K Snape
M Dad	D Lord	M Tomlinson
B Dawson	T Martin	D Watts
F De Molfetta	J Mein	D Whipp
C Dereli	G Molineux	B Winlow
G Dowding	B Murray
K Ellard	R Newman-Thompson

 

Against (36)

 

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

 

Abstained (0)

 

The Motion was carried and it was:

 

Resolved:

 

"Dementia Care

 

It is a fact with current medication, that the number of people suffering from dementia will increase in future years, and the treatment of this terrible disease is a priority for Lancashire County Council.

 

Council notes the Government have recently announced a doubling of the research funding into the causes of dementia and its treatment by 2025, which is welcome news for the future.

 

It is vital that Lancashire County Council ensures there is adequate high quality care available for those suffering from the currently incurable disease.

Council notes that no decision has been made on a centre of excellence and welcomes the retention of the £5million allocated for dementia care in North Lancashire in the face of £300 million of savings the current administration has to make at a time of austerity for the County Council, and affirms the County Council's commitment to work with other public and private sector partners to enable the additional funding and facilities required to be identified to make a Dementia centre of excellence happen in North Lancashire in the near future."

 

 

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

 

It was moved by County Councillor David Westley and seconded by County Councillor Malcolm Barron:

 

"The County Secretary and Solicitor is instructed to bring a Report to the Full Council Meeting on the 27 February 2014 setting out the options and necessary actions that need to be taken to discontinue the existing Leader and Cabinet system of decision making and revert back to a Committee system."

 

County Councillor Bill Winlow moved the following Amendment, which was accepted by County Councillor Westley and it therefore became the substantive Motion.

 

Add the words

 

"We also instruct the Interim Chief Executive to give an indicative time scale for the introduction of such a change, given that several other County Councils have made or are making this transition."

 

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 (80)

 

T Aldridge	K Ellard	M Otter
A Ali	J Fillis	M Parkinson
T Ashton	J Gibson	N Penney
A Atkinson	G Gooch	S Perkins
A Barnes	M Green	M Perks
M Barron	J Hanson	C Pritchard
L Beavers	M Hassan	S Prynn
D Borrow	P Hayhurst	P Rigby
M Brindle	C Henig	A Schofield
P Britcliffe	N Hennessy	K Sedgewick
T Brown	S Holgate	S Serridge
K Brown	D Howarth	J Shedwick
I Brown	K Iddon	R Shewan
P Buckley	M Iqbal	D Smith
T Burns	A James	K Snape
S Charles	M Johnstone	D Stansfield
A Cheetham	T Jones	V Taylor
A Clempson	A Kay	M Tomlinson
D Clifford	J Lawrenson	C Wakeford
F Craig-Wilson	D Lord	D Watts
C Crompton	T Martin	D Westley
M Dad	G Molineux	D Whipp
B Dawson	B Murray	P White
F De Molfetta	R Newman-Thompson	G Wilkins
C Dereli	E Oades	B Winlow
M Devaney	J Oakes	B Yates
G Driver	M O'Toole

 

Against (1)

 

G Dowding

 

Abstained (1)

 

J Mein

 

The Motion was carried and it was:

 

Resolved:

 

"The County Secretary and Solicitor is instructed to bring a Report to the Full Council Meeting on the 27 February 2014 setting out the options and necessary actions that need to be taken to discontinue the existing Leader and Cabinet system of decision making and revert back to a Committee system.  

 

We also instruct the Interim Chief Executive to give an indicative time scale for the introduction of such a change, given that several other County Councils have made or are making this transition."

 

 

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

 

It was moved by County Councillor Azhar Ali and seconded by County Councillor Misfar Hassan:

 

"Lancashire County Council recognises that smoking and tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of ill health, premature death and inequalities in the communities it serves.

 

Smoking kills 1,673 people aged 35 years and over in Lancashire each year, which is greater than the total number of deaths from alcohol, obesity, illegal drugs, murder, suicide, road traffic accidents and HIV infection combined (London Health Observatory, 2011; The Information Centre for Health and Social Care, 2012).

 

Smoking rates remain higher in Lancashire than England as a whole in adults (22.3% vs 20%), pregnant women (18.2% vs 12.7%) and young people (16% vs 11%). The cost of smoking to society in Lancashire, including lost productivity, sick days, illness and death, house fires and dealing with tobacco litter is estimated to be £316.6 million each year (Health Economics Research Group, 2012). Even if all of the tax revenue from local tobacco sales were to come directly into Lancashire, estimated at £273.4 million, this would leave an annual shortfall of £43.2 million (Cough up Policy Exchange).

 

This Full Council therefore agrees to commit to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control in order to protect successive generations of young people from the harm done by tobacco, save lives and reduce health inequalities in our communities."

