Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillor Geoff Driver.

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.

There were no interests declared.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Committee considered the following report to be presented for decision by Cabinet on 8 January 2015.

The Committee received a report setting out updates on matters affecting the Council's financial position, including the details of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2015/16, which was announced on 18 December.

In presenting the report, the Deputy Leader of the Council noted that discussion were still ongoing with government in relation to funding for the council's Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme, and highlighted the close work being undertaken between the NHS and the Council's social care services on hospital admissions and discharges to reduce the pressure on the NHS.

The Committee's attention was drawn to the consultation responses, and it was confirmed that the Cabinet on 8 January would agree its budget proposals for formal consultation.

In addition, it was confirmed that a legal challenge will be made by the County Council against the Government's decision to terminate the payment of the waste infrastructure grant from 31 July 2015 and that almost £6m was required to be set aside as a contingency in respect of this.

In response to questions, it was confirmed that further conversations had taken place with the Chair of the Lancashire Safeguarding Children's Board, who had confirmed she was satisfied with the assurances given by the council.

The Deputy Leader confirmed that we would provide a copy of his response to the Leader of Chorley Council's letter to the Committee, and it was also confirmed that every effort would be made to ensure that the formal proposals would be circulated to all Parish Councils, amongst the other wide range of consultees.

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

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

A report was presented setting out the next phase of public realm improvements in Preston City Centre to extend the "shared space" initiative along Fishergate to complete the pedestrian connectivity between the Bus Station and it's western apron and the Railway Station, and seeking approval from the Deputy Leader for the works to be carried out as an advance commitment against the Fishergate Central Growth Deal project.

Members praised the phase 1 work to Fishergate, and noted that motorist and pedestrian behaviour had adapted well to the shared space concept.

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

The Committee received a report setting out the council's proposed Deferred Payment Scheme, in accordance with the requirements of the  Care Act 2014. It was reported that sections 34-36 of The Act established a requirement for a Deferred Payment Scheme which all relevant local authorities must have ready for implementation from 1 April 2015.

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

The Committee considered a report on the on the council's proposals in relation to support for carers of all ages in line with the requirements of The Care Act 2014.

It was reported that in order to meet its statutory duties, the County Council must implement new arrangements for carers from 1 April 2015, particularly in respect of carers' assessment, the provision of support, which must include the option of a personal budget to those eligible.

It was recognised that the position would need to be carefully monitored given the level of uncertainty about the possible levels of demand for support.

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

The Committee received a report on the new duties under the Care Act 2014 which made the County Council responsible for social care in prisons and approved premises in Lancashire.

It was reported that negotiations have been taking place with Lancashire Care Foundation Trust (LCFT) for several months with a view to establishing a new Section 75 partnership agreement under the NHS Act 2006. Such s75 agreements enable NHS and local authority bodies to undertake each other's functions in order to support the delivery of local objectives. The new s75 agreement with LCFT would mean it will discharge the substantive majority of the County Council's responsibilities for social care in prisons as part of an integrated health and social care service for prisoners.

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

A report was presented outlining  proposals in relation to the requirement for additional reception places for 2015 and beyond in a number of areas in Lancashire in accordance with eth council's  statutory duty to ensure that a primary or secondary school place is available for every child of statutory school age living in Lancashire who requires one.

The proposals presented related to the Morecambe and Heysham areas, and to the Euxton area. These issues had been the subject of previous report to the Cabinet Member. It was reported that the position in relation to the requirement for school places was constantly under review n order to ensure appropriate provision..

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

The Committee received a report seeking the approval of the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools to submit the Schools Block budget proforma and requesting  approval of the Lancashire Early Years and High Needs Block Budgets for 2015/16.

It was noted that, in accordance with the Government's school funding framework, the Authority is required to submit a final Schools Block budget proforma for 2015/16 to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) by 20 January 2015.

It was reported that the matter would be considered by the Schools Forum, and that its decisions and recommendations will be provided for the Cabinet Member's consideration.

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

The Committee considered a report setting out a proposal to change a footway into a shared use cycle track for pedestrians and cyclists along the A6 London Road between Frenchwood Avenue and North Road, Preston, as part of the on-going Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) works.

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

A report was presented setting out options for the for the future funding of Early Response during 2015/16 and 2016/17. A minimum of £1.7m saving has been identified that can be utilised to support the County Council's transformation process. The Early Response proposal had been developed out of collaboration between Lancashire County Council (LCC) and Lancashire Constabulary aimed at setting out a strategic approach to managing and reducing demand on statutory services through prevention and timely, appropriate intervention.

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

There was no urgent business.

The next meeting of the Executive Scrutiny Committee will be held on Tuesday 20 January 2015 at 2pm at the County Hall, Preston

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting on Tuesday 20 January would be cancelled, following the cancellation of the Cabinet scheduled for 22 January. The next meeting of the committee would therefore be at 2pm on Tuesday 3 February 2015 at the 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 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government act 1972 as indicated against the heading to the item.

Resolved: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and 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 paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 and that in all circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Committee received a report setting out a recommendation to approve the award of contracts for the supply and distribution of chilled and fresh produce.

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

A report was considered which set out a recommendation, following the completion of a tender process conducted in accordance with EU Regulations and the County Council's Standing Orders, to approve the establishment of 10 Select Lists to be used when tendering construction work with an estimated value between £60,000 and the EU threshold.

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

The Committee received a report setting out a recommendation, following completion of a tender process conducted in accordance with Lancashire County Council Standing Orders and Public Contracts Regulations 2006, to approve the award of a framework agreement to one contractor for the supply and application of surface dressing materials.

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

A report was considered which set out a recommendation, following completion of a tender process conducted in accordance with the County Council's standing orders, domestic and EU procurement law, to approve the award of a contract for the provision of Traffic Signal Maintenance.

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