Venue: The Boardroom, Municipal Building
Contact: Angela Scott on 0151 511 8670 or Email: Angela.scott@halton.gov.uk
No. | Item |
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MINUTES Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2018 were taken as read and signed as a correct record. |
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Children, Education and Social Care Portfolio |
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Care Home Provision - Belvedere - Key Decision PDF 69 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Board
considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, on the proposed
development of Belvedere as a care home for older people. At its meeting
on 19 July 2018, the Board had approved the development of a costed proposal
for care home provision at Belvedere. Details were set out in the report,
although further work would be required to fully understand the full financial
implications. Reason(s) for Decision To instigate the development of Belvedere as
a care home. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected Not applicable. Implementation Date It was anticipated that the works would be
completed within 12 months, potentially opening in October 2019. RESOLVED: That 1)
the contents of the
report be noted; and 2)
the Board agree in principle
to further work to finalise the overall capital and revenue costs. he Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, on the
proposed development of Belvedere as a care home for older people. At its meeting on 19 July 2018, the Board had approved the development
of a costed proposal for care home provision at Belvedere. Details were set out
in the report, although further work would be required to fully understand the
full financial implications. Reason(s) for
Decision To instigate the development
of Belvedere as a care home. Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected Not applicable. Implementation
Date It was anticipated
that the works would be completed within 12 months, potentially opening in
October 2019. RESOLVED: That 3) the
contents of the report be noted; and 4) the
Board agree in principle to further work to finalise the overall capital and
revenue costs. |
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Foundation/KS1 Social, Emotional and Mental Health Resource Base Provision - KEY DECISION PDF 83 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which
provided a summary of the responses received during the statutory consultation
on the creation of a Resource Base at Beechwood
Primary School and Halton Lodge Primary School. Executive Board had previously agreed that a statutory consultation be
undertaken on the proposal to create a Resource Base for Foundation/ Key Stage
1 Pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental
Health Needs (SEMH). The report set out a summary of the consultation results
for each of the schools proposed, as well as the options open to the Board as
the decision maker. Reason(s) for
Decision To provide a more
inclusive offer for pupils with SEMH giving them the opportunity to be educated
with support alongside their peers. Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected Developing only one
Foundation/Key Stage 1 SEMH Base and one Secondary Base was considered. No
secondary schools expressed an interest in providing an SEMH base. Implementation
Date September 2018. RESOLVED: That 1) Foundation/Key
Stage 1 Social, Emotional and Mental Health Resource Provision Base is
developed at Beechwood Primary School; 2) Foundation
Key Stage 1 Social, Emotional and Mental Health Resource Base is developed at
Halton Lodge Primary School; 3) Specialist
Provision Capital funding is used to provide the facilities required for the
two bases; and 4) the
revenue costs of the new provision will be met from the High Needs budget. |
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Vision for Early Help for Children and Young People PDF 73 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which
outlined the potential delivery model for Early Help Services. The Board was advised that Halton had experienced an increase in demand
within Children’s Services across both Early Help and Social Care. Halton had
revised its Early Help Strategy with some common principles to address how the
authority worked across all ages. It was reported that the ongoing financial pressures required a re-think
on the design of Early Help Services and how the Council could improve joint
working across internal services and with partners. Members were advised that a
new model of provision which had been developed in other areas of the UK was
that of Children’s Communities. The report set out details of the three
characteristics that defined the thinking and approach behind Children’s
Communities. RESOLVED: That 1) the
potential approach be agreed; and 2) the
Board agree that a project team be established to further develop the model and
options. |
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Environmental Services Portfolio |
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Variation of the non-statutory fees of Halton Registration Service for 2020/21 PDF 224 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, which sought approval to vary the non-statutory fees
offered by Halton Registration Service for 2020/2021. The Marriage Act 1995 and the Civil Partnership Act 2005 allowed local
authorities to set fees for ceremonies in approved premises. In January 2011,
the Executive Board Sub-Committee agreed to set the non-statutory fees outside
of the usual timeframe for setting fees, due to ceremonies being planned up to
two years in advance. The proposed fee structure was set out in Appendix 1 for Members’
consideration. RESOLVED: That the variations to the
non-statutory fees of Halton Registration Service, as set out in Appendix 1
attached to the report, be approved. |
