Decisions

The Head of Licensing Service deals with a number of requests for licences under the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act and other pieces of legislations. Details of the licences, applied for and granted are outlined in the report.

The Head of Licensing Service agreed to grant the licences as set out in the attached Appendices.

To consider the freehold acquisition 43, KING STREET, BLACKPOOL, FY1 3EJ, as registered under HM Land Registry Title Number: LAN51634 (the “Property”).

To proceed with the acquisition of the Property and authorise the Head of Legal Services to enter into any legal documentation relating to the acquisition of this property.  The acquisition will be under section 227 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 ("the 1990 Act") for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out of development, redevelopment or improvement on or in relation to that Property. The Council’s intention in acquiring the Property under section 227 of the 1990 Act is to enable the operation of powers under section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 ("the 2016 Act") for planning purposes to facilitate the carrying out of redevelopment

Following a detailed feasibility study and associated architectural brief this report seeks approval to formally contract Ellis Williams architects to undertake designs to RIBA Stage 2/3 for the refurbishment and extension of Central Library and the Grundy Art Gallery.

The Executive resolved as follows:

1. To agree that Appendix 4a to the Executive report, the Financial Considerations is not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as it includes detailed costings that enable the scheme to be viable. The publication of such information could prejudice continuing and future negotiations.

2. That the Director of Communications and Regeneration be provided with delegated authority to progress the continued renewal and repainting of the Blackpool Tower steel structure, to include the completion of all due diligence associated with the project, as set out in this Executive report and Appendix 4a to the Executive report.

3.  To authorise the Head of Legal Services to continue to enter into any such documentation as may be necessary and to consider and deal with such due diligence as may be required to provide for completion of the Blackpool Tower steel structure renewal and repainting Scheme.

4.  That authority is provided to complete the project funding package of eleven million pounds, through debt finance in the form of Prudential Borrowing, over six years commencing in Financial Year 2022/23, as detailed in the Appendix 4a to the Executive report.   

The Executive agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

1. To approve the updated policy attached at Appendix 3a including changes which set out the following:

•                    The use of streamlined processes through lighter-touch assessments in all instances where finances can be verified through secure access to Department of Work and Pensions and HMRC online systems.

•                    A revision to the client notice period from 14 to 7 days for suspended or cancelled care visits in line with care at home provider contractual requirements.

•                    The introduction of a reconciliation process to ensure contributions to the cost of care do not exceed the cost to the Council.

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1.       To note the report.  

2.       To require the respective directors, Chief Executive and Director of Resources to continue to closely monitor and manage service financial and operational performances, specifically the social care services.

3.       To prompt the Scrutiny Leadership Board to continue to independently review the financial and operational performances of Council services.

4.       To continue to lobby central government (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Health and Social Care and Department for Education in particular) along with local authority peers and networks and the Local Government Association for the funding necessary to cope with the burdens and demands presenting as a result of exceptional inflationary pressures and demographic demands upon statutory services.

5.       To continue to work towards target working balances of £6m by 31 March 2024 rising to £8m by 31 March 2025.

The Head of Licensing Service deals with a number of requests for licences under the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act and other pieces of legislations. Details of the licences, applied for and granted are outlined in the report.

The Head of Licensing Service agreed to grant the licences as set out in the attached Appendices.