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

(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.

Councillors Blackburn, Jackson and T Williams declared personal interests in Agenda Item 9a ‘Notices of Motion – Lancashire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority’ .

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 14 May 2018 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14 May 2018, be signed by the Deputy Mayor as a correct record.

The Deputy Mayor reminded members that it was Armed Forces week and asked councillors for their support for the Service and Parade.

The Deputy Mayor announced that Terrie Carmody had been awarded the Blackpool and the Fylde College Higher Education Student of the Year award (Computing) and congratulated Terrie, on behalf of the Council.

a) To receive representations from members of the public in accordance with Procedure Rule 9.

Members noted that Mr Stuart Clayton had been unable to attend the Council meeting as expected and agreed that the item be deferred to the next meeting of the Council. 

To consider a petition submitted as part of the Council’s Petition Scheme.

It was reported that the Council’s Petitions Officer had received a petition containing over 1,500 signatures relating to the re-opening of the Blackpool Foyer to help the homeless in partnership with other local groups and that in line with the approved Council’s Petition Scheme, qualified for report to and debate at Council. 

The petition organiser, Mr Bennison, addressed Council members with regards to the petition statements and representations from residents and asked the Council to consider opening the Foyer for young homeless people aged, particularly over the winter period. 

Motion: Councillor Mrs Wright proposed (and Councillor Cross seconded):

‘That the Council does not reopen the Blackpool Foyer for use as accommodation for young homeless people.’

Debate took place on the motion and while it was accepted that homelessness was a significant issue across the country, members expressed the view that other homelessness services were in place aimed at tackling the root of the issue.

Motion carried:   The motion on being submitted to the Council was carried.

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.

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 Blackburn agreed to provide a response to Councillor Mrs Callow on the total staffing budget for the Blackpool Museum and sources of funding, as well as the figure for commuted sums.

(2)          In response to Councillor T Williams, Councillor Campbell agreed to provide details of when the Airport Enterprise Zone Business Plan and Market Assessment, which was being prepared by York Aviation, would be published and whether it would be publically available or subject to commercial confidentiality.  Councillor Campbell also agreed to confirm for Councillor Mrs Callow when the toilets at Little Bispham (junction of Princes Way) would be reopened.  

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

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 16 April 2018 relating to the approval of the three-year Local Transport Plan.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 16 April 2018 relating to the approval of the three-year Local Transport Plan, which had been structured around the six Local Transport Plan strategic objectives including: highway maintenance, road safety, congestion, economy, parking and accessibility.

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

‘1.      To approve the indicative three-year Local Transport Plan works programme 2018/ 2019 to 2020/ 2021 attached at Appendix 2a to the Executive report.

2.       To approve the programme incorporated with the objectives and vision from the 2011 Local Transport Plan Strategy forming Blackpool’s Local Transport Plan (Implementation Plan 2018 to 2021) attached at Appendix 2b to the Executive report.

3.       To grant authority to the Director of Communication and Regeneration  following consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council (Tourism, Economic Growth and Jobs) subject to a published officer decision, to vary the programme as required to deliver overall objectives and ensure spend of the indicative grant allocations.’

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

The Council will be asked to consider the political balance and re-appointment of its committees, in accordance with the Council's Constitution and the Local Government Act 1972, due to the creation of an Independent Group.

The Council was asked to consider the political balance and re-appointment of its committees, in accordance with the Council's Constitution and the Local Government Act 1972, due to the creation of an Independent Group.  The Deputy Mayor informed the Council that the group would be known as the ‘Independent Blackpool Residents Group’.

