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 on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 12 September 2018 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the 12 September 2018 meeting.

Councillor Mitchell requested an amendment to Minute 5, Cabinet Member and Executive Decisions, regarding Cabinet Member decision PH41/2018, the rescheduling of an existing loan from the Blackpool Business Loans Fund. He asked that it be included that this had been an urgent decision where the call-in period had been waived. Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Communication and Regeneration, also confirmed that the name of the organisation receiving the loan would be made available.

Subject to the above amendment the Committee agreed to approve the minutes as a true and correct record.

To provide a basis for the Committee to consider the delivery of the Council’s statutory duties in respect of the draft section 19 investigation report into the flooding in Blackpool on the 22 November 2017.

The Committee considered a report regarding investigations by the Council and United Utilities (UU) into the 22 November 2018 flooding in Blackpool.

The Chairman welcomed Ms Katy Duffy, Drainage Asset Manager, Unities Utilities, Mr Andrew Kendall, Area Business Manager, United Utilities, Mr Steven Kenyan, Network Manager, United Utilities and Mr Paul Bond, Flood Resilience Adviser, Environment Agency to the meeting.

Ms Duffy presented the findings of the investigation conducted by UU into the flooding incident. The methods of drainage of surface and sewer water were explained to Members, outlining that watercourses in the north of Blackpool drained into the Fylde Tunnel System. The flooding of 22 November 2017 was attributed to the unexpected nature of the weather event and described as a once in 64 year storm. Ms Duff also explained that the ground and sewer system had been saturated by previous rainfall which created hydraulic issues with the drainage of surface water on the night. Combined with the flat nature of some of the watercourses this meant that once the ground had become saturated and the sewer had reached capacity the flood waters could not drain.

It was also stated that the area remained at high risk of future flooding if a similar weather event occurred.

Members asked if the pumps at the Anchorsholme pumping station could have been manually activated earlier to mitigate the worse of the flooding. Mr Kendall explained that the pumps worked automatically and would only work once the sewer and connected wet wells were full. This had happened at around 2am on 23 November 2017, although it was recognised that one of the five pumps at the station had tripped and not functioned.

The Committee queried if the existing water in the sewer system could have been discharged into the sea before the night of 22 November 2017 or when it had become clear that a significant amount of rain was falling. Mr Kenyon responded that the UU required permission from the Environment Agency (EA) to discharge sewer water into the sea, and confirmed that permission had not been sought during the night of the 22 November 2017. Members went on to ask why this had been the case and questioned if a financial motive had led to the decision not to discharge. In response Mr Kendall advised that discharging sewer water into the sea required a permit regulated by the EA. UU had a permit, the conditions of which required them to seek authorisation from EA for any discharge. Failure to seek permission would result in UU suffering disciplinary action which could include a financial penalty. It was further added that although UU had not requested permission to discharge water from Anchorsholme Pumping Station, permission had been sought and received from EA to discharge water held at Skippool Pumping Station. It was explained that this course of action was undertaken to relieve pressure on Anchorsholme Pumping Station as waters from Skippool Pumping Station were drained into it.

It was further reported that directors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the Executive and Cabinet Member Decisions within the portfolios of the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the Council, taken since the last meeting of the Committee.

The Committee considered the Executive and Cabinet Member decisions, within its remit, taken since the last meeting of the Committee on 12 September 2018.

Members welcomed Executive Decision EX40/2018 regarding the undertaking of a consultation on the proposal to designate Marton Moss a conservation area. It was queried how the Council intended to monitor the proposed area if established. Councillor Blackburn, Leader of the Council, responded that the Council would work with local residents and encourage reporting of any breeches that may occur. The Committee also asked what benefit there would be in the proposals to designate the North Promenade a conservation area. Councillor Blackburn explained that the North Promenade had a number of hotels and buildings that shared a unique architectural style unseen in other towns in the north of England and that a conservation area would help to protect this.

Cabinet Member Decision PH69/2018 was also discussed. Members queried the consultation that had taken place and expressed the importance of Blackpool remaining a dog-friendly place to visit. Councillor Blackburn respond that the consultation had set out a wide range of option for possible control orders, but it was not intended that all would be taken up. He also recognised the importance of continuing to attract visitors and stated that the Council would continue to work with dog owners to make the town more dog-friendly.

To consider the content of the Council’s Forward Plan, November 2018 – March 2019, relating to the portfolios of the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Committee considered the content of the Council’s Forward Plan November 2018 to March 2019, relating to the portfolios of Cabinet Members whose responsibilities fell within its remit.

