Meeting of the Borough Council To be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 13th April 2016

Town Hall Burnley 5th April 2016

Sir or Madam,

Notice is given of a MEETING of the COUNCIL of the to be held at the TOWN HALL, BURNLEY, on

Wednesday 13th April 2016

starting at 6.30 p.m.

To transact the business specified below.

Lukman Patel Head of Governance, Law and Regulation

Members of the public may ask a question, make a statement, or present a petition relating to any matter for which the Council has a responsibility or which affects the Borough.

Notice in writing of the subject matter must be given to the Head of Governance, Law & Regulation by 5.00 pm on the day before the meeting. Forms can be obtained for this purpose from the reception desk at Burnley Town Hall, Manchester Road or at the Contact Centre, Parker Lane, Burnley or from the web at: www.burnley.gov.uk/meetings. Requests will be dealt with in the order in which they are received.

A G E N D A

1. Minutes of the last meeting

To receive, as read, the Minutes of the proceedings of the Full Council meeting held on the 24th February 2016 and to confirm them or otherwise. (enclosed)

2. Declarations of Interest

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are required to declare any personal or personal and prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this agenda and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Please note that phones and other equipment may be used to film, record, tweet or blog from this meeting. The use of those images or recordings is not under the Council’s control. No part of the meeting room is exempt from public filming. Under current legislation members of the public can film or record this meeting provided they don’t disrupt the meeting.

3. Mayors’ Communications

To receive communications (if any) from Her Worship the Mayor - thanks to retiring or other Councillors standing for re-election.

4. Public Question Time

To receive questions or statements from members of the public.

5. Petition Debate.

Following receipt of the petition set out below comprising over 1500 signatures, to debate a response in accordance with the constitution’s petition scheme;

“Petition against the demolition of the link bridge. Burnley Council Executive has proposed plans to demolish the Open Market, the Service Deck and Ramp, the former site of Studio 123 (cinema ) and the Link Bridge. Market Hall stall holders understand the need for this, but disagree with the plan to demolish the Link Bridge. We feel that this is an important entrance and exit point of the market hall, mostly for disabled, elderly and families with prams. Please help us voice our concerns by signining our petition”

6. Items for Decision by the Council Agenda Page No. (a) Combined Authority 15

To seek agreement for the Council to become a constituent member of a Combined Authority for (report enclosed)

(b) Calendar 2016/17 39

To consider a proposed calendar of meetings for 2016/17 (report enclosed)

7. Scrutiny Committee Chair’s Cycle 5 Report 49

To receive the report of the Scrutiny Committee Chair on the fifth cycle of Scrutiny Committee meetings. (report enclosed)

8. Strategic Plan Progress Reports 53

Mark Townsend Leader 55

John Harbour Deputy Leader/Housing and Environment 57

Wajid Khan Resources and Performance 59 Management

Please note that phones and other equipment may be used to film, record, tweet or blog from this meeting. The use of those images or recordings is not under the Council’s control. No part of the meeting room is exempt from public filming. Under current legislation members of the public can film or record this meeting provided they don’t disrupt the meeting.

Agenda Page No. Bea Foster Leisure and Culture 61

Tony Harrison Community Services 65

Sue Graham Regeneration and Economic Development 67 (reports enclosed)

9. Questions

To deal with questions (if any) relating to matters not contained in the minutes before Council and of which notice in writing has been received in accordance with Standing Order No10 (2).

10. Exclusion of the Public

To consider the exclusion of the public from the meeting before discussion takes place on the following item of business on the grounds that in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of Part VA of the Local Government Act 1972.

11. Vision Park Phase 1 69

To seek approval to progress Phase 1 of the Vision Park Project. (report and relevant Minute enclosed)

Please note that phones and other equipment may be used to film, record, tweet or blog from this meeting. The use of those images or recordings is not under the Council’s control. No part of the meeting room is exempt from public filming. Under current legislation members of the public can film or record this meeting provided they don’t disrupt the meeting.

Item1

Minutes of the Last Meeting

BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

BURNLEY TOWN HALL

Wednesday 24th February 2016

PRESENT

MEMBERS Her Worship The Mayor Councillor Elizabeth Monk in the Chair;

Councillors Baker, Birtwistle, Briggs, Brindle, Campbell, Cant, Carmichael, Chaudhary, Cunningham, Ellis, Fleming, Foster, Graham, Greenwood, Harbour, Harrison, Heginbotham, Hosker, Hussain, Kelly, Wajid Khan, Malik, Martin, Mottershead, Newhouse, Pate, Porter, Reynolds, Royle, Sumner, Tatchell, and Townsend OFFICERS Pam Smith - Chief Executive Helen Seechurn - Director of Resources Mick Cartledge - Director of Community Services Lukman Patel - Head of Governance, Law and Regulation Phil Moore - Head of Finance and Property Management David Donlan - Accountancy Division Manager Imelda Grady - Democracy Officer Alison McEwan - Democracy Officer David Farrar - Mayor’s Officer

56. Minutes

RESOLVED The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 9th December 2015 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

57. Declarations of Interest Councillor Graham declared an other prejudicial interest in item 5 (d) on the agenda relating to the Revenue Budget 2016/17 Councillors Baker, Heginbotham and Khan declared a discloseable pecuniary interest in item 5 (j) on the agenda relating to Selective Licensing. Councillors Baker and Sumner declared an Other prejudicial interest in item 6 on the agenda relating to the appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2016./17.

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58. Revenue Budget Monitoring Q3 2015/16 With reference to Minute 86 (15th February 2016) of the Executive, consideration was given to the revised Revenue Budget for 2015/16, based upon actual spending and income in Quarter 3 to 31st December 2015

RESOLVED 1. That approval be given to the latest revised budget of £15,889k as shown in Appendix 1.

2. That approval be given to the creation of a new reserve, the Flood reserve, using £300k to be transferred from the Transformation reserve as an interim measure subject to receipt through insurance and/or the bellwin scheme; and

3. That approval be given for the net transfers from earmarked reserves in the quarter of £20k as shown in Appendix 4.

59. Capital Budget Monitoring Q3 2015/16

With reference to Minute 90 (15th February 2016) of the Executive, consideration was given to the revised Capital Budget for 2015/16 based upon monitoring in Quarter 3 to 31st December 2015.

RESOLVED 1. That a revised capital budget for 2015/16 totalling £6,638,274 as outlined in Appendix 1 be approved;

2. That the proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £6,638,274 as shown in Appendix 2 be approved;

3. That the latest estimated year end position on capital receipts and contributions showing an assumed balance of £3,564,222 as at 31st March 2016 as shown in Appendix 3 be noted; and

4. That approval be given for a new Capital scheme for Flood Works totalling £250,000, which is due to be met and financed through insurance and/or the bellwin scheme.

60. Revenue and Capital Budgets and Council Tax 2016/17 Councillor Graham left the room for this item and did not take part in the discussion

Consideration was given to the Revenue and Capital Budgets and Council Tax for 2016/17.

It was moved by Councillor Wajid Kahn and seconded by Councillor Mark Townsend:

“That the Council approves the proposals contained in items c to i on the agenda and adopts the relevant minutes of the Executive. These relate to the approval of the Council’s revenue and capital budgets and setting the rate of Council Tax 2016/17.

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In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 16.7, a recorded vote was taken on the motion;

For the Motion

Councillors Howard Baker, Gordon Birtwistle, Charlie Briggs, Margaret Brindle, Frank Cant, Saeed Chaudhary, Jean Cunningham, Trish Ellis, Bea Foster, Joanne Greenwood, John Harbour, Tony Harrison, Shah Hussain, Anne Kelly, Wajid Khan, Sobia Malik, Tony Martin, Elizabeth Monk, Neil Mottershead, Tom Porter, Paul Reynolds, Ann Royle, Jeff Sumner, Andrew Tatchell and Mark Townsend

Abstentions

Councillors Ida Carmichael, David Heginbotham, Alan Hosker and Andrew Newhouse

Accordingly, the motion was declared to be carried and it was RESOLVED:

1) That the latest Medium-Term Financial Strategy be approved;

2) That the Reserves Strategy, as appended to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy be approved;

3) That it be noted that a refreshed document will be provided regularly when required as an aid to monitoring the continued delivery of an annually balanced budget;

4) That the approach that has been adopted in developing budget proposals that reflect the Council’s Strategic Objectives for 2016/17 be endorsed;

5) That the proposals contained in the revenue budget report be approved;

6) That the setting of a Council Tax Requirement of £6,130,441 for the financial year 2016/17 be approved;

7) That the setting of a Net Budget Requirement of £15,223,323, for 2016/17 be approved;

8) That the statutory report issued by the Chief Finance Officer under the Local Government Act 2003 be received;

9) That Directors/Heads of Service be authorised to progress action plans to deliver the 2016/17 budget;

10) That approval be given to a Council Tax (Band D) figure of £277.76 for this Council for the year commencing 1st April 2016 and adopt the statutory resolution to set the full Council Tax for the year. This is equivalent to a 1.9% Council tax increase;

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11) That the treasury management strategy statement for 2016/17 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

12) That the prudential and treasury indicators for 2016/17 to 2018/19 as per Appendix 2 to the report, including the authorised limit for external debt of £33.577m in 2016/17 be approved;

13) That the list of Counterparties for Deposits outlined within Appendix 3 to the report be approved;

14) That the Council’s Medium Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2016/17 as set out in Appendix 4 to the report be approved;

15) That the 2016/17 Capital Budget as set out in Appendix 1 be approved;

16) That the 2016-19 Capital Investment Programme as set out in Appendix 1 be noted;

17) That the estimated position on capital resources as set out in Appendix 2 be noted;

18) That it be noted that on 19th January 2016 the Council calculated the Council Tax base 2016/17

a. for the whole Council area as 22,071 (Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 [the “Act”] as amended by the Localism Act 2011)

b. for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates as in the attached Appendix B.

