Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19^th November 2025 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19^th November 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. 

There were no Declarations of Interest made.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Report and Appendices submitted to Cabinet on 2^nd December 2025 are attached. 

At Cabinet, the Leader informed the meeting that the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Protocol had been withdrawn but it would be revisited to ensure that a comprehensive protocol would be adopted (Minute 72 refers). 

Councillor Caroline Jackson, Leader of the Council and Councillor Sally Maddocks, Cabinet Member with Responsibility, have been invited to the meeting for this item. 

The Chair welcomed The Leader of the Council, Councillor Caroline Jackson to the meeting.

The Committee was reminded that consideration of the draft Pre-Decision Scrutiny Protocol had been withdrawn from the Cabinet agenda to allow further discussions to take place between Scrutiny and Cabinet Members. The Leader explained to the Committee the difficulties of scheduling Scrutiny’s input into reports in the timescales that were in place.

The Group discussed the way forward and agreed to set up a Working Group to make recommendations on the draft Protocol.

Resolved :

That an Informal Working Group be established to consider the draft Pre-Decision Scrutiny Protocol comprising of the Leader, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee, Councillors Penney and Colley.

The Chair welcomed the Chief Officer – Environment and Place and the Public Realm Operations Manager to the meeting.

Members were provided with an update on the implementation of the Government’s Waste Strategy.

It was reported that there were 3 key phases of implementation to deliver the mandates set out within the Government’s Waste Strategy.

·       Phase 1 was the widespread roll out of wheelie bin recycling provision following the Council’s capital investment. This was currently on going, with over 80% of properties now having received their bins, with a projected completion date of January 2026.

·       Phase 2 would commence in February 2026 focusing on the delivery of food waste caddies to each property, with proposed collection services starting the week after. It was anticipated that full roll out of this service will be undertaken by the government’s deadline of 31st March 2026.

·       Phase 3 would begin in April 2026 moving residents on to a 3 weekly bin collections service for residual and recycling of plastics/cans and glass and paper/card.

The Committee was advised that the Waste Policy Implementation Group met monthly with work stream updates from officers from Public Realm, Public Protection, Waste Management and Communications. Following updates, Councillors had the opportunity to feed in comments and questions on the operational approach. Officers valued this Working Group and would welcome the continuation of the Group as a positive move to continue constant dialogue.

Members went on to discuss clinic and medical waste, communal bin hubs, HMOs and students and concern over the food waste collection.

Resolved :-

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

(2)   That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the progress made by the cross party Working Group and endorses its continuation.

(3)   That update reports be provided at appropriate times.

The Committee discussed the Fit for the Future briefing that had taken place the previous week.

The Chair circulated a paper detailing proposals to move forward with scrutinising the Fit for the Future Programme. It was agreed to consider this in more detail at the next meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Committee considers the Fit for the Future Programme at the next meeting.

The List of Forthcoming Key Decisions can be viewed here

The Forthcoming Key Decisions were noted.

City Council Commissioned Consultations can be viewed here

There were no consultations to consider.

The Chair to advise. 

The Chair had not been consulted on any decisions.

Report of Chief Officer – Governance. 

The Committee considered the updated Work Programme.

It was reported that a reply had been received from the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing regarding the Care Quality Commission Assessment and this had been scheduled for the Committee’s meeting on 4th February 2026 with all Councillors invited to attend and also available for Councillors on Microsoft Teams.

It was noted that the Budget and Performance Panel Budget Consultation meeting was taking place on 3rd February 2026 commencing at 6.00pm at Morecambe Town Hall. All Councillors had been invited to attend and the meeting would be live streamed.

With regard to Community Resilience and Emergency Planning that had been agreed to be added to the Work Programme at the last meeting, the Committee had been asked if there were any specific areas they wanted to consider and the expected outcomes. Members discussed this and agreed to request a report detailing the following :-

·       How can Councillors improve resilience within their communities

·       As community leaders, what is expected of Councillors

·       What training is required for Councillors – is there a programme of training or information for elected members

·       What is the role of Councillors

·       What are the procedures in place if there is an emergency

·       The outcomes detailed in the Local Government Association’s Guidance on Civil Resilience.

Members were advised that a reply had now been received from Lancashire County Council regarding Flooding in Lancaster. It was requested that officers provide a report to the next meeting of the Committee on this issue.

As the agenda for the February meeting was quite large, it was agreed to request the presentations to be circulated before the meeting.

Resolved :-

(1)   That, with regard to Community Resilience and Emergency Planning, the Committee request a report detailing the following :-

·       How can Councillors improve resilience within their communities

·       As community leaders, what is expected of Councillors

·       What training is required for Councillors – is there a programme of training or information for elected members

·       What is the role of Councillors

·       What are the procedures in place if there is an emergency

·       The outcomes detailed in the Local Government Association’s Guidance on Civil Resilience.

(2)   That  officers provide a report to the next meeting of the Committee on Flooding in Lancaster.

(3)   That it be requested that the presentations for the February meeting be circulated before the meeting.