Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mark Perks and Joyce Snape.

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 declarations of interest were declared.

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.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 8 November 2010 (enclosed).

RESOLVED – That the minutes  of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 8 November 2010 be held as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The Committee are asked to consider the minutes of the last Executive Cabinet meeting held on 8 November 2010 (enclosed)

No issues were raised by any Member of the Committee on the minutes for the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 11 November 2010.

To consider the report of the Director of Transformation (to follow)

The Director of Transformation submitted a report on Budget Principles for 2011/12 that was presented by Councillor Kevin Joyce - Executive Member for Transformation.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the Councils budget, based upon a set of core principles to be discussed and agreed at Executive Cabimet on 9 December 2010. The key principles to be adopted were:

• To continue to be a high performing Council
• To contain Council Tax increases
• To protect the Chorley community from the impact of the current economic situation
• Continuing to provide value for money
• Safeguarding front line services and focusing on the removal of bureaucracy and managerial posts
• Looking for opportunities to share services and generate additional revenue
• Preparing for the future and uncertainty over public finances
• To look to reduce debt and the consequent financing charges

It was explained that in previous years the current Executive Cabinet had been able to present their proposed budget prior to the budget setting meeting at Council. The ability to achieve this for 2011/12 had been restricted due to the continued uncertainty regarding the concessionary travel scheme.

In addition it was reported there were a number of proposed changes to funding mechanisms that may occur such as the new home bonus scheme and deregulation of planning fees, which were yet to be approved. It was hoped that some clarity would be given upon the publication of the draft revenue support grant figures, to be revealed shortly.

RESOLVED – That the information and budget principles for 2011/12, outlined in the submitted report be noted.

The report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Allotments is enclosed for the approval of the Committee.

The Committee received and considered the final report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Allotments. The Chair, Councillor Julia Berry, outlined the work that had been undertaken along with the key findings and recommendations.

The recommendations had the capacity to increase revenue and minimise running costs, with no major budget implications to the Council. Some were organisational and would establish best practice under the following main headings:

• Provision and demand for allotments
• Tenancy Agreements and monitoring and inspection reports
• Allotment charges
• Community growing
• Community management of allotments

It was reported that the Chair of the Chorley Allotments Society had contacted the Council ahead of the meeting, concerned that the views that he had expressed in relation to water charges had not been correctly represented. The Chair noted Mr Taylors comments but was satisfied that no misrepresentation had been made.

Concern was expresseed about the use of the current Neighbourhood Areas for the 50/50 allocation split for plots on new allotment sites, considering that the distances between some wards were too great and asked if the Director of People an Places could look into a better arrangement.

RESOLVED

1.         That the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Allotments be approved and submitted to the next meeting of the Executive Cabinet for their consideration.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following item of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Asset Management for approval of the Committee (to follow).

The Committee received and considered the final report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Asset Management. The Chair, Councillor Alan Cullens, explained that the Group had recommended a set of strategic principles for the Executive’s consideration.

The Chair gave particular thanks to Keith Davy, Chorley Property Services Leader, Liberata for his valuable contribution to the work of the group.

The Group was looking to establish a further review on the use of the Lancastrian room, to commence early in the new year.

The Chair of the Committee sought assurances that the information relating to Chorley Community Housing in the report would be updated before being presented to the next meeting of the Executive Cabinet.

RESOLVED

1.         That the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Asset Management be approved and submitted to the Executive Cabinet for consideration.

2.         That a further Overview and Scrutiny Task Group on the Use of the Lancastrian Room, Town Hall be established to be Chaired by Councillor Alan Cullens.

At this stage, the meeting was re-opened to the public.

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

The Committee received a copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2010/11.

The Programme would be updated to include the review on the use of the Lancastrian room, Town Hall.

RESOLVED – That the Work Programme be noted.

To consider the enclosed Forward Plan for the Council for the four month period from 1 December 2010 – 31 March 2011.

The Committee received the Forward Plan for the period 1 December 2010 to 31 March 2011.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan be noted.