Agenda and minutes

None received

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.

County Councillor Taylor declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 4c as a Cabinet Member at Wyre Borough Council. County Councillor Alyson Barnes declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 4c as the Leader of Rossendale Borough Council. County Councillor Oakes declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 4c as a Cabinet Member at Rossendale Borough Council. County Councillor Clifford declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 4c as a Cabinet Member at Lancaster City Council.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2016 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

TheCommittee consideredthe followingdecisions dueto be takenby the Cabinet.

The committee received a report providing the financial position as at 30^th June 2016, the latest position in respect of the County Council's reserves and the County Council's updated financial outlook (Medium Term Financial Strategy) for period 2017/18 to 2020/21.

It was reported that there was currently forecast a small overspend, but that it was anticipated that this would be brought back to within budget by the end of the year. In relation to the medium term strategy and the reserves position, it was reported that the funding gap has reduced to £147.944m, the reduction on the previously reported position being principally due to the new assumption, not previously made, of a Council Tax increase (including the Social Care precept) of 3.99% per year. It was emphasised that, by 31st March 2018,the County Council is expected to have reserves available of £21.772m, with the total current reserve essentially already committed or required to meet the budget shortfall in 16/17 and 17/18.

In the debate which followed, County Councillor Alan Schofield spoke in accordance with Standing Order 19(1)

Resolved:That therecommendations setout inthe reportto Cabinetbe noted,and thatno additional commentsor suggestedalternative recommendationsbe made

The committee received a report on the outcomes of the consultation on the proposed savings to the Supporting People budget, and the work of the Prevention and Early Help Cabinet Member Working Group and its recommendations in relation to the allocation of the Prevention and Early Help Fund.

In the ensuing debate, County Councillor Alan Schofield spoke in accordance with Standing Order 19(1)

Resolved:That therecommendations setout inthe reportto Cabinetbe noted,and thatno additional commentsor suggestedalternative recommendationsbe made

A short adjournment was taken following the above item

County Councillor Alyson Barnes declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item as a trustee of the Crawshawbooth Community Association. County Councillor Jackie Oakes declared a non-pecuniary interest as a trustee of Whitewell Bottom Community Association.

The committee considered a report on the outcomes of the consultation in relation to the proposals agreed on 12 May 2016 regarding the Council's Property Strategy.

It was noted that, following the consultation, the proposal in respect of 28 properties had been changed from the initial proposals, and a summary was circulated to committee members for ease of reference.

The committee received a detailed overview of the proposals and the approach taken from officers, as set out in the detailed report.

In debating the report, the following County Councillors spoke in accordance with Standing Order 19(1): County Councillor Andrea Kay, County Councillor Paul Rigby, County Councillor Alan Schofield, County Councillor Keith Sedgewick, County Councillor Margaret Brindle, County Councillor Chris Henig.

A number of comments were made during the debate in relation to individual properties in a number of areas, and in relation to the process that would now be followed, especially in relation to the management of Expressions of Interest received and the transfer of properties where appropriate. It was noted that no decisions had yet been taken in relation to any next steps, pending the outcome of the Cabinet Decision at the forthcoming meeting. It was confirmed that a further update would be provided to Cabinet based on the issues raised in the debate.

During the debate, it was moved and seconded that ESC request Cabinet defer their decision to enable the creation of district level cross-party working groups to consider the proposals and make recommendations to Cabinet. On being put to the vote, the motion was lost.

It was further moved and seconded that ESC request Cabinet look at keeping a number of the facilities proposed for closure open. On being put to the vote, the motion was lost.

The Committee, following the debate, allowed a further opportunity for comments on a district by district basis.

Resolved:That therecommendations setout inthe reportto Cabinetbe noted,and thatno additional commentsor suggestedalternative recommendationsbe made

TheCommittee consideredthe followingreports onKey Decisions due tobe taken byindividual CabinetMembers asindicated.

The committee received a report setting out a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Planning and Cultural Services approve the use of the Environment Agency's Water and Environment Management (WEM) Framework Agreement to procure specialist consultancy and construction works for flood risk projects.

Resolved:  That therecommendation setout inthe reportto theCabinet Member forEnvironment, Planning and Cultural Services  be noted,and thatno additional comments orsuggested alternativerecommendations bemade.

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 Executive Scrutiny Committee will be held on Tuesday, 4 October 2016 at 2pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of the committee would be held on Tuesday 4 October2016 at2.00 p.m.at CountyHall, 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 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972, as indicated against the heading to the item.

Resolved:- Thatunder Section100A(4) ofthe LocalGovernment Act,1972, the pressand publicshould beexcluded fromthe meetingduring consideration ofthe following itemsof businesson thegrounds thatthere wouldbe alikely disclosure of exemptinformation asdefined inthe appropriateparagraphs ofPart 1of Schedule 12A tothe LocalGovernment Act,1972 andthat inall circumstancesof the casethe publicinterest inmaintaining theexemption outweighsthe public interestin disclosingthe information.

TheCommittee consideredthe followingreports onKey Decisions due tobe taken byindividual CabinetMembers asindicated.

(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 interest 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 interest in disclosing the information)

The Committee considered a report to go to the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools on the outcome of a procurement exercise in relation to the provision of Community Short Breaks.

Resolved:- Thatthe recommendationset outin the reportto theCabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools benoted andthat noadditional commentsor suggested alternativerecommendations bemade.

(Not for publication – exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I 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 interest in disclosing the information.)

(Not for publication – exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I 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 interest in disclosing the information.)

The Committee considered a report to the Deputy Leader of the County Council and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Planning and Cultural Services on the creation of a Capital Project for Company Transformation Asset Preservation Activity in relation to Global Renewables Lancashire Operations Ltd.

Resolved:- Thatthe recommendationsset outin the reportto theDeputy Leader of theCounty Council and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Planning and cultural Services be notedand thatno additionalcomments orsuggested alternative recommendationsbe made.