Agenda and minutes

To elect the Mayor.

It was proposed by Councillor Burdess, seconded by Councillor Williams and

Resolved:  That in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Gillian Campbell be elected Mayor of the Borough of Blackpool for the municipal year 2023/2024.

Note:  The meeting adjourned briefly to allow the mayoral investiture to take place.

The Worshipful the Mayor to make a Declaration of Acceptance of the Corporate Office of Mayor.

Councillor Campbell made a Declaration of Acceptance of the Office of Mayor according to the requirements of the law and then took the Chair.

To appoint a Deputy Mayor.

It was proposed by the Mayor, Councillor Campbell, seconded by Councillor L Williams and

Resolved:  That in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Adrian Hoyle be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Blackpool, for the municipal year 2023/2024.

The Deputy Mayor to make a Declaration of Acceptance of the Corporate Office of Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Hoyle made a Declaration of Acceptance of the Office of Deputy Mayor according to the requirements of the law.

·         The Mayor and group leaders / representatives will have the opportunity to thank the Ex-Mayor for her service.

·         The Mayor will present a bouquet and past Mayor’s medal to Councillor Kathryn Benson.

·         The Ex-Mayor will have an opportunity to thank the Mayor.

The Mayor paid thanks to Councillor Kathryn Benson and in doing acknowledged her service including the events attended throughout the year, the significant royal occasions and support her mayoral charity Streetlife.

Thanks were also given to the Mayoress, Mrs Therese Clark, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Peter Hunter and to the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Anne-Marie Hunter.   Political group leaders and other councillors also expressed their thanks to the ex-Mayor for her service.

Following presentation of the past mayor’s medal, Councillor Benson spoke in reply and thanked those who had supported her during her mayoral year.

The Worshipful the Mayor to address the meeting in relation to her forthcoming year.

The Mayor, Councillor Campbell, addressed the meeting in relation to her forthcoming year.  Speeches of congratulations were then made by the political group leaders along with a letter of congratulations from Oberbuergermeister Tischler on behalf of the people of Bottrop, the Council’s twin town in Germany.

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.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 22 February 2023 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 February 2023 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

There were no announcements made.

To elect the Leader of the Council, to serve for a four year term office, until the Annual Council meeting in 2027, in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

Motion:  Councillor Taylor proposed (and Councillor Hugo seconded):

’That Councillor Lynn Williams be appointed Leader of the Council, to serve for a four year term of office until the Annual Council meeting in 2027.’

Motion carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

The Council will be asked to consider the appointment of a Lead Member for Scrutiny.

Members considered the report on the role of Scrutiny Lead Member and chair of the Scrutiny Leadership Board and proposals to appoint Councillor Paul Galley to the role as Leader of the Principal Opposition Group.

Motion:  Councillor Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylorseconded):

‘To agree to appoint Councillor Paul Galley, in his capacity as Leader of the Principal Opposition, as Chair of the Scrutiny Leadership Board.’

Motion carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

The Council will be asked to consider the appointment of its committees in accordance with the Council's Constitution.

Members considered a report on the appointment of committees for the 2023/2024 municipal year which had been proposed in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and associated regulations.

The report highlighted that in late 2022 revisions had been made to the national Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Local Authority Chief Executives - National Salary Framework and Conditions of Service Handbook which outlined a revised structure for dealing with employment matters for Chief Officers.  Members noted that the Chief Officers’ Employment Committee would be asked to appoint three standing sub-committees in line with the handbook and considered revised terms of reference for all committees dealing with staff employment matters and appeals. 

The report went on to outline proposals for the establishment of four scrutiny committees that closely aligned with the Council’s key priorities under the direction and management of the Scrutiny Leadership Board and debate took place on appointment of those committees.  The appointment of other Council committees whose powers and duties would remain unchanged was also considered.

Although not subject to political balance rules, it was recommended that appointments to the Licensing Committee would be on a politically balanced basis and that the Committee would also appoint the Public Protection Sub-Committee. 

Motion:  Councillor Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘1.       To appoint the following Council committees, with powers and duties as set out in the Council’s Constitution:

·        Audit Committee

·        Planning Committee

·        Standards Committee.

2.      To appoint the following committees with the powers and duties as set out at Appendix 12a to the Council report:

·        Appeals Committee

·        Chief Officers’ Employment Committee.

3.      To appoint the following scrutiny committees with the powers and duties as set out at Appendix 12b to the Council report:

·        Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee

·        Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee

·        Levelling Up Scrutiny Committee

·        Climate Change and the Environment Scrutiny Committee

           and delegate authority to the Director of Governance and Partnerships to amend the responsibility areas if Cabinet Member responsibilities are changed.

4.      To appoint a Scrutiny Leadership Board, with the powers set out in the Council’s constitution and for the Board to have an adjusted political balance membership of four Labour, six Conservative (to be made up of the Chairs, Vice Chairs of the four scrutiny committees, the Chair of the Audit Committee and also to add the Principal Opposition Group Leader as Chair of the Committee in line with the recommendation of agenda item 11).

5.      To agree the political balance attached at Appendix 12c to the Council report and appointments to the above committees at Appendix 12d and to delegate authority to the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee to confirm appointments to co-opted positions throughout the year.

6.        To reappoint the Licensing Committee with the powers and duties as set out in the Constitution (equating to a membership of 12 and a composition of eight Labour and four Conservative).

7.        To request the Licensing Committee to re-appoint  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To consider the Scheme of Delegation in terms of non-executive and executive functions.

The Council considered whether to make any changes to the scheme of delegation for which the Council had responsibility.   

Members also noted that reports would be brought back to the Council for consideration in relation to Honorary Aldermen and presentation of Executive reports to Council meetings.

Motion:  Councillor Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded): 

‘1.       To agree that no changes are made to the scheme of delegation for which the Council has responsibility.

2.        To note that reports will be brought back to the June meeting on procedural matters referred to in the report.’

Motion carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

The Council will be asked to consider a programme of meetings for 2023/2024 and to note provisional meeting dates from May to July 2024.

Members considered the programme of meetings for the municipal year 2023/2024 and noted provisional meeting dates for May to July 2024.

Motion:  Councillor Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

’1.       To approve the calendar of meetings for 2023/24 as attached at Appendix 14(a) to the Council report.

2.        To agree that meetings commence at 6pm as usual (set out at the end of the calendar of meetings at Appendix 14(a) to the report)’.

Motion carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.