This meeting was scheduled to consider the adoption of the Council's Corporate Plan, its Procurement Strategy, receive an update from the Leader of the Council, and review the minutes of the other committees that had met since the last full Council meeting.

Review of Political Balance and Committee Arrangements for Municipal Year 2024/25

A report was included from the Chief Executive that proposed the appointment of Councillors to Committees. This was scheduled to be considered following the recent by-election in Clitheroe.

Approval and Adoption of the Corporate Plan 2023-2027 and Procurement Strategy 2022/23 to 2024/25

A report was included that proposed the adoption of the Council's Corporate Plan, which sets out the strategic direction of the Council until 2027. The Corporate Plan was scheduled to be discussed alongside a draft Technical Appendix, which sets out some of the key performance indicators that the council will use to monitor its progress in achieving its ambitions. A number of the plan's policies were highlighted in the report, and the report provided more detail about the Council's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

“We will work towards being a carbon neutral Council by 2030.” The plan notes that the council will work with town and parish councils to support the installation of low carbon energy throughout the borough, and that it will continue to monitor air quality within the borough. The report also proposed the adoption of the Procurement Strategy, which sets out how the Council will conduct its purchasing until 2025. The strategy, which is designed to help the Council achieve its ambitions, included a commitment to engaging with local small and medium enterprises and micro-businesses, in particular those within the borough boundary.

Leader's Report

The minutes from the meeting held on Tuesday, 8 October 2024 were included in the report pack¹. These included an update from the Leader of the Council on a variety of topics. These included:

• An update on discussions with the Leaders of Fylde, Wyre, and Burnley Councils regarding local government reorganisation.
• An update on the Council's Active Villages Scheme, which was devised in Dunsop Bridge and Slaidburn, with plans now in progress for Hurst Green, Waddington, and Ribchester.
• An update on the joint working between the council and United Utilities on a project that will remotely read water meters from refuse vehicles. This project will provide early warnings of leaks, and is intended to reduce water costs and CO2 emissions.
• Confirmation that the Council has taken on two new apprentices.
• Confirmation that the Council's Revenue and Benefits Team have been shortlisted for 'Revenue Team of the Year'.
• Confirmation that a record 25,000 visitors had attended the Clitheroe Food Festival.
• An expression of concern over the consequences of charging VAT on private school fees, arguing that independent schools in the borough contribute nearly £9 million to the local economy, employing many people, and generating £5 million in tax revenue.
• Confirmation that the Council had responded to a Government proposal to increase the minimum housing figure for the borough from its current level to 347 houses per year, and an expression of concern that this would lead to a situation in which “developer led housing did not always deliver the infrastructure and amenity needed by residents”.
• An expression of concern that a decision by the Government to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance payment will affect around 15,000 pensioners in the Ribble Valley.

Licensing Committee - 3 September 2024

The minutes from the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on Tuesday, 29 October 2024 were included in the report pack². These stated that the Committee had discussed the adoption of a new Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005³, and that it had received a single representation in response to its consultation on this topic. The minutes of the meeting record that the committee was scheduled to decide whether to recommend that the Council approve the new statement, or to discuss it further.

Committee Minutes

The minutes of the following committees were included in the report pack and were scheduled to be considered by the council:

• Community Committee – 15 October 2024⁴
• Planning and Development Committee – 17 October 2024⁵
• Health and Housing Committee – 24 October 2024⁶
• Personnel Committee – 30 October 2024⁷
• Economic Development Committee – 31 October 2024⁸
• Parish Councils Liaison – 7 November 2024⁹
• Policy and Finance Committee – 12 November 2024¹⁰
• Accounts and Audit Committee – 20 November 2024¹¹
• Planning and Development Committee – 28 November 2024¹²