Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Clare Cleary, Andrew Clegg, Stephanie Haworth, Abdul Khan and Paddy Short.

There were no interests or dispensations declared at the meeting.

1)    Councillor Terry Hurn

Councillor Hurn thanked Members for the good wishes and flowers received during the time of his illness.

2)    Christmas and New Year

The Mayor welcomed Members back to the first Council in 2019 and wished them well for the New Year.

3)    Mr. Henri Murison, Northern Powerhouse Partnership

The Mayor welcomed Mr. Murison to Full Council and thanked him for accepting their invitation to give a presentation on the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. 

4)    Hyndburn and Great Harwood Fire Station Inspections

The Leader of the Council informed Members that he was the Vice-Chair of Lancashire Combined Fire Authority and, as such, was pleased to report that the Hyndburn and Great Harwood Fire Stations had been inspected and commended.  He paid tribute to the efforts of the staff in achieving this outstanding standard.     

To deal with any questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 2.2(vi).

The following question was put to the Leader of the Council by Kerry Gormley, in accordance with Council Procedure 2.2(vi):-

“Although currently classed as brownfield land, Huncoat Colliery is more like a nature reserve and the local community want this valuable habitat to be given protected status not developed.  Huncoat Colliery is one of the best places in Hyndburn to see butterflies, wildflowers and other wildlife.

Since the Colliery stopped operating in the 1960s, the land has been reclaimed by nature and is now a haven for wildlife.  Recently Hyndburn Butterfly Project has recorded sightings of 21 butterfly species at Huncoat Colliery, 13 of which are in decline, including 2 species classed as a priority in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (Small Heath and White-letter Hairstreak).  Butterflies are attracted to Huncoat Colliery by large areas of wildflowers, including stunning patches of wild orchids. Huncoat Colliery is an accessible site which gives local people easy access to nature, as well as providing educational interest.

That, Huncoat Colliery has been earmarked for housing development is terrible news for local biodiversity, as we stand to lose an area rich in wildlife at a time when it’s more important than ever to protect the precious habitat we have left.  In 2014, WWF-UK reported in its Living Planet report that Earth has lost half its wildlife in the last 40 years.  However, worse is to come as climate change and habitat loss are leading us into the Sixth Mass Extinction.  In the 40 years that the world has witnessed critical losses of species, the former colliery site has become a haven for thriving nature.

This site has the potential to be a destination and a contribution to tourism in the Borough.

With other less biodiverse lands available in and around Huncoat we ask that this site is given special protection and that The Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council calls a special full council meeting where experts and local people can present their case as to why this habitat needs to be saved from development.  Can he do this?”

The Leader of the Council thanked Kerry Gormley for her question to Full Council.  He reported that the Huncoat Colliery site was allocated as a strategic housing site by the adopted Hyndburn Core Strategy and that this was one of a number of sites that were currently being considered in the preparation of the Huncoat Garden Village Masterplan.  As part of the Masterplan option development, Ecology surveys had been undertaken.  He reported that the surveys confirmed that the former Colliery site contained “neutral grasslands that support a species-rich flora” and the habitat with the site “may support invertebrates of conservation concern”.

He reported that these findings would be reflected in the Garden Village Masterplan preferred option, which would be subject to further consultation in March and that planning applications would give consideration to any protected or endangered species and habitats in line with national and local planning policy.  He advised that any results from further surveys  ...  view the full minutes text for item 271.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 15^th November 2018.

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 15^th November 2018 were submitted for approval as a correct record.

The Opposition Leader, Councillor Dobson, referred to 2.18 in the minutes – Motion(s) submitted on Notice, Universal Credits – and informed Council that he had met with the Director for the Department of Works and Pensions in respect of problems associated with implementing working Universal Credit in Hyndburn and that they had agreed a review process.  He advised all Members of the Council that any relevant issues raised by residents could be sent to himself and he would forward them onto the Department of Works and Pensions. 

