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; 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 26 November 2014 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council held on 26^th November 2014 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor offered good wishes for those members who were absent due to their own or family illness.

The Mayor also offered congratulations, on behalf of the Council, to the Doric Hotel which had recently been voted the number one family hotel in the UK on Trip Advisor and 25^th globally, along with other Blackpool hotels which had featured high on the ratings list.

To receive reports from the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members and Outside Body representatives and consider matters arising from councillors.

a) Leader of the Council - Councillor Blackburn

b) Cabinet Member for Urban Regeneration - Councillor Jackson

c) Cabinet Member for Housing, Public Safety and Enforcement  -  Councillor Campbell

d) Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – Councillor Taylor

e) Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure - Councillor Cain   

f) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care - Councillor Rowson

g) Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Equality and Diversity - Councillor Jones

h) Cabinet Member for Public Health - Councillor Collett

i ) Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment – Councillor Cross

j) Cabinet Member for Culture and Heritage – Councillor Wright

Cabinet Members presented reports to the Council on work undertaken within their portfolio areas.  Councillor Jackson presented the reports on behalf of the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment.  All the reports covered decisions taken, work in progress and work to be undertaken in the near future.  Questions, comments and debate were invited from all councillors on each of the report areas.

Notes:

(1)                As part of presenting the report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jackson read a statement from Councillor Cain, regarding matters raised by Councillor Evans at the last Council meeting in relation to the Remembrance Sunday and in which Councillor Cain offered his apologies.  Councillor Evans responded by accepting the apology offered.  Councillor Smith also offered his apology in relation to the same matter.

(2)                On behalf of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jackson agreed for a written response to be provided to Councillor Clapham on the concerns raised over the lack of local providers that had been awarded contracts by Blackpool Council in the recent tendering processes and details of the value of each contract. 

(3)                Councillor Jackson agreed on behalf of the Leader, to look further into the matter raised by Councillor Clapham regarding a rebate of Council Tax and rent that was outstanding for a local constituent.

(4)                Following the statement from Councillor Galley that 100 new businesses had been supported by the Get Started service, Councillor Jackson agreed for clarification to be provided on the reason for the 2014/15 target being set at 90 new businesses. 

(5)                Councillor Jackson agreed for a response to be provided to Councillor Williams on the length it had taken to finalise the contract for the new tenant at the Enterprise Centre and why it had not been completed on the date of occupation of the premises.

(6)                Councillor Jackson agreed to provide a response to Councillor Galley as to why the new Youth Enterprise Challenge had adopted a different approach to the former challenge, which had operated in a similar fashion to the television programme ‘Dragon’s Den’ and which had proven successful. 

(7)                In response to Councillor Galley, Councillor Jackson also agreed to provide clarification as to why the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) scheme in Claremont was due to end in March 2015.

(8)                Councillor Jackson agreed for a written response to be provided to Councillor Williams on the reason for the Council replacing Windows XP with Windows 7 rather than Windows 8.

(9)                On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Councillor Jackson agreed to provide a response to Councillor Galley on whether the illuminated ‘Welcome’ arches at Bispham and Starr Gate would return this year.

(10)            Councillor Jackson also agreed on behalf of the Cabinet Member, to provide a written response on whether the Council had a cremator at Carlton Crematorium that could accommodate morbidly obese people.

(11)            In response to Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 14 December 2014 relating to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Members considered the recommendation from the Executive in relation to the

percentage reduction for working age claimants and were aware that the Council had adopted a self-funding Scheme under which all working age claimants had to pay at least 27.11% of their Council Tax, which remained the case for the current financial year.  Members were also aware that following an Equality Analysis and in order to mitigate part of the impact of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme on some households, a discretionary hardship fund had been established.

Motion:  Councillor Jackson proposed (and Councillor Williams seconded):

’1.      To agree that the reduction applied to Working Age claimants remains at 27.11% for the 2015/2016 Scheme and that the main elements and method of calculating awards previously agreed by Council on 22^nd January 2014 will remain the same.

2.       To agree that the Council continue to operate a Discretionary Discount Policy to be awarded in cases of exceptional hardship .’

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

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 14 December 2014 relating to the establishment of a wholly Council owned housing regeneration company to lead housing market change within Blackpool.

The Council considered the recommendation from the Executive at its meeting on 14 December 2014, to proceed to establish a housing regeneration company for Blackpool as a special purpose vehicle that would take a more pro-active approach in securing source investment to create a stronger housing market that met the housing needs of Blackpool residents. 

Motion:  Councillor Campbell proposed (and Councillor Williams seconded):

‘1.      To authorise the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to take the necessary steps to form a wholly owned company of the Council, including:

·           To incorporate the company under the Companies Act 2006, as a private company limited by shares.

·           To appoint Directors to serve on the Board of the company and constitute a Shareholder’s Panel, in line with the Council’s Governance Code of Practice.

·           To identify the need and then carry out any staff transfers as appropriate.

·           To prepare articles of association for the company setting out its objectives and governance arrangements.

2.       To agree that the Director of Place be authorised, following consultation with the Director of Resources, to develop financial options to support the furtherance of the company’s objectives and to report back to the Executive in due course.’

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

To consider the updating of Proper Officer designations and appointments to certain positions in the health sector relating to the Council.

It was reported that recent personnel changes in the Cumbria and Lancashire Public Health England Centre health protection team had made it necessary to update arrangements for proper officer functions for local authorities in Cumbria and Lancashire in relation to the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984) and also as port medical officers due to Blackpool having an airport.  It was also recommended for nominated lead officers to coordinate the investigation and care management arrangements in complex cases where section 47 orders might be considered.

Motion:  Councillor Jackson proposed (and Councillor I Taylor seconded):

‘1.      To confirm the Proper Officers as outlined in the Council report with effect from 21 January 2015.

2.       That the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services be authorised to update the Constitution accordingly.’

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

To consider the following motion which has been submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12.1 :-

SUN BED OPERATORS.  Councillor Williams to propose.

“In 2014, the Council undertook a test purchasing project in Blackpool, which found in a number of sun tanning salons, instances where there was harmful exposure of sun beds emitting higher than recommended levels of ultra violet light, which could cause serious health implications. Another safety concern highlighted was use by under-age individuals.  More robust powers to Local Authorities are needed in regard to the enforcement and prosecution of operators, through a stringent licensing scheme.

The Chief Executive is therefore requested to write to the Secretary of State for Health to request the introduction of such a scheme, to include minimum levels of staffing, staff training and age policies”.

Motion:   Having submitted notice, Councillor Williams proposed (and Councillor Clapham seconded):

‘In 2014, the Council undertook a test purchasing project in Blackpool, which found in a  number of sun tanning salons instances where there was harmful exposure  of sun beds emitting higher than recommended levels of ultra violet light, which could cause serious health implications. Another safety concern highlighted was use by under-age individuals.  More robust powers to Local Authorities are needed in regard to the enforcement and prosecution of operators, through a stringent licensing scheme.

The Chief Executive is therefore requested to write to the Secretary of State for Health to request the introduction of such a scheme, to include minimum levels of staffing, staff training and age policies and checks on the strength of tubes.’

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

To determine who should be invited to offer themselves for election as Mayor at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 22 May 2015 and agree that the meeting commence at 2.00pm, as it did in 2014.

Motion:  Councillor Jackson proposed (and Councillor Williams seconded):

’That Councillor Peter Callow be invited to offer himself for the election of Mayor at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 22 May 2015 and agree that the meeting commences at 2.00pm, as it did in 2014.’

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