Agenda and minutes

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Venue: Committee Room 'B' - The Diamond Jubilee Room, County Hall, Preston. View directions

Contact: Gary Halsall  Tel: 01772 536989, Email  gary.halsall@lancashire.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

County Councillor Joan Burrows replaced County Councillor John Shedwick for this meeting.

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from County Councillor Tony Martin.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

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.

Minutes:

None were disclosed.

3.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 July 2017 pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Minutes:

Resolved: The minutes from the meeting held on 25 July 2017 be confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

 

4.

Hate Crime/Incident Update pdf icon PDF 136 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Saeed Sidat, Principal equalities and Cohesion Manager; Chief Inspector Ian Mills, Lancashire Constabulary and Chair of the Lancashire Strategic Hate Crime and Cohesion Group; and Andrew Proctor, Lancashire Constabulary, to the meeting.

 

It was reported that the draft Hate Crime Strategy and Delivery Plan was in the process of being finalised and was presented as an opportunity for the Committee to contribute to the overall development of the strategy and delivery plan before they were presented to the Lancashire Public Services Board on the 25 October 2017 for sign off.

 

A question was asked on whether police resources and the lack of community policing was affecting the achievement of the five key areas. It was reported that tackling Hate Crime had to be a multi-agency approach and was not confined to the responsibility of one organisation. Working in partnership was vital and the voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) was pivotal in supporting the multi-agency approach given the efficiencies required of the public sector.

 

Integration was key to reducing hate crime in our communities. It was reported that the more people who contacted the police regarding hate crime the better. However, on the Constabulary's recent review of front counters across the County, there was a concern that any subsequent closure of a front counter would limit the options for reporting Hate Crime, especially for those who might not wish to use the 101 service. Concern was therefore expressed on whether third party reporting centres would be able to cope with demand or help support victims and resolve all issues that were reported in this way.

The Committee was informed that third parties were beginning to express an interest in becoming dedicated reporting centres. It was highlighted that third party reporting centres had to be accessible and in a location where people would feel comfortable to go in order to receive empathy and support. However, there would need to be sufficient and willing people trained to run an effective third party reporting centre.

 

The Committee was also informed that rather than impose the Constabulary's way of how Hate Crime should be reported, to approach and consult specific groups and communities such as the LGBT community, Galloways and Deafway to improve and develop bespoke ways of reporting. Current methods of reporting included the 999 and 101 service, the Constabulary's website, True Vision, the Lancashire Council of Mosque's helpline and other third party reporting centres.

 

Members felt it was important to know where all third party reporting centres were located throughout the County. It was reported that the Lancashire Constabulary website included a map of where they all were along with their contact details.

 

Members were encouraged by the level of engagement from partners with the Lancashire Strategic Hate Crime and Cohesion Group. However, it was noted that from the education sector, only UCLAN was present. A question was asked on whether the Group would benefit from having a much wider representation from across the County from the education sector.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) pdf icon PDF 316 KB

(Presentation)

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Martin Kelly, Director of Economic Development, to the meeting.

 

A presentation was delivered to the Committee on the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), detailing the Lancashire Offer, the LEP's priorities and assurance framework and information on the City Deal. A copy of the presentation is set out in the minutes.

 

Concerns were expressed around investment opportunities in West Lancashire given its proximity to the Liverpool City Region. It was recognised that during the early years, the LEP focussed on where the scale of opportunity was greatest for investment and how well planned those opportunities were. Edgehill University was chosen as a key economic driver in West Lancashire for its technological innovation and the wider benefits it could provide beyond the district. Other investment projects included: Skelmersdale Town Centre and Railway Link; working with West Lancashire Borough Council on the development of motorway/highway infrastructure to support the private sector; as well as the submission of a housing infrastructure bid.

 

A question was asked on whether there were any plans to assist the development of the Warton Aviation Enterprise Zone. It was reported that this Enterprise Zone was wholly owned by BAE Systems and whilst the LEP was currently holding them to account on the development of that Zone, it was recognised that a lot of work had gone into the development of the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone. It was hoped that the recent announcement of potential job losses in the area might force them to rethink the use of this asset and to retain it as an employment location. The Committee was informed that the LEP was hoping to broaden all of the County's Enterprise Zones and economic sectors to promote the strengths of what they brought in terms of skillsets but over time reduce the dependency in one sector (defence).

 

Regarding the Growing Places Investment Fund, Members enquired if there would be any investment from the LEP for social housing across Lancashire. It was reported that the LEP was not a social housing provider. However, the LEP had invested in one project through the proposition of a social housing provider in the Morecambe area to convert a row of run down terraced properties into affordable housing. It was recognised that Local Authorities

 

In terms of the European Strategic Investment Funding (ESIF), the Committee was informed that a number of ESIF funding calls were underway and planned. There were 29 live projects at the moment with delivery aimed at supporting businesses to align with key local priorities. The Committee was reassured that Brexit would not affect these projects and funding would not be removed.

 

Resolved: That;

 

  i.  The report be noted; and

  ii.  Representatives from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership be invited to attend a future meeting.

6.

External Services Scrutiny Committee Work Plan 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Work Plan for the newly established External Scrutiny Committee was presented to Members.

 

County Councillor Liz Oades proposed that the policing of fracking be added to the work plan which was seconded by County Councillor Carl Crompton. The suggestion was put to the vote and was lost.

 

Following on from earlier discussion on affordable/social housing, it was suggested that a review of district council affordable/social housing policies with specific reference to rural proofing be added to the Committee's work plan.

 

Resolved: That;

 

  i.  The work plan be noted; and

  ii.  The Committee writes to all 12 district councils to obtain their policy on affordable/social housing and for a report to be presented at the next scheduled meeting of the Committee for information.

7.

Urgent Business

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.

Minutes:

There were no items of Urgent Business.

8.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the External Services Scrutiny Committee will be held on Tuesday 16 January 2018 at 10.30am at County Hall, Preston.

Minutes:

The next meeting of the External Services Scrutiny Committee will take place on Tuesday 16 January 2018 at 10.30am in Cabinet Room B (The Diamond Jubilee Room) at the County Hall, Preston.