Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 11^th November 2010 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th November 2010 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of Head of Regeneration and Policy.

The Head of Regeneration and Policy submitted a report which informed the Committee of a consultation on the draft Local Transport Plan for Lancashire. The Plan would set out a strategy and priorities for transport across the County between 2011 to 2021.

Members were requested to consider the comments made by officers on the draft Plan and make any amendments to form the Council’s formal response to the consultation.

The draft Plan included seven priorities and contained specific references to the district - the  introduction of a park and ride system for Lancaster and the M6 link road. It was felt by officers that there was no reference in the Plan as to how these priorities would be achieved. It was also felt that there was a significant gap in the Plan in relation to providing enhanced and improved accessibility for vulnerable members of the community particularly those with disabilities.

Members made a number of observations regarding items that they felt should be included in the plan and which appeared to have been omitted.  These were accessibility for visually impaired people using public transport, the need to make reference to the University and small/medium enterprises in the area, and the need to develop bus information systems.  The Committee also felt that the plan should link in to this Council’s Corporate priorities.

Resolved :

(1)        That the comments raised in Section 5 of the report together with the             Committee’s comments as summarised above  be submitted to Lancashire County Council as a formal response from the City Council.

(2)        That officers keep Members informed of the progress of the Local Transport Plan and report back upon the publication of a final strategy document.

The Head of Governance presented a report which requested the Committee to consider whether the Council should respond to an invitation from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to submit an application for a Lord Mayoralty.

It was reported that the invitation was part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place in 2012 and the Queen would confer Lord Mayor status under royal prerogative on just one city council.

Members were reminded that, if the Committee was minded to support such an application, it should recognise that the Council would need to invest financially in the enhanced profile of the mayoralty if the application was successful.

The Committee discussed the advantages and disadvantages of submitting an application and the financial implications including the cost of submitting the application. It was reported that this would be undertaken within existing resources.

Resolved :

(1)                       That Council Business Committee support the submission of an application for Lord Mayoralty.

(2)                       That the Committee note the commitment for the Council to invest financially in the enhanced profile of the mayoralty should the application be successful.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive submitted a report which requested the Committee to consider whether the Council should be attempting to achieve Level 2 of the North West Employers Organisation (NWEO) Member Development Charter submission at this time or if it was more appropriate for a Level 1 review to be undertaken instead.

It was reported that, whilst the target of achieving Level 2 of the NWEO Charter appeared in the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2011, it was not something that the Council had to achieve. In the light of the Council’s financial situation it was felt by officers that this project could be postponed as it was a discretionary activity.

It was felt by Members that it would be disappointing not to move forward with the Level 2 submission but it was acknowledged that in view of the financial position, the recent officer changes in Governance, the forthcoming local elections and the need to identify a suitable project for the submission, it would not be appropriate to attempt to achieve Level 2 at this time.

Resolved :

(1)        That preparation of a submission for the NWEO Member Development Charter Level 2 be postponed until there are more resources available and a suitable topic presents itself to secure a successful outcome.

(2)        That the Level 1 review process be undertaken in 2011.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Head of Governance presented a report of the Chief Executive requesting Members to consider the future of the Budget and Performance Panel and the Terms of Reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee was requested to consider streamlining the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function and improve the function by reviewing the Terms of Reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Committee could take on the work of the Budget and Performance Panel allowing the Panel to be stood down.

Members were advised that, with the demise of Lancashire Locals, the joint Committee with the County Council, there was no dedicated mechanism for locality working between the two tiers of local government. It was suggested that the terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could be amended to extend its remit to provide a process to improve joint working between County and City Councils.

The Committee considered the proposals and concern was raised over the workload that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be presented with if the changes took place and the lengthy meetings that would ensue, and the need to review the size of the Committee.

It was agreed that Officers would submit a further report containing more detail of proposed changes to the Terms of Reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to the next meeting of the Committee.

Resolved :

That a further report containing more detail of proposed changes to the Terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

Group Administrators were invited to put forward nominations for any changes to memberships of committees. The changes submitted by the Green Groups were accepted.

Resolved :

That the following nominations and changes to membership of committees be accepted.

Green Group

Personnel Committee                                      Delete Anne Chapman and leave as                                                                           vacancy