Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors Cox, Fewings, Hartley, Haythornthwaite, Hosker and Jones.

Announcements

Lancashire County Council Merchandise

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson drew Full Council's attention to various items of county council merchandise which were now available including pin badges which had been put out on seats for each councillor.

Executive Director of Growth, Environment and Transport

The Chairman welcomed Phil Green to his first meeting of Full Council following his recent appointment as Executive Director of Growth, Environment and Transport.

Deaths

The Chairman reported the recent deaths of former County Councillor David Keeley, who sadly passed away on Sunday 10 April 2022, and former County Councillor Janice Hanson, who sadly passed away on Sunday 8 May 2022.

The Council observed a one-minute silence.

Recognitions

-  Local Government Chronicle Awards

At the invitation of the Chairman, County Councillor Phillippa Williamson and County Councillor Graham Gooch drew Full Council's attention to the recent shortlisting of the county council in the Local Government Chronicle Awards in the categories of Most Improved Council and Health and Social Care.

-  Sugarwise Gold Award

At the invitation of the Chairman, County Councillor Jayne Rear drew Full Council's attention to the recent success by the Schools Catering Team which had recently achieved the 'Sugarwise Gold Award' in recognition of the Spring/Summer menu 2022.

-  Lancashire Apprenticeship Awards

At the invitation of the Chairman, County Councillor Alan Vincent drew Full Council's attention to the recent success by a number of county council apprentices in the Lancashire Apprenticeship Awards 2022.

-  Information and Records Management Society

At the invitation of the Chairman, County Councillor Peter Buckley drew Full Council's attention to the recent success by the Records Management Services which had been shortlisted for two industry awards by the Information and Records Management Society and had subsequently won the Innovation of the Year Award for the COVID-19 Inquiry Records Project.

Full Council congratulated and thanked all those involved in the achievement of these awards.

Questions submitted under Standing Order B28.

County Councillors Paul Rigby and Gina Dowding asked their questions as follows:

County Councillor Jayne Rear, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, and County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, replied.

Councillor Barrie Yates, the retiring Chairman of the County Council, presided for this item.

It was moved by County Councillor Anne Cheetham, and seconded by County Councillor Tim Ashton, that County Councillor Peter Britcliffe be elected Chairman of the County Council.

There being no other nominations, it was:

Resolved: - That County Councillor Peter Britcliffe be elected Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting of the Full Council in 2023.

County Councillor Britcliffe then took the Chair and made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

It was moved by County Councillor David O'Toole, and seconded by County Councillor John Shedwick, that County Councillor Keith Iddon be appointed Vice-Chairman of the County Council.

Resolved: - That County Councillor Keith Iddon be appointed Vice-Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting of the Full Council in 2022.

County Councillor Iddon then made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Resolved: - That the Minutes of the Meetings held on 17 February 2022 and 24 February 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson moved a report asking Full Council to consider the non-attendance of County Councillor Alan Hosker at meetings of the council and committees.

Resolved: - That the non-attendance of County Councillor Alan Hosker at meetings of the council and committees for reasons of illness, for the purposes of Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, until 13 October 2022 be approved.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson moved a report setting out the recommendations of Cabinet in respect of Constitutional and Governance updates, together with a revised timetable of meetings for the period 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2023 inclusive following the proposed changes to the scrutiny functions set out at Appendix 'A' to the report.

County Councillor Azhar Ali moved the following amendment which was seconded by County Councillor Lorraine Beavers:

Add at the end of recommendation (ii) "including that all scrutiny committee deputy chairs will be from opposition groups".

On being put to the vote, the amendment was LOST.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and was CARRIED. It was therefore:

Resolved: - That:

(i)  The amendments to the Constitution to reflect the changes to the Cabinet Member portfolio descriptions as set out at Annex '1' of Appendix 'A', of the report, now presented, be approved.

(ii)  The proposals for the changes to the scrutiny function as set out at Appendix 'A', of the report, now presented, be approved.

(iii)  Subject to the approval of (ii) above, the revised timetable of Full Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings for the period 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2023 inclusive as set out at Appendix 'B', of the report, now presented, be approved.

(iv)  The necessary amendments to the Constitution to reflect the changes made to the title of Lead Member for Highways and Active Travel, as set out in the report, now presented.

(v)  The revised meeting frequency of the Political Governance Working Group to meet quarterly to be a forum for matters relating to the political management of the authority, as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.

County Councillor Alan Schofield moved a report setting out the recommendation of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee from its meeting on 25 April 2022 regarding the Members' and Co-opted Members' Code of Conduct.

Resolved: - That:

(i)  The threshold at which councillors must declare gifts and hospitality offered or received in their roles as councillors, as set out in the report, now presented, be increased from £25 to £50.

(ii)  Subject to (i) above, the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to make the consequential changes to the county council's Constitution.

County Councillor Alan Schofield moved a report setting out the recommendation of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee from its meeting on 25 April 2022 regarding the updated Code of Corporate Governance for 2022/23.

Resolved: - That the updated Code of Corporate Governance for 2022/23, as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson moved a report asking Full Council to approve the council's Constitution for the year ahead and to note the changes made since the Annual General Meeting in 2021.

Resolved: - That:

(i)  The changes made to the Constitution since the Annual General Meeting in 2021, as set out in the report, now presented, be noted.

(ii)  Consideration be given to any changes Full Council might wish to make to the Constitution to enable the efficient and effective running of the county council.

(iii)  The Director of Corporate Services be authorised to make any consequential changes to other parts of the Constitution arising from these changes.

