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.

The Council noted that there were interests references towholly-owned companies in the Executive reports and that should discussion take place on these items, in particular regarding the financial interests of the companies, councillors would need to consider declaring the relevant interest (personal or prejudicial).  If the interest affected the financial position of the company then they would need to consider declaring a prejudicial interest and leave the meeting

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 29 September 2021 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 23 September 2021 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor announced that, following consultation with the families, a special Council meeting would be arranged to take place in the Spring for the posthumous award of the Blackpool medal to former Councillors Peter Callow and Lily Henderson MBE, as well as Brian London.

To consider the attached reports to Council from the Corporate, People and Place portfolios.

Members are reminded that:

·       The Lead Executive Member has up to three minutes to present the report, after which there will be a period of no longer than 25 minutes per report for questions/comments (a green card will give a one minute warning, red for the end of the debate).

·       There will be three minutes per question/ comment from any Councillor on anything within the portfolio and no limit to the number of times a Councillor can ask a question.

·       There will be a period of up to 25 minutes for responses from any Cabinet Member on their area of responsibility at the end of the questions/ comments for each report.

The Executive Lead Members for the meeting presented reports to the Council on work undertaken in the Corporate, Place and People portfolio areas. The reports covered corporate, strategic and policy issues, together with work being undertaken in transforming services and with partners.  

On behalf of Councillor Benson, Councillor Farrell provided an update on the strain of Avian flu that had been detected at Stanley Park and the actions taken by the Council with public health and environmental partners in respect of the birds and public safety.

Questions, comments and debate were invited from all councillors on each of the report areas.

Notes:

1.             The Leader of the Council agreed to provide a written response to:

·      Councillor Mrs Callow on the proposed location of the driving test centre previously located at Warbreck Hill

·      Councillor Walsh on the cumulative figure of one-off Government grants received by the Council

·      Councillor T Williams on the insurance arrangements in respect of the Buffalo Bill statue.

2.             Councillor Farrell agreed to pass on comments on the relevant portfolio areas to Councillor Benson and that a written response would be provided to Councillor Galley on details of the offer to young people across the borough and beyond the Better Start wards in view of future cessation of Better Start funding.

3.             In response to a question from Councillor T Williams, Councillor Campbell agreed to clarify when the community payback scheme would recommence.

4.             The Council agreed a five minute extension to the time allocated for questions on the Executive Member Report – Corporate Portfolio.

5.             Councillor Blackburn left the meeting following consideration of the Executive Member Report – Corporate Portfolio.

6.             Councillor M Mitchell left the meeting following consideration of the Executive Member Report – People Portfolios.

7.             Following consideration of the Executive Member Report – Place Portfolios, the Council agreed a short adjournment.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive on 8 November 2021 on the Blackpool Climate Action Plan in line with the Climate Emergency Declaration.

The Council considered the recommendations from the Executive at its meeting on 8 November 2021 in relation to the proposed Climate Emergency Action Plan which set out how the Council would address the goal of net zero emissions by 2030.

Members noted the proposed monitoring arrangements and it was requested that details of the Pathways Options Study was circulated to all members.

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

‘1.           To approve the Blackpool Climate Emergency Action Plan attached at Appendix 5(a) and request the Executive, appropriate Scrutiny Committees and Council partners to act towards the implementation of its actions.

2.         To note the monitoring agreements set out in page 19 of the Action Plan and summarised at paragraph 6.6 of the Council report and where relevant periodic update reports on progress or amendments to the Action Plan will be brought to the Executive’.

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

To consider the Audit Committee’s recommendation that Council adopts the Partnership Governance Framework and that it forms part of the Council’s Constitution.

Members considered recommendations from the Audit Committee for a partnership governance framework to be approved that would apply to significant partnerships held or entered into by the Council.  The framework would help to provide assurance that good governance operations were in place including in key areas such as decision-making, accountability and regulatory compliance.

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

‘To adopt the attached Partnership Governance Framework and that it forms part of the Council’s Constitution under Part 5 – Codes and Protocols.

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