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 20 January 2023’ (restricted minutes only), Item 4 ‘Shareholder Update’, Item 5 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Financial Performance as at Month 2 2023/24’, Item 6 ‘Blackpool Transport Services Limited Financial Performance and Sustainability’, Item 7 ‘Blackpool Transport Services Limited ZEBRA Update’, Item 8 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Managing Director’s Report’, Item 9 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Financial Report’, Item 10 ‘Blackpool Operating Company Limited Update’ and Item 11 ‘Merlin Entertainments Blackpool Update’ 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 10 March 2023 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 press and public were excluded from the consideration of the restricted minute part of this item as defined in 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 10 March 2023, noting that there was a public and restricted version.

The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting as a true and correct record.

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 from 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 provided an update on the Council’s Wholly-Owned Companies on behalf of the Shareholder.

The Committee noted the update provided.

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 from the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Ms Kirsten Whyatt, Finance Manager, Subsidiary and Partnership Finance provided an update on the financial performance of the Wholly-Owned Companies as at Month 2.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To update the Shareholder on 2023/24 budget year financial performance and expected outturn. To advise the Shareholder on actions being taken in the 2023/24 budget year to improve financial performance.

(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 from 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), James Clough, Finance Manager, BTS and Councillor John Boughton, Chair, BTS provided an update on the financial performance at sustainability of the Company.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To advise the Shareholder on the Zero Emissions Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) project impact on future profit and loss and advise the Shareholder on ZEBRA project progress and updated timelines.

(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 from 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), James Clough, Finance Manager, BTS and Councillor John Boughton, Chair, BTS provided an update on the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) Scheme and highlighted the proposal to procure 90 vehicles with the option to increase this if required.

Shareholder Committee decision:

The Shareholder endorses the proposal to procure 90 vehicles alongside the facility to charge 90 vehicles in the first phase. Infrastructure will be designed to allow charging of up-to 115 vehicles if required to scale-up within the current round of ZEBRA funding.

Reason for decision:

The decision to procure 90 vehicles with the option to purchase additional vehicles once it had been determined how many were required based on patronage would allow flexibility in the scheme.

Other options considered:

The Committee could have not endorsed the proposal, however, it was considered to be the most appropriate option.

Date of decision:

13 July 2023.

To update the Committee on matters arising at the Company since the last meeting.

(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 from the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) and Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, BECL provided an update on the work of the Company.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To update the Committee with the latest trading figures and cash flow for the Financial Year 2023/24.

(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 from the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL), Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, BECL and Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, BECL provided an update on the work of the Company.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To update the Shareholder Committee on the work of Blackpool Operating Company Limited including financial performance.

(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 from the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Ms Kate Shane, Regional Director – Merlin Entertainments Blackpool, Mr Kenny Mew, Operations Director, Merlin and Councillor Mark Smith, Chair, Blackpool Operating Company Limited (BOCL) provided an update on the work of the Company.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To update the Shareholder Committee on the work of Merlin Entertainments Blackpool.

(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 from the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Committee agreed to defer the item to a future meeting.

To consider the Shareholder Committee workplan.

The Committee agreed the proposed workplan for 2023/2024.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 21 September, commencing at 2.00pm.

The Committee noted the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 21 September 2023, commencing at 2.00pm.