Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the last meeting held on 23 November 2023 to follow.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 23 November 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Executive attached. The Executive Member (Resources), Cllr Peter Wilson, has been invited to attend and present the report.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, presented a report setting out the performance against the delivery of the Corporate Strategy and key performance indicators during the second quarter on 2023/24, covering 1 July 2023 – 30 September 2023.

Councillor Wilson referred to the performance indicator showing a lower than expected rate of employment for Chorley (64%) compared to the regional average. He stressed that the reasons were being investigated although he was not convinced the figure was an accurate given that it did not accord with other indicators (e.g. which showed Chorley had a lower than average unemployment rate). It would next be reported in the Executive Cabinet’s quarter 4 monitoring report in March. The Chair requested that if there was an issue of note or concern, to bring it to the attention of the Scrutiny Panel (earlier than July if possible).

Cllr Snape referred to page 12 - “Tempo Time Credits” - Celebration Event for the 10 year anniversary due to take place in November. The Director of Communities informed the Panel that unfortunately the celebration event had to be postponed however it will be taking place in the next couple of months and communications will be going out to all members.

Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention), who was also in attendance, responded to queries relating to leisure centres following the appointment of the new activities manager in post. With regard to the equipment in the leisure centres she indicated that a survey had been done and options were being looked at.

Further to a query regarding the NEET (Not in education, employment or training) figure, the Panel were informed that the data had now been obtained from Lancashire County Council. The figure for Chorley was 1.7% which was within target.  

The Chair highlighted the delays in the adoption of the Local Plan and the resulting performance indicator going from amber to red. He suggested that, once the Local Plan had gained traction and was closer to adoption, the Panel may wish to scrutinise the background as to how the Council arrived in this position.

 Resolved: -

i)             That the report be noted;

ii)            That the outcome of the investigation into the employment rate performance indicator, if anything of note or concern, be brought to the attention of the Scrutiny Panel as early as possible;

iii)           That the Panel consider scrutiny of the background and performance as regards the adoption of the Local Plan at an appropriate point in the future.

Report of the Director of Communities. The Executive Member (Early Intervention), Cllr Bev Murray, has been invited to attend and present the report.

Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention), presented a report providing members with a performance update for the Communities and Leisure Directorate which included:

a.    An overall directorate summary and budget position at September 2023,

b.    An overview of key performance measures at quarter two 2023/24, and

c.    An update on the Corporate Strategy projects.

The report also indicated that the Leisure Company transferred over to the Communities Directorate in September 2023, therefore, this is the first time that a report on the Company has come to the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel. It was clarified that the Board met on a regular basis (formally four times a year) and held informal meetings / briefings inbetween.to discuss any issues.

Jennifer Mullin, Director of Communities stressed that demand in the area was being looked at with a view to targeting resources to increase leisure centre membership.

Councillor Murray indicated that Cosy Homes Lancashire Scheme was benefiting local residents.  

A question was asked regarding promotion of the Home Energy Support Scheme and availability of information for members. Cllr Murray indicated that the postholder running the scheme had only recently been appointed, however she would circulate information to members.

A question was asked regarding the Anti Social Behaviour action plan.  The Director of Communities explained that Chorley INSPIRE were assisting the Council with their outreach work, which would be the subject of a report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 January 2024.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

Report to follow.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources), presented a report providing an overview of the framework and approach for monitoring delivery of the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) with a particular focus on capturing programme outputs and outcomes.

Councillor Wilson clarified that although the Government requirements were for monitoring delivery every six months, in practice this will be more often.

He also confirmed that it was expected that the full amount of the funding would be spent.

Resolved:

1.    That the monitoring requirements set out by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) as part of the UKSPF Programme be noted; and

2.      That the Overview & Scrutiny Committee plays a key role in the future monitoring of the Council’s UKSPF programme and that it is incorporated into the committee’s future workplan with updates aligned to the formal reporting schedule for the Council’s UKSPF returns. It is anticipated that this will be on a six-monthly basis.

There was no urgent business.