19) That the Council Tax requirement calculated for the Council’s own purposes for 2016/17 (excluding parish precepts) is £6,130,441

20) That the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the financial year 2016/17 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act

(a) £61,927,128 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) (a) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils;

(b) £55,722,584 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act;

(c) £6,204,544 being the amount by which the aggregate at (20)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (20)(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A (4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act);

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(d) £281.12 being the amount at (20)(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (18 (a) above), calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts);

(e) £74,103 being the aggregate of all special items (Parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per the attached Appendix B);

(f) £277.76 being the amount at (20)(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at (20)(e) above by Item T (the amount at 18 (a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item (Parish precept) relates.

21) To note that the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire and the Fire Authority have issued precepts to the Borough Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area as indicated in the table below.

22) That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below and in Appendix A to these minutes as the amounts of Council Tax for 2016/17 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

VALUATION BANDS

Burnley Borough Council

A B C D E F G H £185.17 £216.04 £246.90 £277.76 £339.48 £401.21 £462.93 £555.52 Lancashire County Council A B C D E F G H £783.24 £913.78 £1,044.32 £1,174.86 £1,435.94 £1,697.02 £1,958.10 £2,349.72

Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire A B C D E F G H £108.15 £126.17 £144.20 £162.22 £198.27 £234.32 £270.37 £324.44

Lancashire Combined Fire Authority

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A B C D E F G H £43.67 £50.94 £58.22 £65.50 £80.06 £94.61 £109.17 £131.00

Aggregate of Council Tax Requirements

A B C D E F G H £1,120.23 £1,306.93 £1,493.64 £1,680.34 £2,053.75 £2,427.16 £2,800.57 £3,360.68

23) That it be determined that the Council’s basic amount of Council Tax for 2016/17 is not excessive in accordance with principles approved under Section 52ZB Local Government Finance Act 1992.

24) That the Members Allowance Scheme for 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2019/20 be approved as follows:

a) Basic Allowance

A basic allowance paid to all members will be uplifted incrementally over the next three years to £3,500 as follows;

2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 Basic x 45 3,000 3,250 3,500

b) Special Responsibility Allowances –

Special Responsibility Allowances will be paid as follows;

2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Leader Supplement 10,500 11,375 12,250 Deputy Leader Supplement 3,000 3,250 3,500 Executive Members x 6 3,750 4,063 4,375 Scrutiny Chair 3,750 4,063 4,375 Scrutiny Vice Chair 1,200 1,300 1,400 Audit & Standards Chair 1,500 1,625 1,750 Development Control Chair 2,400 2,600 2,800 Development Control Vice 1,200 1,300 1,400 Chair Licensing Chair 1,500 1,625 1,750 Other Group Leaders x 2 1,500 1,625 1,750 Independent Persons 500 500 500 (Standards)x2

c) A dependent carers and childcare allowance will be paid at the rate of the adult minimum wage per hour and be paid under the following criteria.

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Limitations Costs necessarily incurred for: A child or children under the age of 16 An elderly relative requiring full-time care A relative with a physical disability requiring full-time care A relative with learning disabilities requiring full-time care Safeguards The person for whom care has been arranged must live in the same household as the member The care in respect of which the allowance is claimed must not be provided by a person living in the member’s household, or by another parent of a child in the household; Disabled dependents are excluded where the member is already in receipt of a carer’s allowance; The member must notify the Council of the identity of the carer in respect of whose costs the allowance is claimed and the cared for; Child(ren) or dependent must be registered with the Council in advance of any claim being made .

d. The following travel and subsistence allowances shall be paid for attendance at approved events;

Car allowance – at the same rate as that paid to officers determined locally. Motor cycle allowance – at the same rates as that set by HMRC Other travel allowances That the payment of travelling allowances by taxi cab be provided for Disabled and Vulnerable Members not to exceed; a) in cases of urgency or where no public transport was reasonably available, the amount of the actual fare and any reasonable gratuity paid; and b) in any other case the amount of travel by appropriate public transport.

Subsistence allowance Meal Maximum Allowance Criteria Breakfast £7.08 before 8.00am Lunch £9.77 between 12 noon – 2pm Tea £3.85 after 6.30pm Evening Meal £12.08 after 8.30pm

If a member is away from their home on official Council business for a continuous period of 24 hours or more, and as a result is required, by the Council, to stay in accommodation overnight, they will be reimbursed with the actual costs incurred.

e. No additional co-optees allowances will be paid, but the current payments to the Independent Persons on Standards continue.

f. There will be an annual adjustment of allowances in line with the average

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percentage increase in employee’s pay under the National Joint Council (Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical) Pay Award. Full Council will have discretion whether to apply this.

g. There will be no backdating of allowances.

h. Allowances will be repayable should a councillor be suspended, cease to be a councillor due to a relevant conviction or non-attendance, or resigns.

i. No member allowances will be classified as pensionable under the Regulations

61. Selective Licensing Councillors Baker, Heginbotham and Khan left the room for this item and did not take part in the discussion

With reference to minute 84 (15th February 2016) of the Executive, consideration was given to the creation of a budget to administer the selective licensing programme.

RESOLVED That approval be given to the financial implications detailed in the report and the creation of a budget of £147,530 (June 16 to March 17 in 2016/17) which will be recovered through fee income.

62. The Councils Strategic Plan 2016/19

Further to Minute 92 (15th February 2016) of the Executive, consideration was given to the updated Strategic Plan for 2016/17 to 2018/19.

RESOLVED That the updated Strategic Plan be approved

63. Pay Policy Statement

Consideration was given to the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17.

RESOLVED (1) That the Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17 be approved; and

(2) That approval be given to amend the Council’s National Joint Council (NJC) Pay Policy and pay spine with effect from 1st April 2016 to accommodate the increase in the Foundation Living Wage to £8.25 per hour.

64.. Licensing Act 2003 Policy Review

With reference to Minute11 (29th October 2015) of the Licensing Committee consideration was given to a revised Licensing Act 2003 Policy for 2016-2021 as

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required by legislation RESOLVED That, subject to the inclusion at 17.2 of the Policy that all councillors be notified by email of applications for temporary event notices, approval be given to the draft Statement of Principles for the Licensing Act 2003 Policy covering the period 7th January 2016 to 6th January 2021 as shown in Appendix A to the report.

65. Gambling Act 2005 Policy Review

With reference to Minute12 (29th October 2015) of the Licensing Committee consideration was given to a revised Gambling Act 2005 Policy for 2016-2018 as required by legislation RESOLVED That approval be given to the draft Statement of Principles for the Gambling Act 2005 Policy covering the period 7th January 2016 to 31st December 2018 as shown in Appendix A to the report.

66. Constitutional Reporting

Consideration was given to an amendment to the Constitution Part 3 Executive functions relating to the Mobile Homes Act 2013 and to the urgent notices issued for key decisions made by the Executive up to December 2015.

RESOLVED That the reports be noted.

67. Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor 2016/17 Councillors Sumner and Baker left the room for this item and did not take part in the discussion Consideration was given to the position relating to the appointment of the Mayor and Chair of the Council and Deputy Mayor and Vice Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2016/17. RESOLVED That the position on the appointment of Mayor and Chair of the Council and Deputy Mayor and Vice Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2016/17 be noted. 68. Scrutiny Chair’s Cycle 24 Report

RESOLVED That the CycleCycle 24 report of the Chair of Scrutiny be noted. . Strategic Plan Progress Reports 69. Strategic Plan Progress Reports

RESOLVED That the Strategic Plan Progress Reports of Executive Members be noted.

70. Exclusion of the Public

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RESOLVED That the public be excluded from the meeting before discussion took place on Minute on the grounds that in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of Part VA of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)

71. Burnley Market and Former Cinema

Further to Minute 94 (15th February 2016) of the Executive, consideration was given to the inclusion of £1,663,000 in the capital budget to deliver the preferred option for Burnley Market and Former Cinema complex.

RESOLVED That approval be given to include a budget of £1,663,000 in the Capital programme for 2016/17 and 2017/18 to deliver the preferred option set out in section 5 of the report.