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European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) Renewable Energy Scheme PDF 68 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive, which sought
authority to invite tenders for the development of a Solar Farm on the former
St Michael’s Golf Course. In October 2017, the Board approved proposals to develop a Solar Farm on
part of the former St Michael’s Golf Course. The initial proposal was to
connect the Solar Farm by private wire to Halton Stadium, thereby making use of
a brownfield site and a Council asset. The report set out two options for the use of the electricity generated
from the Solar Farm, and these were noted as being either a Private Wire
Arrangement whereby the Stadium would use 45% of the energy generated; or a
Power Purchase Arrangement where the Council would be able to use all of the
electricity generated. RESOLVED: That 1)
approval
be granted to invite tenders for the Design, Build, Operation and Maintenance
contract for the development of a Solar Farm on the former St Michael’s Golf
Course; and 2)
the Strategic
Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, in consultation with the Environment
Portfolio holder, be authorised to determine the most appropriate use for the electricity
when the financial merits of the options highlighted in the report have been
assessed and determine which is the most advantageous to the Council. |
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Resources Portfolio |
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Directorate Performance Overview Reports for Quarter 1 2018 - 19 PDF 59 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, on progress against key milestones/objectives and
performance targets for the first quarter of 2018/19. The Board was advised that the Directorate Performance Overview Report
provided a strategic summary of key issues arising from performance in the
relevant quarter for each Directorate, being aligned to Council priorities or
functional areas. The Board noted that such information was key to the
Council’s management arrangements, with the Board having a key role in
monitoring performance and strengthening accountability. Performance management
would continue to be important in the demonstration of value for money and
outward accountability. RESOLVED: That the report and progress and performance information be
noted. |
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2018/19 Quarter 1 Spending PDF 162 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance,
which summarised the overall revenue and capital spending position as at 30
June 2018. In overall terms revenue expenditure was £1.109m above the budget profile.
It was reported that based on current spend patterns, projections showed that
Council would have a year-end outturn overspend position of approximately
£5.140m, if no corrective action were taken. There were a number departments
where net spend for the quarter exceeded the budget profile. The main budget
pressure continued to be within the Children and Families Department, despite
an additional budget growth of £3m being allocated to the department at the
start of the current financial year. The Capital Programme had been revised to reflect a number of changes in
spending profiles and funding, as
schemes had developed; a list of those schemes that had been revised
were set out in the report. Capital spending at 30 June 2018 totalled £3.8m
which was 98% of the planned spending at this stage. It was noted that this
represented 9.9% of the total Capital Programme of £38.2m. The Council’s balance sheet was monitored regularly in accordance with
the Reserves and Balances Strategy, which formed part of the Medium Term
Financial Strategy. The key reserves and balances had been reviewed and were
considered prudent and appropriate at this stage in the financial year and
within the current financial climate. RESOLVED: That 1) all spending
continues to be limited to the absolutely essential; 2) Strategic
Directors take appropriate action to contain overall spending within their
total operational budget by year-end; and 3) Council
be recommended to approve the revised Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix
2. |
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Physical Environment Portfolio |
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Prohibition of the Sale of Fur at Halton's Markets PDF 66 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, which proposed the prohibition of the sale of fur at
Halton Markets. Members were advised that a proposed ban on the importation and sale of fur
in the UK was debated in Parliament on 4 June 2018. It was noted that the
motion received strong cross party support and that the probable next stage
would be for Members of Parliament to encourage the relevant Secretary of State
to bring forward a Bill for consideration. It was reported that the National Association of British Markets
Authorities (NABMA) had not yet confirmed its position on the matter, and so
the decision whether to ban or prohibit the sale of fur would be left to
individual local authorities. Members were asked to consider the introduction
of such a ban and details of the possible impact on Halton’s
markets were set out in the report for consideration. RESOLVED: That Members agree to prohibit the sale of fur at Halton’s Markets. |
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Procurement of Floating Support Services PDF 77 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which
sought approval for the invitation of
tenders to provide a floating support service to deliver housing related
support to people in their own homes. In 2014, a procurement exercise was undertaken
for floating support services to deliver housing related support to people in
their own homes across all tenure, to maintain their accommodation and prevent
homelessness. Two floating support services were procured at that time; one was
