Agenda and minutes

Following the reading of the Notice convening the meeting by the Chief Executive, there then followed prayers by the Mayor’s Chaplain. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stephanie Brookfield, Shaukat Hussain, Rana Khan, Quesir Mahmood and Salim Sidat.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the Policy Council meeting held on 5^th December 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Parwaiz Akhtar declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in the motion relating to the Hospital Bus Cancellation.

The Mayor updated Council Forum on recent events and activities he had attended, including numerous carol concerts and Christmas festivals, schools across the Borough and pantomimes at King George’s Hall and the Empire Theatre.  He had attended the Judicial Valedictory of Judge Booth, visited to Westholme School, Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone and the Street Zone Bus in Darwen.  He had attended the King’s Award for Voluntary Service with the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire with St. George’s Mill Hill Scout Group receiving an award as well as attending the Lancashire County Royal British Legion Conference and the Holocaust Memorial Day Service at Blackburn Cathedral.

The Mayor’s Ball would be held on 4^th April 2025 at Blackburn Cathedral with tickets costing £50 for anyone interested in attending.  All monies raised would go the Mayors charities.

To consider any questions from members of the public under Procedure Rule 10.

The Chief Executive announced that no questions had been submitted by members of the public under Procedure Rule 10.

To consider any Motions received under Procedure Rule 12.

(a)  Hospital Suttle Bus Cancellation

There are plenty of instances where this Council collaborates with the local health sector with the objective of improving the health and wellbeing of our residents.  Therefore, we are extremely disappointed that the East Lancs Hospital Trust (ELHT) did not consult with the Council, or any other neighbouring councils, before announcing the cessation of the hospital shuttle bus between Burnley and Blackburn hospitals.  It shows a disrespect for alleged stakeholders and has contributed to the inevitable negative reaction that the announcement has received.

As Councillors, we fully appreciate the financial challenges facing ELHT and the overall NHS and understand the need for savings to be made but any savings proposals like these need to be managed sensitively and take account of the potential impact on the users.

We understand that the cost of the hospital shuttle bus has been an issue for ELHT for a number of years, but we believe that it would have been very helpful if the Trust had commissioned an independent survey to ascertain the precise numbers of staff and patients using the service – Healthwatch as an example would have been well placed to do such a survey.  Although it should have happened much earlier, it is still not too late for ELHT to commission such a survey with the purpose of informing the general public and enabling the hospital management to plan sensible mitigating actions that ensure no users, particularly patients, suffer as a result of the withdrawal of the service.

As ELHT, the NHS and indeed other public services, continue to grapple with the financial challenges, we expect there are likely to be other changes in the pipeline.  This Council believes that ELHT needs to learn the lessons from this particular situation and fully recognise the positive contribution that local authorities and other stakeholders, working together, can make to manage change in the health sector and improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.

We therefore ask the Chief Executive to write, on behalf of the Council, to the Chair and Chief Executive of the ELHT to stress the willingness of the Council to be involved from an early stage in meaningful discussions with the Trust around any future savings-related changes so that any impact on the general public can be minimised as far as is possible.

To be moved by Councillor Phil Riley and seconded by Councillor John Slater.

(b)  Child Sexual Exploitation

This Council views some of the national debate around child sexual grooming by exploitation gangs, to be diverting attention away from the appalling nature of the crimes committed and the trauma experienced by the victims.

Deplorable personal attacks have served no purpose and exasperated those campaigning to provide a voice for survivors seeking justice.

We share the concerns of Oldham councillors as expressed in their motion which the council passed unanimously on 7^th July 2024.

The motion identified councillors’ misgivings about the 2022 Greater  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

The Chief Executive announced that two Motions had been submitted under Procedure Rule 12.

(a)  Hospital Shuttle Bus Cancellation

There are plenty of instances where this Council collaborates with the local health sector with the objective of improving the health and wellbeing of our residents.  Therefore, we are extremely disappointed that the East Lancs Hospital Trust (ELHT) did not consult with the Council, or any other neighbouring councils, before announcing the cessation of the hospital shuttle bus between Burnley and Blackburn hospitals.  It shows a disrespect for alleged stakeholders and has contributed to the inevitable negative reaction that the announcement has received.

As Councillors, we fully appreciate the financial challenges facing ELHT and the overall NHS and understand the need for savings to be made but any savings proposals like these need to be managed sensitively and take account of the potential impact on the users.

We understand that the cost of the hospital shuttle bus has been an issue for ELHT for a number of years, but we believe that it would have been very helpful if the Trust had commissioned an independent survey to ascertain the precise numbers of staff and patients using this service – Healthwatch as an example would have been well placed to do such a survey.  Although it should have happened much earlier, it is still not too late for ELHT to commission such a survey with the purpose of informing the general public and enabling the hospital management to plan sensible mitigating actions that ensure no users, particularly patients, suffer as a result of the withdrawal of the service.

As ELHT, the NHS and indeed other public services, continue to grapple with the financial challenges, we expect there are likely to be other changes in the pipeline.  This Council believes that ELHT needs to learn the lessons from this particular situation and fully recognise the positive contribution that local authorities and other stakeholders, working together can make to manage change in the health sector and improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.

We therefore ask the Chief Executive to write, on behalf of the Council, to the Chair and Chief Executive of the ELHT to stress the willingness of the Council to be involved from an early stage in meaningful discussions with the Trust around any future savings-related changes so that any impact on the general public can be minimised as far as is possible.

Moved by: Councillor Phil Riley

Seconded by: Councillor John Slater

RESOLVED

That the motion be CARRIED.