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APPENDIX A

Council Tax Schedule 2016/17 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

Burnley Borough Council 185.17 216.04 246.90 277.76 339.48 401.21 462.93 555.52

Lancashire County Council 783.24 913.78 1,044.32 1,174.86 1,435.94 1,697.02 1,958.10 2,349.72

Police and Crime Commissioner 108.15 126.17 144.20 162.22 198.27 234.32 270.37 324.44 for Lancashire

Lancs. Combined Fire Authority 43.67 50.94 58.22 65.50 80.06 94.61 109.17 131.00

Total - Areas Outside Parish/Town Council Areas 1,120.23 1,306.93 1,493.64 1,680.34 2,053.75 2,427.16 2,800.57 3,360.68

Parish/Town Council Areas Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ with Extwistle Parish/Town Council Only 5.40 6.30 7.20 8.10 9.90 11.70 13.50 16.20 Parish/Town and District 190.57 222.34 254.10 285.86 349.38 412.91 476.43 571.72 Total 1,125.63 1,313.23 1,500.84 1,688.44 2,063.65 2,438.86 2,814.07 3,376.88

Cliviger Parish/Town Council Only 7.63 8.90 10.17 11.44 13.98 16.52 19.07 22.88 Parish/Town and District 192.80 224.94 257.07 289.20 353.46 417.73 482.00 578.40 Total 1,127.86 1,315.83 1,503.81 1,691.78 2,067.73 2,443.68 2,819.64 3,383.56

Habergham Eaves Parish/Town Council Only 4.07 4.74 5.42 6.10 7.46 8.81 10.17 12.20 Parish/Town and District 189.24 220.78 252.32 283.86 346.94 410.02 473.10 567.72 Total 1,124.30 1,311.67 1,499.06 1,686.44 2,061.21 2,435.97 2,810.74 3,372.88

Padiham Parish/Town Council Only 9.06 10.57 12.08 13.59 16.61 19.63 22.65 27.18 Parish/Town and District 194.23 226.61 258.98 291.35 356.09 420.84 485.58 582.70 Total 1,129.29 1,317.50 1,505.72 1,693.93 2,070.36 2,446.79 2,823.22 3,387.86

Worsthorne with Hurstwood Parish/Town Council Only 4.51 5.26 6.01 6.76 8.26 9.76 11.27 13.52 Parish/Town and District 189.68 221.30 252.91 284.52 347.74 410.97 474.20 569.04 Total 1,124.74 1,312.19 1,499.65 1,687.10 2,062.01 2,436.92 2,811.84 3,374.20

Hapton Parish/Town Council Only 9.12 10.64 12.16 13.68 16.72 19.76 22.80 27.36 Parish/Town and District 194.29 226.68 259.06 291.44 356.20 420.97 485.73 582.88 Total 1,129.35 1,317.57 1,505.80 1,694.02 2,070.47 2,446.92 2,823.37 3,388.04

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APPENDIX B Parish/Town Council Precepts 2016/17

2015/16

Tax Precept Council Parish/Town Council Base Tax (Band D) £ £

Briercliffe with Extwistle 1,231 8,000 6.50

Cliviger 869 10,000 11.51

Habergham Eaves 514 2,644 5.14

Padiham 2,515 35,000 13.92

Worsthorne with Hurstwood 1,035 6,000 5.80

Hapton 649 8,000 12.33

Total/Average 6,813 69,644 10.22

2016/17

Tax Precept Council Council Parish/Town Council Base Tax Tax (Band D) Increase £ £ %

Briercliffe with Extwistle 1,234 10,000 8.10 24.6%

Cliviger 874 10,000 11.44 -0.6%

Habergham Eaves 509 3,103 6.10 18.7%

Padiham 2,575 35,000 13.59 -2.4%

Worsthorne with Hurstwood 1,035 7,000 6.76 16.6%

Hapton 658 9,000 13.68 10.9%

Total/Average 6,885 74,103 10.76 5.3%

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a 6

ITEM

Combined Authority

ITEM NO

Combined Authority for Lancashire

REPORT TO FULL COUNCIL

DATE 13/04/2016 PORTFOLIO Leader REPORT AUTHOR Pam Smith TEL NO EMAIL @burnley.gov.uk

PURPOSE

1. The purpose of this report is to update members on the progress on the Lancashire Combined Authority proposals, outline the response to the public consultation exercise and seek agreement for the Council to become a constituent member of a Combined Authority for Lancashire.

RECOMMENDATION

2. That Full Council be recommended to::

(1) Note the contents of this report;

(2) Note the appended response to the public consultation on the Combined Authority proposals;

(3) Agree to become a constituent member of a Lancashire Combined Authority and submit proposals to do so to the Secretary of State;

(4) In the interim period, agree to form a shadow Lancashire Combined Authority; and

(5) Any future proposals for a devolution deal with the Government be brought back to Council for agreement*

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

3. A Combined Authority offers the strongest governance model to attract freedoms and flexibilities form the Government and will enable a cohesive approach across Lancashire to a range of issues including developing better and broader skills provision, including entry level skills; more coordinated infrastructure planning with improved use of resources; more coordinated approach to housing provision and business growth

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SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

4. Members will be aware that in October 2014 Council Leaders indicated their wish to develop closer collaborative working across Lancashire on economic related matters and to explore the options in this regard.

5. In order to determine whether the existing arrangements are effective or would benefit from change the Leaders asked that a Governance Review be undertaken. The Council considered the Governance Review and draft Scheme of Governance at its meeting on 9th December 2015.

6. As part of the Governance Review Leaders developed ambitions for Lancashire. These are:

 Prosperous Lancashire – a Lancashire that is recognised as a destination of choice, to invest in, do business in, live or visit;  Connected Lancashire – digital and transport connectivity to promote inclusive growth;  Skilled Lancashire – a skilled workforce to meet the demands of employers and future business growth;  Better Homes for Lancashire – better living standards for residents with good quality homes and a wide housing offer;  Public services working together for Lancashire – integrated public services at the heart of local communities giving everyone the opportunity for a healthier life.

7. Leaders have recognised that some of the ambitions set out above can be delivered through the existing excellent partnership arrangements in place across the County geography. However, in order to attract and maintain economic growth and achieve a prosperous Lancashire for all, we need to demonstrate that Lancashire means business and provide reassurance that we have strong, robust governance arrangements in place and a commitment to work together.

8. The Lancashire Combined Authority will provide a legally constituted body operating across Lancashire to take strategic decisions on transport, economic development and regeneration and strengthen the relationship with the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and local authorities.

9. Lancashire has one of the largest local economies in the North of England generating over £25bn GVA (gross value added), with over 45,000 businesses supporting 700,000 jobs. A Lancashire Combined Authority will ensure Lancashire is able to reach its full economic potential. The Government have been clear that it wants to deal with local government on economy, planning, housing and skills through a Combined Authority arrangement. For Burnley Council, a Lancashire Combined Authority will be:-

 A single voice for Lancashire in the debate about the future of the North. Neighbouring areas already have powerful voices through their Combined Authorities and are shaping the „Northern Powerhouse‟. Lancashire needs a strong voice to influence the debate.

 A focus for driving economic growth. When new funding arrangements for Local Government are fully implemented, councils will be reliant on business rates to fund services. A Combined Authority and the potential additional investment, offers the strongest way to impact on our business rate.

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 An opportunity for councils to influence and shape the work of the LEP and the funding streams which the Government distributes through the LEP. The Scheme of Governance sets out that the Combined Authority would include local authorities and the LEP within its governance structure.

 An opportunity to influence and contribute to a „Lancashire Plan‟ on economy, skills, development and shape how Lancashire‟s priorities and investments are decided.

 An opportunity to influence what the strategic transport priorities are locally, across Lancashire and at a regional level and provide a strong voice for Lancashire in shaping the priorities for the Transport for the North.

 An opportunity to share capacity, expertise and experience in a co-ordinated way

 An opportunity to work collectively on the challenge of delivering sustainable public services in the future.

 An opportunity to work more closely across Lancashire and within Lancashire building on the City Deal partnership approach.*

10. The Lancashire Combined Authority will operate within a Scheme of Governance. In summary these arrangements are:

Membership Local authorities in Lancashire, represented by Leader.

Voting arrangements One vote per each local authority (excl. transport). Decision making Unanimous agreement on strategic plans, investment strategy, annual budget, borrowing limits, adoption of freedoms and flexibilities, any changes to CA arrangements. All other decision 2/3 majority. There is no provision for Executive arrangements. Decision making – transport Transport planning and investment would be subject to unanimous agreement by three transport authorities. Overview and Scrutiny Scrutiny Committee with representation from authorities would be established. Finance No member allowances payable Councils to meet core costs (kept to a minimum)

11. PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The Lancashire councils along with the Lancashire LEP have recently undertaken a public consultation exercise. A summary of the response to the consultation is appended to this report for information. To ensure an independent, robust and coordinated approach the councils in Lancashire commissioned Infusion Research to undertake the consultation.

