Agenda item

Report of the Head of Governance. 

The Principal Democratic Support Officer gave the Committee an update on the Work Programme.

The Committee reiterated its request to arrange a special meeting with Lancashire County Council and BT to consider Rural Broadband, and emphasised the importance of being provided with strategic maps relating to the scheme that had previously been requested.

It was reported that the final meeting of the Commissioning Plan Informal Task Group had taken place on 15 May 2012 with the Final Report being brought to the Committee for consideration.

The Committee was informed that Officers had met with the Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss ways to streamline Committee Meetings and allow Members to concentrate on the major Agenda items. It had been suggested that the standing Agenda item ‘Update from Overview and Scrutiny Members’ be removed from the Agenda. Members of the Committee would be asked to provide a six monthly update and produce a short Annual Report.

It was also suggested that Shadow Cabinet Members could continue to meet with their respective Cabinet Members and highlight to the Committee any work areas of issues that may arise. The Shadow Cabinet Members would also work with their Cabinet Member before they attended an Overview and Scrutiny meeting if they had been requested to attend.

The Committee was informed that the Chairman had agreed that both the Chairman of Budget and Performance Panel and Overview and Scrutiny Committee meet on a monthly basis with the Pre-Scrutiny Champion and Officers to consider the Forward Plan and Cabinet Agenda. Any issues identified would then be highlighted to this Committee.

The Principal Democratic Support Officer advised the Committee of the issues which had been raised at this Meeting, including CCTV, Rural Broadband, Shared Services and letting of Council Buildings.

The Committee discussed these issues, it was agreed that consideration of the issues relating to CCTV be added to the Committee’s Work Programme to be considered at the Community Safety meeting to be held later in the year.

The Committee asked that Briefing Notes be requested on the following issues:

·        Legislation Relating to Dog Fouling

·        Update on the Storey Creative Industries Centre

·        Update on GP Consortia

·        Provision of Facilities for Anglers on Morecambe Promenade

Resolved:-

(1)             That the standing Agenda item ‘Update from Overview and Scrutiny Members be removed from the Agenda.

(2)             That the Committee reiterate its request to arrange a Special Meeting with Lancashire County Council and BT to consider Rural Broadband.

(3)             That consideration of issues relating to CCTV be included on the Committees Work Programme to be considered at the Community Safety meeting to be held later in the year.

(4)             That a Briefing Note be requested regarding legislation relating to dog fouling.

(5)             That a Briefing Note be requested to provide the committee with an update relating to the situation regarding the Storey Creative Industries Centre.

(6)             That a Briefing Note be requested to provide an update on GP Consortia.

(7)             That a Briefing Note be requested regarding the provision of facilities for anglers on Morecambe Promenade.