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 19 December 2022’ (restricted minutes only), Item 4 ‘Shareholder Committee Action Tracker’, Item 5 ‘Shareholder Committee Update’ as at Month 8 2022/23’, Item 6 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Financial Performance and Item 10 ‘Blackpool Airport Operations 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 19 December 2022 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 pf 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 19 December 2022, 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 Committee’s updated action tracker.

(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 prior to 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 agreed to note the updates.

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 prior to 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 Communication and Regeneration, Mr John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services and Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources were invited to provide an update on the Council Wholly-Owned Companies on behalf of the Shareholder.

The Committee noted the updates 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 prior to 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 Resources provided an overview of the financial performance of the Council’s Wholly-Owned Companies as at Month 8 2022/2023.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To consider whether to ask the Boards of wholly owned companies to consider recognition of employee service between and across all wholly owned companies and the Council. 

Ms Linda Dutton, Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development advised that the unions had raised the issue of continuous services across the Council and its wholly-owned companies for consideration. Currently, should an employee move from the Council itself to one of its wholly-owned companies and vice-versa their service would not be continued impacting upon entitlement to any term and condition with a length of service qualifying period e.g. annual leave and level of sick leave. It was proposed that continuous service should be expanded to the group of companies to encourage staff to remain with the Council and its companies. It was noted that pension arrangements and terms and conditions would not be affected by this proposal.

Shareholder Committee decision:

1.      That for any employee of a wholly owned council company that any previous service with a wholly owned council company be recognised and counts as continuous service when they commence or re-commence employment with the Council.

2.     That all Company Boards be asked to consider recognising employee service between and across all wholly owned companies and the Council with any employee who commences or re-commences employment with them.

Reason for the decision:

To ensure continuous service is recognised across the Council’s companies to support free movement. This enables employees to develop their careers across organisational boundaries without suffering a detriment due to loss of continuous service.

Other options considered:

To keep the status quo where continuous service is not recognised.

Date of decision:

20 January 2023.

Ms Dutton left the meeting following the conclusion of this item.

To consider for approval and adoption of the Tramway Asset Management Strategy (TAMS), which provides the overarching framework as to how Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Services (BTS) jointly and collaboratively manage the tramway system to the highest standards in relation to governance, strategic planning, communication, health and safety, planned maintenance and investment.

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited joined the meeting from this item.

Mr John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services, Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services (BTS) Limited presented the joint report from the Council and BTS which set out the Tramway Asset Management Strategy for approval by the Shareholder Committee.

It was reported that following a tram accident in Croyden in 2018, a large number of recommendations had been made to improve the safety of tramways. In Blackpool, there were a number of key issues such as the shared space in which the trams operated, the high level of customers focused in the headland and the low speed in which the trams operated for consideration. The Asset Management Strategy had been developed to demonstrate how the tramway would be maintained and to define the expectations on the Council and the Company to strengthen the health and safety of the tramway. Particular mention was given to the new object detection and over-speed detection devices being installed on the trams.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To approve and adopt of the Tramway Asset Management Strategy (TAMS), which provides the overarching framework as to how Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Services (BTS) jointly and collaboratively manage the tramway system to the highest standards in relation to governance, strategic planning, communication, health and safety, planned maintenance and investment.

Reason for the decision:

The refurbished Tramway is now 10 years old so it has become essential to review the operation and maintenance of the tramway infrastructure. The assets have been strategically reviewed in terms of the Council and BTS’s role and responsibility around how day-to-day and planned maintenance activities are carried out. The TAMS demonstrates how Blackpool Council and BTS will work in collaboration to ensure the highest possible levels of health and safety standards and compliance to legislation and guidance are delivered.

Other options considered:

The status quo was not an option. The only way forward was to produce a Tramway Asset Management Strategy which ensures that we strengthen our governance arrangements and comply to Health and Safety and Legislative requirements.

Date of decision:

20 January 2023.

To consider compliance with Recommendation 4 of the Rail Accident Investigation Board’s (RAIB) report into the 2016 Croydon tram accident, by proceeding with modification to the traction brake controller, strengthening the driver vigilance device system.

Mr John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services, Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited presented a joint report seeking the Committee’s approval to purchase a modification of the traction brake control system to the value of £100k for the trams. When subsequently installed it would effectively strengthen the driver vigilance system and ensure the operation was in line with the recommendations made by the Rail Accident Investigation’s Board following an accident in Croyden in 2018.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To agree to proceeding with the modification to the traction brake controller, in order to strengthen the driver vigilance system at a cost of £100k.

Reason for the decision:

To comply with the Rail Accident Investigation Board Recommendation 4 of the Croydon report in terms of driver in-attention systems and traction brake control.

Other options considered:

Other systems have been considered, however the system being recommended is most suitable in terms of linking into the Bombardier Flexity Tram braking system.

Date of decision:

20 January 2023.

Ms Jane Cole and Mr John Blackledge left the meeting following the conclusion of this item.

To update the Shareholder Committee on Blackpool Airport Operations Limited (BAOL) Key Performance Indicators, updated Ten Year Plan, Financial Position (including Loans Summary), Commercial Opportunities and Current Projects.

(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).

Mr Steve Peters, Managing Director, Blackpool Airport Operations Limited and Councillor Gillian Campbell, Chair, Blackpool Airport Operations Limited joined the meeting at this point.

(The press and public were excluded prior to 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 provided a comprehensive overview of the current position of the Company, noting the financial position, performance of key areas including NASP flights, future commercial opportunities and the ongoing projects being undertaken.

Mr Peters presented the 10 Year Business Plan to the Committee, highlighting the analysis of opportunities that had been undertaken.

Shareholder Committee decision:

To endorse the 10-Year Business Plan of Blackpool Airport Operations Limited.

Reason for decision:

Within the recommendations of the governance review of the wholly-owned companies it was agreed that the Shareholder Committee should receive and consider the Business Plan of each Company.

Other options considered:

The Committee could have not endorsed the Business Plan, however, it was considered that the Business Plan was fit for purpose.

Date of decision:

20 January 2023.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 20 February 2023, commencing at 9.30am.

The Committee noted the date and time of the next meeting as Friday 3 February 2023, commencing at 10am.