Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes from the meeting held on 2 June 2015 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

          The Board was presented with the Minutes relating to the Corporate Services Portfolio which had been considered by the Executive Board since the last meeting of the Board.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

          The Minutes relating to the Corporate Services Portfolio which had been considered by the Halton Strategic Partnership were presented to the Board for information.

          RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

The Board considered the minutes of the Member Development Group meetings held on 15 January 2015 and 26 March 2015.

RESOLVED: That the Board note the minutes.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources which provided an update on the progress of the two Topic Groups formed by the Board.

          A Topic Group to oversee and guide the development of the Council’s Discretionary Support Scheme (the Scheme) had been formed at the beginning of 2013. The Scheme came into existence in April 2013 and was supported by Government grant. It was reported that the Council’s main grant  had been reduced by the same amount, which effectively meant that the amount provided for this purpose had been cut. It was noted that the Council had developed a “reserve” owing to careful use of the grant, and that this would be used to provide a scheme for a couple of more years. However, once this amount had been used, an alternative way to fund the scheme would be needed, or it would have to cease.

          It was agreed that the Topic Group would meet soon to review this issue which also had a connection with the future approach of the Government to Discretionary Housing Payments. Options for the future use of the scheme would be reported to the Board.

The Fees and Charges Topic Group had been established in 2014/15 with its main purpose to examine the opportunities for the Council to increase its income from fees and charges. It was reported that the group were making good progress with a review of opportunities in the Communities Department and the Policy, Planning and Transportation Department already considered. The services provided by Public Health and Adult Social Services would be the subject of review in the next Topic Group meetings, following which final conclusions and recommendations would be reported to a future meeting of the Board.

          RESOLVED: That the progress being made and the next steps to be taken by each of the Topic Groups, be noted.

          The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 1 2015/16.

          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:

·       Finance;

·       Human Resources and Organisational Development;

·       ICT and Administrative Support;

·       Legal and Democracy;

·       Policy and Performance;

·       Property Services; and

·       Catering, Stadium and Registration Services.

Arising from the report Members commented on the following emerging issues:

·       Business Rates and Council Tax collection rates;

·       The Single Fraud Investigation Service;

·       Arrangements for the future provision of Leisure Services; and

·       The occupancy rates for HBC Industrial Units and of Widnes Market Hall.

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