Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence from the meeting were received from Councillors J Alcock and S Farmer.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests.

Mrs E Ansar addressed the Committee regarding the Clitheroe Market – Vacant Cabins - Agenda Item 13

Report of the Director of Economic Planning and Development enclosed

The Director of Economic Planning and Development submitted a report asking Members to further consider the potential options that the Council has in undertaking improvements to the existing Clitheroe Market.

Members were informed that Market Place Management Limited have prepared a piece of work, which includes a SWOT analysis and recommendations for potential improvements and developments to Clitheroe market.

Members were reminded that the Market Liaison Group has been re-established between officers and traders.  The group met on 14^th March to discuss the report and to seek their feedback.

Members were informed that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Working Group support utilising part of the Council’s UKSPF allocation to improve Clitheroe market and this will form part of one of the recommendations which is presented to Policy and Finance Committee on 28^th March.

Based upon the report and comments from the traders it was recommended that the following proposals should be forwarded to Policy and Finance Committee for consideration in respect of utilising part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund along with the remaining capital budget:

·         Remove all metal stall units from the site (after the food festival)

·         Resurface the bull ring area to make the area more visually attractive and usable for pop up events.

·         Introduce additional central fixed trading units- modified shipping containers are an option subject to Members consideration (this would include an extension of the power and water supplies to these units)

·         Introduce power supplies throughout remaining Bull Ring Area to support casual trading and events.

·         Introduce a modern canopy structure to define a new covered central space.

·         Instruct officers to consider options for wind mitigation measures (which will be linked to the above canopy structure to ensure such a structure would not exacerbate any issues at this site).

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Agree to recommending to Policy and Finance Committee that part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is used for the schemes listed in the report, with the proviso that there needs to be further investigation as to whether these should be in the form of modified shipping containers.

Report of the Director of Economic Planning and Development enclosed

The Director of Economic Planning and Development submitted a report requesting Committee approve the annual grant payment to Homewise towards provision of the Home Improvement Service in the borough.

Members were reminded that Homewise have provided housing, affordable warmth and memory matters advice along with a home improvement service in the borough since 2014.  This service is valuable to anyone who is vulnerable in the borough, and they offer a wide range of assistance.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve payment of the annual grant of £5,760 to Homewise to ensure continuation of the valuable service, dependent on the grant agreement being signed by the Council and Homewise.

Report of Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report proposing a change to the ECO 4 in the Borough to enable householders to choose the installer.

Members were reminded that the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), is an energy efficiency scheme that places legal obligations on energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency and heating measures to domestic premises.

Since the introduction of ECO, the Council joined the Lancashire CHiL (Cosy Homes in Lancashire) group and all enquiries were sign posted through to CHiL. Whilst at the time this was considered to be the most efficient way for our residents to be able to access the grant it has meant that no local installers were able to draw down the grant to carry out the works which has resulted in some households being reluctant to proceed. The Council also had no control over the referrals or workmanship being undertaken.

Going forward with ECO4 Officers have considered whether there is another way of enabling our residents and local installers to benefit from the grant. A meeting was held with the Energy Efficiency Officer from another Lancashire district who have opted out of the CHiL scheme.  Following this discussion, it appears that this may be a suitable way forward.

Members were informed that the proposal in Ribble Valley going forward is for ECO4 to be delivered internally.

The Director of Economic Development & Planning explained how the scheme would work and the Council’s involvement.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Accept the proposal to deliver ECO 4, as opposed to signing up to Lancashire CHiL, internally and allow the householder to choose the installer. The full details of the scheme will be published on the Council’s website.

Report of Director of Resources enclosed

The Director of Resources submitted a report for information relating to the progress of the 2022/23 revenue budget, as at the end of January 2023.

The comparison between actual expenditure and the revised estimate budget for this Committee at the end of January 2023 shows a net overspend of £2,365, after allowing for transfers to and from earmarked reserves.

At this stage, it is expected that this Committee’s net expenditure outturn for the full year will be within the 2022/23 revised estimate budget set.

Report of Director of Resources enclosed

The Director of Resources submitted a report to inform Members of the schemes approved for inclusion in this Committee’s 2023/24 capital programme.

This Committee has a capital programme for 2023/24 of eight schemes, totalling £2,933,040.

The Disabled Facilities Grants scheme budget is currently an indicative amount. The actual scheme budget will be confirmed when the 2023/24 grant allocation from central government is notified to the Council.

Any slippage on schemes in the 2022/23 capital programme will be reported to this Committee at future meetings.

There were no minutes from Working Groups.

