Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7 December 2017.

Councillor Henderson proposed and Cllr A Vincent seconded a proposal that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2017 be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor Fail proposed an amendment, seconded by Cllr Beavers, pointing out that the appointment of Cllr B Stephenson to the Audit Committee had been omitted.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2017 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of an additional paragraph in the resolution of Minute 59 (Appointments to Committees) stating:

“That Cllr B Stephenson be appointed to the Audit Committee in place of Cllr Ballard”.

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

All Members are asked to submit any declarations in writing by 9.30am on Wednesday 17 January 2018 if possible.

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 made announcements about the following Mayor’s Charity events:

1. ‘A Night at the Dogs’ courtesy of Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium, Manchester to be held on Saturday 17 February 2018 at 6.30 pm.

2. A Fashion Show by Almarice to be held at Winmarleigh Village Hall on Friday 9 March 2018 at 7.30 pm.

3. A Raffle for a Luxury Spa Hotel weekend break for two, including breakfast and dinner up to a value of £500.

4. A bucket collection at the BBC Radio Lancashire Live Christmas Concert held at the Marine Hall on 15 December, which had raised £515 for the Mayor’s charities.

The Mayor also said that she was very pleased to announce that the Mayor Elect for 2018/19 was Cllr Marge Anderton.

Cllr Anderton said that she was very honoured to be asked to be Mayor and announced that the Deputy Mayor for 2018/19 would be Cllr Michael Barrowclough.

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

Any questions or statements received by the specified deadline of noon on Friday 12 January 2018 will be published and circulated separately.

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

Any questions received by the specified deadline of noon on Friday 12 January 2018 will be published and circulated separately.

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 (Cllr Henderson) submitted a report. 

Cllr Henderson responded to comments and questions from:

-       Cllr Beavers, about the encouragement of more public engagement between the majority group and the opposition group at Wyre;

-       Cllr Beavers about the Northern Powerhouse;

-       Cllr Gibson, about discussions with the Leaders of other Council’s in Lancashire.

RESOLVED: that the report be noted.

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

Cllr Vincent responded to comments and questions from Cllr Fail, about the impact of the Government Grant funding allocation for Wyre in 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder (Cllr Henderson) submitted a report.

Councillor Henderson referred, when introducing his report, to complimentary comments received from residents about John Bettle and other members of the Street Scene Team.

Cllr Henderson responded to comments made by Cllr E Anderton, on behalf of Cllr Shewan, thanking Street Scene employees for their swift and helpful response to an issue raised by a constituent.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder (Councillor Murphy) submitted a report.

Cllr Murphy made it clear that the final Annual Review on the activities of the Fleetwood Coastal Community Team, referred to in paragraph 2.1 of his report, would be submitted in 2018.

Cllr Murphy responded to questions and comments from:

-       Cllr Beavers, about the Hillhouse Master Plan  and the possible reinstatement of the rail line;

-       Cllr Raynor, about the next meeting of the “Fleetwood Back on Track” Group to be held on 20 February;

-       Cllr Greenhough, about the submission of Wyre’s Local Plan;

-       Councillor Greenhough, about the contract for the continued operation of the Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry;

-       Cllr Fail, about the rules relating to the call-in by individual Councillors of planning applications for consideration by the Planning Committee;

-       Cllr Gibson about the proposals for a River Wyre barrage.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

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

Cllr Berry responded to comments and questions from:

-       Cllr Greenough, Cllr Ballard, Cllr Beavers, Cllr Moon and Cllr Kay about the flooding of parts of the Borough in November 2017 and, in particular, arrangements for the clearance of blocked drains and gullies.

-       Cllr B Birch, about the White Ribbon Campaign to tackle domestic violence.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Leisure and Culture Portfolio Holder (Councillor Bowen) submitted a report.

No comments were made or questions asked about Cllr Bowen’s report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder (Cllr Michael Vincent) submitted a report.

Cllr Michael Vincent responded to comments and questions from:

-       Cllr Beavers, Cllr Jones, Cllr S Turner and Cllr Lees about the impact of the Government’s funding of the National Health Services on the residents of Wyre;

-       Cllr Jones, about the effectiveness of the Council’s food hygiene  inspections;

-       Cllr Pimbley, about the high “happiness rating” of Wyre residents, recently reported in the press;

-       Cllr Gibson, about engagement with Parish and Town Council’s in Wyre.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

None.

Report of the Resources Portfolio Holder (Cllr A Vincent) and the Head of Contact Centre

The Resources Portfolio Holder (Cllr A Vincent) submitted a report proposing that the current Localised Council Tax Support Scheme, originally implemented from 1 April 2013, be continued in 2018/19.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

1.    That the current Localised Council Tax Support Scheme be continued in to the 2018/19 financial year, with the additional maximum percentage contribution from working age claimants being no more than 8.5%.

2.    That the original policy be re-confirmed, recognising that it included a number of specific amounts used to calculate entitlement which might change in line with up-ratings published by the Department for Work and Pensions, that there might also be minor adjustments to the scheme should further guidance be received from the Department for Communities and Local Government and that the roll out of Universal Credit would ultimately replace existing benefits.

Report of the Lead Member for Younger People (Cllr Kay)

The Lead Member for Children and Young People (Cllr Kay) submitted a report on some of the activities she had been involved with in her role as Lead Member in the last year.

There were no comments or questions from Councillors on her report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

None.

None.