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 20 February 2023’ (restricted minutes only), Item 4 ‘Shareholder Committee Action Tracker’, Item 5 ‘Shareholder Update’, Item 6 ‘Wholly-Owned Company Financial Performance as at Month 10 2022/23’, Item 7 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Managing Director’s Update’, Item 8 ‘Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited Financial Report’, Item 9 ‘Blackpool Transport Services Limited Financial Performance and Sustainability (Recovery) Plan’, Item 10 ‘Blackpool Transport Services Limited Key Performance Indicators’ and Item 11’ Blackpool Transport Services Limited Zebra 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 20 February 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 20 February 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 Committee’s 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 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 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 and Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources provided an update on the 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 and 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).

(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 update on the financial performance of the Wholly-Owned Companies as at Month 10.

The Committee noted that the Director of Resources would be authorised to provide a letter of comfort to relevant Council owned companies and their External Auditor to state that Blackpool Council would 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.

The Committee noted the update provided.

To update the Committee on matters arising at the Company since the last meeting with 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 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 Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) and Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, BECL joined the meeting from this item.

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) presented the report to the Committee.

The Committee noted the update.

To update the Council with the latest trading figures and cash flow for the Financial Year 2022/23.

(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 Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) and Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, BECL joined the meeting from this item.

Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) presented the report to the Committee and highlighted the current financial performance of the Company.

The Committee noted the update.

Mr Michael Williams, Managing Director, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited (BECL) and Mr Andy Morgan, Interim Finance Director, BECL left the meeting following the conclusion of this item.

To update the Shareholder on 2022/23 budget year financial performance and expected outturn and advise the Shareholder on actions being taken in the 2023/24 budget year to improve financial performance.

(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).

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS), Mr James Clough, Commercial and Finance Director, BTS and Councillor Paul Galley, Chair, BTS Board joined the meeting from this item.

Mr James Clough, Commercial and Finance Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) provided a comprehensive presentation on the financial performance of the Company and Sustainability (Recovery) Plan.

The Committee discussed the information provided in detail.

To consider the key performance indicator data of Blackpool Transport Services 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 prior to the consideration of this item as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) provided an overview of the Company’s performance against its key performance indicators.

The Committee noted the update.

To update the Shareholder on the progress of the ZEBRA project at Rigby Road Depot.

(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).

Ms Jane Cole, Managing Director, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS) provided an update on the ZEBRA project (Zero Emissions Bus Regional Areas).

The Committee noted the update.