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.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 21 January 2022 as a true and correct record.

(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 Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on the 21 January 2022 noting that there was a public and restricted version of this set of minutes.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 22 January 2022 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee considered excluding the public and press from a number of items on the agenda that that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act. The Committee carefully considered the public interest and concluded that the public interest would be best served by excluding the public and press due to the potential impact on the Council’s wholly owned companies and third parties.

Resolved:

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following agenda items Item 2 Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2022; Item 3 Shareholder Update; Item 4 Blackpool Waste Services Limited Financial Performance and Forecast Outturn; Item 8 Blackpool Transport Services Limited Financial Report Accounting Period Ten; Item 9 Blackpool Transport Limited Key Performance Indicators; Item 10 Blackpool Transport Services Limited Budget 2022/2023 and Recovery Plan; Item 11 Blackpool Transport Services Limited Zebra Update and East Garage Development, and Item 12 Blackpool Transport Service Limited Tramway Governance Committee 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 receive a verbal update on the Council’s wholly-owned companies provided by the Shareholder representatives.

(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 the item contained information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Shareholder Committee received an update on issues from the representatives of the Shareholder present on pending issues relating to the Council’s wholly owned companies.

The details of the discussion included information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To provide an update on the financial performance and forecast year end outturn of Blackpool Waste Services Limited (BWS) following the Phase 2 transfer in September 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).

Mr John Hawkin, Managing Director, Blackpool Waste Services Limited (BWS),

Mr Paul Whitehead, Director of Finance and Business Development, BWS and

Councillor Adrian Hutton, Chair, BWS joined the meeting at this point.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as the item contained information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Paul Whitehead, Director of Finance and Business Development, Blackpool Waste Services Limited, presented the report on Financial Performance and Forecast Committee to the Shareholder Committee and highlighted the key issues for discussion.

The details of the discussion included information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

To provide an update on the development and reporting of Key Performance Indicators relating to Blackpool Waste Services Ltd (BWS) following the Phase 2 transfer in September 2021.

The Shareholder Committee received an update on Key Performance Indicators for Blackpool Waste Services Limited from Mr John Hawkin, Managing Director, Blackpool Waste Services Limited.

Mr Hawkin highlighted the suite of Key Performance Indicators attached to the agenda and outlining that of the 23 Key Performance Indicators- 13 were rated green for met or exceeded, 7 amber within 10% of the target and only 1 rated red. The only red rated key performance indicator had been customer compliments where the relative decline in ranking was felt to be due to less interaction between waste operatives and residents as people reduced levels working from home. Mr Hawkin explained that as outlined in Agenda Item 6- February 2022 would mark a relaunch of a residents’ survey to ensure a range of views were captured.

While the levels of recycling and waste tonnage were comparable with neighbouring and comparable authorities, Mr Hawkin emphasised that targeted work through Waste Minimisation Officers would continue to be undertaken to boost rates particularly in the inner wards where traditionally rates had been lower. Mr Hawkin explained that there was no single solution that worked to boost such rates and the best way forward was to work with communities using a range of options often on a street by street basis.

In response to a questions from the Chair, Mr Hawkin and Mr Blackledge acknowledged the issue of the absence of linkages between Blackpool Waste Services Limited and Lancashire Renewables Limited. It was considered that better communication once developed might work to further promote recycling.

Resolved:

To provide an update on the strategic development work of Blackpool Waste Services Limited (BWS).

The Shareholder Committee received an update on the strategic development work of Blackpool Waste Services Limited from Mr John Hawkin, Managing Director.

Mr Hawkin highlighted the work undertaken to address strategic development in a number of key areas.

Mr Hawkin highlighted the work already undertaken in the NEAT Team Inner Ward project. He reminded the Committee that these wards represented around 54% of demand and in these wards there were repeated and persistent concerns that impacted on the quality of life of residents. The three staff now working were combining engagement, collection and enforcement activities. Performance monitoring was underway and would be reported to the Shareholder Committee on a quarterly basis.

Mr Hawkin highlighted the work of the Kickstart project and the company’s commitments to Care Leavers through the Care Leavers Covenant. Blackpool Waste Services Limited had given job placement opportunities to 16 young people on Universal Credit aged 16-24 who were at risk of long term unemployment. The company would create 4 roles to employ Care Leavers who would be supported into work and provided with formal training and qualifications, via national traineeship programme funding. Mr Hawkin highlighted the work being undertaken with the Blackpool Council Adult Learning team- with those in both groups and other staff accessing training at Layton Depot. It was explained that a lack of GCSE pass in Maths and English qualifications and ICT skills could be a barrier to those roles and other ones so the company sought to allow staff to gain such skills. It was further anticipated that the company would also provide driving skills and other skills it required. Mr Hawkin commented on the competitive nature of the job market and the need to ensure the company had the capacity to train and develop its own staff.

