Agenda and decisions

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.

To approve the Council’s Commissioning and Procurement Strategy 2019-2023. The strategy is part of the Executive Policy Framework.

The Executive agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

To approve the Commissioning and Procurement Strategy 2019-23 for the period 1 August 2019 to 31 December 2023.

To consider a pooling arrangement between Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Services Limited in relation to the company’s ongoing funding of its contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To approve a pooling arrangement between Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) in relation to its ongoing funding in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) within the Lancashire County Pension Fund (LCPF).

2. To approve that Blackpool Council act as guarantor in respect of this pooling arrangement in much the same way as it currently acts as guarantor in respect of the Blackpool Transport Services Limited pension fund.

3. To approve that Blackpool Council makes a payment of £2m to Blackpool Transport Services Limited, funded from its reserves and repayable via pension contribution savings over an estimated 10 years, in respect of pooling this surplus, once the surplus has been transferred into the pooled arrangement.  

4. That Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Services Limited both advise Lancashire County Pension Fund that they wish to enter a pooling arrangement in respect of on-going funding and provide relevant Executive and Board approvals by the Council and Blackpool Transport Services Limited respectively.

To consider the disposal of land fronting Preston New Road.

The report and Appendix 4a are public. Appendix 4b contains information regarding the negotiations and the proposed or potential courses of action and is currently exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. It is considered on balance that the public interest would not be served by publishing the information as it could prejudice the sale.

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To agree that Appendix 4b, to the Executive report, Land valuation  is not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

2. To approve the disposal of the land, at the market valuation, outlined in Appendix 4b to the Executive report, to Closelink Limited to facilitate access for the Whyndyke Farm Garden Village housing development.

3. To grant delegated authority to the Head of Legal to authorise the relevant legal documents to progress the disposal with the covenant intact in perpetuity providing access to Lancashire Care Trust. 

To consider the annual review of activities in Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1.      To note the progress against the recommendations of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone Masterplan and Delivery Plan. 

2.      To approve a revised expenditure forecast as set out in paragraph 10.1 in respect of the previously approved £28.8 million, to fund delivery of the essential enabling infrastructure extending the original three year phase one period by one year to 2021 to reflect progress to date against the approved delivery plan, external influences beyond the direct control of the Council as Enterprise Zone accountable body and emerging opportunities within the Enterprise Zone.

3.      To approve a partial review of the Enterprise Zone Masterplan and Delivery Plan to reflect changed circumstances with a further report and recommendations to be presented for consideration by March 2020.

(This item to be considered in private by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972 as the report contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information))

It is considered on balance that the public interest would not be served by publishing the information as it could prejudice the proposed investment.

Notification has been given on the 10 June 2019 that this item was to be considered in private and no representations have been received in response to this notification.

The Executive resolved as follows:

1.      To exclude the public and press by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

2.      To approve Tenderer A as the Preferred Bidder for land at Stanley Park Golf Course.

3.      To authorise the Deputy Head of Legal Services to enter into such documentation as necessary to give effect to the proposals in respect of the site including agreements for lease and leases.

(This item to be considered in private by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972 as the report contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information))

It is considered on balance that the public interest would not be served by publishing the information as it could prejudice the proposed investment.

Notification has been given on the 10 June 2019 that this item was to be considered in private and no representations have been received in response to this notification.

The Executive resolved as follows:

1.      To exclude the public and press by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

2. To approve the purchase of the Houndshill Shopping Centre subject to the financial limits set out in Appendix 7a, to the Executive report. The purchase will be either of the buildings or the purchase of the company holding the Houndshill Shopping Centre buildings, and to delegate that decision to the Chief Executive after consultation with the Leader of the Council.

3. To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to finalise the transaction when all due diligence has been completed, within the financial limits outlined in this report.

4. To authorise the Head of Legal to prepare legal documentation and enter into appropriate documents as necessary to complete the transaction after due diligence is completed.

5. To accept novation of any contracts as necessary and to enter into any temporary contracts as required for the smooth operation of the shopping centre and to allow time for the relevant procurement process to take place.

6. To withdraw the loan proposal to DPK approved under EX14/2019, as this is no longer relevant.

7. To delegate to the Director of Communications and Regeneration to undertake an exercise to source and appoint a management company/ies for the shopping centre, and equity partner/s for the shopping centre as appropriate.  A Chief Officer Decision will be reported in due course.