The Committee queried how much remained in the Business Loan Fund. In response Councillor Blackburn explained that approximately £10m remained but emphasised the amount in the Fund in the future would depend on the Council desire to continue to make funds available.

To inform and seek support from scrutiny on the production of a Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) Strategy.

The Committee received a presentation from John Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer, Community and Environmental Services and Judith Mills, Public Health Consultant, Public Health, on the draft Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy.

It was explained that the strategy would be considered by all of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees during November 2018 during which nominations would be sought from each Committee for three Members to sit on a task and finish group to input into the strategy and its action plan.

The Strategy aimed to improve Blackpool’s open spaces as well as delivering new green spaces across the town. It was explained that this would bring health benefits to the residents of the town as well as making it more attractive to business and tourism.

Although the Council did not control all of the green spaces in Blackpool it was envisioned that it should play a leading role with various partners including businesses and community groups in delivering on the ambitions within the strategy.

Members welcomed the aims of the Strategy but queried how the improvement would be funded. In response Mr Hawkin explained that although the Council would not be able to fund all the changes to open spaces itself it could support other groups already active in the town to raise funds and/or provide money. Mr John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services, explained that the strategy was a statement of the Council’s ambition to improve the town and that it was important that this was agreed before looking to secure funding to achieve it.

The Committee also discussed the importance of educating young people and children on the importance of green spaces. Members, while recognising the good work undertaken in schools, such as forest schools, considered that work should also be undertaken with children as young as nursery age to embed the importance of a green environment.

The Chairman invited volunteers to sit on the proposed task and finish group, following which it was agreed that Councillors Coleman, Galley and Ryan participate in the group.

To consider the level of spending against the Council’s Revenue and Capital budgets for the first five months to 31 August 2018.

Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources, presented the Financial Monitoring Report to the Committee.

Members were informed that the Council would be overspent as at the end of month 5 by approximately £4m. This was attributed chiefly to the overspend in Children’s Services, particularly relating to the large number of Looked After Children the Council was responsible for. Work was ongoing to manage the overspend with Children’s Services but it was recognised that it was a complex issue and that Blackpool was currently performing better than the national average. The Committee was informed that an overall overspend of £3m was being targeted by the year end, which would be covered by reserves.

Mr Thompson also informed the Committee that revenue collection rates were positive with an increase in the amounts collected in Council Tax and no decrease in the amount collected from Business Rates despite some successful rating appeals and a couple of large businesses in the town going into administration.

In response to a query from Members it was explained that the Council could not easily predict new demand for children in care when calculating the budget and so based figures on the actual numbers currently looked after. Mr Thompson explained that if the budget was allocated based on an over-estimate funds could go unspent that could have been more effectively deployed on other Council services.

To consider the annual report, detailing consultancy spend across all Council services during the 2017/18 financial year.

Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources, presented the annual report on the use of external consultants during 2017/2018. It was stated that the largest number of external consultants had been used in connection with the Tramway Extension and the Museum projects and to comply with external grant funding eligibility criteria.

To provide information on tourism performance and trends using various indicators including number of visits; the value of the visitor economy and number of jobs supported; footfall on the Promenade and town centre; car parking; tram usage; and satisfaction ratings.

Mr Philip Welsh, Head of Tourism and Communications, introduced the Tourism Performance Update which provided provide information on tourism performance and trends using various indicators including number of visits, the value of the visitor economy and number of jobs supported, footfall on the Promenade and town centre, car parking; tram usage and satisfaction ratings.

Members agreed that the update be noted.

To consider the Annual Customer Feedback Report covering the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.

Members considered the Annual Customer Feedback Report 2017/2018.

A query was raised as to the nature of the six formal complaints mentioned in the report that had been upheld by the Local Government Ombudsman. Ms Ruth Henshaw, Delivery Development Officer, responded that she could not provide the information at the meeting but would investigate and make it available to the Committee following the meeting.

The Committee to consider the establishment of a Budget Scrutiny Panel.

The Committee considered proposals to establish a Budget Scrutiny Review Panel to scrutinise the 2019/2020 Budget.

It was explained that the Panel would meet with senior Council officers and Cabinet Members in December 2018 to consider budget proposals and make recommendations to the February 2019 meeting of the Executive. Membership of the Panel would be appointed by the Leaders of the Labour and Conservative groups.

The Committee agreed the proposal to establish a Budget Scrutiny Review Panel.

To consider the Workplan and to monitor the implementation of Committee recommendations, together with any suggestions that Members may wish to make for scrutiny review topics.

The Committee agreed to note the Scrutiny Workplan.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday, 23 January 2019, commencing at 6pm.

The Committee noted the date and time of the next meeting as 23 January 2019, commencing at 6.00pm.