Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 27^th January, 2016 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27^th January 2016, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The meeting was adjourned at 6.05pm to allow a Dementia Friends session to take place.

The meeting was reconvened at 7.00pm.

Dr Penny Foulds from Lancaster University has been invited to the meeting to give the Committee an update on the ground breaking research into Alzheimer's Disease.

The Chairman welcomed Penny Foulds, Honorary Researcher, Lancaster University, to the meeting.

Members were given a presentation on the ground breaking research that had been undertaken at Lancaster University on a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Currently, there was no cure for any of the different types of Dementia of which there were over a hundred but 60-70% of those who had been diagnosed with Dementia suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease.

The research had uncovered neurodegenerative diseases were linked to proteins in the brain which stuck together in the brain causing tangles which were proven to cause these diseases. A non toxic drug had been produced by the research team to prevent these tangles forming.

The drug that had been created was now ready to go to phase one of clinical trials. It was noted that this would be a difficult and expensive process.

Members were invited to ask questions relating to the presentation.

Resolved :-

That Penny Foulds be thanked for her informative presentation.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for:

·         Housing

·         Environmental Health

Councillor Leytham has been invited to the meeting for this item.

It was noted that Councillor Leytham had sent her apologies as she was ill.

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 the accordance with the Consideration of Petitions process. 

It was noted that there was no update on locality working.

Report of Chief Officer (Governance). 

The Committee considered the Work Programme report.

With regard to the Special Meeting that had been scheduled for March 2016 to consider flooding issues, it was reported that the multi-agency de-brief had yet to take place therefore it was felt that March was too early for the Committee to call the Special meeting. Members discussed this suggestion and it was agreed that, in order not to lose momentum, the meeting should take place at the earliest opportunity even if this was just specifically for the Lancaster district.

The Committee went on to discuss the potential Resilience Commission Task Group. It was noted that Lancashire County Council would be happy to work with the City Council. The Chief Executive had asked the Committee for a clear steer as to whether the Commission would focus on a County Wide Commission including other district councils or a Lancaster led Task Group inviting contributions from others.

It was agreed that the Task Group be Lancaster led and that scoping of the Task Group should take place as soon as possible with the Chairman and Councillor Jackson taking the lead in the scoping.

It was further agreed that, when inviting contributions from others, organisations including Community Foundation for Lancashire and RE Flood be involved.

Members agreed that Councillor Leytham should be invited to attend the April 2016 meeting of the Committee.

With regard to the request for a briefing note on the implications of the 2015/16 Housing and Planning Bill regarding enforcement for private sector landlords, it was agreed that this issue would be raised at the April meeting when the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing and Environmental Health had been invited to attend to discuss her portfolio.

The Committee was given an update on the first meeting of the Late Night Economy in the Lancaster District Informal Task Group which had recently taken place. It was reported that the meeting had been very informative and potential recommendations had already emerged.

Resolved :-

That the actions above be agreed.