Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16^th October 2024 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th October 2024, were signed by the Vice-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. 

Councillor Paul Hart declared an interest in any item relating to Morecambe Town Council.

The Lancaster District Allotment Review is attached.  The Committee is asked to make any comments and recommendations considered necessary. 

Anna Clayton – Food Futures Coordinator, LESS, Deborah Simmonds – Allotment Review Project Support, Councillor Joanne Ainscough, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Environmental Services, and Will Griffith, Chief Officer – Environment and Place, have been invited to attend for this item. 

The Vice-Chair welcomed the Chief Officer - Environment and Place, Anna Clayton and Deborah Simmonds from Food Futures – LESS, to the meeting.

The Committee was given a presentation on the recent Review of the district’s allotments that had been undertaken.

It was reported that the review that had been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) had reviewed the 24 allotment sites in Lancaster District of which the City Council owned 15, with 980 plots over the 24 sites. An online questionnaire had been used to gain feedback from plot holders, committee members/management and also those on waiting lists for an allotment along with site visits, interviews, focus groups and community events.

The outcome of the review was a great appreciation of allotments and the value they hold for those who have one in terms on wellbeing and mental health benefits. There was a common theme emerging from the review which was the lack of funds for maintenance on the City Council owned allotments.

The review made several recommendations to the City Council which were considered by the Committee.

The Committee went on to discuss the governing arrangements for the Council’s allotments. Members were informed that all the City Council sites (except Over Kellet) were self-governed but any issues that arose were reported to the Council even though there was no dedicated officer to deal with allotments.

At the Chair’s discretion, other Councillors present were invited to ask questions. 

It was moved, seconded and agreed as follows:

Resolved: -

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee welcomes the report, notes the recommendations and urges exploration of the different models of allotments to encourage the district’s allotments to come together to work in a more cooperative manner and independently. 

Report of Chief Officer People and Policy. 

Councillor Peter Jackson, Chair and the Vice Chair Kirsty McCreash from LFRS, of the Community Safety Partnership have been invited to attend. 

Representatives of Lancashire Constabulary have also been invited to the meeting. 

Note:  The report includes exempt appendices and the Committee would need to exclude the press and public if minded to discuss the information within the exempt appendices. 

The Chair welcomed Sergeant Lindsay Brown, Lancashire Constabulary, the Chief Officer - People and Policy and the Resilience and Community Safety Officer to the meeting.

The Committee was given an update on current projects being undertaken by the Lancaster District Community Safety Partnership (CSP), the future developments for 2024/2025 and how the current priorities were being tackled with the joint working by the partners of the CSP.  The current priorities for Lancaster CSP were Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence, Road Safety and Suicide Prevention.

Members were advised that Lancaster District Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) had been renewed in October 2024 and were valid until October 2027. As part of the district wide consultation other issues had been raised regarding the use of E-Scooters and E-bikes and this would form part of a further consultation in early 2025.

It was reported that the Lancaster District continued to be a safe place in which to live, work and explore.

Members asked a number of questions regarding the CSP’s work. It was suggested that it would be useful if the Committee as given regular updates from the CSP throughout the year.

Resolved :-

(1)        That the update be noted.

(2)        That arrangements be made for copies of the Community Safety Partnership’s minutes to be circulated to Members of the Committee. 

(3)        That Sergeant Lindsay Brown, Lancashire Constabulary, the Chief Officer - People and Policy, the Resilience and the Community Safety Officer be thanked for their attendance at the meeting. 

Report of Chief Officer – Governance. 

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Officer – Governance. 

The Principal Democratic Support Officer informed of the updates contained within the Work Programme report.

After considering the report the Committee agreed as follows: -

Resolved: -

(1)        That the following items be considered at the meeting of the Committee scheduled for 8^th January 2025:

·         Tenant Satisfaction Measures for 2024. 

·         Remote monitoring of litter bins and route optimisation,

·      The Draft Fly Tipping Strategy.

(2)        That the update on the Cabinet – Scrutiny Protocol be noted. 

(3)        That Councillor Maria Deery be appointed to the Lancaster, Morecambe and District Fairtrade Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year. 

(4)        That Councillors Martin Gawith and Sally Maddocks be added to the membership of the Property Assets Working Group. 

The List of Forthcoming Key Decisions can be viewed here

The Forthcoming Key Decisions were noted.