Agenda and minutes

None were received.

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None were disclosed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2015 were agreed to be an accurate record.

The Chair welcomed Amanda Maxim, Trading Standards Manager, to the meeting.

A report was delivered to the Committee regarding the Regulation of Investigatory Power Act 2000 (RIPA) which, it was outlined, enabled local authorities to use surveillance towards the protection from, and prevention of, crime.

It was explained that RIPA was used very sparingly, and there was a robust procedure in order for the use of it to be authorised. For example, consideration of proportionality, whether the information could be obtained via other means and authorisation would also be sought from the Magistrates Court.

The Committee noted that inspections were undertaken from the Office for Surveillance Commissioners and every three years they put forward recommendations to the County Council. Reference was made to recommendations proposed by surveillance commissioners that were considered by Cabinet in June 2014.

It was expressed that RIPA was used predominantly for cases involving the misuse of social media, for example covert social media accounts were utilised in order to obtain evidence towards proving the sale of counterfeit goods online.

The Committee noted the information provided and recognised that this represented a small and regulated aspect of the work of the council's Trading Standards service.

The Chair thanked Amanda and invited questions from the Committee.

CC V Taylor queried how much material used by the County Council was inadmissible with regard to legal prosecutions. Amanda Maxim explained that information of test purchases would be presented as evidence and that they were admissible. 

Resolved That;

The Committee note the use of RIPA by the County Council's Trading Standards Service since the last report in October, 2014.

A presentation will be delivered by Sean McGrath (External Investment and Funding) to update the Committee regarding Superfast Broadband Roll Out.

The Chair welcomed Sean McGrath, External Investment and Funding Manager, to the meeting who delivered a presentation regarding the interim position of Superfast Broadband rollout in Lancashire, planning for the Superfast Extension Programme and further opportunities for domestic and business premises to access Superfast Broadband. It was explained that final detail would be provided at a future meeting following the end of "Phase One" of Superfast Broadband Rollout, and information around planning for "Phase Two".

The Committee were informed that, from an economic perspective, Superfast Broadband rollout focussed on ensuring that Lancashire's businesses and communities did not fall behind in terms of access to digital resources and services.

It was elucidated that Superfast Broadband rollout in Lancashire was a collaborative approach via a range of partners; Lancashire County Council, British Telecom (BT), Broadband Delivery United Kingdom (BDUK), along with Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council. It was highlighted that the County Council was leading the management of the programme.

Sean McGrath explained to Members that the County Council could only invest public resources in areas where the broadband infrastructure did not exist, which were named 'white' areas. It was also noted that the County Council could not invest in areas were broadband infrastructure was installed by other providers, such as Virgin Media. Furthermore, investment was not permitted in the instance that a provider planned to install their systems over the next two to three years, which came into effect at the commencement of the programme. It was explained that a consultancy undertaken investigative work to determine the aforementioned and therefore their work allowed the County Council to identify areas that required intervention.

The Committee received that BT were delivering to 67% of premises, Superfast Lancashire delivered 21% in identified intervention areas, and the remaining 9% via other high speed broadband operators.

It was conveyed to Members that Superfast Broadband was deemed to be download speeds above 24 megabits per second (mbps). Members noted that it was planned that 97% of Lancashire's homes and businesses would have access to broadband speeds above 24mbps by March 2016, which would conclude "Phase One". Regarding "Phase Two", it was planned that 99% of Lancashire homes and businesses would have access to broadband speeds above 24mbps by the end of 2017.

Sean McGrath highlighted that businesses which had the capability to connect to Superfast Broadband as a consequence of European funding had been offered twelve hours of Business Support to communicate the full potential of Superfast Broadband for their businesses.

The methods of installation of Superfast Broadband were communicated to the Committee. It was explained that premises would receive services via Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) which was the cheapest method of mass delivery, and when this wasn't possible, via Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). With regard to FTTC, it was explained that issues with broadband speeds could arise when a premises was over 1.2km from the cabinet, and in these instances, often FTTP, although expensive, was the best solution to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Karen Cassar, Highways (Asset Management), attended to request that the Scrutiny Committee agree the establishment of a sub-committee to the Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) Task Group.

It was conveyed to the Committee that the establishment of a sub-committee would demonstrate that the County Council were engaging with, and therefore sharing information with, District Councils. It was emphasised that information dissemination around changes to highways asset management had been requested by the Department for Transport and therefore, the sub-committee would be comprised of representatives from District Councils to meet this requirement and that fulfilling this requirement was incentivised as it contributed towards securing funds from the Department for Transport (DFT).