for a generic housing support service and the other was for a service working
with people with mental health problems. It was reported that the initial
contracts were awarded for three years; an option to extend for a further year,
which was taken up, will expire on 31 March 2019. It was noted that both services were
co-located within the Plus Dane Runcorn office. The report provided details of
the numbers of people that had been helped through both services. The Board was advised that in line with
Procurement Standing Orders, approval was sought to commence a tender exercise
for an integrated floating support service, which would offer a generic service
across all client groups. RESOLVED: That the Board approves the commencement of a procurement exercise for floating support services. |
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Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, which provided an update on the Community Shop
initiative. Members had considered the development of a Community Shop at the Board meeting
on 15 March 2018. Since then, Members had visited a Community Shop premises in
Barnsley in order to gain an insight into the operation of such a facility. It
was noted that, with the opening of a Community Shop store in St Helens, the
infrastructure was now in place to support similar facilities in the Liverpool
City Region. It was reported that Officers had progressed the identification of
potential premises for a Community Shop in Halton. Appendix 1 attached to the
report provided details of the options identified for Members’ consideration. RESOLVED: That 1) the
options set out in the report be noted; and 2) a
further report be presented to the Board in October to consider how best to
proceed to deliver Community Shop in Halton, following the outcome of the
options appraisal. |
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Transportation Portfolio and Physical Environment Portfolio |
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Widnes Loops to West Bank Link Road PDF 78 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, which provided an update on progress on the Widnes
Loops Link Road and junction works. The Board was reminded that, at its meeting on 22 February 2018, it had approved
the outline development of a permanent road link between the Mersey Gateway
Widnes Loops Roundabout and Victoria Road/ Waterloo Road/ Hutchinson Street
junction. It was reported that during the summer, the Chief Executive in
consultation with the Leader and Portfolio holders used his emergency powers to
agree the land transfer to the Council. The report advised that the SCAPE Framework contract would be utilised
to procure construction works and with Board approval, also used to deliver the
project. An amendment to the Capital Programme had been approved subject to
further reporting at detailed design stage. RESOLVED: That 1) the
report be noted; 2) the
Board notes the Chief Executive’s use of his delegated powers, as outlined in paragraph
3 of the report; 3) Council
be recommended to approve the increase of Capital Funding allocation to ensure
the scheme progresses; and 4) the
Board approves the use of the SCAPE contract to enable continued progress of
the scheme. |
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SCHEDULE 12A OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 PART II In
this case the Board has a discretion to exclude the press and public and, in
view of the nature of the business to be transacted, it is RECOMMENDED
that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, having been
satisfied that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in
maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the
information, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the
following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely
disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of
Schedule 12A to the Act. Minutes: 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 items of business in accordance
with Section 100A (4) 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 paragraphs 3 and 5 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 outweighed that in disclosing the
information, members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting
during consideration of the following items of business in accordance with
Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that,
in view of the nature of the business, exempt information would be disclosed,
being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of
the Local Government Act 1972. |
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Community and Sport Portfolio, Children, Education and Social Care Portfolio, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio, Physical Environment Portfolio and Resources Portfolio |
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Southern Widnes Key Impact Area Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, on proposals for the development of the Southern
Widnes Key Impact Area. The Board was reminded that in March 2017, it had approved the Mersey Gateway
Regeneration Plan Plus, which focused
on a cohesive package of development opportunities in eight Regeneration Impact
Areas. It was reported that the Southern Widnes area had become a significant
‘gateway’ to Widnes and the wider Borough, with increased connectivity to and
from the area following the opening of the Mersey Gateway. The report set out details of proposals to provide an attractive, high
quality and sustainable mixed use gateway providing an environment that
supported business growth, promoted an improved health and wellbeing offer for
local residents and encouraged visitors to the Borough. RESOLVED: That the Board approve the recommendations as tabled
at the meeting. |
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MINUTES ISSUED: 25
September 2018 CALL-IN: 2 October
2018 Any matter decided by
the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 2 October 2018 |