Agenda and minutes

In accordance with Part 3, Section 3, Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, of the Constitution, the holder of this appointment shall not be members of the largest political group, which has Councillors serving on the Cabinet. 

The Chairman requested nominations for Vice-Chair of the Committee. It was proposed by Councillor Patricia Heath, seconded by Councillor David Whitaker and unanimously agreed:

“That Councillor Stewart Scothern be appointed Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year.” 

Resolved:

That Councillor Stewart Scothern be appointed Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year. 

Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 3^rd April, 2019 (attached). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd April 2019 were signed by the Chair as a correct record. 

There were no items of urgent business. 

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest. 

Report of the Director of Corporate Services

The Committee was requested to make the following appointments:

·         Scrutiny Champion

·         Pre- Scrutiny Champion

·         Also to appoint to the following bodies:

·         Homelessness Forum

·         Lancaster, Morecambe and District Fairtrade Group

Resolved:

(1)       That Councillor Patricia Heath be appointed Scrutiny Champion for the Municipal Year. 

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

(2)       The following appointments were agreed to outside bodies:

·         Homelessness Forum – Councillor Roger Dennison

·         Lancaster, Morecambe & District Fairtrade Group - Councillor Tim Dant.

To consider any updates. 

The Director of Corporate Services provided the Committee with an update on the Eden (North) project. 

It was reported that the first planning report for the proposed attraction had been submitted to the City Council.  It was noted that the Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report was the first stage in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment and planning application for the project. 

The Committee was informed that a further report was scheduled to be submitted to the August Cabinet meeting for consideration. 

Resolved:

That the oral update be noted. 

To consider any issues. 

The Committee discussed issues that had arisen as a result of the Overview and Scrutiny training event held on Monday, 17^th June 2019. 

Report of the Director of Corporate Services. 

The Committee was requested to consider the process for selecting items for the Committee’s Work Programme.  It was noted that the Committee was responsible for setting its own Annual Work Programme within its Terms of Reference. 

The report advised all Councillors had been emailed and a press release and a social media release had been produced for issues to be considered for inclusion in the Scrutiny Work Programme. 

The Committee had previously agreed to the following processes for considering current and future scrutiny Work Programme topics and agenda items:

A meeting be arranged with the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Chair of Budget & Performance Panel, the Pre-Scrutiny Champion and members of the Council’s Senior Management Team (Note: now Executive Team).  This meeting will allow a preliminary prioritisation of submissions to be conducted and report back to this Committee. This being subject to the arrangements for consulting on future Work Programme items as set out in the Constitution continuing and the Work Programme being finally agreed by this Committee. 

Following consideration of the report the Committee noted the process for considering the current and future scrutiny Work Programme topics and agenda items as set out in Section 2 of the report. 

It was also noted that it was usual, after an election, for the new Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committee to meet informally to discuss Cabinet’s plans for the forthcoming year and how scrutiny can become engaged in the decision making process.

The event gave both Cabinet and Scrutiny Members the chance to get to know one another, explore Cabinet Member’s portfolios and make suggestions for the Committee’s Work Programme for the year.  This meeting had been arranged for July, details would be circulated once this was confirmed.

Resolved:

(1)          That the Committee notes the report and the processes for considering current and future scrutiny Work Programme topics and agenda items as set out in Section 2 of the report. 

(2)          That, subject to (1) above, the Committee notes that a report on any suggestions for the Work Programme will be provided at the next meeting.