Agenda and minutes

Councillor Fail was nominated as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/25.

Councillor Cartridge was nominated as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/25.

Following a vote, it was agreed that Councillor Cartridge be appointed as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/25.

Councillor Fail was nominated as the Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/25.

Councillor Baxter was nominated as the Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/25.

Following a vote, it was agreed that Councillor Baxter be appointed as the Vice Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/25.

The Chair, Councillor Cartridge, welcomed the two new members to the committee, Councillors Robinson and Belshaw.

The Chair reminded members of the pre-election period rules, which required discussion to remain relevant to the items on the agenda. Members ought to avoid using the committee as a resource for political publicity.

To receive any declarations of interest from any councillor on any item on this agenda.

None.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Monday 22 April 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 April 2024 were confirmed as a correct record by those who were in attendance.

The Policy, Data Intelligence and Change Manager, Sandy Lee, has submitted a report, the 4th Quarter Performance Statement 2023/24, January – March 2024.

The Policy, Data Intelligence and Change Manager, Sandy Lee, submitted a report on the 4th Quarter Performance Statement 2023/24, January – March 2024.

The Policy, Data Intelligence and Change Manager, Sandy Lee attended the meeting and introduced the report.

Sandy updated members that the Council Plan was approved by Council on 30 November 2023. The report covered the first quarterly monitoring of the new plan and its 20 key projects and 25 measures. The report was presented in an updated format to make the content more readable and understandable.

Councillor Fail questioned the below target status of the council tax ebilling measure. Sandy confirmed that the measure for this target was previously regarding residents signed up to myWyre, this measure had been completed therefore the measure was changed to focus on the sign-up to council tax ebilling. She highlighted that this was a new target and should improve during the next quarter.

Councillor Walker raised a question about the increased number of homeless cases prevented in Wyre and asked whether these individuals were from or had direct links to Wyre or were from neighbouring authorities such as Blackpool. Sandy agreed to provide members with a written response.

Sandy responded to a question from Councillor Baxter about Wyre Council’s role with regards to reducing the number of violence against the person offences. She confirmed that Wyre played a role in the Community Safety Partnership which was targeting key geographic areas and conducting a deep dive to gain a better understanding as to why there had been an increase.

Councillor Fail made some comments about the Town Centre Regeneration Framework public consultations, particularly about parking and community safety issues at Ellerbeck Road, Cleveleys and the levelling out of pavements in the town centre. It was requested that an update on the status and timescales for the approval of each Town Centre Regeneration Framework was provided. Sandy agreed to provide members with a written update.

Councillor Bolton questioned the cost to the Council to continue to resource the work to collect the remaining council tax debt compared to the amount collected. Sandy agreed to provide members with a written response.

The committee thanked Sandy for her report and her attendance.

The report was noted.

The Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager, Peter Foulsham, has submitted a report to provide the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a summary of comparative information to facilitate a review of the call-in processes and criteria.

The Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager, Peter Foulsham, submitted a report to provide the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a summary of comparative information to facilitate a review of the call-in processes and criteria.

The Chair introduced the report.

Members agreed to suggest an amendment to part 16.3 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules (relating to call-in procedures) to allow for the nomination of a substitute spokesperson, if necessary.

Councillor Fail raised that the procedure rules should be amended to ensure that the councillors who called in the decision be consulted when setting the date of the call-in meeting. Following further discussions, members agreed to suggest an additional amendment to part 16.4 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules (relating to call-in procedures) to make it clearer that the call-in must be heard within ten working days of being submitted. The Chair explained that this was in line with most authorities.

Councillor Fail referred the recent call-in meeting held on 6 March 2024, he raised concerns about the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s access to information, particularly regarding the withholding of information. The Chair explained that there may be limits on access to information that could be determined as confidential or exempt.

The Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager (temporary), Marianne Unwin, summarised the legal and constitutional position regarding access to information. She highlighted that the committee would be entitled to copies of documents that were in the possession or control of Cabinet or its Committees.

Following discussion, the committee agreed to request additional scrutiny training with a particular focus on the committee’s power to access information.

The report was noted.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee has submitted a report to inform members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the progress of the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee.

Papers to follow.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee submitted a report to inform members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the progress of the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee.

The Chair introduced the report.

The report was noted.

The Director of Finance and Governance, Clare James, has submitted a report updating the committee about the delivery of the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2024/25. Marianne Unwin, Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager (temporary), will introduce the report and respond to questions and comments from councillors.

The Director of Finance and Governance, Clare James, submitted a report updating the committee about the delivery of the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2024/25.

Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager (temporary), Marianne Unwin, introduced the report and summarised the key findings from the updated overview and scrutiny: statutory guidance for councils, combined authorities and combined county authorities.

It was highlighted that the Citizens Advice Lancashire West Task Group review had been completed, and members were encouraged to prioritise and agree their next topic(s) for review.

Following discussions, the committee considered setting up a scrutiny task group to review issues around fly tipping, as listed on their Work Programme for 2024/25. The committee agreed that a draft scoping document be reviewed at the next meeting.

The report was noted.