Pursuant to Procedure Rule 10.11, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following deputation has been submitted by members of the public: The Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths would like to present a deputation to the meeting of Carlisle City Council on 26 April 2022 the object of which is to make Councillors aware of the increased usage of the Carlisle City Council owned Turkish Baths, the proposals by the Friends Group for the creation of a Centre for Health and Wellbeing at the James Street Public Baths, how the Centre would support Carlisle's ambitions as a WHO Healthy City and the likely closure of the Turkish Baths in October this year.
To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive regarding the deputation from the Friends of Carlisle Victoria and Turkish Baths. (Copy Report CS.19/22 herewith)
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 11.2, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following questions have been submitted by Councillor Glendinning: “1. Given the construction of the pools and new build at the Sands Centre is virtually on time and set to open as scheduled this autumn, are you yet in a position to give us the date for the demolition of James Street pools. 2. It is understood that there is a sum of money allocated from the Borderlands project for the construction of a new heating plant for the Victorian Baths Suite on James Street. Has a contractor been engaged and a date set for the construction to start.”
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 11.2, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following question has been submitted by Councillor Dr Tickner:
“My question relates to the newly created temporary seating and plastic grass area in the Greenmarket. At a time when Carlisle residents are having to deal with ever increasing cost of living increases and the highest taxation seen in over 70 years does the Executive accept that they have badly misread the feeling of the public in spending £50,000 on this feature? Could the executive please advise council of the level of consultation that was undertaken to inform the decision, the money spent to date on the project and the money yet to be spent on removing the feature?”
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 11.2, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following question has been submitted by Councillor Alcroft: “The Friends of the Turkish Baths group are keen to work with the council to look at ways of saving, maintaining and developing the Turkish Baths on James St.
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 11.2, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following question has been submitted by Councillor Alcroft: “The Friends of the Turkish Baths group are keen to work with the council to look at ways of saving, maintaining and developing the Turkish Baths on James St. Can the executive confirm that they, and officers, will meet with the group as soon as possible to allow this to happen, and commit to meeting with the group on an ongoing basis?” The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder confirmed that he was agreeable to meeting with the Friends Group. Pursuant to Procedure Rule 11.6 Councillor Alcroft asked the following supplementary question: "The Council was a signatory to the Cumbria Compact, an agreement between the public and third sectors on service delivery, why where the Friends not been told that the Turkish Baths were to close in September? The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder responded that he did not know if the Turkish Baths would need to close in September, the matter was still to be decided by others. Councillor Alcroft further asked whether the Friends would be consulted as the process continued? The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder stated that he had already indicated that the Friends would be involved in discussions, and he was happy to underline that point. RESOLVED - The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder to provide a written response to Councillor Glendinning regarding the installation of a new mains water connection to the Turkish Baths.
The Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder moved his report and responded to questions relating to the provision of public access electrical vehicle charging points and the impact of the free weekend and bank holiday parking scheme. RESOLVED - That the report of the Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder be received.
The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder moved her report and responded to questions relating to the Carlisle Southern Relief Road, the Rural Strategy and how the Council worked with partners to support people dealing with hoarding.
and ask questions of the Leader and Portfolio Holders on those Reports. (Copy Reports herewith)
The Council will be asked to receive the Minutes of the meetings as detailed within Minute Book Volume 48(6); and ask questions of the Leader, Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairs. For ease of reference the Minutes are:
Committee
Meeting Date
Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel
17 February 2022
Business and Transformation Scrutiny Panel
24 February and 31 March 2022
Economic Growth Scrutiny Panel
3 March and 17 March 2022
Regulatory Panel
16 March 2022
Development Control Committee
23 February and 25 February 2022
Audit Committee
23 March 2022
Appeals Panel
8 February and 24 March 2022
The Council will be asked to receive reports from the following:
Councillor Bainbridge moved his Chair's Report. RESOLVED - That the Report of the Chair be received.
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services reported that no motions had been submitted on notice.
