Agenda and minutes

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 9th March 2022 6.00 p.m.

Venue: Morecambe Town Hall - MTH. View directions

Contact: Jenny Kay, Democratic Services - email  jkay@lancaster.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

26.

Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 9th February, 2022 (previously circulated). 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9th February 2022 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

27.

Items of Urgent Business authorised by the Chair

Minutes:

There were no items of Urgent Business.

28.

Declarations of Interest

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. 

 

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest made.

29.

Discussions with the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing

Councillor Sandra Thornberry has been invited to the meeting to discuss her Portfolio:

 

•           Arts, Culture, Festivals and Events

•           Museums

•           Visitor Information Centres

•           Sport and Leisure

•           Community Health and Wellbeing

•           Equalities & Social Justice Initiatives including age; disability; race; religion or belief; sex, gender or gender identity

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Councillor Sandra Thornberry, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing to the meeting.

 

The Committee was given a detailed overview of Councillor Thornberry’s portfolio which included :-.

·       Arts, Culture, Festivals and Events

·       Museums

·       Visitor Information Centres

·       Sport and Leisure

·       Community Health and Wellbeing

·       Equalities & Social Justice Initiatives including age; disability; race; religion or belief; sex, gender or gender identity

It was reported that an Arts and Culture Strategy was to be developed this year focusing on the Council’s priorities and the assets the Council owned in consultation with local people and organisations.

 

The Committee was reminded of the ongoing success of Salt Ayre Leisure Centre which continued to increase its capacity and offer. It was reported that the Spa had been nominated for a National award.

 

Councillor Thornberry advised Members of the many groups and committees she was involved with regarding Well Being despite the Council having little statutory responsibility for this area. It was noted that the portfolio was very large but difficult to separate with Well Being linking with other parts of the portfolio.

A number of questions were raised relating to Well Being, food clubs, the culture strategy, museums, joint working with local organisations, the Ashton Hall, twinned towns and accessibility.

 

The Committee went on to discuss the Council owned museums and how these could be improved if invested in. As the City Council had taken ownership of Museums from Lancashire County Council just prior to COVID, little development had been made over the time of the pandemic.

 

Finally, the Committee discussed the future of the Ashton Hall within Lancaster Town Hall. It was noted that it had been used for music concerts pre-COVID and it was hoped this would begin once again.  It was suggested investment in a goods lift was essential as well as stage equipment, sound and lighting.

 

Resolved :-

 

That Councillor Thornberry be thanked for her attendance at the meeting.

30.

Work Programme

Minutes:

The Committee was informed that a meeting to scope the Ethical and Sustainable Investment Policy Task Group was being set up but only one member had come forward to take part in the scoping.

 

Councillor Abi Mills offered to attend the scoping meeting.

 

Resolved:-

 

That Councillor Abi Mills takes part in the scoping meeting for the Ethical and Sustainable Investment Policy Task Group.