Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Pratt.

Councillor Glen Harrison declared an interest in item 6 – Lancashire County Council Property Strategy Review, due to him being a Member of Oswaldtwistle Lamp who had submitted an application to Lancashire County Council for transfer of a community asset.  During discussion of the item Councillor Harrison left the room.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday, 28^th June 2016 for approval as a correct record.

Councillor B. Parkinson reported that Councillor Nedwell has been omitted from the last minutes and requested that she be recorded as in attendance at the meeting.

Resolved                               -  That the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record subject to the amendment as stated above.

The report provides feedback from Cabinet on the Draft 2016/17 Overview and Scrutiny Work Programmes.

Recommended          (1) That the Committees notes the feedback provided by Cabinet on the Draft 2016/17 Overview and Scrutiny Work Programmes.

(2) That the Committees formally approve their 2016/17 Overview and Scrutiny Work Programmes.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer submitted a report to provide the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with feedback from Cabinet on the 2016/17 work programme.  He reported that Cabinet had requested that a further item, Review of Combined Authorities, was added to the work programme. 

Councillor Miles Parkinson referred to the proposed creation of a combined authority and the need for the Council to investigate the impact on the borough to ensure that a decision to join would have the best outcome for the borough.   

Resolved                            (1)  That the Committee noted the feedback provided by Cabinet on the draft 2016/17 Overview & Scrutiny Work Programmes;

                                (2)  That the Communities and Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Committee approved the 2016/17 work programme; and

                                (3)  That an item ‘Review of Combined Authorities’ be added to the work programme of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

To receive an application for a Co-opted Member on to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recommended          (1) That the Committee considers the application and makes an appropriate recommendation to Council.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer submitted a report to inform the Committee of applications that had been received for a Co-opted Member on to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  He informed the meeting that the nomination for co-optee had been withdrawn.

Resolved                               -  That the report be noted.

To inform the Committee of Lancashire County Council’s Property Strategy, which includes a review of the buildings it uses to run front line services, and how this affects Hyndburn.

Recommended          (1) The Committee notes the report.

The Overview & Scrutiny Officer submitted a report to inform the Committee of Lancashire County Council’s Property Strategy which included a review of the buildings it uses to run front line services and how this affects Hyndburn.   He summarised details of the review on Council-owned properties being carried out by Lancashire County Council across the borough.  He explained that this included the closure of a number of public buildings and that Lancashire County Council had invited local organisations to submit business cases for the transfer of assets to their organisations.  He pointed out that several organisations had been invited to this meeting to give details of their business cases and their intentions for providing for the community. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Miles Parkinson expressed delight with the business cases that the Community groups had submitted to Lancashire County Council.  He reported on the process that the cases would have to go through for approval by the County and that he had arranged to meet with the Director responsible for analysing the cases to discuss a number of issues including those raised at this meeting. 

Representatives from Hyndburn Leisure, Mercer House 1842 and Oswaldtwistle Lamp presented the Committee with summaries of their applications submitted to Lancashire County Council for consideration. 

Councillor Harrison left the room during the presentation and discussion of the application submitted by Oswaldtwistle Lamp.

The Leader of the Council reported that the timescale in which applicants had to submit their applications had been problematic.  It had been pointed out by Gayle Knight (Oswaldtwistle Lamp) that the buildings were due to close in September 2016 which did not allow any time for consideration or implementation of successful applications and which could ultimately prevent the project from happening.  She had also referred to the large number of public buildings the Council could have to transfer should applications be successful.  The Leader of the Council indicated that he would raise this issue during the meeting scheduled with the Director from Lancashire County Council. 

Resolved                            (1)  That the Overview and Scrutiny Officer forwards a letter to Lancashire County Council setting out the Committee’s recommendations, as follows:

·        That it be noted that Hyndburn Borough Council’s Community and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s preference would be to keep all three libraries in Hyndburn proposed for closure, open;

·        That should this not be possible, the Committee would urge Lancashire County Council to delay the planned closure of the libraries (Oswaldtwistle, Rishton and Clayton-Le-Moors) recommended for 30^th September 2016 until the business cases submitted by local organisations are reviewed and the potential transfer of these assets finalised.  Closure of these buildings prior to transfer does not make sense and could lead to empty buildings being damaged or falling into a state of disrepair;

·        That the committee supports the business case  put forward by the Oswaldtwistle Lamp for the management and running of a Community Library / book lending facility in Oswaldtwistle.

·        The Committee also supports some type of community library  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

To receive a verbal update from the Overview and Scrutiny Officer on the recommendations made by this Committee on 28^th June 2016

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer reported on the response from Calderstones NHS Trust in respect of the Committee’s recommendations regarding the changes being made to the care of patients at Calderstones Hosiptal.   He reported that a further consultation would be taking place and that they would be happy for the Council to respond to that but pointed out that there was no date for the next consultation, as yet.

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