Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 September 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2022 were signed as a correct record.

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.

16.  Standards Hearings Panel.

  Sharon Sewell; Other Registrable Interest; Due to her involvement throughout the complaint process.

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.

Councillor M Campbell-Savours submitted the following motion -

‘This council notes the adverse impact second home ownership can have on communities in Allerdale, where many permanent residents and workers struggle to find suitable accommodation close to their families and places of work.

This council also notes the content of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (currently at report stage in the House of Commons) and the proposed powers for billing authorities to introduce council tax premiums on Second Homes and Empty Properties. Subject to the bill receiving Royal Assent it is expected that billing authorities can use these new powers from 1st April 2024.

This council resolves to write to DLUHC expressing our support for the council tax premium provisions within the bill.

This council also resolves to write to Cumberland Council, urging them to consider removing any second home discount rules inherited from district councils from April 2023 and subject to the bill receiving royal assent, to introduce a 100% council premium on second homes from April 2024’.

Councillor M Campbell-Savours submitted the following motion –

‘This council notes the adverse impact second home ownership can have on communities in Allerdale, where many permanent residents and workers struggle to find suitable accommodation close to their families and places of work.

This council also notes the content of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (currently at report stage in the House of Commons) and the proposed powers for billing authorities to introduce council tax premiums on Second Homes and Empty Properties. Subject to the bill receiving Royal Assent it is expected that billing authorities can use these new powers from 1st April 2024.

This council resolves to write to DLUHC expressing our support for the council tax premium provisions within the bill.

This council also resolves to write to Cumberland Council, urging them to consider removing any second home discount rules inherited from district councils from April 2023 and subject to the bill receiving royal assent, to introduce a 100% council premium on second homes from April 2024’.

On seconding the motion Councillor M Fitzgerald said ‘we fully recognise the difficulties that second homes ownership causes to people and that it is particularly acute in Keswick, that local people who grew up in the area are struggling to find accommodation that they can afford close to their family and places of work. The Council has taken some action to remove this disadvantage for example the Affordable Housing Strategy approved in April this year, to try and meet the needs of local people first and foremost’.

Councillor Fitzgerald also raised the significant issue of second homes marketed as holiday lets which attracted small business rates relief and highlighted the arrangements due to be implemented in early 2023 around that issue. Councillor Fitzgerald was happy to support the motion.

Councillor C McCarron-Holmes and P Kendall spoke in support of the motion.

In his right of reply Councillor Campbell-Savours said that the agreed motion was not a solution to all of the problems but would be one way in hopefully assisting local families and thanked councillors for their support.

A vote was taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

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, in particular all of the recent school visits he and the Deputy Mayor had made delivering the Christmas card competition prizes.

Being the last full Council meeting of 2022 the Leader of the Council highlighted a list of achievements carried out over the last twelve months.

It was also the last Council meeting for the Chief Executive Andrew Seekings before taking up his new post on 1 January 2023 as Chief Executive of the new Cumberland Authority. On behalf of the Council the Leader thanked him for all his hard work and commitment for Allerdale since 2013 and wished him continued success for the future.

Councillor M Johnson moved the Portfolio Holder update report for noting.

He also announced to Council that the Shared Prosperity Fund application had been approved by Government this week meaning a further £3.8m of investment for the area.

Questions were raised on the Elections Act 2022, the Regeneration Programme Audit, Maryport Town Hall renovations, the High Street Task Force, customer service arrangements, Leisure Centre opening arrangements and Maryport Harbour lighting.

To note the contents of the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 20 July and 12 October 2022.

The minutes of the Executive meetings held on 20 July and 12 October 2022 were noted.

The Treasury Management Annual review 2021-2022 had been considered at Audit Committee on 26 September 2022 and recommended to Council for information.

Members considered the report and the recommendation.

Councillor M Campbell-Savours moved the report as Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee and offered thanks to the previous Chair Alan Tyson for all his hard work and dedication to the committee and members over the years.

Resolved 

That the Treasury Management Annual review be noted.

The Treasury Management Mid-Year review 2022-2023 had been considered at Audit Committee on 28 November 2022 and recommended to Council for approval.

Members considered the report and the recommendations.

Councillor M Campbell-Savours moved the report as Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee.

The motion was seconded by Councillor E Lynch.

A vote was taken and the motion was agreed unanimously.

Resolved 

That –

1.  The Treasury Management Mid-Year review 2022-2023 be noted;

2.  The revised Prudential Indicators for 2022-23, as summarised in table 7, paragraph 12.8 of the report, be approved.

The Chief Officer Place and Governance submitted a report which sought members approval of appointments of the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

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

A vote was taken, the motion was unanimously agreed.

Resolved

1.  That from 1 January 2023, Paul Wood (Interim Chief Executive) be appointed as Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer;

2.  That with immediate effect, Lee Jardine (Senior Specialist – Elections) be appointed as Deputy Electoral Registration Officer.

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

Resolved

That the report be noted.

The Chief Officer Place and Governance submitted a report to update Council on a number of governance arrangements.

Councillor M Fitzgerald moved the recommendations in the report with the exception of recommendation 2, the approval of a new model Code of Conduct. That report was to be amended and brought back to a future meeting for approval.

This was seconded by Councillor C Sharpe.

A vote was taken, the motion was unanimously agreed.

Nominations were sought for the appointment of Chair of Audit Committee.

Councillor A Smith nominated Councillor M Campbell-Savours; this was seconded by Councillor M Heaslip.

A vote was taken, 28 in Favour, 0 against and 1 abstention. The motion was carried.

Resolved

That –

1.  Councillor M Campbell-Savours be appointed as Chair of Audit Committee;

2.  The Officer Scheme of Delegation, as set out in Appendix D of the report, be approved.

The Senior Manager – Legal and Information Governance submitted a report to update Council on findings of the Standards Hearing Panel in respect of a complaint concerning a breach of the Code of Conduct for Members.

Councillor E Lynch as Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee moved the report for noting.

Resolved

That the report be noted.