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.

In relation to item 4 ‘Capital Strategy 2021/22 to 2023/24’, the following declarations were made:

·         Councillors Campbell, Hobson and Roberston declared personal interests as Council-appointed non-executive directors of Blackpool Housing Company Ltd

·         Councillors Brookes, Cross and Galley declared personal interests as Council-appointed non-executive directors of Blackpool Entertainment Company Ltd

·         Councillors Campbell, Farrell and Roberts declared personal interests as Council-appointed non-executive directors of Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd

·         Councillors Burdess, Galley and Matthews declared personal interests as Council-appointed non-executive directors of Blackpool Transport Services Ltd

·         Councillor Benson declared a personal interest as her husband was employed at Blackpool Transport Services Ltd.

Councillors Hutton, Kirkland and Stansfield declared prejudicial interests in Recommendation 1 of agenda item 8 ‘Council Tax 2021/22’ as Council-appointed non-executive directors of Enveco (Blackpool Waste Services Limited). 

Councillors Blackburn, Hugo and T Williams also declared personal interests in agenda item 8 ‘Council Tax 2021/22’ as Council-appointed representatives of Lancashire Combined Fire Authority.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 10 February 2021 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 10 February 2021 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

Mrs Diane Booth, Director of Children's Services is due to retire from the Council at the end of the month.

The Leader of the Council and other Group Leaders/ representatives will be invited to speak to show their appreciation to Mrs Booth for her service to the Authority.

Council paid tribute to Mrs Diane Booth, Director of Children’s Services who was due to retire at end March 2021 and thanked her for her service to the Council.  Mrs Booth responded to the tribute and thanked councillors for their comments.

To consider the Executive’s recommendation from its meeting on the 8 February 2021 regarding the Capital Strategy for 2021/ 2022 to 2023/ 2024 which incorporates the Property Investment Strategy for 2021/ 2022

Members considered the recommendations from the Executive meeting of 8 February 2021 on the proposed capital strategy which incorporated the Property Investment Strategy for 2021/22.  Members noted that the proposed Capital Strategy aligned with the priorities set out in the Council Plan and set out how capital expenditure and investment decisions were taken in line with service objectives and took account of stewardship, value for money, prudence, sustainability and affordability.

Motion: Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘To approve the Capital Strategy 2021/2022 to 2023/2024 incorporating the Property Investment Strategy 2021/2022’.

Motion carried: The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive on the 8 February 2021 regarding the 2021/21, 2022/23 and 2023/24 Capital Programme – which have been circulated to members under separate cover.

The Council considered the recommendations of the Executive from 8 February 2021 in relation to the Capital Programme for 2021/2022 to 2023/2024.  In doing so members noted that the programme ran concurrently with the General Fund Revenue Budget and projected forward indicative spending for three years at an estimated value of £135.8 million.

Motion: Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘1.      To approve the Capital Programme for 2021/2022 as set out at Appendices A and B to the Executive report.

2.       To adopt the Single Capital Pot approach as outlined in Section 4 of the Capital Programme report as circulated with the agenda for that meeting with a top slice of 12.5% to allow for investment in key priority areas and overspends that are not otherwise fundable.

3.       To approve the Capital Prudential Indicators as identified in Appendix C to the Executive report.

4.       To agree that Executive approval will continue to be required for all Prudential borrowing schemes (reference paragraph 3.1 of the Executive report)’.

Motion carried: The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive on the 8 February 2021 to the Council on varying its Minimum Revenue Provision Policy as a result of the review undertaken by Link Asset Services.

Members considered the recommendations from the Executive on proposals to vary the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy as a result of the review undertaken by Link Asset Services.  It was reported that the assessment was in line with current guidance on capital debt liability.

Motion: Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘1.      To approve the revised Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2020/21 set out within Appendix 5b to the Executive report.

2.       That in approving the revised Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, Council endorses the following amendments which had been included in the document:

i.          The Council has accepted the principle that any capital receipts which it determines in future should be set aside in order to reduce the outstanding amount of capital debt liability may, if desired, be taken to represent a debt liability reduction that has been made in lieu of a corresponding amount of prudent provision that would otherwise have been made in a particular financial year. Any such setting aside of capital receipts will not, however, apply to those capital receipts which represent the repayment of loan principal amounts in respect of loans made in earlier financial years which have been treated as capital expenditure, but not subjected to an Minimum Revenue Provision charge.

ii.         The policy changes reflected above will in future be represented as a new local Option for the ongoing determination of an amount of Minimum Revenue Provision which is considered each year to be prudent.

iii.       In respect of new capital debt liability incurred after 1st April 2008, the Authority’s Policy continues to adopt the principles outlined in Option 3 (asset life method) that are exemplified in the Minimum Revenue Provision Guidance, whereby the liability will be charged over a period that is reasonably commensurate with that over which the new capital expenditure is estimated to provide a benefit to the Authority.

iv.       Any credit arrangements or expenditure treated as capital expenditure under Direction or Regulation will either have Minimum Revenue Provision determined under Option 3, or otherwise related to the estimated life of the underlying asset.   For example, a loan granted to a third party towards “capital expenditure” will, where Minimum Revenue Provision is considered to be necessary, be related to the life of the asset towards which the financial assistance is being provided.

v.         Whether any charges are appropriate for this type of activity after taking account of the different powers available to it.

vi.       Minimum Revenue Provision will not be charged (voluntarily) on any Part II (Housing Revenue Account related) housing debt.

vii.     Minimum Revenue Provision will not be charged on loans made to wholly owned subsidiaries or other third parties where such loans are treated as capital expenditure in cases where there are satisfactory and supportable repayment obligations attached to those loans. Unlike other types of capital receipt, the capital receipts that will arise from these repayments will be set aside generally or specifically to reduce the outstanding amount of capital debt liability in respect of these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive from its meeting on 8 February 2021 regarding the Treasury Management Strategy for the financial year 2021/2022.

