Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received by Councillors Julia Berry, Alison Hansford, Harold Heaton and Keith Iddon.

Item 5 - Councillor Steve Holgate declared a personal interest in the first monitoring report on the review of allotments.

To confirm the enclosed minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 5 September 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 5 September 2001 be held as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

No questions were received by any member of the public.

A presentation and opportunity to ask questions about the IDVA service.

This will provide background information in preparation for the scrutiny of this service area and the questioning of witnesses at the November meeting of the Committee.

The Committee received a presentation delivered by Heather Corson, Community Safety Officer and Paul Lowe, Joint Community Safety Manager for Chorley and South Ribble Councils on the Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy in preparation for the scrutiny of the service in November.

Members were asked to consider the types of questions that they would like to put forward to the partner representatives of the Safer Chorley and South Ribble Partnership – Responsible Authorities Group who had been invited to the next meeting. Questions would relate to the benefits of the service and in particular future funding arrangements.

The Committee was advised that the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny at South Ribble Borough Council would be attending to observe the crime and disorder scrutiny meeting and that the representatives from the following partners had been invited:

·        Police

·         South Ribble Borough Council

·         Lancashire County Council

·         Primary Care Trust

·         Registered Social Landlords

Members requested that the projected costs for a full IDVA service that would support the 3.5 FTE officers (rather than the current 3 PT posts) be provided at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the information be noted and that questions be prepared in advance of the next meeting in consultation with Members and then forwarded to the invited representatives prior to the meeting.

To consider the enclosed report of the Director of People and Places.

The Committee received a report of the Director of People and Places which provided an update on the implementation of agreed actions by the Executive Cabinet following the Overview and Scrutiny’s inquiry into allotments.

Good progress had been made and any outstanding actions were expected to be implemented during 2011/12 following the required integrated impact assessments and consultation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy updating Members on progress made against the actions following the general endorsement of the recommendations agreed by the Executive Cabinet by the Overview and Scrutiny’s Task Group Inquiry on Town Centre Vitality.

This was the second monitoring report that the Committee had received and on the whole, delivery against each of the recommendations was positive.

However, the Committee was disappointed that the application to the Highways Agency for the erection of a brown sign on the motorway had been turned down and asked if more could be done to pursue this.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Following the decision taken at the last meeting to return to quarterly monitoring, the following reports which were considered at Executive Cabinet on 18 August 2011 are enclosed for your consideration.

To consider the enclosed report of the Chief Executive.

The Committee received  a report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the performance of Chorley Partnership during the first quarter of 2011/12.

The report highlighted the performance of Chorley Partnership in achieving the key performance targets and the progress made in the delivery of the key projects. Performance was excellent, with four of the five projects currently rated ‘green’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the enclosed report of the Chief Executive.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Executive setting out the performance against the Corporate Strategy and the key performance indicators during the first quarter of 2011/12, 1 April to 30 June 2011.

Overall performance of the key projects remained good, with the vast majority of the projects either completed, on track or not scheduled to start until later in the year. Five projects had been rated amber and an explanation of the action taken to get these projects back on target was provided.

Performance on the key measures and performance indicators was strong, with 92% performing above target or within the 5% tolerance.

Members were pleased to see that the action taken around the key service delivery measures relating to planning applications were now performing better than target.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the enclosed Council’s Forward Plan for the four month period 1 October 2011 to 31 January 2012 (document enclosed)

The Committee received the Forward Plan for the period 1 October 2011 to 31 January 2012 which had been updated in line with decisions made at the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the enclosed Overview and Scrutiny work Programme for 2011/12.

The Committee received a copy of the amended Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2011/12 which had been updated in line with decisions made at the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Work Programme for 2011/12 be noted.

Lancastrian Room Task and Finish Group

To receive a verbal update on the inquiry from the Chair, Councillor Debra Platt.

Tourism and Promoting Chorley Task and Finish Group

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

NHS Reform Joint Task and Finish Group

To receive a verbal update on the inquiry.

a)     Tourism and Promoting Chorley

The Committee received a verbal report from the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Tourism and Promoting Chorley.

Councillor Peter Wilson reported that the Task Group has held its first meeting and has agreed the following terms of reference:

To promote the Borough as a tourist destination by:

1.    Identifying Chorley’s key assets for tourism around the Borough, for example Astley Hall and Park, Rivington, Yarrow Valley Park and Cuerden, etc

2.    Identifying the key events in the calendar that might attract visitors to Chorley, for example, Picnic in the Park, Big Drum Day, the Christmas Lights Switch on etc

3.    Look at any other opportunities that may exist to maximise the promotion of Chorley, including through partnership working.

4.    That the Council look to promote Chorley in the best possible way to encourage more visitors to the town centre and its surrounding villages.

The Group will start by looking at the Boroughs key tourism assets and events at its next meeting on 12 October 2011 along with the final report and update monitoring reports of the Town Centre Vitality Review which was completed last year.

It was also reported that two more Members had join the Group:

            Councillor Julia Barry

            Councillor Matthew Crow

b)     Lancastrian Suite

The Committee received a verbal report from the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Lancastrian.

Councillor Debra Platt reported that the Group was due to meet shortly to look at options for increasing the use of the Lancastrian Suite.

c)     NHS Reform Joint Task and Finish Group

The Democratic Services Manager reported that it was looking unlikely that this Group would undertake a scrutiny review, due to the number of changes taking place in NHS reform.

Taking this into consideration, the Chair suggested that the Committee consider a further review at its meeting in December, from the reserve list of topics on the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme.

RESOLVED

1.      That the reports of the Task Groups be noted.

2.      That the Committee consider a further review at its meeting in December.