Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 July 2019.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 July 2019 be confirmed as a correct record (by 34 votes to 8, with 1 abstention).

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

Mark Billington, Mark Broadhurst and Marianne Hesketh each declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 15 (Corporate Management Team Restructure) because they were each directly affected by the proposed restructure and stated that they would leave the meeting before that item was considered.

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:

1. That the report submitted under agenda item 9 on the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen had been withdrawn and that a revised report would be submitted to a future meeting.

2. That the Capricorn Concert on 2 October had been very successful. The Mayor thanked the organisers and all those who had attended.

3. That she, along with the Mayoress and her Deputies, had successfully completed the Wyre Walk Challenge at the beginning of September. She thanked the officers who had supported them on the walk and said that she would be grateful if any Councillors who had not already done so would sponsor them retrospectively.

4. That tickets (£12 each) were now available for The Northern Festival of Remembrance at the Marine Hall on Saturday 9 November 2019 at 7.00 pm, in aid of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and with a raffle for the Mayor’s Charities.

5. That the Lancashire Youth Orchestra and a Brass Band would be playing a concert in aid of the Mayor’s Charities at Hodgson School on the afternoon of Sunday 8 December. Details would be advertised soon.

No questions or statements received by the specified deadline of noon on Friday 27 September 2019.

None received.

No 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

received by the specified deadline of noon on Friday 27 September 2019.

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 (Cllr Henderson) submitted a report.

Cllr Henderson responded to questions and comments from Cllr Fail and Cllr Swales.

Agreed that the report be noted.

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

Cllr Vincent responded to a question from Cllr Longton.

Agreed that the report be noted.

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

Cllr Bridge circulated a revised version of the table headed “Officer Hours Patrolled by Area Qtr 3”, referred to in paragraph 4.5 of his report.

Cllr Bridge responded to questions and comments from Cllr Stirzaker, Cllr Armstrong and Cllr Collinson.

Agreed that the report be noted.

The Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder (Cllr Michael Vincent) submitted a report.

Cllr Michael Vincent said, when introducing his report, that a first meeting of the Town Centre Partnership Board, referred to in paragraph 5.4 of his report, had now been held. He said the Board would deal quickly but thoroughly with the preparation of a Business Case for the Future High Street Fund submission for Fleetwood Town Centre.

Cllr Michael Vincent responded to questions and comments from Cllr Swales, Cllr Raynor, Cllr Fail and Cllr Sir R Atkins.

Cllr Vincent said, in response to the question from Cllr Sir R Atkins, that he was not aware of any impact on Wyre Council of the recent insolvency of Lancashire construction firm Marcus Worthington and Co, but he would check and confirm to him.

Agreed that the report be noted.

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

Cllr Berry provided a verbal update on the recent flooding following the very heavy rainfall and high tides over the preceding weekend. He said that, fortunately, the banks of the river Wyre had held, although they had been close to overtopping at St Michaels. However, there had been extensive surface water flooding of roads and fields. He was aware of six properties that had been flooded. A multi-agency meeting was to be held on Monday 7 October to review events and co-ordinate any outstanding actions required.

Cllr Berry responded to questions and comments from Cllr Fail, Cllr Longton, Cllr George and Cllr Minto.

Cllr Berry said that he would arrange for a written response to be sent to Cllr Minto explaining how the two pumps (one manually operated and one automatic) at Stanah had been used on Sunday 29 October, including information on the flow rates of the pumps.

Agreed that the report be noted.

The Leisure Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder (Cllr Bowen) submitted a report.

Cllr Bowen provided a verbal update on the recent positive BBC coverage of progress made on the Healthier Fleetwood project.

Cllr Bowen responded to questions and comments from Cllr B Birch and Cllr E Ellison.

Agreed that the report be noted.

Cllr Henderson responded to a question from Cllr Michael Vincent.

Cllr A Vincent responded to a question from Cllr B Birch referred to him by Cllr Bowen.

Report of the Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Chief Executive submitted a report on changes to the membership of the committees for the remainder of the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

Agreed (by 38 votes to 0, with 8 abstentions):

1. That the revised political balance calculations following the resignation of Cllr George from the Labour Group, set out in Appendix 1, resulting in a total allocation of 60 seats to the Conservative Group, 13 seats to the Labour Group and 7 seats to the UKIP Group and with no seats allocated to the single Brexit Party member be noted.

2. That Cllr Collinson be appointed to the Licensing Committee in place of Cllr Swales.

3. That Cllr Fairbanks be appointed to the Audit Committee in place of Cllr George.

4. That Cllr Swales, be appointed to the Employment and Appeals Committee in place of Cllr George.

5. That Cllr Beavers be appointed to the Councillor Development Group in place of Cllr Swales.

6. That Cllr Swales be appointed to the Standards Committee in place of Cllr Beavers.

Report of the Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Chief Executive.

The Mayor informed the Council that the report of the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive had been withdrawn to enable the proposals to be considered further and a revised report would be submitted to a future meeting.

Report of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Cllr Ibison).

