Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 September 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of 16 September 2021 were agreed, unanimously, subject to the addition of Councillor Beavers to the list of attendees.

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

None.

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.

Councillor Henderson, Leader of the Council, announced that Wyre had achieved a Bronze Award as a Carbon Literate Organisation, the first council in Lancashire to do so, and he presented a framed certificate to the Mayor. He added that it was intended that more staff and councillors be trained in Carbon Literacy and that steps be taken towards the Silver Award.

The Mayor announced that a number of fund-raising events were planned, including a Psychic Night (16 November), a Charity Quiz Night (17 November), Thornton Brass Band (28 November) and the Mayoral Ball, for which tickets were still available from Joanne Porter (1 December).

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

None.

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

One question has been received from Councillor Fail.

Cllr Fail asked a question. The Resources Portfolio Holder, Councillor Michael Vincent, responded by saying that there was adequate supply of burial spaces across the borough, and highlighted that there was no statutory requirement for the council to provide cemeteries. There were no plans to open a new one in the near future.

Cllr Fail asked a supplementary question about provision in Fleetwood.  Cllr Vincent said that the grave supply in Fleetwood was currently 10.2 years and across the borough it was adequate. He suggested that up to date information could be sought from officers, if necessary.

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 (Councillor David Henderson) submitted a report.

At the recent Lancashire Leaders’ meeting, attended by Cllr Michael Vincent, the governance arrangements for the County Deal were discussed, as well as current Covid-19 issues.  Once the proposed governance arrangements were agreed the Leader said that he would bring them to members for discussion. 

Cllr Henderson responded to questions from Cllr Fail (who disclosed a personal interest as a member of the Save The Burn Naze Pub Group) and Cllr Longton, to whom he would provide a written response about the Lancashire Leaders’ response to the high Covid rates across the county.

Report noted.

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

Cllr Vincent responded to a question from Cllr Stirzaker, about which he agreed to contact her directly.

Report noted.

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

Cllr Bridge responded to questions and comments from Cllrs Moon, Stirzaker, Beavers, Longton, C Birch, Lady Atkins and S Turner. 

Councillors congratulated officers on their excellent work, emptying bins, dealing with fly-tipping incidents and cleaning up alleyways, as well as the Green Flag Award achievements. 

In response to a question from Cllr Longton, Cllr Bridge said that all staff had been working very hard indeed and the issues to which he alluded were national ones, not local.

Report noted.

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

Cllr Collinson agreed to provide a written response to Cllr Fail about planning enforcement complaints.

Cllr Collinson also agreed to provide a written response to Cllr Beavers regarding support for the Christmas Lights switch-on event in Fleetwood.

Report noted.

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

Cllr Berry confirmed that Cllrs Webster and Stirzaker had put their names forward to be Domestic Abuse Champions.  A third councillor could also be nominated for this voluntary role, if anyone wished to put their name forward.

Cllr Berry responded to questions and comments from Cllrs Lady Atkins, Beavers, A Turner, Fairbanks, George and S Turner. 

Cllr Berry confirmed that Wyre could support five Afghan refugee families, but the process had been slower than anticipated because of related matters that were under discussion at county level.

He confirmed that the new Police and Crime Commissioner had visited the borough and a new Inspector had been appointed who was fully aware of issues relating to increases in serious crime and anti-social behaviour. New officers were being trained, which would help to improve policing in Wyre.

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

Cllr Bowen referred to additional Covid booster dates that had been arranged and a new advertising campaign for the YMCA.  

Cllr Bowen responded to comments from Cllrs Robinson, Orme and Ballard. 

Cllr Bridge responded to a question from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Henderson about the impact of Covid on bin collection staffing. 

Cllr Berry responded to a question from Cllr Michael Vincent about the Council’s previous funding of Police Community Support Officers.

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

Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources submitted a report.

Agreed, unanimously, that the Mid-year Review Report on Treasury Management Activity for the first half of the 2021/22 financial year be noted, in line with requirements of CIPFA’s ‘Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice (revised 2017).

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

Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources submitted a report.

Agreed, unanimously,

1.    That the current LCTS Scheme be continued into the 2022/23 financial year noting the maximum percentage contribution from working age claimants remains unchanged at 8.5%.

2.    That the current policy be confirmed, recognising that it includes a number of specified amounts used to calculate entitlement, which may change in line with up-ratings published by the DWP. Recognising also that there may be minor adjustments to the scheme should further guidance be received from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and that the roll out of Universal Credit (UC) will ultimately replace existing social benefits. The Head of the Contact Centre is to have the delegated authority to make these minor adjustments.

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

Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources submitted a report.

Agreed, unanimously, that approval be given to opt into the PSAA arrangements for the appointment of External Auditors from 2023/24.

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

Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive submitted a report.

Agreed, unanimously, that the Calendar of Meetings for 2022/23, be noted.

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

Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive submitted a report.

Cllr Fail proposed, and Cllr Beavers seconded, the following amendment:

“Paragraph 26; Substitution of members (page 72)

5.1.7 A section to be inserted setting out the required procedures going forward regarding the substitution of members during periods of scheduled absence for a period of two months or more.

26 Substitution of Members (Page 96)

In exceptional circumstances, wWhere a member is likely to be absent from their duties as a councillor for a period of two months or more a substitute can be nominated. The Chief Executive must have confirmed to Democratic Services no less than 24 hours in advance that exceptional circumstances applythe substitution is permitted. The members of a Committee or Sub-Committee may propose a motion that the member who is absent be replaced at that meeting and that meeting only by a substitute member provided always that said member is a member of the same political group of the Council as recognised by this constitution and has undergone the necessary training. The replacement member’s right to sit on the Committee or Sub-Committee shall terminate at the end of that meeting.

Nothing in this rule prevents the same replacement member sitting as a substitute member for more than one meeting of the same Committee or Sub-Committee provided always that the procedure set out in this rule is followed.”

The amendment was LOST by 5 votes to 33, with 2 abstentions.

Cllr Michael Vincent proposed and Cllr Henderson seconded an amendment to Part 4.01/4, paragraph 2 (ii) that the following words be inserted:

“Only Members who were present at the last meeting are eligible to vote.”

Agreed, by 36 votes to 0 with 4 abstentions that the recommendations in the report, subject to the inclusion of the proposed amendment to Part 4.01/4, paragraph 2(ii), be approved.

Report of Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources.

Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources, submitted a report.

Agreed, unanimously, that Professor Darren Ansell be appointed as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Report of Councillor Julie Robinson, Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee (Councillor Julie Robinson) submitted a report on issues considered by the Committee and dealt with by the Licensing Team during the period October 2019 to August 2021.

Cllr Robinson expressed her thanks to officers and members of the Licensing Committee.

Agreed that the report be noted.

Report of Councillor Peter Le Marinel.

The Armed Forces Champion (Councillor Peter Le Marinel) submitted a report on various issues relating to the Armed Forces Covenant and Community.

Cllr Le Marinel expressed thanks to officers who had supported him in this role and to Paul Deacon in particular.

Agreed that the report be noted.

None.

None.