Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Baker, Heginbotham, Malik and Royle.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th September 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14^th September 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive a presentation from East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group.

David Rogers from East Lancashire CCG gave an update on the proposal to improve access to GP services across East Lancashire.

Members discussed the following:

·        Who had responded to the surveys, and why there had been a much higher response rate in Hyndburn, and much different responses in Hyndburn compared to the rest of East Lancashire.  This was in part due to the imminent closure of the Walk-in service provided at Accrington Victoria Hospital.

·        Issues around engaging with young people who had been under-represented in the consultation.  The CCG had established links with colleges.  Councillors Ishtiaq and L Khan had existing links that could be shared.  Would there be any merit in offering financial incentives to increase participation?  This may be the case, but budgetary pressures meant that this wouldn’t be possible.

·        Closure of the walk-in service at Accrington would affect Burnley residents – especially from Padiham and Hapton.  The GP Walk-in Centre would have to close for legal reasons.  The usage figures showed that the vast majority of users were from Hyndburn and Blackburn, and these would be shared with Members.

·        What consideration had been given to rural areas?  The proposals are focussed around urban centres.  The CCG are looking to improve links with rural areas and also cross border links.

·        The need to consider the changing needs of the population.  What a respondent needs in 5 years could be very different from their current needs.

·        Links to pharmacy services.  It was likely that the ‘Hub’ would be co-located alongside pharmacy services.

·        No clear proposals – Established support for proposal to extend GP access from 8am to 8pm, now looking at how this can be delivered.

To consider the Key Decisions and Private Meetings for the period December 2016 to March 2017

Members discussed the following:

·        Local Plan had been delayed.  When would papers be available for members? 

·        Community Asset Transfer – which buildings were being considered?

Information would be circulated to Members.

IT WAS AGREED

That the NKDPM be noted.

To receive an update on the performance and priorities of the Community Safety Partnership.

Sam McConnell presented a report on the priorities and performance of the Community Safety Partnership.

Members discussed the following:

·        The report mentioned an increase in the domestic violence around major football tournaments.  Was this also the case at Christmas?  This had previously been the case, but over the last two Christmases, this hadn’t happened.

·        What support was available for male survivors of domestic violence?  National campaigns had been held.  Locally a property had been secured and was being opened as a  resource specifically targeted at male victims.

·        What work was carried out with perpetrators of domestic violence?  Two schemes were available – one voluntary offered by LCC, although places were difficult to obtain.  The second was linked to offenders probation.

·        Is the increase new cases, or are repeat offenders and incidents included?  It was likely to include repeat incidences.

·        Anti-social driving – this had been looked at via MATAC in conjunction with the Police.  Interventions and prevention work had been carried out when required.  

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To receive a report on the proposed Health & Safety Enforcement Plan.

Jayne Enright presented the report which detailed how the Council would meet the statutory requirements for Health & safety for 2016/17.

Members discussed the following:

·        Did the Council’s H&S responsibilities extend to the construction industry?  The construction industry was the responsibility of the Health & Safety Executive.

·        What was the warehouse safety project?  There had been a number of incidents at warehouse premises, so work was carried out to identify the higher risk businesses, and advice and guidance was offered to reduce the risks.

·        Community groups and issues around traffic management for events.  Event safety managed through the Event Safety Advisory Group – they can provide support to groups.  Also, a range of information was available on the Council’s website on the ‘events’ page.

IT WAS AGREED

The Scrutiny Committee recommends to Full Council approval of the Health & Safety Intervention plan for 2016/17.

To consider a report on the Approved Plans for delivery of Food Safety services.

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Jayne Enright presented the report which outlined the statutory requirements for Food Safety enforcement service for 2016/17.  The plan took into account guidelines of the Food Standards Agency, weighed against the demands on the service and resource levels available.

Members discussed the following:

·        An increase in hygiene at premises complaints.  It was felt this was partly due to increased public awareness and easier reporting – via email and central reporting (Food Standards Agency website).

·        The definition of a food business?  Includes retailers, takeaways, schools, hospitals etc.

·        Were there any details regarding potential cost recovery for the provision of advice and training?  How would businesses be affected?  Huge changes in the regulations surrounding food businesses were being proposed, which would mean businesses would need support.  It was thought that this would need to be on a cost recovery basis.  This was unlikely to be in place until 2021, but that planning for the changes had already commenced.  Businesses would have an opportunity to have an input into any plans.

IT WAS AGREED

The Scrutiny Committee recommends to Full Council approval of the Food (Official Controls) Delivery Plan for 2016/17.

To receive a report on the refresh of the Community Strategy.

Rob Dobson presented the report on the updated Community Strategy.

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To consider a report on the Q2 performance results

Rob Dobson introduced the Q2 performance report.

Members discussed the following:

·        What action did the Council take regarding fly tipping?  Whilst no additional resources were available, the Council continued to take enforcement action wherever possible.

IT WAS AGREED

The Committee noted the report.

To consider a report on the outcome of the Local Government Association Peer Challenge.

Rob Dobson introduced the report on the Peer Challenge Review which was carried out in September. 

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To receive an update on Treasury Management activities undertaken during the period 1^st April to 30^th September 2016.

David Donlan introduced the report which provided an update on Treasury Management activities from April – September 2016.

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To consider a report on Capital Budget activity in Q2 2016/17

David Donlan presented the report which detailed the capital budget position as at 30^th September 2016.

Members discussed the following:

·        Padiham Town Hall Flood Works – a list of non-insured flood works to be provided to Cllr Cunningham.

·        The Town Hall lift – had been out of use for some weeks.  There was money available within the budget once the most appropriate repair or replacement had been identified.

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To consider a report on Revenue Budget activity in Q2 2016/17

David Donlan presented the report which provided the Revenue budget position as at 30^th September 2016.

Members discussed the following:

·        Possible costs associated with a Mayoral Referendum.  Any costs would be built into the budget for 2017/18.

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To receive a report on the Council’s proposed fees and charges from 1^st January 2017.

David Donlan introduced the report which outlined amendments to the Fees & Charges Tariff from 1^st January 2017.

IT WAS AGREED

That the report as amended be noted.

To receive an update on the work of any active Scrutiny Review Groups.

Councillor Tatchell gave a brief verbal update on the Scrutiny Review Groups.  Meetings would be scheduled in the New Year.

To consider any additions to the draft Work Plan for 2016/17

IT WAS AGREED

That the work programme for 2016/17 be noted.

To consider the exclusion of the public from the meeting before discussion takes place on the following items of business on the grounds that in view of the nature of the business to be transacted if the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of Part VA of the Local Government Act 1972.

That the public be excluded from the meeting before discussion takes place on the items relating to Minute 110 since in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of Part VA of the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive a report on Workforce Planning.

David Donlan presented the report to the Executive, which sought agreement to implement workforce reductions as part of the budget savings for 2017/18.

IT WAS AGREED

That the Committee had particular concerns regarding the loss of one post, and the possible impact on service provision, and that these concerns should be shared with the Executive.