Agenda and minutes

There were apologies for absence from Councillor Josh Allen. Councillor Judith Addison substituted.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

To submit the minutes of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18^th April 2023 for approval as a correct record.

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

The minutes of the meeting on 18^th April 2023 were submitted for approval as a correct record. No questions were raised.

Resolved        -           That the minutes of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18^th April 2023 be approved as a correct record.

This report requests that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees give consideration to and approve the work programmes for Overview and Scrutiny for 2023/24.

Recommended          -           That the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee approves its work programme for 2023/24.

The Chair invited the Scrutiny and Policy Officer to present this item.

The Officer informed the committee of the process for producing the draft work programmes for all three scrutiny committees, which were included in the appendix to the report. The process included:

-        Suggestions from Councillors

-        Suggestions from Service Managers

-        Suggestions from members of the public

-        Meeting with Scrutiny Chairs and Cabinet

The Officer explained that all suggestions had been considered, and most had been accepted as part of the work programme. As ever, scrutiny work programmes are flexible and can be added to in year. The role of this committee is to approve its own work programme, as outlined in section 2 of the report.

There were no questions from the committee.

Resolved        -           The Committee approves the 2023/24 Work Programmes for the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee as outlined in the report.

To present to the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee a progress report for Hyndburn Leisure, highlighting in-year challenges and opportunities and future plans.

Recommended          -           That the content of the report is noted.

The Chair welcomed Lyndsey Sims, Chief Executive of Hyndburn Leisure to present the report to the committee. Also in attendance for this item were Councillor Loraine Cox, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Martin Dyson, Executive Director (Resources).

Lyndsey Sims presented the report and drew attention to the following:

-       Introduction including reducing of management fee from £1.2 million to zero since 2009, challenges of the pandemic, energy and cost of living crisis, and commitment to providing services welcoming to people across the borough and nearby

-       2022/23 highlights including a large increase in the number of children learning to swim, school holiday activity and food sessions, 12% increase in bookings at Accrington Town Hall, school swimming lessons, capital refurbishment of Clayton Community Centre, Significant increase in Adventure City attendances, park events, £450k health funding secured, almost 900 inactive people engaged in health lifestyles programmes and cardiac rehab classes, investment in building maintenance and securing of external grants and commissions, distribution of £900k funding to residents, businesses and charities and over 2000 fitness member sign ups

-       Local commitment, including high number of employees who live in Hyndburn

-       Focus on health and other projects delivered on behalf of the Borough such as Household Support Fund, National Lottery Healthier Communities Programme (Hyndburn Way), Business Health Matters, Together an Active Future (known locally as Let’s Move Hyndburn), Holiday Activities Food programme (known locally as Fun with Food & Friends), and Play and Skills at Teatime Activities

-       Risks such as uncontrollable budget pressures like the significant increase in utility costs, demand elasticity and potential delays in capital development

-       Strategic direction including the 10 key themes the Trust wish to work towards

Lyndsey also referred to some case studies which were included in the appendix to the report.

The Chair invited questions from the Committee. Lyndsey Sims and Martin Dyson responded to questions on the following:

Eligibility for grants received – Lyndsey confirmed that many of these were only available to charitable and voluntary organisations.

Repayments on the Council loan provided in 2019 – Lyndsey confirmed that this was a 10 year loan which is being paid off monthly with payments of over £3k per month.

Other funding bids – Lyndsey confirmed she is working on a number of funding bids, one of which is health related which she hopes to work with the Council and the Integrated Care Board on.

The Chair thanked Lyndsey Sims, Martin Dyson and Cllr Loraine Cox for attending the meeting.

To consult with Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the new proposed Corporate Strategy (the Plan) and provide an update on the following:

·       Proposed vision of the Plan;

·       Outcomes to measure success of the Plan;

·       Actions on how we will deliver outcomes and vision;

·       Corporate Values;

·       Timescales for delivery and implementation of the Plan

Recommended      -        

The committee notes the content of the report.

That the Committee endorse and support the approach being taken to deliver a new Corporate Strategy.

Consider whether there are any additional actions and outcomes needed to deliver on the new Corporate Strategy’s vision.

The Chair welcomed Stuart Sambrook, Policy Manager to present this item. Stuart presented the report and drew attention to the following:

-       The previous Corporate Plan, which has now expired with the majority of actions now completed

-       Vision to develop a number of key priorities including Huncoat Garden Village, Accrington Acre Levelling Up Project, Leisure Transformation and commitment to carbon net zero

-       Consultation with service managers

-       “Plan on a Page” which included the headline information

-       Priority themes of “Sustainable Growth”, “Environment and Climate Change”, and “Community and Collaborative Working”

-       Action plan which underpin the priority themes and monitoring to ensure we achieve our objectives

-       Councillor engagement including requested input from Scrutiny

-       Proposed next steps leading to publication of the new Corporate Strategy

Stuart Sambrook invited questions from the Committee. He and Councillor Zak Khan responded to the following and responded to questions on the following:

Arndale Centre masterplan – Cllr Khan confirmed that this is something the Council are looking into, but there are numerous issues, mainly the private ownership of the building. However, the Council are working hard to engage the owners in the process. This is the start of the process but a number of options will be considered. There is no current intention for the Council to purchase the Arndale Centre. The Council though must use its influence to get the owners of the building on board.

Electric vehicle infrastructure planning – Cllr Khan confirmed that this is mainly the responsibility of LCC as highway authority but the Council can influence planning. He has ambitions for Hyndburn to be at the forefront of this and is working with LCC to ensure Hyndburn gets its fair share.

Tree planting – Stuart said Hyndburn continues to be an exemplar on this and 30,000 new trees will be planted as part of the plan.

Progress against 2030 net zero targets – The Council is progressing this and a thorough report is due to go to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee in September.

Planning regulations and sustainable housing – Cllr Khan said he has begun discussions with officers to establish what measures can be taken to encourage new developments to be built more sustainably. He gave examples of some areas were decarbonised streets have been built with community heating systems.

Retrofitting existing housing – Stuart explained the difficulties of this as Hyndburn has a large stock of terraced housing. Air and ground source heat pumps are expensive’ large and often not suitable for poorly insulated homes. The costs would be vast.

The Chair thanked Stuart and Cllr Khan for attending the meeting.

Resolved        -          

The committee notes the content of the report; and

That the Committee endorse and support the approach being taken to deliver a new Corporate Strategy.

Recommended          -           That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items, when it was likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings that there would otherwise be disclosure of exempt information within the Paragraph at Schedule 12A of the Act specified at the items.

Resolved        -           That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items, when it was likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings that there would otherwise be disclosure of exempt information within the Paragraph at Schedule 12A of the Act specified at the items.

This report will contain exempt information under the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Paragraph 1 -  Information relating to any individual.

To consider nominations for Co-opted Members on to the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recommended          -           That the Committee gives consideration to the nominations for Co-optees detailed in the report, and makes a recommendation to Council accordingly.

The Committee considered the information outlined in the report and representations from Councillors Marlene Haworth, Munsif Dad and Paddy Short who had submitted nominations for the vacant co-optee positions. The committee received 5 nominations for 4 vacancies. The Scrutiny and Policy Officer explained the role of the Committee was to recommend to Council that up to 4 nominees be appointed as co-optees to the committee.

Resolved        -          

That after consideration of the five nominees, the Committee recommends that Council appoint Richard Downie, Doug Hayes, Miles Parkinson and Stacy Walsh as co-optees to the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee until the end of the 2024/25 municipal year.