Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Mayor will lead a minute’s silence as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022.

The Mayor led a minute silence in honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 July 2022.

Councillor W Wilkinson highlighted an error in the minutes in that he had been present at the previous meeting on 27 July 2022 but he had been recorded as absent.

The minutes of the previous meeting were signed as a correct record subject to the above amendment.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

12.  Reference from Chief Officers Employment Panel (09/09/22) - Chief Officer Appointment.

  Andrew Seekings; Other Interest; Due to the potential impact of the decision on his position within the organisation.

There were no items on the agenda for which the press and public should be excluded.

To answer questions under Procedural Rule No. 4.16 from members of the public and from Councillors under Procedural Rule No. 4.17 and to receive Petitions under Access to Information Rules.

None received.

To receive motions on notice.

None received.

To hear speeches (not exceeding 5 minutes each), for up to a specified period of 15 minutes, from individual members on a local issue in the Member’s Ward, of which 24 hours’ notice has been given to the Chief Executive.

None received.

The Mayor made reference to the engagements attended since the last Council meeting and thanked all those who had assisted in the preparations for the Allerdale Borough Reading of the Proclamation on Sunday 11 September following the death of the Queen.

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II saying, as a public servant, she was an example to us all.

Councillor M Johnson moved the Portfolio Holder update report.

Questions were raised on procurement and social value, the High Street Task Force and jobs in Cockermouth, Community Investment Funding linked with the Allerdale Community Partnership, sports and leisure, a feasibility study for the development of a BMX track in Workington, Maryport regeneration projects and safety aspects of the Solway Coast cycle track.

With regards to Revenues and Benefits, Councillor M Campbell-Savours asked the following;

‘Noting from a summary draft outturn report provided to the Executive in April, for the cost centre ‘Council Tax Hardship Fund’, it appears there is an approved budget of £246K of which the gross outturn at 31 March only appears to have been £10K, have we failed to distribute that money? Is the online form planned for introduction in September to apply for discounts and exemptions in respect of Council tax related to this? And if we have only spent £10K can someone tell me where is that budget now?’

In Councillor C Sharpe’s absence it was agreed a written response would be provided to all members following the meeting.

To note the contents of the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 22 June 2022.

The minutes of the Executive meeting held on 22 June 2022 were noted.

This report was considered by the Chief Officers Employment Panel on 9 September 2022.  Members considered the report and the recommendations.

Councillor M Fitzgerald moved the recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor M Johnson.

A vote was taken, 36 in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention. The motion was carried.

Resolved –

1.  That Andrew Seekings remains as Chief Executive for Allerdale Borough Council until 31 December 2022, however, he will be de-designated Head of Paid Service from 1^st October 2022;

2.  That Paul Wood (existing Chief Officer for Transformation) is appointed as Interim Head of Paid Service for Allerdale Borough Council from 1^st October 2022 until 31 December 2022 with an additional uplift in substantive salary and to be appointed as Interim Head of Paid Service and Interim Chief Executive Officer from 1^st January 2023, paid at the full salary as set out in the Council’s Pay Policy.

The Chief Officer Place and Governance submitted a report which sought members consideration of a Community Governance Review application from both Embleton and District Parish Council and from Allhallows Parish Council.

Councillor M Fitzgerald moved the recommendations as per the report. This was seconded by Councillor M Johnson.

A vote was taken, 36 in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions. The motion was carried.

Resolved

1.  That Council agreed to carry out a Community Governance Review of Embleton and District Parish Council to consider the Electoral arrangements, specifically to reduce Councillor numbers;

2.  That Council agreed to carry out a Community Governance Review of Allhallows Parish Council to consider the Electoral arrangements, specifically to reduce Councillor numbers;

3.  That the Terms of Reference for the Community Governance Reviews as set out in appendices 1 and 2 of the report, be agreed;

4.  That the Community Governance Review be co-ordinated and facilitated by officers without a member working group and that final recommendations be made to Council who will then make recommendations to the Shadow Cumberland Council.

The Co-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee moved the update report for information.

Resolved

That the report be noted.