Agenda and draft minutes

Members will disclose any pecuniary and any other significant interests they may have in relation to the matters to be considered at this meeting.

None received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 December 2024.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Prosperity Board (EPB) held on Thursday 12 December 2024 were approved by those who were in attendance.

If the discussion during the items 10 and 11 of this agenda involves the disclosure of “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Board wishes to move to confidential session, it may at any point pass the following resolution: “That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst the agenda item(s) are considered, on the ground that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in category 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2006 and, that in the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information”

Owing to the disclosure of commercially sensitive information the Board agreed that the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst the agenda items 10 and 11 were considered, on the ground that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in category 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2006 and, that in the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To confirm the following dates as suggested by Fylde Council for EPB meetings in 2025/26:

Thursday 26 June 2025

Thursday 25 September 2025

Thursday 11 December 2025

Thursday 26 March 2026

The Board agreed the following dates for meetings of the EPB for 2025/26:

Thursday 26 June 2025

Thursday 25 September 2025

Thursday 11 December 2025

Thursday 26 March 2026

It was suggested that the start time remained as 2pm.

To enhance collaborative efforts across each authority by reviewing the Forward Plan for the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Prosperity Board (EPB) for the 2025/26 period.

The Chair, Councillor Vincent, introduced this item, requesting Board members to review their Forward Plan and propose any additional topics for consideration.

Following discussions on the importance of the Board’s involvement with the Lancashire Growth Plan, the Board agreed to defer the connectivity and infrastructure themed meeting from June to December. This would allow for a comprehensive discussion on the Lancashire Growth Plan to better understand its implications for the Fylde Coast.

To receive an update Carl Green, Assistant Director of Engineering (Wyre Council), Charlie Richards, Head of Regeneration and Engineering (Fylde Council) and Clare Nolan-Barnes, Head of Coastal and Environmental Partnership Investment (Blackpool Council).

Carl Green, Assistant Director of Engineering (Wyre Council), Charlie Richards, Head of Regeneration and Engineering (Fylde Council) and Clare Nolan-Barnes, Head of Coastal and Environmental Partnership Investment (Blackpool Council) attended the meeting to present to the Board.

The presentation provided the Board with information regarding the bathing water quality of the Fylde Coast coastline. There were eight bathing waters along the coastline. The update focused on the following key areas:

•        There were changes to the classifications for water quality in 2013. The Fylde Peninsula Partnership had been working towards the higher requirements since then. The classifications were given based on averages following Environment Agency testing.

•        The bathing water classifications from 2015 to 2024. It showed that the overall standard of bathing water over the Fylde peninsular had declined over the last three years. Work with partners was necessary to bring the figures back up.

•        Data from Marketing Lancashire, the STEAM Report Of Annual Tourism Figures to explain the economic impact of bathing water quality across the Fylde Coast. It was explained that rural tourism in Wyre, in particular, should be considered when using the figures as a comparison for water quality. The key concern was the potential threat to tourism if the public's perception of the Fylde Coast beaches and bathing waters deteriorated, emphasising the importance of viewing the entire coastline as a unified entity.

•        The sources of pollution to bathing waters. These included Misconnections, Agricultural Runoff, Bird and Dog faeces, Highway runoff and Water Company Discharges.

•        The importance of surface water management and efforts to mitigate the risk of flooding, particularly with the increase in water company discharges.

•        Previous work and success of the Fylde Peninsula Partnership and Turning Tides Partnership. These included LoveMyBeach Campaign, Refill Campaign and seaside awards.

It was highlighted that increased collaborative and joined up approaches to information sharing and surface water management across the Fylde Coast was integral to reduce the risk of flooding.

Officers responded to questions from Board members regarding the funding and resourcing of the Fylde Peninsula Partnership.

Discussions were held regarding funding streams and the need for additional testing in other areas of Lancashire.

In response to a question regarding the purpose of the group, it was confirmed that the Partnership required more focus and attention to ensure it could continue to be as successful as it was when first created.

The Board agreed:

•                  To support continued economic prosperity across the Fylde Peninsula by;

•                  Supporting collaborative work across all three Authorities through the Fylde Coast Peninsula Water Management Partnership action planning.

•                  Tourism sector to support addressing water quality challenges through membership of the Turning Tides board and support of relevant campaigns.

•                  Supporting the resource, engagement and implementation of joint projects to address water management challenges; in particular the prioritisation of action on surface water management to improve water quality and reduce flood risk.

The Chair proposed extending an invitation to the Fylde Coast MPs to request their support.

To receive an update from Carl Green, Assistant Director of Engineering (Wyre Council).