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Cllr Ibison) submitted a report informing the Council about the work undertaken by the Committee since the last periodic report had been submitted on 14 June 2018.

Agreed that the report be noted.

Report of the Leisure, Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder (Cllr Bowen) and the Service Director Health and Wellbeing.

The Leisure, Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder (Cllr Bowen) and the Service Director Health and Wellbeing submitted a report on a revised Statement of the Council’s Gambling Policy.

Agreed (unanimously) that the revised Statement of Gambling Policy 2019 – 2021, attached as Appendix 1 of the report, be formally adopted by the Council.

Report of the Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Head of Finance (Section 151 Officer).

The Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Head of Finance (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report on a proposal to allow advance funding of Wyre’s contribution to the Greater Lancashire Plan from general balances on the basis that it would be clawed back from the Strategic Economic Growth and Financial Sustainability Fund (SEGFSF) generated from additional business rates growth by being in the Lancashire Business Rates Pool (75% Pilot).

Agreed (unanimously)

1.    That, subject to a unanimous vote by the Business Rate Pool’s Governing Body (expected to be held on 26 September 2019), a contribution of £21,853 (estimated) would be made to the Greater Lancashire Plan based on the current local government structure in Lancashire, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report. (This sum being based on an aggregate £400,000 contribution from the pool members and will be clawed back from the SEGFSF in 2020/21 subject to there being sufficient additional growth to cover the full amount and on the basis that any further contribution to the next steps for the Greater Lancashire Plan would require approval).

2.    That responsibility for finalising the arrangements for the contribution be delegated to the Head of Finance (S.151 Officer) in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Report of the Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Chief Executive submitted a report on the establishment of a Climate Change Policy Group.

The Leaders of each of the political groups submitted their nominations for membership of the Group in accordance with the allocation of places set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

Agreed (unanimously):

1.    That a Climate Change Policy Group be established.

2.    That the Group would not have any delegated decision making and that its functions will be:

-       To assist officers in the development of the Climate Change Action Plan.

-       To make recommendations to the Cabinet on issues relating to climate change.

-       To monitor and review progress on the development and implementation of measures to alleviate the impact of climate change, referred to in the motion approved by the Council on 11 July 2019.

-       To report annually to Full Council.

3.    That  members be appointed to the Policy Group for the remainder of the 2019/20 Municipal year, as follows:

Cllr Armstrong (Fleetwood)

Cllr Sir Robert Atkins (Garstang)

Cllr Cartridge (Rural West)

Cllr Cropper (Rural West)

Cllr P Ellison (Thornton)

Cllr Fail (Cleveleys)

Cllr Gerrard (Fleetwood)

Cllr Ingham (Poulton)

Cllr Leech (Rural East)

Cllr McKay (Poulton)

Cllr Robinson (Rural East)

Cllr D Walmsley (Cleveleys).

4.    That, an initial meeting of the new group be held on a date to be arranged  in October or November 2019 and that further meetings then be arranged, probably in January and March 2020.

Report of the Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Service Director, People and Places.

The Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Service Director People and Places submitted a report on a single use plastics policy for the Council.

Agreed (unanimously):

1.    That the council’s officers be encouraged to ensure that single-use plastics were phased out or reduced across all council locations.

2.    That, where possible, improved recycling at council facilities be introduced regarding plastics and other materials.

3.    That event organisers be required to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics and provide improved recycling opportunities at events held on council land.

4.    That strategic partners be encouraged to adopt single use plastic policies.

5.    That best practice and information about plastic free initiatives, be shared with residents, businesses and visitors through the council’s communication channels.

6.    That the Council would join forces with external organisations who champion cleaner greener environments.

7.    That the Council would communicate the importance of protecting our urban, rural and marine environments, and support and promote positive initiatives, campaigns and actions for reducing plastic waste.

8.    That the Council would continue to support communities, beach cleans and litter-pick initiatives to ensure our parks, beaches and open spaces are free from plastic litter.

Report of the Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council (Cllr Henderson) and the Chief Executive submitted a report on a proposed revision to the structure of the Corporate Management Team.

Agreed (unanimously):

1.    That from the 1 December 2019, under the existing post of Chief Executive, a revised Corporate Management Team structure be implemented to include three Corporate Directors.

2.    That the following Corporate Director salary levels be approved-

£62,000 – 72,000 (£62,000/67,000/72,000).

3.    That the three existing Service Directors and Head of Finance/Section 151 Officer be ring-fenced for a role as a Corporate Director and be interviewed by the Senior Officer Appointments Committee and that once interviews had been completed the Senior Officer Appointments Committee would make a recommendation to full Council.

4.    The unsuccessful applicant would either take up a role or continue in the role of Head of Service. If the unsuccessful applicant was a current Service Director, salary protection would apply for 18 months in accordance with the Council’s adopted Policy. As a result of this restructure there would be no compulsory redundancies. However, should any unsuccessful candidate request voluntary redundancy that would only be agreed if the request met the Council’s Redundancy Policy, including a two year payback. 

5.    That in the event of an internal appointment/s not being made a further report would be brought back before full Council identifying options.

None.

None.