Agenda and draft 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 22 February 2024’ (restricted minutes only), Item 4 ‘Shareholder Update’, Item 5 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Financial Performance as at Month 10 2023/24’, Item 6 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Business Plan and Budget 2024/25’, Item 7 ‘Blackpool Housing Company Limited KPI and Financial Performance at Period 9 (2023/24), Item 8 ‘Blackpool Housing Company Limited Business Plan and Budget 2024/25) and Item 9 ‘Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited 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 22 February 2024 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 22 February 2024, 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 Wholly-Owned Companies from 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).

Ms Vikki Piper, Head of Housing and Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Communications and Regeneration provided an update on the 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. To obtain authority for the Director of Resources to provide a letter of comfort to relevant Council companies and their External Auditor.

(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).

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 10. He advised that he sought authority to provide a letter of comfort to relevant Council companies and their External Auditor.

Shareholder Committee decision:

That the Director of Resources be authorised to provide a letter of comfort to all Council owned companies and their External Auditor to state that Blackpool Council will provide continuing financial support as required in line with the company’s requirements to meet its financial obligations as and when they fall including any intercompany loan facilities thereby enabling the companies to continue to operate on a going concern basis.

Reason for decision:

To ensure financial performance of the Council’s wholly-owned companies is kept under timely review by members.

Other options considered:

The Shareholder Committee could determine not to authorise the Director of Resources to provide a letter of comfort, however, considered this would not be an appropriate action to take at this time.

Date of decision:

26 March 2024.

To present the Company’s 2024/25 Business Plan and Budget to 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 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, Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited and Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited joined the meeting for this item.

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited presented the Company’s refreshed Business Plan and budget for 2024/25 to the Committee. The proposals were discussed in depth with feedback provided to the Company Chair in relation to the proposed pay award.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To endorse the Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Business Plan and budget 2024-2025 subject to further consideration by the Company Board on the pay award for the next financial year.

Reason for decision:

To ensure the Committee is fully appraised of BECL’s proposals for 2024/25 and has oversight of business planning and budget proposals. The Committee considered that pay awards should be aligned across the company group (unless there was a clear business case not to) and reflective of the current financial position.

Other options considered:

None - The attached business plan meets the Shareholders requirement that all Blackpool Council wholly owned companies produce a three-year business plan, as outlined in the governance framework policy.

Date of decision:

26 March 2024.

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited, Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited and Councillor Jo Farrell, Chair, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited left the meeting following the conclusion of this item.

To provide the Shareholder with a progress update in respect of Blackpool Housing Company Limited (BHC) and its subsidiary, Lumen Housing Limited (Lumen).

(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 Lisa Murphy, Director of Finance and Resources, Blackpool Housing Company Limited, Mr Lee Burrell, Director of Development, Blackpool Housing Company Limited and Councillor Neal Brookes, Chair, Blackpool Housing Company Limited joined the meeting from this item.

Ms Lisa Murphy, Director of Finance and Resources, Blackpool Housing Company Limited presented the KPI and financial performance of the Company at Period 9 to the Committee.

The Committee noted the report.

This report presents the draft 30 year Business Plan and Budget 2024/25 for Blackpool Housing Company Limited (BHC) and its subsidiary, Lumen Housing Limited (Lumen).  These were approved by the respective Company Boards in February 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).

Ms Lisa Murphy, Director of Finance and Resources, Blackpool Housing Company Limited and Mr Lee Burrell, Director of Development, Blackpool Housing Company Limited presented the Company’s refreshed Business Plan and budget for 2024/25 to the Committee.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To endorse the Blackpool Housing Company Limited Business Plan and budget 2024-2025.

Reason for decision:

To keep the Shareholder appraised on circumstances affecting the business notably the contents of the business plan and budget for 2024.25.

Other options considered:

None - The attached business plan meets the Shareholders requirement that all Blackpool Council wholly owned companies produce a three-year business plan, as outlined in the governance framework policy.

Date of decision:

26 March 2024.

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

To receive an update on performance and key emerging issues.

(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 for this item.

Councillor Neal Brookes, Chair, Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited and Mr John Donnellon, Chief Executive, Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited provided an update to the Committee on the work of the Company.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To note the date and time of the next meeting is to be confirmed.

The Committee noted that the date of the next meeting was to be confirmed.