Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2022 were signed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda, in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

None declared.

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm on a working day, allowing two clear working days before the day of the meeting.

None received.

To hear representations from members of the public on items which appear on the agenda – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received.

The Programme Director & Chief Officer Assets provided members with an update presentation on activity within the Economic Recovery and Growth Strategy.

The Economic Recovery and Growth Strategy had been approved by Executive on 12 May 2021 and contained six strategic objectives identified to deliver the vision, building on issues and opportunities identified in a baseline assessment:

· Clean growth and the low carbon economy

· Growing and future proofing Allerdale’s manufacturing base

· Support agriculture to grow and prosper post EU exit

· Harnessing changing lifestyle and working patterns to diversify and grow the

  economy

· Creating thriving visitor destinations, towns and rural communities

· Sharing the proceeds of growth.

A summary was provided on all activity achieved/completed under each of the six themes over the last two years. Members acknowledged a lot had been delivered during that time.

Questions were asked around engagement with the Cumbrian LEP and the plans for moving forward, the UK Shared Prosperity Funding process, in particular an update regarding involvement of communities and local groups and around the infrastructure for electric vehicles, in particular were any plans in place for improving charging points across the borough.

It was agreed a written response would be provided to members following the meeting on those queries raised.

Agreed

That the update be noted.

The Programme Director & Chief Officer Assets provided members with a verbal update on the Cumberland Sports Village.

Following questions from members no firm timetable on the delivery of the programme could be provided at present however it was still anticipated to be delivered within the timetable for the town deal funding which was by the end of 2026.

The Business Case had been agreed by Executive in principle however a number of areas had been identified where further work was required around project governance, providing confidence around delivery and around certain financial aspects.

It had been agreed that a structure would be developed, and a company would be established to deliver the sports village on behalf of the clubs and they would commission that additional work that was required to move forward.

That company had now been established and grant funding agreed. There had been some governance issues that needed to be addressed which were causing some delays. Those issues were due to be addressed imminently.

Once that additional work had been completed, estimated to approx. four weeks, and the Business Case approved the project would progress to the next stage. It would be at that stage there would be a clearer idea of the timetable that members were looking for.

In the background the two clubs continued to work on engagement with stakeholders and partners and were soon to launch a website to communicate with fans what was happening with the development, what the plans were and how people could get engaged in the process.

It was hoped that in the next 6-8 weeks the Council should be in the position to provide more detail around the Business Plan.

One encouraging aspect linked with this project was there had been some positive conversations with the Football Foundation around funding, primarily for the community pitch, and work was currently underway including both clubs on developing an application for that funding.

Agreed

That the update be noted.

The Programme Director & Chief Officer Assets provided members with a verbal update on the options appraisal for leisure provision in Keswick.

It was explained that consultants had been appointed last year to develop on the findings from the previous review for an options appraisal. A draft report had been developed however as it was not fully complete it was felt not appropriate to share with members at this stage.

The report reviewed the market gap analysis along with facilities models, guidance and wider strategic plans. It had looked at six locations appraisals looking at planning constraints, road infrastructure, topography, access and ownership.

Consultation had been undertaken with GLL, local Keswick members, the LDNP and with Highways.

This had developed two options for a base facility mix and basic design concept with high level costings. Those were to be further refined through a stage two business case development report currently underway.

A completed options report was expected within the next few weeks and the second phase more detailed report was due by the end of February.

Members asked for the reasons on the delay for a report to be considered by Executive before Christmas as had been announced in a previous portfolio update. It was agreed that would be looked in to and a response provided following the meeting.

The Keswick members present referred to the meeting they had participated in with the consultants and reiterated their point that the right building design and creativity was key to the project’s success.

Agreed

That the update be noted.

Consideration of all responses received to the Committees questions on the Safer Streets Project (Responses emailed separately to all Committee members).

The Committee considered all the responses received to their original set of questions on a presentation received on the Safer Streets Project in St Michaels, Workington.

Members said that their overall goal was to establish whether they felt, and could it be demonstrated, that the project had delivered value for money.

From the responses obtained from the Safer Streets Co-ordinator, the Police and Local Focus Hub which now included a set of figures as requested, the committee collectively agreed that it didn’t appear much value for money had been achieved.

It was however acknowledged that a top-down approach was in place with strict guidelines and a prescribed focus allowing little room for designing a scheme that could deal with local issues.

The Committee thanked those who had taken the time to provide them with responses.

Agreed

That the Committee noted all the information provided, felt it clear that a top-down approach was evident and not appreciated and that value for money had not been achieved on delivery of the project.

The Specialist – Policy provided members with a verbal update on LGR.

A number of key posts had been appointed for Cumberland Council, namely;

-  Assistant Chief Executive - Director of Strategy, Policy and Performance: Nik Hardy

-  Director of Public Health and Communities: Colin Cox

-  Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport: Darren Crossley

-  Director of Business Transformation and Change: Jo Atkinson

-  Director of Resources: Simon Higgins.

Staff Allocation had been confirmed for the vast majority of staff and now Service Planning activities were well underway.

A 100 day communication plan was being developed and delivered.

Resolved

That the update be noted.

The Forward Plan was noted.

Members noted the work programme and discussed the expected items for their next meeting on Friday 17 February 2023.

Councillor S Lansbury requested that a new item be added for the March 2023 meeting for consideration of a final wrap up report from the Climate Change Action Group. This was agreed by the Committee.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee were presented with the final report and recommendations from the Access to Health Services Task and Finish Group (TFG).

The TFG met during July through to December 2022, the final report was to be considered and approved by the Committee which would then be recommended to the Executive. A number of the recommendations were specific to Allerdale to pick up and action, the remainder were to be forwarded on to the new Cumberland Council from 1 April 2023.

The scope of the review was intended to focus on the delivery of GP and Dentistry services, with particular regard to service in Workington, to scrutinise the plans of the NHS for those services and o work with County Health Scrutiny, Health Watch and patient participation groups to understand the needs of the community in those services.

As part of the review the TFG through internal communication channels had instigated a ‘call for evidence’ asking to hear direct from residents, the request received a tremendous response from people wanting to share their experiences to which the TFG and Committee expressed their thanks.

In reference to the recommendations on pages 37-38 of the agenda, it was suggested as a way forward that for the Allerdale specific recommendations the Co-Chairs of Scrutiny agree with the Leader of the Council to send a joint letter of representation to the three Members of Parliamentary for Allerdale detailing the TFG review and their recommendations. This was agreed by the Committee.

The Committee considered an updated scoping document for the third and final TFG due to commence on Democratic Participation in Voting.

It was noted that Councillor S Lansbury was standing down from the membership of this group due to other commitments.

The scoping document was agreed by Committee.