CC Liz Oades expressed concern that parochialism may become an issue with an expanded membership and therefore, it was suggested that a remit be formulated for District Councils to understand their role within the sub-committee. It was also stressed that it was fundamental that District Councils put forward the most adequate representatives for the role.

Karen Cassar explained that a presentation could be delivered to the Scrutiny Committee which provided an overview of the TAMP. Members agreed that this would be useful.

CC Alyson Barnes queried if Karen envisaged the sub-committee undertaking an ongoing role. Karen Cassar explained that she foresaw the sub-committee having ongoing role with a long life-cycle. It was emphasised that the sub-committee, if agreed, would be a clear vehicle for information dissemination for District Councils in sustaining understanding of the full process as it progressed.

CC David O'Toole stated that the Chair of the sub-committee would play an important role in suppressing parochialism as they, ultimately, were responsible for managing what Members were permitted to express their views about.

The Chair asked the Committee if they agreed to the formation of the sub-committee. Members agreed to the concept and stressed the importance of a strategic approach from Districts in order to avoid parochialism.

Resolved that; The Committee agree to the formation of the Transport Asset Management Plan Sub-Committee with District representative's role to provide a strategic view.

Discussion took place various items within the proposed work plan for 2016;

The Chair noted that an additional Scrutiny Committee would be proposed at Full Council, 17 December, 2015, named the 'Children's Services Scrutiny Committee' in response to findings of a recent OFSTED report. Therefore, the Chair asked the Committee if they felt the OFSTED report should come before the Scrutiny Committee and/or go before the new Children's Services Scrutiny Committee if agreed at Full Council.

CC David O'Toole stated that due to its importance, the OFSTED report should be scrutinised by the Scrutiny Committee and stressed that it provided a platform for openness with the public as the meetings were broadcasted online via webcast.

The Chair stated that Jane Booth, the Chair of Lancashire Safeguarding Children, had expressed interest in delivering the findings of the OFSTED report to the Scrutiny Committee at the Chair's Briefing in November 2015.

The Chair noted that the draft work plan before the Committee also stated that the OFSTED report would coincide with scrutiny of Liquid Logic. It was explained that it had been included as the County Council had adapted the system to meet its needs, however this had been unsuccessful, whereas elsewhere the system was as standard and had therefore worked as it should have done.

Discussion taken place around arrangements for February 2016;

The Committee agreed that it was logical to schedule the 'Report of the Planning Matters Task Group' and 'Flood Risk Management in Lancashire Update' at the same meeting in February as both items were linked.

CC Vivien Taylor welcomed the inclusion of 'Flood Risk Management in Lancashire Update' as her Electoral Division had been impacted by flooding issues.

CC David O'Toole requested that the Environment Agency be invited to the meeting.

CC Christian Wakeford requested that a representative from the Highways service be invited to the meeting.

The Committee also agreed that United Utilities be invited to the meeting.

CC Liz Oades stated that due to budget cuts, Planning Officers now used an applicant's consultant's report to consider planning applications and stressed that issues could occur from this approach and would be relevant to both February agenda items.

Discussion taken place around arrangements for April 2016;

The Chair noted that an update on Superfast Broadband would be presented. Members agreed to the scheduling of this item.

The Chair noted that 'Bus Services and Subsidies – The Aftermath' had been proposed to be before the Committee in April, however this was dependent on timescales.

CC Steven Holgate made reference to an unscheduled agenda item before the Committee, Healthier Lancashire. It was explained that discussions had taken place with Scrutiny Officer, Wendy Broadley, and it had been suggested that a workshop involving members of Health Scrutiny Committee and Scrutiny Committee be organised to aid understanding for Members.

The Chair asked the Committee if they agreed to the joint Scrutiny Committee and Health Scrutiny Committee workshop. Members agreed to this approach.

CC Chris Henig expressed interest in the agenda item, 'Are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency. Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member's intention to raise a matter under this heading.

There was no urgent business.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee will be held on Friday 15 January 2016 at 10:00am at the County Hall, Preston in Cabinet Room 'B'.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee will be held on Friday, 15 January, 2016 at 10.00am at the County Hall, Preston in Cabinet Room 'B'.