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 8 February 2018 as a true and correct record.

The Advisory Board agreed that the minutes of the last meeting held on 8 February 2018 be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

To consider a draft agreement for Independent non-executive directors of wholly-owned companies.

Mrs Lorraine Hurst on behalf of the Company Secretary, presented a report seeking endorsement of the principle of Non-Executive Director Agreements for wholly-owned companies. She advised that it was good practice to have in place agreements relating to the tenure of non-executive directors stating the standards and commitment expected of them.

It was noted that the agreements, which were currently being proposed for independent non-executive directors, would provide consistency across the companies within the Council Group, with the exception of Blackpool Coastal Housing Ltd and it was proposed that as that company Board held an Annual General Meeting that set the tenure of the tenant directors, then a further report would be provided at a future meeting of the Advisory Board for that company. Mrs Hurst also reported that a review would be undertaken after the 2019 local elections to introduce a similar agreement for Councillor non-executive directors.

The Advisory Board agreed:

1.             To endorse the principle of Non-Executive Director Agreements for wholly-owned companies.

2.             That the Assistant Chief Executive / Director of Strategy invites the independent non-executive directors appointed for Blackpool Transport Services and the two longest serving independent non-executive directors for Blackpool Entertainment Company to reapply for their roles as they are into their third year of office and should they be successful then they be asked to sign the agreement.

3.             To request that all other independent non-executive directors sign up to the agreement and any newly appointed in the future.

4.             That an agreement for Councillor non-executive director posts be considered following the 2019 local elections and a further report be brought back regarding Blackpool Coastal Housing Ltd and the independent Board Directors who serve on that Board.

Resolved: That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the financial projections and future objectives of Blackpool Operating Company on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To receive an overview of the Company from the Managing Director and Chairman.

Mr John Child, Managing Director, Blackpool Operating Company Limited provided an overview of the work of the Company to the Advisory Board. He reported that the vision of the Sandcastle Waterpark was to be the number one waterpark in the world in delivering guest service excellence and inclusive tourism for all and highlighted the values of the company.

Mr Child reported that the Sandcastle had been a wholly-owned company of Blackpool Council since 2003 and had steadily increased total revenue, spend per head and total guest numbers since then. A large proportion of total income was from admissions and approximately 50% of costs related to staffing.

The Advisory Board was informed that the Sandcastle had won a number of awards relating to guest service excellence and had a number of strong business partnerships both locally and nationally. In addition, the company continued to provide support to the local community and had worked with a large number of local groups including Trinity Hospice and Blackpool Carers.

Councillor Graham Cain, Chairman, Blackpool Operating Company Limited highlighted the work undertaken with North West Ambulance Services to provide 10 defibrillators in Blackpool and sought the Shareholders’ support in encouraging the other wholly-owned companies to participate in the scheme. Members agreed to receive a report on the matter to a future meeting.

The Advisory Board went on to consider the future objectives of the Waterpark in detail and agreed to invite Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources to a future meeting to discuss potential financing of the objectives.

Members also discussed performance indicators and Mr Lockley advised that the Advisory Board sought to identify a small number of headline indicators to enable Members to ensure the companies were working towards achieving the Council’s vision for Blackpool. It was noted that work would be undertaken to develop the indicators with input from the companies by Mr Scott Butterfield, Transformation Manager.

The Advisory Board agreed:

1.      To receive a report on the North West Ambulance Service defibrillator scheme at a future meeting.

2.      To invite Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources to the next meeting of the Advisory Board to discuss potential financing of Blackpool Operating Company Limited’s future objectives.

To note the meeting schedule as follows:

Thursday, 5 April 2018, 10.00 – 12.00 Blackpool Transport Services

Thursday, 17 May 2018, 14.00 – 16.00 Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited

The Advisory Board agreed to note the date of the next meeting as Thursday 5 April 2018 commencing at 10.00am.