Agenda and decisions

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.

To summarise the details of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), in line with the full bidding guidance launched on 13 April 2022 and set out of the proposed approach to developing the required investment plans.

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To note the guidelines issued by Government for the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).

2. To submit the required Blackpool SPF Investment Plan by 1 August 2022 to access the pre-determined flexible allocation of £5,114,423 (capital and revenue), noting what scheme interventions it is choosing to prioritise and setting out measurable outcomes to be delivered, with the final content of the Investment Plan to be delegated to the Chief Executive after consultation after with the relevant Cabinet Member(s).

3. To submit the required Multiply Investment Plan by 30 June 2022 to access the pre-determined Multiply funding allocation of £770,711 with the final content of this Investment Plan to be delegated to the Chief Executive after consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member(s).

4. To approve the proposed approach to utilise the Town Deal Board (which incorporates  representation from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors), with its sub-group, the Town Deal Investment Panel, as the basis of the required “Local Partnership Group” for engaging stakeholders (with the Council as the accountable body), with membership to be kept under review as necessary.

5. For the overall management of this process to be led by the Growth and Prosperity Team with support from other Departments as required and specifically for the Multiply Investment Plan to be led by Adult Services and the Economic Services Department.

6. To note that an external consultancy, Capita, is to be appointed from the existing Council framework panel, to support the development of the Investment Plan process with Government funding provided for this support.

7. For the Executive to receive a future report on the Investment Plans and progress in the implementation of the Shared Prosperity Fund.

To summarise the background behind the development of the updated Town Centre Strategy and to present the refreshed Town Centre Strategy and outline Action Plan for approval and further development.

The Executive resolved as follows:

1.      To approve the revised Town Centre Strategy and outlineAction Plan at Appendix 3a, to the Executive report, and note the role of this document in guiding the future direction of strategic development in the town centre, coordinating action and in supporting the development of future funding bids and business cases relating to activity within the town centre boundary.

2.      To refer the Town Centre Strategy and outlineAction Plan (TCSAP) to the Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

3.      To confirm that the Town Centre Strategy and outlineAction Plan (TCSAP)  will be used as the basis of having further engagement with key partners to finalise the Action Plan including the identification of owners and timelines and to agree appropriate governance arrangements for overseeing its effective implementation

4.      To agree that the Action Plan be updated annually in a process lead by the  Executive members and reported to the Executive and that the Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee be consulted each year in advance of the Executive meeting and this to start with the 2022 action plan.

5.      For an associated communications plan to be prepared to make it clear that the Town Centre Strategy and outlineAction Plan has been prepared to build on the successes of the Growth and Prosperity Programme currently delivering major change in the Town Centre.

This report presents the Greening Blackpool Supplementary Planning Document for adoption and the Greening Blackpool SPD – Consultation Statement for publication.

This item was deferred at the last meeting to enable consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change which has now taken place.

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To approve and formally adopt the Greening Blackpool Supplementary Planning Document at Appendix 4a to the Executive report.

2. To approve and agree for publication the supporting Greening Blackpool Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Statement at Appendix 4b to the Executive report.

3. To authorise the Head of Planning Strategy to make any appropriate minor amendments to improve the presentation and finalise a published version of the Greening Blackpool Supplementary Planning Document (at Appendix 4a to the Executive report).

To obtain approval for the commissioning of ‘tenant fit-out’ works associated with the delivery of the new multi-storey car park at Blackpool Central. The multi-storey car park is being delivered by Nikal Ltd, the Developers of the Blackpool Central scheme and subsequently being occupied and operated by the Council, under the terms of a long-term occupational lease.

The Executive resolved as follows:

1.      To agree that Appendix 5a to the Executive report, the Financial Considerations is not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as it includes detailed costings that enable the scheme to be viable. The publication of such information could prejudice continuing and future negotiations.

2.      To approve the commissioning of the schedule of tenant fit-out works associated with the new multi-storey car park at Blackpool Central.

3.      To agree to fund the works up to the value outlined within Appendix 5a to the Executive report (confidential).

4.      To delegate authority to the Head of Legal Services to enter into the proposed building contracts and any other proposed legal agreements relating to the scheme.