Agenda and minutes

A apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs M Lees.

Members of the Panel are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the Council Chamber and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

No interests were declared. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 1 March 2006 (enclosed)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 1 March 2006 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.  

A briefing note from the Healthcare Commission is enclosed in relation to the annual health check.  The declaration itself will be considered at the meeting of the PCT Board on 15^th March and will be distributed following this.

The Panel welcomed the Director of Clinical Governance, Sally Fletcher and the Organisational Development Manager, Paul Neild from Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust. 

Sally presented a letter from the Healthcare Commission enclosing a briefing note on how to make comments for the annual health check and the Trust Self-Declaration. 

Sally explained that since the draft declaration that was considered by the Panel in September 2005 an action plan had been ongoing to provide assurance that the outstanding areas were compliant with the required standards.  There were four areas where further evidence was needed to enable the Board to give the required assurance, clinical supervision, emergency planning, healthcare premises and patient information.  Further information on any of the areas could be requested from the Primary Care Trust.

The benefits of engagement with local partners and Patient and Public Involvement Forums were noted.  It was noted that the Primary Care Trust was currently undergoing reconfiguration. 

RESOLVED

1. To thank the Director of Clinical Governance, Sally Fletcher and the Organisational Development Manager, Paul Neild from Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust for their report and attendance,
2. To note and support the Standards for Better Health General statement of compliance. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee have requested that the Panel consider the problems of the lorries using the Friday Street Car Park.  This includes the disturbance local residents receive from lorries starting up at around 5.00am to 6.00am. 

Officers will present the results of information gathering to enable an informed discussion.

In response to a request from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the Panel considered the findings presented by officers relating to problems caused by lorries on Friday Street car park. 

Officers explained that 31 replies had been received from 67 of the residents in the area who were written to, with 2 respondents who complained of disturbance.  The issue of litter and a lack of toilet facilities had been raised by other respondents. 

Resolved –

1. That officers investigate a lack of toilet facilities on Friday Street Car Park and the issue of litter,
2. To present an update to a future meeting of the Panel. 

The Panel discussed the outstanding issues in relation to the agency agreement with the Deputy Director of Legal Services.

RESOLVED – That a recommendation be made that officers resolve the outstanding issues in relation to the agency agreement as soon as possible. 

To consider any recommendations the Panel would like to put forward from the site visit to Sefton.  The notes from the site visit are enclosed.

The Panel discussed the notes made in relation to the site visit to Sefton Borough Council, including the pros and cons of pay on exit and pay on foot car parks. 

RESOLVED – That the points highlighted within the report be taken forward to the Final Report. 

The notes of the meeting of the Sub-Group are enclosed.  

The Panel considered the minutes of the Sub-Group held on 24 November 2005.  Members clarified several points. 

RESOLVED – That the points highlighted within the report be taken forward to the Final Report. 

A leaflet is enclosed that gives additional information to Blue Badge holders explaining why they have received a PCN.

A leaflet designed to give information as to why a Penalty Charge Notice had been issued to Blue Badge holders was considered.  It had been produced following the meeting of the Sub-Group on 7 December.  Officers advised that a similar leaflet was now being used in other Lancashire districts.  

RESOLVED – That the use of the leaflet be supported. 

A sample of comments is enclosed that have been received with applications for Residents Permits.

The Panel considered a sample of comments received with applications for residents permits.  The comments were positive with regards to Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement, but a suggestion was made in relation to spot checks in residents parking areas out of hours.  It was noted that any requests for enforcement would be actioned.  

RESOLVED –

1. That the comments be noted,
2. That a recommendation be made in relation to spot-checks in residents parking areas out of hours.

Comparative data for Local Authorities in the area is enclosed for discussion.

The Panel received a matrix comparing the car parking charges, for long and short stay, for Chorley and other local authorities in the area.  Members commented that the prices for Chorley were competitive.  Officers advised that there would be a review of car parking charges generally in the near future. 

RESOLVED – That the report be notedand the points raised to be taken forward for the Final Report.  

The outcome of consultation with the Town Centre Forum and Disability Liaison Group is enclosed.

The responses from the Markets Liaison Group will be circulated at the meeting.

The Panel received the minutes from meetings of the Town Centre Forum held on 7 December 2005, Disability Liaison Group held on 21 November 2005 and Markets Liaison Group held on 21 February 2006. 

Members queried several points, including the reasons why informal warnings could not be used, that the times on the pay and display machines were checked on a daily basis and the lighting on the Flat Iron car park. 

RESOLVED – That the comments made by the Town Centre Forum, Disability Liaison Group and Markets Liaison Group be noted and taken forward for the Final Report.

Two reports are enclosed showing:

• PCN’s issued for each Contravention Code and
• PCN’s issued and cancelled.

The Panel considered an updated report showing the Penalty Charge Notices issued and cancelled in January 2006.  It was noted that notices issued for parking outside bays had decreased and that similar numbers of notices were issued when a pay and display ticket had run out or a pay and display ticket had not been displayed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted. 

The Panel discussed points raised by Councillor Mrs. I Smith, who attended the meeting, including permits for registered carers, spot checks for residents parking areas out of hours, the need to consult the public widely when undertaking a questionnaire and the use of a mobile vehicle for rural areas.  It was agreed that the most important aspect was that the customer received the best service possible. 

RESOLVED – That Councillor Mrs. I Smith be thanked for her comments and the points raised to be taken forward for the Final Report.

The layout of the final report was considered.  The Democratic Services Officer would take these forward when writing the report.

RESOLVED – That the discussions be noted.

To note the enclosed updated Inquiry documentation:

• Information Checklist
• Witness Checklist
• Project Plan

RESOLVED - That the updated Inquiry documentation be noted.

The work programme is enclosed.

The Panel considered the Overview and Scrutiny work programme.

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted.

RESOLVED - That the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme be noted.