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: The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2019 were taken as read and signed as a correct record. |
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Children, Education and Social Care Portfolio |
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Halton Support at Home Service PDF 82 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which
sought a waiver of Procurement Standing Orders for the continued provision of
the Halton Support at Home Service. The Board was advised that the British Red Cross (BRC), had been
commissioned to provide a Support at Home Service until 31 March 2020. The
service provided short term support to people in the transition from hospital
to home and was seen as an important part of the discharge management process.
It was noted that the Service was also available to people in the community to
help avoid hospital admission. It was reported that the BRC was a specialist provider in delivery of
this type of service. In order to support the Council in its development of out
of hospital services with NHS Halton CCG, support the
One Halton place based approach and provide
continuity of service, a waiver of Procurement Standing Orders was sought to
extend the existing contract to 31 March 2022. RESOLVED: That 1) the
contents of the report be noted; and 2)
a waiver in compliance with Procurement Standing
Order 1.14.4 (iv) of Part 2 or Part 3 as appropriate, be approved. |
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School Admission Arrangements 2021 - KEY DECISION PDF 67 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Board considered a report of the
Strategic Director, People, on School Admission Arrangements for 2021. The Board was advised that in October 2019,
Halton Local Authority issued a statutorily required consultation
on the proposed admission arrangements and co-ordinated admission schemes for
the September 2021 intake. It was noted that the consultation ran until 8
November 2019, with no changes proposed to the current oversubscription
criteria for admission to Local Authority maintained community and voluntary
controlled primary schools. No responses to the consultation were received. It was further noted that all Halton secondary schools were either academies, free
schools or voluntary aided and were therefore their own admission authorities,
with responsibility for consulting and determining their own admissions
criteria and their own Published Admission Number (PAN). The Board expressed its concerns that
Government Policy in relation to school admission arrangements and Academy
Schools, seriously limited the ability of the Council to respond to concerns
expressed by parents about where their children went to school. Reason(s) for Decision The decision was statutorily required. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected Other options considered and rejected included the allocation of places
to community and voluntary controlled schools through random allocation
(lottery), as this method could be seen as arbitrary and random. Implementation Date The Policy and co-ordinated schemes would apply for the September 2021
academic intake. RESOLVED: That 1)
the Board approves the School Admissions Policy,
Admission Arrangements and Co-ordinated Schemes for admission to primary and
secondary schools for the 2021/22 academic year; 2)
where appropriate, schools be invited to increase
their numbers to help support the Council to help meet the preference of
parents about where their children attend school; 3)
schools be invited to take advantage of funding
available to them from Government to increase their buildings to accommodate increased
pupil numbers where necessary; and 4)
the Leader, on behalf of the Executive Board, write
to Mr Twigg M.P. and Mr Amesbury M.P. to seek their
support in respect of school admissions arrangements in Halton. |
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Schools Capital Programme – 2020/21 - KEY DECISION PDF 69 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the
Strategic Director, People, which provided a summary of the Schools Capital
Programmes for 2020/21. The Board was advised that the Department
for Education (DfE) had not yet announced the Capital
Grant Allocation for 2020/21 at the time of writing the report. However, given
the timescales for some of the capital projects, the report used the 2019/20
allocation as the basis for presenting the report to the Board. The report set out
details of the indicative funding available to support capital projects across
the school estate as well as how the School Condition Allocation would be
utilised. Reason(s) for Decision To deliver and implement the Capital Programmes. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected Not applicable. Implementation Date Capital Programmes for 2020/21 would be implemented with effect from 1
April 2020. RESOLVED: That 1)
the position regarding capital funding from the
Department for Education for 2020/21, be noted; 2)
the proposals to be funded from the School
Condition Capital Allocation, be approved; and 3)
Council be recommended to approve the Capital
Allocations for inclusion in the Budget report. |
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Integrated, Universal, Targeted and Specialist Youth Provision post July 2020 PDF 91 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, on a
proposed integrated universal and targeted youth provision contract. The Board was advised that the Education Act 1986 (updated in 2008), set
out the statutory requirements for local authorities to provide youth work in
three areas – positive activities; decision making by young people; and 14-19
learning. It was reported that the continued reduction in youth services had come
at a time when those services were most needed, with the risk of child poverty
and material deprivation in the UK on the rise in recent years. Members were
advised that Halton had a long history of providing
young people with opportunities to develop their own unique talents and to
access early help. It was noted that Halton Youth Provision
worked together with a range of agencies to help young people through early
intervention and offering a range of support to prevent problems from getting
worse. It was proposed that the Integrated Youth Service would have an
indicative budget of £633,527 per annum, split across three core functions as detailed in the
report. RESOLVED: That the Board 1) note
the report; and 2) approve
the procurement of the new integrated, universal, targeted specialist youth
provision for a three year contract with the option to extend for a further 1
plus 1 year. |
