Agenda and minutes

            The minutes of the meeting held on 7^th December 2006 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Children and Young People regarding Building Schools for the Future (BSF). It was noted that BSF aimed, through substantial capital investment, to transform secondary educational standards by providing 21^st century learning environments.

The Council was advised on 15^th December that it had been selected to join the programme in Wave 6. A reorganisation of the Authority’s secondary provision would need to be completed by January 2008 to start the programme. The aim of any proposal would be to reform and redesign the pattern of secondary education, its curricula and schools’ infrastructure to best serve the Borough’s communities for decades to come.

            The funding arrangements, together with information about factors to be considered and the process to be undertaken, were outlined for the Board’s consideration. It was noted that a further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Board.

            The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive and Strategic Director – Environment outlining the proposals by The Mersey Partnership (TMP) to develop a single inward investment agency for the Liverpool City Region: the proposals were set out in appendix 1 to the report.

            It was advised that, in essence, TMP was proposing to move from what was predominately a reactive model (some proactive campaigns), to a much more proactive sales approach whereby dedicated sales managers hunted out opportunities and targeted would-be investors and growth sectors.

            The issues for Halton were outlined for consideration. It was noted that a number of questions were still outstanding and needed to be resolved before the Council could consider fully signing up to the proposal. However, given that maintaining the status quo was not seen as viable, and that there was much logic to what had been laid out, it did make sense to sign up in principle, subject to further discussions.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)               the development of an inward investment agency for the Liverpool City Region be approved in principle; and

(2)               the Strategic Director – Environment be authorised to enter discussions with The Mersey Partnership to secure the implementation of the Single Inward Investment Agency.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Corporate and Policy regarding the new White Paper on local government “Strong and Prosperous Communities” which had recently been published. It was noted that the Paper was in two volumes, with the main proposals for change in volume one, and volume two containing thematic chapters discussing both the applicability of the proposals from Volume One to different sectors, and crosscutting issues. Appendix 1 to the report was a summary table of all of the main proposals from the paper and the area of Council activity it most affected.

            Specific proposals in respect of the main themes of the White Paper were outlined for the Board’s consideration together with possible implications for the Authority. It was noted that a draft bill was expected before Christmas 2006 to come into law in 2008.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment seeking approval for the formal adoption of “Supplementary Planning Document (SPD): House Extensions” as part of the Halton Local Development Framework.

            It was noted that the production of this SPD was included within the Local Development Scheme (LDS), which set out the spatial planning policy priorities for the Council for the next three years. The purpose of the SPD was to complement the Halton Unitary Development Plan (UDP) by providing additional guidance for anyone intending to extend or alter their house or erect a garage or other outbuilding to ensure that all developments met the standards described.

            The report set out the process and the consultation procedure undertaken.

Reasons for Decision

            The SPD had been produced to ensure that, through its function as a Local Planning Authority, the Council:-

(a)               was in accordance with national and regional planning policy and advice; and

(b)               wherever possible, met the priorities of the community it served, as set out in the Halton Community Strategy and Corporate Plan.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

            The alternative options considered and rejected with regard to the preparation of the document were set out within the Sustainability Appraisal report.

Implementation Date

            With immediate effect.

            RESOLVED: That

1)                 the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD): House Extensions be formally adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document and part of the Halton Local Development Framework;

2)                 the responses to the representations received at the public participation stage, as set out in the statement of consultation, be agreed; and

3)                 further editorial and technical changes that do not affect the content or intended purpose of the SPD be agreed by the Operational Director – Environmental and Regulatory Services in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Planning, Transportation, Regeneration and Renewal, if necessary, before the document is published.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment outlining the current position regarding the measurement and treatment of highway skidding resistance and proposing the introduction of a policy for analysing skid resistance data to produce programmes of treatment. A copy of the policy was attached to the report for information.

            It was noted that the Council had approved an overall policy document in relation to Highway Maintenance Strategy in 1998, incorporating the method by which the measurement of skidding resistance of highway surfacing was to be carried out. However, national guidance on skidding resistance had changed significantly since then and a specific policy was now required.

            The Board was advised that the new policy had been prepared to take account of developments, meeting current requirements and recognising the contribution of accident analysis to the assessment process. The policy had been presented to the Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board on 15^th November 2006 where it had been agreed that the policy should be recommended for approval.

            RESOLVED: That the Skidding Resistance Policy, submitted as an appendix to the report, be adopted.

MINUTES ISSUED: 12^th January 2007

CALL IN: 19^th January 2007

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 19^th January 2007.