Carl Green, Assistant Director of Engineering (Wyre Council), attended the meeting and submitted a presentation to provide an update of the work to support Coastal Infrastructure and Strategic Planning.

Carl Green introduced the presentation. He reminded members of the purpose and aims of the project this included:

•                  Mapping critical infrastructure and its interconnectedness along the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde coastline.

•                  Integrated coastal risk information and coastal management approaches with infrastructure assets.

•                  Enable infrastructure providers to make more informed decisions by considering long-term risks, including future flooding and coastal erosion.

•                  Emphasising the importance of understanding infrastructure criticality, vulnerability and connectedness.

•                  Emphasise the importance of understanding infrastructure criticality, vulnerability, and connectedness.

•                  Synchronise different sector plans to ensure alignment.

He highlighted that the project had been structured into four key phases. Phase one involved gathering and consolidating existing infrastructure data from all sectors, phase two included holding cross sector workshops to map infrastructure interdependencies and identify risks, phase three would facilitate scenario testing to assess vulnerabilities and potential responses, and phase four would complete the project with a written report and recommendations for strategic improvements.

He explained the progress of the project at present. He added that the project was working within phase one. They had successfully gathered and consolidated open source data and data from other local authorities, they had engaged with relevant partners such as Electricity North West, however had encountered some difficulties with collecting data from United Utilities and Network Rail owing to data formats and licensing issues.

He summarised to the Board the project’s intended next steps. These priorities included planning cross-sector workshops to map infrastructure interdependencies and developing a guidance note to help partners integrate infrastructure and risk considerations into their decisions.

Carl addressed questions about the significance of telecommunications as critical infrastructure and how the developers may utilise the final report and its findings.

The Board agreed to continue to support the collaborative approach to create infrastructure fit for the future.

To receive verbal updates from representatives from each council.

Blackpool Council, Fylde Council and Wyre Council had submitted a presentation to provide the Board with economic updates for each authority.

Sarah Palmer, Director of Transformation and Change (Wyre Council) introduced the presentation. This covered the following topics:

•                  The development of the Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy and its initiatives;

•                  Fleetwood Waterfront Leisure Masterplan update;

•                  UKSPF projects 2022 – 2025 and the proposed UKSPF programme for 2025/26.

In response to questions from Councillor Buckley regarding Wyre’s Town Partnership Boards, Sarah Palmer agreed to provide further details regarding their achievements.

Concerns were raised regarding the continuity of UKSPF funding for projects.

Nick Gerrard, Growth and Prosperity Programme Director (Blackpool Council) introduced the presentation which summarised many of the key economic highlights in Blackpool over the last few years including:

•                  Talbot Gateway Central Business District Phases including the handing over of the DWP office building and Multiversity;

•                  The Winter Gardens Conference and Exhibition Centre;

•                  The Backlot Cinema and other town centre developments;

•                  Blackpool Central and the relocation of the Courts;

•                  Revoe Community Sports Village;

•                  The Blackpool Makes it Work campaign and the forthcoming joint attendance of all three authorities at the UK Real Estate Infrastructure and Investment Forum in Leeds in May.

Charlie Richards, Head of Regeneration and Engineering (Fylde Council) introduced the presentation. This covered the following topics:

•                  St-Anne’s-on-the-Sea Town Centre Masterplan;

•                  St Annes high street improvements – phase one;

•                  The Island site assembly in partnership with Lancashire County Council update;

•                  Pier link – phase two of St Annes high street improvements;

•                  Garden street – phase three of St Annes high street improvements;

•                  Kirkham futures programme update;

•                  Looking ahead, including UKSPF programme delivery for 2025/26.

The Chair thanked officers for their updates.

To review the work of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and its future work and priorities against its role and remit.

Rob Green, Head of Enterprise Zones (Blackpool Council) submitted a report to review the work of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and its future work and priorities against its role and remit.

Nick Gerrard raised that Blackpool Council had recently responded to the government’s request for expressions of interest in developing AI Growth Zones. They were enthusiastic about submitting a proposal based on the Silicon Sands initiative and emphasised the potential opportunities for Hillhouse.

Rob Green responded to comments from Councillor Buckley regarding flooding and drainage issues around Division Lane. Rob clarified that United Utilities had been in the process of adopting the drainage scheme for Common Edge and the Eastern Gateway. He noted that there was ongoing work with United Utilities regarding drainage for Area A on the eastern side of the airport, which was expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

The report was noted.

To review the work of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone and its future work and priorities against its role and remit.

Rob Green, Head of Enterprise Zones (Blackpool Council) submitted a report to review the work of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone and its future work and priorities against its role and remit.

The report was noted.