Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2015 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which provided an overview of regeneration activity and investment in Halton between 2010 and 2015.

It was noted that during the 2010/2015 period, the UK had experienced unprecedented economic conditions, including a downturn in land and property markets. Despite these economic pressures, the Council had been able to deliver a number of programmes and projects which had contributed to the growing economy of the Borough, with over £1 billion invested in Halton in the last five years.

Investment during this time had been broken down into a number of categories and the report detailed at paragraph 3.2 the amount within each investment category. However, it was reported that this did not take account of the additional levels of investment generated by the private sector at a number of locations including:-

·       Heath Technical and Business Park, Runcorn;

·       The Bridge Retail Park, Runcorn;

·       Manor Park, Runcorn;

·       Astmoor Industrial Estate, Runcorn;

·       Runcorn Halton Lea; and

·       Runcorn Shopping Centre.

The report provided Members with details of progress on delivery of  a number of regeneration schemes as well as investment in a number  of locations, specifically Castlefields, Murdishaw Local Centre and Sci-Tech Daresbury all in Runcorn, and  3MG, Widnes Waterfront, St Michael’s Golf Course and Peel House Lane Cemetery, all in Widnes.

RESOLVED: That the strong levels of investment and regeneration activity in the Borough during the last five years be noted.

(N.B. Councillor Jones declared a Disclosable Other Interest in the following item of business as he was a Governor at Fairfield Primary School)

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which provided a summary of the Capital Programmes for 2016/17 within the People and Economy Directorate.

The Board was advised that in February 2015, the Department for Education (DfE) announced the schools capital grant allocations for 2015/16, as well as indicative allocations for the two year period 2016/17 and 2017/18. By introducing three year allocations, the DfE was enabling those responsible for the school estate, to plan effectively and make strategic investment decisions. The report contained details on the indicative funding notified for 2016/17, as well as how the School Condition Allocation and Capital Expenditure Revenue Account funding would be allocated. It was noted that schools were required to make a contribution to the cost of capital repair works, and it was estimated that this contribution would be in the region of £34,219, based on the current budget costs for the works.

Halebank Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School was included in the DfE’s Priority School Building Programme. It was reported that the project commenced on site in July 2015, with a completion date of April 2016. Once the building was complete, the mobile classroom currently on site would be re-located to another Halton school should the need arise, and at a location to be determined. Members were advised that the estimated cost of this re-location would be circa £30,000.

It was further reported that in January 2014, Fairfield Junior School was expanded to allow the integration of the Infants School, to form Fairfield Primary School. However, as the school would still operate from two separate buildings, a number of improvements were required to address the building and organisational issues at the newly combined primary school.

Reason(s) for Decision

To deliver and implement the capital programmes.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Implementation Date

1 April 2016.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the Capital funding available for 2016/17 be noted;

2)    the proposals to be funded from School Condition Capital Allocation and Capital Expenditure Revenue Account be approved;

3)    the proposal to relocate the mobile classroom from Halebank Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School be approved;

4)    the proposals for Fairfield Primary School be approved; and

5)    Council be recommended to approve the Capital Programme for 2016/17.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, on the housing support service at Naughton Fields and at the new Barkla Fields extra care housing scheme.

 The Board was advised that the Council currently funded the Halton Housing Trust (HHT) Amethyst Living service, providing housing support to clients based in three sheltered housing schemes and those dispersed in the community. Following a decision by Executive Board on 12 March 2015, the annual contract, due to expire on 31 March 2016, could be extended to 31 March 2017. It was reported that, after lengthy negotiations with HHT, in principle agreement had been reached with HHT for the terms on which they would be willing to provide a housing support service at Naughton Fields and at Barkla Fields. Details of the proposed annual cost of delivering the service were set out in the report.

The ‘in principle’ terms, set out in the report, included payment by monthly block grant rather than a subsidy; clients to be assessed and charged for the service by the Council; the hours of service, with a review after six months; and the return of the re-ablement rota to the Council’s wider

Re-ablement Service (with no TUPE implications).

The report provided details of the Business Case and sought approval of the proposal, which would provide a better integrated support service for the residents of the two extra care schemes.

RESOLVED: That

1)    acting under Procurement Standing Order 1.8.3, the Board agrees to waive Procurement Standing Orders 4.1 and 4.2 (contracts below the EU procurement thresholds); and

2)    the Operational Director, Commissioning and Complex Care, be authorised to make a direct contract award of the housing support service at Naughton Fields and Barkla Fields to Halton Housing Trust, at a cost of £83,850 per annum, with a contract expiry date of 31 March 2017.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which advised Members on the acceptance of a tender relating to the re-building of Norton Priory Museum.

Executive Board had previously approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for the re-building of Norton Priory, at its meeting on 20 November 2014. Tenders were invited and the report provided details of the two tenders submitted by the closing date. It was reported that one company was taken through to stage 2 of the process, whose tender was subject to a value engineering exercise. It was noted that the Heritage Lottery Fund approved further additional funding to the value of £312,800 in July 2015.

