Decisions

To seek authority to lease the former Whiteholme Youth Centre and Blackpool Rangers Building / Premises to The Boathouse Youth Project for a term of 25 years, subject tobreak clauses and rent reviews as outlined in the Heads of Terms attached at Appendix A.

To enter into a 25-year lease with The Boathouse Youth Project, as outlined in the Heads of Terms attached at Appendix A.

To seek authority to grant a lease for Unit 1B Bickerstaffe House to Blackpool Theatre Collective Ltd, for a period of ten years, in line with the agreed Heads of Terms that can be found at Appendix A.

To lease Unit 1B Bickerstaffe House to Blackpool Theatre Collective Ltd, in line with the agreed Heads of Terms at Appendix A.

(The press and public were excluded from the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Ms Lisa Murphy, Director of Finance and Resources, Blackpool Housing Company Limited and Mr Lee Burrell, Director of Development, Blackpool Housing Company Limited presented the Company’s refreshed Business Plan and budget for 2024/25 to the Committee.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To endorse the Blackpool Housing Company Limited Business Plan and budget 2024-2025.

Reason for decision:

To keep the Shareholder appraised on circumstances affecting the business notably the contents of the business plan and budget for 2024.25.

Other options considered:

None - The attached business plan meets the Shareholders requirement that all Blackpool Council wholly owned companies produce a three-year business plan, as outlined in the governance framework policy.

Date of decision:

26 March 2024.

Ms Lisa Murphy, Director of Finance and Resources, Blackpool Housing Company Limited and Mr Lee Burrell, Director of Development, Blackpool Housing Company Limited left the meeting following the conclusion of this item.

(The press and public were excluded from the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited, Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited and Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited joined the meeting for this item.

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited presented the Company’s refreshed Business Plan and budget for 2024/25 to the Committee. The proposals were discussed in depth with feedback provided to the Company Chair in relation to the proposed pay award.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To endorse the Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Business Plan and budget 2024-2025 subject to further consideration by the Company Board on the pay award for the next financial year.

Reason for decision:

To ensure the Committee is fully appraised of BECL’s proposals for 2024/25 and has oversight of business planning and budget proposals. The Committee considered that pay awards should be aligned across the company group (unless there was a clear business case not to) and reflective of the current financial position.

Other options considered:

None - The attached business plan meets the Shareholders requirement that all Blackpool Council wholly owned companies produce a three-year business plan, as outlined in the governance framework policy.

Date of decision:

26 March 2024.

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited, Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited and Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited left the meeting following the conclusion of this item.

Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resourcesprovided an update on the financial performance of the Wholly-Owned Companies as at Month 10. He advised that he sought authority to provide a letter of comfort to relevant Council companies and their External Auditor.

Shareholder Committee decision:

That the Director of Resources be authorised to provide a letter of comfort to all Council owned companies and their External Auditor to state that Blackpool Council will provide continuing financial support as required in line with the company’s requirements to meet its financial obligations as and when they fall including any intercompany loan facilities thereby enabling the companies to continue to operate on a going concern basis.

Reason for decision:

To ensure financial performance of the Council’s wholly-owned companies is kept under timely review by members.

Other options considered:

The Shareholder Committee could determine not to authorise the Director of Resources to provide a letter of comfort, however, considered this would not be an appropriate action to take at this time.

Date of decision:

26 March 2024.

The Head of Licensing Service deals with a number of requests for licences under the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act and other pieces of legislations. Details of the licences, applied for and granted are outlined in the report.

The Head of Licensing Service agreed to grant the licences as set out in the attached Appendices.

This report seeks approval by Director of Communications and Regeneration to approve the terms agreed in relation to the proposed letting of Units 4 and 5 of the Station View retail scheme, located within the Talbot Gateway Phase 2 development.

To approve the terms agreed in Appendix B

To authorise the Head of Legal Services to enter into any such documentation as may be necessary to complete the proposed lettings.

On the 21^st January 2024 the Executive approved the placement of the four main lots of insurance.  As noted in the decision there are a number of additional policies which are more specific in nature and therefore have been through a quotation exercise.  Delegation was granted to the Director of Resources to authorise these smaller policies through an Officer Non-Key Decision.

To approve the placement of the specialist insurance covers for the new financial year.

To consider the freehold acquisition of 14 Henry St, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 5JG, as registered under HM Land Registry Title Number LA806421 (the Property).

To proceed with the acquisition of the Property.

To authorise the Head of Legal Services to enter into all legal documentation in connection with this acquisition.

To seek agreement and instruction to authorise payment to  Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd  (BAOL) in respect of costs incurred in relation to the transfer of the CAA operational and Air  Navigation  service provider licenses  to BAOL  

To approve a payment of £ 201,087 for reimbursement of historic cost incurred by BAOL in respect of the Transfer of CAA licenses for Blackpool Airport.

To seek instruction to authorise the award of the contract for the construction of the ‘Eastern Gateway’ highway, which is a key part of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone Towns Fund project.

To confirm agreement to approve a direct award to George Cox and Sons Limited from the STAR framework.

To authorise the Head of Legal Services to complete the required contract documentation.

To confirm the outcome of the recent procurement exercise undertaken for the appointment of a contractor to undertake the construction of the Blackpool Youth and Community Centre.

To approve the appointment of Warden Construction Limited to undertake the construction for the Blackpool Youth and Community Centre.

The Head of Licensing Service deals with a number of requests for licences under the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act and other pieces of legislations. Details of the licences, applied for and granted are outlined in the report.

The Head of Licensing Service agreed to grant the licences as set out in the attached Appendices.