Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Hudson.

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 Councillor Moon and the appointment of Councillor Mrs Westley, 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 16 November 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 28 September 2017.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2017 be received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To scrutinise the Minutes of Cabinet held on 7 November 2017.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 7 November 2017.

Questions and comments were raised in respect of:

Minute 42 (Garage Strategy 2016/2020 – Update) – improved visual aspect of the estates; positive feedback of residents; continuing and future delivery / investment for the programme.

Minute 48 (Housing and Planning Act 2016: Civil Penalties & Rent Repayment Orders) – impact, if any, for tenants.

Minute 51 (Mart Lane Hall, Burscough) – explanation of Cabinet decision.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 November 2017 be noted. 

(Note:   The Committee agreed to exclude the Press and Public during consideration of Minute 51 (Mart Lane Hall, Burscough) on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 (financial/business affairs) of Part 1 of Scheduled 12A, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.  At the conclusion of the discussion on Minute 51, the meeting was re-opened to the press and public.)

There are no items under this heading.

There were no items under this heading.

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

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion and Borough Treasurer that summarised the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Housing Capital Programme positions for 2017/2018 financial year.  The report had previously been considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 7 November 2017 and was scheduled to be considered by Council at its meeting on 13 December 2017.

The Deputy Borough Treasurer attended the meeting and provided an overview of the report referring to details as set down in the report and appendices.

RESOLVED:   That the HRA and Housing Capital Programme positions be noted.

(Note:  Councillor Pope left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration)

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor that provided details of the decision of Cabinet, at its meeting on 7 November 2017, on the proposed Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan.

Members considered the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing, attached at Appendix A, the proposed Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan at Appendix 1 of that report and the additional information and revised recommendations that had been circulated at Cabinet, at Appendix B.

The views of the Committee were sought on the Strategy prior to consideration by Council at its meeting on 13 December 2017.

The Deputy Director of Leisure and Wellbeing attended the meeting, provided an overview, referring to details as set down in the report, provided clarification on the issues raised and responded to questions. 

In discussion questions and comments were raised in relation to the Priorities and Vision for health and wellbeing; its promotion, partnerships; attracting external funding; encouraging leisure participation, particularly amongst youngsters; provision of facilities and ensuring that reference is made to the Strategy within the Local Plan currently being developed.

The participation corporately to the Strategy was acknowledged as was the excellent report and the challenges and ambitions within the Strategy to contribute to the health and wellbeing of West Lancashire residents. 

The Deputy Director of Leisure and Wellbeing, on behalf of those who had been involved in bringing the strategy forward, acknowledged the thanks and positive response to the Strategy.  He noted the general comments and made an undertaking to continue to seek out initiatives, through local links and sports partnerships, that could benefit, especially young people, in local schools.

RESOLVED:   As a consequence of the discussion on the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2021, the agreed comments to the relevant Portfolio Holders be:

(1)  That the following additional phrase (page 33, draft Strategy) be included:

“and work as appropriate with local partners such that they engage in similar actions to apply social value considerations through the procurement cycle, especially where this does not occur already.”

(2) That reference be made to the Strategy within the Local Plan, currently being developed.

It is recommended that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 (financial/business) and paragraph 5 (legal matters) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and as, in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED:  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 (financial/business) and paragraph 5 (legal matters) of Part 1 of Scheduled 12A to the Act and as, in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To consider the report of the Director of Development and Regeneration.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Development and Regeneration which provided an update on the Land Auction pilot, following a request at the last meeting of the Committee on 28 September 2017.

The Deputy Director of Development and Regeneration attended the meeting provided an overview, clarification on the issues raised and responded to questions.

The Estates and Valuation Manager also attended and responded to questions put to her.

RESOLVED:  That the current position in relation to the Land Auction Pilot be noted.

(Notes:  (i) Councillor Whittington requested that his vote AGAINST be recorded.

             (ii)  Councillor Savage left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.

             (iii) Councillor Pope left during consideration of this item and took no further part in the meeting.)