Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Peter Baker, Michael Davies, Daniel Gee, Keith Iddon, Shaun Smith and Edward Smith.

Members of the Committee 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 room and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

No Members declared any interests in relation to matters under consideration at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 14 September 2006 (enclosed)

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 19 October 2006 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The enclosed report contains information on the under mentioned services provided by the Directorate which fall within the responsibilities of this Panel.

Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment;

Development and Regeneration;

Leisure and Culture;

Housing Services.

The Panel received the first quarter Business Plan Monitoring Statements for the undermentioned Directorates whose service and functions all fall within the remit and area of responsibility of the Panel:

Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment;

Development and Regeneration;

Leisure and Culture;

Housing Services.

The Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment indicated the performance variations, and as a result of several initiatives from the Council and some extra investment from the Contractor there had been a considerable improvement over the previous quarter on the number of missed collections per 100,000 collections of household waste.

Above target performance had been achieved for the percentage waste recycled and waste composted as well as the percentage of graffiti removed within 2 working days.

In those where the services were below target, action plans had been formulated with corrective action to be undertaken.

Members raised in particular the future of the Neighbourhood Warden Service and the proposal to introduce Police and Community Support Officers.

The Panel also received the Business Plan for Development and Regeneration with the Director present to answer Members queries regarding the percentage of major planning applications processed on time which had resulted in the target dates not being achieved.  This had been caused because of the several complex applications.  An action plan had been produced to address this but it was anticipated that the year end target would be met taking account of the current numbers of applications that may be determined within target.

Members welcomed the period of good performance in the percentage of minor planning applications processed on time.

Members requested that the Chair of Development Control Committee and Executive Member for Development and Regeneration attend a future meeting in order for Members to discuss with them the performance of the Directorate.

Members also received the Business Plan for the Leisure and Cultural Services Directorate with Members raising in particular the development of a Play Strategy for the Borough with the Council working with the Chorley Play Partnership.

The Panel received the Business Plan for the Housing Services Directorate with Members requesting if there would be any performance information available to Members once the transfer of the housing stock had been concluded.  An assurance was given that as part of the transfer contract the performance indicators would be submitted for Scrutiny.

RESOLVED – 1) That the Business Plan Monitoring Statement report be noted.

2)         That the Chair of Development Control Committee and the Executive Member for Development and Regeneration be invited to a future meeting of the Panel to discuss the performance of the Development and Regeneration Directorate.

Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment will report on the current position regarding the appointment of an experienced consultant to guide and advise the scrutiny panel inquiry by the Council into neighbourhood working.

An amended inquiry scoping document is enclosed.

The Panel welcomed to the meeting the consultant who had been appointed to guide and advise the inquiry into neighbourhood management.

The Consultant would be required to complete a number of tasks as well as presenting and supplying the Council with a number of outputs.

A number of interviews had already taken place between the Consultant and Council Officers and these would be extended to include Members of the Panel.

RESOLVED – That the following Councillors expressed a wish to meet with the Consultant involved with Neighbourhood Working Inquiry.

Councillors A Gee, K Ball, A Cullens, D Dickinson and A Cain.

A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for the ensuing Municipal Year with items relating to this Panel is enclosed.

The Panel received the current Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2006/07 Municipal Year and discussed the items relating to the Environment and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.