Agenda and minutes

In accordance with Part 3, Section 11 of the Constitution, the holder of this appointment may not come from the largest political group on Cabinet.

Nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year were requested.

It was proposed by Councillor Tracey Brown, seconded by David Whitaker and unanimously agreed :

“That Councillor Nigel Goodrich be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year.”

Resolved :-

That Councillor Nigel Goodrich be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year.

Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 5^th April, 2017 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th April 2017 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for :

·         Relationships with other Councils

·         Communications

·         Performance Management

·         Democratic Services, Legal and HR

Councillor Blamire has been invited to attend the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Eileen Blamire, Leader of the Council and portfolio holder with responsibility for Relationships with other Councils, Communications, Performance Management and Democratic Services, Legal and HR, to the meeting.

Councillor Blamire gave the Committee an overview of the main issues facing the City Council and an update of her portfolio. The need for the City Council to ensure strategic planning was at the forefront of decision making was emphasized. The City Council was planning to work closer with the other Morecambe Bay local authorities to learn from each other, apply for funding and share information and expertize.

An update was given on the Canal Corridor scheme and the need for cross party agreement if and when it went forward.

Members were given details of the specific areas of the Leader’s portfolio.

The Committee asked a number of questions of the Leader relating to the Canal Corridor scheme, the Opus site in Morecambe, the Council’s response to the recent power cut that effected the North West and the City Council becoming more commercialised.

Resolved :-

That Councillor Blamire be thanked for her attendance at the meeting.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for :

·         Leisure, Culture and Tourism

·         Climate Change

Councillor Clifford has been invited to attend the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Darren Clifford portfolio holder with responsibility for Leisure, Culture & Tourism and Climate Change, to the meeting.

Councillor Clifford gave the Committee an update of his portfolio and stressed the importance of Leisure, Culture & Tourism as an integral part of the Council not as an added extra but an important industry within the UK. There had been an increase in the number of tourists visiting the district bringing £430 million to the local economy.

Members were advised that the Beyond the Castle project was now being run by the City Council. Important historical artefacts had been found on Vicarage Field and Quay Meadow, with Giant Axe being a potential important Roman/Anglo Saxon site with the sites potentially being national or even possibly internationally significant archaeologically. 

It was agreed to add an update on the Beyond the Castle project to the Committee’s Work Programme.

The Committee was provided with updates on the new visitor website, local festivals, the Platform, community pools and museums.

It was noted that Salt Ayre Sports Centre was going from strength to strength. Membership of the gym had increased from 700 to 2300 which didn’t include those who paid on the day. The sports centre had attracted national attention and was being used as an exemplar for how local authorities could work with the private sector on a commercial basis.

With regard to climate change, it was reported that the City Council was continually working to reduce its energy consumption across the board. Councillor Clifford emphasised the need for all services to be energy efficient and forward thinking in terms of climate change.

The Committee went on to discuss signage in the district and it was noted that a review of the signage around the gyratory system was to be undertaken. It was agreed to add this issue to the Committee’s Work Programme.

Members asked a number of questions relating to solar farms, marketing, sculptures, energy efficiency and Morecambe BID.

Resolved :-

(1)  That Councillor Clifford be thanked for his attendance at the meeting.

(2)  That an update on the Beyond the Castle project be added to the Committee’s Work Programme.

(3)  That the review of the signage around the gyratory system be added to the Committee’s Work Programme.

Report of the Chief Executive. 

Members considered a report which set out a number of appointments the Committee were required to make. 

The following appointments were agreed. 

Resolved:-

(1)        That Councillor June Ashworth be appointed Scrutiny Champion for the             Municipal Year. 

(2)        That Councillor Caroline Jackson be appointed the Pre-Scrutiny Champion for             the Municipal Year. 

(3)        The following were agreed as Cabinet Liaison Members: -

• Councillor Eileen Blamire            -          Councillor June Ashworth

• Councillor Janice Hanson           -          Councillor Brett Cooper

• Councillor Darren Clifford           -           Councillor Caroline Jackson

• Councillor James Leyshon         -           Councillor Nigel Goodrich

• Councillor Andrew Warriner       -           Councillor Caroline Jackson

• Councillor Brendan Hughes       -           Councillor Charlie Edwards

• Councillor Margaret Pattison      -           Councillor Charlie Edwards

• Councillor Anne Whitehead        -           Councillor Phillippa Williamson

(4)        The following appointments were agreed to outside bodies: -

• Lancaster, Morecambe and District Fairtrade Group - Councillor Brett Cooper.

• Museums Advisory Forum - Councillor June Ashworth. 

(5)        With regard to the Homelessness Forum it was agreed to ascertain if this was             still in existence, and if so, reconsider at a future meeting.

Report of the Chief Executive. 

The Committee was requested to consider the Committee’s Work Programme. It was reported that, as agreed at the last meeting, a Loneliness Summit had been scheduled to take place on 4^th October 2017 at Lancaster Town Hall. Officers had worked with the Portfolio holder and Age UK on a format. Members were invited to submit any ideas of how the event should work.

It was reported that the Chairman of the Resilience Commission Task Group had met with officers to discuss the way forward. It was agreed that the Task Group would re-convene to discuss communication within communities. It was further agreed that a report would be requested on gaps that could be identified in light of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Members were advised that, due to the General Election, scoping of the Customer Services Strategy and Future Complaints Policy potential Task Group had been delayed. This would now take place in July.

The Committee was reminded that all Members of Committee were invited to attend the Pre-Scrutiny meeting that was taking place on Friday 23^rd June commencing at 11.30am.

With regard to the Work Programme item on Hate Crime, it was agreed to change this to Community Cohesion within the District.

Members were reminded that the next meeting of the Committee on 12^th July 2017 would incorporate a training event.

Resolved :-

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Resilience Commission Task Group re-convene to discuss communication within communities and request a report on gaps that could be identified in light of the Grenfell Tower fire.

(3)  That the Work Programme item on Hate Crime be changed to Community Cohesion within the District.

(4)  That the two issues raised in Minute 4 be included in the Committee’s Work Programme.

It was noted that there had not been any requests for items to be considered in accordance with the Councillor Call for Action process.

It was noted that there had not been any requests for items to be considered in accordance with the Petition process.

Members were advised that no update had been received.