Agenda item

To consider the following Work Programme proposals from Members for 2022-23, including if relevant  the establishment of Scrutiny Review Groups, and to receive for information the Council`s Strategic Plan 2022-23;

-Student Hub-Finsley Gate (Cllr Launer).

-Empty Buildings (Cllr Launer)

-Climate Change (Cllr Launer)

-Queensgate (Cllr Birtwistle and Cllr Royle)

-Telephone response (Cllr Launer)

Members discussed the following Scrutiny Review Groups proposals for 2022/23;

Finsley Gate

Members made the following points;

-what is happening with the site?

Lukman stated that work was ongoing with the new owner to make progress

 -the important intervention made by the Canal Trust on part of the site was highlighted.

Kate indicated that Homes England brownfield site funding maybe available in the future.

IT WAS AGREED

This was not suitable for a Review Group, but to receive an update on progress with the Finsley Gate site in January 2023.

Empty Buildings

Members made the following points;

-the request for Members to identify 2 building per Ward related to commercial and residential properties

Paul Gatrell stated that about 1800 residential properties were empty and that they were being actively targeted based on the problems they were causing and benefit of return, and that a list compiled for action was being worked through with a report to the 13 July 2022 Executive setting out a number of domestic properties and CPOs.

 He stated that commercial buildings were more challenging but that the Housing and Development Control and the Economy and Growth Service Units were working together on them.

He welcomed Members bringing any properties of concern to the attention of Officers.

-Members being aware of the process involved in dealing with Empty Buildings would improve their knowledge in this area.

-can more be done by providing more resources from reserves to this area of work?

Lukman stated that long term empty homes had reduced in Burnley from over 2500 to lower than 1800 over the last 7 years.

IT WAS AGREED

That this was not suitable for a Review Group.

Green Energy

Lukman Patel indicated that the Council`s current Climate Change Strategy and its Action Plan would be performance reviewed around June 2023.

Members made the following points;

-Partnership work with an energy supplier could be considered

-Local Area Energy Plans may be worthy of some consideration

IT WAS AGREED

That  this was not suitable for a Review Group, but that a report on a performance review of the Climate Change Strategy and its Action Plan could be considered in June 2023.

Queensgate

Members made the following points;

-the Scrutiny Review should focus on 2 main areas being selective licensing and anti- social behaviour caused by gangs

- traffic problems also existed despite visits by LCC Officers

-solutions for ASB needed to be sustainable by including provision for young people

-HMOs are now increasingly dominant in the rented sector

Lukman stated that HMOs is currently on the Executive workplan for a 12-18 month review due to the statutory nature of this area of work

IT WAS AGREED

(1)  That a Queensgate Review Group be formed comprising Councillors Barton, Birtwistle, Hosker, Ishtiaq, Lone, Hurt and Royle;

(2)  That it scrutinises Selective Licensing and ASB by gangs in the Queensgate Ward;and

(3)  That the Review is supported by Officers from Streetscene, and from   Housing and Development Control. 

Telephone Answering-Liberata

IT WAS AGREED

That this was not suitable for a Review Group, but can be addressed by continuing consideration of performance review reports by Scrutiny Committee as proposed for September 2022, including the proposed attendance of Liberata`s Contract Manager Simon Miller.