Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2017 having been circulated were signed as a correct record.

            The Board considered the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board relevant to the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board.

            Under Executive Board Minutes, EXB102 and EXB130, Councillor Howard queried why members are not given access to this information.

            Councillor Howard was advised that Members’ rights of access to documents was outlined in the Council Constitution and whilst a Councillor had no right of access to documents of a Committee/Board of which he is not a Member, to gain access he has to establish that the information sought was needed to enable him to carry out his duties. Councillor Howard requested that a response be provided from Legal Services as to if the information contained in the Constitution was a legal requirement over which the members/officers had no discretion or was it a legal requirement over which members/officers had discretion.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 3 and 4 of 2016/17.

The reports related to the following functional areas which reported to the Board and detailed progress against service objectives and milestones, and performance targets and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period:

·         Development and Investment Services;

·         Highways and Transportation, Logistics and Development Services;

·         Waste and Environmental Improvement and Open Space Services; and

·         Housing Strategy.

            Arising from the discussion the following matters were raised by Members:

·         Could details be provided on the procurement issues as to the delay in the refurbishment of Widnes Market. In response Members were advised that due to the nature of the work it was planned around avoiding the Christmas period. However the successful contractor had since advised that the work could be completed without significant disruption to the Market.

·         Page 38 - EEP LI 19. Why have only 44% of funding bids been successful? In response it was noted that a number of high quality bids have been rejected with high competition for funds sited as the reason. Measures were currently being looked at to mitigate this.

·         Could further information be provided on the downward trend in waste recycling.

·         Which areas in the Borough took part in the Environmental Patrol trial?

·         Further information be circulated to all Members on the Council investment at the Croft Public House site detailed in the Capital Project update on page 43 of the agenda

·         There appeared to be a high number of agency staff employed within the Housing Solutions department, had job vacancies now been filled. Further information would be provided to Members’.

            RESOLVED: That the third and fourth quarter performance monitoring reports be received and noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on the request from the public for the installation of bus stops on Clifton Road with the junction of Malpas Road. As a result of the request a period of consultation was undertaken and a subsequent request was submitted for an additional bus shelter. Following the additional request, a further period of consultation was undertaken and the results of which were outlined in the report. As a result of a letter sent to 75 properties, 10 responses were received with 4 households objecting to the proposal and 6 in favour.

            It was noted that the majority of the objections were due to the fear of the bus shelters attracting anti-social behaviour. Previously bus shelters were in place at this location and it was understood that they were removed due to anti-social behaviour. However, recent evidence gained from Safer Halton Partnership showed that no incidents of anti-social behaviour had been recorded in the immediate vicinity or periphery of the bus stop location. Although one of the objectors had recently called to report anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the bus stops.

            On behalf of local residents and other Ward Members, Councillor G Stockton addressed the Board in support of the proposal.

            RESOLVED: That the Executive Board be advised that the Board supports the installation of the bus stops on Clifton Road with the junction of Malpas Road.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources which provided an overview of the next key document to be produced in Halton’s Local Plan. It also provided an opportunity to view the proposed draft policies to be included within the Revised Core Strategy policies and Delivery and Allocations Local Plan.

            The Revised Core Strategy policies and Delivery and Allocations Local Plan would replace and update certain policies in the current Core Strategy and replace the remainder of the saved Unitary Development Plan (UDP) policies. This would help to ensure that the policies could carry full weight in the decision making process for planning applications and appeals.

            It was suggested that consideration be given to presenting this information at seminar be held for Members.

RESOLVED: That

1.    the content of the report be noted; and

2.      any comments or issues identified by the Board in relation to the proposed draft policies to be included within the Revised Core Strategy policies and Delivery and Allocations Local Plan are provided to the Planning and Transport Strategy Team.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community & Resources, which advised that as part of its new duties as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), the Council must undertake a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA). This was a high level screening exercise, to determine whether there was a local flood risk within the LLFA boundary based on historic and potential future flood risk data.

            The PFRA was previously agreed by the Board in 2011 and must be reviewed every six years. An updated Preliminary Assessment Report (PAR), along with a Review Self-Assessment Form had been produced and submitted to the Environment Agency (EA). The updated PAR set out how the assessment had been undertaken and provided a robust evidence base to help support the full update of the Flood Risk Assessment Strategy.

            The outcome of the first two stages of flood risk assessment review was that no Flood Risk Area (FRA’s) was proposed for Halton. As a result the next two stages, the production of Flood Risk Maps and preparation of a Flood Risk Management Plan for FRA’s were not triggered.

            A Member queried that in the report Halton Brow was mentioned as having been subject to significant flooding, but was not mentioned further. Therefore was work planned to eliminate this regular flooding and will the new road configuration as it passes over Halton Brow leading to the Mersey Gateway Bridge, make this flooding worse, better or have no effect? Also would the work carried out by the Mersey Gateway programme eliminate the risk of flooding at Halton Brow. It was agreed that a written response would be provided.

            It was proposed that the Board endorse the report and recommend it to the Executive Board for approval prior to publication by the EA by 22 December 2017.

            RESOLVED: That the findings of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Review be recommended to Executive Board for approval.

            The Board considered an update report on the progress of the Air Quality Forum since its first meeting in July 2016. It was noted that the Air Quality Forum membership and independent Chair had been appointed. In addition, terms of reference for the group which included a number of objectives had also been agreed.

            With regard to other recommendations which were included in the air quality report, previously adopted by the Executive Board in 2015, it was noted that:

·         A methodology for engagement and consultation had been explored and resources were being identified which would enable the engagement work to proceed;

·         Whilst the forum would continue to work to identify opportunities for improvements across all sectors, the Council would also continue to develop initiatives across departments and with stakeholders that would contribute to improved air quality across the area; and

·         A Joint Needs Assessment for air quality was scheduled in the work plan for the forthcoming year.

            In addition, Members received updates on the Council response to the National Air Quality Plan and the work that had taken place around Air Quality Management Areas and the application to the Environment Fund Board for additional air quality monitoring across the Weston Point area.

            Arising from the discussion, Members requested clarification on the number of charging points in the Borough for electric vehicles.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.