Agenda, decisions and minutes

Decision: That the minutes of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 14 July 2022 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Executive Leader.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of any interests.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the respective Executive Member(s).  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question. 

There were no public questions.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

1.    To agree that the Council enters into a two-year contract with provider ICare to cover the period of 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2024.

2.    To delegate authority to the Executive Member for Resources to approve eligibility criteria for the scheme to ensure it remains targeted at those most in need.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform) presented the report of the Director of Change and Delivery on behalf of Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources). The report provides details on the arrangements for the provision of the ‘Meals on Wheels’ service in Chorley.

The subsidised Meals on Wheels service in Chorley is currently being provided by ICare and has been since 23 February 2018. Following a soft marketing exercise undertaken in 2019 to understand the availability of providers for the service, ICare were the only provider to meet the requirements of the service. A subsequent review was undertaken in 2022 to review the local market and once again, no new suitable suppliers have been identified.

To ensure that the service continues to provide value for money and meets the aims and objectives to support older people to remain living independently in their home for as long as they are able to and help to overcome issues related to social isolation, the council will work with the contractor to:

·         Explore options on how more individuals can be supported within the scheme,

·         Monitor contract performance and ensure that as many people as possible are benefiting,

·         Agree managed price increases to limit impact on service users.

Members welcomed the report and suggested working with the hospital to increase the uptake of the service when discharging patients, as well as liaising with Parish Council’s and voluntary organisations. It was agreed that this would be looked into.

Decision:

1.    To agree that the Council enters into a two-year contract with provider ICare to cover the period of 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2024.

2.    To agree that authority is delegated to the Executive Member for Resources to approve eligibility criteria for the scheme to ensure it remains targeted at those most in need.

Reasons for recommendations:

1.    That the council continues with provision of a subsidised meals on wheels service particularly with the rising cost of living and wider demands on access to social care. The provision of the service enables individuals to remain in their own homes, reduces social isolation and can support early action and intervention.

2.    That authority is delegated to the Executive Member for Resources to approve in contract price increases based on the volatility of the current market and inflationary pressures that would at points require modest increases to the council’s contribution to limit impacts on service users.

Other options considered and rejected:

1.    Options were considered to deliver an alternative model of providing a subsidised frozen meals on wheels service, however this would not include the safe and well check requirement which is a fundamental role of this service.

2.    The council could cease delivery of the subsidised Meals on Wheels service based on the number of users, however the service caters to a vulnerable section of the community and removing the provision at this time of increasing costs and pressures on the care system would not be in the interests of the council and its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.EC.28

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

1.    To receive comments and feedback from Members on the actions both in place and proposed within the plan attached at Appendix 1.

2.    To approve the plan and allow delegation for any changes to be approved by the Executive Member for Early Intervention.

Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention) presented the report of the Director of Communities which provides an update on activity in relation to mitigating the negative impacts of the cost of living situation and providing support to Chorley residents.

Members were well aware of the wide spread issues connected to the cost of living situation and the forth-coming increase in the level of impact which will affect residents across the country which could lead to significant short term and long term financial, social and emotional issues. The requirement for a multi-faceted approach in responding to this crisis, alongside LCC and existing voluntary and community groups, was recognised.

Members discussed the following:

·         Chorley Council’s involvement in Lancashire-wide discussions to tackle the crisis

·         Working with existing community groups, including Chorley Together to provide a co-ordinated response

·         Undertaking a piece of work on warm buildings

·         Current budget and funding options available

·         Impact on equality and diversity

·         Measuring the success of the plan

Members welcomed the action plan and thanked the Communities team for all their continuous hard work supporting residents within Chorley throughout Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis.

Decision

1.    To receive comments and feedback from Members on the actions both in place and proposed within the plan attached at Appendix 1.

2.    To approve the plan and allow delegation for any changes to be approved by the Executive Member for Early Intervention.

Reasons for recommendations:

A comprehensive plan is required to ensure that efforts to reduce the burden of the cost of living impacts are coordinated and deployed effectively to make best use of resources and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Other options considered and rejected:

To not respond to the cost of living situation for residents would result in significant short-term and long tern financial, social, and emotional impacts on residents.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

To agree the commencement of the drafted statutory consultation exercise in accordance with the provisions of the legislation and implementation of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) restricting fire related activities in conjunction with Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council and Bolton Council.

Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention) presented the report of the Director of Communities which seeks agreement to commence a statutory consultation for the use of the Public Spaces Protection Order (under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014) in order to control behaviour on land on West Pennine Moor (Fire Related Activities) and prevent the significant impact of wildfires upon the community and services.

Following the large fires upon moorlands in Rivington in 2018 and a further number of incidents through 2019, Chorley, Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen Councils are looking to commence consultation exercises as the first stage of the legal process to consider making a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Members noted that under the legislation each local authority must make its own PSPO, however should the Orders be made, it is intended that they will come into force on the same date and contain identical terms to avoid confusion along the contiguous geographical boarder.

Members welcomed the proposed PSPO and recognised the benefits to the community and wildlife.

Decision:

To agree the commencement of the drafted statutory consultation exercise in accordance with the provisions of the legislation and implementation of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) restricting fire related activities in conjunction with Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council and Bolton Council.

Reasons for recommendations:

To develop a response which would prevent and disrupt high risk activities, including lighting of fires, possession and use of barbeques, fireworks, Chinese lanterns and other open flame heat sources upon the moorland, which has previously led to devastating impact on the environment and posed significant risk to public health.

Other options considered and rejected:

1.    To utilise engagement and education campaigns only without the consideration of enforcement options – this has been considered and will be undertaken prior to introduction of any agreed Public Space Protection Order. However due to the significant risk, an enforcement option is considered an appropriate option to implement to formal control the risks.

2.    No action – due to the significant risk and previous impacts, no action is not considered appropriate.