Councillor Gareth Molineux reported that he had also been looking at ways of resolving issues raised by residents in respect of Universal Credit and suggested that a more effective and direct way to deal with these issues would be to forward onto MPs who would deal with the Department of Works and Pensions.  He referred to the amount of time it had taken for action to be taken by the Department of Works and Pensions to acknowledge and agree to review the process in place.

Resolved                               -   That the minutes of the Council meeting, held on 15^th November 2018, be approved as a correct record.

To suspend Council Procedure Rules for the purpose of receiving a presentation from the Director of Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

The Mayor proposed the suspension of Council Procedure Rules to facilitate a presentation by the Director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Mr. Henri Murison.

Resolved                               -   That Council Procedure Rules be suspended for the purpose of receiving a presentation by the Director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. 

To receive a presentation from the Director of Northern Powerhouse Partnership (Mr. Henri Murison) in respect of opportunities and investment for Hyndburn.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules A10(c), it was agreed by Council for the order of business to be changed and that item 12 - Northern Powerhouse Partnership was brought forward in the agenda.

Mr. Murison, Director of Northern Powerhouse Partnership had been invited to inform Full Council how Hyndburn could make the most of potential opportunities and lobby for investment whether infrastructure, employment sites or businesses.  He reported that the Northern Powerhouse Partnership was responsible for helping to develop unity in approach in improving the economy amongst businesses, local authorities and related organisations across the north of England.  The aim of the Partnership was to encourage new ideas to improve the quality of life in the north and he referred to transport links, the strength of manufacturing in the north and the digital economy all being vital to economic growth.  He reported that there was a need for economic assets to be in place to create a northern economy and that these should not just be city based.  He referred to funding being available to achieve the ambitions which would benefit residents and the role that better education and skill sets would play in the long term demands for the North West.  He pointed out that the Partnership’s aim was to close the productivity gap with the south. 

Members then put a series of comments and questions to Mr. Murison, covering the following issues:-

·      Retaining people in and coming into the borough with the development of new housing such as Huncoat Village Green and improving education and skills necessary to do this (Councillor Dave Parkins)

·      Concern about the make-up of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Board, consisting of representation from national corporations, and this being a mismatch from the aims of the Partnership in bringing businesses of all types together.  He also wanted to know how the Partnership worked with MPs and the Local Authority.  (Councillor Jeff Scales)

·      A request for assurance in how due diligence would be exercised in respect of companies awarded million pound contracts (Councillor Tim O’Kane)

·      A suggestion that organisations worked better when all assets were run under one organisation and referred to small district councils having to rely on others.  (Councillor Noordad Aziz)

·      Concerns around how the Partnership operated and how each location in the north differed in their needs and assets and hoped that this would be taken into consideration (Councillor Gareth Molineux)

·      Concern around business investments and the share of wealth and suggested that young people were consulted. (Councillor Josh Allen)

·      Concern that transport links were available were currently not good enough. (Councillor Kath Pratt)

The Mayor thanked Mr Murison for his presentation and for answering Members’ questions.

Report Attached.

The Cabinet Member for Licensing, Councillor Plummer, advised the Council of the responses received to the consultation in respect of the Council’s draft revised Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles and of the proposal for a policy having regard to the responses received.  They were asked to consider and agree the final draft of the revised Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles.

A short debate on the Policy took place and Councillors O’Kane and Addison requested that the following issues were given greater reflection in the policy:

·         Operators being required to review local risk assessments due to significant changes, with particular importance to the provision and location of bus stops used by children in respect of safeguarding.

·         The need to kerb online betting using mobile phones in pubs which contributed to anti-social behaviour.

·         Greater control on how betting shops would portray themselves.

·         Greater safeguarding of vulnerable adults by owners of betting shops. 

Councillor Plummer reported that safeguarding of vulnerable adults would already be reflected in the policy as part of a duty of care by employers.

Resolved                               -   That the final draft of the revised Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles be agreed.

Report Attached.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Plummer, updated Council on the Prudential Indicators set annually by the Council for the forthcoming three years which aim to demonstrate that the Council’s capital investment plans are affordable, prudent and sustainable.  The Council formally adopted its current prudential indicators at the Council meeting in February 2018.

