Agenda and minutes

Apologies

 

Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of County Councillors T Ashton, M Devaney, S Holgate, A James, G Molineux, D Stansfield, V Taylor and P White.

 

Awards

 

Local Authority Pension Fund Investment Awards

 

The Chairman was proud to announce that the County Council had been successful at the 2015 Local Authority Pension Fund Investment Awards having won:

 

·  Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Fund of the Year

·  Investment Strategy of the Year

 

The County Council had also been highly commended in the category LGPS Investment Performance of the Year.

 

The following officers attended to represent the team and acknowledge the Council's congratulations:

 

·  Mike Jensen, Chief Investment Officer

·  Lizzie Gordon, Senior Analyst

·  Jamie Griffin, Investment Analyst

·  Keith Angood, Assistant Analyst

 

 

'Institutional Investor' European Awards 2015

 

Mike Jensen had also won 'UK Public Pension Manager of the Year 2015' for his work on the Lancashire County Pension Fund. The Council congratulated him on his achievement.

 

County Councillor George Wilkins disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in item 6, Finding of the Local Government Ombudsman, on the grounds that he is a member of the Corporate Complaints Committee.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on the 2 September 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

 

Cabinet had considered, at its meeting on 12 August, a report about the Redundancy Payments Scheme and Trade Union Consultation and had recommended that Full Council agree to the extension of voluntary redundancy terms until 31 March 2018 based on a multiplier of 1.4.

 

Resolved: That voluntary redundancy terms, based on a multiplier of 1.4, be extended to 31 March 2018.

The report set out a final draft Code of Conduct and Conflicts of Interest Policy for the recently established Lancashire Local Pension Board, which required the approval of Full Council as the administering authority for the Lancashire County Pension Fund. Full Council was also asked to authorise the Local Pension Board to approve, in due course, a Reporting Breaches Policy and Procedure.

 

Resolved: That,

 

(i)  The Lancashire Local Pension Board's Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interests Policy for Members, Officers and Advisors as set out at Annex A in the report now presented, be approved; and

(ii)  The Lancashire Local Pension Board be authorised to approve, in due course, a Reporting Breaches Policy and Procedure.

 

The report related to a 'finding of fault causing injustice' after an investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO). Full Council was now required to consider what action should be taken. 

 

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools had considered the LGO's report and the actions taken and recommended to Full Council that the actions set out in the report now presented be notified to the Local Government Ombudsman as the action taken in response to the report.

 

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 (45)

 

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

 

 

Against (29)

 

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

 

Abstained (0)

 

 

Resolved: That the Local Government Ombudsman be notified that the actions set out in the report had been taken in response to the report by the Local Government Ombudsman which had been received by the authority on 5 August 2015.

Full Council was asked to approve the appointment of County Councillor Julie Gibson to replace County Councillor Jennifer Mein as the County Council's representative to serve on the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire until the Annual Meeting of the Full Council in 2016.

 

Resolved: That County Councillor Julie Gibson be appointed to replace County Councillor Jennifer Mein as the County Council's representative to serve on the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire until the Annual Meeting of the Full Council in 2016.

 

The Chairman reported that this item had been withdrawn as County Councillor Perks was in attendance and, in doing so, she welcomed him back and wished him well on behalf of the Full Council.

Full Council was asked to approve the timetable of Full Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings for 2016/17 as set out at Appendix A to the report now presented.

 

Resolved:  That the timetable of Full Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings for 2016/17, as set out at Appendix A to the report now presented, be approved.

 

The Leader of the Council moved Part B of the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on the on the 12 August 2015 and 8 October 2015. 

 

Resolved: That the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on the 12 August 2015 and 8 October 2015 be noted.

 

Resolved:  That the report of urgent key decisions taken by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport during the preceding three months, as now presented, be noted.

 

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

 

Committee	Date of Meeting
Scrutiny Committee	17 July 2015 18 September 2015
Health Scrutiny Committee	15 July 2015 01 September 2015

 

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

as now presented, be received.

 

County Councillor Terry Brown presented the report of the Audit and Governance Committee from its meeting on the 28 September 2015.

 

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

 

County Councillor Kevin Ellard presented the report of the Pension Fund Committee from its meeting on the 30 September 2015.

 

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

 

The Leader presented the report of the Urgency Committee, which set out a decision of the Chief Executive under the Council's Urgent Business Procedure on behalf of the Urgency Committee.

 

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 7 September 2015.

 

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

 

Notices of Motion submitted under Procedural Standing Order 14.2.1(a)

 

 

1.  It was moved by County Councillor David Whipp and seconded by County Councillor Azhar Ali that:

 

This council notes with great concern the threat to frontline policing in Lancashire due to proposed cuts in government funding for the police service through a shift of resources away from the county.

 

Council believes that the impact of these cuts on Lancashire residents (a further 650 officer posts) will place them at greater risk of crime and anti-social behaviour and that victims will receive a much poorer service from the police service.

 

Council notes that Lancashire’s Chief Constable has stated, “My pledge to you has always been that we will keep you safe from harm and protect the most vulnerable. It is with a heavy heart that I say I cannot guarantee this for you in the future if these cuts go ahead.” And that:

 

•  All our neighbourhood policing teams – including Community Beat Managers, Police Community Support Officers, would be axed;

•  Every single public enquiry desk in the county would be closed;

•  The vast majority of roads policing officers will also be disbanded;

•  All support units would be axed;

•  The mounted branch and police dogs will also need to go;

•  We would also lose a significant proportion of our serious organised crime unit and our team that manage dangerous and sexual offenders;

•  The constabulary would have to significantly reduce frontline response officers and could no longer guarantee to come when needed.

