Agenda and minutes

To authorise the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 July 2017 (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Chairman be authorised to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 July 2017.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the revised Code of Conduct, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests.  (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting.)

Members may, however, also decide, in the interests of clarity and transparency, to declare at this point in the meeting, any such disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, as well as any other registrable or other interests.

If a Member requires advice on any item involving a possible declaration of interest which could affect his/her ability to speak and/or vote, he/she is advised to contact the Monitoring Officer at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that no declarations of interest were raised.

In accordance with Rule 17 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, any Member who is subject to a party whip on any item must declare the existence and nature of the whip.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that no declarations of the party whip were raised.

To consider whether the items, if any, in Part II of the Agenda should be considered in the presence of the press and public.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that there are no excluded items on the agenda.

After the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has discussed an item on the agenda, but before a decision is taken, there is an opportunity for those present at the meeting who are not Committee Members to ask questions.

More information can be found on the South Lakeland District Council website, www.southlakeland.gov.uk , or by contacting Committee Services on 01539 733333.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that there was no public participation in respect of this meeting.

To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2017/18, and the contents of the latest Forward Plan.

The Chairman introduced the latest versions of the Forward Plan and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme.

In response to a query, the Committee Services/Scrutiny Officer explained that there would be a slight delay in the completion of the work of the Older Persons’ Housing Strategy Task and Finish Group, but that this was not expected to impact on the overall timetable for the wider review of the strategy.

A broader concern was raised regarding the potential for an increased number of delays to Council work due to the changes made through the implementation of Customer Connect. The Director People and Places reassured the Committee that these concerns were recognised and that Members were informed of any potential delays in meeting target dates.

RESOLVED – That

(1)        the latest Forward Plan be received; and

(2)        the Committee’s current Work Programme be noted.

To consider an update on current projects and future developments in 2017/18 for the South Lakeland Leisure Partnership.

The Principal Food, Licensing and Safety Officer presented a report which provided Members with an update on the current projects and future developments of the South Lakeland Leisure Partnership.

Members highlighted the lack of leisure service availability in rural areas, and the difficulties that residents in these areas could face in accessing services. It was queried whether projects organised by local parish councils and community groups could be supported by the Council’s leisure provider. Derek Jones, Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), made reference to a number of rural schemes organised or supported by GLL that were currently underway, but agreed that more needed to be done to support people in less urban locations. He explained that GLL’s role was to help local communities to set up projects, with a view to these schemes becoming sustainable under the community’s management. The Principal Food, Licensing and Safety Officer highlighted the work carried out in partnership with general practitioners (GPs) and voluntary organisations as other ways in which services could be provided for residents in rural areas.

During a discussion on the work between the South Lakeland Leisure Partnership and Cumbria County Council, it was confirmed that co-ordination between the organisations was important. It was hoped that partnership working with the County Council, and more widely, would develop even further as the Leisure Partnership’s work continued.

Members felt that more regular information on the work of the South Lakeland Leisure Partnership would be beneficial, and requested that further presentations be made to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The possibility of an access point for councillors to view the partnership updates was also suggested. Derek Jones explained that regular reports were provided to officers and suggested that some of this information could also be forwarded on to councillors. The Committee also emphasised importance of communicating with communities across the district.

The success of community-based activities and games was highlighted by the Committee. It was queried whether GLL could provide local community groups with a list of activities and the equipment required to would allow them to run gentle exercise classes.

The latest SWIM SAFE figures were requested. Derek Jones explained that the final figures were still being collated but that participation continued to increase each year. The figure for the total number of participants to date was expected the following week. It was queried how many of the participants in SWIM SAFE were from Ulverston, and Derek undertook to provide Members with that information following the meeting.

Attention was drawn to the key performance indicators contained within Appendix 2 to the report. The Committee queried how these targets had been devised, and whether these targets were stretched as and when they were met. The Director People and Places explained that the targets and business strategy were reviewed at each meeting of the South Lakeland Leisure Partnership Board and that this provided a mix of both targets and activities with which to consider the progress made. Derek Jones explained that the performance indicators within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item O&S/20

To consider the draft Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) and Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty DPD.

The Development Plans Manager presented the draft Development Plan Documents (DPDs) for Development Management Policies and the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had previously commented on the DPDs at its meeting in February 2017 following earlier consultations (O&S/63 (2016/17) refers).

