Agenda and minutes

County Councillors Craig-Wilson, Shedwick, Gooch and Smith replaced County Councillors Driver, Charles, Green and Atkinson at this meeting.

None.

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

None.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The Committee considered the following decisions due to be taken by the Cabinet.

The Committee considered the Annual Report of the Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board for 2014/15.

It was reported that the production of this report fulfilled a statutory requirement and its contents were, to a large extent, determined by the legal framework. A group of young people were currently working on an alternative version with a target audience of children and young people themselves.

It was noted that the report recorded a number of positive indications that some areas of risk had reduced and identified a number of strengths in respect of the Board itself.  There remained however, a number of key areas for further consideration. 

It was agreed that the Board should be asked to amend its report to include 'reported' in the following list of positive indications set out on page 14 of the annual report.

:

  "No3. - A reduction in the number of 'reported' incidents of domestic violence where a child is reported to live at the   address" and

  "No.4 – A decrease in the 'reported' number of children going missing from home"

It was also noted that the word 'Royal' should be deleted from the 'Royal College of Policing' as mentioned on page  19 of the annual report   

The Committee was informed that a child death overview panel looked at every child death and a detailed report was presented to the Board.  It was agreed that a copy of the report would be made available to members.

A concern was expressed about the ban on smoking in a car when a child was present not being enforced  by the police..  It was agreed that this matter should be raised with the constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Resolved:  That the recommendations set out in the report to the Cabinet be noted and that apart from the above no additional comments or suggested alternative recommendations be made.  

The Committee considered a report on the Lancashire Safeguarding Adult Board Annual Report for 2014/15.

It was reported that there were a number of strong indications that some previously identified areas of risk had reduced and the report also acknowledged a number of strengths in respect of the Board itself.

It was agreed that a list of the Board's members would be circulated to members of the Committee.

Resolved:  That the recommendations set out in the report to the Cabinet be noted, and that no additional comments or suggested alternative recommendations be made.

The Committee considered a report on the proposed continuation of an annual contribution to the Lancashire Environment Fund (LEF).

The LEF funding provided grants to community organisations in Lancashire to carry out locally identified, environmental improvement and community projects.  The Committee welcomed and fully supported this proposal.

Resolved:  That the recommendation set out in the report to the Cabinet be noted, and that no additional comments or suggested alternative recommendations be made.

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The Committee considered the following Key Decisions due to be taken by individual Cabinet Members as indicated.

The Committee considered a report on the award of £4.65m to the County Council to deliver funding to businesses and organisations located within rural areas to support employment and jobs growth over the period 2015 to 2020.

The report set out the details of the LEADER programme in Lancashire and the need to enter into legal agreements with the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs and the Rural Payments Agency to deliver the LEADER funding.

It was agreed that members would be added to the communications distribution list to keep them informed of progress on the delivery of the programme.

Resolved:  That the recommendations set out in the report to the Leader of the Council be noted, and that no additional comments or suggested alternative recommendations be made.  

The Committee considered a report on a proposal to address problems relating to short term parking habits where motorists consider that the likelihood of receiving a penalty charge were minimal.

Members commented on the need for greater consistency in the penalty charge notice operating arrangements across the county.  It was felt that  many motorists particularly in rural areas often escaped punishment.

Resolved:  That the recommendations set out in the report to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport be noted, and that no additional comments or suggested alternative recommendations be made.

The Committee considered a report on proposals to develop a specialist framework for Care and Support services for people with mental health issues.
 

The Framework would  focus on rehabilitation and improved outcomes for individuals through better planning and   co-ordination of support services.

Resolved:  That the recommendations set out in the report to the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services be noted, and that no additional comments or alternative recommendations be made.

The Committee considered a report on a proposal to add a project to investigate a number of options to reduce flood risk in 6 small areas of the Upper Irwell in Rossendale to the County Council's 2015/16 Capital Programme. 

The funding for the project would be fully met by the government from the Defra Small Scheme Pathfinder fund.

Resolved:  That the recommendation set out in the report to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Planning and Cultural Services be noted, and that no additional comments or alternative suggestions be made.

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.

None.

The next meeting of the Executive Scrutiny Committee will be held on Tuesday, 3 November 2015 at 2pm at the County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Tuesday 3 November 2015 at 2.00 p.m. at County Hall, Preston.

The Committee is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, it considers that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as indicated against the heading to the item.

Resolved: - That the press and members of the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972, indicated against the heading to the item. It was considered that in all the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Committee considered the following Key Decisions due to be taken by individual Cabinet Members as indicated.

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.  It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information).

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.  It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information)

The Committee considered a report on the proposed award of framework contracts for the provision of servicing,  repair and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment.

Resolved:  That the recommendation set out in the report to the Deputy Leader of the County Council be noted, and that no additional comments or alternative suggestions be made.

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.  It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information).

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.  It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information)

The Committee considered a report on a proposal that the County Council formally accesses the Crown Commercial Framework for the supply of liquid fuels (heating oils and biodiesel).