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.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 24 May 2023 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 May 2023 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor expressed condolences to the family and friends of Harold Elletson who had passed away the previous week.  Mr Elletson had served as the Blackpool North MP from 1992 to 1997 and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the early stages of the peace process.

The Mayor also announced the sad death of Russ Weaver, former Head of Neighbourhood Management and previously Chief Superintendent of Blackpool Police and passed on condolences to his family and friends.

The Mayor offered congratulations on behalf of the Council to the two Fylde coast residents who had been awarded honours in the King’s Birthday Honours list namely:

?     John Child, former Managing Director of the Sandcastle Waterpark, who had been awarded the Member of the British Empire for services to tourism, people with disabilities and to the community in Blackpool

?     Civil Servant Gill Andrew, manager of the DWP Job Centre in Fleetwood, who had been awarded the Order of the British Empire medal for public and charitable services in Fleetwood.

The Mayor also announced that Charlotte Foster from Blackpool Polar Bears Swimming Club had won a silver medal in the 25m freestyle at the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin.

Finally the Mayor advised members that Bev Robinson OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Blackpool and the Fylde College would be leaving after eleven years’ service, and on behalf of the Council, thanked her for her services to education in the town and wished her well for the future.

a) To receive a representation from a member of the public in accordance with Procedural Standing Order 9.

A response will be given by the Leader of the Council.

Mr Ian White addressed Members on the subject of empty properties and the potential for these to be become problematic when used to house cannabis farms in terms of risk anti-social behaviour, crime and public health.

Councillor Williams, Leader of the Council responded to Mr White on the matter and advised that the Council worked closely with the Police in this area who had a lead responsibility and also explained that an Empty Property Strategy was being developed and would be considered by the Council’s Executive later in the year.

Note:  Councillor Williams left the meeting following consideration of the item.

To consider the Audit Committee Annual Report for 2022/2023.

Members considered the report from the Chair of the Audit Committee in relation to work undertaken during the previous municipal year.  Reference was made to important role of the Committee and thanks were expressed to Councillor Galley, the former Chair.

Motion:  Councillor Roberts proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘To receive the Audit Committee Annual Report 2022/2023’.

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

To consider the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2022/2023.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Leadership Board, Councillor Galley, presented a report to Council on scrutiny achievements during 2022/23 which highlighted the work of the committees during the year and individual scrutiny reviews.  Reference was also made to the recent review of scrutiny undertaken by North West Employers which had reported favourably on key achievements and had identified opportunities going forward.

The Council noted its thanks to former councillor Mrs Callow in her role as Chair of Scrutiny Leadership Board.

Motion:  Councillor Galley proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘To receive the Scrutiny Annual Report 2022/2023’.

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

To consider proposed changes to the Council’s Procedural Standing Order on Executive and Combined Fire Authority reports to Council.

Members considered proposals for revisions to the Council’s procedural rules in relation to presentation of Executive Member reports and Combined Fire Authority reports at full Council meetings, following the matter being raised at the cross-party Constitution Working Group and subsequent agreement by Council that these should be reviewed.

Motion:  Councillor Taylor proposed (and Councillor Galley seconded):

‘1.      To adopt a revised a Procedural Standing Order for Council meetings to replace Council Procedural Standing Order 11 as attached at Appendix 7(a) to the council report and for this to be effective from the ordinary Council meeting scheduled for 20 September 2023.

2.       That the Group Leaders review the revised process within the next 12 months and report back to Council should any change be required, as set out in paragraph 5.9 of the Council report.’

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

To consider the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to a full review of the Members Allowances scheme, undertaken following an all-out local election.

The Council received the report from the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the full review of the Members Allowances scheme which had been undertaken following the all-out local election in May.

Debate took place on the scheme including the proposed uplift and a number of views were expressed.

Motion:  Councillor Taylor proposed (and Councillor N Brookes seconded):

‘1.      To agree the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel and to adopt the proposed new Members’ Allowances Scheme.

2.       That the Director of Governance and Partnerships be authorised to update the Members’ Allowances Scheme accordingly.’

Prior to voting, five members of the Council requested that the vote on the motion should be recorded.  The voting was as follows:

For the motion:  Councillors Bamborough, Boughton, N Brookes, P Brookes, S Brookes, Burdess, Cartmell, Critchley, Farrell, Flanagan, Hobson, Hoyle, Hugo, Humphreys, Hunter, Jackson, Jones, Marshall, Roe, M Smith, S Smith, Taylor, Thomas, Webb – total 24.

Against the motion:  Councillors Baker, Cooper, Galley, B Mitchell, C Mitchell, D Mitchell, Roberts, Robertson, D Scott, M Scott, Sloman, Walsh, Warne, Wilshaw - total 14.

Abstentions:  Councillor Campbell – total 1.

Motion carried:  The motion was therefore carried.

To consider, under section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, whether to make arrangements for a Special meeting of Council to confer upon recently retired councillors, who, in line with the criteria agreed by Council and wish to be put forward, to receive the title of ‘Honorary Alderman’.

Members considered a proposal, following discussions between the two political group leaders, to defer the item.

Resolved: To defer the item to allow for further discussion on civic honours.