Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2015 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which requested the suspension of Procurement Standing Orders so as to approve the extension of existing contracts for Sheltered Housing Services.

          The Board was advised that existing contracts had been in place since April 2008, and the request for a further extension was to allow the remodelling of services. It was reported that this would provide the opportunity to identify further efficiencies for 2015/16, rather than to conduct a lengthy open tender process at this time.

The Board noted that a list of existing contracts were contained in Appendix 1. Two of those providers were considered to be above the average cost when compared to other local sheltered services. Members were advised that these would be the first to be reviewed with a view to securing efficiencies; the remaining sheltered services would be reviewed throughout the year.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    acting under Procurement Standing Order 1.8.3( c), the Board agrees to waive Procurement Standing Orders 4.1 and 4.2 for the sheltered housing scheme and community alarm contracts whose values are up to but not exceeding £172,514; and

2)    an extension of those contracts listed in Appendix 1 to 31 March 2016 be agreed, with an option to extend by one further year if necessary.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which sought approval to extend the current Adult Social Care contracts provided by external and voluntary sector providers.

          The Board was advised that a number of these services supported the prevention agenda and were pivotal to the strategic aims of Adult Social Care. In addition, it was noted that they services were well placed to deliver important outcomes linked to the Care Act.

          The contracts, listed in Appendices 1 and 2, represented a number of voluntary organisations that delivered a valuable service across health and social care. From 1 April 2015, each of the services would be managed through the Better Care Fund, to ensure that services were jointly funded and managed.

          The report set out the business case for the extension of these  contracts, for Members’ consideration.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the use of Procurement Standing Orders 1.8.3 (d) ( e) and (f) be approved to waive Procurement Standing Order 4.1 in respect of voluntary sector contracts with a value not exceeding £172,514, as listed in Appendix 1;

2)    an extension of existing voluntary sector contracts be approved for a period of two years from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2017 for all contracts listed in Appendix 1; and

3)    an extension of existing voluntary sector contracts be approved for a period of one year from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 for all contracts listed in Appendix 2.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, on progress against key objectives/milestones and performance targets for the third quarter to 31 December 2014.

The Board was advised that the Directorate Performance Overview Report provided a strategic summary of key issues arising from performance in the relevant quarter for each Directorate, being aligned to Council priorities or functional areas. The Board noted that such information was key to the Council’s performance management arrangements, with the Board having a key role in monitoring performance and strengthening accountability.

It was reported that each report contained an update concerning the implementation of mitigation measures for all high risks contained within each of the Directorate Risk Registers.

RESOLVED: That the report and progress and performance information be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, on the Pensions Discretions Policy (the Policy).

          The Board was advised that since approving the current Policy in July 2014, the Appointments Committee had approved changes to the Council’s Staffing Protocol, specifically in relation to the ability to augment an employee’s pensionable service on early retirement.

It was reported that the new Local Government Pension Scheme introduced changes in the calculations of pensionable service, as detailed in the report.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the amended Pensions Discretion Statement for 2014/15 be approved and the 2015/16 Statement be adopted; and

2)    those discretions be exercised by the appropriate Strategic Director, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Resources and the Operational Director, Finance. (In the case of applications from Strategic Directors/Chief Executive, replace appropriate Strategic Director with Chief Executive/Strategic Director, Policy and Resources respectively).

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which sought approval to grant a Direct Award of a contract to deliver housing support services at Halton YMCA.

          The Board was advised that the current contract, awarded in April 2012 for the provision of housing support services to residents at Halton Lodge YMCA, was now in its final year. Following a scrutiny review of homelessness services in 2012, it was noted that a number of service users appeared not to either need or use the level of support on offer. It was reported that vacancy levels averaged around 50% during the last six months, which had lead to the service becoming economically unviable.

          A new service model which provided a lasting solution had been negotiated with YMCA, whilst at the same time, a partnership arrangement had been developed with Fylde YMCA, as detailed in the report. It was further reported that the Direct Award of a further one year contract to YMCA would result in the Council achieving savings and provide an opportunity to test the effectiveness of the new service model with the existing provider.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    to ensure the stability and continuity of the service, the Board support the grant of a Direct Award to Halton YMCA for the delivery of Housing Support Services from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016;

2)    the proposed changes to the service specification be noted; and

3)    the financial efficiencies to be secured through this course of action be noted.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, on a proposal to locate an LED advertising screen on land at The Hive, Widnes.

          The Board was advised that the screen would offer the opportunity to advertise upcoming events at The Hive, as well as being available to the Council and third parties to advertise. Details of the business case were set out in the report.

It was noted that Silver Blades (Ice Rink) had agreed to fund half of the capital cost, with the Council being asked to provide funding for the remaining amount of £50,000. In return, the Council would have advertising rights of 10 minutes per day which could be used to support local events, inform the public of council services or support advertising from third parties. This would generate income for the Council after operating costs had been deducted.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the location of an LED advertising screen on land at The Hive, Widnes, in partnership with Silver Blades (Ice Rink) be supported on the terms set out in the report;

2)    a grant to Silver Blades (Ice Rink), as set out in Section 4 of the report, to be funded from the Council’s share of advertising income, be approved; and

3)     detailed terms and conditions, including any permissions required, be agreed with the operational Director, Legal and Democratic Services, and the Operational Director, Finance, in consultation with the Portfolio holder and the Leader.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, on the partial revocation of existing Waiting and Loading Restrictions at School Way, Widnes.

          The Board was advised that, at the request of residents and local Councillors and to address parking congestion and associated safety concerns adjacent to Moorfield Primary School, in 2011 various waiting and loading restrictions were introduced on the full length of School Way and the area of its junction with Whalley Grove and Nursery Close. It was reported that all frontage properties were consulted directly on the proposals and no objections were received.

          Since the introduction of the restrictions, there had been repeated contacts with adjacent residents and their Ward Councillors requesting minor alterations to the restrictions to permit a degree of local parking. Subsequently, three experimental ‘gaps’ in the restrictions were introduced.

          Members were advised that following the advertisement of the proposal to revoke limited parts of a Traffic Regulation Order relating to School Way, 10 objections were received, details of which were outlined in the report.          

In view of the responses it was recommended that just one ‘gap’ be retained and formalised, that being the one on the south side of School Way adjacent to No 1. School Way. It was also recommended that Cheshire Constabulary be contacted with a view to greater priority being given to this location.

          Members were advised that the report had been considered by the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board at its meeting on 28 January 2015, which supported the recommendation.

          RESOLVED: That the Board approves  the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order to revoke part of both the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2011 and the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (No Loading) Order 2011 relating to School Way, Widnes as in Appendix D and that objectors be notified accordingly.

MINUTES ISSUED: 18 March 2015

CALL-IN: 25 March 2015

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 25 March 2015