Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 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 Committee received an annual update report from the Executive member for Policy, Governance and People Resources on the Cumbria Safety Partnership.

Councillor Heaslip emphasised the question regarding future funding for the three Cumbrian CSPs by the Police, Crime Commissioner, as the report says it was ending, and asked could it be confirmed that there was sufficient funding available to continue.

Councillor Heaslip also asked what the recruitment plan was for the CSP Co-ordinator post.

Councillor Daniels asked for an update on the Egremont Domestic Homicide review, and asked if the review had now a more experienced Chair in post.

Councillor Heaslip commented he had been very impressed with the work carried out by Moorclose Connected Communities and its work during the Pandemic. He noted that the Task and Finish group had looked at Moorclose and were impressed with the work done.

Councillor Heaslip asked had lessons learnt been taken into account, and had those lessons been built into future plans to look at replicating the good work elsewhere.

Councillor Heaslip moved the report to be noted; this was seconded by Councillor Grainger.

Resolved

That the report be noted, and any outstanding questions be forwarded to the Portfolio Holder for a response.

Councillor Lansbury, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Group presented the update report to the Committee and highlighted key aspects and achievements and identified opportunities for improvement.

The action plan was two years on now and the authorities Climate Change Officer was in the process of setting some measurable targets.

Councillor Greaney highlighted the work on decarbonisation.

He emphasised the need to tackle the biggest contributors on carbon usage.

In response Councillor Lansbury highlighted the work being done with Iggesund papermill local to the area.

Members had a discussion around planning developers and their responsibilities around contributions to net zero, Councillor Daniels said we need to be asking the large developers what their basic sustainable outlays were. As part of the discussion it was highlighted that the content of the Local Plan and the Supplementary Planning Documents were

In response, the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Performance and Economic Development Strategy) offered that the Planning Policy team would be happy to provide members with a summary document on what was included in the Local Plan and issues around deliverability.

Councillor Heaslip highlighted engagement with the Council as an area for improvement and commented that it might be something the new Cumberland Council may wish to put on a more formal basis going forward.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Performance and Economic Development Strategy) suggested that officers arrange for an informal session for members to be briefed on the journey of the development and content of the Local Plan and issues surrounding deliverability.

Resolved

1.  That the Update report be noted and be presented to the Executive;

2.  That an informal session be arranged to brief Committee members.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Performance and Economic Development Strategy) provided an update to members.

The LGR process was reaching a critical point with elections only two weeks away to be followed swiftly by the first meting of the Shadow Authority for Cumberland on 17 May 2022. The agenda was currently being finalised to be published on 9 May.

Interviews were being held today for the Interim Head of Paid Service for Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness had made their appointment yesterday although official announcement still pending.

At present there had been no expressions of interest for either the Interim Monitoring Officer or Chief Finance Officer for Cumberland.

Today was also the deadline for high level blueprints for service design for the organisation, including six major programmes, which would provide a glimpse into what the future resource may look like.

A Business Case for the Fire Service had now been submitted by the PCC.

Agreed

That the update be noted.

The forward plan was noted.

-  To receive the Final report from the Culture and Leisure Provision TFG

-  To receive the Final report from the Community Leadership and Engagement TFG

Final Report from Culture and Leisure Provision TFG

As Chair, Councillor Heaslip provided an overview of the work undertaken by the TFG and moved their summary report.

He said it was important that the new Shadow Authority for Cumberland had a clear understanding and recognition of the requirements for leisure provision across the area and where the responsibility would lie.

Councillor Campbell-Savours proposed an additional recommendation to the report as follows –

‘We urge the new Shadow Authority for Cumberland to acknowledge the recent closures of the Netherhall School Pool and the Keswick Leisure Pool, which leaves Allerdale Borough Council’s leisure centre provision in a state of flux. We therefore urge the authority to consider the provision of new facilities in Maryport and Keswick a high priority’.

Councillor Greaney stressed the importance of the contract renewal in 2024 and the need to harness procurement knowledge, management data, requirements, business planning and added value.

Councillor Greaney seconded the amendment.

The amendment was agreed by the Committee.

Final Report from Community Leadership and engagement TFG

As Chair, Councillor Heaslip introduced the work of the TFG and summarised the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Heaslip moved the recommendations; this was seconded by Councillor Daniels. The committee agreed unanimously.

Agreed

That –

1.  The amended report from the Culture and Leisure Provision TFG be reported to Council;

2.  The report from the Community Leadership and Engagement TFG be reported to Council.

Members were asked to consider a list of suggested topics for work programme items for the forthcoming year.

The Committee had met informally on 24 March 2022 to consider suggestions for items that had been received from members and senior officers. That list had since been refined following member discussions and it was now for the Committee to review the list and agree final topics to be presented to the new Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their first meeting following the AGM in May.

Councillor Heaslip made the suggestion to group a number of the items to avoid duplication, namely the items referring to inflation and economic recovery and growth strategy and UK shared prosperity fund investment plan.

Resolved

That the draft work programme for 2022-23 as suggested in Appendix 1 of the report be amended following discussion, and a final version be presented at the May meeting for consideration and adoption.