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 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.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

The Shareholder Committee agreed that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 4 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Financial Performance as at Month 4 (2021/22), Item 5 ‘Blackpool Transport Services Limited Finance Report’, Item 6 ‘Blackpool Transport Services Limited Performance Monitoring Report’, Item 7 ‘Blackpool Transport Services Limited Recovery Plan 2021/2024’, Item 8 ‘Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas Fund’, Item 9 ‘Enhanced Partnership Progress Report’ and Item 10 ‘Asset Management’ on the grounds that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To review the powers and duties of the Committee as agreed by the Executive.

Ms Lorraine Hurst, Head of Democratic Governance advised that the Executive had recommended that the terms of reference of the Shareholder Committee be reviewed by the Committee upon its establishment. She reported that the powers and duties of the Committee had been reviewed to provide greater clarification and to take into account recent Government guidance.

The Committee discussed the proposed powers and duties in detail and noted the importance of ensuring a good understanding of the role of the Shareholder Committee by both officers at the Council and officers at the companies. It was considered important that the Committee could be reactive and flexible to upcoming issues requiring consideration and that communication between all parties was key.

Shareholder Committee decision:

Members agreed the powers and duties of the Shareholder Committee and recommend to the Executive that they be approved.

Reason for decision:

To ensure the powers and duties of the Committee were robust and fit for purpose.

Other options considered:

To amend or not approve the powers and duties.

Date of decision:

8 October 2021.

To report detailed information on the financial performance of each of the Council wholly-owned company to the Shareholder Committee in line with decision EX26/2021.

This item contains commercially sensitive information which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources provided an overview of the financial performance of the Council’s wholly owned companies as a Month 4 2021/2022. He highlighted the impact of the pandemic on each company and noted that the overall impact had been less than originally forecast.

The Committee discussed the financial information in detail and noted the report.

To advise the Shareholder Committee of the company’s financial performance as reported in its Period Five management accounts.  It reviews actual trading to 14 August 2021, a trading forecast to year-end March and the cash flow forecast to the end of March 2022. 

This item contains commercially sensitive information which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

(Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS), Mr James Carney, Finance Director, BTS and Councillor Paul Galley, Chair, BTS joined the meeting at the start of this item).

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) provided an introduction to the ongoing position of the Company and highlighted significant, ongoing pieces of work and future plans.

Mr James Carney, Finance Director, BTS presented the Finance Report to the Shareholder Committee.

The Committee discussed the financial position of the Company in detail and agreed to note the report.

To update the Shareholder Committee on the most recent set of performance data.

This item contains commercially sensitive information which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr James Carney, Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) presented the Performance Monitoring Report to the Shareholder Committee and highlighted the key data.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

To give the Shareholder Committee a progress report on Blackpool Transport Services Limited’s Recovery Plan.

This item contains commercially sensitive information which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr James Carney, Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) presented details of the BTS Recovery Plan 2021/2024 to the Shareholder Committee and highlighted the progress made to date.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

To give the Shareholder Committee an update on Blackpool Council’s application for £20m of grant funding to convert Blackpool Transport Service Limited’s diesel fleet to electric buses.

This item contains commercially sensitive information which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr James Carney, Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) presented an update report on the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas Fund to the Shareholder Committee.

The Committee discussed the fund in detail and agreed to note the report.

To give the Shareholder Committee a progress report regarding the drafting of a Blackpool Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

This item contains commercially sensitive information which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr James Carney, Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) presented a progress report on Enhanced Partnership to the Shareholder Committee in conjunction with Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Communications and Regeneration.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

To advise the Shareholder Committee of the steps being taken to ensure that robust risk management processes are being put in place for the maintenance of the Light Rail Tramway and Buildings.

This item contains commercially sensitive information which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) presented an update on Asset Management to the Shareholder Committee.

The Committee considered the update in detail and noted the concerns that required resolution.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Friday 19 November 2021, commencing at 10am.

The Committee noted the date and time of the next meeting as Friday, 19 November 2021, commencing at 10am.