Agenda and minutes

To elect the Mayor of the Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Blackburn, seconded by Councillor Cross and

Resolved:  That in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Kath Rowson be elected Mayor of the Borough of Blackpool for the municipal year 2016/2017.

The Worshipful the Mayor to make a Declaration of Acceptance of the Corporate Office of Mayor.

Councillor Rowson made a Declaration of Acceptance of the Office of Mayor according to the requirements of the law and thereupon took the Chair.

To appoint a Deputy Mayor.

It was proposed by the Mayor, Councillor Rowson, seconded by Councillor Blackburn and

Resolved:  That in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Gary Coleman be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Blackpool, for the municipal year 2016/2017.

The Deputy Mayor to make a Declaration of Acceptance of the Corporate Office of Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Gary Coleman made a Declaration of Acceptance of the Office of Deputy Mayor according to the requirements of the law.

The Worshipful the Mayor to address the meeting.

The Mayor, Councillor Rowson, addressed the meeting.

Councillors Blackburn and T Williams, followed by the Oberbürgermeister Bernd Tischler who will congratulate the new Mayor on behalf of the people of Bottrop.

Councillors Blackburn and T Williams congratulated Councillor Rowson upon her election as Mayor.  Oberbürgermeister Bernd Tischler also offered his congratulations on behalf of the people of Bottrop.  Head Boy, Jake Daniels and Head Girl, Emily Bedford from Moor Park Primary School also congratulated the Mayor.

To adopt a resolution of appreciation for the ex-Mayor (Councillor Peter Callow).

It was proposed by Councillor Clapham, seconded by Councillor Galley and

Resolved:

‘It is with great pleasure, that Blackpool Council places on record its appreciation of the duties so very ably and enthusiastically undertaken by Councillor Peter Callow, as Mayor of Blackpool.  His dedication for the town, together with his many years of service on the Council have stood him in good stead for his year as Blackpool’s civic head.

The Blackpool Mayoralty again maintained its status as a busy one this year with a variety of civic engagements. 

Peter and Maxine began the mayoral year with the Royal Garden Party in London and a visit to 12^th Regiment Royal Artillery near Portsmouth. 

Throughout the year they attended many high profile local events such as the Pride Launch, Princes Trust Awards, Duke of Edinburgh Awards as well as attending many school and institute events.

Blackpool still attracts a large number of conferences and the Mayor and Mayoress attended a variety of annual gatherings such as; National Pensioners Convention, UK Bus Driver of the Year Awards, WMCIU, Royal Pigeon Racing Association, USDAW and the World Ballroom Dancing Congress to name a few.

Many Ex-Service organisations still hold their Annual Reunions in Blackpool and Peter and Maxine attended reunions of the Canal Zoners, the Royal Artillery Association, Aden Veterans, the Royal Air Force Association and the HMS Penelope Association.  National Armed Forces Week, during June, was again a great success attracting thousands of visitors to the town and the Mayor and Mayoress attended a variety of events during the week.

This February also saw the Council Chamber and the Mayoralty hosting the Army Recruitment team and new army recruits at their Junior Oaths of Allegiance proving a proud and moving event for all involved.

Town Twinning played a significant part in this mayoral year with a visit from Oberbuergmeister Bernd Tischler and his delegation for mayor making. Blackpool Council then received a prestigious invitation for Peter, Maxine and the Leader, Simon to attend a special Bottrop Council meeting in Bottrop Town Hall in celebration of 35 years of Town Twinning between the two towns.  The Blackpool visitors were the first foreigners to partake in a Bottrop Council meeting and there was great interest shown in the Blackpool Delegation and full press coverage.

Peter took great pleasure in welcoming our new citizens to the town at the many very popular Citizenship Ceremonies that were held throughout the year. 

This year, the Mayor chose the Fylde Carers Trust as his charity to benefit from the Mayor’s Charity Appeal and he raised a large amount of charitable donations this year.

A special reference has to be made to the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, Tony and Angela, for their support and contribution to this mayoral year and to Rev Dr Simon Cox who acted as Mayor’s Chaplain and has assisted at Council Meetings and other civic events.

This resolution would not be complete without particular reference to the Mayoress, Maxine,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The ex-Mayor (Councillor Peter Callow) to reply to the resolution of appreciation.

Councillor Peter Callow replied to the resolution of appreciation.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 30 March 2016 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council held on 30 March 2016 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor announced that it was Cllr Matthews’ 70^th birthday and wished him many happy returns on behalf of the Council.

The Council will be asked to consider the appointment of its committees, in accordance with the Council's Constitution and the Local Government Act 1972.

The Council received the report on the appointment of committees for the 2016/2017 municipal year.  As part of the report, Members considered proposals for a separate Health Scrutiny Committee to focus on the statutory health scrutiny function and to reduce the workload of the Resilient Communities Scrutiny Committee.

With regard to other committees (namely the Audit Committee, Appeals Committee, Planning Committee, Standards Committee, Chief Officers Employment Committee and Licensing) it was recommended for those to be reappointed according to their current powers and duties. 

Members noted that there were no proposals to make changes in relation to the Health and Wellbeing Board, although the Board would be asked to review the future of the Children and Young People’s Partnership as a recent review had highlighted areas of duplication with other similar bodies.

A full schedule of committees was submitted to the Council based upon the political balance calculations and which contained the notified names of committee members, Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship nominees.

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

‘1.      To appoint the following Council committees, in line with the political balance calculations and adjustments at Appendix 11(a) to the Council report.  These are:

·           Audit Committee (membership of nine and with a composition of six Labour and three Conservative),

·           Appeals Committee (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative)

·           Planning Committee (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative)

·           Standards Committee (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative)

·           Chief Officers Employment Committee (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative).

2.       To appoint the following scrutiny committees, in line with the political balance calculations and adjustments at Appendix 11(a) to the Council report.  These are:

·           Tourism, Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee (membership of nine and with a composition of six Labour and three Conservative)

·           Resilient Communities Scrutiny Committee (membership of nine and with a composition of six Labour and three Conservative) with the revised responsibility for functions of this committee to be as set out in Appendix 11(b).  To also appoint two diocesan co-opted representatives and the two governor co-opted representatives.

·           Health Scrutiny Committee (membership of seven with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative) with the responsibility for functions of this committee to be as set out in Appendix 11(b)

·           All three scrutiny committees to be assigned the power to deal with any ‘call-in’ requests initiated in line with Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution.

·           That the Chairman position in all three scrutiny committees be filled by a majority group councillor and the Vice Chairman/Shadow Cabinet Member position be filled by an opposition councillor representative.

3.       To agree that the powers and duties of the Audit, Appeals, Planning, Standards and Chief Officers Employment Committees remain as set out in the Council’s Constitution.

4.       That the Licensing Committee also be re-appointed with the powers and duties as set out in the Constitution (membership of fifteen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The purpose of the report to agree the scheme of delegation or such part of it as the Constitution determines it is for the Council to agree.

The Council considered whether to make any changes to the scheme of delegation for which it had responsibility.

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

‘To agree that no changes are made to the scheme of delegation for which the Council has responsibility’.

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

The Council will be asked to consider a programme of meetings for the remainder of 2016 and the calendar year 2017.

The Council considered a programme of meetings for the municipal year 2016/2017.

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

’ To approve the calendar of meetings and the start times of meeting as set out in Appendix 13(a) to the Council report.’

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