Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mark Perks.

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.

Councillor Julia Berry declared an interest in Item 7 – Chorley Partnership 2^nd Qtr 2010/11 Performance Report in relation to the Chorley Help Hub project.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 31 August 2010 (enclosed).

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 31 August 2010 be held as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

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. 

The Chair reported that no requests had been received by any member of the public.

In accordance with the new practice, the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Cabinet held on 2 September and 14 October 2010 are enclosed for consideration by the Committee.

No issues were raised by any Member of the Committee on the minutes for the Executive Cabinet meetings held on 2 September and 14 October 2010.

To consider a report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy (enclosed).

The Head of Policy presented the report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy setting out the performance against the Corporate Strategy and the Councils National Indicators for the second quarter of 2010/11.

The Corporate Strategy 2010/11 identified 33 key projects. The overall performance of the key projects remained excellent with 91% of projects being completed, closed off, or rated ‘green’ and progressing ahead. This was an improvement on the last quarters performance. The 9% of projects that were rated ’red’ or ‘amber’ were expected to be brought back on track over the next quarter.

Overall performance of the key measures in the Corporate Strategy remained strong, with 93% of measures performing above target or within the 5% tolerance. Where performance was below target, action plans had been developed that outlined what action would be taken to improve performance.

Members commented on the ending of the free swimming scheme. The report stated that evaluation had shown that although there had been a good public take up of free swimming, this was mainly by people who were existing swimmers rather than new starters. It was however noted that the scheme had ended when central funding had stopped.

The Director of People and Places reported that the evaluation work had been carried out nationally and that the link to the results would be ciculated to Members. The document is available on the Department for Culure, Media and Sports website http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7190.aspx

RESOLVED

1.         That the report be noted.

2.         That a link to the national evaluation report on the DCMS’s website be emailed out to Members.

To consider a report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy (enclosed).

The Head of Policy outlined the report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy that updated Members on the performance of the Local Strategic Partnership for the second quarter of 2010/11.

The information provided was based on performance against the 2007 Sustainable Community Strategy and the Local Area Agreement Targets and it was explained that measures would be developed in line with the new Sustainable Community Strategy 2010 – 2020 and be reported on, from April 2011.

Overall crime had reduced by 6.5% compared to this period last year and reductions had been seen in most categories of crime and the number of new businesses being established was now back on target and performing well, with 33 new businesses being established against a target of 26.

Chorley Partnership had commissioned 9 projects for 2010/11. Seven of these projects were rated green, indicating that performance is as planned or ahead of target.

Only one of the projects was currently off track and rated as red. The Chorley Help Hub had been delayed due to delays with the lease negotiations. Until suitable premises were secured the project would be on hold.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider progress against the key actions and performance indicators in the following Directorates’ Business Improvement Plans:

The Committee received the Business Plan and Monitoring Statements for the first six months of 2010/11.

Report of Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy enclosed.

The Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy reported against the key actions and performance indicators.

There had been a number of notable achievements for the Directorate that included:

• The development of an Alcohol Improvement Programme aimed at reducing alcohol related admissions.
• Another successful Chorley Picnic in the Park event that included the Chorley Smile Awards.
• Working in partnership with local voluntary sector businesses to secure 12 new vacancies in the Future Jobs Fund programme.

The report also highlighted those actions that were currently behind schedule, giving details for the delays and what action would be taken to get them back on track.

Performance against the processing of planning applications as off target due to a significant increase in planning applications during the first 6 months of the year when compared to the same period last year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of Director of People and Places enclosed.

The Director of People and Places reported progress against the key actions and performance indicators.

Key achievements for the directorate included:

• A Civic Society Award for the Coach House Café at Astley Park
• The retention of the Green Flags at Yarrow Valley Country Park, Tatton Recreation Ground and Withnell Linear Park
• Country Park accreditation for Yarrow Valley Country Park

The majority of key actions in the Business Improvement Plan had been delivered on schedule and an explanation had been given for those that were currently off target.

It was noted that measures taken to improve performance against NI195b and NI195c improved street and environmental cleanliness: levels of detritus and graffiti had been successful and there was evidence to suggest that this would be back on target in the next quarter.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of Director of Transformation enclosed.

The Director of Transformation reported progress against the key actions and performance indicators.

Notable successes for the directorate included:

• A 100% completion of staff Performance Appraisals
• Attaining an unqualified audit opinion on the statement of accounts.
• Implementation of a cycle to work scheme.

The Transformation Directorates key focus for improvement in the first part of 2010 had been on evaluating options in respect of the Councils ICT infrastructure and network. Replacements had been procured and the second half of the year would see the implementation phase.

Members were informed by the Director of People and Places that Members would shortly be receiving information via intheknow, on improvements to the way the contact centre deal with contact from Councillors. A request was made for an update on the virtual Town Hall project and Members asked if the viewing of plans within the planning portal on the website could be improved upon.

It was also reported that the Council had introduced a single financial system across the shared service with South Ribble Council that would progress against the milestones and deliver further financial savings.

Analysis of the key performance indicators showed that performance across the directorate had been maintained and targets achieved.

RESOLVED

1.         That the report be noted.

2.         That an update on the Virtual Town Hall be provided to Members.

To receive verbal update reports from the respective Chairs on the progress of the following Overview and Scrutiny inquiries:

Allotments Task and Finish Group (Chair, Councillor Julia Berry);

Asset Management Task and Finish Group (Councillor Alan Cullens).

The Committee received from the Chair of each Task and Finish Groups an update on their respective inquiries.

(a)       Allotments

Councillor Julia Berry reported that the Group had now met four times and were due to meet again the following day.

At this meeting the Group would be asked to consider all the information they had gathered to date and make recommendations on the management and maintenance of Allotments.

At its final meeting at the end of November, the Group would be asked to consider the draft Final Report. It was anticipated that the Groups findings would be presented to both the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Executive Cabinet meetings in December.

(b)       Asset Management

Councillor Alan Cullens reported that the Group had now met four times and that the draft final report would be considered at its next meeting later that week.

The Task Group would also be asked to consider other information and look at further options for changes in the Town Hall and Union Street offices at this meeting.

It was anticipated that the final report would be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Executive Cabinet at their meetings in December.

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.

To consider the enclosed updated Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2010/11.

The Committee received a copy of the updated Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2010/11. In light of the recent Government Spending Review Members considered moving budget scrutiny to early next year.

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted.

To consider the enclosed Forward Plan for the Council  for the four months period from 1 November 2010 to 28 February 2011.

The Committee received the Forward Plan for the period 1 November 2010 to 28 February 2011.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan be noted.