(b)  Child Sexual Exploitation

This Council views some of the national debate around child sexual grooming by exploitation gangs, to be diverting attention away from the appalling nature of the crimes committed and the trauma experienced by the victims.

Deplorable personal attacks have served no purpose and exasperated those campaigning to provide a voice for survivors seeking justice.

We share the concerns of Oldham councillors as expressed in their motion which the council passed unanimously on 7^th July 2024.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Deputy Director Legal and Governance submitted a report in readiness for the establishment of the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) and becoming a legal entity, the Council was asked to make formal appointments to the LCCA, its Committees and Advisory Boards.

Key statutory officers were also required to be appointed to administer and exercise the LCCA functions.  Also, to allow the LCCA to become an employing body above to offer access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, it would need to become an Admitted Body of the Lancashire County Pension Fund (LCPF).  To facilitate this, the LCPF had requested that each Constituent Council act as guarantor for the LCCA.

RESOLVED

That, subject to approval by Parliament of the Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2024 the following be approved:

(1)  Suspend Rule 1.2(e) of the Council Procedure Rules regarding appointment to outside bodies.

(2)  Subject to (1) above approve the appointment of the Leader of the Council to represent the Council (as a Constituent Council) on the LCCA, and appoint the two Deputy Leaders Councillors ? to act as a “substitute member” in the absence of the Leader.

(3)  Subject to (1) above the following appointments be approved:

·       The Leader of the Council on the Transport Advisory Board of the LCCA.

·       The Executive member for Growth and Development on the Economy Advisory Board of the LCCA.

·       The Executive Member for Children’s Young Person and Education on the Skills Advisory Board of the LCCA.

·       Delegated authority to the chief Executive in consultation with the Group Leaders to appoint 3 Members of the Council to the LCCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee and 3 members of the Council to the LCCA Audit and Governance Committee.

·       The Chief Executive be appointed as the Head of Paid Service of the LCCA on an interim basis, under an agreement between the Council and the LCCA.

·       The Council act as guarantor under an Admissions Agreement between the Administering Body (Lancashire County Council) and the LCCA for admission to the Lancashire County Pension Fund.

·       Delegated authority to the Deputy Director legal and Governance, in consultation with the Strategic Director Finance and Resources, to enter a Deed of guarantee with the Lancashire County Pension Fund, subject to the same agreement being made by each Constituent Council of the LCCA.

The Deputy Director Legal and Governance submitted a report seeking approval for updates to the Council’s Constitution, incorporating the proposed amendments to the Members Code of Conduct and the Contracts and Procurement Procedure Rules (attached as appendices to the report).

Council was also asked to consider the recommendations of the Standards Committee at its meetings on 25^th September and 18^th December 2024 in relation to Enhanced DBS checks for Members.

Included in the report was a recommendation that details of Members attendance at mandatory training sessions be published annually on the Council’s website.   

RESOLVED

(1)  That the amendments to the Member Code of Conduct (as set out in Appendix A attached to the report) and the Contracts and Procurement Procedure Rules (as set out in Appendix B attached to the report) be approved.

(2)  That delegated authority be granted to the Hearings Panel of the Standards Committee to consider any breaches of the Code of Conduct arising from the implementation of Enhanced DBS checks for Members.

(3)  That delegated authority be granted to the Standards Committee to adopt a procedure for the Hearings Panel to follow when considering such matters.

(4)  That details of Members attendance at mandatory training agreed by the Council be published annually on the Council’s website.

(5)  That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to incorporate the amendments and update the Council’s Constitution, and other amendments referred to in the resolutions above.

The Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 was submitted for consideration.  Within the Welfare Reform Act there was an obligation on the Council to formally continue the Scheme already agreed, or to make any adjustments prior to 31^st March 2025.  The report sought to fulfil the necessary legal requirements and confirm the Council’s Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 financial year be approved.

The revised Statement of Licensing Policy for the Gambling Act 2005 was submitted for consideration.  This was a Statement of principles that the Licensing Authority must consider when determining applications for premises licences for gambling establishments.  It set out the approach which would be taken when dealing with permissions the Council granted and enforced thereafter.

No responses had been received from the public consultation held between 9^th August and 30^th September 2024.  Similarly, when considered by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 15^th October 2024 they did not recommend any changes to the Policy.

RESOLVED

That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy for the Gambling Act 2005 be approved.

The revised Statement of Licensing Policy for the Licensing Act 2003 was submitted for consideration.  The Statement was last adopted in 2020.  Officers had refreshed the Policy to reflect legislative changes and updated the Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act.  It was noted there were no material changes proposed to the way the Council approached this area of licensing.

A public consultation between 9^th August to 30^th September 2024 had resulted in no responses.  Similarly, the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 15^th October 2024 did not recommend any changes.

RESOLVED

That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy for the Licensing Act 2003 be approved.

To approve the final version of the Year Planner 2025/26.

The final version of the Year Planner for 2025/26 was submitted for consideration.

RESOLVED

That the Year Planner for 2025/26 be approved.

Council Forum received an update on work of the Policy and Corporate Resources, Health and Social Care, Children and Young People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committees since the last meeting.

Councillor Phil Riley presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Mahfooz Hussain presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Julie Gunn presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Jackie Floyd presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Jim Casey presented the report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Vicky McGurk presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Damian Talbot presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Jim Shorrock presented the report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To consider any questions received from Members under Procedure Rule 11.

No questions from Members had been received under Procedure Rule 11.