Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Howarth, Jim Marsh, Elizabeth Mawson, John Rainsbury and Linda Woollard.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Thursday, 10 January 2019 be signed as a correct record by the Chair.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgement of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There were none.

Update report to follow.

The Committee received an update on progress made against matters arising from previous meetings. It was suggested that those actions implemented be removed from the matters arising sheet.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the update be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Margaret Smith) and Deputy Chief Executive – Regeneration and Growth (Gregg Stott) addressed the Committee and responded to members’ comments and enquiries relating to the Corporate Plan and Corporate Risk Register for 2019-2024.

During the discussion, the Committee’s comments and enquiries included the following areas:

·         The input of residents and wider membership involvement was queried and assurances sought that consultations would occur.

·         How the Council seeks to meet the criteria of ‘the UK’s best place to live’ and how the Council knows what this criteria is.

·         Differences between the Corporate Plan and the Community Strategy were queried. It was assured that the documents outlined a broader vision for the borough but informed and complemented one another.

·         The success measures for the Corporate Plan seemed to be process-based, rather than outcome-based, with reference made to the Dementia Alliance and the percentage of empty properties. It was acknowledged that there would be issues in quantifying success but that it was important to highlight commitment to these matters.

·         The measurability and achievability of the project plans were queried. It was reported that the project management system, InPhase, holds a detailed breakdown of indicators and measures which would be reported within quarterly performance reports and quarterly feedback to the Committee. Detailed information for individual projects could be requested for scrutinising by Committee if required.

·         The success measure for the Air Quality Plan revolving around the percentage of residents concerned about air quality was considered inappropriate, with the Committee believing success should be measured around the actual quality of air.

·         The lack of focus on village centres within the Corporate Plan.

·         An update was requested regarding progress at the Cuerden Strategic Site and the economic importance of the site was stressed. The considerable business rate of the site was acknowledged.

·         Reference was made to the Cross-Borough Link Road and the timescale for its delivery. Further information was provided on the progress of consultations with Homes England, Taylor Wimpey and Highways England. It was queried whether explicit timescales for delivery could be included consistently in the Plan.

·         The role of South Ribble Ambassadors was explored with regards to the criteria for this position and how this role would be advertised and appointed.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That:

1.    the Committee welcomes the look and presentation of the Corporate Plan.

2.    future Corporate Plan documents be more explicit on the consultation and evidence base used to influence the Plan.

3.    success measures be reviewed to be more measurable and outcome-focused.

4.    the Committee looks forward to project plans for each Corporate Plan Action being accessible to Members and to the Scrutiny Committee in future Performance Monitoring reports. [Point of clarity – where appropriate on an individual basis to the Committee].

5.    the Committee asks that the measure of success for air quality be reviewed and revised to be more outcome-focused.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Resources and Transformation)/Section 151 Officer attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance (Councillor Susan Snape) and Deputy Chief Executive – Resources and Transformation/Section 151 Officer (Tim Povall) addressed the Committee and responded to members’ comments and enquiries relating to the 2019/20 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

During the discussion, the Committee’s comments and enquiries included the following areas:

·         What the additional income generated by increased council tax would be spent on and what tangible difference(s) residents would see, with a vision to the next five years’ strategy and growth.

·         The need to raise council tax was queried, due to the council maintaining stable and healthy bank balances.

·         The difference between earmarked and total reserves and how these are prioritised was queried. It was confirmed that an earmarked reserve was allocated for a specific purpose.

·         An explanation as to the surplus budget for Planning and Property forecasted over the next five years was sought. It was reported that the Council would increasingly benefit from the New Homes Bonus grant as they met targets in house-building.

·         The significant amounts received in Section 106 and Infrastructure levies were highlighted and queried as possible investments for affordable housing. Attention was drawn to an ongoing review regarding the use of Section 106 monies and areas to build in and use such money. Indicative figures would be available later in February 2019 with a full report scheduled to be published after the elections in May 2019.

·         The reasoning behind referring to staffing and resources as Efficiency Targets in Appendix B was raised and seen as being peculiar wording.

·         Assurance was provided that the Council was confident in delivering the capital programme and that it has the skills and capacity required for delivery.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That:

1.    the link between the Budget and implementing the Corporate Plan is strengthened and made more explicit.

2.    the Committee looks forward to receiving a copy of the Section 106 Review.

3.    that future information and reports on how and when Section 106 money is spent be more transparent.

4.    the title of the Efficiency Target in Appendix B be reviewed and made more specific.

The Assistant Director of Property and Housing will provide a verbal update at the meeting.     

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support and Assets (Councillor Colin Clark) and Deputy Chief Executive – Resources and Transformation (Gregg Stott) addressed the Committee and responded to members’ comments and enquiries relating to the Worden Hall Commercialisation Update.

During the discussion, the Committee’s comments and enquiries included the following areas:

·         Disappointment was expressed with the delay in producing the options paper on the future use of Worden Hall and it was queried whether there would be a reduction in fees to the consultants due to this. It was confirmed that there would be no such reduction and that final recommendations would be received from the consultants in March 2019.

·         Potential uses for Worden Hall were discussed and it was queried whether there had been any expressions of interest in renting the premises.

·         A pricing policy for leasing the premises at Worden Hall was mentioned, with emphasis placed on income generation.

·         Concern was expressed over a change to the Terms of Reference for the project which was not reported to the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That:

1.    the Committee expresses concern at the extended delay with the consultant’s report into the future of Worden Hall.

2.    the Committee looks forward to the consultant’s report being presented to Cabinet on 20 March 2019.

3.    a written report on progress continues to be a standing item on the Scrutiny Committee agenda. 

Forward Plan attached.

The Committee noted the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Forward Plan attached.

The Committee noted the Scrutiny Forward Plan.

The Chair informed the Committee that the Joint Scrutiny Review of Our Health, Our Care had been postponed until May 2019, when more would be known about the next stages of the programme.

The Chair updated the Committee that a meeting of Lancashire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee had been held, but expressed his disappointment that he was unable to attend.