Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 October 2021.

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, proposed and the Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio, Councillor Berry, seconded that the minutes of the meeting of the full Council held on 28 October 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor Longton proposed and Councillor Fail seconded that an amendment be made to the penultimate sentence at minute 31 (c) and for it to be replaced with the following sentence:

“In response to a question from Cllr Longton, Cllr Bridge answered a question that was not asked by Cllr Longton.”

Following discussion, the proposed amendment was lost (by 6 votes to 28 with 10 abstentions).

Councillor Longton proposed that a further amendment be made to minute 31 (c) and that the penultimate sentence be removed, this was seconded by Councillor Fail.

The proposed amendment was lost (by 5 votes to 31 with 8 abstentions).

It was moved by Councillor Michael Vincent that the vote on the minutes of the last meeting be now put.

It was agreed that the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 28 October 2021 be confirmed as a correct record (by 30 votes to 4 with 10 abstentions).

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

During the discussions of item 9, Councillor Ian Amos declared a personal interest as Councillor Rita Amos was his wife, therefore he did not vote on this item.

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 several recent fundraising events including the Mayoral Ball, Psychic Night and Charity Quiz and Bingo.

She highlighted a family day event at Marine Hall on Sunday 19 December 2021.

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

None received.

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 (Councillor David Henderson) submitted a report.

In the absence of Councillor Henderson, the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent introduced the report. He updated members that the final agreement on a County Deal would be discussed at a further meeting of the Lancashire District Leaders on 8 December 2021. He added that any related matters might require an Extraordinary meeting of the council for approval.

In response to a question put by Councillor Fail, Councillor Michael Vincent confirmed that the council continued to monitor the Covid-19 situation, particularly regarding the recent Omicron variant, and worked with the relevant partners and health authorities.

The report was noted.

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

In response to a question from Councillor Stirzaker, the Deputy Leader agreed to provide some figures on how many jobs Project Neptune would bring to the town of Fleetwood. He reassured members that he was confident that the project would facilitate job creation.

In response to a question from Councillor Sir R Atkins, Councillor Michael Vincent explained a brief overview on the progress of the Bourne Hill Development and several good bids had been received. He added that he was confident the council would acquire a good deal.

The report was noted.

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

He provided members with a verbal update on the Wyre in Bloom Awards. Again, this year had been successful and he praised the hard work of all the volunteers. He updated that Wyre had received high recognition again across all entries: Poulton le Fylde had achieved most improved town in the North West, Memorial Park had achieved gold in the large park category, Hawthorn Park achieved an outstanding award, the Mount Pavilion won silver and he congratulated Garstang for winning the best small town award.

He updated members on the departure of Ruth Hunter, Head of Public Realm and Environmental Sustainability, from Wyre Council. He thanked Ruth for her great work and assistance throughout the years.

In response to a question from Councillor L Walmsley regarding the registration of fly tipping removal operators, Councillor Bridge explained that this did not come under the council’s remit; however, he urged that it was an issue where pressure should be applied to the councillor’s respective Members of Parliament.

In response to a question from Councillor Sir R Atkins, Councillor Bridge echoed the issues caused by fly tipping and agreed to write a letter to the respective Members of Parliament on behalf of Wyre Council to ask if there was something that could be done regarding the regulations involving fly tipping and its removal.

Additionally, Councillor Sir R Atkins thanked Ruth Hunter for her assistance, especially with the Climate Change Working Policy Group, of which he was the Chairman.

As Councillor Beavers question did not come under Councillor Bridge’s portfolio remit, the Mayor agreed for Councillor Michael Vincent to answer the question. Councillor Michael Vincent highlighted that there were no plans for housing developments on the land of the Pitch and Putt in Fleetwood.

The Mayor praised the Wyre in Bloom awards and expressed her thanks to the staff involved.

The report was noted.

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

Councillor Collinson received questions from Councillors Fail and Armstrong.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ballard, expressed the importance of the current partial review of the Local Plan and the subsequent full review in January 2022. He urged all members to be involved in the process. Councillor Collinson reiterated the importance.

The report was noted.

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

In response to a question raised by Councillor Fail, Councillor Berry explained that the figures of homes in Wyre below the minimum decency standard were not available to him at the current time and agreed to enquire with the relevant officers. He added that the council continued to monitor the situation and expressed the importance of the unification of housing and health to deliver for older and disabled people.

Councillor Berry requested that Councillor Lady D Atkins email him with the details of her question.

In response to Councillor Fairbank’s question, Councillor Berry reiterated that the parking and permit issues caused on Custom House Lane in Fleetwood was with Lancashire County Council. He proposed some potential alternatives such as disabled parking bays and signage.

The report was noted.

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

She updated members that the holiday clubs for children on benefits-related free school meals are back for this Christmas.

Councillor Smith passed on her thanks on behalf of the Fleetwood Christmas Lights Committee to Julia Robinson, Commercial Manager, for her help with the Christmas light switch-on event.

In response to a question by Councillor Fairbanks, Councillor Bowen explained that Marine Hall was a business and suggested that the Harmony and Health singing group may wish to look at fundraising for their sessions held at Marine Hall.

Councillor Bowen received a question from Councillor Stirzaker regarding the Pitch and Putt in Fleetwood.

The Mayor thanked the staff at Marine Hall and praised the Fleetwood Christmas light switch-on.

The report was noted.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Michael Vincent, clarified to members the functions of each portfolio.

He then thanked his colleagues for their reports

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.

In the absence of Councillor Henderson, the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent introduced the report.

Councillor Michael Vincent proposed and Councillor Berry seconded the recommendation. It was agreed, unanimously, that the Statement of Gambling Policy v05 be formally adopted by the Council to cover the period 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024.

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.

In the absence of Councillor Henderson, the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent introduced the report.

Councillor Michael Vincent proposed and Councillor Berry seconded the recommendation. It was agreed, unanimously, that Councillor Rita Amos be granted dispensation to continue to act as a councillor without attending meetings until the Annual Meeting of Council on 12 May 2022.

Report of Councillor Paul Moon, Chairman of the Planning Committee.

Councillor Paul Moon, Chairman of the Planning Committee submitted a report.

Councillor Paul Moon expressed his thanks to all the members of the committee and to Democratic Services, especially Emma Keany, for their hard work particularly with the setup of virtual meetings. Councillor Ballard, Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee, echoed these thanks.

The report was noted.

None.

None received.