Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance).

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance) presented the report which updated Members on the progress of the Local Strategic Partnership in the second quarter of 2009/10.

Crime was up, on average, by 5.4% on this time last year, despite performing well against the LAA targets.  There had been an overall increase in fraud and acquisitive crime compared to this time last year.  Numbers of primary fires in Chorley had fallen.

All of the Chorley Partnership’s projects for 2009/10 were now underway and on track.

RESOLVED -

1.             An article be prepared for intheknow outlining figures for unemployment and job seekers allowance for each ward. 

2.             The report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance). 

Councillor Adrian Lowe declared a personal interest in this item. 

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance) presented the report which updated Members on the progress of the Local Strategic Partnership in the first quarter of 2009/10, including the first year’s performance of the Local Area Agreement.

The Local Strategic Partnership had now commissioned a new programme of projects for 2009/10, designed to deliver the objectives of the Sustainable Community Strategy.  There were plans to fund projects relating to alcohol misuse and abuse later in the year in line with the recommendations of the recent scrutiny inquiry into the Local Strategic Partnership. 

An overview of the Sustainable Community Strategy indicators that could be monitored on a quarterly basis were included within the report.  Members were particularly interested in the overview of a basket of credit crunch indicators.  These showed that the Job Seekers Allowance claimant count figures showed a fall over the last three months in claims within Chorley.  There had been approximately 47 jobs created or preserved through the creation of new employment/retail premises in the first quarter.

The Committee considered the performance of the Local Strategic Partnership against the first year of the Local Area Agreement 2008/9, in relation to district level targets. 

RESOLVED – The report be noted.

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance) enclosed. 

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance) presented the annual report. 

The recession was having an impact on Chorley just like the rest of the UK.  The unemployment benefit claimant count for Chorley had risen by almost double since last year.  In February 2009 it was at 3.2% of the working age population, compared to 1.7% in March 2008.  The recession had also taken its toll on house prices this year.  

The health profile summary published by the North West Public Health Observatory in 2008 showed significant health inequalities within Chorley, by gender and level of deprivation. 

Members noted potential future impact on finances, such as enforcement on council tax payments.  

RESOLVED –

1.            The report be noted.

2.            A request was made for information relating to unemployment broken down by age to be presented to a future meeting.

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance).

Agreed

The Executive Cabinet considered an update report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance) on the activities of the Chorley Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), particularly through its delivery of 11 strategic projects and its performance in relation to the Local Area Agreement (LAA) and targeted key performance indicators from the Sustainable Community Strategy over the third quarter of 2008/09.

The report revealed that delivery of the LSP’s projects remained on track and good progress was being achieved in relation to the delivery of the LAA targets.

While both the overall level of crime and the serious acquisitive crime rate in Chorley had increased over the past quarter period, the statistics compared favourably with those for neighbouring authorities.

Particular reference was also made to the increase in the percentage of vacant town centre floor space, caused primarily by the recent closure of a major town centre retailers’ premises.  In response to a Member’s query on this issue, the Executive Member (Business) highlighted the marketing campaign being undertaken by the Council and the Chorley LSP to attract new businesses to the Borough.  In this context an appendix to the submitted report outlined the range of measures and advice available from Chorley Council and other agencies presently being offered to companies and individuals affected by the current economic downturn.

Decision made:

That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance).

Members received the report outlining the Chorley Partnership’s performance over the 3rd Quarter of 2008/9 on the Local Area Agreement and the Sustainable Community Strategy projects.  Some statistics relating to crime were tabled and discussed. 

It was noted that the mortgage rescue scheme would be promoted by staff within the one stop shop with customers who would benefit from it. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.