Resolved                               -   That the report be noted.

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 5^th December 2018 (attached).

Rules of Debate

·         The Leader of the Council will move the Minutes, the Deputy Leader of the Council second the Minutes.

·         Non-Executive Members will be invited to make comment or ask questions on the Minutes (5 Minutes)

·         Cabinet Members will be invited to make comment and respond to any points raised (5 Minutes).

·         The Leader of the Council will be given up to 15 minutes to respond and to answer any questions raised.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5^th December 201/8.

Resolved                               -   That the minutes be received and noted.

To receive the Minutes of Committees and Sub-Committees, as set out below:-

Rules of Debate

·         The Leader of the Council will introduce the Minute Book as a whole.

·         Any Member may raise any issue from the Minutes; the Chair of the relevant Committee may respond (5 Minutes).

·         The Leader of the Council will close the debate (5 Minutes).

The minutes of the following meetings were submitted:-

Councillor O’Kane requested a correction to the Licensing Sub-Committee minutes to reflect that he chaired the meeting and not Councillor Fisher.

Councillor Battle referred to item 200 in the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee minutes – Homelessness in Hyndburn.  She expressed her concern about the number of people sleeping rough on Hyndburn’s streets.  She requested that action was taken to ensure that provision was made to prevent this from happening.  Members suggested that empty properties could be used to prevent homelessness and that more innovation was need in finding a solution to the problem. 

Councillor Gareth Molineux referred Members to the Council’s Homelessness policy and to a shortage of social housing.  Councillor Dobson pointed out that a solution to homelessness required organisations to work together and was a complex matter. 

Councillor Parkins referred to a lack of support for vulnerable people and Councillor Lisa Allen referred to meetings currently taking place which were aiming to improve the issue.

Resolved                               -   That the minutes be received and noted.

To consider any Motions for debate in accordance with Council Procedure Rule A9.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Miles Parkinson and seconded by Councillor Loraine Cox under Council Procedure Rule A9:-

"The Council calls upon the Government to make fair transitional State Pension arrangements for all women born in the 1950s, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.

  3.8 million women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

  Many had no notification at all. Many women born in the 1950's are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, and/or providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace and struggle to find employment. Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60.

  It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute - it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same time. The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to the women affected, leaving them with no time to make alternative arrangements.

            The Council calls upon the Government “To provide fair transitional State Pension arrangements for all women affected by the changes. This translates into a 'bridging' pension to provide an income from age 60 until State Pension Age. An income that is not means-tested, and also includes recompense for losses incurred, for those women who have already reached their SPA, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements."

After a debate, the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Resolved                           (1)   That this Council supports the call for transitional State Pension arrangements for all women born in the 1950s; and

                                           (2)  That this Council calls upon the Government to take action to put arrangements in place, as set out in the motion above.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Gareth Molineux and seconded by Councillor Noordad Aziz under Council Procedure Rule A9:-

  “That this Council resolves to write to Lancashire County Council to ask that the proposal in their budget for 19/20 to introduce on street car parking charges in Great Harwood be abandoned.

We, the Council, believe this is a regressive move for the high street shops in Great Harwood and will drive customers away.  The changes in the retail sector means we need to be innovative in our approach in supporting our high street and this goes against that.”

An amendment was then  ...  view the full minutes text for item 279.

Report Attached.

The following item was submitted as urgent business with the Chair’s agreement in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.  The reason for urgency was that this item was discussed before the next available Council meeting in February 2019.

Council was asked to adopt the International Holocaust Memorial alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and its examples and ensure that this is reflected in its Equality and Diversity Scheme and other relevant policies.

Council took part in a short debate on the matter which reflected their support for adopting the definition of antisemitism.  Councillor Aziz reported that an All Party Parliamentary Group had published a report outlining the definition of Islamophobia and suggested that Council also gave consideration to adopting a definition. 

            Resolved                  -   That Council adopt the International Holocaust Memorial Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and its examples and reflect these in its Equality and Diversity Scheme and other relevant policies.