Attention was drawn to the strengthening of the Policy DM6 on Flood Risk and Sustainable Drainage which had taken place following the earlier comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Development Plans Manager confirmed that further conversations had taken place with the North East Kendal Flood Action Group as requested by the Committee in February. Additional requirements for 5% of dwellings on sites over 40 units to meet wheelchair adaptable standards, and for the provision of a ‘fibre to the premises’ connection to dwellings on sites over 30 units were also highlighted.

Although concerns from those within the construction industry remained in some areas, particularly with regard to the proposed design standard requirements, the Development Plans Manager explained that a viability study was currently underway. Early results had suggested that the policies would not impact on viability such that there would be a need for any further changes to the documents. The final stage results of the study would be reported to Cabinet and Council when they considered the DPDs at their meetings in September and October respectively.

The Development Strategy Delivery Officer provided an update on the changes which had been made to the Arnside and Silverdale AONB DPD following previous consideration by the Committee. The amendments had primarily concerned the proposed sites in response to comments raised during the consultation periods. Other minor alterations had been made to aid clarity or presentation of the document, and no other substantive changes had been required.

Members asked for information on the next steps in the process of adopting the two DPDs. Having provided an outline of the process, the Development Strategy and Housing Manager explained that officers were confident that the documents and proposals contained within them were sound and that, should they be approved by Council in October, the DPDs would be published and submitted for independent examination prior to adoption.

The importance of ensuring that the policies were enforced following adoption was emphasised by the Committee, particularly with regard to issues of flood risk and the retention of local distinctiveness.

The Committee thanked officers for their work in producing the DPDs and complimented the thoroughness of the covering report.

RESOLVED – That

(1)        the report be noted; and

(2)        subject to any minor changes and corrections agreed with the Portfolio Holder, Cabinet be recommended to support the publication of the revised drafts of the Development Management Policies Development Plan Document and the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Development Plan Document for final statutory consultation.

To monitor progress against the measures of success as detailed within the Council Plan 2014-2019 and to receive an update from the Housing and Innovation Portfolio Holder.

The Performance and Risk Officer introduced the Council Plan Performance Monitoring report for quarter one of 2017/18. The report highlighted areas of significantly good or poor performance relating to the measures of success set out in the current Council Plan.  The report also included the latest Strategic Risk Register and benchmarking information using the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Nearest Neighbours Model. Appendix 2 to the report contained the annual update report from the Housing and Innovation Portfolio Holder, Councillor Jonathan Brook.

During a discussion on the issue of homelessness, a briefing session for Members on the Council’s Homelessness Strategy was requested. The Housing and Innovation Portfolio Holder agreed that a session would be useful and agreed to speak to the relevant officers. The Portfolio Holder explained that although the number of people accessing the Council’s Housing Options service was increasing, this reflected a national trend and was not a problem faced by South Lakeland alone. He also made reference to the additional demands which would be placed on the Housing Options Team following the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

A discussion on the issues of low wages and an increase in part-time work took place. Members recognised that part-time work could provide benefits for both employers and employees, however it was felt overall that an increase in full-time work was vital to furthering the economy of the area. It was proposed that an increase in business support would be beneficial, particularly if there was to be a greater number of small businesses within South Lakeland. The adoption of the real Living Wage for Council employees and its contractors was also suggested.

The Economy and Assets Portfolio Holder reported that the area was producing more skilled people than the national average, but that many of these individuals subsequently left the district. Despite this, he felt that many people who had left South Lakeland, for example to go to university, looked for opportunities to return to the area once they had become more settled in their careers. He also highlighted the market profile of South Lakeland, which indicated that the number of professional and skilled jobs had increased from 37% to 41%, while the number of people in semi-skilled jobs had reduced by approximately 6%.

Concern was expressed at the reduction in the number of people aged under 45 who were living and working in South Lakeland, with particular focus given the 7% reduction in the number of children living in the area aged 0-14 years compared to the 6% increase nationally.

It was queried whether the availability of national economic grants took into account the number of people of exceptional wealth within the area and, if not, whether this could potentially reduce the availability of such funding to South Lakeland.

The problems faced by communities with large proportions of second homes, particularly within the National Parks, was recognised by the Housing and Innovation Portfolio Holder. He explained that sustainability of communities was a priority for both  ...  view the full minutes text for item O&S/22

To receive an update on the work of the Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee from the Council’s representative, Councillor Vivienne Rees, or substitute, Councillor Eric Morrell.

Councillor Vivienne Rees confirmed that progress had been made against the recommendation made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting regarding the arrangement of a Member briefing on the problems and progress made against the new Sustainable Transformation Plans and Integrated Care Communities (O&S/12). All Members would be informed once a date had been agreed.