Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Alan Cain, Harold Heaton, Kevin Joyce, Rosie Russell and Peter Wilson. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 19 January 2009 (enclosed). 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial 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.

No Members declared an interest in respect of items on the agenda.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item on the agenda will be asked to put their question(s) to the Committee.  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one supplementary question within his/her allocated 3 minutes. 

No members of the public requested to speak at the meeting

To consider any reports on the agenda for the Executive Cabinet meeting to be held on 12 February 2009.

Members of the Committee are requested to notify the Democratic Services by Friday, 6 February 2009, to ensure the attendance of the appropriate Executive Member.

Please bring your copy of the Executive Cabinet agenda previously circulated.

The Chair reported that there had been no requests from Committee Members for specific consideration of reports to be considered at the meeting of the Executive Cabinet on 12 February 2009 other than those already on the agenda.

A summary of the Business Plan Monitoring Statements completed by the Directorates is enclosed.

Members of the Committee are requested to notify the Democratic Services Section by 12 noon on Thursday 5 February 2009 if they have any questions on the reports to ensure a full answer from the relevant Director/Executive Member.

Whilst questions can still be raised at the meeting an answer cannot be guaranteed and a written response may have to be provided after the meeting.

To consider the third quarter Business Plan and Performance Monitoring Statements for the following Directorates:

The Committee received a summary and the third quarter Business Plan Monitoring Statements from the following Directorates:

Members discussed the Growth Point bid and raised several queries with the Corporate Director (Business). 

Members noted that the street cleansing team had won a national award and were updated on the Families First programme.  The Corporate Director (Neighbourhoods) advised that performance measures were being determined for the neighbourhood action plans linked to the Corporate Strategy.

It was noted that the Directorate’s performance indicators were on track.  A report would be presented to a future meeting regarding play rangers and work undertaken with Groundwork. 

An officer was requested to give assistance with a project regarding allotments in Astley Village. 

The Chief Executive advised that the target set for NI181 new benefit claims /change in circumstances could be seen as ambitious but we are still likely to be top quartile performance.  The Customer Relationship Management project was now on track and the shared services with South Ribble had taken a lot of time, but would deliver significant savings. 

It was anticipated that the Council would find out early March whether we had secured Beacon status for ‘Better Outcomes for people and Places’. 

RESOLVED- The Third Quarter Business Plan Monitoring Statements be noted.

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

The Committee considered the report setting out performance against the Corporate Strategy and the Council’s National Indicators for the third quarter of 2008/09, 1st October to 31st December 2008.

In response to a query the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Performance) would arrange for a report on the performance of the Revenues and Benefits team on all relevant indicators to be brought to a future meeting.

RESOLVED

1.            The report be noted. 

2.            A report on the performance of the Revenues and Benefits team be presented to a future meeting.

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.

To consider the Councils Forward Plan for the four month period 1 February 2009 to 31 May 2009 (copy enclosed).

The Committee received the Forward Plan for the period 1 February 2009 to 31 May 2009.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan be noted.

To consider the attached Overview and Scrutiny Programme for 2008/09

To receive a verbal update on the ongoing Task and Finish Groups:

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted.

 From Councillor Dennis Edgerley.  

The Chair reported that the last meeting had been productive.  Several recommendations had been identified on the supply of land and identifying smaller sites on boundaries between the boroughs for affordable housing.  The inquiry would be drawing to a close in the next few months.

From Councillor Mike Devaney. 

Councillor Mike Devaney advised that the Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership had been interviewed.  His feedback had been interesting and potential recommendations had been made, including the suggestion that right commercial and industrial units should be ready for businesses to move into.  It was noted the positive attitude from Council officers at Chorley had been a key factor in his business moving to Chorley. 

From Councillor Mike Devaney. 

The report of the task and finish group was tabled.  Councillor Mike Devaney explained that no customers would lose out and the new policy would be easier to understand and transparent. 

RESOLVED

The following recommendations be submitted as part of the Housing Allocations Policy consultation process:

1.            Existing tenants could benefit from a mechanism to transfer to a house that became available in another location and subject to ensuring the policy complies with the law officers will develop a mechanism for transfers.

2.            A system should be devised to preclude customers with a certain level of savings and or capital assets from housing allocation to ensure more deserving customers are not disadvantaged.

3.            When the Policy has been finalised Members might find a Member Learning Hour useful on the Housing Allocations Policy and Choice Based Lettings.

Members discussed holding a review of the year event following the next meeting.  The Committee would start at the earlier time of 6pm.

The event would include a brief overview of the achievements made this year, followed by a self-assessment session.  The revised Overview and Scrutiny toolkit would be launched, finishing off with a discussion about the work programme for next year.  All non-Executive Cabinet members would be invited.