 

County Councillor Graham Gooch moved the following Amendment, which was accepted by County Councillor Ali and it therefore became the substantive motion.

 

Add the words: "The resolution of this council be conveyed to our MEPs asking them to support the principle by opposing moves by 9 EU member states to reintroduce direct subsidies to tobacco farmers in Europe."

 

On being put to the vote it was:

 

Resolved:

 

"Lancashire County Council recognises that smoking and tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of ill health, premature death and inequalities in the communities it serves.

 

Smoking kills 1,673 people aged 35 years and over in Lancashire each year, which is greater than the total number of deaths from alcohol, obesity, illegal drugs, murder, suicide, road traffic accidents and HIV infection combined (London Health Observatory, 2011; The Information Centre for Health and Social Care, 2012).

 

Smoking rates remain higher in Lancashire than England as a whole in adults (22.3% vs 20%), pregnant women (18.2% vs 12.7%) and young people (16% vs 11%). The cost of smoking to society in Lancashire, including lost productivity, sick days, illness and death, house fires and dealing with tobacco litter is estimated to be £316.6 million each year (Health Economics Research Group, 2012). Even if all of the tax revenue from local tobacco sales were to come directly into Lancashire, estimated at £273.4 million, this would leave an annual shortfall of £43.2 million (Cough up Policy Exchange).

 

This Full Council therefore agrees to commit to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control in order to protect successive generations of young people from the harm done by tobacco, save lives and reduce health inequalities in our communities.

 

The resolution of this council be conveyed to our MEPs asking them to support the principle by opposing moves by 9 EU member states to reintroduce direct subsidies to tobacco farmers in Europe."

 

 

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

 

It was moved by County Councillor Azhar Ali and seconded by County Councillor Alison Barnes:

 

"Over the last few years there has been a rapid growth in food banks across Lancashire. 

 

Food banks are delivering 'thousands' of food parcels a week as well as trying to help people with 'fuel poverty where either the utility companies have cut electric and gas supplies or residents are having to decide whether to 'heat' or 'eat'.

 

Hunger in Lancashire has reached the levels of a 'public health emergency'.

 

Lancashire County Council resolves:

·  To thank the thousands of volunteers from across Lancashire who will work tirelessly over Christmas to ensure people have sufficient supplies to survive the onset of winter.

·  To agree with the doctors from the Medical Research Council that the effect of government policies on vulnerable people's ability to afford food needs to be monitored urgently especially the doubling of malnutrition cases presented in hospital and to write to all Lancashire CCGs asking them to monitor all cases of malnutrition.

·  To write to the Prime Minister and Iain Duncan Smith MP asking them to consider the robust evidence linking welfare reform to the rise in food banks and ask for a debate in Parliament as well as asking the Prime Minister to release the ' unexpurgated' government commissioned report on 'The Rise Of Emergency Food Aid In The UK'.

·  To write to the Secretary of State for Health asking the Department of Health to make available Affordable Warmth monies to local authorities in 2014 and 2015 to help the most vulnerable in Lancashire."

 

During the course of the debate County Councillor Geoff Driver suggested that words "the robust" at the third bullet point be replaced with "all the". County Councillor Ali accepted this suggestion and on being put to the vote it was:

 

Resolved:

 

"Over the last few years there has been a rapid growth in food banks across Lancashire. 

 

Food banks are delivering 'thousands' of food parcels a week as well as trying to help people with 'fuel poverty where either the utility companies have cut electric and gas supplies or residents are having to decide whether to 'heat' or 'eat'.

 

Hunger in Lancashire has reached the levels of a 'public health emergency'.

 

Lancashire County Council resolves:

·  To thank the thousands of volunteers from across Lancashire who will work tirelessly over Christmas to ensure people have sufficient supplies to survive the onset of winter.

·  To agree with the doctors from the Medical Research Council that the effect of government policies on vulnerable people's ability to afford food needs to be monitored urgently especially the doubling of malnutrition cases presented in hospital and to write to all Lancashire CCGs asking them to monitor all cases of malnutrition.

·  To write to the Prime Minister and Iain Duncan Smith MP asking them to consider all the evidence linking welfare reform to the rise in food banks and ask for a debate in Parliament as well as asking the Prime Minister to release the ' unexpurgated' government commissioned report on 'The Rise Of Emergency Food Aid In The UK'.

·  To write to the Secretary of State for Health asking the Department of Health to make available Affordable Warmth monies to local authorities in 2014 and 2015 to help the most vulnerable in Lancashire."

 

 

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

 

It was moved by County Councillor Steve Holgate and seconded by County Councillor Lorraine Beavers:

 

"NHS England are currently consulting on possible changes to the formula that allocates funding to Clinical Commissioning Groups.

 

Currently CCG's are funded on a per capita and deprivation model and the government is proposing to change it to per capita and life expectancy.

