Decisions

DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION:

ERECTION OF A REAR CONSERVATORY TO REPLACE THE EXISTING CONSERVATORY

RESOLVED:

That Listed Building Consent be granted subject to the following conditions:-

1.    The development must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

           REASON: Required to be imposed pursuant to section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

      Plans and Further Details

2.   Unless explicitly required by condition within this consent, the development hereby    permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with the proposals as detailed on drawings and documents:

     Proposed Site plan submitted with the application

     Proposed Elevation plans 3515/202.

      REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and to clarify which plans are relevant to the consent.

3    Notwithstanding the submitted information full details of the materials to be used shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to their use on site. Such details shall include the type, colour and texture of the materials as well as the opening mechanism of the bifold doors in accordance with document reference VISOFOLD 1000. The development shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the duly approved materials.

      REASON: In order that the Local Planning Authority may ensure that the materials to be used are appropriate to the locality.

DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION:

ERECTION OF A REAR CONSERVATORY TO REPLACE THE EXISTING CONSERVATORY

RESOLVED:

That the application be granted subject to the following conditions:-

1.    The development must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

      REASON: Required to be imposed pursuant to section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.   Unless explicitly required by condition within this consent, the development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with the proposals as detailed on drawings and documents:

      Proposed Site plan submitted with the application

      Proposed Elevation plans 3515/202.

      REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and to clarify which plans are relevant to the consent.

3.  Notwithstanding the submitted information full details of the materials to be used shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to their use on site. Such details shall include the type, colour and texture of the materials as well as the opening mechanism of the bifold doors in accordance with document reference VISOFOLD 1000. The development shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the duly approved materials.

      REASON: In order that the Local Planning Authority may ensure that the materials to be used are appropriate to the locality.

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report seeking authority from committee to release Section 106 contributions to Clitheroe Town Council to facilitate improvement works at Chester Avenue Playground.

The Section 106 monies were secured when reserved matters consent was approved to erect 42 dwellings on land off Milton Avenue, Clitheroe in the sum of £22,340.70 in respect of administration, upgrading and maintenance of the play area at the corner of Milton Avenue and Chester Avenue adjacent to the site and/or the play area in Clitheroe Castle Grounds.

The playground is owned by the Borough Council and leased to Clitheroe Town Council who is therefore responsible for the management and maintenance of it. The Town Council is proposing to improve the play area this summer with several pieces of equipment. A quote had been received and approved and an order placed.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Authorise the payment of invoice(s) from Clitheroe Town Council following the completion of Chester Avenue play area improvements as set out in the report, within 28 working days of receipt, up to the amount of £19,550.66

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report informing committee of the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) which set out the anticipated timeframe for the Local Plan Review.

The Local Development Scheme is a statutory document that the Council has to have in place and is a public statement of the programme that the Council intends to take forward to deliver the Local Plan for the area.

Following the completion of the Local Plan review, work had commenced on the production of the necessary evidence base documents to support the new Local Plan, however, work was stalled due to the ongoing pandemic and the publication at the end of summer 2020 of the Government’s White Paper on the plan making system. This had put the programme almost 12 months behind.

The Government had stipulated that local planning authorities have an adopted and up to date plan in place by the end of 2023. Advice received from the Planning Advisory Service was to move the process on and where possible consolidate stages to maximise efficiency, whilst still adhering to all the statutory stages. This would be done by running elements of the work in parallel. The proposed time table reflected this intention and was included in the report for members’ information.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Authorise the Director of Economic Development and Planning to publish the Local Development Scheme and progress work on the Local Plan update in consultation with the Development Plan working group.

The Director of Resources submitted a report informing committee of the extension to the statutory deadline for the closure of our accounts that had been made under the Accounts and Audit (amendment) Regulations 2021. It also informed committee of the benefits of closing down the accounts in a timely manner, in particular the good governance aspects, and of the timetable that would be adhered to in order to achieve the required deadlines.