The consultation was held from 11th January to 19th February 2016. Promotion of the consultation reached an estimated 444,000 people and over 15,000 people visited the consultation website over the six week period. Almost 2000 responses were received.

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Of those respondents 70% strongly or tend to agree with the proposal to establish a Combined Authority for Lancashire. Of those who disagreed with the proposal, the main concern appears to be around where any resources would be focused and any adverse impact on local services.

12. DEVOLUTION

In developing the Combined Authority, Lancashire Leaders have been considering devolution proposals which could enable greater control, power and influence over a range of programmes and funding delivered in Lancashire. These include devolved funding for strategic transport and development; influence and/or control over employment and skills programmes and delivery; housing; growth funding and aligning investment activity.

Whilst there is a close link between Combined Authorities and devolution deals with the government, it is important to note that they are separate issues and subject to negotiation. A devolution deal would need the agreement of the constituent members of the Combined Authority.

13. NEXT STEPS

This report seeks the agreement of the Council to become a constituent member of the Lancashire Combined Authority and signals to the Government that the authorities are committed to working together for a better Lancashire. A similar report is going to other councils throughout March and April. Subject to council decisions, a proposal to form a Lancashire Combined Authority will be submitted to the Government for consideration and negotiation.

In the interim period, it‟s recommended that the local authorities operate as a shadow Combined Authority using the guiding principles set out in the Scheme of Governance from July 2016.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AND BUDGET PROVISION

14. Officer resources have been made available by some authorities in supporting the Combined Authority development on an „in kind‟ basis and it is envisaged that this will continue. At this stage there are no financial implications.

15. As per the Scheme of Governance for the Combined Authority, approval of the annual budget including decisions on any levies, precepts or other demands for financial contribution from constituent authorities is subject to unanimous agreements by the constituent members.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

16. The powers to establish a Combined Authority are contained within the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (“the Act”) and The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016.

17. A constitution for the Combined Authority will also be developed. The Council‟s own constitution will also be reviewed and any necessary amendments will be made.

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18. A Parliamentary Order is needed to establish a Combined Authority

DETAILS OF CONSULTATION

19. Together with other Councils Burnley Council has carried out public consultation on the proposals.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

20. None.

FURTHER INFORMATION Pam Smith PLEASE CONTACT: ALSO: Lukman Patel

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Lancashire Combined Authority

Consultation Report

February 2016

Report prepared by Adam Pearson Infusion Research On behalf of Lancashire councils www.infusion.org.uk

February 2016 Contents

1 Executive Summary ...... 3 1.1 Consultation response ...... 3 1.2 Agreement with proposal ...... 3 1.3 Key objectives ...... 3 1.4 Other comments and feedback...... 3 2 Background and Methodology ...... 4 2.1 Background ...... 4 2.2 Methodology ...... 4 3 Who Responded? ...... 6 3.1 Local residents ...... 6 3.2 Local authority employees ...... 8 3.3 Businesses and organisations ...... 9 3.4 Local councillors ...... 10 4 Main Findings ...... 11 4.1 Working in partnership ...... 11 4.2 Proposal to establish a Combined Authority ...... 11 4.3 Key objectives ...... 13 4.4 Final comments and feedback ...... 14 4.5 Specific feedback from businesses and organisations ...... 15

2 1 Executive Summary

1.1 Consultation response

 1,944 responses were received to the consultation on a proposed Combined Authority in Lancashire between 11 January and 19 February 2016  1,317 residents and 518 local authority employees took part in the consultation, as well as 35 businesses and organisations  Promotion of the consultation reached an estimated 444,000 people and over 15,000 people visited the consultation website over a 6 week period

1.2 Agreement with proposal

 74% of respondents strongly or tend to agree that a partnership approach is important in Lancashire  70% strongly or tend to agree with the proposal to establish a Combined Authority in Lancashire  Local authority employees (79%) and businesses or organisations (82%) had a higher level of agreement with the proposal than residents (65%)  Of those who disagree with the proposal, the main concerns appear to be around where any resources would be focused across the county and the adverse impact the proposal might have on local services

1.3 Key objectives

 The level of agreement with the identified objectives for the proposed Combined Authority is highest for a Prosperous and Connected Lancashire (81% strongly or tend to agree), followed by a Skilled Lancashire and Public Services Working Together (both 80%) and then Better Homes for Lancashire (74%)  A range of other objectives for the proposed Combined Authority were suggested by respondents, including a ‘Greener Lancashire’, an ‘Equal Lancashire’ and a ‘Listening Lancashire’

1.4 Other comments and feedback

 Final comments were varied with the most important issues seeming to be achieving a balance between local identity and a strong strategic voice for Lancashire, as well getting the right structure and administration to achieve efficiencies without impacting on local service delivery

3 2 Background and Methodology

2.1 Background

A Combined Authority is a formal legal arrangement which supports and enables collaboration and co-ordination between two or more local government areas on transport, regeneration and economic growth as well as skills, housing and employment. It is intended to support increased democratic accountability and transparency complementary to that provided by the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to a major area of local government policy making. Each of the councils that are members of a Combined Authority remain separate authorities; the Combined Authority is a mechanism to work more effectively and formally in partnership.

A Governance Review was requested by Leaders across Lancashire in order to determine whether the existing arrangements are effective or would benefit from change. As part of the Review an options appraisal was undertaken and consideration was given to arrangements including – enhanced status quo, Joint Committee, Economic Prosperity Board, Integrated Transport Authority and Combined Authority.

The Review concluded that a Combined Authority offers the strongest governance model to attract freedoms and flexibilities from the Government and will enable a cohesive approach across Lancashire to a range of issues including developing better and broader skills provision, including entry level skills; more co-ordinated infrastructure planning with improved use of resources; more co-ordinated approach to housing provision; more co- ordinated approach to business growth.

Councils across Lancashire agreed to undertake a public consultation on the proposal to establish a Combined Authority and seek views on the Governance Review and Draft Scheme of Governance.

After consideration of the outcome of public consultation, authorities wishing to form a Combined Authority would then submit a proposal to the Secretary of State for consideration.

2.2 Methodology

To ensure an independent, robust and coordinated approach to the public consultation, councils in Lancashire commissioned Infusion Research. This is a not-for-profit local government research service which has operated across the county for over ten years.

4 The primary method was a consultation website, hosted on the Infusion website. This set out information on the proposal, including supporting documents such as the Governance Review and Draft Scheme of Governance, and provided respondents the opportunity to have their say through an online survey. Moreover, to ensure access to a paper-based survey for those who may not use the internet, copies were made available at libraries across Lancashire.

The consultation went live on Monday 11 January and closed on Friday 19 February 2016, giving respondents six weeks to have their say on the proposal. As an open consultation, the primary purpose was to seek views from any resident, employee, organisation or business wishing to express an opinion. Whilst the findings are not representative of the population as a whole, they indicate the level of interest and general views of the most engaged.

During this time a proactive, coordinated approach was taken to communicating and promoting the consultation. This included:

 Signposting to the central consultation website from each local authority website  Regular social media posts from Lancashire councils as well as online promotion from Marketing Lancashire and several references to the consultation on local radio  50 online and written news articles about the consultation  Email alerts to a range of local resident panels and databases  Direct invitations to a comprehensive list of local and regional stakeholders and businesses at the beginning of the consultation, with a reminder sent part way through

This level of promotion resulted in a combined reach of 444,406 people through social media and new articles, and a total of 15,539 views of the consultation website during the consultation period. A total of 1,944 responses were received to the consultation, comprising of 1,897 online survey submissions, 41 paper survey returns and 8 direct written responses (two of which duplicated an online submission).

Within this report any percentages reported are based on the number of responses to each individual question (referred to herein as the ‘base’ total). Any open-ended comment questions have not been quantifiably categorised at this stage but a summary of some of the common responses is provided for each question to give a feel for the comments received. These summaries should not be interpreted as being representative of the views of all respondents to the consultation.

Apply some caution to the percentages expressed for business/ organisation and councillor categories where the ‘base’ totals are low.

5 3 Who Responded?

Of the people who indicated their response type in the consultation, 69% were local residents in Lancashire and a further 27% were local authority employees in the county.

48 respondents did not indicate in what capacity they were completing the consultation survey. In addition to the survey returns, 8 written responses were received (two of which duplicated an online submission).

Figure 3.1: Are you responding as…? (Q1, base – 1888) 1317

518

32 21 7

A local resident Employee of a Businesses or A councillor at a Other in Lancashire local authority organisations local authority respondents in Lancashire or parish/ town council in Lancashire

3.1 Local residents

Of those residents who provided their home postcode, nearly half live in a PR postcode area which covers Chorley, Leyland and Preston.

The BB postcode area covers much of East Lancashire, including Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle, Accrington and Clitheroe.

The FY postcode area covers the Fylde Coast, including Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lytham St Annes and Thornton-Cleveleys.

The LA postcode area covers Lancaster and surrounding areas such as Carnforth and Morecambe.

A range of other postcodes were captured from areas of Lancashire including BL (outlining areas of Blackburn, Chorley and Rossendale), OL (outlying areas of Rossendale) and WN (covering parts of West Lancashire such as Skelmersdale).

