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 either

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

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.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 20 September 2017 was a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 September 2017 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor announced the news that former councillor Michael Jebson had sadly passed away since the last Council meeting.  As a mark of respect, a minute’s silence was held.

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 25 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 25 minutes for a response from the Senior Executive Member * (or relevant Cabinet Member) at the end of the questions/ comments for each report.

* or Combined Fire Authority representative or Chairman of the Audit Committee.

The Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader of the Council and 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)          Councillor Campbell agreed to send a written response to Councillor Mrs Scott on the number of Council owned properties with cavity wall insulation that was unsuitable for coastal properties and the number of complaints that had been received from tenants.

(2)          On presentation of the report from the Cabinet Secretary, Councillors Mitchell and Smith declared personal interests as governors of Layton Primary School.

(3)          Councillor Mrs Henderson left the meeting following consideration of the item.

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 6 November 2017, regarding the management of the governance of the economic development agenda across the Fylde Coast.

Members considered the recommendation of the Executive regarding the governance of the economic development agenda across the Fylde Coast.

The Council noted that a governance review had been undertaken in respect of the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Development Company (EDC) with a view to reflecting the responsibility for managing the delivery of the Enterprise Zone programme.  It was reported that the review had identified that a joint committee between the three councils would present a more efficient delivery model. 

The report to members outlined that the joint committee would be known as an Economic Prosperity Board to reflect the proposed three co-opted private sector representatives in addition to the three Leaders of the constituent Councils.

Members noted that all three Councils were being asked to give approval to dissolve the current EDC and form the joint committee as set out in the report.

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

‘To authorise the Leader of the Council, in his role as ‘member’ of the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Development Company (EDC) to dissolve the aforementioned Company.  (This will require a special resolution of the ‘members’ of the company.  In effect this will be the three Leaders of the three Councils signing a resolution to disestablish the Company).’

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

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 6 November 2017, regarding the approval of the extension of the period for the current Local Transport Plan and to start the process of refreshing the Local Transport Plan.

Members considered the recommendations of the Executive to approve an extension to the period for the current Local Transport Plan.

The Council noted that a Local Transport Plan was required to be in place and that the current Local Transport Plan had expired on 31 March 2016.  In order to meet statutory requirements and to enable a full review of the plan for the future, it was proposed to extend life of the current document for a further year.

The report from the Executive outlined that in March 2011, the Council had identified six key issues which remained valid:  highway maintenance, road safety, congestion, visitor economy, parking and accessibility.   A new plan would enable the emerging regeneration position to be considered from the transport needs perspective, including the new conference centre, leisure quarter development and possible employment hub.

Discussion took place on the importance of having a fully refreshed plan in place and the tramway extension that formed part of the proposals.

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

‘1.      To approve the extension of the Local Transport Plan, 2011 to 2016, until April 2018.

2.       To delegate authority to the Director of Place to make minor amendments to the Local Transport Plan document as necessary and publish the plan.’

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

For the motion:  Councillors Benson, Blackburn,  Cain, Campbell, G Coleman, Collett, Critchley, Cross, Elmes, Hobson, Humphreys, Hunter, Hutton, Kirkland, Matthews, Maycock, Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Rowson, Ryan, Singleton, Smith, I Taylor, L Taylor, L Williams, Mrs Wright - total 27.

Against the motion:  Councillors Mrs Callow, Callow, Clapham, Galley, Roberts, Robertson, Scott, Mrs Scott, Stansfield, T Williams - total 10.

Abstentions:  Councillor I Coleman - total 1.

Motion carried:  The motion was therefore carried.

To consider the following motions, which have been submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12.1.

Motion:   Having submitted notice, Councillor Humphreys proposed (and Councillor Hobson seconded):

‘The Council notes that it is at present not legally possible to apply for gating orders where the highway to be gated represents the only access to a property.  The Council expresses its concern that this can on occasion thwart the settled wish of all local residents and impair the fight against anti-social behaviour including fly tipping.  The Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary to ask the Government to amend legislation to allow greater flexibility in these circumstances.’

Members went on to debate the motion.

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

Note:  Councillor Mitchell left the meeting following consideration of the above item.

Members were informed that since submitting due notice, Councillor T Williams sought the meeting’s consent to alter the published motion, changing the date referred to from 18 December to 1 December

Following a vote, the Council did not agree to accept the altered motion.

Original motion:   Councillor T Williams then proposed (and Councillor Galley seconded):

‘The current planned and emergency construction work that is happening all over Blackpool especially around and to access roads, will no doubt cause a great deal of congestion and traffic delays for regular shoppers, local visitors and also the extra potential shoppers leading up to Christmas.

Retailers and other associated trades are already expressing concern about the affect the road closures and construction will have on their businesses especially if shoppers decide not to travel into the town centre to avoid the disruption.

This Council should show its understanding and address these concerns by improving the already offered parking discount by offering totally free car parking in all council owned town centre car parks from the 1 December up until Christmas Eve.

This Council is proud to support local businesses and the waiving of fees for this set period will not only prove and endorse that statement, but also demonstrate that the Council is willing to forgo its own income to protect that of others.

Accordingly, the Council asks the Director of Place to put in place the necessary arrangements and approvals to allow free car parking in all council owned town centre car parks from the 1 December up until Christmas Eve.’

Members went on to debate the motion.

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

Note:  Councillor Mrs Rowson left the meeting during debate on the above item.