Agenda and minutes

Councillor C Cleary attended this meeting in place of Councillor P Barton.

Also in attendance

Mr M Wardale, Locality Officer, Lancashire County Council, Environment Directorate.

Mr M Neville, Senior Committee Support Officer, Lancashire County Council, Office of the Chief Executive.

A copy of the agreed Protocol in relation to public speaking at meetings of the Forum is attached for information.

The current Protocol on public speaking at meetings of the Forum was presented for information and noted.

Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of County Councillor P Britcliffe, County Councillor C Pritchard, County Councillor G Molineux and Councillor M Haworth.

Agreed: That the Note of the meeting held on the 11^th December 2013 is confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The following points were raised by members of the Forum in relation to the updates set out in the Action Sheet.

·  It was noted that works on Durham Drive were virtually complete with only some road markings still outstanding and local residents were happy with how the scheme had progressed.

·  With regard to the 20mph speed limit in the vicinity of St Oswald's RC Primary School and St Peters CE Primary School in Accrington it was noted that the new limit would be monitored for a period of 3 to 4 months before its effectiveness was evaluated. It was suggested that the Forum receive a further update in relation to the findings of the monitoring and traffic conditions in the area at the next meeting.

·  In response to a query regarding the status of Three Brooks Way in Oswaldtwistle Mr Wardale undertook to look into whether the highway had been adopted by the County Council and report back.

·  It was reported that a previous repair to a pothole in Cranbook Avenue in Oswaldtwistle had deteriorated to such an extent that the pothole was now in the same condition as before the repair. In response it was suggested that the repair may have been a temporary one until such time as a more permanent repair could be done, though it was acknowledged that a significant failure of even a temporary repair was unsatisfactory.

·  With regard to the potential reopening of the Martholme Viaduct it was noted that the landowner was still reluctant to permit walkers to gain access to the Viaduct and there was some concern about the possible future cost to the County Council of maintaining the Viaduct if a public footpath were established .It was suggested that the route over the Viaduct may have been in use for a number of years prior to its closure at the time of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and Mr Wardale stated that he would ask colleagues from the Public Rights of Way Section to clarify whether a public right of way existed over the Viaduct and would report back via the Action Sheet.

·  The successful removal of private gardens which had encroached onto County Council land at Whinney Hill was welcomed and it was noted that the Parish Council was in the process of establishing what, if any, contracts existed in relation to use of existing allotments/garages on the land before proceeding with taking on responsibility for the future management of the site.

·  Recent repairs to footways in the Milnshaw area were welcomed, through it was noted that a response was awaited in relation to some areas where it had been suggested that the reinstatement of the footway may be the responsibility of private contractors following works associated with utilities.

·  The issue of unauthorised absence from schools was discussed and it was acknowledged that whilst the Government considered this was an issue for individual schools to determine there was a lack of clarity as to what constituted a 'special circumstance'  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

County Councillor M Parkinson joined the meeting at this point.

An update on the current position in relation to the review of 3 Tier Forums will be presented at the meeting.

Mr Wardale informed the meeting that since the consultation on the future development of the 3 Tier Forums last September some Forums had agreed to open meetings to the public and the Lancaster and Chorley Forums were developing alternative arrangements for meetings which would to operate for a trial period.

It was also reported that the County Council was in the process of considering its future governance arrangements and a report in relation to the 3 Tier Forums would be presented to the Cabinet in mid May.

Agreed: That the update regarding the future development of 3 Tier Forums is noted.

The Dashboard details the performance of the Directorate between October and December, 2013 in relation to delivery of the approved Hyndburn Commissioning Plan for 2013/14.

The following points were made in relation to the information set out on the Dashboard for Quarter 3 (October – December 2013).

1.  In response to a query regarding the location of the mobile unit associated with the Nightsafe Zone Mr Wardale reported that currently the unit would be based in Accrington.

2.  With regard to the Preston-East Lancashire Transport Corridor Study it was noted that the County Council commissioned study in relation to the M65 to Yorkshire Corridor had been completed and further information was requested in relation to the findings.

3.  It was noted that the Government had provided some additional funding in relation to pothole repairs which would be allocated across the County on to those areas which were considered to be of greatest need

4.  In response to a query Mr Wardale stated he would look into the reasons for the apparent drop in the percentage of potholes filled within 30 days during October – December and report back via the Action Sheet.

Agreed: That the comments of the Forum regarding the information set out in the Dashboard is noted and where appropriate further updates be provided in the Action Sheet.

The list of capital schemes to be delivered in Hyndburn in 2014/15 is attached.

The Forum considered the list of schemes in Hyndburn which had been included in the 2014/15 capital programme and noted that the tables for A, B and C roads and the Local Priorities Response Fund were shown as having 'schemes to be determined'. In response Mr Wardale informed the meeting that the County Councils Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation was still considering potential schemes for both categories against competing demands for schemes associated with Accrington Town Centre.

