Agenda and draft minutes

In accordance with Rule 8, paragraph c, Part 3 – Rules of Procedure, Section 3, the Chair and Vice-Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors serving on the Cabinet. 

The Chair requested nominations for Vice-Chair of the Committee.

It was proposed by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Abi Mills and unanimously agreed :

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

Resolved :-

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

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7^TH February, 2024 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7^th February 2024 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.

An update will be provided to the Committee at the meeting.

The Committee considered a briefing note detailing the work that was being undertaken to produce a Fly Tipping Strategy for the City Council.  As the Chief Officer – Environment and Place was unable to attend the meeting, it was agreed to defer this item until the May meeting.

Resolved :-

That the update on the Draft Fly Tipping Strategy be deferred until the May meeting of the Committee.

This is to give further notice in accordance with Part 2, paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private. 

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item:- 

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the Committee itself to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public.  In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

It was unanimously agreed :-  

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Resolved :-

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth.

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

The Committee was provided with a detailed overview of the progress of Eden Project Morecambe.  Information was provided on key dates for the project and

Members of the Committee asked a number of questions relating to the project.

Resolved :-

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

(2)   That the update be noted.

The Press and Public were re-admitted to the meeting.

Report of Chief Officer – Governance. 

The Committee considered the updated Work Programme.

The Chair advised that he had met with the Chief Executive to discuss the way forward with the Fair Tax motion that had been referred to the Committee. Members discussed how to proceed with scoping a Task Group for this piece of work and agreed not to move forward with a Task Group.

Members of the Committee were of the opinion that this work would seem to duplicate work already being undertaken by the Audit Committee, namely undertaking a procurement and contracts review, and therefore the motion the Committee had been requested to undertake work on would seem to be a duplication of work and use of City Council officer time and resources. 

It was agreed that this issue would be referred to the Audit Committee for consideration.

It was reported that an update on the current model of the Health Care System would be provided at the 29th May 2004 meeting.

Resolved :-

That the Fair Tax motion be referred to the Audit Committee for consideration.

The List of Forthcoming Key Decisions can be viewed here

Members of the Committee wished to discuss and ask questions of the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Finance, who was in attended at the meeting, upon the Key Decision regarding Commercial property disposal, Lancaster that was included on the List of Forthcoming Key Decisions.  It was noted that this issue was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act. 

It was unanimously agreed and resolved :- 

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

The Press and Public left the meeting.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Finance, who was present at the meeting, answered questions from Members of the Committee on the Key Decision.

The Press and Public were re-admitted to the meeting.