 

If this was approved Lancashire would lose out on £29M a year which would have a devastating effect on local health services.

 

Therefore, Lancashire County Council resolves:

·  To ask 'all' our Lancashire MPs to support Lancashire County Council's campaign to ensure deprivation is part of the formula for health funding allocations.

·  To write to the Public Health Minister asking her to use the 'Marmot' principles to ensure increase funding should reach those parts of the UK where life expectancy is shorter rather than those areas where people live longer."

 

County Councillor David Whipp moved the following Amendment, which was accepted by County Councillor Holgate and therefore became the substantive motion:

 

Add the words:

 

"County Council also notes further funding changes which will include capital allocations for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), currently allocated to District Councils, being included in the Integration Transformation Fund (a single pooled budget for health and social care services to be developed by Clinical Commissioning Groups with upper tier authorities and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board).

 

Council notes that the allocation to Lancashire districts totals £5.179M, that district councils supplement this funding from their own resources and that the statutory duty to provide DFGs will remain with district authorities.

 

Council resolves

 

·  To instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State and Lancashire MPs to express concern that  the proposed funding arrangements could lead to a lack of funding for DFGs and housing related support;

·  o request that Lancashire’s Health and Wellbeing Board ensures that home adaptations and DFGs are included adequately in the Integration Transformation Fund Plan."

 

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

 

Resolved:

 

"NHS England are currently consulting on possible changes to the formula that allocates funding to Clinical Commissioning Groups.

 

Currently CCGs are funded on a per capita and deprivation model and the government is proposing to change it to per capita and life expectancy.

 

If this was approved Lancashire would lose out on £29M a year which would have a devastating effect on local health services.

 

County Council also notes further funding changes which will include capital allocations for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), currently allocated to District Councils, being included in the Integration Transformation Fund (a single pooled budget for health and social care services to be developed by Clinical Commissioning Groups with upper tier authorities and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board).

 

Council notes that the allocation to Lancashire districts totals £5.179M, that district councils supplement this funding from their own resources and that the statutory duty to provide DFGs will remain with district authorities.

 

 Therefore, Lancashire County Council resolves:

 

·  To ask all our Lancashire MPs to support Lancashire County Council's campaign to ensure deprivation is part of the formula for health funding allocations.

·  To write to the Public Health Minister asking her to use the 'Marmot' principles to ensure increase funding should reach those parts of the UK where life expectancy is shorter rather than those areas where people live longer. 

·  To instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State and Lancashire MPs to express concern that  the proposed funding arrangements could lead to a lack of funding for DFGs and housing related support;

·  To request that Lancashire’s Health and Wellbeing Board ensures that home adaptations and DFGs are included adequately in the Integration Transformation Fund Plan."

 

 

The following Notice of Motion had been submitted under Procedural Standing Order 14.2.1(b).

 

It was moved by County Councillor Gina Dowding and seconded by County Councillor David Borrow:

 

"Lancashire County Council recognises the good reputation and sound financial management of the Lancashire County Pension Fund (LCPS) and notes that the Fund has recently won the 'European Institutional Investor of the Year.

 

In light of the increasing concern in the media nationally and locally about pension funds’ investment principles regarding environmental, social and governance issues, Full council asks the Pension Fund officers:

 

1. To explore what potential routes there are for further increasing the environmental and social responsibilities of the companies in which the Fund invests while giving due consideration to the fiduciary duty.

 

2. To report on the barriers and challenges, legal and otherwise, to disinvesting from individual investment types, such as those which may be considered to undermine the health improvement, social fairness and carbon-reduction related targets that the County Council aims to reach, and to find out the cost of  taking appropriate professional advice including risk and return considerations.

 

3. To investigate what practices and initiatives moves there are nationally to support positive action in this area.

 

4. To report to the Pensions committee on the above."

 

Following a period of debate the Motion was put to the vote and was carried and it was:

 

Resolved:

 

"Lancashire County Council recognises the good reputation and sound financial management of the Lancashire County Pension fund (LCPS) and notes that the Fund has recently won the 'European Institutional Investor of the Year.

 

In light of the increasing concern in the media nationally and locally about pension funds’ investment principles regarding environmental, social and governance issues, Full council asks the Pension Fund officers:

 

1. To explore what potential routes there are for further increasing the environmental and social responsibilities of the companies in which the Fund invests while giving due consideration to the fiduciary duty.

 

2. To report on the barriers and challenges, legal and otherwise, to disinvesting from individual investment types, such as those which may be considered to undermine the health improvement, social fairness and carbon-reduction related targets that the County Council aims to reach, and to find out the cost of  taking appropriate professional advice including risk and return considerations.

 

3. To investigate what practices and initiatives moves there are nationally to support positive action in this area.

 

4. To report to the Pensions committee on the above."