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 3 ‘Minutes of the last meeting held on 23 September 2022’ (restricted minutes only), Item 4 ‘Shareholder Committee Action Tracker’, Item 5 ‘Shareholder Committee Update’, Item 6 ‘Wholly-Owned Council Performance as at Month 5 2022/23’, Item 7 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Managing Director’s Report’, Item 8 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited: Financial Report and Key Performance Indicators’, Item 9 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited: Financial Forecast Report’, Item 10 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Commercial Director’, Item 11’Winter Gardens Daily Opening Schedule’ and Item 12 ‘Event Management Agreement 2023/24 between BECL and the Council’ 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 agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 23 September 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 23 September 2022, noting that there was a public and restricted version.

The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting as a true and correct record subject to an amendment in Minute 5 ‘Shareholder Committee’ in the restricted set of minutes.

To consider the updates in the Committee’s action tracker.

(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).

The Committee considered its action tracker and agreed to note the updates, consolidating actions where appropriate.

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 defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Communications and Regeneration and Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources were invited to provide an update on the Council Wholly-Owned Companies on behalf of the Shareholder.

The Committee noted the update.

To report detailed information on the financial performance of each of the Council wholly-owned companies 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 at Month 5 2022/2023.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To provide a general update to the Committee and report on any matters arising during the period since the last meeting and also to update the Board on the 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 defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Peter Evans, Deputy Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL), Mr Andy Morgan, Finance Director, BECL and Councillor Amy Cross, Chair, BECL Board joined the meeting from this item.

Mr Peter Evans, Deputy Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) presented the Managing Director’s Report.

The Committee noted the update.

To update the Shareholder with the latest trading figures and cash flow for Financial Year to date 2022/23. The report also includes latest 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 Andy Morgan, Finance Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) presented the Financial Report and Key Performance Indicators.

The Committee noted the update.

To update the Committee with the latest forecast for the Financial Year 2022/23.

(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 Andy Morgan, Finance Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) presented the Financial Forecast Report.

The Committee noted the update.

For the Committee to consider the recommendation from the BECL Board to terminate the recruitment process for a Commercial Director. Given that Directors are a joint appointment between the Shareholder and the BECL Board, we are seeking the agreement of the Shareholder Committee.

(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 Peter Evans, Deputy Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) presented the report to allow the Committee to consider the request from the BECL Board for the shareholder’s view regarding terminating the recruitment process for a Commercial Director and to instead focus recruitment on a Head of Conference Sales.

The Committee agreed with the decision of the Company to terminate the search for a Commercial Director and to instead recruit a Head of Conference Sales to focus on generating new opportunities and specifically Conferences and Exhibitions for the new Centre.

For the Committee to consider running costs associated with the daily opening of the Winter Gardens Venue and if appropriate to consider adopting the recommendations as detailed in the report.

(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 Peter Evans, Deputy Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) presented the report to allow the Committee to consider the proposal that the Winter Gardens be closed on certain days over the winter period based on the calendar and schedule of events.

The Committee explored the proposal in detail querying how the closure days would be identified, the total cost savings on offer from closing and when it was currently closed. Following consideration of the details, Members were strongly of the opinion that the Winter Gardens should remain open every day for members of the public unless an event did not allow it to be so. A number of reasons for this were highlighted including ensuring people knew when to expect the building would be open rather than having ad hoc closures, ensuring it was maintained as a community asset for those that wanted or needed to use its facilities and overall that being closed sent the wrong message that Blackpool was closed.

The Committee did therefore not support the BECL proposal to close the Winter Gardens on days when the venue did not have any bookings over the winter period and instead requested that the Company keep the building open.

To consider whether the Council should enter into a one year agreement with Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited to manage the dance festivals promoted by the Council from the 1 April 2023.

(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 presented the report to enable the Committee to consider whether the Council should enter into a one year agreement with Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited to manage the dance festivals promoted by the Council from the 1 April 2023. He noted that the current three year agreement was coming to a close and that should the extension be agreed a full review to enter into a more long term agreement would be undertaken next year.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To approve that a one year Event Management Agreement be drawn up between BECL and the Council for the dance festivals from 1 April 2023 on the same terms and conditions as the current agreement.

Reason for the decision:

To enable the Council and BECL to agree a new agreement for signature before the 31 March 2023.

There were no plans to offer any new cultural events in 2023/24, other than the already established dance festivals. A one year agreement would allow the Council and BECL time to consider new events from 1 April 2024 which might be within scope of the cultural exemption and could be included in a future agreement.

Other options considered:

The Council could pursue an agreement with other parties to manage the Cultural events on our behalf. However BECL as site operator was uniquely placed to provide this service to the Council given its expertise in delivering these events over many years.

Date of decision:

14 October 2022.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as 25 November 2022, commencing at 11am.

The Committee noted the date and time of the next meeting as Friday 25 November 2022, commencing at 10am.