Agenda item

To receive reports from the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members and Outside Body representatives and consider matters arising from councillors.

a) Leader of the Council - Councillor Blackburn

b) Cabinet Member for Urban Regeneration - Councillor Jackson

c) Cabinet Member for Housing, Public Safety and Enforcement  -  Councillor Campbell

d) Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – Councillor Taylor

e) Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure - Councillor Cain   

f) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care - Councillor Rowson

g) Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Equality and Diversity - Councillor Jones

h) Cabinet Member for Public Health - Councillor Collett

i ) Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment – Councillor Cross

j) Cabinet Member for Culture and Heritage – Councillor Wright

Cabinet Members presented reports to the Council on work undertaken within their portfolio areas.  Councillor Jackson presented the reports on behalf of the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment.  All the reports covered decisions taken, work in progress and work to be undertaken in the near future.  Questions, comments and debate were invited from all councillors on each of the report areas.

Notes:

(1)                As part of presenting the report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jackson read a statement from Councillor Cain, regarding matters raised by Councillor Evans at the last Council meeting in relation to the Remembrance Sunday and in which Councillor Cain offered his apologies.  Councillor Evans responded by accepting the apology offered.  Councillor Smith also offered his apology in relation to the same matter.

(2)                On behalf of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jackson agreed for a written response to be provided to Councillor Clapham on the concerns raised over the lack of local providers that had been awarded contracts by Blackpool Council in the recent tendering processes and details of the value of each contract. 

(3)                Councillor Jackson agreed on behalf of the Leader, to look further into the matter raised by Councillor Clapham regarding a rebate of Council Tax and rent that was outstanding for a local constituent.

(4)                Following the statement from Councillor Galley that 100 new businesses had been supported by the Get Started service, Councillor Jackson agreed for clarification to be provided on the reason for the 2014/15 target being set at 90 new businesses. 

(5)                Councillor Jackson agreed for a response to be provided to Councillor Williams on the length it had taken to finalise the contract for the new tenant at the Enterprise Centre and why it had not been completed on the date of occupation of the premises.

(6)                Councillor Jackson agreed to provide a response to Councillor Galley as to why the new Youth Enterprise Challenge had adopted a different approach to the former challenge, which had operated in a similar fashion to the television programme ‘Dragon’s Den’ and which had proven successful. 

(7)                In response to Councillor Galley, Councillor Jackson also agreed to provide clarification as to why the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) scheme in Claremont was due to end in March 2015.

(8)                Councillor Jackson agreed for a written response to be provided to Councillor Williams on the reason for the Council replacing Windows XP with Windows 7 rather than Windows 8.

(9)                On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Councillor Jackson agreed to provide a response to Councillor Galley on whether the illuminated ‘Welcome’ arches at Bispham and Starr Gate would return this year.

(10)            Councillor Jackson also agreed on behalf of the Cabinet Member, to provide a written response on whether the Council had a cremator at Carlton Crematorium that could accommodate morbidly obese people.

(11)            In response to Councillor Williams, Councillor Jackson agreed on behalf of the Cabinet Member, to provide a breakdown a breakdown of costs associated with the Mamma Mia Production, including ticket returns, advertising, salaries and profit and loss accounts.

(12)            Councillor Collett agreed to provide Councillor Williams with details of the number of obese children in primary schools since 2011.

(13)            On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment, Councillor Jackson agreed for written clarification to be provided for Councillor Evans on the figures on the figures quoted in the report relating the amount of waste that had been recycled.

(14)            Councillors D Coleman, Cox, Doherty and H Mitchell left the meeting during consideration of the above item.