Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Cllr Bullock.

To be apprised of any changes to the membership of the Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2, Members noted the termination of membership of the Committee of Councillors Ashcroft and Delaney and the appointment of Councillors Currie and D Evans respectively, for this meeting only, thereby giving effect to the wishes of the Political Groups.

Note:  No other business is permitted unless, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified at the meeting, the Chairman is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Borough Solicitor in advance of the meeting.  (For the assistance of members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet.)

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rule 16, Members must declare the existence of any Party Whip, and the nature of it, when considering any matter in the following categories:

-       The review of any decision of the Cabinet or

-       The performance of any Member of the Cabinet

N.B. The Secretary of State believes whipping is incompatible with Overview and Scrutiny.

There were no declarations of a Party Whip.

Residents of West Lancashire on giving notice, may address the meeting to make representations on any item on the agenda except where the public and press are to be excluded during consideration of the item.  The deadline for submissions is 5.00pm on Thursday 23 March 2017.  A copy of the public speaking protocol and form to be completed is attached.

There were no items under this heading.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2017.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2017 be received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To scrutinise the Minutes of Cabinet held on 22 February 2017 and 14 March 2017.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 February and 14 March 2017 respectively.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 22 February and 14 March 2017 be noted.

There are no items under this heading.

There were no items under this heading.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor that advised that following consideration by Cabinet at its meeting on 22 February 2017 the report, of the Director of Development and Regeneration, ‘Local Plan Review – Scoring and Issues & Options Consultation’ had been referred to this Committee for consideration with a request that any agreed comments be referred to the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

The Strategic Planning and Implementation Manager informed the Committee that, following approval by Cabinet, the public consultation had now commenced.

In discussion comments and questions were raised in relation to the consultation process, approach and the events taking place throughout the Borough.

The Director of Development and Regeneration also attended the meeting and provided additional clarification on issues raised.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Executive that gave details of the Council Plan 2017-18 (Appendix A, Version dated 20 February 2017) as contained on pages 633 to 660 of the Book of Reports, that sought comments, if any, following consideration by Cabinet at its meeting on 14 March 2017 and prior to consideration of the final version of the Plan by Council at its meeting on 26 April 2017.

The Partnership and Performance Officer attended the meeting, provided an overview, referencing details as set down in the report.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Borough Transformation Manager and Deputy Director of Housing and Inclusion.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Transformation Manager & Deputy Director of Housing and Inclusion as contained on pages 661 to 670 of the Book of Reports that detailed the Suite of Performance Indicators for adoption as the Council’s Corporate PI Suite 2017/18 and sought agreed comments, if any, prior to final adoption, following approval by Cabinet at its meeting on 14 March 2017.

In discussion comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·         Public consultation – process and consultees.

·         Suite of indicators – understanding the indicators and their purpose.

·         Percentage of indicators linked to regional / national statistics.

The Partnership and Performance Officer attended the meeting provided an overview  and clarification, referencing details as set down in the report.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Treasurer, as contained on pages 671 to 684 of the Book of Reports, which provided an overview of the current progress on the Capital Programme.

The Deputy Borough Treasurer attended the meeting, summarised the current position of the Programme, referring to details as set down in the report.

RESOLVED:   That the current position in respect of the 2016/2017 Capital Programme be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing as contained on pages 685 to 734 that sought agreed comments, if any, of the Homelessness Strategy 2017-2022 (Consultation Draft), approved for consultation by Cabinet at its meeting on 14 March 2017.

The Homelessness and Private Sector Housing Manager attended the meeting, provided an overview and clarification on issues raised referring to details as set down in the report.

In discussion comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·         People presenting as “homeless” – actual numbers.

·         Choice-based lettings – process / “choices” available.

·         Out-of-hours service.

·         “Hidden” homelessness / anticipating homelessness.

·         Advise service – referring people to other agencies; link / role of charities; faith and voluntary organisations.

·         Duty on local authorities to regularly review its strategy.

·         Monitoring mechanisms.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman thanked the Homelessness and Private Sector Manager for the excellent report.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and thanks be extended to everyone involved in bringing the Strategy forward. 

To consider the joint report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion and the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion and the Borough Treasurer as contained on pages 735 and 744 of the Book of Reports which provided an update on the current position on the 2016/17 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Council Housing Capital Investment Programme.

The Deputy Borough Treasurer attended the meeting and provided an overview in relation to the financial position referencing details as set down in the report.

RESOLVED:  That the financial position in respect of the 2016/2017 HRA and Capital Housing Capital Programme be noted.