6 Figure 3.2: What is your home postcode? (Q8, base – 1269)

48%

28%

16%

5% 3%

PR BB FY Other LA

More male residents than female residents responded to the consultation.

Figure 3.3: What is your gender? (Q9, base – 1288)

Female 43% Male 57%

Around half of residents who responded to the consultation were aged between 45 and 64. One in four were aged 65 or over and 23% between the ages of 25 and 44.

Figure 3.4: Which age group do you belong to? (Q10, base – 1304)

51%

23% 25%

0% 1%

Under 18 18 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 64 65 or over

7 17% of local residents who responded to the consultation indicated that they have a long standing illness or disability.

Figure 3.5: Do you have a long standing illness or disability? (Q11, base – 1272)

Yes 17%

No 83%

The majority of residents responding to the consultation indicated that they are of White British ethnicity.

Figure 3.6: What is your ethnic origin? (Q12, base – 1279) 94%

1% 2% 1% 3%

White British Mixed/ Multiple Asian or Asian Black or Black Other Ethnic Group British British

3.2 Local authority employees

Nearly a third of local authority employee responses to the consultation came from those working at Lancashire County Council.

The unitary councils of Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen cumulatively account for a further 35% of the local authority employee responses.

8 Figure 3.7: Which local authority do you work for? (Q1c, base – 507)

Lancashire County Council 164 Blackpool Council 112 Blackburn with Darwen Council 64 Burnley Borough Council 36 Rossendale Borough Council 35 Hyndburn Borough Council 24 Pendle Borough Council 24 Fylde Borough Council 15 Chorley Council 9 Preston City Council 7 Ribble Valley Borough Council 4 West Lancashire Borough Council 4 Lancaster City Council 3 South Ribble Borough Council 2 Wyre Borough Council 2 Prefer not to say 2

3.3 Businesses and organisations

Of the 35 businesses and organisations who provided their details, either through the survey or via direct written response, 15 came from private businesses across the county. 12 responses to the consultation came from representatives within the voluntary and third sector. This included an enterprise trust and a number of local community groups. A further 8 were from public services representatives covering sectors including health, universities, police and an already established combined authority.

Figure 3.8: Which business or organisation do you represent? (Q1a, base – 35) 15

12

8

Businesses Voluntary/ Third Sector Public Services

9 3.4 Local councillors

Of the 24 local councillor respondents who indicated the authority they are at, 14 came from district councils across Lancashire and 8 responses were from local parish or town councillors. Note that some parish councillors responded as ‘other’ which is why the base total exceeds the response level from councillors in Q1.

Figure 3.9: Where are you a councillor at? (Q1d, base – 24)

14

8

1 1

County Unitaries Districts Parish or Town

Moreover, one written response was received from a local Member of Parliament which expressed overall support for the proposal to establish a Combined Authority in Lancashire.

10 4 Main Findings

4.1 Working in partnership

74% of consultation respondents strongly or tend to agree that councils in Lancashire working together with businesses and other partners to drive forward transport, economic development and skills in the area is important.

This level of agreement is highest amongst local authority employees in Lancashire (83% strongly or tend to agree).

70% of local residents strongly or tend to agree that this partnership approach is important in Lancashire, 19% strongly or tend to disagree.

Figure 4.1: To what extent do you agree or disagree that this partnership approach is important in Lancashire? (Q2, bases in brackets)

Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree Don't know

Overall (1923) 34% 36% 7% 10% 11% 2%

Residents (1312) 32% 33% 7% 12% 14% 2%

Employees (517) 34% 45% 8% 6% 5% 2%

Organisations (27) 52% 30% 7% 7% 4%

Councillors (20) 55% 30% 10% 5%

4.2 Proposal to establish a Combined Authority

After setting out the proposal to establish a Combined Authority in Lancashire, 70% of respondents strongly or tend to agree with this proposal. Additionally, each of the 8 written responses from organisations including local CCGs, a University and an existing Combined Authority supported the proposal, with some further comments on partnership working and the focus of the Combined Authority.

The level of agreement is highest amongst local authority employees (79%) and organisations or businesses (82%).

11

65% of local residents strongly or tend to agree with the proposal to establish a Combined Authority in Lancashire, 26% strongly or tend to disagree. This level of disagreement rises to 34% in the FY postcode area.

Figure 4.2: To what extent do you agree or disagree with establishing a Combined Authority in Lancashire? (Q3, bases in brackets)

Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree Don't know

Overall (1923) 34% 36% 7% 10% 11% 2%

Residents (1312) 32% 33% 7% 12% 14% 2%

Employees (517) 34% 45% 8% 6% 5% 2%

Organisations (27) 52% 30% 7% 7% 4%

Councillors (20) 55% 30% 10% 5%

Of those who disagree with the proposal to establish a Combined Authority in Lancashire, the main reasons appear to be:

 A view that this would add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy in local government and public services and become ‘distant’ from residents  Some concern that parts of the county would get more than others in any combined arrangement, either with resources focused on larger populations or those areas considered more ‘in need’  A belief that the local needs and profiles of different areas would not be adequately addressed through a combined authority  A perception that this would result in reduced services for local residents due to redundancies and consolidation of services  Some concern that decision making and processes could be slowed down by centralising through a combined authority  Some queries around what impact it would have on local Council Tax rates across the county  Not having enough detailed information about the proposed Combined Authority to make a judgement

12 4.3 Key objectives

Five key objectives for the proposed Combined Authority were set out in the consultation:

 A Prosperous Lancashire that is recognised as a destination of choice, to do business in, live or visit.  A Connected Lancashire with digital and transport connectivity across the county and to neighbouring areas.  A Skilled Lancashire which can meet the demands of employers and future business growth, supporting employment opportunities for residents.  Better Homes for Lancashire where residents have better living standards with good quality homes and a wide housing offer.  Public Services Working Together with integrated public services.

Generally, the level of agreement was high with the identified objectives for the proposed Combined Authority. 81% agree with a Prosperous and Connected Lancashire, 80% agree with a Skilled Lancashire and Public Services Working Together and 74% with Better Homes for Lancashire.

Figure 4.3: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the objectives identified for the proposed Combined Authority? (Q5, base – 1909)

Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree Don't know

Prosperous Lancashire 53% 28% 8% 5% 5%

Connected Lancashire 53% 28% 9% 5%5%

Skilled Lancashire 52% 28% 10% 5%5%

Better Homes for Lancashire 46% 28% 12% 7% 7%

Public Services Working Together 55% 25% 7% 6% 6%

People responding to the consultation were also given the opportunity to set out any other objectives they think the proposed Combined Authority should have. In addition to reaffirming some of the objectives above, the main suggestions include:

13

 A ‘Greener Lancashire’ with more focus on the environment and green spaces, reducing pollution, increasing energy efficiency and sustainability and creating a cleaner county with less litter  A ‘Healthy Lancashire’ where local health services are joined up, there is more focus on wellbeing and mental health, vulnerable people are protected and people are happier  An ‘Equal Lancashire’ with a commitment to tackling social, regional and health inequalities  A ‘Listening Lancashire’ with customer focus which is responsive and with more emphasis on democratic accountability and transparency, particularly at a local level, communicating and listening to residents  An ‘Educated Lancashire’ with better education systems and performing schools to meet demand  A ‘Safer Lancashire’ with lower levels of crime and more safeguarding for children, young people and other vulnerable residents

4.4 Final comments and feedback

Finally, the consultation invited any other comments on the proposal to establish a Combined Authority in Lancashire. Specifically, respondents were asked to think about how the proposed Combined Authority might impact on the identities and interests of local communities and securing effective and convenient local government, as well as views on the constitutional arrangements and functions within the draft scheme and how it can work together with the Local Enterprise Partnership.

874 comments were received on a range of topics and issues, including:

 The importance of maintaining local identity, local decision making and fair spend across localities under any combined arrangement  A number of different suggestions around the structure and administration, including merges, a unitary Lancashire authority and combinations on different footprints  General supportive comments for the proposal, with a sense that it would reduce duplication and ensure service delivery is more efficient  Some hope that the proposed Combined Authority would give Lancashire a stronger, louder voice, particularly on key strategic issues  Some concern around potential impact on job losses and as a result reduced capacity to deliver local services

14 4.5 Specific feedback from businesses and organisations

In addition to the core questions within the consultation, businesses and organisations were asked whether they thought the proposed Combined Authority would improve transport and economic development in Lancashire.

Of the 27 businesses or organisations who responded to the question, 71% feel it is very or quite likely that the Combined Authority would improve the provision of economic development and regeneration in the area. Just over half (52%) feel it is very or quite likely that the proposal would improve provision of transport in Lancashire.