 

Accordingly, council resolves:

 

1.  to write to the Home Secretary expressing our concerns and requesting that the police formula funding and financial settlement for Lancashire Constabulary would avoid such cuts, and

2.  to request that Lancashire MPs work to prevent the proposed cuts being implemented with the consequent drastic reduction of policing in our area.

 

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

 

 

Against (29)

 

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

 

Abstained (0)

 

 

Resolved: That,

 

This council notes with great concern the threat to frontline policing in Lancashire due to proposed cuts in government funding for the police service through a shift of resources away from the county.

 

Council believes that the impact of these cuts on Lancashire residents (a further 650 officer posts) will place them at greater risk of crime and anti-social behaviour and that victims will receive a much poorer service from the police service.

 

Council notes that Lancashire’s Chief Constable has stated, “My pledge to you has always been that we will keep you safe from harm and protect the most vulnerable. It is with a heavy heart that I say I cannot guarantee this for you in the future if these cuts go ahead.” And that:

 

•  All our neighbourhood policing teams – including Community Beat Managers, Police Community Support Officers, would be axed;

•  Every single public enquiry desk in the county would be closed;

•  The vast majority of roads policing officers will also be disbanded;

•  All support units would be axed;

•  The mounted branch and police dogs will also need to go;

•  We would also lose a significant proportion of our serious organised crime unit and our team that manage dangerous and sexual offenders;

•  The constabulary would have to significantly reduce frontline response officers and could no longer guarantee to come when needed.

 

Accordingly, council resolves:

 

1.  to write to the Home Secretary expressing our concerns and requesting that the police formula funding and financial settlement for Lancashire Constabulary would avoid such cuts, and

2.  to request that Lancashire MPs work to prevent the proposed cuts being implemented with the consequent drastic reduction of policing in our area.

 

 

2.  It was moved by County Councillor Frank De Molfetta and seconded by County Councillor David O'Toole that:

 

Lancashire County Council notes that on 11 September 2015 the Home Office, the Department of Health and the DCLG began a consultation on 'Encouraging Closer Working within the Emergency Services'.

 

Whilst welcoming the opportunity to explore ways of enabling the emergency services to work more closely together, this Council is opposed to any proposals that transfer any current responsibilities of the Fire and Rescue Authority in Lancashire to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

Lancashire County Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary explaining this view, sending copies to all Lancashire Members of Parliament.

 

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

 

Resolved: That,

 

Lancashire County Council notes that on 11 September 2015 the Home Office, the Department of Health and the DCLG began a consultation on 'Encouraging Closer Working within the Emergency Services'.

 

Whilst welcoming the opportunity to explore ways of enabling the emergency services to work more closely together, this Council is opposed to any proposals that transfer any current responsibilities of the Fire and Rescue Authority in Lancashire to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

Lancashire County Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary explaining this view, sending copies to all Lancashire Members of Parliament.

 

 

3.  It was moved by County Councillor Bill Winlow and seconded by County Councillor Alyson Barnes that:

 

The Council notes and supports the aims of the NHS Transforming care programme to significantly re-shape services for people with learning disabilities and autism to ensure that more services are provided in the community and closer to home rather than in hospital settings. 

 

The Council also notes the establishment of 5 Fast Track areas in England and welcomes the fact that Lancashire (including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen) has been included in that list. The Council will ensure it contributes alongside other local authorities and NHS partners to work together to ensure that the programme delivers successfully on its vision and purpose.

 

The Council is however concerned about the future of Calderstones NHS Trust and the potential financial impact of the programme in Lancashire.

 

Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and to the Chief Executive of NHS England, with copies to local MPs and other relevant partners to ask that:

 

·  The NHS ensures that appropriate public or partner consultations and democratic scrutiny are undertaken by the NHS on the future of Calderstones.

·  The NHS ensures that the additional financial risks to the County Council and other local partners from the Fast Track Programme are identified and evaluated.

·  The NHS ensures that the full, long term costs for councils of delivering the Fast Track programme are funded.

 

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

 

Resolved: That,

 

The Council notes and supports the aims of the NHS Transforming care programme to significantly re-shape services for people with learning disabilities and autism to ensure that more services are provided in the community and closer to home rather than in hospital settings. 

 

The Council also notes the establishment of 5 Fast Track areas in England and welcomes the fact that Lancashire (including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen) has been included in that list. The Council will ensure it contributes alongside other local authorities and NHS partners to work together to ensure that the programme delivers successfully on its vision and purpose.

 

The Council is however concerned about the future of Calderstones NHS Trust and the potential financial impact of the programme in Lancashire.

 

Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and to the Chief Executive of NHS England, with copies to local MPs and other relevant partners to ask that:

 

·  The NHS ensures that appropriate public or partner consultations and democratic scrutiny are undertaken by the NHS on the future of Calderstones.

·  The NHS ensures that the additional financial risks to the County Council and other local partners from the Fast Track Programme are identified and evaluated.

·  The NHS ensures that the full, long term costs for councils of delivering the Fast Track programme are funded.

 

 

The Chairman reported that the Motions submitted by County Councillor Clare Pritchard and County Councillor Gareth Molineux, as listed on the agenda, had been withdrawn.