Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2017 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, on a revised version of the Blue Badge Policy, Procedure and Practice.

          The Board was advised that the Blue Badge Scheme was introduced in 1970 and amended in 2013. The Department for Transport (DfT) was responsible for the legislation that set out the framework for the scheme. DfT guidance stated that local authorities were responsible for determining and implementing procedures including enforcement.

          It was reported that the current version of the Blue Badge Policy, Procedure and Practice (PPP), was produced in 2012 and reviewed in 2014. The report contained a summary of the changes proposed under the current review and consultation. It was noted that a considerable amount of work had taken place regarding enforcement issues and organisational badges, and the new policy contained clear processes applicable to the local area.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the report be noted; and

2)    the revised Blue Badge Policy be approved.

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health, on the final version of the Halton Tobacco Control Plan (the Plan).

The Board was advised that the Plan recognised the scale of the challenge to move towards a smoke-free Halton. It built upon the effective work undertaken by local partners and had been written in collaboration with all partners, to agree the vision, outcomes and actions. It was noted that the Plan would be monitored by Halton Tobacco Alliance and the outcomes reported to the Healthy Lifestyles Board, the Health and Wellbeing Board and other relevant bodies.

Reason(s) for Decision

The Halton Tobacco Control Plan offered systematic plans to tackle smoking related harm in Halton in response to both national and local requirements. The new Halton Tobacco Control Plan replaced the previous expired version.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The alternative option of not refreshing the Halton Tobacco Control Plan was rejected as this would mean that there were no systematic or coordinated plans to reduce smoking related harm in Halton.

Implementation Date

1 November 2017.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the contents of the report be noted; and

2)      the Board supports the Strategy outcomes, objectives and actions.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which sought approval to vary the non-statutory fees offered by Halton Registration Service for 2019/2020.

The Marriage Act 1995 and the Civil Partnership Act 2005 allowed local authorities to set fees for ceremonies in approved premises. In January 2011, the Executive Board Sub-Committee agreed to set the non-statutory fees outside of the usual timeframe for setting fees, due to ceremonies being planned up to two years in advance.

The proposed fee structure was set out in Appendix 1 for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the variations to the non-statutory fees of Halton Registration Service, as  set out in Appendix 1 attached to the report, be approved; and

2)      the introduction of a non-statutory administration fee for the making of a pre-arranged Marriage and/or Civil Partnership Notice appointment be approved.

          The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive, on plans to develop a Solar Farm on the former St Michael’s Golf Course, and to accept funding towards the capital cost of the scheme.

          The Board was advised that the Council had explored the potential to develop a Solar Farm on part of the former St Michaels’ Golf Course in Widnes. A feasibility study had indicated that the site would be technically suitable with the opportunity to bring a brownfield site back into use. In addition, it was noted that Halton Stadium would be connected to the Solar Farm and estimated that they could use approximately 50% of the energy generated, thereby significantly reducing the Stadium’s running costs over the next 25-30 years.

          Members were advised that, as part of the development of the scheme, the Council had successfully submitted an application to the European Regional Development Funding Renewable (ERDF) Energy Scheme, to meet 50% of the cost of the scheme. It was noted that the Council would need to provide 50% match funding which it was proposed would be taken from the Capital Programme/ Environmental Fund. The report set out details of the offset costs and the potential income generation for Members to consider.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    The proposal to develop a Solar Farm on the former St Michael’s Golf Course be approved;

2)    Subject to final confirmation from the Department for Communities and Local Government, the ERDF funding be accepted; and

3)    Council be recommended to amend the Capital Programme accordingly, to provide 50% match fund for the project, as required by ERDF.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on progress against key milestones/objectives and performance targets for the first quarter 2017/18.

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 management arrangements, with the Board having 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, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on an application for discretionary non-domestic rate relief.

The Board was advised that, under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, the Council was able to grant discretionary rate relief to any business rate payer. Since 1 April 2017, the Council had been responsible for meeting the full cost of all mandatory and discretionary rate relief granted, as part of the Liverpool City Region 100% Business Rates Retention Pilot Scheme.

The report set out the details of three applications which had been received from organisations that were registered as charities.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the request for 15% discretionary rate relief from Stick ’n’ Step for the period 22 April 2017 to 31 March 2019 be approved;

2)    the request for 15% discretionary rate relief from Halton District Citizens Advice Bureau Service  for the period 12 June 2017 to 31 March 2019 be approved; and

3)      the request for 15% discretionary rate relief from Community Integrated Care Ltd for the period 1 November 2016 to 31 March 2019, be rejected on the basis that the organisation operates nationally.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which sought approval to extend the contract for the provision of community support items under the Discretionary Support Scheme (DSS).

The Board was advised that the DSS was in its fifth year of operation and provided two areas of support for members of the public - Emergency Support (food parcels and fuel support) and Community Support (household items).

It was reported that the current contractor for Community Support items was Argos, whose contract would expire on 31 March 2018. Given the current welfare reform changes, Members were advised that it was considered prudent to extend the existing contract whilst the impact of those changes upon DSS applications was assessed. It was also considered essential that the contractor was able to provide a wide range of items at relatively short notice and Argos had been able to demonstrate it was able to meet this requirement.

RESOLVED: That approval be given to the use of Procurement Standing Orders 1.14.3 ( c) and 1.14.3 (d), in order to waive Procurement Standing Order 3.1 in respect of the contract with Argos for the provision of community support goods for the Discretionary Support Scheme.

          This item was deferred for further consideration.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on the development of a proposed Masterplan for the Runcorn Station Quarter.

          At its meeting on 21 September 2017, the Board had approved a 10-15 year vision document for Runcorn Town Centre. It was reported that a Masterplan Design Brief for the Runcorn Station Quarter area would deliver an economic impact in a short timeframe. The report set out details of a number of options for Members to consider.

          It was noted that, as it was felt that the Council had the necessary skills knowledge, experience and understanding of the Masterplan area, Option 2 was therefore recommended for the Council to complete this stage of the development.

          RESOLVED: That Option 2, set out in the report, be agreed, so that the Council fulfils the project co-ordination role for the development of the Masterplan for the Runcorn Station Quarter.

MINUTES ISSUED: 24 October 2017

CALL-IN: 31 October 2017

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 31 October 2017