(iv)  The Constitution of the county council for the year 2022/23, as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson moved a report setting out details of the membership of committees and related appointments for 2022/23.

Resolved: - That:

(i)  The Constitution and membership of the committees of the county council for 2022/23, as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.

(ii)  The appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of those committees for 2022/23, as set out in the report, now presented, and as set out below, be approved.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report asking Full Council to approve the appointment of representatives to serve on the Local Government Association General Assembly for 2022/23; the appointment of representatives to serve on a number of the Local Government Association's Special Interest Groups for 2022/23; and to note the arrangements for appointments to the Local Government Association's Boards.

Resolved: - That: 

(i)  The representation and appointments to serve on the Local Government Association's General Assembly and Special Interest Groups, as set out in the report, now presented, for 2022/23 be approved as follows:

LGA General Assembly (4)

Conservative (3)  Labour (1)

G Gooch  A Ali

A Vincent

P Williamson

LGA Special Interest Group – Coastal Issues (1)

S Clarke

LGA Special Interest Group – Rural Services Network (1)

S Turner

LGA Special Interest Group – Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum (1)

A Riggott

(ii)  That the County Council's 12 votes be carried by County Councillor Phillippa Williamson.

(iii)  That the arrangements for appointments to the Local Government Association's Boards, as set out in the report, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report asking Full Council to approve the appointment of 19 members to serve on the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority for 2022/23 on the basis of 11 Conservative members, 7 Labour members, and 1 member from either the Liberal Democrats or Greens.

Political groups had submitted their nominations in advance of the meeting.

Resolved: - That the following county councillors be appointed to serve on the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority for 2022/23:

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report asking Full Council to approve the appointment of the county council's representative, and a substitute representative, to serve on the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire for 2022/23.

County Councillor Vincent proposed that County Councillor Ged Mirfin be appointed as the county council's representative, and that County Councillor Tim Ashton be appointed as the county council's substitute representative.

Resolved: - That County Councillor Ged Mirfin be appointed to serve on the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire and that County Councillor Tim Ashton be appointed to serve as the substitute representative for 2022/23.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report asking Full Council to approve the appointment of the county council's representatives, and substitute representatives, to serve on Transport for the North's Board and Partnership Board and Transport for the North Scrutiny Committee for 2022/23.

County Councillor proposed that County Councillors Aidy Riggott and Matthew Salter be appointed as the county council's representatives, and that County Councillor Charles Edwards and Rob Bailey be appointed as the county council's substitute representatives.

Resolved: - That:

The following Members be appointed to serve on Transport for the North's Board and Partnership Board and Transport for the North Scrutiny Committee for 2022/23:

Transport for the North Board and Partnership Board

County Councillor Aidy Riggott

County Councillor Charles Edwards (Substitute)

Transport for the North Scrutiny Committee

County Councillor Matthew Salter

County Councillor Rob Bailey (Substitute)

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report asking Full Council to approve the appointment of the county council's representatives to serve on the County Councils Network for 2022/23.

County Councillor Vincent proposed that County Councillors Phillippa Williamson, Alan Vincent, Graham Gooch and Azhar Ali be appointed as the county council's representatives.

Resolved: - That County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, Alan Vincent, Graham Gooch and Azhar Ali be appointed as the county council's representatives to serve on the County Councils Network for 2022/23.

County Councillor Eddie Pope moved a report asking Full Council to agree to the London Borough of Bexley delegating its pension fund administration function to Lancashire County Council pursuant to section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved: - That:

(i)  Full Council agrees to the London Borough of Bexley delegating its pension fund administration function to Lancashire County Council from 1^st April 2024 onwards pursuant to section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972, subject to the council entering into appropriate legal agreements with the parties.

(ii)  The Director of Corporate Services be authorised to agree the final legal agreement on behalf of the county council.

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 Chairman 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.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson moved the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on 3 March 2022, 7 April 2022 and 5 May 2022, together with details of an urgent Key Decision taken since the last meeting of Full Council.

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

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson moved the report of the Urgency Committee setting out details of the decisions taken by the Director of Corporate Services (Monitoring Officer) under the county council's urgent business procedure on behalf of the Urgency Committee.

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

County Councillor Alan Schofield moved the report of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee from its meeting on 25 April 2022.

Resolved: - That the report of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson moved the report of the Employment Committee from its meetings on 15 February 2022, 14 March 2022, 31 March 2022, 7 April 2022 and 28 April 2022.

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

County Councillor Eddie Pope moved the report of the Pension Fund Committee from its meeting on 11 March 2022.

Resolved: - That the report of the Pension Fund Committee, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor David O'Toole moved the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees from their meetings as follows:

Education and Children's Services Scrutiny Committee - 22 February 2022, 16 March 2022 and 20 April 2022

External Scrutiny Committee - 1 March 2022

Health Scrutiny Committee - 22 March 2022

Internal Scrutiny Committee - 21 January 2022, 4 March 2022 and 22 April 2022

Resolved: - That the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor Michael Green moved the report of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board from its meeting on 8 March 2022.

Resolved: - That the report of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor David O'Toole moved the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority from its meetings on 21 February 2022 and 25 April 2022.

Resolved: - That the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, now presented, be noted.

There were no Notices of Motion submitted for consideration.

The Full Council is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, it considers that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972, as indicated against the heading to the item.

County Councillor Williamson moved a proposal to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the consideration of agenda item 25.

Resolved: - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as indicated against the heading to the item.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to 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 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 Paragraph 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.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report setting out details of all the companies that the county council either owns or has an interest in for 2022/23.

Resolved: - That the recommendation as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.