Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2011 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy on Halton’s Third Local Transport Plan (LTP3).

            The Board were advised that Local Transport Plans (LTPs) were initially introduced by the Transport Act 2000, which set a statutory requirement for local transport authorities to produce a LTP every five years and to keep it under review. The Local Transport Act 2008 retained the statutory requirement to produce and review LTPs and supporting policies but changed aspects of the statutory framework, including giving local authorities the flexibility to review and update the LTP as it considered appropriate.

            The Board were reminded that, as a Unitary Authority, Halton Borough Council was the transport authority for the area of Halton and as such was required to produce a LTP. The current LTP (LTP2) ran until March 2011, with the third LTP (LTP3) due to commence in April 2011.

As required by the 2008 Act, LTP3 was in two parts; the first set out a long term strategy to 2026 and the second consisted of a short term implementation plan, setting out in detail how the strategy would be delivered.  Separating strategy and implementation allowed the two parts of the LTP to be renewed (when necessary) on different timescales. 

Although Halton had produced an individual LTP3, it had been recognised that working in partnership with the Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority (Merseytravel) or ITA, which was statutorily obliged to produce the LTP on behalf of itself and the Merseyside Districts, would be beneficial for the sub-region.  As a result, Halton and Merseyside synchronised the preparation of their evidence bases and there was impetus of a similar long term vision and strategy across the sub-region.  However, it should be acknowledged that Halton’s rolling implementation plan was separate from Merseyside’s, based on Halton specific characteristics.

Although the LTP would be submitted to the Government by the end of March 2011, the Department for Transport (DfT) would no longer formally assess the Plan, impose mandatory targets or require submission of formal monitoring reports.  However, the DfT would continue to take account of the overall quality of a LTP, especially where this was relevant to its decisions, for example in relation to funding.

Reason(s) For Decision

LTP3 was the key policy document for transport in Halton.

Alternative Options Considered And Rejected

The strategy element of LTP3 was aligned with national, regional and local policies. In section 11 of the LTP various proposals had been described that could be delivered during the 15 year life of the strategy. These had been prioritised for delivery in the Implementation Plan taking into account affordability, timescale for delivery, value for money and effectiveness of achieving the LTP3 goals.

Implementation Date

LTP3 would be effective from 1^st April 2011.

The Board wished to place on record their thanks to Dick Tregea, Strategic Director, Environment and Economy for his work on this and other projects and wished him well for the future.

RESOLVED  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy on a draft Household Waste Collection Policy.

            The Board were advised that on 5^th January 2011 the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board received a report on a draft Household Waste Collection Policy (the Policy). Members of the Board subsequently resolved that a report be presented to the Executive Board recommending the adoption of the draft Household Waste Collection Policy, a copy of which was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

The Policy had been developed taking into account the pressures the Council faced, both in terms of meeting landfill diversion targets and the increasing costs of waste treatment and disposal. It had drawn upon best practice and common approaches adopted by local authorities across the country. The Policy set out both existing and new policies and Members’ attention was drawn in particular to the policies on charging and collecting side waste as detailed in paragraphs 4.5 to 4.14 of the report.

Reason(s) For Decision

It was important that the Council’s Household Waste Collection Policies remained fit for purpose in order to support the Council in meeting its waste related targets and objectives, and to ensure that services continued to be delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Alternative Options Considered And Rejected

The Council had a wide range of options available in relation to its waste collection policies and service standards. The options available were considered by Members of the Waste Management Working Party who were tasked by the Safer Halton Policy and Performance Board to review the Council’s policies and service standards relating to the collection of household waste. The work carried out by the Working Party included research into the approaches adopted by other local authorities and took into account local circumstances within Halton.

Implementation Date

Implementation was expected in April 2011.

            RESOLVED: That

1)         the adoption of the Household Waste Collection Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

2)         The Strategic Director – Communities be given the power to authorise suitable individuals to enforce compliance with the Household Waste Collection Policy.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Adults and Community on Voluntary Sector Funding – Grant Allocation 2011/12.

            The Board were reminded that in 2002, it had agreed and established the expectations for voluntary sector funding. It was agreed that awards be judged against agreed criteria and actual targets be negotiated prior to signing a service level agreement. Targets were now linked to both departmental and corporate priorities reflecting a targeted approach to funding. Applications were assessed and recommendations agreed by a Panel consisting of the Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for the Voluntary Sector and Officers from the Adults and Community Department.

