Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on Thursday 14 September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 September 2023 were confirmed, unanimously, as a correct record by those who were 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 reminded councillors of her following fundraising events:

·         Pre-loved fashion show at Wyrebank Garstang on Saturday 18 November 2023. Tickets were £12 each.

·         Wine tasting and nibbles fundraiser at Booth, Poulton on Thursday 23 November 2023. Tickets were £20 each.

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 Vincent, submitted a report.

Councillor Vincent introduced his report. He updated members on progress of the Lancashire Devolution Deal.

Councillor Vincent addressed Councillor Fail’s concerns about Wyre Council’s role in the proposed Lancashire Devolution Deal.

Councillor Vincent responded to a question from Councillor Baxter about the potential benefits of the Lancashire Devolution Deal.

Councillors Cartridge and Vincent welcomed the recent Network Rail appointment of consultants to develop the tram/train option for the Fleetwood/ Poulton rail line.

Councillor Vincent responded to concerns from Councillor Beavers on the Lancashire Devolution Deal.

The report was noted.

The Resources Portfolio Holder, Councillor McKay, submitted a report.

Councillor McKay introduced her report.

Councillor Fail made comments regarding the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for the council’s commercial estate. He requested clarity on the report’s reference to the required minimum EPC rating of E, but noted that the Council’s draft Climate Change Strategy referred to a measure of council sites achieving an EPC rating of C by 2027. Councillor McKay assured members that there was a process to achieve the required rating. Councillor McKay agreed to provide Councillor Fail with a more detailed written response to his question.

Councillor Baxter made comments regarding the 2023/24 Pay Award and asked for an update following the closure of GMB’s strike ballot. Councillor McKay confirmed that the council was waiting for further information on the result of the strike ballot.

The report was noted.

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

In the absence of Councillor Bridge, Councillor Vincent introduced the report.

Councillors Cartridge and Vincent congratulated Churchtown in Bloom on winning the village category in the Britain in Bloom Awards.

Councillor Vincent congratulated the Poulton Cemetery Team on winning Gold in the North West Britain in Bloom Awards.

Councillor Fail welcomed the Fixed Penalty Notice figures, particularly in relation to dog fouling outlined in the report. As a deterrence, Councillor Fail suggested that the figures should be posted on the Wyre Council website. Councillor Vincent echoed these comments and thanked officers for the improved reporting. He agreed to consult with officers about the further advertisement of these figures.

Councillor Nicholls made comments about the recent lighting improvements and introduction of LED lighting at Jean Stansfield Vicarage Park, Poulton. Councillor Vincent thanked Councillor Nicholls for his involvement in resolving this issue and welcomed councillors’ proposals to help improve the area.

Councillor Rushforth raised her concerns regarding limited patrol hours in the rural areas of Wyre, in particular Rural West. Councillor Vincent agreed to ask officers to investigate increasing the patrol hours in the rural communities.

Councillor Minto raised an issue regarding removal of a wooden post from land near Red March Industrial Estate, Thornton. Councillor Vincent requested that Councillor Minto contact himself and Mark Billington, the Corporate Director Environment, following the meeting.

Councillor Birch updated members on the work to regenerate Cottam Hall community gardens.

The report was noted.

The Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, Councillor Le Marinel, submitted a report.

Councillor Le Marinel introduced his report.

Councillor Le Marinel responded to a question from Councillor Nicholls regarding the ongoing work to develop the Poulton Centre Regeneration Framework.

Councillor Duffy made several comments about the financial implications for Fleetwood Market stall holders. She asked about the council's efforts to resolve the issue of traders leaving Fleetwood Market. Councillor Le Marinel explained the support provided by the council. He informed members that the council was investigating how the service charge was administered and that results would be presented to members in due course.

Councillor Beavers asked about the impact of future planning developments on the ability for the Fleetwood/ Poulton rail line to reach the centre of Fleetwood. Councillor Le Marinel agreed to provide Councillor Beavers with a more detailed written response to her question.

Councillor Rimmer asked a question regarding other community engagement projects in addition to the ongoing consultations outlined in the report, which councillors could support. She also inquired whether the consultation effort was assisting the council in identifying additional areas that were not previously addressed that could receive funding. Councillor Le Marinel agreed to provide Councillor Rimmer with a more detailed written response to her question.

The report was noted. 

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

Councillor Berry introduced his report.

Councillor Berry responded to comments from Councillor B Stephenson regarding people cycling without lights on public roads in Fleetwood.

Councillor Beavers shared a letter of thanks she had received from a visitor to Fleetwood. This letter praised Wyre Council for permitting motorhomes and campervans to park overnight on Central car park, Fleetwood.

Councillor Lady D Atkins raised concerns about the increase of anti-social behaviour incidents in Garstang. Councillor Berry agreed to speak to the Superintendent about these issues.

Councillor Rushforth welcomed the new policing operation in Fleetwood (Clear, Hold, Build). She raised concerns regarding an increase of crime in Over Wyre. Councillor Berry assured Councillor Rushforth that he would share these comments at a future meeting of the Wyre Community Safety Partnership. He also encouraged councillors to report incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour to the police. Councillors Rushforth and Berry agreed to continue discussions regarding this matter after the meeting.

The report was noted.

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

Councillor Bowen introduced her report.

Councillor Bowen responded to a question from Councillor Baxter regarding food safety in businesses across Wyre.

Councillor Cartridge thanked the Portfolio Holder and the officers for the work in making the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) a success. Councillor Bowen echoed these thanks.

Councillor Bowen responded to Councillor B Stephenson’s question regarding the future of the Wyre theatres.

The report was noted.

Councillor McKay responded to a question from Councillor Vincent regarding the EPC ratings of the council’s commercial estate.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of the Council and Rebecca Huddleston, Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Councillor, Councillor Vincent, and the Chief Executive, Rebecca Huddleston submitted a report to enable changes to be made to the Council’s Constitution.

Councillor Vincent introduced his report.

The following recommendations were approved, unanimously:

·         That the proposed amendment to the Council Procedure Rules be approved.

·         That the proposed amendments to the Overview and Scrutiny Article and Procedure Rules be approved.

·         That the proposed amendments to the Local Code of Good Practice for Councillors and Officers Involved in the Planning Process be approved.

Report of Councillor Colette Birch, Chair of the Licensing Committee.

The Chair of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Birch, submitted a report to inform the Council of the current position on issues dealt with by the Licensing Committee and Licensing Team during the period October 2022 to September 2023 (inclusive).

Councillor Birch introduced the report.

The report was noted.

None.

None received.