Agenda item

Following the sad death of Mr Steve Weaver, former Chief Executive, Group Leaders and/ or representatives will be invited to pay tribute to Mr Weaver and to pass a resolution of condolence.

Following the sad death of Mr Steve Weaver, former Chief Executive of the Council, the Council was invited to pay tribute to Mr Weaver and consider a resolution of condolence.  

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

‘This Council, members, officers and the people of Blackpool were deeply saddened to learn of the death on Wednesday 28^th May 2014 of Steve Weaver, former Chief Executive of the Council who served from 2002 to 2011.  Steve was tragically killed in a cycling accident in France where he was living and our heartfelt condolences go to Steve’s family, in particular his children Ruth, Christopher and Ben and grandchildren and close friends at this time.

Steve was born in 1950 and attended Sheffield University where he gained a BA Hons 2:1 Geography and Geology.  After University he joined Lancashire County Council where he worked as a Lecturer in Field Studies until 1974.

He then joined Blackburn Council in 1974 where he had a number of jobs starting as a Town Planner, then rising to Head of Policy and Co-ordination in 1987.  He was seconded to Blackburn City Challenge Partnership where he was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive in 1993 before returning to the Council in 1994 and was then appointed as Executive Director in 1997.  By the end of his time at Blackburn he held the position of Deputy Chief Executive.

Some of Steve’s achievements whilst at Blackburn included the creation of a public private partnership for the delivery of a wide range of Council support services with Capita plc, the successful stock transfer of 10,000 Council houses to a new not for profit housing company. An achievement he also undertook with Blackpool in 2006 with the formation of Blackpool Coastal Housing.  He also led major successful regeneration initiatives and led the team responsible for winning the case for Blackburn with Darwen, (as the Council then become) to become a unitary authority.  This was at a time when Steve first came to Blackpool’s attention and he worked with officers and members in helping both Councils achieve this unique status.

Following the retirement of Graham Essex Crosby, he was appointed as Chief Executive with Blackpool Council on 1 April 2002.

Steve’s time with Blackpool was indeed transformational.  He brought a new approach to the ownership of commercial assets for example Blackpool Airport’s sale to Marr Properties; a new future for Blackpool Zoo by leasing it to Parques Reunidos leading to over £10m of new investment and a new future for Sandcastle Waterpark leading to almost £10m of investment and more than doubling its patronage by bringing it back under Council control.

During the 10 years prior to 2002, the Council had received around £22m in Government grants for regeneration, in the 10 years since that date the Council received around £300 million in grants for regeneration.  This has delivered the new seafront, town centre public realm, tramway and central corridor.

He also helped lead initiatives around the development of the Houndshill Shopping Centre, fostered a new approach to roads maintenance, developed a much more customer focused service from the Council and a tripled the number of health and leisure assets available to the people of Blackpool.

One of his legacies which is now coming to fruition is the Central Business District/ Talbot Gateway and it is fitting that in his memory the Council will name the road which runs adjacent to Bickerstaffe House as ‘Weaver Way’, as a serving reminder of his contribution to Blackpool.

Steve had a particular love of Blackpool and its heritage, ensuring that the town was placed on the map for fantastic events such as Showzam, the Fireworks and the Tour of Britain cycling. 

He also led the bold move to purchase the town’s key leisure assets, the Tower and the Winter Gardens and ensure that they were to be restored to their former glory but in a sustainable way.  In a fitting tribute to Steve there will be a re-print of the Winter Gardens book with a dedication to Steve within it.

Always willing to do anything for charity he has carried out some spectacular sacrifices in the pursuit of sponsorship.  He completed the tower to tower (Eiffel to Blackpool) bike ride and agreed to have his head shaved for Comic Relief.

During his tenure with Blackpool he worked under two different political administrations and seamlessly worked with political leaders to help work for the good of Blackpool.  He was greatly admired by politicians in all parties.

Steve was a unique individual who served Blackpool tremendously and who will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.’

Councillors Green, Mrs Jackson and Blackburn also paid tribute to Steve Weaver.

Motion carried:  The motion on being submitted to the Council was carried unanimously.