Agenda and minutes

          The minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2014, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          The Mayor made the following announcements:-

·       He welcomed newly elected Councillor Wall to her first Council meeting;

·       Thanked everybody that had made contributions to the Mayor’s charities in lieu of purchasing and sending Christmas cards; and

·       Commented on how Mayors from other authorities had reported their high regard for Halton as a Borough when attending many Mayoral engagements.

          The Leader made the following announcements:-

·       Reported that all aspects of the Mersey Gateway construction were progressing to schedule. In addition he advised that the Wigg Island Visitor Centre would be opening soon;

·       Expressed his disappointment at the announcement by Tesco Stores to close the Runcorn store. He commented that meetings between representatives of the Borough Council and Tesco Store Managers would be held as a matter of urgency to discuss the decision.

(N.B. Councillor Peter Lloyd Jones declared a Disclosable Other Interest in Minute EXB 115 as a Governor of the Bridgewater NHS Community Services Trust and of the Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Councillor Martha Lloyd Jones declared a Disclosable Other Interest in Minute EXB 115 as her husband was a Governor as stated above)

          The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings from 11 December 2014 and 15 January 2015.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

(N.B. Councillor Peter Lloyd Jones declared a Disclosable Other Interest in Minute HWB 32 and HWB 33 as a Governor of the Bridgewater NHS Community Services Trust and of the Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Councillor Martha Lloyd Jones declared a Disclosable Other Interest in Minute HWB 32 and HWB 33 as her husband was a Governor as stated above)

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 14 January 2015.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

          It was noted that no questions had been submitted under Standing Order No. 8.

Executive Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, on the Draft Corporate Plan 2015-18.

RECOMMENDED: That Council

1)    approve the draft 2015-18 Corporate Plan; and

2)    support the production of an annual report each year based on the Corporate Plan, highlighting the Council’s key achievements and issues.

          Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which sought approval for the design and content of the new Corporate Plan.

          RESOLVED: That Council

1)    approve the draft 2015-18 Corporate Plan; and

2)    support the production of an annual report each year based on the Corporate Plan, highlighting the Council’s key achievements and issues.

          The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 10 December 2014:-

·       Children, Young people and Families;

·       Employment, Learning, Skills and Community;

·       Health;

·       Safer; and

·       Corporate Services.

In considering the minutes, the following comments and observations were made:-

·       Councillor Dennett wished to bring to Members’ attention the outcome of the HMCI Report 2014 on Education Performance in Halton (Minute CYP 43 referred).

          The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 10 December 2014:-

·       Development Control;

·       Regulatory; and

·       Appeals Panel.

The following motion has been submitted in accordance with Standing Order No.6:

Proposer: Councillor Rob Polhill

Seconder: Councillor Mike Wharton

Devolution of Powers from Central Government

That Halton Council:-

Welcomes the possible devolution of powers and finance from Central Government to City Regions;

Recognises the need for a new constitutional settlement and supports demands for the transfer of significant legislative, executive and financial power from Whitehall; and

Supports the development of a package of devolution measures from Government to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority;

Recognises that there is no public support for the early creation of another tier of elected Government and notes that the public would expect devolved budgets and powers to be managed by the existing structure of Local Government, which for this area means the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority;

Does not support a Metro Mayor model for the Liverpool City Region.

However, should such a model be proposed it should not be introduced in Halton unless it has the support of the majority of Halton’s residents following a public referendum.

This Council therefore agrees to call upon Government to urgently enter into meaningful negotiation with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on a package of measures for devolution.

The following motion was moved and seconded by Councillors Rob Polhill and Mike Wharton respectively:

Devolution of Powers from Central Government

That Halton Council:-

Welcomes the possible devolution of powers and finance from Central Government to City Regions;

Recognises the need for a new constitutional settlement and supports demands for the transfer of significant legislative, executive and financial power from Whitehall; and

Supports the development of a package of devolution measures from Government to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority;

Recognises that there is no public support for the early creation of another tier of elected Government and notes that the public would expect devolved budgets and powers to be managed by the existing structure of Local Government, which for this area means the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority;

Does not support a Metro Mayor model for the Liverpool City Region.

However, should such a model be proposed it should not be introduced in Halton unless it has the support of the majority of Halton’s residents following a public referendum.

This Council therefore agrees to call upon Government to urgently enter into meaningful negotiation with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on a package of measures for devolution.

RESOLVED: That the motion be agreed.