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

‘1.      To appoint the following Council committees, in line with the political balance calculations and adjustments at Appendix 8(a) and to agree that the powers and duties remain as set out in the Council’s Constitution:

·         Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee (membership of ten with a composition of six Labour, three Conservative and one independent)

·         Resilient Communities and Children’s Scrutiny Committee  (membership of ten with a composition of six Labour, three Conservative and one independent)

·         Tourism, Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee  (membership of ten with a composition of six Labour, three Conservative and one independent)

·         Audit Committee  (membership of nine with a composition of six Labour and three Conservative)

·         Appeals Committee (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative)

·         Planning Committee (membership of eight and with a composition of five Labour, two Conservative and one independent)

·         Standards Committee (membership of six and with a composition of four Labour and two Conservative)

·         Chief Officers Employment Committee (membership of six and with a composition of four Labour and two Conservative)

·         Shareholder’s Advisory Board (membership of four and with a composition of three Labour and one Conservative)

2.       That in relation to scrutiny, to agree to continue with two diocesan co-opted representatives and the two governor co-opted representatives to the Resilient Communities and Children’s Scrutiny Committee and for that committee to confirm  the necessary appointments.

3.       That the Licensing Committee also be re-appointed with the powers and duties as set out in the Constitution (membership of fourteen and a composition of nine Labour, four Conservative and one independent).

4.       That the Licensing Committee be requested to re-appoint the Public Protection Sub-Committee, with the powers and duties, as set out in the Constitution (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative).

5.       To note the appointment of members to committees as set out in Appendix 8(b) and thereafter any nominations or changes to nominations reported to the Director of Governance and Partnerships by the relevant Group Leader. 

6.       To agree to the appointment of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for those committees as identified at Appendix 8(b) based on the above recommendations.

7.       To note that the Health and Well Being Board is not affected by the creation of an Independent Group and remains constituted as agreed at Annual Council.

8.       As a new Independent Group has been constituted, then as is normal practice when positions are created which are not already in the Council’s Members Allowances Scheme (ie Group Leader of a third group) that a referral to the Independent Remuneration Panel be made and a report from that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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

9          LANCASHIRE COMBINED FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY 

Motion:   Having submitted notice, Councillor T Williams proposed (and Councillor Jackson seconded):

‘Lancashire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority remains committed to delivering the best possible service to its communities, with the resources it has available.  It continues to work productively and effectively with a range of stakeholders.  The new statutory duty to collaborate with other emergency services is also acknowledged, while recognising many initiatives were already in place or in development irrespective of this mandate.

The Fire and Rescue Authority remains confident that current governance arrangements present the best way to deliver a fire and rescue service for its communities.  It will though provide the information required for the work proposed by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), which it believes will evidence that it is already effectively progressing collaborative opportunities within existing structures.

Consequently, this Council places on record its opposition to any proposals that transfer any current responsibilities of the Fire and Rescue Authority in Lancashire to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Blackpool Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Home Secretary explaining this view, sending copies to all Lancashire Members of Parliament.’

Members went on to debate the motion.

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

10        LEARNING DISABILITIES

Motion:   Having submitted notice, Councillor Collett proposed (and Councillor Ryan seconded):

‘Blackpool is home to a number of exceptional schools, services and groups dedicated to the inclusion and support of residents with a learning disability, who are a treasured part of our town and our communities.

This Council notes that due to health inequalities, gaps in care and poor specialist health provision, people with learning disabilities are at significantly higher risk of dying avoidable deaths, both in hospital and at home.  Both the LeDer and Mencap’s “Treat Me Well” reports have set out what ought to be done about this national scandal, yet little progress has been made in the past decade.

This Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to both the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to outline the Council’s position and to urge meaningful action on the following points:

·         The introduction of basic mandatory training for all hospital staff and social workers, regarding the care for people with learning disabilities.

·         An urgent and comprehensive review of NHS resources, training and recruitment, and provision of specialist nurses, doctors and associated health professionals with a detailed knowledge of the needs of patients with learning disabilities.

·         A detailed review of NHS policy and process in relation to the identification and tracking of people with learning disabilities and the systems used to make reasonable adjustments for them, such as access to in-patient specialist services, accessible verbal and written communication and longer appointment times.

·         The creation of a ministerial role for learning disabilities in Health and Social Care.’

Members went on to debate the motion.

Motion carried:  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.