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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive official annoucements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that Lancashire Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson had sadly passed away and she paid tribute to his work including chairing the Lancashire Resilience Forum which had been a key partner of the Council in supporting and protecting the community during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Members were also advised that former Colonel Chris Owen, Regimental Secretary for the Duke of Lancaster Regiment which had Freedom of Entry for Blackpool, had sadly passed away just before Christmas.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor offered condolences to their families and friends.

The Mayor offered congratulations to:

·    Andrew Pollock, former Director of Resources and founder of the CLEVR Money credit union, who had received an MBE for services to financial inclusion

·    Antony Lockley, Director of Strategy and Assistant Chief Executive who had been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for services to local government, receiving the honour for the pivotal part he had played in Blackpool’s ongoing regeneration.

Under section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, to confer upon three recently retired councillors the title of ‘Honorary Alderman’ in line with the criteria agreed by Council.

Members considered proposals for the award of Honorary Alderman of the Borough to former councillors Don Clapham, Gary Coleman and Allan Matthews for their eminent services to the borough and who had stood down at the last local election.

Motion:  Councillor Williams proposed (and Councillor Galley seconded):

‘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 Don Clapham, Gary Coleman and Allan Matthews’.

Councillors D Scott and Williams spoke in support of Don Clapham and his role as ward councillor for Bispham and in particular his support for young people as Executive Member, Chair of scrutiny and position with Blackpool Sixth Form as well as his role as Mayor.

In respect of Gary Coleman, Councillors Taylor, Mrs Scott and Bamborough paid tribute to his roles on the Council, in particular as Deputy Mayor and as Mayor in 2018-19 and to the various committee roles that he had held.

Councillors Jackson and Galley spoke in support of Allan Matthews who had served as ward councillor for Tyldesley, having lived in Blackpool all his life and paid tribute to his work on the Council and with the Council companies as well as his role as Mayor.

Motion carried:  The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Clapham, Mr Coleman and Mr Matthews were each presented with the Honorary Alderman pendant and then addressed the Council to express their thanks.