            The recommended grant allocations for the 2011/12 financial year were contained in the report. It was noted that the available budget was £239,716, with a saving of £22,000 on 2010/11. Details of those organisations that would receive a reduced award, together with the rationale for each decision, were detailed in the report for Members’ consideration.

            RESOLVED: That the recommended grant allocations be approved.

(NB:The following Councillors declared a personal interest in the following item of business for the reasons stated:

Councillor Swain as a Governor of Farnworth Primary School and Pewithall Primary School; Councillor Harris as a Governor of The Bankfield School, Councillor Wharton as a Governor of Hale Primary School, Councillor Jones as a Governor of Wade Deacon High School and Fairfield Infants School; and Councillor D Cargill as a Governor of Windmill Hill Primary School)

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People on the Capital Programme 2011/12.

            The Board were advised that in December 2010, the Department for Education announced the schools capital grant allocations for 2011/12, for each type of capital funding. The report detailed the works proposed for funding from the Capital Maintenance and Revenue Allocation (CERA).

            The Board noted that Basic Need capital funding was allocated to relative need for new places, based on forecast data provided by local authorities, and was provided to local authorities to provide school places where needed in their area, in all categories of taxpayer-funded schools. Capital Maintenance funding was allocated to ensure school buildings were properly maintained. Capital Maintenance for Voluntary Aided Schools element was allocated to Chester Diocese, Shrewsbury Diocese and Liverpool Archdiocese to fund condition and suitability projects at Voluntary Aided Schools.

Reason For Decision

To deliver and implement the capital programmes.

Alternative Options Considered And Rejected

Not applicable.

Implementation Date

Capital Programmes to be implemented with effect from 1 April 2011.

      RESOLVED: That

1)         the capital funding available for 2011/12 be noted;

2)         the proposals to be funded from Capital Maintenance and the position in respect of Basic Need be noted;

3)         Council  be recommended to approve the Capital Programme 2011/12; and

4)         a further report be submitted to Executive Board to detail how the Basic Need capital funding would be spent in 2011/12.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People on the statutory duty in the Childcare Act 2006, to carry out a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment in order to demonstrate that the local authority had secured sufficient childcare for all parents that need it.

            The Board were reminded that the Childcare Act 2006 placed duties on English Local Authorities to improve outcomes for young children and reduce inequalities between them. Local Authorities were also required to secure sufficient childcare to enable parents to work and to provide information to parents about childcare and a wide range of other services that may be of benefit to them.  In preparation for this duty, a detailed assessment of the supply of, and demand for, childcare in the local authority area was required. There was a particular emphasis to ensure childcare settings were in a position to support children with disabilities and also support parents in receipt of working tax credits.

            Details of the timeframe for the 2011 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment were detailed in the report for Members’ information.

            RESOLVED: That

1)         the report be noted;

2)         the Local Authority complete an annual review of its childcare provision in addition to the 3 yearly Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, thereby ensuring supply of places and demand for places be monitored and findings actioned appropriately;

3)         the Local Authority, through its Children and Young People Directorate Officers, provide targeted support to childcare providers to ensure delivery of high quality provision and improved outcomes; and

4)         the Strategic Director, Children and Young People, be authorised to action issues arising from the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment through an agreed action plan.

The Board considered:

(1)       whether Members of the press and public should be excluded from the meeting of the Board during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be considered, exempt information would be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972; and

(2)       whether the disclosure of information was in the public interest, whether any relevant exemptions were applicable and whether, when applying the public interest test and exemptions, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed that in disclosing the information.

            RESOLVED: That as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business, exempt information will be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraphs 1 and  3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

            The Board received a report of the Chief Executive on progress on the joint arrangements for Children and Young People’s Services with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

            The Board were advised that CWAC had now formally agreed to ask Halton Borough Council to enter into a shared arrangement for Children and Young People’s Services across the two Council areas. The Shared Service would see separate political accountabilities and responsibilities, separate Senior Management teams but a joint Strategic Director of Children’s Services for both Council areas. The structure for the joint arrangements was attached at appendix 1 to the report for Members’ consideration.

            RESOLVED: That

1)        the proposal to enter into a contract with CWAC as outlined in the report be approved;

2)        the Strategic Director Children’s Services, and the Divisional Manager for Safeguarding, Quality and Review in Halton undertake the role of the Director of Children’s Services and Joint Safeguarding Unit Manager in Cheshire West and Chester respectively with effect from the 21^st March 2011; and

3)        the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to conclude negotiations and approve final contract terms.

MINUTES ISSUED:  21 March 2011

CALL-IN: 28 March 2011

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 28 March 2011.