Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 20^th November, 2020 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th November 2019 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing :-

• Council Housing
• Homelessness
• Private sector housing
• Social Housing
• Caravan sites
• Traveller sites
• Refugee housing

Councillor Jackson has been invited to the meeting for this item.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Caroline Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing to the meeting.

Councillor Jackson gave an overview of her portfolio which included Council Housing, Homelessness, Private sector housing, Social Housing, Caravan sites, Traveller sites

and Refugee housing. The Committee were given details of housing projects that were being developed.

A number of questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting in relation to Mellishaw traveller site and Councillor Jackson provided a written response to these. It was suggested it would be useful for the Committee to visit the Mellishaw site and for a member of the Committee to be involved with the work that was being undertaken on the site.

Members of the Committee went on to discuss the Council housing Right to Buy scheme and its impact on the Council’s housing stock.

Resolved :-

(1)  That Councillor Jackson be thanked for her attendance at the meeting.

(2)  That a site visit to Mellishaw Traveller site be arranged for members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(3)  That, along with the Cabinet Member and Champion for the Disabled, a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be included in the work that was being undertaken on Mellishaw site.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development & Regeneration :-

·         Economic development & regeneration

• Asset & property management
• Skills
• Digital strategy
• Markets

Councillor Hamilton-Cox has been invited to the meeting for this item.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development & Regeneration, to the meeting.

The Committee was given an overview of his portfolio which included Economic Development & Regeneration, Asset & Property Management, Skills, Digital strategy and Markets. The Cabinet Member highlighted the importance of a Digital Strategy not only for the City Council but for the district as a whole. Many influential businesses worked in the district and the       Council needed to collaborate and support these businesses to grow by facilitating work space and ultrafast broadband.

Members of the Committee asked a number of questions relating to the West End of Morecambe, Eden (North) and Heysham Gateway.

The Committee discussed the Future High Street project and queried the consultation process that had taken place. It was suggested it would be useful for the Committee to hear a presentation on this issue and invite all Morecambe Councillors.

Resolved:-

(1)  That Councillor Hamilton-Cox be thanked for his attendance at the meeting.

(2)  That a presentation on the Future High Streets project be requested for the next meeting of the Committee and that all Morecambe Councillors be invited to attend.

Cabinet Member with responsibility Arts, Culture, Leisure & Tourism :-

·         Arts, Culture, Festivals & Events

·         Museums

·         Tourism & Marketing

·         Visitor Information Centres

·         Sport & Leisure

Councillor Parr has been invited to the meeting for this item.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Jean Parr, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Arts, Culture, Leisure & Tourism, to the meeting.

Councillor Parr gave an overview of her portfolio which included Arts, Culture, Festivals & Events, Museums, Tourism & Marketing, Visitor Information Centres and Sport & Leisure. Members of the Committee were advised that much of her portfolio was geared towards Eden (North) and the expectation surrounding its arrival.

The Committee was given an update on the plans for the City Museum and the potential relocation of the Visitor Information Centre.

Members asked a number of questions relating to Festivals and Events, Friends of the Museums, improvements to the Ashton Hall, the Winter Gardens, LIT Fest, AONBs, the Dukes and Lancaster Grand Theatre.

Members of the Committee asked a number of which Councillor Parr responded to.

Resolved :-

That Councillor Parr be thanked for her attendance at the meeting.

To consider any issues that the Committee may wish to add to the Work Programme.

An update was provided on the Committee’s Work Programme.

It was reported that the Recycling Working Group had been set up and first meeting would take place on 3rd March.

The Committee was informed that Lancashire County Council’s Highways department had been contacted and it had been agreed that they would attend a meeting after their budget had been agreed in March.

Members of the Committee were advised that the Property Portfolio Informal Task Group had not yet met and a meeting would be arranged in April. It was noted that the list of the Council’s assets had not been circulated as yet.

The Committee went on to discuss planning issues. It was agreed to invite the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning to a future meeting.

Resolved :-

(1)  That the list of Council’s assets be circulated to members of the Property Portfolio Informal Task Group.

(2)  That the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning be invited to a future meeting of the Committee.