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 Chair requested nominations for the appointment of Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed:

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

Resolved :-

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

Minutes of the Meeting held on 4^th August, 2021 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th August 2021 were signed by the Chairman 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 made.

Attending the meeting will be the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire and Chief Inspector Cara Leadbetter. 

 The Chair welcomed Andrew Snowden, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Chief Inspector Cara Leadbetter and Sergeant Lindsay Brown to the meeting.

The Police and Crime Commissioner gave an overview of the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for 2021-2025 which had been launched the previous week and also his activity since being elected to the role. He advised that a back to basics approach was being undertaken to fight crime in Lancashire.

The priorities set out in the plan were :-

·       Getting Tough on Anti-Social Behaviour

·       Disrupting and Dismantling Organised Crime

·       Tackling Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

·       Cracking down on Burglary and Robbery

·       Targeting Dangerous Drivers

It was reported that the Commissioner’s aim was to reinforce neighbourhood task force policing in Lancashire. Initiatives such as an Antisocial Behaviour Problem Solving unit were being invested in as well as more average speed cameras and an independent review of the Road Safety Partnership was being undertaken.

A number of questions were raised regarding traffic issues, electric scooters, street drinking, groups of youths, problems in back alleys and hate crime.

Resolved:-

That the Police and Crime Commissioner, Chief Inspector Cara Leadbetter and Sergeant Lindsay Brown be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

Report of Head of Public Protection

Note:  The Leader of the Council who has responsibility for Community Safety has been invited for items 6 and 7. 

The Chair welcomed the Leader of the Council, the Director of Communities and the Environment, the Head of Public Protection and the Council’s Resilience & Community Safety Officer to the meeting.

The Committee was provided with an update on the current projects being undertaken in 2021/2022 and future developments for 2022/2023 for Lancaster District Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to ensure that the Lancaster District continued to be a safe place in which to live, work and explore.

It was reported that the main priority that has been identified was antisocial behaviour with the CSP currently running a consultation exercise to identify the other priorities for the district. A JSNA (Joint Strategic Needs Assessment) had also been undertaken as part of the on-going process of identifying the priorities for the CSP from 2022/2023.

Members were advised that the key points from the JSNA had identified that there was a wide range of issues experienced across the district with 14.6% of the LSOA’s (Lower Super Output Areas) being in the top 10% of most deprived areas in England.

 It also highlighted that victims living in postcodes in deprived areas and high rise flats were 4 times more likely to be a victim of reported crime than the normal for Lancaster district. 

The JSNA also had highlighted that alcohol is known to contribute to offending behaviour, particularly violence, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage with Lancaster being the eighth worst performing district in the Northwest for under 18’s hospital admissions linked to alcohol. To address this the Lancaster CSP had commenced preparatory discussions to establish a Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) as well as continuing to work with the Police Licensing Officers/Council Licensing Officers to identify problematic premises that require multi-agency visits.

Members were reminded that Cabinet had recently approved the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering several areas of the district. This had been a piece of work undertaken with the CSP and its partners.

The Committee went on to discuss the PSPOs and the future work of the Community Safety Partnership.

Resolved :-

That the Leader of the Council, the Director of Communities and the Environment, the Head of Public Protection and the Council’s Resilience & Community Safety Officer be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

Report of the Chief Executive. 

The Committee considered its updated Work Programme.

Members were reminded that at the meeting of full Council held on 29th September 2021 Council referred two items to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding Primary Care Patients in Lancaster and Ethical and Sustainable Approach to Investment.

The Committee went on to consider the scoping document that had been prepared for a Planning Informal Task Group.

Resolved :-

(1)   That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee establish an annual meeting to discuss healthcare matters in the district and invite representatives of relevant NHS bodies, including the local Clinical Commissioning Group and local medical practices. This meeting to take place in the next Municipal Year.

(2)   That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee scope and establish a formal Task Group to consult on and develop a comprehensive ethical and sustainable investment policy for consideration by Cabinet.

(3)   That a Planning Informal Task Group be established.