Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mike Devaney (Chair), Nora Ball and Roy Lees.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group - Highways issues held on 16 July 2009 (enclosed). 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group - Highways issues held on 16 July 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

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.

No Members declared an interest in respect of items on the agenda.

The scoping document has been drafted following the discussions at the last meeting.  The Task Group will consider the draft, in particular the desired outcomes. 

Members considered the draft scoping document enclosed with the agenda papers and noted that the was a lot to consider within a short space of time.  Several amendments were made to the scoping document, to the desired outcomes and information requirements and sources. 

It was noted that there would be overlap between this inquiry and the ongoing Town Centre inquiry.  Officers would ensure that any commom themes were communicated between the inquiries. 

RESOLVED – That the scoping document be updated and presented to the next meeting. 

At the last meeting the Group requested several items of information as evidence:

·              Streetscene Services agreement (circulated by email)

·              Lancashire County Council and Chorley Council current responsibilities (outlined in minute 09.HTG.03)

·              Other scrutiny inquiries relating to highways in Lancashire: Highways trees and verges undertaken by Lancashire County Council (enclosed).

·              The remit of the Lancashire Local Chorley Committee (enclosed).   

Members noted the Streetscene Services Agreement had been circulated by email and requested this be presented to the next meeting. 

The current responsibilities of Lancashire County Council and Chorley Council and the remit of the Lancashire Locals were noted.  It was requested that officers compile information from other scrutiny inquiries relating to Highways in Lancashire to be presented to the next meeting. 

RESOLVED –

1.             The Streetscene Services Agreement be presented to the next meeting. 

2.             Officers compile information from other scrutiny inquiries relating to Highways in Lancashire to be presented to the next meeting. 

The Group will discuss any further evidence for the inquiry, including witnesses and consultation, research and site visits.  Any future ambitions for Chorley will be discussed. 

Further information was requested from Lancashire County Council, including gritting routes and schedules and the Highways Safety inspection policy.  It was requested that the Local Area Agreement be discussed with Chorley Council officers.  Recommendations would be made throughout the inquiry as each objective was considered.

It was noted that a draft maintenance schedule for the car parks would be presented to a future meeting of the Executive Cabinet.

The possibility of a site visit to the Hub at Lancashire County Council was discussed and potential witnesses were considered.  Members were particularly interested in the process: from a fault being report right through to the call being signed off.  Questions for witnesses would be drafted and distributed prior to the meeting. 

RESOLVED -

1.             To add gritting routes and schedules, the Highways Safety inspection policy and the Local Area Agreement to the documents/evidence section of the scoping document. 

2.             To add the Lancashire County Council and Chorley Council Customer Services Manager and the Disability Forum Co-ordinator to the witnesses section of the scoping document. 

Members will determine the date of the next meeting.

The Task and Finish Group AGREED the dates for the next few meetings be set following discussions with the Group via email.