In response to questions Mr Hawkin explained that the company was not involved in Project Search currently but this could be revisited in the future. Mr Hawkin explained that the relatively low entry requirements for roles within the company meant that such roles could often be good next steps after Project Search and he would continue to investigate ways to work together.

Further to Minute No 6, Mr Hawkin explained that the company had commissioned Infusion to undertake a residents’ survey in February and March 2022. The survey would exactly replicate the format used in 2019 to allow meaningful comparisons to views of residents on waste and recycling.

Resolved:

To note the contribution to strategic objectives from Blackpool Waste Services Ltd (BWS).

To provide an update on the Phase 2 Transition of additional services to Blackpool Waste Services Limited (BWS).

The Shareholder Committee received an update on the phase 2 transition of additional services to Blackpool Waste Services Limited.

Mr Hawkin, Managing Director, explained that over 160 staff had now been transferred in areas including Street Cleansing, Household Waste Recycling Centre, Trade Waste and Building Cleansing along with ancillary support. Mr Hawkin emphasised that the staff transfer had gone smoothly with no grievances or discipline issues. The integration between teams allowed improved efficiencies and flexibility to respond quickly to the issues that were important to the public.

The Committee expressed its appreciation on the smooth transfer of services and acknowledged that it appeared to have worked well.

Resolved:

To note the transfer of additional services to Blackpool Waste Services Limited (BWS).

Mr John Hawkin, Managing Director, Blackpool Waste Services Limited (BWS),

Mr Paul Whitehead, Director of Finance and Business Development, BWS and

Councillor Adrian Hutton, Chair, BWS left the meeting at this point.

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

(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).

Mr James Carney, Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS),

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, BTS and Councillor Paul Galley, Chair, BTS joined the meeting at this point.

(The press and public were excluded prior to the consideration of this item as the item contained information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Shareholder Committee received an update on the company’s financial performance from Mr James Carney, Financial and Commercial Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited.

The details of the discussion included information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

To note this 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 the item contained information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr James Carney, Financial and Commercial Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited presented the report on performance against the identified key performance indicators.

The details of the discussion included information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

To note the key performance indicator data

To advise the Shareholder Committee of the company’s progress with its Covid Business 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 the item contained information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Shareholder Committee received an update on the company’s progress with its Covid Business Recovery Plan.

The details of the discussion included information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

To receive the report.

To advise the Shareholder Committee of the progress made applying for grant funding to purchase a fleet of electric buses and redevelop the Rigby Road Depot.

(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 the item contained information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Shareholder Committee received an update on applying for Zebra (Zero Emission Bus Regional Awards) grant funding for a fleet of electric buses and for the redevelopment of the east part of Rigby Road garage to accommodate electric vehicles.

The details of the discussion included information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

To note the report.

To advise the Shareholder Committee of the progress made by this joint Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport committee to coordinate key matters that affect the tramway.

(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 the item contained information not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Shareholder Committee received an update on the joint Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Governance Committee to coordinate key matters that affect the tramway.

The Shareholder Committee stressed the importance of having and adhering to a Service Level Agreement and the need to create a five year plan of planned maintenance. It suggested that confirmation should be brought back to a future meeting.

Mr James Carney, Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS),

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, BTS and Councillor Paul Galley, Chair, BTS left the meeting at this point.

To consider whether to purchase the Bombardier Overspeed and Collision Avoidance system for the Bombardier trams operating on Blackpool’s tramway.

The Shareholder Committee considered a report on whether to purchase the Bombardier Overspeed and Collision Avoidance system for the Bombardier trams operating on Blackpool’s tramway.

The system had been developed by Bombardier who were also the original tram supplier. It met the requirements of the RAIB recommendation 3 of the Croydon report in terms of overspeed management which was a risk also identified by the Tramway Governance Committee.

The system would cost £816,00 in total and £163,00 would need to be paid within the current financial year, which could be found from within the existing tramway scheme with two 30% payments in 2023/24 (£490,000 in total) and the final payment in 2024/25 which would be £163,000.

The Shareholder Committee accepted the proposal and remarked that using the same supplier as the tram meant that the system would be fit for purpose and avoid any issues.

Shareholder Committee Decision:

To approve that the Bombardier Overspeed and Collision Avoidance system is provided on the Bombardier trams, which meets the Rail Accident Investigation Board (RAIB) Recommendation 3 of the Croydon report and future proofs the operation as the collision avoidance is included. 

Reason for Decision:

To comply with the RAIB recommendation 3 of the Croyden report in terms of overspeed management and also future proof the operation with the inclusion of the collision avoidance system.

Date of Decision:

11 February 2022

Alternative Options:

The Shareholder Committee noted that there were other options, however the report highlighted the importance of using the system Bombardier had developed for the Bombardier Flexity trams which they had also built.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Friday 25 February 2022, commencing at 10am.

The Committee noted the date of the next meeting as Friday 25 February 2022.