There were no reports for Outside Bodies

Report of Councillor Peat enclosed

Councillor Peat submitted a report detailing the topics discussed at LCC Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Committee that took place on 1 February 2023.  Particular reference was made to Community Mental Health Transformation Programme and the Happier Minds Initiative.

Report of Councillor Peat enclosed

Councillor Peat submitted a report to raise Members awareness of the development of East Lancashire Place.

RESOLVED: That by virtue of the next items of business being exempt information under Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be now excluded from the meeting.

Report of Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Head of Environmental Health submitted a report seeking approval from Committee on the Council’s method for selecting traders to rent vacant market cabins.

Members were reminded that the Council currently has a ‘market cabin waiting list’, this contains details of traders that are seeking to rent market cabins from the Council when they become vacant.  The waiting list contains several traders that are currently renting cabins on the market.

It was noted that a problem of having a waiting list containing predominantly existing traders is that it creates a ‘closed shop’ and restricts new traders/businesses from coming onto the market. Complaints have also been made to the Council, stating that existing traders renting cabins on the market shouldn’t be able to rent more cabins, as this creates a monopoly situation.

Members were reminded that the priority to the Council is to ensure Clitheroe market is maintained as a diverse, busy marketplace, whilst providing an opportunity for new traders/businesses to rent premises at a low-cost price.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Allow the trader on top of the ‘cabin waiting list’ to have the vacant double cabin. 

2.    Subject to the above, agree to scrap the cabin waiting list.

3.    To convene a working group to consider how the Council should consider future applications for vacant cabins, based on a points system.  Until a new system is put in place, Council officers will manage vacant cabins as they see fit.

4.    Agree to reinsert the following condition into the Market Regulations:

“No trader/business shall be permitted to rent more than 2 cabins, with the exception of the three double cabins which have integral stores.

The Head of Environmental Health has the discretion to grant a single trader more than 2 cabins ONLY in a situation where there are no applicants for a vacant cabin.”

Report of the Director of Economic Planning and Development enclosed

The Director of Economic Planning and Development submitted a report proposing options for the commitment of the commuted sum monies received from the land north of Dilworth Lane, Longridge.   The report requested that this Committee provide a steer as to which of the following options would be their preference so this can be further developed.

Option 1 - to partner with a registered provider (RP) who has existing stock in Longridge. T

Option 2 - Land owned by the Council in Longridge is further investigated as an option to develop a new build site. 

Option 3 - The Council use the commuted sum to purchase properties in Longridge. This would follow the same model as other affordable properties purchased recently with commuted sum monies in the Borough and an RP would be sought to manage the properties on the Council’s behalf

The Director of Economic Development & Planning explained each of the options in more detail.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Convene a working group to consider options 1 and 3 of the report to decide on which will deliver best use of the affordable housing commuted sum monies for Longridge. Once agreed a more detailed report will be brought to Committee to expand on the chosen option.

Report of Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Director of Economic Planning and Development submitted a report to provide an update and proposal to improve the service and support available for Domestic Violence victims in the Borough.

Members were advised that the Domestic Abuse Act, which came into force in April 2021, aims to make changes to better protect and strengthen the provision of support for survivors of domestic abuse, by transforming the collective response from a wide range of public service authorities including local Councils, the Police and Judiciary system as well as other relevant agencies.

Several meetings have occurred with Lancashire County Council, Domestic Violence Policy and Commissioning Manager to discuss the Council’s duties and co-operation with LCC. Meetings have also been held with the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Violence Support Provider Chief Executive (HARV). To meet the Council’s duties and to assist LCC in enabling victims of domestic abuse within the Valley to access support (LCC have commissioned HARV to provide in accommodation support) various initiatives have been proposed (which will include utilising the Council’s extra burdens funding).

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Agree to the initiatives set out within section 3 of the report, namely:

·         Make one of the Council’s temporary accommodation units female adults and children only.

·         Improve the door entry system and increase control of access into that building. 

·         To make available and offer a sanctuary scheme.

·         Increase the weekly hours of the Housing Strategy Officer

2.    Refer the increase in hours to Personnel Committee

Report of the Director of Economic Planning and Development enclosed

The Director of Economic Planning and Development submitted a report to inform Committee of recent approvals for Disabled Facilities Grants, First Time Buyer Grants and Landlord Tenant Grants.

Report of the Director of Economic Planning and Development enclosed – for decision

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report to inform Committee of a request for additional discretionary funding (DFG) towards the cost of a paediatric adaptation.

The Committee agreed that the report should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency due to the special circumstances of the matter.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Agree to waive the householder’s contribution of £11,020.60 due to the exceptional circumstances.