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 22 May 2015 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council held on 22 May 2015 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor paid tribute to the work of Councillor Ryan, Armed Forces Champion, Council staff and Tony Jo in making the Armed Forces week a success.

To receive a representation from Mr Neil Smyth a representative of UNISON regarding the cessation of Supported Living in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 and a response from Councillor Eddie Collett, Cabinet Member for Reducing Inequalities and Adult Safeguarding.

Mr Neil Smyth, UNISON representative, addressed the Council on the cessation of the Supported Living service.  The Cabinet Member for Reducing Inequalities and Adult Safeguarding, Councillor Eddie Collett, responded on behalf of the Council.

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)      Deputy Leader of the Council (Tourism, Economic Growth and Jobs) - Councillor Campbell

c)      Cabinet Member for Housing, Procurement and Income Generation - Councillor Mrs Wright

d)      Cabinet Member for Municipal Assets - Councillor Jackson

e)      Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Development – Councillor Mark Smith

f)       Cabinet Secretary (Resilient Communities ) - Councillor Cain   

g)      Cabinet Member for Reducing Health Inequalities and Adult Safeguarding - Councillor Collett

h)      Cabinet Member School Improvement and Children’s Safeguarding - Councillor Jones

i)        Cabinet Member for Third Sector Engagement and Development – Councillor Kirkland

j)        Cabinet Member without Portfolio – Councillor I Taylor

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

Notes:

1.             Councillor Campbell agreed to provide a response to Councillor Mrs Callow on progress in relation to Norbreck North tram stop.

2.             In response to the question raised by Councillor Mrs Callow, Councillor Mrs Wright agreed to provide a written response on how many households used the wheeled bin management facility and how regularly the recipients of the service were reviewed to ensure that their need existed.

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 22 June 2015 relating to the Council Plan 2015/ 2020.

The Council considered the recommendation from the Executive from its meeting on 22 June 2015 in relation to the timeline for the development of the Council Plan 2015-2020. 

Members noted that early proposals were for the Plan to be based on two key priorities:  ‘The Economy:  Maximising growth and opportunity across Blackpool’ and ‘Communities:  Creating stronger communities and increasing resilience’. 

The proposed development process was outlined which included staff and public consultation as well as consultation with key partnerships and stakeholders, with the intention for the plan to be considered at the Council meeting in September 2015. 

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

‘To agree the proposed timeline for the production of the Council Plan 2015/2020.’

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

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 22 June 2015 relating to the Statement of Licensing Policy.

Members considered the recommendation from the Executive on the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy that set out how the Council intended to exercise its functions under the Licensing Act 2003. 

The Council noted that consultation on the draft Policy had taken place between December 2014 and March 2015 and comments had been considered by the Licensing Committee before recommendation of approval to the Executive.

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

‘To approve the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy as submitted to the Licensing Committee and the Executive.’

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

To consider the recommendation of the Executive from its meeting on 22 June 2015 relating to the role of the Area Forums along with other forms of community engagement.

The Council considered the decision from the Executive in relation to forms of community engagement and specifically the recommendation in relation to Area Forums.  In doing so, members recognised that the effectiveness of Area Forums as a community engagement tool was limited and that other forms of engagement had been piloted and had proved to be highly effective.   Discussion took place on alternative options for engaging residents on shaping services and Council priorities.

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

‘To agree the discontinuation of the Area Forms from 1 September 2015.’

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

To consider the recommendation of the Standards Committee from its meeting on 23 June 2015 relating to the revised Code of Conduct for Members.

Members considered the recommendation from the Standards Committee in relation to a revised Code of Conduct for Members following a review of the Code with representatives from the Standards Committees from both Blackpool Council and Fylde Borough Council, along with the independent persons.

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

‘To approve the revised Code of Conduct for Members.’

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

To consider the necessary changes to the Council’s Constitution in light of regulations recently published concerning disciplinary action against Chief Officers.

Members received a report on legislative changes in relation to instances where a statutory Chief Officer was subject to disciplinary procedures and noted that the Council was required to invite its independent persons to form a Panel that would make recommendations to the Council in such cases.  Consultation had taken place with the independent members who had agreed to fulfil this role.

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

‘1.      To authorise the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to amend the Chief Officer Employment Rules to reflect the changes, as described within the Council report, relating to the new Regulations.

2.         To agree to appoint a Disciplinary Panel to comprise of the three Independent Persons who have been appointed under the Members’ Code of Conduct framework (Section 28 (7) of the Localism Act 2011), as set out in paragraph 5.4 of the Council report.’

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

To consider proposed changes to the Council’s Procedural Standing Orders on Executive, Audit Committee and Combined Fire Authority reports to Council.

Proposals were considered by the Council to amend the Procedural Standing Orders in light of the recent restructure of the Executive and Cabinet Members’ areas.  The proposals were that Executive reporting at Council would comprise three reports at a senior level on corporate, strategic and policy matters with Executive members being held to account on the targets and performance within their areas of responsibility at scrutiny committee meetings.

Members noted that the proposals also included provision for the Chairman of the Audit Committee to report to Council on an annual basis in line with the agreed powers and duties of that Committee.

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

‘1.      To adopt a revised a procedural standing order for Council meetings to replace Council Procedural Standing Order 10 as attached at Appendix 11(a) to the Council report, subject to the deletion of the words ‘ward specific’ at paragraph 10.4 of the Appendix.

2.       To reaffirm the processes for holding the Executive to account through the challenge of corporate, policy and strategic matters at Council and the performance of Executive and Cabinet Member areas of responsibility through the scrutiny process.’

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

To consider the principle of political groups appointing political assistants within the framework of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and if agreed, to outline the arrangements for appointment of political assistants should any group decide to appoint one.

The Council considered the principle of the appointment of political assistants within the framework of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.  In doing so, members noted that agreement of the principle would not commit the Groups to make an appointment, but would establish the framework within which such appointments could be made.

Members were aware that such posts were subject to specific conditions, including remuneration and that political assistants worked directly for the political groups rather than as mainstream officers within the officer structure of the Council.

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

‘1.      To approve the principle of appointing political assistants within the framework of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

2.       To agree that one post be allocated each to the Labour and Conservative Groups and the procedure at paragraph 5.6 of the Council report be followed, should a group wish to make an appointment.’

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

For the motion:  Councillors Benson, Blackburn, Cain, Campbell, D Coleman, I Coleman, Collett, Critchley, Elmes, Humphreys, Hunter, Hutton, Jackson, Jones,  Kirkland, Matthews, M Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Ryan, Singleton, Smith, I Taylor, L Taylor, L Williams, Mrs Wright - total 26.

Against the motion:  Councillors Brown, Mrs Callow, Clapham, Galley, Mrs Henderson, Maycock, Roberts, Robertson, Scott, Stansfield, T Williams -  total 11.

Abstentions:  Councillor Callow - total 1.

Motion carried:  The motion was therefore 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 form the Independent Remuneration Panel that had met to undertake a full review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme. 

Members also considered the proposals to recruit two additional panel members following the sad death of Mr Morris and the wish to add another person to the Panel to assist with its work.

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

‘1.      To agree the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, as set out at Appendix 13(a) of the Council report.

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

3.       That the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services be authorised to advertise for two additional members of the Independent Remuneration Panel following the vacancy indicated at paragraph 5.3 to the Council report and to liaise with the two Group Leaders in undertaking this recruitment and then to make recommendations to Council , the criteria for appointment being the same as previously applied.’

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