          RESOLVED: That the Board note that the tender submitted by H H Smith and Sons Ltd has been accepted by the Operational Director, Economy, Enterprise and Property and a contract entered into with a contract sum of £2,676,912.

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, on the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2016/19.

The Board was advised that the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) set out a three-year projection of resources and spending based on information currently available.

The projections in the forecast showed there was a need to make a significant level of savings over the next three years, as a result of the effect of the Government policy to reduce the national deficit through reductions in public sector funding. The Strategy took into account the following:

·       Autumn Statement 2014;

·       Business Rates Review 2015;

·       Summer Budget 2015;

·       Technical Consultation – Local Authority Public Health Allocations 2015/16 : In-Year Savings; and

·       Comprehensive Spending Review 2015.

The forecast provided initial guidance to the Council on its financial position into the medium term. Revenue savings of approximately £18m, £16m and £7m would be required over the next three years. It was noted that as a result, £41m would need to be removed from the Council’s budget, which represented 17% of the gross expenditure budget.

The Board was advised that the MTFS had a number of objectives, as listed in the report. The Council would need to consider these objectives when balancing its budget over the next three years. The report also set out the Council’s budget strategy, with budget savings proposals for 2016/17 being presented in three sets. The first of these was considered by Council at its meeting on 14 October 2015. In addition, the report set out details of the Council’s Capital Strategy, for the management of assets such as land and buildings in Council ownership.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved;

2)    the base budget be prepared on the basis of the underlying assumptions set out in the Strategy;

3)    the Budget Strategy and Capital Strategy be approved;

4)    the Reserves and Balances Strategy be approved;

5)    the award of Council Tax Support for 2016/17 remains at the 2015/16 level of 21.55%; and

6)      the Council’s 2016/17 Council Tax Support grant is not shared with the Parish Councils.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, on progress against key objectives/milestones and performance targets for the second quarter to 30 September 2015.

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. The Board noted that such information was key to the Council’s performance management arrangements and the Executive Board had a key role in monitoring performance and strengthening accountability. Performance Management would continue to be important in the demonstration of value for money and outward accountability.

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

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which presented initial proposals for the development of a Capital Programme for Widnes Markets.

Following a presentation to the Board in October 2015 on “The Future of our Markets in Halton”, a set of initial proposals had been developed. These were set out in the report as Options 1 to 6.

It was reported that Members had previously agreed that the Widnes Indoor and Outdoor Markets played an important role in attracting visitors to the town centre. An estimated £1.43m of capital investment would be required to refurbish and upgrade existing facilities at Widnes Markets. It was noted that the preferred option (Option 5), would not result in a complete refurbishment, but would present an excellent opportunity to safeguard the fabric of the Markets for the next ten years.

RESOLVED: That

1)    Council be recommended to include £1.43m in the Capital Programme for 2016/17 in respect of the Markets;

2)    approval be given to undertake a procurement exercise for a roof for the Indoor Market at Widnes; and

3)    the Operational Director, Economy, Enterprise and Property, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Physical Environment, be authorised to progress the most cost effective route for providing photovoltaic panels at Widnes Market.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, which sought approval of the publication of a revised Delivery Allocations Local Plan Scoping Document for a six week period of public consultation.

The Board was advised that there was a statutory requirement for the local authority to produce a development plan for its area. The Board had previously approved consultation under Regulation 18 at its meeting on 9 January 2014, on the scope of the Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP). It was reported that since that time, the implementation of the National and Local Planning Policy Framework and the National Planning Policy Guidance, had indicated the need to widen the ‘scope’ of the DALP. The report provided Members with details of Polices which required further consideration.

Reason(s) for Decision

A Local Plan was a statutory requirement; the UDP (2005) needed updating; developers needed confidence of land allocations to bring forward development.

The Government’s recent changes to the national planning system required amendments to adopted policies.

New evidence documents had been produced that required changes to adopted policies.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The alternative to taking stock of emerging evidence, re-framing and re-consulting on the scope of the DALP would be to continue with production of the DALP document as initially intended, or to widen the scope but not repeat the Regulation 18 consultation stage.

To continue with the DALP as originally framed, risked insurmountable problems emerging between the Core Strategy, the evidence base and the DALP later in the production process, perhaps after Examination. Widening the scope of the document without the appropriate consultation risked future legal challenge to the finally adopted Plan on procedural grounds.

