Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor Judith Addison and Jean Battle.  There were no substitutions.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Wednesday, 25^th March 2015 for approval as a correct record.

Recommended            -           That the Minutes be received and approved as a                                           correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25^th March 2015 were submitted for approval as a correct record. 

Resolved                            -  That the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record.

To appoint co-opted Members on to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

Recommended                  (1)  That Honorary Aldermen Jean Battle and Dave Parkins be appointed co-opted Members to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2015/16; and,

                                (2)  That it be noted that one vacant position for a Co-opted Member to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee remains (1 Conservative nominee) and that the Committee allow the position to be filled later in the year should a nomination come forward.

A report was submitted to appoint co-opted Members on to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

It was proposed that should there be no Conservative nominee submitted for the vacant co-optee position on the Committee then applications for nominees should be taken from members of the public.  Members were informed that this proposal would need to be approved at Full Council and the Overview and Scrutiny Officer indicated that he would submit a report to Full Council.

Resolved                         (1)  That Honorary Aldermen Jean Battle and Dave Parkins be appointed co-opted Members to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2015/16; and 

                             (2)  That Council be requested to rescind the requirement for Co-opted Members on Overview and Scrutiny Committees to be former Councillors and Honorary Aldermen, in order that nominations could be received from other organisations and general members of the public.

To give consideration to and approve the 2015/16 Work Programme for the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recommended                  (1)  That the draft 2015/16 Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme contained in the Appendix to the report be considered and approved;  and,

                                (2)  That the approved 2015/16 Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme be submitted to the next meeting of Cabinet for comment.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer submitted a report to ask the Committee to consider and approve the draft work programme for the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2015/16.  He advised the Committee that the draft Work Programme would be submitted to Cabinet for approval. 

Members proposed that the Committee should look at access to health services from a mental health prospective, however it was reported that this is already been considered by Lancashire County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Health Committee.  In addition the Chair indicated that a Member of the Council had requested that a representative of Chaigley Manor was invited to a future Committee meeting for update and discussion and that this be placed as an item on the Work Programme. 

Resolved                      (1)   That the report be noted; and

                                     (2)   That an item on Chaigley Manor be added to the   Work Programme for 2015/16.

For the Committee to consider the current arrangements for Councillors signing into Council buildings (mainly Scaitcliffe House) and the reasoning behind the current arrangements.

Recommended                  (1)  That the Committee note the report; and

                                (2)  That the Committee considers the appropriateness of the current system and makes recommendations on possible improvements to the system.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer submitted a report for the Committee to consider the current arrangements for Councillors signing in/out of Scaitcliffe House and the reasoning behind the current arrangements. He informed Members that other local authorities used the same procedure for the Councillor sign in procedure with the exception of Burnley Borough Council.

Mr. Parkins suggested that Councillors were made aware of the Fire Marshalls in Council buildings.  He indicated that Councillors always signed in/out as they entered or exited Scaitcliffe House. 

            The Chair requested that the names of the Fire Marshalls next to the floor they had responsibility for and the sign in procedure for Councillors was placed on the Members’ Information Bulletin.     

Resolved                            (1)  That no changes be made to the Councillor sign in/out procedure for Scaitcliffe House;

                                            (2)  That the Councillor sign in/out procedure be placed on the Members’ Bulletin as a reminder; and

                                            (3)  That signs reminding Councillors to adhere to the Councillor Sign In/out procedure be place on the stairwell.

To update the Committee on the outcome of the report submitted to Cabinet by the Reducing Poverty Panel, appointed by this Committee.

Recommended                  (1)  That the Committee note the report; and

                                (2)  That the Committee note the positive outcomes associated with the Task and Finish Scrutiny Model, and considers a potential topic for this year for the formation of a Scrutiny Panel.

The Chair updated Members of the Committee on the outcome of the report submitted to Cabinet by the Reducing Poverty Panel.  She referred to the work that had been undertaken to deliver options to Cabinet.  She reported that a 60 minute session had been organised and the presentation would be given by a representative from Community Solutions which would give staff and Councillors a better understanding of when and how they should refer needy residents. 

Councillors Nedwell reported that due to the changes to the benefits system, it would be more likely that people will be using food banks more.  She outlined why this may happen as well as referring to some people’s lack of ability to manage money. 

Resolved                           -    That the report be noted.      

A resident referred to the provision of medical services in the borough and the Patient Group which was helping to represent the views of the residents.  He reported on a major review of services and prospect for the future of public services. 

The Chair requested that he forwarded on the information he had received so that the Committee could look further into the issue.

Resolved                         -     That the report be noted.