Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors R Lees and M Lowe.

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 Member declared an interest in relation to matters under consideration at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny held on 10 November 2005 (enclosed)

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 10 November 2005 be confirmed as a correct record.  Under Minute 05.ENV.38 the Chair informed Members of the decision taken by the Executive Cabinet on 1 December 2005 on the recommendations of the Panel’s inquiry entitled “Accessibility of cycling as a leisure pursuit”.

The Head of Environmental Services has been invited to attend the meeting to discuss the Councils refuse and recycling collection service and the recent difficulties being experienced by some residents.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had referred this matter to the Panel for consideration.  Members were due to discuss with the Head of Environmental Services the Council’s refuse and recycling collection services and the recent difficulties being experienced by some residents, but due to unforeseen circumstances he was unable to attend the meeting.

The Panel AGREED to defer the matter to a future meeting.

The Head of Public Open Space to do a short presentation on the management of the Councils Cemeteries Service

As requested by the Panel at its last meeting on 10 November 2005, the Head of Public Space Services attended the meeting to inform Members and provide them with a better understanding of the management of the Council’s cemeteries service, prior to the submission to a future meeting of a Consultants report.

The Head of Public Open Space to inform Members of the current situation on the termination of the Highways Partnership and the effect it may have on the call - out and response to reported incidents of flooding.

As requested by the Panel at its last meeting on 10 November 2005, the Head of Public Space Services attended the meeting to inform Members of the contingency plans that would be in place for reported incidents of flooding after the termination of the Lancashire Highways Partnership on 30 June 2006.

A copy of the 2005/06 Work Programme is enclosed for consideration

The Panel received the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme and discussed the items relating to the Environment Panel.

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