Implementation Date

The DALP Scoping Document and the Community Infrastructure Levy Scoping Document, if approved for consultation, would each be subject to a six week public consultation period. This was scheduled to begin January 2016.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the revised Delivery and Allocations Local Plan Scoping Document (attached to the report at Appendix 1), be approved for the purposes of public consultation for a six week period, scheduled to begin in January 2016;

2)    the Community Infrastructure Levy Scoping Document (attached to the report at Appendix 2), be approved for the purposes of public consultation for a six week period, scheduled to begin in January 2016; and

3)    any minor drafting amendments to be made to the scoping documents prior to public consultation be agreed by the Operational Director, Policy, Planning and Transportation, in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Physical Environment.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which presented details of development proposals on four sites in Runcorn. The report sought approval to progress these schemes, detailed in the report, as quickly as possible. The following sites were the subject of the report:-

·       The former Crosville site, Runcorn;

·       The Murdishaw Avenue Development site;

·       Runcorn Town Centre Bus Station and Brindley Car Park sites; and

·       Picow Farm Road former playing fields.

Reason(s) for Decision

The developments provided welcome investment to Runcorn and it was envisaged that this would stimulate confidence and market demand for future investment in Runcorn.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Regarding the Crosville site, there was the option to do nothing. However, as outlined in the report, the site was a key Gateway to the town centre.

Regarding the Murdishaw Avenue site, the ‘do nothing’ option was an option that was considered. However, the development of the site would result in improvements to leisure and recreation facilities in the area, and would also generate a capital receipt for the Council.

Implementation Date

April 2016.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the Council be authorised to enter into an umbrella agreement with Neptune Developments Limited, to deliver the regeneration of the former Crosville site, but also a wider regeneration plan for Runcorn, which includes the Bus Station and Brindley Car Park sites;

2)    the development plans and proposals be approved, subject to planning, for the former Crosville site, as outlined in Appendix A;

3)    the development plans and proposals be approved, subject to planning, for the Murdishaw Avenue development site, as outlined in Appendix B;

4)    the indicative plans and proposals for Runcorn Bus Station and Brindley Car Parks be approved (Appendix C);

5)    Council be recommended to approve the amendment to the Capital Programme to provide an additional £2.3m to gap fund the development at the former Crosville site, Runcorn, subject to planning permission and lease with the pub operator;

6)    the Operational Director, Economy, Enterprise and Property, be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Operational Director, Legal and Democratic Services and the Portfolio holder for Physical Environment, to enter into a Development Agreement with Neptune to deliver a remediated and serviced Crosville site including car parking and highway improvements and to proceed with a lease to a pub operator and coffee shop operator;

7)    the sale of the Murdishaw Avenue Site be authorised and the Operational Director, Economy, Enterprise and Property be authorised to arrange for all required documentation to be completed to the satisfaction of the Operational Director, Legal and Democratic Services; and

8)    approval be given to submit a planning application for housing on the former Picow Farm Road (Playing Fields) site and proceed to sale on the open market if planning permission is granted.

PART II

In this case the Board has a discretion to exclude the press and public and, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, it is RECOMMENDED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, having been satisfied that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

            The Board considered:

(1)      whether Members of the press and public should be excluded from the meeting of the Board during consideration of the following items of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be considered, exempt information would be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972; and

(2)      whether the disclosure of information was in the public interest, whether any relevant exemptions were applicable and whether, when applying the public interest test and exemptions, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed that in disclosing the information.

          RESOLVED: That as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that, in view of the nature of the business, exempt information would be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

          The Board considered the appendices submitted for information which related to the report on Runcorn and Runcorn Town Centre Regeneration (Minute EXB 86 referred).

          The appendices were considered in Part II of the agenda as the information contained within them was exempt and the appropriate resolution had been passed.

          RESOLVED: That the appendices be noted.

Reason for taking the item in Part II:-

The report will contain commercially sensitive information on the contract.

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health, which sought approval to award a contract to deliver the Specialist Substance Misuse Service (the Service).

At its meeting on 3 September 2015, Executive Board had approved the commencement of a tender exercise for the Service. Halton Borough Council was responsible for commissioning services to support local people with substance (drugs and alcohol) misuse problems.

It was reported that a number of providers had expressed an interest in the opportunity, although only two submissions were eventually received. The tender submissions were evaluated and the two organisations invited to the presentation stage. Details of the tender scores were contained in the report.

Reason(s) for Decision

Expenditure on the contract and its effects on communities were considered to be significant.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Decommission - The provision of services to support adults with substance misuse problems was a key outcome required through the public health grant. Decommissioning of the service was considered and rejected.

Direct Award - The current provider had been granted a one year direct award for the delivery of the service to March 2016. Under the procurement regulations, a direct award would not be possible, as the value of the contract was above the EU thresholds.

Implementation Date

Mobilisation would commence in January 2016, with a commencement date of 1 April 2016.

RESOLVED: That

1)    in accordance with Standing Order 2.10.2, the Director of Public Health be authorised to enter into a contract with CRI, who, through an open tender process, had been assessed as being the most economically advantageous and effective organisation to deliver Specialist Community Substance Misuse Services. The contract will be awarded for a period of five years; and

2)    a report updating Members be brought to the Board in six months’ time.

MINUTES ISSUED: 14 December 2015

CALL-IN: 21 December 2015

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 21 December 2015