Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the council held on Thursday 26 January 2023.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, proposed and the Resources Portfolio Holder, Councillor Henderson, seconded that the minutes of the meeting of the full Council held on 26 January 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

It was agreed (by 34 votes to 0) that the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 26 January 2023 be confirmed as a correct record by those in attendance.

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 thanked those who attended her Mayor’s Charity Ball and explained that the event was a success. She also made announcements about her final events as Mayor, these were:

-       A pre-loved fashion show on Saturday 1 April 2023.

-       An evening of song with the Blackpool Male Voice Choir on Friday 14 April 2023.

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.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of the Council and Clare James, Corporate Director Resources (Section 151 Officer).

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, and the Chief Executive, Garry Payne, submitted a report on the council’s Pay Policy Statement 2023/24.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Vincent, seconded by Councillor Berry that the Pay Policy Statement in respect of 2023/24, which was attached as Appendix A of the report be approved.

It was agreed (unanimously) at that the Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 be approved.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of the Council and Garry Payne, Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent and the Chief Executive, Garry Payne submitted a report on the council’s Refreshed Business Plan 2019 – 2023 (updated January 2023).

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Vincent, seconded by Councillor Berry that the Refreshed Business Plan 2019 – 2023 be approved.

During the debate, Councillor Fail raised a personal explanation to clarify that he had said the word “facilitate” in relation to a borough wide programme to improve energy efficiency.

It was agreed (by 32 votes to 0, with 6 abstentions) that the Refreshed Business Plan 2019 – 2023 (updated January 2023) be approved.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of the Council.

Please note: The report of the Corporate Director Resources (Section 151 Officer) on the Council’s Revenue Budget, Council Tax and Capital Estimates, which was considered by the Cabinet on 15 February 2023, forms part of the background to the attached report of the Leader of the Council, with paragraph 3.1 seeking Council agreement to the recommendations of the Cabinet. An extract from the minutes of that meeting, setting out the Cabinet’s recommendations, is attached as Appendix 1 of the Leader of the Council’s report to this meeting. However, the detailed information from the report of the Corporate Director Resources to the Cabinet is not reproduced in this agenda. That report can be viewed via the Cabinet agenda on the Council’s website at: https://wyre.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g1737/Public%20reports%20pack%2015th-Feb-2023%2017.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, submitted a report on the setting of Council Tax for 2023/24.  His report included reference to the report of the Corporate Director Resources (Section 151 Officer) on the Revenue Budget, Council Tax and Capital Programme, which had been considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 15 February 2023. The full minute of that Cabinet meeting was included as Appendix 1 to his report.

The Mayor said that, in accordance with the usual convention, Procedure Rule 16.4 would be suspended so that the Leader when proposing the Budget and the Leader of the Opposition when commenting on or proposing any amendments to it, would not be time limited. However, all other speakers in the debate would, as usual, be limited to a maximum of five minutes each.

The Mayor also proposed that Procedure Rule 16.6(b) be suspended to allow a single debate to be held on any amendments proposed, the budget as a whole and the setting of the Council Tax. The Council agreed unanimously.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Vincent and seconded by Councillor Henderson that the recommendations made by Cabinet be approved.

The following amendments were proposed by Councillor Fail and seconded by Councillor Beavers:

1.     Reduce Fly-Tipping – free collections for all

The cost would be an estimated £50k-£80k a year which would be funded from the Value For Money reserve. An end of year one review would identify cost reductions and additional income from other fees and charges to offset any impact on general balances.

2.    Reduce Littering and Dog-fouling - Bring District Enforcement In-house

The cost based on figures provided to O&S (assuming a like for like service) would be in the region of £130k for Year 1, and £100k thereafter. This would be funded from the Value For Money reserve. An end of year one review would identify cost reductions and additional income from other fees and charges to offset any impact on general balances.

During the debate, Councillor Beavers raised a personal explanation in response to Councillor Berry to clarify she did not mention builders waste in her speech.

Councillor Michael Vincent raised a personal explanation by clarifying that wording of the first Labour Group amendment did not mention the word “household waste”. The Chief Executive confirmed that the wording of the amendment was “Reduce Fly-Tipping – free collections for all. The cost would be an estimated £50k-£80k a year which would be funded from the Value For Money reserve. An end of year one review would identify cost reductions and additional income from other fees and charges to offset any impact on general balances.”

Following a proposal by Councillor Fail to amend the wording of the Labour Group’s first amendment, a point of order was raised by Councillor Le Marinel regarding the procedure for further amendments. The Mayor ruled that no further amendments were to be heard as members had moved to the debate.

The following members voted in support of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

None.

None.

The Mayor and Leader of the Council made several comments about the outgoing Chief Executive, Garry Payne.

Garry Payne said a few words about his time working at Wyre. He gave thanks to councillors and staff and praised the positive culture of Wyre Council.