Figure 4.4: How likely or unlikely do you consider it that the proposed Lancashire Combined Authority would improve…? (Q13, base – 27)

Very likely Quite likely Neither likely nor unlikely Quite unlikely Very unlikely Don't know

Provision of transport in the area 19% 33% 19% 15% 11% 4%

Provision of economic development and 15% 56% 7% 7% 11% 4% regeneration in the area

Economic conditions in the area 11% 56% 11% 4% 15% 4%

Some businesses and organisations had comments to make about their response to the above question. A range of comments were made, including the need for effective communication and processes to help businesses and some risks around the distribution of resources and the impact it could have on rural areas with transport cited as an example.

A mix of views were expressed when asked how the proposed Combined Authority might impact on the identities and interests of local communities. Some feel it will enhance Lancashire’s influence regionally and nationally, restore the ‘proud name of Lancashire’ and help share best practice across the county. Some feel it will be a challenge to bring different areas together where demographics and socio-economics vary, as well as a perception that less populated areas may be neglected through any arrangement.

15 Businesses and organisations were then asked how the proposed Combined Authority might impact on securing effective and convenient local government. A number of comments centred on creating a single, unified voice incorporating other public services who act together on big strategic issues. At the same time any arrangement should remain accessible to local people and any sharing of departments should be efficient and effective.

A range of comments were made in relation to how the proposed Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) could work together. Suggestions included allowing the LEP to vote on some Combined Authority matters, the LEP acting as a sub-committee of the Authority, a role of the Combined Authority to shape the agenda of the LEP and a shared strategy for supporting and developing small businesses.

Final comments made by businesses and organisations included reiterating support for the proposal and the positive impact it could have on Lancashire if implemented successfully, suggestions around the management and structure of the proposed Combined Authority, effective support for businesses across the county and ensuring issues such as health and rurality have a higher profile in Lancashire.

16

b 6

ITEM

Calendar 2016/17

ITEM NO

Calendar of Meetings 2016/17

REPORT TO FULL COUNCIL

DATE 13/04/16 PORTFOLIO Leader REPORT AUTHOR Eric Dickinson TEL NO 01282 477256 EMAIL [email protected]

PURPOSE

1. To consider a Calendar of Meetings for 2016/17.

RECOMMENDATION

2. That a Calendar of meetings for 2016/17 be approved, based on the current 10 week cycle and a reduction in Scrutiny Committees to 1 per cycle (Appendix 1)

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

3. To ensure that the Committee structure is proportionate to the budget, size and business of the organisation.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

4. Full Council cycle

Currently Full Council operates on a 10 weekly cycle.

The Annual/Appointments meeting in May and the Budget meeting in February are statutorily required. The December meeting is needed to approve Fees and Charges as part of the Revenue Budget.

Budget reporting to Full Council is currently carried out quarterly and at present this is done at the July, September, December and February Councils.

Any proposal to increase the length of the Full Council cycle by more than 10 weeks for 2016/17 would mean that an August 2016 meeting would have to replace the July 2016 and September 2016 meetings with a cycle length of 15 weeks.

This would not be practical in terms of budget reporting for 2016/17, as confirmed by the Head of Finance.

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5. (a) Executive

Even though the number of Service Units has been reduced due to the Liberata contract, most reports to Executive/Committees are currently largely unrelated to the services outsourced and so the number of reports to Executive/Committees will not be reduced proportionately.

The last periodic Executive Urgency report from June 2014 - December 2015 shows that there has been on average one urgency report taken a month requiring the approval of the Chair of Scrutiny within the current 5 week cycle, and increasing this to a 7/8 week Executive cycle would not appear to be sustainable at the current time.

It should also be recognised that when Executive Urgency procedures have to be followed due to an Executive meeting being too distant then there is a cost in Officer time (dictated by statutory arrangements) to publish relevant additional Notices, liaise with the Scrutiny Chair, and report retrospectively Urgent Officer Executive Delegations to the Executive and Full Council.

Following further discussion of the timing of Scrutiny and Executive at budget time in February 2017, it is proposed to make the following minor adjustments to improve the flow of information to Members;,  move Scrutiny to Thursday 9 Feb (from Wednesday 8 Feb)  move MSSWG to Wednesday 8 Feb (from Thursday 9 Feb)

(b) Conclusion for Full Council and Executive 2016/17

Only the April 2017 meeting could practicably be removed from the 2016/17 calendar. Any constitutional business could be moved forward to the February 2017 meeting (Calendar of meetings, Appointment of Mayor/Deputy elect) and any outstanding ‘Executive’ business taken to the May 2017 meeting. However there is always a risk that an Executive approval in April 2017 which needs further Full Council budget approval in May 2017 could become politically controversial if the Council’s political leadership changes at Election time.

There is a further risk that there will be more than 6 months between the December and May Full Councils if the April meeting is removed. A Member who does not attend a meeting during this period would be automatically disqualified since there would be no Council meeting to request an extension from.

(c ) Proposal for Full Council and Executive in 2016/17 – No change to current arrangements

(d) 2017/18

In 2017/18 the Head of Finance has indicated that the Council’s Accounts Year end is being moved forward to August, and therefore a Full Council in August would be more feasible and by that time there may be more reasons to consider an increase in the Full Council cycle once reporting to the Executive has been evaluated.

However it should be noted that an August meeting’s attendance may be affected by Summer Holidays. If Members do not attend a meeting within a 26 week period they are automatically disqualified from office unless Full Council grants them an extension.

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(e) Proposal for Full Council and Executive in 2017/18 - the effects of an August Year End for Final Accounts and a potentially significant increase in the 10 week Full Council cycle from May- December 2017 should be considered in 12 months time.

6. Scrutiny Committee

Consideration should be given to the appropriate number of Scrutiny Committees per cycle.

The current approach during 2015/16 has focussed mainly on upcoming Executive or Council policy work, and consideration of information on a range of issues. Review work has been carried out alongside this by separate Review Groups (3 during 2015/16).

Attendance at Scrutiny has been an average of 11 out of 17 Members from June 2015 until January 2016, with 4 Members attending less than 50% of the meetings they were entitled to attend.

This has not generally produced a meaningful workload for Scrutiny Committee to meet twice a cycle, although Scrutiny Committee has continued to meet for 2 meetings every cycle during 2015/16.

There is an understanding that the Liberata contract will be scrutinised quarterly, and this could fit in with 1 meeting of Scrutiny per cycle.

Proposal for Scrutiny in 2016/17 - It is recommended that unless a second Scrutiny Committee per cycle is necessary, the support given by Democracy Team would be more effective to the Scrutiny process if it was directed to supporting the Review/Working Groups to facilitate progress. Therefore 1 Scrutiny Committee per cycle (S2) seems appropriate.

7. Standards and Audit Committees

No change to these meetings proposed due to statutory deadlines.

8. Licensing Committee and Licensing Sub Committees

The 15 member Licensing Committee is scheduled to meet 4 times each year. In the first cycle it establishes the Sub Committees, in the February cycle it sets fees, and during the year it usually meets twice more to consider other policy items as required. Legislation requires it to have between 10 and 15 Members.

There are two Sub Committees one for Taxis (7 Members) and the other for alcohol and licensed premises (3 Members). Both have daytime and evening meetings.

Proposal – No change to the current arrangements

9. Development Control

No change to these meetings proposed due to statutory deadlines.

10. EU Referendum

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It has been confirmed that the EU referendum will take place on Thursday 23rd June 2016.

11. Recommendations for 2016/17

An attached 2016/17 calendar has been drafted as in 2015/16, based on the current 10 week Full Council cycle (Appendix 1) and reducing Scrutiny Committee to 1 per cycle.

This will reduce meetings by 5 Scrutiny committees.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AND BUDGET PROVISION

12. Reduced number of meetings when they are not required allows staff resources to be used more effectively.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

13. It is good practice to review arrangements for the discharge of the Council’s functions from time to time to ensure they maintain the right balance between efficiency, economy and effectiveness.

