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 21 September 2023’ (restricted minutes only) and Item 4 ‘Shareholder Committee Action Tracker’, Item 5  ‘Shareholder Update’, Item 6 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Financial Performance as at Month 5 2023/24’, Item 7 ‘Event Management Agreement 2024-25 Between BECL and the Council’, Item 8 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Annual Report and Audit Report’, Item 9 ‘Blackpool Housing Company Limited Annual Report and Audit Report’ and Item 10 ‘Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited Annual Report and Audit Report’ 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 21 September 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 21 September 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 consider the action tracker of the Committee seeking updates on the implementation of actions as appropriate.

(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 considered its action tracker and noted the updates provided.

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 and Mr Antony Lockley, Director of Strategy and Assistant Chief Executive 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).

Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resourcesprovided an update on the financial performance of the Wholly-Owned Companies as at Month 5.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To agree that the Council enter into a one year agreement with Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited to manage the dance festivals promoted by the Council from the 1 April 2024.

(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), Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, BECL Board and Mr Neil Kimberley, Chair, BECL Audit Committee joined the meeting from this item).

Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resourcespresented the report to the Committee noting that it was an annual update to an ongoing agreement.

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 2024. The terms and conditions are the same as the current agreement with the exception of clause 6.3.15 which has been added requiring BECL to provide additional management information.

Reason for decision:

To enable the Council and BECL to agree a new agreement for signature before the 31 March 2024.

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 is uniquely placed to provide this service to the Council given its expertise in delivering these events over many years.

Date of decision:

12 October 2023.

To consider the annual report and annual audit report of Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited.

(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 presented the Annual Report and Audit Report to the Committee, detailing each section within the report.

The Committee agreed to note the annual report and audit report.

(Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL), Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, BECL, Mr Neil Kimberley, Chair, BECL Audit Committee and Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Regeneration and Communication left the meeting following conclusion of this item).

To consider the annual report and annual audit report of Blackpool Housing Company Limited.

(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 Lee Burrell, Director of Development, Blackpool Housing Company Limited (BHC), Ms Lisa Murphy, Interim Director of Finance and Resources, BHC, Mr Andrei Szatkowski, Chair, BHC Audit Committee (via Teams link) joined the meeting from this item).

Mr Lee Burrell, Director of Development, Blackpool Housing Company Limited (BHC) and Ms Lisa Murphy, Director of Finance and Resources, BHC presented the Annual Report to the Committee, detailing each section within the report. Mr Andrei Szatkowski, Chair, BHC Audit Committee (via Teams link) presented the Annual Audit Report.

The Committee agreed to note the annual report and audit report.

(Mr Lee Burrell, Director of Development, Blackpool Housing Company Limited (BHC) and Ms Lisa Murphy, Director of Finance and Resources, BHC left the meeting following conclusion of this item).

To consider the annual report and annual audit report of Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited.

(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 John Donnellon, Chief Executive, Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited joined the meeting from this item).

Mr John Donnellon, Chief Executive, Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited (BCH) presented the Annual Report to the Committee, detailing each section within the report. Mr Andrei, (via Teams link) presented the Annual Audit Report.

The Committee agreed to note the annual report and audit report.

(Mr John Donnellon, Chief Executive, Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited (BCH) and Mr Andrei Szatkowski, Chair, BCH Audit Committee (via Teams link) left the meeting following conclusion of this item).

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 9 November 2023, commencing at 2.00pm.

The Committee noted the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 9 November 2023, commencing at 2.00pm.