Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillors Jean Battle and Stephen Button and from Ian Ormerod (Co-optee).

Councillors Bernard Dawson and Stewart Eaves attended the meeting as substitute representatives for Councillors Jean Battle and Stephen Button respectively.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

To submit the Minutes of the meeting of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22^nd March 2016 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 Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22^nd March 2016 were submitted for approval as a correct record. 

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

To submit a report relating to the appointment of co-optees by full Council to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Recommended                 (1)   That the reappointment of Honorary Alderman Ian Ormerod to the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the fact that no new applications for appointment to the Committee had been received, be noted;  and,

                                            (2)   That the reappointment of Honorary Alderman David Parkins and the new co-optee appointment of Kerry Molineux to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer submitted a report relating to the appointment of Co-optees to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees by Full Council on 7^th July 2016.  No new applications for co-option to the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been received and Honorary Alderman Ian Ormerod had been reappointed to that Committee.  Former Councillor Kerry Molineux had been appointed as a new Co-optee to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Honorary Alderman David Parkins had been reappointed to that Committee.

Resolved                               -   That the report and appointments be noted.

To give consideration to and approve the 2016/17 Work Programme for the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recommended                 (1)   That the draft 2016/17 Resources Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme contained in the Appendix to the report be considered and approved;  and,

                                (2)   That the approved 2016/17 Resources Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme be submitted to the next meeting of Cabinet for comment.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer submitted a report asking the Committee to give consideration to and approve the draft 2016/17 Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme appended to the report.  Any additional items would be added to the Work Programme as the Municipal Year progressed.  The draft 2016/17 Work Programme for the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee was appended to the report for information.

Resolved                               -   That the 2016/17 Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be approved and submitted to the next meeting of Cabinet for comment.

To advise the Committee of the position in respect of “cross border” working by hackney carriages and to invite discussion.

Recommended                     -   That the report be noted and consideration given to what, if any, recommendations the Committee might wish to make.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources (Councillor Gareth Molineux) submitted a report relating to “cross border” working by hackney carriages which was an issue that had caused particular controversy both nationally and locally.  Reference was made to the current legal position on the practice of hackney carriages licensed in one area working as private hire vehicles in other areas and Hyndburn Council’s hackney carriage and private hire licence policies and procedures.  Some Councils were now seeking to address the issue by adopting an “Intended Use Policy” and East Lancashire Councils were currently exploring the possible harmonisation of conviction policies and licensing conditions.  Responses were given in relation to the following issues raised by the Committee:-

·         How big was the problem of “cross border” working in Hyndburn and how many taxis operating in the Borough had not been licensed by Hyndburn Council

·         Were “cross border” taxis working for a particular operator

·         When had Rossendale Council adopted its Intended Use Policy and was there evidence that it had reduced the number of “cross border” taxis operating in Hyndburn

·         Could East Lancashire harmonise their respective convictions policies and licensing conditions and, if so, what progress had been made

·         Hyndburn had limited the number of licences it issued, Had the Government got powers to restrict the number of licences issued by other authorities and, if so, was the use of those powers being considered

Resolved                           (1)   That Cabinet be recommended to:-

                                                   (a)  Work with all Lancashire District Councils in lobbying the Government to modernise the piecemeal, complicated, archaic and in some cases ambiguous legislation surrounding private hire and hackney carriage licensing.

                                       (b)     Pursue the adoption of a Policy that would allow the Council to undertake enforcement action against hackney carriages operating in the Borough that were not licensed by Hyndburn Council.

                                       (c)     Explore actions which could be taken by the Council to reduce problems associated with “cross border” working, regardless of any support emanating from other Councils.

                                (2)   That the Lancashire County Council Health Scrutiny Committee be requested to scrutinise the Child Sexual Exploitation prevention work being carried out at County level.

To submit an update report on progress made against actions and targets in the People Strategy and on the Council’s Workforce Profile as respectively set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

Recommended                     -   That the report and proposed actions for the coming year be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources submitted a report on progress made against actions and targets in the People Strategy and on the Council’s Workforce Profile.  The Strategy and the Profile were attached to the report as Appendices 1 and 2 respectively.  Reference was made to annual training programme, staffing resources, employee survey results, benefits available to staff, communications, emotional wellbeing and overtime working.  Details of overtime worked in Council Departments during 2015/16 was circulated at the meeting.  Responses were given in relation to the following issues raised by the Committee:-

·         Plans to increase the number of Council apprenticeships

·         Apprenticeship levy

·         Regular overtime working and annual cost to the Council

·         Increase in gender pay gap and steps being taken to reduce the gap

·         BME employees

·         Staff survey results and morale

The Portfolio Holder for Resources suggested that the Committee consider writing to all staff expressing elected members’ thanks and appreciation for the work carried out by them.

Resolved                               -   That the report and proposed actions for the coming year be noted.