The Council considered the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the proposed Treasury Management Strategy 2021/2022, which set out how the Council would manage its investments and cashflows over the forthcoming financial year and which incorporated an Investment Strategy.

Motion: Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘1.      To approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2021/2022 including both the Borrowing and Investment Strategies set out in Annex C and Annex D to the Executive report.

2.       To adopt the Treasury Management Policy Statement, the three key principles and four clauses taken from CIPFA’s Treasury Management in Public Services Code of Practice and Cross Sectoral Guidance Notes (2017 Edition) and set out in Annex B to the Executive report.

3.       To approve the revised Prudential Indicators and limits for 2020/2021 and the new Prudential Indicators and limits for 2021/ 2022 – 2023/ 2024 set out in Annex E to the Executive report.

4.       To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2021/2022, which will ensure a prudent Minimum Revenue Provision charge in the annual statement of accounts. The policy is set out within Annex D to the report to the Executive’.

Motion carried: The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the draft General Fund Revenue Budget and the setting of a Council Tax for the 2021/ 2022 Financial Year.

The Council considered the recommendations from the Executive at its meetings on 8 February and 25 February 2021 in relation to the draft General Fund Revenue Budget and setting of Council Tax for 2021/2022.

Members firstly considered the budget proposals in relation to Blackpool Waste Services Limited trading as Enveco.

Motion 1:  Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘To agree the savings of £350,000 through service improvements and efficiencies by the integration of Environmental and Cleansing services into Blackpool Waste Services Limited trading as Enveco.” (ref: Appendix 2 of the report to the Executive on 8 February 2021)’.

Recorded vote: The Council noted that under the Local Authorities (Standing Order) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, there was a requirement for a recorded vote on setting the Council tax and budget. The voting was as follows:

For the motion: Councillors Benson, Brookes, Burdess, Cain, Campbell, Clapham, D Coleman, G Coleman, Collett, Cox, Critchley, Cross, Farrell, Hobson, Hugo, Hunter, Jackson, Matthews, Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Roberts, Robertson, D Scott, Mrs Scott, R Scott, Smith, Taylor, Walsh, L Williams, T Williams, Wilshaw, Wing - Total 33.

Against the motion: Councillors Baker, Mrs Callow, Galley – Total 3.

Abstentions:  None.

Motion 1 carried:  The motion was therefore carried.

Note:  Having declared prejudicial interests, Councillors Hutton, Kirkland and Stansfield left the meeting during consideration of the above.

Motion 2:  Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘To agree the proposed the remaining recommendations 2b to 2j as outlined in Appendix 8(c), bringing together the recommendations from the Executive meetings on 8 February 2021 and 25 February 2021 into a summary document, set out in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011:

1.             To agree a remaining level of budget savings of £19.95m (£20.3m minus the £350,000 already approved in a) (ref. paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2 and Appendix 2 of the report to the Executive on 8 February 2021).

2.             To agree the level of net expenditure for the draft General Fund Revenue Budget 2021/22 of £149,062,000 (ref. paragraph 6.2 of the report to the Executive on 8 February 2021).

3.             That the Chief Executive be authorised to take any necessary steps to ensure all staffing savings are achieved (ref. paragraph 8.1 of the report to the Executive on 8 February 2021).

4.             That the target level of working balances remains at £6m (ref. paragraph 10.4 of the report to the Executive on 8 February 2021).

5.             To adopt the formal Council Tax Resolutions set out at Appendix 8 (c) (Annex 1), in so doing agree a Council Tax Requirement of £62,618,000 and a Council Tax Base of 36,853.

6.             To note the calculation of Aggregate Amounts as directed by Section 31A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as set out at Appendix 8 (c) (Annex 1 and 2).

7.             To approve a level of Council Tax for the financial year 2021/22 of £1,699.13 at valuation Band D equivalent (a 4.99%  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Further to the decision of the Council on 10 February 2021, to reconsider the decision regarding the Pay Policy statement as the Government has withdrawn Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payments Regulations 2020 and the supplementary HM Treasury Directions which form part of the Pay Policy statement.

Members considered the report on proposals to reconsider the Council’s decision regarding the Pay Policy statement, as the Government had withdrawn Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payments Regulations 2020 and the supplementary HM Treasury Directions which had formed part of the original statement.

Motion: Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘1.      To set aside the decision of the Council on 10  February 2021 relating to the Pay Policy Statement and approve the updated Pay Policy Statement, attached at Appendix 9(a).

2.       To delegate to the Chief Executive the authority to reflect changes in legislation or decisions made from time to time by or on behalf of the authority and republish the Pay Policy Statement for 2021/ 2022’.

Motion carried: The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.