Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th September 2018 having been circulated were signed as a correct record.

            It was confirmed that no public questions had been received.

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

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, on the Business Plan for 2019/20.

The Council developed its business plan in parallel with the determination of its annual budget and the refresh of the Corporate Risk Registers.

It was noted that Members now had the opportunity to identify a small number of priorities that they would like to see reflected in the Business Plan. Members were informed that plans could only be finalised once budget decisions had been confirmed in March 2019 and annual targets would be confirmed once the year-end outturn figures for 2018-19 were known.

A draft Plan would be developed and presented to the Board for consideration in the New Year.

The following areas were discussed:

·         Waste Management and Open Spaces;

·         Economic Regeneration.

            The Board agreed that a working group would be set up to discuss the Business Plan with the following membership: Councillors Howard, A. Lowe, Sinnott, Teeling and Woolfall.

RESOLVED: That the Board receive the information provided and consider the priorities to be covered in the Business Plan 2019-2020 (Appendix 1).

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 2 of 2018/19.

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.

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

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on the planned programmes that see the completion of the Silver Jubilee Bridge (SJB) maintenance works, deconstruction of SJB access road infrastructure in Runcorn (‘delinking’) and the delivery of enhanced access to enable the Runcorn Station area vision. Work at ‘Widnes Loops’ would be undertaken consecutively with the delinking works in Runcorn.

            The Board received a presentation which provided a detailed outline of the works to be undertaken, together with a timetable for completion.

            It was noted that the Board had previously set up a Regeneration Working Party. It was agreed that the Working Party should continue to meet with the following membership:

Councillors Morley, Nolan, Sinnott, Teeling and Woolfall.

            RESOLVED: That the current position with these programmes is noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on the review of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), a town planning process document.  The SCI set out how Councils would engage local communities and other interested parties in producing their Local Plan and determining planning applications.

            As with other Local Development Documents, Government required that SCI’s should be reviewed, at least every 5 years and the last SCI was adopted in 2013. The SCI would also be updated to include a number of legislative changes to the way that planning documents were prepared.

            The Board discussed and received clarification on how Neighbourhood Plans are prepared by a qualifying body and submitted for approval.

            RESOLVED: That the Board approve submission of the SCI to Executive Board for adoption.

            The Board considered a report which advised on the Council’s response to the Government’s consultations on changes to the regulation of Shale Gas exploitation. Two consultations had been undertaken by two separate Government Departments. Members noted that permitted development rights (Parliament had already granted an England wide consent for this activity) for mining and minerals exploration and this covers boreholes, seismic surveys and excavations for minerals exploration.

            As the consultation closed on 25^th October 2018, it was not possible to report the responses to the Board prior to the consultation closing. Therefore. Members considered a copy of the respective responses submitted. It was noted that the Council had submitted objections to both consultations.

            Arising from the discussion the Board requested that consideration should be given to arrange a seminar for all Members to discuss the implications around Shale Gas exploitation.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.