Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 6^th March, 2019 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th March 2019 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Informal Task Group’s report will be circulated seperately.

Members of the Committee considered the Final Report of the Customer Services and Future Complaints Policy Informal Task Group. Two slight amendments on the wording of Recommendations 3 and 4 were agreed.

Resolved :-

That the Final Report of the Customer Services and Future Complaints Policy Informal Task Group with the amendments referred to above, be approved and referred to the Monitoring Officer for determination in accordance with Part 4, Section 5, paragraph 12 of the City Council’s Constitution.

To consider any updates. 

The Chief Executive provided the Committee with an update on the Eden (North) project.

It was reported that the Council was working with Eden and the other partners involved to move the project along in terms of the initial agreed funding. Discussions were taking place regarding the principles of the project in terms of what it could bring to Morecambe. Representatives from Eden were keen that Morecambe should benefit from the project including the use of local businesses where possible.

Negotiations were taking place and these would be considered by Council in the summer which would then give Eden the certainty of the project to enable funding bids to be sought.

Resolved:-

That the oral update be noted.

To consider any issues arising. 

Members were reminded that, at the Call-in that took place in August 2018, the Committee had agreed :

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer to the Constitutional Working Group the following issues :

(i)            Clarification of what should be referred to Cabinet or Council regarding spending of the City Council’s reserves.

(ii)                       Request the Constitutional Working Group to consider additional parameters should be set on the amount Cabinet can spend from the City Council’s Reserves.

It was reported that this issue had been considered by the Constitutional Working Group but did not seem to be included in the revised Constitution that was being considered by Council the following week.

It was agreed to raise the omission with the Monitoring Officer to allow this to be reported into the Council meeting on 10^th April 2019.

Resolved:-

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee raise the omission regarding the City Council’s reserves with the Monitoring Officer to allow this to be reported into the Council meeting on 10^th April 2019.

The Chairman, as it was the last meeting of the Committee for this term, expressed his thanks to Jenny Kay and Stephen Metcalfe for their hard work supporting the Committee and other officers who had attended to provide advice and information on specific topics.