Agenda item

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages 291 to 316 of the Book of Reports, which was to consider the recommendations of the Topic Scoring Panel held on 22 February 2022 and additional recommendations from Council held on 23 February for Task & Finish Groups.

The Head of Corporate and Customer Services outlined the details of the scoring exercise process undertaken as contained at Appendix A.  She explained that Council held on 23 February presented recommendations to the Committee for Task & Finish Groups as detailed in paragraph 2.3 of the report. 

She informed the Committee that if both topics as recommended at paragraph 2.2 of the report in addition to the Council recommendations, would involve resource implications, this was due to the topics falling under the one Service area and to also enable the delivery of effective outcomes.

In discussion Members agreed for the selection of Topic 9 – Litter clearance in Skelmersdale and other areas, however, wished for the title of this review to be entitled 'Litter clearance in West Lancashire, including 'fly-tipping' and 'grot spots' to encompass the whole of the Borough and inclusion of issues with fly-tipping and grot spots.

The following comments and questions were raised:

·         Members felt that both topics 4 & 9 were equally important, and each held its own merits

·         Resource implications

·         Membership of Task & Finish Groups

·         Terms of Reference / Remit of Task & Finish Groups

·         Examples of how similar LA's Task & Finish Groups work.

RESOLVED:

A.        That the results of the scoring exercise (Appendix A) undertaken by the Panel be noted and endorsed.

B.        That the following topic recommended by the Panel be selected for review by a Task & Finish Group in 2022/23, be approved:

"Litter clearance in West Lancashire, including 'fly-tipping' and 'grot spots'"

C.        That Task & Finish Groups requested by Council at its meeting held on 23 February 2022 be established in respect of:

·         Community Environmental Improvements, including community orchards

·         Shop Front Improvements

D.        That the actions identified in Appendix A be approved in respect of those topics not selected for review and an update report on what action has been taken in respect of these suggestions, be reported to the Committee in September 2022.

E.        That a press release be prepared and issued to inform local residents of the chosen review topic(s) selected for review by Task & Finish Groups and the actions identified in Appendix A, in respect of those topics not selected for review.

F.        That a presentation on the selected topic be provided and a draft Project Plan for the review be prepared for the first meeting of Task & Finish Group.

G.        That the Work Programme for the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the established Task & Finish Groups, as set out in paragraph 4.6, subject to any amendments agreed by the Committee, be confirmed and included on the Council’s web site.

            "‘Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee'

            The Committee considers, as part of its routine work:

            • Items referred from "Members Update" at the request of a Member

            • Members items/Councillor Call for Action (CCfA)

            • Performance Management

            • Acts as the Council's Crime and Disorder Committee

            • Reviews the recommendations from previously conducted reviews

            The Committee also appoints Task and Finish Groups to conduct in-depth reviews/policy development.  Task and Finish Groups will consider topics in more detail, as requested, and report findings/recommendations to the Committee.  The Committee will then submit recommendations to Cabinet and Council, as appropriate.

Task & Finish Groups established for 2022/23 are as follows:

·         Litter clearance in West Lancashire, including 'fly-tipping' and 'grot spots'

·         Community Environmental Improvements, including community orchards

·         Shop Front Improvements

H.        That details of Mowing Schedules/Regimes of the Borough be circulated to all Members.