Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Dennis Edgerley, Iris Smith, Joyce Snape and Peter Wilson. 

To confirm as a correct record the enclosed minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 10 August 2009. 

RESOLVED – The minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 10 August 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 ask a question at the meeting.

To receive a short presentation and enclosed report delivered by Jacquie Mutch (Programme Director, Groundwork LW&W), introduced by Corporate Director (People). 

The Chair welcomed Jacquie Mutch (Programme Manager) and Stephen Hodges - Senior Project Officer from Groundwork Lancashire West & Wigan who had been invited to deliver a presentation outlining the work undertaken within Chorley over the last year.

The five strategic areas for Groundwork were: 1 Safer and stronger communities, 2 Developing Positive & Ambitious Young People, 3 Reducing carbon emissions & tackling climate change, 4 Supporting local skills & enterprise and 5 Promoting Health & Well-being-

Members noted that the Council provided core funding to Groundwork who then accessed funding pots that were not available to the Council.  These additional funds increase the total by eight times the core funding. 

Queries were raised regarding the future management and maintenance of an existing recreation area on Laburnham Road, the creation of gardening projects involving schools and the over 65’s, the creation of a community garden in Coppull on vacant land, the creation of a play space for a school on donated land and the reduction of the carbon footprint. 

RESOLVED

1.            The presentation and report be noted,

2.            An update presentation be scheduled from Groundwork on an annual basis. 

To consider any reports on the agenda for the Executive Cabinet meeting to be held on 3 September 2009.

Members of the Committee are requested to notify the Democratic Services by Friday, 28 August 2009, to ensure the attendance of the appropriate Executive Member.

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

The Committee considered the Central Lancashire and Blackpool Growth Point – Update and Envisaged Procedural Arrangements report from the Executive Cabinet agenda.  The Committee welcomed Councillor Malpas, Executive Member (Business), who attended the meeting to outline the report and answer any queries.

Members noted that the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF2) was only accessible to Growth Point partnerships.  From this £3.3 million funding had been received for Buckshaw Village railway station.  The development of the LDF Core Strategy would be accelerated through Growth Point. 

In addition to this Government Office for the North West had stated that the Council were not committed to “a level of housing growth other than that which it has signed up to deliver...no greater than that envisaged in RSS”. 

RESOLVED -

1.            The report be welcomed and noted,

2.            Regular update reports be presented to Executive Cabinet. 

To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and the Council’s Forward Plan for the four month period 1 September to 31 December 2009 (documents enclosed).

Members noted the Overview and Scrutiny work programme and the Council’s Forward Plan for the four month period 1 September to 31 December 2009. 

RESOLVED

1.            The report be noted,

2.            The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods) be invited to the next meeting to discuss the Neighbourhoods Inquiry monitoring report.

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Corporate Director (Information and Communication Technology and Chief Information Officer). 

The Corporate Director (Information and Communication Technology and Chief Information Officer) gave a presentation on the availability of ICT services to Members. 

The Committee noted the different aspects to the service, including equipment (laptop etc), server based systems (email and the intranet), third party communications (telephone lines and broadband) and support services. 

The future plans were outlined and discussed.  Following a survey of Members regarding the need for out of hours support 29 replies had been received, with 48% selecting this was “not a problem” and 52% “manageable”. 

Regular maintenance would be required but would be carried out with minimal impact where possible.  

RESOLVED –

1.            The report be welcomed and noted,

2.            Queries were raised regarding the receipt of emails warning about a potential virus, if there were any doubts about the emails these should be forwarded to ICT Services,

3.            The notification relating to planned maintenance would be distributed in a standard template for ease of use,

4.            The information in the report be reproduced as an intheknow article.

Joint Scrutiny Inquiry with Preston and South Ribble on Affordable Housing

To receive a verbal update on the inquiry from the Chair, Councillor Dennis Edgerley.

Highways Issues Task and Finish Group

To receive a verbal update on the inquiry from the Chair, Councillor Mike Devaney.

Town Centre vitality Task and Finish Group

To receive a verbal update on the inquiry from the Chair, Councillor Peter Wilson.

Joint Scrutiny Inquiry with Preston and South Ribble on Affordable Housing

A meeting would be held on 7 September to consider the draft final report with the three Chairs.  It was hoped that this report would be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November. 

Highways Issues Task and Finish Group

Councillor Mike Devaney reported that a great deal of information had been prepared for the inquiry which had taken longer than anticipated.  The next meeting would consider this information and questions to ask the witnesses identified at future meetings.

Town Centre Vitality Task and Finish Group

Two meetings had taken place to scope the inquiry and set the project plan.  The next meeting would be held on 24 September.  

RESOLVED

1.            To note the verbal updates on the inquiries,

2.            To add Councillor Julia Berry to the membership of the Town Centre vitality Group.