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.

Councillor Stansfield declared a personal interest in agenda item 6(f) ‘Executive Report from the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care’.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 27 February 2015 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council held on 27 February 2014 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor announced that Colin Dockery, Civic Attendant, would be leaving the authority after 41 years in local government and on behalf of the Council, thanked Colin for his dedication and professionalism in his work.

The Mayor also sought agreement from the Council to take item 5 on the agenda ‘Public Participation, as the next item of business.

To receive a representation  from a representative from Blackpool Youth Voice, in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 and a response from Councillor Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

Mr Jake Adams, Miss Kirsty Lee-Topping and Miss Molly Swarbrick addressed the Council to raise awareness of the work of Blackpool Youth Voice and its campaigns and achievements.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Ivan Taylor, responded on behalf of the Council.

The three Political Party Leaders or nominees, will be asked to pay tribute to Members who will be retiring at this year's election.

The Council paid tribute to those members who had announced that they would not be seeking re-election, namely Councillors Mrs Delves, Doherty, Evans, Mrs Haynes, H Mitchell and Mrs Taylor and remembered those who had sadly passed away during the current term of office.

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

k) Combined Fire Authority Representatives - Councillors Jackson, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Delves.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members presented reports to the Council on work undertaken in their portfolio areas.  All the reports covered decisions taken, work in progress and projects to be undertaken in the near future.  Members also received the report from the Council’s representatives on the Combined Fire Authority.  Questions, comments and debate were invited from all councillors on each of the report areas.

Notes:

(1)          In response to the query raised by Councillor Mrs Callow in relation to income generation through the sale of items collected by ROVER and donated to the recycling shop, Councillor Cross agreed to confirm the amount that would be donated to the Mayor’s charity.  Councillor Cross also agreed to provide a response to Councillor Brown on whether the ROVER collection service had or would be made within the Greenlands ward.

(2)          Councillor H Mitchell left the meeting during the above item.

To consider the Executive’s recommendation that the Council signs up to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.

Members considered the recommendations from the Executive in relation to the Declaration on Tobacco Control which would act as a Council statement of commitment to ensuring that tobacco control was part of mainstream public health work and which committed the Council to taking comprehensive action to address the harm from smoking. 

Motion:  Councillor Collett proposed (and Councillor Blackburn seconded):

‘1.      To endorse the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.

2.       To sign up to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.’

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

To consider recommendations from the Chief Officers Employment Committee regarding the Council’s Pay Policy Statement and the scale of fees for elections.

The Council considered the report on the proposed Pay Policy Statement which was required to be in place for the 2015/16 financial year.  The Statement set out policy on Chief Officer Remuneration, remuneration of its lowest paid employees including the definition used for this group as well as the relationship between the chief office remuneration and that of other staff.

Members noted that the draft Statement incorporated the fee paid to the Chief Executive in his personal role as Returning Officer and a revised set of fees for staff employed by him.

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

‘To approve the Pay Policy Statement and the scale of fees for elections, as recommended by the Chief Officers Employment Committee.’

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