Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 22 April 2021 and 13 May 2021 respectively.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 April 2021 were confirmed as a correct record by those present at the meeting, subject to one minor amendment.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 13 May 2021 were confirmed as a correct record by those present at the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest from any Member on any item on this agenda.

Cllr Collinson declared a personal and non-pecuniary interest in item 8 of the agenda.

Report of Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive.

The Leader and Chief Executive submitted a report to inform the Council of changes to the membership of the Cabinet and to the allocation of responsibilities to Portfolio Holders.

The Leader expressed thanks to Cllr Alan Vincent for all the work he had done as Portfolio Holder and Deputy Leader and also as a mentor for him and he welcomed Cllr Michael Vincent to his new role as Deputy Leader of the Council after becoming Deputy Leader of Wyre’s Conservative Group.

The changes to the Cabinet membership and responsibilities were noted.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public under Procedure Rule 9.1.

None received.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council, Members of the Cabinet, a Chairman of a Committee or the Chief Executive.

The Mayor announced that a number of events had been scheduled in support of the Mayor’s Charity aimed at promoting local business, including

• Mayor’s Garden Party on 30 August 2021 at the Men’s Shed, North Drive, Cleveleys,
• Psychic Night at the Tramway, Cleveleys on 14 September 2021,
• a World Cuisine Day (Clay Oven Indian meal) on 15 September 2021,
• Golf Night at Knott End Golf Club on 22 April 2022
• Shooting Party - date and venue TBC.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council to the Mayor, a member of the Cabinet or the Chairman of a Committee under Council Procedure Rule 12.1.

None received.

To receive reports from Cabinet Members. (In accordance with Procedure Rule 11.3 councillors will be able to ask questions or make comments).

The Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) submitted a report.

Cllr Henderson responded to questions and comments from Cllrs Armstrong, Fail and Stirzaker.

In response to a question from Cllr Armstrong, which raised a number of detailed issues about the recent Scrutiny Review, Cllr Henderson said that he would provide a written response and said that he felt the primary solution lay in ongoing and continuous Scrutiny training.

 Cllr Henderson said in response to a question from Cllr Stirzaker that at its recent meeting, the EPB had spoken about the reinstatement of a rail link and that Wyre would continue to press and find the best solution.

The Leader and the Leader of the Opposition both expressed their thanks to the officers and to the NHS for making Wyre one of the best performing authorities in the country in terms of the COVID vaccine rollout.

Report noted.

The Resources Portfolio Holder (Cllr Michael Vincent) submitted a report.

Cllr Vincent responded to questions and comments from Cllr Fail about remote working informing him that a Hybrid Working Group has been recently set up to look at possible working method solutions.

Report noted.

The Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder (Cllr Bridge) submitted a report.

Cllr Bridge commentated on how beautiful The Mount, Fleetwood looked and responded to questions and comments from Cllrs Fail, Armstrong, George and Longton about the levels of fly-tipping, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour in Fleetwood.

Report noted.

The Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder (Cllr Alice Collinson) submitted a report.

Cllr Collinson responded to questions from Cllr D Atkins and Longton.

Report noted.

The Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder (Cllr Berry) submitted a report.

Cllr Berry responded to questions and comments from Cllrs George, O’Neill and Armstrong, stating that he hoped that the new PCC would address the insufficient policing levels in Wyre and suggested that any issues in respect of poor accommodation or problem landlords should be addressed to the team.

Cllr Berry indicated that he would raise the possibility of drones being deployed to identify those involved in acts of vandalism, etc.

Report noted.

The Leisure, Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder (Cllr Bowen) submitted a report.

Cllr Bowen thanked everyone who worked on the Wyre Community Hub. She said that bookings were up at the Marine Hall but that there had been further vandalism on the previous night and CCTV had identified the culprit as a boy of 9 years. She then responded to questions and comments from Cllrs Fail, Robinson and Longton about gym membership figures since reopening.

Cllr Bowen said in her response that Fleetwood had 488 new members, Cleveleys 353 and Garstang 124 new members and that it was up to the NHS to sort out issues with regard to test and trace.

Report noted.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources and S151 Officer.

The Resources Portfolio Holder and Corporate Director Resources and S151 Officer submitted a report on the overall position and activities in respect of Treasury Management for the financial year 2020/21.

Decision

Recommendations approved unanimously.

Report of Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report seeking council approval to update the council’s net-zero emissions targets, in line with new government commitments.

Decisions

An amendment was proposed by Cllr Fail and seconded by Cllr Stirzaker. That amendment was LOST (by 14 votes to 4 with 2 abstentions).

The substantive motion was then APPROVED (16 votes for and 4 abstentions).

Report of Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council and Chief Executive submitted a report to enable changes to be made to the membership of committees for the remainder of the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Decision

Recommendations approved unanimously.

Report of Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council and Chief Executive submitted a report in respect of a change of councillor appointed as a representative on the Garstang Town Trust for the period until the next elections in May 2023.

Decision

Recommendations approved unanimously.

None.

None received.