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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Cabinet & Committee Room, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39 2DF

Contact: Jacky Denning 

Items
No. Item

57.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Curry and Kay.

58.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE

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

Minutes:

There were no changes to the Membership of the Committee.

59.

URGENT BUSINESS, IF ANY, INTRODUCED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Note:  No other business is permitted unless, by reasons 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.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

60.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 299 KB

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 any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet.) 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interests.

61.

DECLARATIONS OF A PARTY WHIP

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 Cabinet or

-        The performance of any Member of the Cabinet

 

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations of a Party Whip.

62.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 379 KB

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 4 January 2018.

Minutes:

The Committee received an update in relation to:

 

(i)      Minute 48 – Flooding in the Borough

 

(a)   That the following information was awaited from Steve Howell, United Utilities:

·       The level of investment in West Lancashire

·       The programme of works for cleaning sewerage pipes, to circulate to Members

·       The publication of the Hurlston Brook Flood Risk Study

 

(b)  That a report would be submitted to Cabinet on 13 March 2018, to consider the Committee's recommendation in respect of lobbying the government.

 

(ii)     Minute 51 – Corporate Performance Indicators Q2 2017-18

 

That the recommendation from the Committee to review the target level for NI157a 'Processing of planning applications' would be considered at Cabinet on 13 March 2018.

 

Reference was made in respect of minute 30 of the meeting held on 12 October 2017 and the outstanding information requested from the CCG.

 

The Assistant Member Services Manager gave an undertaking to follow up on the matter.

 

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the meeting held Thursday, 4 January 2018 be received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

63.

PUBLIC SPEAKING pdf icon PDF 180 KB

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 10.00am on Friday, 23 February 2018. A copy of the public speaking protocol and form to be completed is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items under this heading.

 

RESOLVED:   That a press release be issued prior to the next meeting to advertise particular agenda items in a more focused approach.

64.

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (Q3 2017/18) pdf icon PDF 148 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion, as contained on pages 295 to 312 of the Book of Reports, which presented the performance monitoring data for the quarter ended 31 December 2017.

 

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

 

  • R1 % of Council Tax collected / R3 % of Non-domestic Rates Collected – concern was expressed in relation to the proposed approach to collection and the use of third party advanced specialist recovery providers, particularly with the introduction of Universal Credit and the need to retain an understanding approach to those who are not able to pay
  • NI192 % of household waste sent for reuse
  • HS 13 % LA properties with Landlord Gas Safety Record outstanding

 

RESOLVED:   A.     That the Council's performance against the indicator set for the quarter ended 31 December 2017, be noted.

 

                      B.     That in relation to 'R1 % of Council Tax collected / R3 % of Non-domestic Rates Collected':

 

(i)   BT Lancashire Services (Revenues & Benefits Service) be requested to provide at the next meeting during their annual review presentation, information in relation to:

 

·       The review of the WLBC Policy on potential bulk write off cases

 

·       Those affected and circumstances that would apply in relation to the work to be undertaken with "third party advanced specialist recovery providers to utilise in recovering high value, more complex non-payment cases" taking into account the concerns raised above.

 

(ii)  That the Portfolio Holder for Finance be notified of the Committees concern in relation to (i) above and be invited to the next meeting during consideration of the presentation.

 

(iii)  That the Partnership & Performance Officer be asked to circulate information in respect of what the "new Management Information Software to assist identification of areas for focus ' Go Live' ", will be used for.

 

65.

CRIME AND DISORDER SCRUTINY

To receive a presentation from representatives of West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership.

Minutes:

A presentation was received from the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Manager and the Community Safety Officer on behalf of the West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership (CSP).  The presentation was supported by a series of slides as contained on pages 319 to 342 of the Book of Reports the aim of which was to provide the Committee with an understanding of:

  • What is the Community Safety Partnership
  • How does it operate
  • How is it funded
  • What does it deliver

 

In addition, as requested at the previous meeting, an overview of Crime figures was also provided.  Particular reference was made in respect of the following:

 

  • Work undertaken through the multi-agency thematic groups
  • Successful Domestic Violence Funding Bids
  • Projects delivered:

-        Bright Sparx

-        Fresher's

-        Community Action Days

-        Child Sexual Exploitation/Healthy Relationships

-        Domestic Abuse

-        Motorcycle nuisance

-        Knife Wands

-        World Café

 

Comments and questions were raised in respect of:

 

·       Referral of cases to the Integrated Working Team (IWT)

·       The work of the Divert Group

·       Drink Driving campaigns

·       CCTV

·       Potential funding from Lancashire Fire and Rescue in relation to 'Bright Sparx' given the success of the project

·       PACT Meetings

·       Fracking – pressure on resources

 

The Chairman gave an undertaking to write a letter to the liberty Centre congratulating them on the work being undertaken and the funding achieved in respect of the Safe Teens Domestic Violence Project.

