Agenda and minutes

Decision: That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 March 2018 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To consider the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 14 June 2018.

Decision: That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 14 June 2018 be noted.

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 interest received.

There were no public questions for consideration.

Janine Blythe, Chief Executive of Inspire, will give an update on the first few weeks that the Youth Zone has been open. 

Members will have the opportunity to ask any questions they have.

The Chair welcomed Janine Blythe, Chief Executive of Inspire, who give an update on the first few weeks that the Youth Zone has been open.

Inspire Chorley Youth Zone is part of a Network of similar independent youth organisations that all share the same principles developed by the charity OnSide Youth Zones. 

Chorley Council are supporters of the Youth Zone and were instrumental in the facility being built in Chorley.  The aims are to support the young people of Chorley and the purpose-built facility, for the borough’s young people aged 8 – 19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities, opened on 5 May. 

The Chorley Youth Zone is the first time OnSide have built a facility in a smaller area like Chorley.  Usually they are in larger towns, like Blackburn and Wigan. 

The sessions are “Junior Zone” aged 8 – 12 and “Senior Zone” aged 12 – 19.  Sessions will be adapted for young people with additional needs to enable anyone to access them; including young people with a variety of different needs from mild learning difficulties to more complex needs such as visual impairment and physical disabilities. 

Over 15,000 young people aged 8-19 live in Chorley and, eight weeks in, 3,600 young people are members, which has exceeded  the annual target for membership numbers.  This exceeds the membership numbers at this point for other Youth Zones and proves that there is a need in Chorley for this type of facility. 

The town centre location means excellent transport links and neutral ground for the young people.  In advance of the opening staff from the Youth Zone visited schools and partners, such as Parish Councils, to raise awareness of the facility and explore barriers for young people. 

Young people from Adlington, Croston, Rufford and Lostock Hall have attended sessions.  In the next few months staff will analyse attendance and target any pockets of areas with low attendance. 

Around 30% of the young people registered have additional needs.  Usually the figure is between 10 and 12%.  This is a challenge as it is important for all young people to have a fantastic time at the facility.  Each young person with addition needs has an orientation visit which lasts about an hour.  Not all those registered with additional needs have had their orientation tour, but some additional staffing resources are being facilitated.  There are plans to employ an inclusion worker and work is ongoing to access external funding to secure this. 

Additional provision for bike storage is being investigated as this is a popular form of transport for senior members.  Work is ongoing with public transport providers as young people are finding this mode of transport expensive. 

Staff have already been in touch with social services and the Police with safeguarding issues.  The Police are in touch, but no issues have been reported.  There is a firm and consistent approach to discipline which is proving effective. 

Activities have been arranged in relation to the World Cup, Chorley in Bloom and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.OS.5

Councillor Walker expressed concern about the ongoing dip in performance relating to staff absence.  Members noted the Attendance Policy is currently being reviewed.  This may be a future topic for scrutiny. 

Councillor Walker noted the decision in relation to Duxbury Golf Course.  He requested that information be shared with him, as Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, prior to the Executive Member Decision on the matter. 

Decision: That the minutes of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 15 March and 21 June 2018 be noted.

To view the latest notice of Executive Decisions click here:  https://democracy.chorley.gov.uk/mgListPlanItems.aspx?PlanId=880&RP=115

The document is also attached and correct as of 20 June.

Members of the Committee considered the Notice of Executive Decisions for June 2018 which gave notice of key and other major decisions Executive Members are expected to make.

The Notice is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it is up to date and fit for purpose. 

Decision: That the Notice of Executive Decisions be noted.

To receive and consider the Council’s Annual Report on Overview and Scrutiny in 2017/18. 

The report will be presented to Council in July. 

Members received the annual report that summarised the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Performance Panel and the task groups which had taken place in 2017/18. 

Three task group reviews established by the Committee undertook reviews on the topics of -

·         Council’s Leisure Management Contract

·         Council’s Waste Management Contract

·         Quality of Housing provided by Social Landlords

The Committee continued to receive six monthly monitoring reports following the Executive Cabinet’s response on the implementation of outcomes and measure success from past scrutiny reviews in relation to CCTV Provision and Infrastructure and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). 

The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel focused on the performance elements of scrutiny, and considered all monitoring information.  Each Directorate was scrutinised in turn. 

In the 2015 Counter Terrorism Act, local authorities were obliged to give due regard to the need for people being radicalised and drawn into terrorism.  The Prevent duty which came into force on 1 July 2015 required local authorities to develop new ways of working, data sharing, processes and training.  The Overview and Scrutiny Committee sought an update to gain an understanding on how the council was meeting its obligations of the Prevent duty.

In addition to challenging the Executive Members through the Performance Panel, the Committee worked together positively with the Executive Leader and the Executive Cabinet in scrutinising their proposals which included the extent of changes to be made to the Select Move Policy update and the draft budget proposals .

Other topics considered included the Integrated Community Wellbeing service, Health and Safety, a review of communication with Councillors and a position statement in relation to flooding. 

The Chair of the Committee thanked all members and officers who have contributed to the work undertaken in the previous year.

Decision: That the annual report be noted and forwarded to the next Council meeting on 24 July as required in the Council’s constitution.

Overview and Scrutiny Task Group - Quality of housing provided by social landlords

To receive a verbal update on the inquiry from the Chair, Councillor Matthew Lynch.

The Chair, Councillor Matthew Lynch, reported that the survey had now closed and a draft report has been received. 

Members have interviewed a representative from Places for People and will be interviewing a representative from Jigsaw in July. 

Decision: That the update be noted.

To consider the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2018/19.

Members considered the draft work programme.  Additional topics were requested in relation to:

·         The approach to housing the Syrian refugees,  

·         The impact of charging for garden waste,

·         The low cost housing scheme,

·         Ongoing adoption of estates ssues

Decision: That the work programme be noted.