Agenda item

To consider a progress report on individual risks identified in the Council’s Strategic Risk Register.

The Committee considered a progress report in relation to the individual risks identified on the Strategic Risk Register, specifically in relation to the risk regarding ‘Unsustainable Local Economy / Increased Deprivation’. The report was introduced by Mr Cavill, Director of Place, who began by outlining a number of actions being taken by the Council in line with its Corporate Priorities of Communities and Economy. These included:

·         The intense programme of getting people into work through Positive Steps.

·         The successful programme of helping businesses to grow.

·         The focus on tourism, including the work that had gone into the development of the Blackpool Museum, the Conference Centre and the promenade improvements.

·         Achieving record visitor numbers at the Zoo and the Sandcastle, the latter which has been operating at capacity.

·         The new jobs created in the south of the town as a result of the Enterprise Zone.

·         The Talbot Gateway development – acquisition of the Wilkinson’s building, together with ambitions for Hounds Hill, including a new cinema complex.

·         Blackpool to become a mini-hub for the Civil Service, with the possibility of the Department for Work and Pensions relocating a large number of staff to the town centre.

Mr Cavill also gave an account of the large programme of highway improvements undertaken in Blackpool over the last few years which were continuing. Successful grant funding applications had been obtained and more would be applied for, going forward. These had contributed to the success of integrated traffic management projects, as well as the Quality Corridors and Blackpool Bridges programmes.

In relation to housing, Mr Cavill spoke of the scale of work carried out to improve the housing stock in Blackpool, including the initiatives as a result of the Selective Licensing Scheme. Additionally, The Blackpool Housing Company was now in operation, with 120 properties let to date and the Council was now in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency, with a number of new build projects underway.

Mr Cavill responded to a number of questions from the Committee. In relation to sub-risk 8a, ‘Lack of good quality affordable housing’, he was asked what effect the completion of 400 new homes on the Rigby Road site and the Queens Park development would have in relation to this. He explained that in relation to the net score, the impact would be marginal. This was because of the general poor quality of housing stock in the town centre. He added however that the mitigation was likely to increase over time, with the situation likely to be much improved in approximately five years.

The Committee pointed out that there was no reference to improving skills within the risk report. Mr Cavill explained that skills improvement was covered elsewhere and agreed to check and report back on exactly where this could be found.

Committee members pointed out that recently, the Central Drive area had been the subject of negative media comments and asked about specific regeneration plans for that locality. Mr Cavill explained that the major regeneration initiative for that area was dependent upon the Central Station site development, which was still at the discussion stage with a potential developer. Asked about a ‘plan b’ if the major redevelopment work did not come to fruition, Mr Cavill explained that alternative plans were always under consideration and pointed out some of the street scene improvements that were already underway in that area.

In relation to sub-risk 8c ‘Lack of appropriate transport infrastructure’, the Committee pointed out that in connection with the Road Asset Management Strategy, it was noted that appropriate work was being taken to maintain the highways infrastructure, but there was no mention of highways infrastructure improvement. Mr Cavill acknowledged the point made and agreed that all aspects of transport infrastructure would be considered at the next review. Mr N. Jack, Chief Executive, added that the tramway extension was a good example of investment in growth, as opposed to mitigation against failure.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Background papers:  None.