Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 14 April 2022 and 12 May 2022 respectively.

The following amendment to Item 6d of the minutes of 14 April 2022 was proposed by Councillor Fail and seconded by Councillor Beavers:

“Cllr Fail asked with regard to planning breaches whether investigations were being done quickly enough to stop unauthorised breaches from progressing to completion, and if not, whether this indicated there was still a staffing level issue. Cllr Fail also asked if formal action should be taken more frequently than currently (with a view to discouraging unauthorised development). The Portfolio Holder provided no view on this, with the Chief Exec intervening to confirm that it was he who had responsibility for staffing, not the Portfolio Holder.”

The amendment was lost (by 30 votes to 5 with 0 abstentions).

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, then proposed and the Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder, Councillor Berry, seconded that the minutes of the meeting of the full Council held on 14 April 2022 be confirmed as a correct record. It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting of 14 April be agreed as a correct record (by 30 votes to 5 with 0 abstentions)

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, then proposed and the Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder, Councillor Berry, seconded that the minutes of the meeting of the full Council held on 12 May 2022 be confirmed as a correct record. It was agreed unanimously that the minutes of the meeting of 12 May be confirmed as a correct record.

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.

The Mayor gave details of a number of fund-raising events that had been arranged to be held in aid of the Mayor’s charities:

·       Tuesday 16 August – Prosecco afternoon tea with live music in the Mayor’s Parlour, Civic Centre - tickets £15.

·       Monday 5 September – Prosecco afternoon tea in the Mayor’s Parlour (2^nd event by popular demand) - tickets £15.

·       Friday 9 September – Brush and tipple! An art class with a difference at the Venue, Cleveleys.

·       Friday 21 October – Northern Soul live band The Casinos and fish and chip supper at the Stumble Inn, Myerscough - tickets £20.

·       Saturday 19 November – pre-loved fashion show and sale by Gemma’s designer agency at Wyrebank, Garstang.

·       The Mayor’s Charity Ball at Garstang Golf Club on Saturday 25 February 2023.

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.

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.

In the absence of Councillor Henderson, the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, responded to questions from Councillor Fail about the problems of deprivation in Wyre, from Councillor Beavers about issues surrounding local homes being sold for holiday lets and from Councillor Lady D. Atkins about properties that had been left unoccupied for long periods.

The report was noted.

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

Cllr Vincent provided details of payments that were to be made from a discretionary scheme that would provide financial help to those on Local Council Tax Support.

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 Michael Vincent responded to questions and comments.

Councillor Vincent responded to a question from Councillor Fail about the lack of fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling and said that a written response would be provided. He also responded to a question from Councillor Longton on the subject of littering.

Councillor Ingham asked that his thanks be passed onto the Portfolio Holder and to the Arts and Events Development Officer, Chris Wyatt, and Gary Scott at Copse Road for their help towards the Queen’s Party held at Roylen Avenue, which had raised over £1000 for Brian House.

Councillor Beavers commented that the new Changing Places facility next to the Beach Bungalows, to which Fleetwood Town Council had contributed £10,000, would encourage more people to use the facilities.

The report was noted.

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

The report was noted.

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

Councillor Berry responded to questions from Councillors Fail and Longton about the recent flooding in Cleveleys. Councillor Baxter thanked Councillor Berry for his input and Senior Engineer, Paul Long, for agreeing to take up communications.

The report was noted.

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

Councillor Bowen thanked the Events Team for their efforts in respect of the Jubilee celebrations. Councillor Le Marinel added his thanks to Chris Wyatt, to Emma Lyons and the Communications Team and to Marianne Unwin and Daphne Courtenage of Democratic Services.

Councillor Stirzaker emphasised that the Big Picnic event in Fleetwood had been organised by Fleetwood Town Council and Cllr Bowen thanked them for doing so.

The report was noted.

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

Councillor Michael Vincent, Resources Portfolio Holder, and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources and S151 Officer, submitted a report detailing the overall position and activities in respect of Treasury Management for the financial year 2021/22.

It was agreed unanimously that the Annual report on Treasury Management Activity for the 2021/22 financial year 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 to enable an additional Independent Person to be appointed to be involved in dealing with Councillors’ Code of Conduct complaints and any disciplinary procedures for statutory officers.

It was agreed (by 34 votes to zero with one abstention) that David Gregson be appointed as an Independent Person, in line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

Report of Councillor Lynn Walmsley, Lead Member for Older People.

Councillor Lynn Walmsley, Lead Member for Older People, presented a report detailing some of the activities she had been involved in over the previous year.

The report was noted.

None.

None.