DETAILS OF CONSULTATION

14. Head of Finance and Property Management Head of Housing and Development Control/Licensing Manager Head of Governance, Law & Regulation Member Structures and Support Officer Group Management Team Member Structures and Support Working Group

BACKGROUND PAPERS

15. None.

FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Eric Dickinson ALSO:

http://sharepoint/CEO/Democracy/WorkingGroups/Calendar%202015-16%20and%202016- 17/Calendar%202016-17%20FINAL%20clean%20ED%20230316%20NO%20LG-PB%20.doc

C:\Users\spfarm\AppData\Local\Temp\c1cb0b4a90894b85adc34154e0c0d395.odt V8 23rd March 2016 Municipal Year 2016/17

2016 AUG MAY JUN JUL Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5 Bank ELEC DC MW Hol

9 10 11 12 13 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 MW E E MW

16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 ANNUAL LIC CL E LIC COUNCIL

23 24 25 26 27 20 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 MW PLBC ASC DC

30 31 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 S2 DC DC Bank Hol MSSWG

2015 SEPT OCT NOV DEC Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2 MW PLBCE MW MSSWG (TBC) E

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7 8 9 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 PLBC MW S2 (TBC) E

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 14 15 16 17 18 12 13 14 15 16 S2 MSSWG DC DC CL DC

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 21 22 23 24 25 19 20 21 22 23 E ASC DC LIC Xmas Day

26 27 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 CL

V8 23rd March 2016

Municipal Year 2016/17

2017 JAN FEB MAR APR Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri s 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7

9 10 11 12 13 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 ASC SPMW S2 ASC CL Good MSSWG Friday

16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 DC BE DC Easter S2 Monday

23 24 25 26 27 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 PLBCE E BCL LIC S2 DC E DC (TBC)

30 31 27 28 27 28 29 30 E MSSWG

2017 MAY JUN JUL Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bank ELEC DC E Hol

8 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 MW E LIC CL

15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ANNUAL COUNCIL

22 23 24 25 26 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PLBC ASC (TBC)

29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 Bank S2 MSSWG Hol DC

V8 23rd March 2016 CL Full Council - 6.30pm SPMW Special Member Workshop (Budget) - 6.30pm DC Development Control Committee - 6.30pm S2 Scrutiny Committee -6.30pm E Executive - 6.30pm ASC Audit and Standards Committee - 6.30pm MW Member Workshop - 6.30pm LIC Licensing Committee - 6.30pm MSSWG Member Structures and Support Working - 4.30pm BE Budget Executive -6.30pm Group BCL Budget Council -6.30pm PLBCE Pennine Lancashire Building Control -4.30pm Executive

Criteria for Calendar

1. 10 week cycle for Full Council, within Election and Budget timetabling constraints,and Xmas/New Year weeks excluded (No change) 2. 5 week cycle for Executive within above parameters (no change)3. 10 week cycle for Scrutiny within above parameters- 1 meeting per cycle being S2 4. 10 week cycle for Licensing within above parameters 5.10 week cycle for MSSWG, within Election and Budget timetabling constraints, and Xmas/New Year weeks excluded (no change 6. 4 weekly cycle for Development Control (no change) 7. Quarterly cycle for Audit and Standards in combined meeting, to meet on the scheduled A dates as ASC ) . 9. Quarterly cycle for PLBCE (no change) 10. Combine Ordinary Feb 2015 Executive and Council meetings with Budget Executive and Budget Full Council meetings. 11. Member Workshop start time to be 6.30pm

Notes for 2016/17 1. Avoid w/c 24/10/16 for FC as is half term 2.Avoid 23/06/16 due to EU referendum

7 Item

Scrutiny Committee Chair’s Cycle 5 Report

ITEM NO

Scrutiny Chair’s Cycle 5 Report to Council

The full Scrutiny Committee hasn’t met during this cycle, the next and final meeting of this year is next week. Instead, work has focussed on the Scrutiny Review groups.

The Arts and Festivals Review Group has completed its review, and is in the process of finalising the draft report, which will be presented to the next meeting of the full committee for endorsement, en route to the next meeting of the Executive.

Having carried out some initial research, the Leisure Trust Review Group held a productive meeting with the Director of Community Services. Ways to move the review forward were discussed and agreed, and the group are now gathering further information which will allow them to clearly define the scope of the project. Work will continue through into the next municipal year, as key information will be finalised at that point.

The work on the Railway Review is ongoing. The group has identified some initial issues that they will follow up. They will be consulting with relevant agencies over the coming weeks.

I would like to thank the members of the Committee, on behalf of myself and Cllr Kelly, for their hard work and enthusiasm, especially members of the Review Groups who are fully committed to the success of this member driven process. We look forward to bringing some positive recommendations to the Executive in due course.

Councillor Andy Tatchell

Councillor Andy Tatchell

8 Item

Strategic Plan Progress Reports

BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL Internal link to previous report

PORTFOLIO: LEADER

EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR MARK TOWNSEND

DATE OF REPORT: 13/04/2016

Progress against our strategic commitments

Strategic commitment Progress update PE1- We will work with In consultation with the secondary school Head partners to make the Teachers, the Chief Executive has prepared an borough a place of application to the Educational Endowment Fund aspiration, including to support efforts to increase educational supporting efforts to attainment in schools. increase education attainment and skills In conjunction with Lancashire Leaders, I am development. developing proposals for a skills devolution ask for Lancashire from Government. I am working on proposals to ensure Burnley’s specific need to close the attainment and skills gap, compared with the rest of Lancashire and the UK generally, is fully considered within the proposals. PR1 - We will contribute Council is considering whether Burnley will join a to the strategic direction Lancashire Combined Authority (LCA) elsewhere of local, sub-regional and on our agenda this evening. regional partnerships, and will position the borough If Burnley and all other participating Councils for economic decide to proceed, Leaders have agreed that an development investment. initial priority of a shadow LCA will be to agree and prioritise devolution asks of Government. Leaders have expressed a desire to open devolution discussions with Government at the earliest opportunity.

I will provide regular updates to Full Council on the development of the LCA and devolution in future reports.

BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL Internal link to previous report

PORTFOLIO: DEPUTY LEADER, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT

EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR JOHN HARBOUR

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Progress against our strategic commitments

Strategic commitment Progress update PL2- We will improve We have a current caseload of 190 open and ongoing the management of cases relating to private rented sector properties. This is private rented a mixture of disrepair complaints from private rented accommodation. sector tenants, and pro-active inspections of private rented sector properties supported by Government Rogue Landlord funding where tenants live above shops and are potentially at an increased risk of fire. The majority of the disrepair cases received are dealt with informally and are resolved promptly where possible.

With regards to selective licensing the table below shows the current progress with applications.

Area No. Total % Refused Licensed known properties Trinity 449 571 79% 3 Queensgate 431 624 69% 17 Gannow 349 422 83% 0

The applications for those properties that have not yet been licensed are at various stages of the approval process and any properties where we have not received an application are being actively pursued. To date we have prosecuted 8 with a further 18 case with the Council’s legal department.

The Council were successful recently in receiving funds from Central Government to undertake a scheme aimed at tackling rogue landlords. To date under this scheme we have inspected 73 properties and served 38 notices under housing and planning legislation with a view to improving property condition. PL3- We will work with The Council continues to assist vulnerable, elderly and partners to improve the disabled residents through its grants programmes. condition of the existing housing stock. Disabled Facilities Grants are available for residents who have been assessed as requiring adaptations to help them remain independent in their own home. 159 adaptations have been completed so far this financial year with a further 51 in progress.

There have been 15 Emergency Work grants approved to help residents rectify serious cases of disrepair that posed an imminent risk to health and safety.

In 2015/16 Burnley’s Home Improvement Agency St Vincent’s Home Care and Repair have carried out 516 minor adaptations, 264 home safety equipment orders and 226 handyperson jobs

Referrals are being made by the council to The Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHiL) scheme. There is £6 million of funding for the scheme from energy company Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). The council is also using the Affordable Warmth funding to ensure vulnerable residents are able to stay warm during the winter months and has assisted 19 residents so far this winter.

The Council continues to implement a range of interventions to tackle the problems of empty properties in our Borough. Empty Properties Empty Sales Home homes Loans lease scheme 31 22 acquired 24 13 enquiries, or in the properties properties 8 approved process of rented sold being 4 on the acquired market

BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL Internal link to previous report

PORTFOLIO: RESOURCES AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR WAJID KHAN

DATE OF REPORT: 13/04/2016

Progress against our strategic commitments

Strategic commitment Progress update PF1- To embed the I am pleased to report that the process of partnership with Liberata embedding the new partnership with Liberata has within the Council's commenced smoothly. Transformational changes budget, strategic vision have already commenced to deliver the efficiency and commercial strategy. savings and the new ways of working that Liberata detailed in their bid. As reported at the last Council meeting, Revenues and Benefits have now introduced arrangements for contacting residents by text, thereby helping to reduce unnecessary calls to the contact centre. The annual billing process has gone smoothly, and officers in facilities management are starting to use new technology to help them manage their work programme efficiently. Council leads are liaising with Liberata to ensure clear lines of communication are in place at the point key changes in transformation occur to ensure that working practices are adjusted as necessary. It is in the interests of both the council and Liberata to ensure timely and slick implementation of change. As part of their commitment to bring jobs to the borough, and as reported at the recent member briefing, Liberata are planning to recruit and locate their next tranche of benefits assessors in Burnley – this will be about 10 roles.

PF2- To develop and The medium term financial position following implement resourcing approval at Budget Council has been shared with strategies primarily the workforce during the Today/Tomorrow through financial, Conferences. Staff were informed that the workforce and asset Council had not undertaken any compulsory management planning workforce reductions for the year 2016/17 and aligned to enhance and this was in part due to the savings delivered by develop organisational the Strategic Partnership. The size of the performance. challenge going forward however is immense and early thinking will be given by Directors and Heads of Service to develop savings proposals that will be required from 2017/18 onwards. Furthermore at the conference, refreshed core values were shared (Together, Enterprising, Ambitious, Meeting Customer Needs – TEAM) supporting the theme of One Burnley, One Council, One Team. Revisions to the Make a Difference Awards, which will be directly linked to the TEAM values are in final draft form and will be launched in April. Work to realign the Council’s Organisational Development Strategy and Behaviour Framework has commenced and will target performance enhancement in the areas of digitalisation, commerciality and empowerment. Due to anticipated further budget reductions and savings targets the Council will temporarily default to internal recruitment advertising where it is understood required skills and competences is available in the existing workforce. PF3- To develop and The Council’s internal purchasing processes maintain appropriate have been reviewed and aligned to the new governance and service model. regulatory frameworks aligned to the Council's Following changes to the Constitution in the light statutory/legal of the Strategic Partnership, refresher training will responsibilities, budgets, be undertaken on governance and is planned to strategic vision and take place in the next cycle with the wider commercial strategy. management group by the Monitoring Officer.

