Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2016 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, on objections that had been received following public consultation on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at Naughton Road, Widnes.

The Board was advised that the intention to introduce ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions on part of Naughton Road, was advertised in August 2015.This had been in response to a request from a Ward Councillor on behalf of adjacent residents, who had complained  about obstructive parking close to the junction with Cameron Road.

It was reported that two objections were received, as detailed in Appendix A attached to the report. Residents had now requested that the restrictions originally requested were no longer wanted, as parking restrictions outside their properties would apply at all times, rather than just on match days. Members noted that the introduction of restrictions on parking in the vicinity would create further displacement of parked vehicles in the area.

RESOLVED: That the proposal to introduce an Order to implement waiting restrictions on Naughton Road, Widnes, as set out in Appendix B, not be supported, on the grounds of the objections received.

(N.B. Councillor Wharton declared a Disclosable Other Interest in the following item of business as he was Chair of Governors at Hale C of E Primary School. He left the room during consideration of the item and took no part in the decision making)

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, on objections that had been received following public consultation on  proposed Traffic Regulation Orders on various roads in Hale Village.

The Board was advised that after due public consultation in August 2015, limited waiting restrictions were introduced on parts of roads adjacent to Hale C of E Primary School in Hale Village. These were shown in Appendix C attached to the report, and their purpose was to address parking obstruction issues near the school gate. It was reported that residents received hand delivered notice letters together with notices posted on site and advertised in local newspapers. However, during the consultation period, no objections were received.

Following further consultation on minor alterations to the extent of the waiting restrictions, as specified in Appendix D, a single objection was received, as detailed in the report. It was noted that the main issue related to parking at school times. As the proposed restrictions would apply during the working day, it was considered that this would deal with the original complaints and minimise inconvenience for residents.

RESOLVED: That the Board supports the proposal to introduce Orders for revised waiting restrictions on various roads in Hale Village, as set out in Appendix B, attached to the report.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, which set out details of two applications from charities for discretionary non-domestic rate relief.

The Board was advised that, under the amended provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, the Council was able to grant discretionary rate relief to any business ratepayer. This relief had previously only been available to organisations that were a charity, a community amateur sports club or a not-for-profit organisation.

Since 1 April 2013, the Council had been responsible for funding 49% of any award of mandatory or discretionary rate relief granted, with Government meeting the remaining 51%. The Board was reminded of its decision on 26 February 2015, to provide discretionary rate relief at 15% from 2016/17 onwards, where applications were approved from registered charities or community amateur sports clubs.

Details of the requests were set out in the report for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED: That

1)    Discretionary Rate Relief be granted to the following organisations at the percentages indicated, for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019:-

Halton Haven Hospice                          15%

Mark Gorry Foundation                          15%

2)    Discretionary Rate Relief be backdated to the commencement of liability in respect of the following organisations, at the percentage indicated, for the period up to 31 March 2016:-

                     Halton Haven Hospice                          20%

                     Mark Gorry Foundation                         20%

The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, which presented the work of the Fees and Charges Topic Group.

The Board was advised that the Corporate Policy and Performance Board (PPB) established a cross- PPB Topic Group to consider potential ways to increase income. Given the resources and timescale available, a targeted approach was agreed to review fees and charges, and focused on those Departments which generated the most in financial terms.

Councillor Gilligan, Chairman of the Corporate PPB, attended the meeting to present the report and to answer Members’ questions. Over the past twelve months, a series of meetings were held to consider fees and charges within a set of criteria, as listed in the report, and which included the basis and rationale for existing charges; the level of cost recovery; statutory restrictions on charges levied; the scope to charge where no charge was currently made; and the total additional income which might be generated.

Councillor Gilligan reported that, in the light of financial challenges facing the Council, the Topic Group undertook an in-depth and challenging review of existing and potential areas for charging, whilst being mindful of the potential impact upon residents and service users of any new or increased charges introduced.

The Topic Group concluded that, whilst there may be scope to increase fees and charges in certain areas and to introduce new and innovative charges, the amount of additional income generated would be relatively small and would not on its own solve the Council’s significant financial challenges.

 However, a number of options were considered for implementation from 1 April 2016, to support development of the Council’s 2016/17 budget. It was noted that these proposals had been incorporated within the Council’s proposed fees and charges for 2016/17, reported elsewhere on this agenda.

Attached at Appendix A was the final report of the Topic Group’s work which had been received by the Corporate PPB on 5 January 2016. Executive Board thanked Councillor Gilligan for attending and for the work undertaken by members of the Topic Group.

RESOLVED: That the work of the Fees and Charges Topic Group, as set out in the Appendix attached to the report, the outcomes of which have been incorporated within the Council’s proposed fees and charges for 2016/17, be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, which presented the proposed fees and charges for 2016/17 for services provided by the Council’s Directorates.

It was reported that the review of fees and charges had been carried out as part of the budget preparations for 2016/17. The work of the Fees and Charges Group, reported elsewhere on this agenda, had been incorporated into the changes made by managers. It was noted that generally, fees and charges were set to ensure the Council was able to recover costs incurred in service provision. It was proposed that existing fees and charges be increased in line with inflation.

The schedule in Appendix A, attached to the report, included a number of statutory fees which may increase during the coming financial year, with the relevant fees increased accordingly. Chargeable fees for The Brindley and Registrars Service for the financial year 2017/18 were set out in Appendix B.  Chargeable rates for Halton Registration Service, previously agreed by Executive Board on 17 September 2015, were set out in Appendix C for information.

RESOLVED: That the proposed fees and charges for 2016/17 as set out in Appendix A and for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix B, both attached to the report, be approved.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, on progress against key objectives/milestones and performance targets for the third quarter to 31 December 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, 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 the Council’s Performance Management Framework would continue to form part of the Council’s policy framework.

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

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, on proposals for Adult Community Day Services.

The Board was advised that Community Day Services currently provided 383 work experience placements for adults with disabilities, across a range of small ‘businesses’. The development of these businesses had transformed the way in which day care was delivered, and focused on the provision of work skills. It was noted that this model of care moved away from the segregation of people with disabilities and towards supporting independence in ordinary community settings.

It was reported that an opportunity to broaden the range of small business opportunities in the Borough, in partnership with a working farm, had been identified, as detailed in the report. As no other expressions of interest were forthcoming this provided the primary rationale for not undertaking a tender process to secure a suitable provider.

It was further reported that Halton Clinical Commissioning Group had expressed an interest in this innovative approach and had agreed to fund any start-up costs which were estimated at £15k.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the development of a new Community Day Service for adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues, as set out in the report, be agreed; and

2)    in the exceptional circumstances set out in the report, Procurement Standing Orders 4.1 and  4.2 be waived on this occasion, on the basis that compliance would result in a clear financial or commercial detriment to the Council, as outlined in the report.

MINUTES ISSUED: 14 March 2016

CALL-IN: 21 March 2016

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 21 March 2016