Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors  Foster and Greenwood.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 7^th February 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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.

Alison McEwan informed Members that an additional item of business had been added to the agenda with the consent of the Chair – Woodtop School and land adjacent at Cog Lane, which would be heard as Item 12.

To consider questions, statements or petitions from Members of the Public.

Mr John Rowe attended the meeting and addressed the committee regarding Woodtop School and land adjacent at Cog Lane under the Right to Speak Policy.

To consider the Key Decisions due to be taken in March 2019.

Members noted the Notice of Key Decisions and Private Meetings.

To respond to the public petition that has been received, which requests that the Council considers the introduction of a change to bins for the collection of recyclate.

Sean Spencer introduced the item which provided the Council’s response to the ‘Bins not bags/boxes for recycling’ online petition that had reached the threshold for the matter to be considered by the Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme.

Following the publication of the National Waste Strategy in December 2018, the Council will carry out a review of operations which will include the following elements:

a. An analysis of the national waste strategy.

b. A review of current waste collection and recycling operations within Burnley. Our overall objectives include; increasing recycling rates, making recycling easier for residents and improving street cleanliness.

c. Development of options for a tailored waste collection and recycling service, which meets the different needs of the different types of property within Burnley.

d. Recommended way forward for a tailored waste collection and recycling service for Burnley residents.

On completion the outcomes of the review will be reported to a future Scrutiny Committee.

Members considered the following:

·         Whether the National Waste Strategy considered the relationship between and costs of Waste Collection Authorities and Waste Disposal Authorities.  A review of linkages had taken place and was out for consultation.

·         Whether it was possible to get significant economies of scale by increasing the footprint of the collection area (i.e. multiple borough contracts).

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To consider an update on the state of the local economy and business support activity in the borough.

Kate Ingram presented the report which provided an update to a number of key statistics which indicate the state of the local economy.

Some key points from the report were:

·         Negative employment growth for the first time in around 10 years.  On further analysis, Burnley and Lancashire had experienced a disproportionate fall in the number of public sector jobs.

·         A significant increase in the number of manufacturing jobs.

·         A range of business support work continued.  The Vision Park site was 65% occupied with a number of units under offer.  Some existing tenants had also taken further/larger units to allow for expansion.

·         Work was progressing on the development of a Business Improvement District for Burnley.

Members considered the following:

·         Had there been any feedback from local businesses related to Brexit?  The Business Support Team was in regular contact with businesses.  The main feedback currently was around uncertainty and how to prepare.  Longer term there were concerns regarding potential supply chain issues for aerospace and automotive manufacturing industries.

·         Was there any information regarding how much of our local industry links to or gets business from Europe?  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership have done some research, but this hasn’t been received.

·         With the changes taking place within manufacturing industry (such as the move away from diesel engines and the development of driverless cars) are local businesses being encouraged to innovate to provide solutions for these new fields?  A number of local businesses are taking part in innovative research and development alongside partners such as universities.

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

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

Councillor Tatchell informed Members that the report from the Dementia Services Review Group would be presented to the Executive on 20^th March.

Moving forward to the next municipal year it was proposed to do a brief update on the Manchester Road Station review, to see what progress had been made with the recommendations.

It was also suggested that a provision and referral mapping/ exercise be carried out for organisations that provide support to local residents.  Including charitable trusts and bequests such as the Acorn Fund, food banks, support projects.

Suggestion forms for further review groups to be circulated once appointments to committees had been finalised at Annual Council.

To consider a draft work programme for the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

Alison McEwan informed members that that document reflected the standing items that would come to committee in 2019/20, and would be added to as required.

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

Minute number 64 contains information relating to the financial information or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

IT WAS RESOLVED

That the public be excluded from the meeting before discussion takes place on the items relating to Minute 62 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.

To consider the endorsement of the report to the Executive regarding disposal of Council owned land and property for development of good quality housing.

Paul Gatrell reported on proposal for the disposal of Council owned land and property for the development of good quality housing.

Members asked questions about potential external funding, and whether it could be swiftly ascertained whether a potential new investor was a feasible option for consideration.

IT WAS AGREED

That the recommendations in the report be endorsed.

The Chair extended thanks on behalf of the Committee to Councillors Fleming, Malik and Reynolds who were not standing for re-election in May, and so were attending their last meeting.