 

RESOLVED:  A.   That the presentation be noted.

 

B.   That the Community Safety Officer be asked to find out which PACT meetings are still being held in West Lancashire.

66.

THE ROLE OF PARISH COUNCILS IN WEST LANCASHIRE

To receive a presentation from Marion Gelder, Chief Executive Officer, Lancashire Association of Local Councils (LALC), as requested by the Committee at a previous meeting.

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from Marion Gelder, Chief Executive of Lancashire Association of Local Councils (LALC), as requested by the Committee at a previous meeting.  The presentation informed the Committee on the role of LALC and the various services it provides to Parish Councils, in particular:

  • procedural advice
  • template documents
  • Briefings
  • training workshops eg. finance, new councillor workshops, Clerks law, agendas, roles and responsibilities, planning
  • facilitation of the Certificate in Local Council Administration for Clerks
  • the role of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)

 

A copy of the booklet entitled 'The Good Councillor's Guide' was circulated, which set out the functions, powers and duties and statutory provisions of parish councils.

 

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

  • Town Councils
  • Membership
  • Precepts
  • The transparency code
  • Elections
  • Neighbourhood Plans
  • Clerks Salaries
  • Audit arrangements
  • Reserves limits
  • Partnership work opportunities

 

RESOLVED:   That Marion Gelder, the Chief Executive of Lancashire Association of Local Councils (LALC) be thanked for her presentation.

 

67.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the following 2 items as part of the review being undertaken 'Community Involvement in Service Delivery':

67a

Legal and Procurement Matters pdf icon PDF 83 KB

To receive a presentation from the Borough Solicitor (or his representative) on the legal and procurement barriers that may be encountered in relation to services in the local community.

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from the Borough Solicitor, as contained on pages 343 to 360 of the Book of Reports, to provide an understanding of the potential legal and procurement barriers that may be encountered in relation to the transfer of services to the local community.  The presentation provided information, which included the following:

  • The transfer of services, assets, resources
  • Financial support and governance matters
  • An overview of the Social Value Act in relation to procurement
  • Community Right to Challenge under the Localism Act 2011
  • Procurement matters
  • Issues associated with the perception of inadvertently granting state aid
  • Powers of authority and relevant legislation
  • limitations of powers (ultra vires)
  • Details of the Council's estate – land, industrial units, shopping centres, community centres, meeting rooms and playing fields
  • Title issues – restrictive covenants, conditions, clawback payments
  • Disposal issues – freehold transfer, types, length of time, Assets of community value
  • Best Value
  • Maintenance issues – cost, disrepair and monitoring/inspections
  • Staff issues – pensions, terms and conditions etc
  • Risk assessments, health and safety, insurance

 

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

  • Board members on external bodies
  • Contracts and procurement
  • Salaries
  • TUPE transfer
  • Legal advice
  • Inspections

 

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

 

67b

Project Plan pdf icon PDF 233 KB

To consider the updated Project Plan.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the revised project plan, as contained on pages 313 to 316 of the Book of Reports, which had been updated following the decisions made at the previous meeting.

 

RESOLVED:   That the project plan be agreed, subject to 'Objective' 'The future' being amended to:

 

A.    Remove the wording "To enable community groups to be involved, engaged, empowered and active in their local communities."

 

B.    Revise the wording "To consider whether to develop a Guidance or Information Pack to help 'sign-post' community groups to help them become involved in service delivery.

 

68.

MEMBERS' ITEMS/COUNCILLOR CALL FOR ACTION (CCfA)

There are no items under this heading.

Minutes:

There were no items under this heading.

69.

ITEMS FROM THE MEMBERS' UPDATE

There are no items under this heading.

Minutes:

There were no items under this heading.

70.

FUTURE WORK PROGRAMME 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 199 KB

To consider the Committee's future work programme.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the Committee's future Work Programme, as contained on pages 317 to 318 of the Book of Reports.

 

RESOLVED:   That the Committee's future Work Programme be approved, subject to:

 

A.    The item 'West Lancashire Tourism – The Visitor Economy Review – Review of Recommendations' being deferred to the October 2018 meeting.

 

B.    Reference to 'Parish Councils', under the 'Community Involvement in Service Delivery Review', at the July 2018 meeting, be removed.