Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies received.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1^st July 2020  were approved as a correct record.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

COVID-19 Community Response- Grant Agreement

Decision

In accordance with the provisions of Section 100 (B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Chair decided that this should be considered at item 7 on the agenda, the reason being to enable the Council to enter into an agreement with Lancashire County Council to receive a grant that will fund the local response to the COVID outbreak and for the grants to be made available at the earliest opportunity.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to any item on the agenda, in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

There were no declarations of interested received.

Consideration was given to a proposal for the Council to enter into an agreement with Lancashire County Council to receive a grant that would fund the local response to the COVID outbreak.

The grant would be for the delivery of local test and trace and emergency assistance to residents.  It was noted that the Head of Policy and Engagement would prepare a broader community recovery plan for implementation once the borough was out of the response phase.

Members were also asked to note that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services would use delegated powers to enter into the agreement so that  the grants could be made available within the borough at the earliest opportunity.  In view of this the Cahir of Scrutiny agreed to waive call-in in respect of this matter.

The Committee endorsed the Chair of Scrutiny`s decision to waive call-in.

Decision

(1)  That the report be noted;

(2)  That the need for urgency be recognised and that the Head of Legal and Democratic Service would use delegated powers to enter into the agreement with Lancashire County Council;

(3)  The Chair of Scrutiny agrees  to waive call-in in respect of this matter; and

(4)  The Committee endorse the Chair of Scrutiny`s decision to waive call-in.

To determine during which items, if any, the public are to be excluded from the meeting.

That the public be excluded from the meeting before discussion takes place on the item relation to minute 21 because in view of the nature of the business to be transacted if the public was present there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of Paragraph 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider a report on the former Contact Centre, Parker Lane.

Consideration was given to the final settlement in respect of the outstanding repair and reinstatement obligations following the surrender of the Council`s lease of the former Contact Centre at the end of December 2019.

Members noted that the settlement was now time sensitive and that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services would use delegated powers to agree and make the final payment to the Council`s former landlord and complete all necessary legal documentation on this matter.

The Chair agreed to waive call-in due to the urgency stated.

The Committee endorsed the Chair of Scrutiny`s decision to waive call-in in respect of this matter.

Decision

(1)  That the report be noted:

(2)  That the need for urgency be recognised and that the Head of Legal and Democratic Service would use delegated powers to agree and make a final payment to the Council`s former landlord in settlement of all outstanding repair and reinstatement obligations at the former Contact Centre and complete all necessary legal documentation to record the formal agreement on this matter;

(3)  That the Chair of Scrutiny agrees to waive call-in in respect of this matter; and

(4)  The Committee endorse the Chair of Scrutiny`s decision to waive call-in.