Agenda and minutes

Also in attendance:

Jane Johnson , LCC Localities Officer

Chris Mather, LCC Democratic Services

Philip Mousdale, Pendle Borough Council

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

None.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors M Iqbal and C Wakeford, and Borough Councillors E Ansar, T Cooney and K Hartley.

The note of the meeting held on 9 December 2013 was presented and accepted as a true and correct record.

Members received an update on the action taken in response to issues raised at the previous meeting held on 9 December 2013.

The Forum stressed the need to seek match funding for highway schemes and improvements.  It was agreed that the Borough Council via its area committees should approach the County Council for match funding wherever possible.  Borough officers would remind the area committees of the available funding opportunities.

It was reported that a Speed Indicator Device (SPID) would be located on Reedyford Road to remind drivers of the 30 mph speed limit.

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

It was noted that the Forum had already agreed to allow the public to participate at meetings, and to hold its meetings at different venues across the district.

It was reported that a report on the further development of the 3 tier forums across Lancashire would be presented to the County Council's Cabinet on 8 May 2014.

The dashboard (attached) details the performance of the Directorate between October and December, 2013 in relation to delivery of the approved Pendle Commissioning Plan for 2013/14.

The Forum noted the Quarter 3 "dashboard" which detailed performance of the Environment Directorate between October and December 2013 in relation to the delivery of the approved Pendle Commissioning Plan for 2013/14.

The following points were raised:

·  Due to staff leaving the Environment Directorate, the public realm area of work had become more streamlined.  Members expressed reservations about the perceived efficiency of the new arrangements particularly as the public realm officers would be required to cover a much wider geographical area.  Officers noted the concerns.

·  The Forum requested information on the level of funding which the Government had made available to the County Council for the repair of potholes.  Officers agreed to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated by the County Council to the Pendle district and across Lancashire.

·  It was suggested that a meeting with the Interim Director and/or appropriate senior officers within the Environment Directorate be sought to discuss concerns about the delay in responding to complaints about potholes and other issues relating to repair works.

·  It was reported that an Environment Directorate Working Group had identified ways to change working practices and improve timely delivery of effective defect repairs. As a result the operational management of operational teams had been combined as a single resource within Highway Operations. The service was now able to combine all highway safety inspection defects and those reported by the public on a single map based management system for footways and carriageways. This enabled repairs to be addressed in co-ordinated packages, delivering an increase in productivity.

·  The Forum asked officers to amend future "dashboards" to show specific details of the number of potholes identified and repaired.

·  It was noted that the East Lancashire Highways and Transport masterplan had been approved by the County Council's Cabinet in February 2014.  Officers agreed to provide an update on the results of the M65 to Yorkshire Corridor Study.

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

The Forum received details of the capital schemes to be delivered in the Pendle district in 2014/15.

Officers were asked to clarify the timescale for the proposed works on Birtwistle Avenue/Harrison Drive/Tennyson Road.  Members had been led to believe that the works would be undertaken in Q2 but the report suggested Q4.

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

The Forum received a report on the actions being taken by the County Council to manage traffic issues caused by the first two stages of the Tour de France that would be passing close to the Lancashire boundary on 5/6 July.

The Forum welcomed the information.

A short report on responsibilities in relation to flood risk management in Pendle.

The Forum considered a report on the responsibilities in relation to flood risk management in Pendle.

The Forum recognised the important and much valued flood and land drainage work undertaken by Borough Council officers on behalf of the Environment Agency.  However, concerns were expressed about the Environment Agency decision to not renew its contract with the Borough Council and the adverse effects which this might have across the district.

The Forum agreed that the County Council should be requested to make representations to the Environment Agency in support of resources being provided to enable the Borough Council to retain its staff and capacity for dealing with flood and drainage related problems. The Forum also agreed that the County Council should be asked to consider the level of support it would be able give to the Borough Council.

A report on the minimum unit price for alcohol in Lancashire campaign including facts about alcohol issues and costs in Pendle.

The Forum received a report on the minimum unit price for alcohol in Lancashire campaign including facts about alcohol issues in Pendle.

The Forum noted that a by-law might be needed to introduce a minimum unit pricing policy and this would need to be supported by the County and 12 Borough Councils, as well as the two unitary authorities.  The County Council had already agreed to support the initiative and the Forum agreed that the Borough Council should also be asked to consider and confirm its support. 

Any suggestions for themes to be discussed at future meetings should be forwarded to the Chair and Harry Ballantyne, Localities Officer, Environment Directorate, Strategy and Policy, Lancashire County Council, Mobile 07717 423903 harry.ballantyne@lancashire.gov.uk

Members of the Forum were asked to submit items for the next Pendle 3 Tier forum to the Chair and Harry Ballantyne, Localities Officer, Environment Directorate, Strategy and Policy, Lancashire County Council, Mobile 07717 423903 harry.ballantyne@lancashire.gov.uk

Members agreed that an update on health and social care issues should be presented to a future meeting.  

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.

None.

The Forum's terms of reference provide that three meetings shall take place each year.  Possible dates for meetings in 2014/15 are shown below:

·  16, 17 or 24 September 2014

·  26 November or 8 December 2014

·  7,8, 15 or 16 April 2015

All meetings will be held at 6.30 p.m. at venues to be decided by the Forum.

The Forum is asked to determine its timetable of meetings including venues for 2014/15. 

The Forum agreed that future meetings would be held on 16 September 2014 at 6.30 p.m. in Colne, and on 8 December 2014 at 6.30 p.m. in Nelson.

Officers were asked to consider the options for a subsequent meeting after the May 2015 elections.