Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned; and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

In relation to agenda item 8, ‘Blackpool Tramway Extension to Blackpool North Station’, the following councillors declared personal interests:

·         Councillor Mrs Wright as a Council appointed non-Executive Director and Chairman of Blackpool Transport Services Ltd

·         Councillors Galley and Elmes as Council appointed non-Executive Directors of Blackpool Transport Services Ltd

·         Councillor D Coleman and G Coleman as a family member was employed at Blackpool Transport Services Ltd

·         Councillor G Coleman as a licensed taxi operator. 

To agree the minutes of the last meetings held on 16 May 2016 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council meeting and the special Council meeting held on 16 May 2016, be signed by the Mayor as a correct records.

The Deputy Mayor paid tribute to former Mayoress, Mrs Jean Preston JP and former councillor, Mr Derek Lockwood OBE JP, both of whom had sadly died recently.  Council then observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

The Deputy Mayor read a statement on behalf of the Mayor, expressing her thanks to all those involved in preparing for events for the Armed Forces week.

The Council was informed of the success of the Sandcastle Waterpark in achieving the Guinness World Record for the highest number of people down a waterslide in one hour and the Deputy Mayor, on behalf of the Council, congratulated all those who took part.

At the Special Council meeting held on 16 May, it was agreed to confer the title of ‘Honorary Alderman’ of the Borough of Blackpool under section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 to former councillors Joyce Delves, Brian Doherty Peter Evans, Val Haynes, Henry Mitchell and Sylvia Taylor.

Due to prior commitments, Mr Brian Doherty was invited to attend the June meeting of the Council to receive his Honorary Aldermen medal.

Members were aware that at the Special Council meeting held on 16 May 2016, it had been agreed to confer the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough to six former councillors including Mr Brian Doherty, who had been unable to attend the meeting on that date.

A speech of support was given by Councillors Campbell and Clapham in respect of Mr Doherty, after which the Deputy Mayor presented him with an Honorary Alderman medal.  Mr Doherty then addressed the Council meeting.

To receive a representation from Mr Lewtas and Mr Manock, spokespersons for the Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association, in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 and a response from Councillor Campbell, Deputy Leader of the Council.

Mr Lewtas and Mr Buckley, spokespersons for the Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association addressed the Council in relation to the Executive recommendation to apply to the Secretary of State to authorise an extension of the Blackpool Tramway to Blackpool North Station.  The Deputy Leader (Tourism, Economic Growth and Jobs), Councillor Gillian Campbell, responded on behalf of the Council.

To consider the attached reports to Council from the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader of the Council (Tourism, Economic Growth and Jobs) and the Cabinet Secretary (Resilient Communities).

Members are reminded that:

·         Each Senior Executive Member has up to three minutes to present their report, after which there will be a period of no longer than 15 minutes per report for questions/comments (a green card will give a one minute warning, red for the end of the debate).

·         There will be three minutes per question/ comment from any Councillor on anything within the portfolio and no limit to the number of times a Councillor can ask a question.

·         There will be a period of up to ten minutes for a response from the Senior Executive Member (or relevant Cabinet Member) at the end of the questions/ comments for each report.

The Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Secretary presented reports to the Council on work undertaken in their own portfolio area and those portfolios under their responsibility. 

The reports covered corporate, strategic and policy issues, together with work being undertaken in transforming services and with partners. 

Questions, comments and debate were invited from all councillors on each of the report areas.

Notes:

(1)          In response to a request from Councillor Mrs Callow regarding the end of year Council Tax collection performance, the Leader agreed to clarify the amount in cash terms of the 1.7% figure quoted in the report and that future reports would contain figures rather than percentage rates.

(2)          The Deputy Leader agreed to provide a response to Councillor Robertson on whether the seagull-proof refuse bags that had been issued to some residents in the South Shore, would be extended to all South Shore residents, including commercial premises.

(3)          During debate on the report from the Deputy Leader of the Council, the Council agreed to extend the time limit for speeches by an additional five minutes.

Following consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Conservative Group, the Council is asked to give consideration to agreeing in principle to confer ‘Freedom of Entry’ status on the Duke of Lancaster Regiment. ‘Freedom of Entry’ is associated with the ‘Freedom of the Borough’ and is granted to Service Units which have rendered eminent service and which are closely associated with the Borough.

Members considered proposals to confer the Freedom of Entry status on the Duke of Lancaster Regiment which would give the service unit the right and privilege of marching through the streets of Blackpool on ceremonial occasions.  In doing so, they noted that the Regiment was based in the North West locality and had strong links with the Borough, including active involvement in the Armed Forces week, regular career guidance and mentoring in Blackpool schools and support for employment events, as well as taking a key role in the Remembrance Day commemorations. 

Motion:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor T Williams seconded):

‘1.      To agree to arrange a Special meeting of the Council to be able then to pass a resolution under 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 to confer ‘Freedom of Entry’ status to the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, in recognition of the service provided by that unit to the Borough.

2.       That the Director of Governance and Partnerships be requested to arrange this Special meeting of Council following the Council recess in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday.’

Motion carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 20 June 2016 relating to the application of the necessary order to authorise an extension of the Blackpool Tramway to Blackpool North Station.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 20 June 2016, to apply for a Transport and Works Act order to authorise an extension of the Blackpool Tramway to Blackpool North Station.  Members noted that that the proposals aimed to facilitate connectivity between the existing tramway and rail services, enhance the use of public transport and provide economic growth in linking the seafront and redeveloping town centre. 

It was reported that the order would authorise the construction, maintenance and operation of the tramway works and would provide the necessary rights over land on a permanent and temporary basis, as well as a request to the Secretary of State for deemed planning permission along with draft planning conditions.

Members noted that there would be a series of notices to inform members of the public and other interested parties of the application and a statutory 42 day period where representations could be made to the Secretary of State for Transport on the proposals.

Motion:  Councillor Campbell proposed (and Councillor Blackburn seconded):

‘To approve the making of an application to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order under the 1992 Act, to authorise an extension of the Blackpool Tramway to Blackpool North Station.’

Prior to voting, five members of the Council requested that the vote on the motion be recorded.  The voting was as follows:

For the motion:  Councillors Benson, Blackburn,  Cain, Campbell, D Coleman, I Coleman, Critchley, Cross, Elmes, Galley, Hobson, Hunter, Hutton, Jackson, Kirkland, Matthews, Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Ryan, Singleton, Smith, I Taylor, L Taylor, L Williams, Mrs Wright - total 26.

Against the motion:  Councillors Brown, Mrs Callow, Callow, Clapham, Cox, Maycock, Roberts, Robertson, Scott, Stansfield, T Williams - total 11.

Abstentions:  Councillor G Coleman - total 1.

Motion carried:  The motion was therefore carried.

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 20 June 2016 relating to extension of the current plan approved in March 2011 for a further year.

The Council was aware that it was required to have a Local Transport Plan in place and considered proposals to extend the current Plan for one year in order to fully review the content.  Members were informed that the new plan would cover the period 2017 to 2022 and would take into account the Blackpool Local Plan, Part 1, the Blackpool Strategic Parking Review and the Fylde Coast Highways and Transport Masterplan.

Motion:  Councillor Campbell proposed (and Councillor Blackburn seconded):

‘1.      To approve the extension of the Local Transport Plan Strategy, 2011 to 2016, until April 2017.

2.       To delegate authority to the Director of Place to make the necessary amendments to the Local Transport Plan document to confirm the new period covered by the Plan and publish the Plan.’

Motion carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.