With regard to the proposed traffic signal scheme on Blackburn Road in Accrington it was noted that the wording in the table incorrectly referred to Commercial Road in Great Harwood.

Agreed: That the comments of the Forum as set out above are noted and where appropriate further updates be provided to members of the Forum outside of the meeting.

A briefing paper will be provided explaining the concept and also highlighting issues around alcohol in Hyndburn

A report was presented to the Forum on the introduction of a minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol proposed by the Cumbria and Lancashire Public Health Collaborative.

County Councillor Dad left the meeting at this point.

When considering the report the Forum acknowledged the impact that the availability of cheap alcohol had on the public health and recognised that to be effective a minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol would need to be introduced nationally.

Agreed:

1.  That the Cumbria and Lancashire Public Health Collaborative be informed that the Hyndburn 3 Tier Forum –

·  Welcomes in principle the introduction of a minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol.

·  Recognises the need for political consensus in order to address what is considered to be a national issue.

·  Expresses concern regarding the lack of political will by Government to introduce a minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol when faced with lobbying from alcohol manufacturers and large retailers.

·  Suggests that more be done to educate young people in particular about alcohol misuse, provide more diversionary activities and tackle the sale of alcohol either directly to those who are underage or to adults on their behalf.

2.  That the proposed introduction of a minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol be referred to the Borough Councils Health and Community Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

The first two stages of the Tour-De-France will be held in the Pennine area of Yorkshire on Saturday 5^th and Sunday 6^th July, 2014. On both days the event will pass close to the Lancashire Boundary and the attached report outlines what the County Council is doing to manage traffic issues connected with the event.

Mr Wardale informed the meeting that the first two stages of the Tour de France would be held in the Pennine area of North Yorkshire on the 5^th/6^th July, 2014 and were expected to attract significant visitor numbers from overseas as well as from with the UK.

As the event would pass close to the County boundary on both days it was anticipated that travel between Lancashire and Yorkshire would be disrupted and the County Council was in the process of identifying any roads would need to be closed and also the duration of such closures. Further news about the event and associated road closures would be made available via www.lancashire.gov.uk (search for Tour de France) so that people could plan their travel over that weekend or avoid the disruption.

Agreed: That the action being taken in relation to traffic management associated with the Tour de France on the 5^th/6^th July 2014 is noted.

Recycling in schools across the County (Councillor Paul Cox)

It was reported that 31 of the 35 mainstream primary schools in Hyndburn currently engaged with the Borough Council in relation to the available programmes for the collection of recyclable materials such as glass, cans, plastic and paper/cardboard. However, no secondary schools were included on the list of educational establishments serviced by the Borough Council in relation to waste collection.

In considering the matter members of the Forum recognised that it was for individual schools to decide what approach to take and whilst some would be supportive of an environmental approach others would make a decision based on cost.

However, there was some concern that whilst recycling was actively promoted in primary schools as this did not appear to be continued in secondary schools there was less chance that young people would recycle both at home and in the future as adults.

Agreed: That the comments of the Forum be noted.

As this is the last scheduled meeting of the Forum consideration has been given to potential dates for a programme of meetings for 2014/15. Using the existing programme as a starting point potential dates have been discussed with Officers in the Environment Directorate and at the Borough Council and the following dates are presented for consideration.

Wednesday 3^rd September 2014

Wednesday 26^th November 2014

Wednesday 8^th April 2015

All meetings to be held at 6.00pm in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Scaitcliffe House, Ormrod Street, Accrington.

A suggested programme of dates for future meetings of the Forum was presented for consideration.

Agreed: That meetings of the Forum be held at 6.00pm on the following dates.in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Scaitcliffe House, Ormrod Street, Accrington

Wednesday 3^rd September 2014

Wednesday 26^th November 2014

Wednesday 8^th April 2015

Any suggestions for themes to be discussed at future meetings should be forwarded to the Chair and Mark Wardale, Localities Officer, Environment Directorate, Strategy and Policy, Lancashire County Council. Mobile 07919 227424 or by email to mark.wardale@lancashire.gov.uk

Agreed:

1.  That reports on the following subjects be brought to the next meeting of the Forum

·  Proposed changes to the structure of the County Council as a result of the recently agreed budget

·  An update in relation to the Walton Arms junction.

·  An update in relation to the findings of the monitoring of the 20mph speed limit in the vicinity of St Oswalds RC Primary School and St Peters CE Primary School in Accrington.

2.  That the members of the Forum submit any additional suggestions for future items of business to the Chair and Locality Officer for consideration.

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.

There were no items of urgent business for discussion at the meeting.

Subject to the agreement of the Forum the next meeting will be held at 6.00pm on the 3^rd September 2014 in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington.

It was noted that in accordance with an earlier decision the next meeting of the Forum would be held at 6.00pm on the 3^rd September 2014 in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Scaitcliffe House, Ormrod Street, Accrington.