The Accounts and Audit (amendment) Regulations 2021 had amended the publication deadlines for draft and final accounts from 1 June and 31 July to 1 August and 30 September for the next two accounting years, when there would be a review.

The same regulations set out detailed requirements in relation to duties and rights that have important implications for local authorities in terms of planning to ensure critical tasks are met and the approval of the accounts carried out by set deadlines. They also stipulate the various responsibilities for the closure of accounts.

The closedown timetable showed that the presentation of the audited statement of accounts would be received by this committee at its meeting on 29 September 2021 for approval.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Endorse the suggested approach for the closure of the 2020/21 accounts.

The Director of Resources submitted a report seeking endorsement of the Accounting Policies to be used in producing the Financial Statements for the council for the 2020/21 financial year.

The Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015 required local authorities to prepare their annual financial statement of accounts in accordance with ‘proper accounting practice’. These policies are the principles, bases, conventions, rules and practices applied by the local authority that specify how the effects of transactions and other events are to be reflected in its financial statements.

A review of the Council’s accounting practices had been conducted to ensure it was in line with the requirements, and no major changes had been identified.

The introduction of the new International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 16 relating to leases had been delayed and would not therefore impact upon reporting for the forthcoming year-end.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Endorse the use of the policies as outlined in the report, subject to the need for any further changes required by the External Auditors or identified as needed whilst the Statement of Accounts are produced.

The Director of Resources submitted a report outlining the Strategic Internal Audit Plan for 2021/22 to 2023/24 for committee’s consideration and approval.

The Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations required that the Council “undertake an adequate and effective internal audit of it’s accounting records and of its system of internal control in accordance with the proper practices in relation to internal control”.

Approval of the plan would demonstrate the council’s commitment to securing effective systems of governance, risk management and internal control. It also provided a basis for controlling the work of internal audit and for assessing performance, as well as ensuring that the resources used by internal audit are justified and that the chief audit executive (Head of Financial Services) was held to account for the use of these resources.

Within the strategy, all services had been identified into auditable areas and were subject to a risk assessment process which resulted in an audit plan that prioritised resource allocation based on those areas scored as higher risk.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve the Strategic Internal Audit Plan 2021/22 to 2023/24 as outlined in the report.

The Director of Resources submitted a report seeking approval of the Internal Audit Charter for 2021/22.

The document had been fully revised and rewritten and provided evidence that effective corporate governance arrangements were maintained by the Council in respect of the internal audit function and complies with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

It also established internal audit’s position within the council, including the nature of the Head of Audit’s reporting relationship with the Accounts and Audit committee; authorised access to personnel, records, and physical properties relevant to audit work; and defined the scope of internal audit activities.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve the Internal Audit Charter 2021/22 as outlined in the report.

The Chief Executive submitted a report for committee to consider adopting a revised Code of Conduct.

The Local Government Association had developed a new model Code of Conduct in consultation with representative bodies of councillors and officers of all tiers of local government, that could be adopted in whole of with local amendments.

Committee were reminded that it is a requirement of the Localism Act 2011 that all Councils have a Code of Conduct.

It was proposed that the LGA model code be adopted with amendments that made it specific to Ribble Valley Borough Council, specifically as a Council that operates a committee system of governance.

Once adopted by Council, it would be publicised through the issue of a press release and training of all councillors would take place in the new municipal year.

*** RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE

1.    Endorse and recommend to Council the adoption of the Code of Conduct as outlined in the report, and

2.    Subject to adoption of the Code of Conduct, authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to publicise the adoption of the replacement Code of Conduct.

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking committee’s endorsement and recommendation to Council of the appointment of an Independent Person.

The role had recently been publicised and interviews had taken place. The interview panel had recommended to committee that they recommend to Council the appointment of Ms Maggie Nicholson.

There was still one vacant position for an Independent Person that would be advertised in the new municipal year.

*** RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Endorse and recommend to Council the appointment of Ms Margaret (Maggie) Nicholson as Independent Person, and

2.    Authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to commence recruitment for one Independent Person in accordance with the arrangements approved by committee.