Agenda and minutes
modern.gov app available
View upcoming public committee documents on your iPad,
Android Device or
Blackberry Playbook with the free modern.gov app.
PDF 291 KBVenue: Committee Room 1, Town Hall, Chorley
Contact: Dianne Scambler Email: dianne.scambler@chorley.gov.uk
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Apologies for absence Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor Graham Dunn. |
|
|
Declarations of Any Interests 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. Minutes: There were no declarations of any interests. |
|
|
To confirm the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on April 2012 (enclosed) Minutes: RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 16 April 2012 be held as a correct record for signing by the Chair.
Councillor Julia Berry expressed a wish that when the Executive Cabinet were considering the recommendations of the Private Rented Housing Task Group, they consider the collection of more robust data on private rented housing properties. |
|
|
Public Questions 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. Minutes:
No questions were received by any member of the public. . |
|
|
Executive Cabinet Minutes To consider the minutes of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 21 June 2012 (to follow) Minutes: There were no issues raised by any member of the Committee for the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 21 June 2012. |
|
|
The top ten priorities of the Executive Cabinet The Executive Leader (Councillor Alistair Bradley) and the Deputy Executive Leader (Councillor Peter Wilson) will be attending the meeting to give an overview of the top ten priorities of the new Executive:
• Encouraging volunteering • Improving neighbourhood working • Reducing NEETs • Housing and homelessness • Improving the economy • Developing the town centre • Business start up programme • Open and accessible local government • Increasing consultation and engagement • Rebranding
This is to help scrutiny members better understand the plans and priorities of the new Executive and set an effective scrutiny work programme which complements the work of the Executive Cabinet. Minutes: The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley and the Deputy Executive Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson attended the meeting to talk about the top ten priorities that the new administration would deliver.
The Executive Leader welcomed the Committee scrutinising how well the proposals were working.
Encouraging volunteering
Work had commenced on the Spice uplift and Council older peoples volunteering projects. A project coordinator had taken up post in May and had met with relevant partners and groups and an initial ‘design’ event with over 20 organisations had been organised for 17 July. The uplift time credits project would initially target older people and those with long term health conditions and it was hoped that the project would be launched in September.
Improving neighbourhood working
A review of neighbourhood working was being currently being undertaken to identify the key priorities and issues so that the service could be better shaped for future delivery. The review would also include an examination of the neighbourhood areas.
Changes had also been made to staff processes to remove dog fouling more quickly and changes around the fixed penalty notice payments. The Council was also launching a new dog fouling and control campaign that would focus on increased and targeted enforcement.
Reducing NEETS
The Council had increased its overall number of apprentices to 20. Fourteen apprentices had now been appointed and arrangements had commenced to place the remaining six with local public sector bodies and partners, with expressions of interest received from Chorley Community Housing and other RSL’s. The Council would continue to work with partners through the NEETS taskforce including improving information sharing and provision. Work had also started with Lancashire County Council to offer a private sector apprenticeship scheme, to encourage businesses to create new apprenticeships.
Housing and Homelessness
A review of the allocations policy was being undertaken and discussions were taking place with partners about strengthening the local connection element. A refocus of the LDF process has identified a number of small sites which could be developed for affordable housing and discussions were also taking place with Chorley Community Housing to develop the Douglas House site. Consultation on a draft prevention for homelessness strategy would be complete in September. Work had already commenced on developing local solutions for hot spots of homelessness, and options would be developed.
Assurances were sought that all new builds for affordable housing were constructed to the lifetime home standard, so that homes did not need to be adapted in the future.
Improving the economy
A draft economic regeneration strategy had been developed. Unify Credit Union had extended its remit to cover Chorley and had been offered accommodation within Union Street. Discussions were taking place with regard to the arrangements and ensuring that the service covers the whole borough.
Develop the town centre
The criteria had been changed for town centre grants packages, increasing the amount available in each grant and extending the geographic area that the scheme covers. Discussions had taken place through the town centre team, and work had ... view the full minutes text for item 12.OS.118 |
|
|
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme Report Report of the Chief Executive (enclosed) Additional documents:
Minutes: The Chair of the Committee, Councillor Steve Holgate submitted a report which summarised proposals put forward at an informal overview and scrutiny meeting held in June. The Committee was asked to agree a way forward for scrutiny and to set the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for the year.
Performance Panel
The implementation of a dedicated Performance Monitoring Panel was proposed that would consist of around six Councillors who would meet quarterly to look at Council and Local Strategic Partnership performance, with relevant Executive Members attending and answering questions on their service areas. The main Committee meeting would be reduced from eight to six.
RESOLVED – That an Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel be implemented, to consist of the following membership: Councillor Steve Holgate (Chair) Councillor Julia Berry Councillor Graham Dunn Councillor Hasina Khan Councillor Roy Lees Councillor Kim Snape
The Panel will meet quarterly and the main Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings will be reduced to six meetings for the 2012/13 year.
The following dates for the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel were agreed: Monday 23 July 2012 Monday 17 September 2012 Monday 10 December 2012 Monday 11 March 2013
Review Topics
The Committee would aim to undertake around three reviews for the year and it was noted that some topics could lend themselves to a lighter touch or quick response review. Whilst the Conservative Group had decided not to take up any seats on Overview and Scrutiny Committee all Members of the Council would be invited to sit on any of the up and coming Task Group reviews that will be held throughout the year. All Members would be invited through intheknow.
A list of potential review topics were discussed by the Committee and it was agreed that the first Task Group would review the Adoption of Estates, with potential topics being left on the work programme for decision at a late date.
RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertake a review of the Adoption of Estates to be Chaired by Councillor Matthew Crow and Vice Chair, Councillor Roy Lees.
Councillors Marion Lowe, Joyce Snape, Kim Snape and Ralph Snape all agreed to serve on the Task Group, other Members would be sought through intheknow.
The Committee discussed several options to fulfil their requirement to scrutinise the Community Safety Partnership that included the new role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the roles and responsibilities of the Police and Community Support Officers in the Town Centre.
The Committee also considered a joint letter from Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Police Authority that provided information on a report that had been published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies (HMIC) – Policing in austerity: One year on.
The Chair also requested the Director of People and Places to provide a paper to the Committee on the roles and responsibilities of the Police and Community Support Officers in Chorley Town Centre to the next meeting.
RESOLVED 1. That the Committee scrutinises Lancashire Constabulary’s response to the Comprehensive ... view the full minutes text for item 12.OS.119 |