Agenda and draft minutes

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8^th January 2025 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th January 2025 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There was no 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. 

Councillor John Livermore declared an interest in the Business Support and Economic Strategy Update agenda item as he owned a business in Morecambe. (Minute 51 refers.)

The Draft Policy has been circulated separately.

The Chair welcomed the Chief Officer – Environment and Place and the Commercial Protect Manager to the meeting.

The Committee was given an overview of the Draft Corporate Enforcement Policy which had recently been updated. It was reported that the policy was an overarching policy that applied to all the Council’s Services that had enforcement duties, with some services having specific Legislative Guidance and Regulations which set out the enforcement requirements in these services.

Members were advised that in deciding on the most appropriate course of action officers would have regard to the principles set out in the Policy and the need to maintain a balance between enforcement and other activities, including inspection, advice and education. This would also be conducted in a manner which is proportionate, accountable, consistent and transparent.

The Committee went on to ask a number of questions regarding the draft Policy.

It was suggested that it would be useful to have links to the individual service enforcement policies provided on the internet in this overarching draft Policy.

Resolved :-

(1)   That the Chief Officer – Environment and Place and the Commercial Protect Manager be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

(2)   That the progress on the draft Policy be noted.

Report of the Chief Officer - Sustainable Growth.

The Chair welcomed the Chief Officer – Sustainable Growth to the meeting.

The Committee was given an update on the City Council’s Economic Development function.  It was reported that the Economic Development function of the Council had changed considerably over the past two years as the service moved from a centrally funded model to being funded externally. In October 2023 the old Economic Development service ceased and was replaced by a new Business Support service focusing on a UKSPF funded project. The current programme ended in March 2025 with potential for an extension to March 2026 in discussion.  As part of the programme the City Council secured funding to provide a Business and Skills Support Service which included the employment of an Economy and Skills Manager and 2 Project Officers.

Members were advised the purpose of the project was to provide a strategic co-ordination, facilitation and enabling role, working in partnership with local businesses, communities and education and skills providers to ensure the delivery of the outputs and outcomes of UKSPF and the City Council. It was reported that since October 2023 the project had achieved significant outputs and outcomes which were highlighted to the Committee.

As the project was nearing its end, discussions were ongoing about an extension to March 2026 alongside the Work Well Programme. The Work Well Programme was an early-intervention work and health support and assessment service, providing holistic support to overcome health-related barriers to employment, and a single, joined-up gateway to other support services.

The Committee was advised that the Economic Development Strategy, which was included in the Committee’s Work Programme, was currently being drafted. The draft Strategy would be considered by the Committee once it was complete.

Members asked a number of questions regarding Eden, the new Strategic Authority and the need to encourage young entrepreneurs within the district.

Resolved :-

(1)   That the Chief Officer – Sustainable Growth be thanked for his attendance at the meeting.

(2)   That the update be noted.

The List of Forthcoming Key Decisions can be viewed here

The Forthcoming Key Decisions were noted.

The Updated Work Programme is attached. 

The Committee considered the updated Work Programme.

It was agreed that items on the Work Programme relating to Benchmarking and Project reporting systems should be referred to the Budget and Performance Panel for consideration and that the members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be invited to the meeting when these items are considered.

Members were also requested to submit any items that could be considered at the Annual Health Care meeting scheduled for May 2025.

Resolved :-

That the updates above be noted.