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 12 October 2023’ (restricted minutes only) and Item 4 ‘Shareholder Update’, Item 5 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Financial Performance as at Month 6 2023/24’, Item 6 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Tender for Statutory Financial Audit Services Including Production of Full Statutory Accounts and Filing with Companies House’, Item 7 ‘Houndshill Shopping Centre’, Item 8 ‘Blackpool Transport Services ZEBRA and Depot Update’ and Item 9 ‘Blackpool Airport Operations 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 12 October 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 12 October 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).

Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resourcesprovided an update on the financial performance of the Wholly-Owned Companies as at Month 6.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To update the Shareholder Committee on the recent tender exercise to appoint a provider to deliver Statutory Financial Audit Services including the Production of Full Statutory Accounts and Filing with Companies House to the Council’s wholly-owned companies.

(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 Resourcesupdated the Shareholder Committee on the recent tender exercise to appoint a provider to deliver Statutory Financial Audit Services including the Production of Full Statutory Accounts and Filing with Companies House to the Council’s wholly-owned companies.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To update the Shareholder Committee on the latest position with regard to the performance of the Houndshill Shopping Centre which is managed for the Council by Ellandi.

(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 Nick Gerrard, Growth and Prosperity Programme Director, Mr Tim Cornford, Head of Asset Management, Ellandi and Mr Robin Didier, Asset Manager, Ellandi joined the meeting from this item.)

Mr Nick Gerrard, Growth and Prosperity Programme Director introduced the report to the Committee. Mr Tim Cornford, Head of Asset Management and Mr Robin Didier, Asset Manager, both Ellandi, gave a comprehensive presentation on the Houndshill Shopping Centre, current performance and future aspirations.

The Committee noted the presentation.

(Mr Nick Gerrard, Growth and Prosperity Programme Director, Mr Tim Cornford, Head of Asset Management, Ellandi and Mr Robin Didier, Asset Manager, Ellandi left the meeting following conclusion of this item).

To advise the Committee on the Zero Emissions Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) project impact on future profit and loss. For the Shareholder to endorse the continuation of the 90 electric bus projects with a reduction in chargers and changes to site layout.

(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).

(Mrs Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services, Mr James Clough, Commercial and Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited and Councillor John Boughton, Chair, Blackpool Transport Services Limited Board joined meeting from this item).

Mrs Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) provided an update to the Committee on the ZEBRA project and proposed depot development and repair.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To endorse retaining the Fitting Shop and Paint Shop, the retention of South Garage and not to repair the Tramshed roof at this time. To also remove the prescriptiveness of reducing to 42 chargers and instead explore feasible options to move all charging externally. To consider the results from the bus and infrastructure tender in due course with a definitive cost of the project alongside how that impacts the financial health of the Company, expected to be late January 2024.

Reason for decision:

The changes to infrastructure and building demolition / renovation reduces the capital requirements of the project which improves the profitability of the ZEBRA project. The aim was to ensure that BTS was in a better financial position than retaining diesel vehicles.

Various options are being explored with industry leaders and suppliers to work out the best value for money in terms of operational cost and business continuity.

Other options considered:

The alternative was to not continue with the electric vehicles as the project was at a stage in which it could be terminated without incurring significant abandonment costs. The Shareholder would have another opportunity to review the electric bus project before abandonment was unfeasible financially.

Date of decision:

9 November 2023.

(Mrs Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services, Mr James Clough, Commercial and Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited and Councillor John Boughton, Chair, Blackpool Transport Services Limited Board left the meeting following conclusion of this item).

To consider the annual report and annual audit report of Blackpool Airport Operations 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 Steve Peters, Managing Director, Blackpool Airport Operations Limited (BAOL), Councillor Gillian Campbell, Chair, BAOL and Mr Matt Williams, Chair, BAOL Audit Committee joined the meeting from this item).

Mr Steve Peters, Managing Director, Blackpool Airport Operations Limited (BAOL), Mr Matt Williams, Chair, BAOL Audit Committee and Councillor Gillian Campbell, Chair, BAOL Board presented the Annual Report and Audit Report to the Committee.

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

(Mr Steve Peters, Managing Director, Blackpool Airport Operations Limited (BAOL), Councillor Gillian Campbell, Chair, BAOL and Mr Matt Williams, Chair, BAOL Audit Committee left the meeting following conclusion of this item).

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 14 December 2023, commencing at 3.30pm.

The Committee noted the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 14 December 2023, commencing at 3.30pm.