Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 March 2022.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Henderson, proposed and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, seconded that the minutes of the meeting of the full Council held on 10 March 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

It was agreed, by 26 votes to 0, with 6 abstentions, that the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 10 March 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

The Monitoring Officer had granted a dispensation to all Members to enable participation in the debate and vote on item 11, the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

Councillor Baxter disclosed a significant interest in agenda item 9, Wyre Local Plan Partial Review (2011-20310).

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 the total amount raised at the full Council meeting held on 10 March 2022 in aid of the Ukraine appeal was £492.20.

A number of other events were planned over the next month, for which tickets were available, including a Golf Day (22 April), Musical Showcase (24 April), a clay pigeon shoot (30 April) and a concert by the Blackpool Male Voice Choir (7 May).

The Mayor announced the three winners of the Mayor’s Easter Raffle.

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

No questions or statements have been received for this meeting from members of the public under Paragraph 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

None.

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.

Councillor Henderson informed councillors that the Lancashire Leaders’ Group meetings would recommence after the forthcoming elections.

Councillor Henderson responded to questions from Councillor Beavers, about the Poulton to Fleetwood link, and from Councillor Fail, about the County Deal, Theme 4, with regard to fracking.  Councillor Minto also made a comment about fracking. 

The report was noted.

The Resources Portfolio Holder, Councillor Michael Vincent, submitted a report.

Councillor Vincent responded to a question from Councillor Sir Robert Atkins about the way in which the council supported Wyre residents who were on low incomes and struggling with rising household costs.

The report was noted.  

The Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder, Councillor Simon Bridge, submitted a report.  In the absence of Councillor Bridge, Councillor Henderson responded to questions and comments.

Councillor Henderson responded to a question from Councillor Swales regarding the numbers of Fixed Penalty Notices issued for littering, dog-related offences and fly tipping, to which Cllr Henderson said he would provide a written response.

Councillor Baxter asked about the progress and likely timescale for the insurance claim in relation to the fire at the duck pond in Cleveleys. Councillor Henderson confirmed that the insurance claim had been submitted and once settled, the work would go out to tender to replace like for like.

Councillor Minto asked about the continued lack of a replacement seat at the junction of Raikes Road and Underbank Road.  Councillor Henderson agreed to refer the matter to the appropriate officer.

The Mayor thanked Sandra Byrne for her work on the Great British Spring Clean.

The report was noted.

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

Councillor Fail asked about breaches of planning control and whether the council had the correct staffing levels to deal with the number of cases.  The Chief Executive intervened to confirm that it was he who had responsibility for staffing, not the Portfolio Holder.

The report was noted.

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

Councillor Berry responded to questions and comments from

• Councillor Lady Atkins, regarding the number of Ukrainian refugees being housed on the borough,
• Councillor Sir Robert Atkins, regarding housing and benefits for Ukrainian refugees,
• Councillor Cartridge, about the Multi-Agency Support Panel,
• Councillor Longton, about Ukrainian refugees who had not come through the official sponsor scheme
• Councillor S Turner, who complimented the successful way in which the Council distributed Disabled Facilities Grants.

The report was noted. 

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

Councillor Bowen, in response to a question from Councillor Gerrard, confirmed that a meeting with the YMCA at the end of April would consider such issues as the availability of a Government grant to assist with the additional cost of heating swimming pools, and the introduction of LED lighting in Leisure Centres.

Cllr Robinson commented on the recent hosting of the North West Stages Rally which brought many people to the borough and also provided significant support for local charities.

Cllr Fairbanks asked a question about access to Kids Clubs. 

The report was noted.

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.

Councillor Vincent thanked Clare James and her team for their thorough and comprehensive work.

It was agreed, unanimously, to approve the Treasury Management Policy and Annual Investment Strategy, MRP Policy Statement and Capital Strategy for 2022/23 as considered by Cabinet at their meeting 23 March 2022.

Report of Councillor Alice Collinson, Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder and Marianne Hesketh, Corporate Director Communities.

Councillor Baxter left the Council Chamber for this item.

Councillor Alice Collinson, Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder and Marianne Hesketh, Corporate Director Communities, submitted a report.

Councillor Collinson responded to questions and comments from Councillors Sir Robert Atkins, Fail, S Turner and Ballard. 

It was agreed (by 33 votes to 0, with 6 abstentions),

1.     That the ‘Publication’ draft Wyre Local Plan Partial Review (2011-2031) Schedule of Revisions, labelled as Appendix 1 to this report; the ‘Submission’ draft Wyre Local Plan Partial Review (2011-2031) Schedule of Additional Minor Modifications, labelled as Appendix 2 to this report; and the Statement of Consultation, labelled as Appendix 3 to this report be approved for submission to the Secretary of State for examination.

2.     That powers be delegated to the Head of Planning Services to make amendments to the ‘Submission’ draft Wyre Local Plan Partial Review (2011-2031) in consultation with the Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, before it is submitted for examination. Such amendments could include (but are not limited to) improvements to the clarity of the document, factual and typing errors and necessary updates to reflect final recommendations from technical assessments. 

3.     That the ‘Submission’ draft Wyre Local Plan Partial Review (2011-2031) be approved for appropriate Development Management purposes.

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

Councillor Baxter returned to the Council Chamber.

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

It was agreed, unanimously, that Part 7.02 (Scheme of Delegation) of the Council’s Constitution be amended to reflect several changes to the current Executive and Non-Executive officer delegations.

Report of Clare James, Corporate Director Resources. 

Clare James, Corporate Director Resources, submitted a report, which was presented by Councillor David Henderson, Leader of the Council.

Councillor Henderson thanked the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel for their sterling work.

It was agreed, unanimously:

(i)              That, in line with the formula applied since 2012, the Basic Allowance paid to each councillor be increased by 1.75%, from £4,467 per annum to £4,545 per annum, with effect from 12 May 2022.

(ii)             That, with the exception of the Chairman of the Audit Committee (see below), the method in which Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) for members of the Executive, Group Leaders or Chairmen of Committees are calculated continue to be based on the various current multipliers of the Basic Allowance for each of the posts as set out in Part 6.01 Appendix A of the Constitution.

(iii)           That the SRA paid to the Chairman of the Audit Committee be increased from 0.8x to 1x basic allowance.

(iv)           That the SRAs paid to the Lead Member for Children and Young People and the Lead Member for Older People remain unchanged.

(v)             That no changes be made to the SRAs paid to the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor.

(vi)           That the levels of allowances to be paid in 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 2, be noted.

(vii)          That all other elements of the Council’s Members’ Allowances Scheme remain unchanged.

(viii)        That the members of the IRP be thanked for their work on this review.

Report of Councillor John Ibison, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor John Ibison, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, presented the Committee’s Annual Report.

The report was noted.

Report of Councillor Lesley McKay, Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Councillor Lesley Mc Kay, Chairman of the Audit Committee, presented a report.

Councillor Moon commended the Chairman and officers for helping the committee to deal with complex information so effectively.

The Chief Executive, Garry Payne, confirmed that there had been external issues which had resulted in a delay in signing off the annual accounts; it had not been as a result of any internal matters. 

The report was noted.   

None.

None.