The Annual Governance statement which provides assurance on the stewardship of the council and is included in the Statement of Accounts is currently being prepared.

BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL Internal link to previous report

PORTFOLIO: LEISURE AND CULTURE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR BEA FOSTER

DATE OF REPORT: 13/04/2016

Progress against our strategic commitments

Strategic commitment Progress update PL4- We will adopt and Playing Pitch Strategy implement a new Green The Council has been working jointly with Space Strategy Rossendale and Pendle Borough Councils to develop a new Playing Pitch Strategy which will guide the provision and management of playing pitches in each borough for the next 10 years.

The Strategy is important as it will inform the new Local Plan and will help the Council to secure external investment for improvements to pitches and changing rooms.

Local sports clubs and the national sports governing bodies have provided valuable information on both the current use of pitches and expected future demand and we are now starting an 8 week consultation with sports clubs and the public on the draft Strategy.

The headline outcomes of the draft Strategy are:  we have enough pitches to meet current demand, but maintenance quality at Towneley and Fennyfold needs to be improved  To meet expected demand from growth of Junior football we need to improve the quality of pitches so that more matches can be played  Changing accommodation at Towneley and Fennyfold requires improvement  There is demand for one new Artificial Grass Pitch in Padiham area.

Thompson Park Restoration Consultants are now hard at work on the Stage 2 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Detailed surveys are being undertaken and research on the history of the park is in progress, with help of Cllr Roger Frost and other local historians. Consultation with local people, school children and park users is also underway and a park fun day on 29th May will provide an opportunity to consult park users on the initial proposals for restoration of the park.

Worsthorne Play Area I’m pleased to report that the newly refurbished play area at Worsthorne has been opened. The project received a generous private donation of £5,000 together with contributions from Worsthorne Parish Council and local residents group.

The installation of equipment was carried out by staff in Green Spaces, with volunteers helping to spread the woodchip.

To save money some of the play equipment has been recycled from other play areas, but after refurbishment and repainting looks as good as new!

Rethinking Parks The funding that the Council received from Nesta for the Rethinking Parks Project has now ended but the project is delivering significant savings and will continue.

Overall, the rethinking parks project will save an estimated £117,000 per year by 2020, or approximately 10% of the net budget.

The meadow management programme offers the largest contribution of £60,000 and the switch from bedding plants to perennial planting will save nearly £30,000.

The Volunteer in Parks (VIP) programme is developing well and last year volunteers contributed 2,832 hours of practical work in Burnley’s parks working on a wide variety of tasks from gardening, to woodland management and litter picking.

PL5- We will continue to Nominations are now open for the Burnley develop the leisure and Community Sports Awards. The event recognises cultural offer of Burnley in teams and individuals who have made a real partnership with Burnley difference in the field of sport. The awards Leisure. evening is taking place in July 2016 and will be hosted by Roger Black.

Burnley Leisure working in partnership with other leisure trusts in East Lancashire have secured a three year contract with Lancashire County Council to provide a range of healthy lifestyle programmes. The new contract starts on 1 April 2016.

BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL Internal link to previous report

PORTFOLIO: COMMUNITY SERVICES

EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR TONY HARRISON

DATE OF REPORT: 13/04/2016

Progress on against our strategic commitments

Strategic commitment Progress update PL1- We will implement Partnership working across environmental and a range of initiatives to community safety remains strong. During the last maintain a clean, safe Quarter there has been a recorded decrease in all borough. crimes in Burnley of 3.9% compared to the same period the previous year.

The Council continues to make good progress in enforcement and support work to prevent environmental crime across our borough. Targeted patrols and additional resident engagement / door knocking activities have been undertaken to raise awareness and tackle local ward priorities, including dog fouling, littering and fly-tipping.

Areas of the town centre that have been heavily blighted with chewing gum have been cleaned. The work required specialist external contractor removal. Such additional cleansing is unsustainable for the Council and the work will be supported by ongoing publicity and enforcement to tackle the minority that choose to drop litter or chewing gum in our Town Centre.

The Town Centre pedestrianisation scheme continues. The high quality paving and materials that will transform Burnley Town Centre are now visible on the Manchester Road phase of the scheme. The Mall and Curzon Street area works are also progressing well, with the scheme due to be completed mid 2017.

PE2- We will deliver Burnley Football Club has responded positively to modern customer the Council’s dementia friendly town campaign. services, and will Council officers recently provided an information respond to the different awareness session to staff at the club. The Council needs of residents within has also promoted the county council’s county- our borough wide campaign to raise awareness about the early signs of dementia. The campaign encourages people to visit their GP at the earliest signs and get properly diagnosed so that they can receive the right treatments and support to help them live well with the condition. I encourage members to visit lancashire.gov.uk/dementia for more information.

BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL Internal link to previous report

PORTFOLIO: REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR SUE GRAHAM

DATE OF REPORT: 13/04/2016

Progress against our strategic commitments

Strategic commitment Progress update PR2- Proactively support the In terms of relocators and business investment there has been borough’s businesses to strong activity in the final quarter, Endsleigh Insurance, part of the innovate and expand, and Zurich Group have completed their office move to Kingsway make the borough a natural House, the £4.6m investment will safeguard 160 jobs and the choice for business company are due to create a further 100 new jobs over the next 24/36 months, Endsleigh are one of the largest office based relocation. employers operating in the town centre.

At Innovation Drive, Bancroft Road is now fully occupied with Elite 04 moved into their new premises on Bancroft Road at the beginning of the year, Elite 04 are industrial coating specialists for high profile sectors including Aerospace, Oil & Gas and Defence industries.

The Business Support Team currently has 43 live enquiries from companies looking to move into the Borough or expand within it.

The Business Support Team is currently working up arrangements with partner organisations to deliver our annual ‘Business Week’ which will take place week commencing 25th April. In total, 20 different events will be held supporting businesses with a comprehensive mix of support, from exporting, business start-up, flood planning to social media strategies.

A total of 63 businesses in Padiham & Burnley were directly flooded as a result of Storm Eva. The vast majority of these businesses are now up and running however 5 businesses are still undergoing works to re-open & 1 business has permanently closed. To date 22 businesses have been assisted and received funding from the Flood Recovery Fund totalling £66,028.68. Flooded businesses also received 3 months Business Rate relief. The Council is now administering flood resilience grants for businesses and residents affected.

Business Growth Programme – 18 businesses have been supported through the programme this year. The businesses have received a variety of support measures ranging from, specialist business advice, grant support or discretionary rate relief support. The support equates to £773,568 of financial assistance.

Lancashire Business Growth Fund – The latest figures for the programme (Oct-Dec) show that 2 applications were approved and a further 7 applications are in progress. If all applications are approved £517,710 of grant will be awarded with the projects committing £3,196, 560 of private sector investment in the borough.

PR3- We will make the Work is underway on a major £3m scheme to upgrade the borough attractive to retail pedestrianised area in the town centre. and leisure developers, and The first Padiham Farmers & Crafts Market of the year and after will identify a sustainable th future for the Burnley Market. the flooding took place on Sunday 13 March 2016. Town Centre Management provided support to the event including 2BR pre- event advertising and outside broadcast on the day, as well as a marquee for the craft traders in lieu of the ballroom being available. There were 18 farmers market traders and 15 crafts traders including a children’s workshop. The event was well attended and received good feedback, including about the marquee.

Town Centre Management and the Brand Manager produced a supplement in the , on 24th March. Titled ‘Brilliant Burnley…Coffee to Cocktails’ it included editorial and advertising around the town centre’s restaurants, cocktail bars, music, theatre, specialist offer (e.g. microbreweries) and café culture. Aimed at challenging perceptions and supporting the town centre’s food, drink and night time economy, it included a 2 week Facebook advertising campaign and an e-version.

Burnley market continues to trade well with 84% of units now occupied. Work is underway to bring two vacant units back into use for interested tenants. The market now has a thriving food and drink offer with a number of good quality eateries, together with artisan bakers and traditional butchers. This turnaround is the result of an incentive package put in place some 18 months ago. PR4- We will develop and Work is continuing on the Preferred Options Draft of the deliver the Local Plan. This Local Plan. A revised LDS (i.e. timetable) was approved by will act as the key supporting the Executive on 29th March, 2016. A Preferred Options framework for encouraging draft will be produced by late June 2016, with consultation on future employment and the Preferred Options starting in July 2016. investment in a range of housing stock.