Pursuant to minute BTSP.09/22, to consider a report of the Monitoring Officer following a request to amend the Constitution to revise the Council’s overview and scrutiny arrangements. (Copy Report GD.20/22 herewith)
C.69/22 – Proposed Change to Overview and Scrutiny Arrangements
Pursuant to minute BTSP.09/22, consideration was given to a report of the Monitoring Officer following a request to amend the Constitution to revise the Council’s overview and scrutiny arrangements. A copy of report GD.20/22 had been circulated. Councillor Bainbridge gave an overview of the history of the operation of the Council's scrutiny function and the Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Challenge which had recommended changes to its existing format. Councillor Bainbridge moved recommendations 1 - 4 as set out in the report, Councillor Ms Ellis-Williams seconded the proposal. Council debated the matter with some Members expressing concerns in relation to: the appropriateness of implementing the proposed changes in the context of Local Government Reorganisation in Cumbria; the impact on Officer workload; the reduced number of Members who would participate in the scrutiny function; and, the increased number of items on the Work Programme of each Panel. Councillor Dr Tickner moved recommendation 5 to reject the changes set out in the report. Councillor Southward seconded the proposal. The matter was put to the vote and it was: RESOLVED - That Council:
1. Endorsed and approved the changes set out in Report GD.20/22;
2. Approved the amended Article 6 to the Constitution set out in Appendix 3;
3. Approved the revised Table 1 of the Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules of the Constitution set out in Article 4; and
4. Authorised the Monitoring Officer to make any further consequential amendments to the Constitution.
To consider the Annual Report of the Scrutiny Panels for 2021/22 as required under Article 6 of the Council’s Constitution.
Consideration was given to report OS.14/22 enclosing the Annual Report of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function for 2021-22. The report summarised the work of the Scrutiny Panels over the last year and provided recommendations for future work programmes.
In accordance with agreed procedure, the report had been considered by the Business and Transformation; Health and Wellbeing; and Economic Growth Scrutiny Panels.
Councillor Bainbridge thanked the Democratic Services team and the Overview and Scrutiny Officer for the support they had provided to the Panels during the previous year, and moved the report. Councillor Finlayson seconded the report, and it was:
RESOLVED – That the Council formally accepted the Annual Report of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function for 2021-22.
Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel following a review of the existing Members' Allowance Scheme. A copy of report GD.26/22 had been circulated. Councillor Ellis moved recommendations a and b as set out in the report Councillor Robson seconded the proposal. RESOLVED - 1) That Council, having regard to the recommendation of the Independent Remuneration Panel, thank the Panel for their review and confirm that the existing Members' Allowance Scheme be used unaltered from 1 April 2022 onwards. 2) That Council confirmed the application of section 15 of the Scheme in respect of the index linking of allowances to the agreed pay award for staff, the consistency of travel and subsistence with staff rates, and the dependent carer's allowance increasing in line with the national minimum wage.
Pursuant to minute AUC.08/22 to consider the Annual Report of the Audit Committee. (Copy Report RD.74/21 and Minute Extract herewith)
Pursuant to Minute AUC.08/22, consideration was given to the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for the municipal year 2021/22 (RD.74/21). An extract from the Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 23 March 2022 was also submitted. Councillor Meller moved the Annual Report, which was duly seconded by Councillor Mrs Mitchell. RESOLVED – That the Council noted and approved the Audit Committee’s Annual Report for 2021/22.
Pursuant to Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15 (j), the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report on the operation of call in and urgency procedures over the past year. (Copy Report GD.21/22 herewith)
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 15(j) of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services reported (GD.21/22) on the Operation of Call-in and Urgency Procedures over the past year. RESOLVED – That report GD21/22 be noted.
There were no communications or items of business brought forward by the Mayor as a matter of urgency to be dealt with at the meeting.
(i) Tullie House - Phase 2 (Ats Council, England, Town Deal and Future High Streets Funded Project) The report is not for publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as the report contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) To consider a recommendation from the Executive on Tullie House (Project Tullie, Phase 2).
(Copy Report ED.14/22 to follow and Minute Extract to be tabled at the meeting)
(i) Project Tullie - Phase 2 (Arts Council England, Town Deal and Future High Streets funded project) (Not for publication by virtue of paragraph 3)
Pursuant to Minute EX.65/22, consideration was given to a recommendation from the Executive regarding the Project Tullie proposals and in particular Phase 2 (which concerned the redevelopment of the Tullie House atrium, community classroom, rear yard and properties on castle Street) and recommend the freehold disposal of the Council's Castle Street assets to support Tullie House's aspirations. A copy of private report ED.09/22 and relevant minute extract was circulated. The Leader moved the recommendations and thanked Officers for their work on the matter. The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder seconded the recommendations. RESOLVED - That Council:
Officers: Town Clerk and Chief Executive Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services