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The Funding Formula for Mainstream Schools and High Needs for 2020/21 PDF 113 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which outlined the proposal for the Dedicated Schools Grant Schools Block Funding Formula for Halton, for mainstream schools and academies for 2020/21. The Board was advised that the Dedicated Schools Grant was split into four blocks. In July 2017, the Secretary of State confirmed the introduction of the National Funding Formula from April 2018, which calculated the Schools Block element for Halton. It was reported that after consultation with schools and the Schools Forum, it was decided that Halton mainstream schools and academies would move to the National Funding Formula with transitional protection for 2018/19, as detailed in the report. On 11 December 2019, a report which highlighted the key changes to the funding of mainstream schools and academies was presented to the meeting of the Schools Forum. Following consultation in November 2019, it was reported that the majority of schools supported the proposal that Schools Forum make a decision on the appropriate level for the Minimum Funding Guarantee at their meeting in January 2020. Members noted that the grant allocations announced on 19 December 2019, showed an increase of £2.29m to the High Needs Block for 2020/21 compared to the 2019/20 allocation. RESOLVED: That the Board approves the continuation of the National Funding Formula for 2020/21. |
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Transportation Portfolio and Physical Environment Portfolio |
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Major Schemes and Funding Update PDF 92 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the
Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an
update on the major projects underway in the Borough and new relevant funding
opportunities. The report set out details of the major maintenance programme on the
Grade II Listed Silver Jubilee Bridge (SJB); the enhanced access into Runcorn’s
west coast mainline station; and a permanent junction into West Bank and Widnes
from the Mersey Gateway Bridge under formation. Members noted that the
significant investment described in the report, flowed from the Council’s
strategic policies contained in the Local Plan, the Mersey Gateway Plus
Regeneration Strategy and the Local Transport Plan. It was reported that newly announced funds could provide Runcorn with
access to up to £71m; those funds which could bring significant additional
investment were detailed in the report and noted as being:- ·
Town Deals; ·
Future High Street Funds; ·
Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority
Mayoral Fund; and ·
LCR Town Centre Commission Fund. RESOLVED: That 1) project
progress is noted; 2) funding
bids are submitted with a view to securing funding for the full programme of
works, enhancements and additional phases of the Runcorn Station Quarter
Masterplan and wider Runcorn Vision; and 3) in
association with resolution 2), the Council be recommended to approve the
amendment of the Capital Programme to £50m in respect of the SJB Delinking and
Runcorn Station Quarter, to reflect the updated position with respect to
opportunities for grant funding. |
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Resources Portfolio |
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Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, relating to policy changes to the current Hackney
Carriage and Private Hire vehicle policy. This was in respect of rear loading
fully accessible vehicles, where the wheelchair user was fully secured in a
forward facing position. The Board was advised that the Regulatory Committee at its meeting on 27
November 2019, had considered the proposals and recommended adoption. It was
noted that the policy changes were the culmination of a consultation exercise
via the Taxi Consultative Group. Appendix 1, attached to the report, contained a copy of the Regulatory
Committee Resolution (Minute REG 6 referred); Appendices 2 and 3 contained the
report considered by the Committee and responses to the proposals from the
UNITE Union, respectively. RESOLVED: That 1) the policy changes as recommended by Regulatory
Committee at item 1 of Minute
Number REG 6 and as detailed in the Regulatory Committee Agenda dated 27
November 2019, be adopted as Council Policy; and 2) the consequential matters set
out in items 2, 3 and 4 of Minute Number REG 6 and as detailed in the
Regulatory Committee Agenda dated 27 November 2019, be endorsed. |
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Policy changes relating to Taxi Licensing PDF 140 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, relating to the adoption of policy changes to taxi
licensing. The Board was advised that the Regulatory Committee at its meeting on 27
November 2019, had considered six changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private
Hire Policy. Appendix 1, attached to the report, contained a copy of the
Regulatory Committee Resolution (Minute REG 7 referred); Appendix 2 and 3 contained
the report considered by the Committee and responses to the proposals from the
UNITE Union, respectively. The Board noted that the only completely new proposal was the
introduction of a ten year maximum age for tyres which was part of an
initiative being promoted by the licensing authorities throughout the Liverpool
City Region area. RESOLVED: That
the Policy changes, as recommended by Regulatory Committee Minute Number REG 7
and as detailed in the Regulatory Committee Agenda dated 27 November 2019, be
adopted as Council Policy. |
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Physical Environment Portfolio |
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Request for waiver for the allocation of a contract to Halton Housing Trust PDF 76 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which sought approval for the continuation of a contract with Halton Housing Trust. This referred to the management of the housing register and the housing allocations process, on behalf of Halton Borough Council. Members were advised that, as part of the voluntary stock transfer process in 2007, Halton Borough Council opted to transfer its entire housing stock to Halton Housing Trust (HHT). In 2012, a new Choice Based Lettings Scheme – Property Pool Plus (PPP) - went live in Halton which was a sub-regional IT management scheme, operating across the other five local authorities in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) area. It was reported that since then, the LCR had commissioned an independent review of the way in which the PPP process operated. Members noted that the aim of the review was to consider whether there was a more cost - effective approach which could deliver the same or improved outcomes for those using the service. A report on the outcome of the review was due in Spring 2020. In requesting an extension to the current contract with HHT under Procurement Standing Orders, it was reported that as the contract with HHT would have expired before the Board meeting, the Chief Executive had used his emergency powers to authorise an extension to the existing contract for seventeen days from 31 December 2019 to 16 January 2020. RESOLVED: That 1) the contents of the report be noted; and 2) a waiver by virtue of Procurement Standing Order 1.14.4 of Part 2 or Part 3 as appropriate, be approved for the extension of the contract with Halton Housing Trust for a further twelve months. |
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(N.B. Councillor Wright declared a
Disclosable Other Interest in the following item of business as she was
a Trustee of Nightstop
Communities Northwest) |
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Economic Development Portfolio |
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External Funding Team Update PDF 269 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, which provided an update on the work of the External
Funding Team. The Board was advised that the role of the External
Funding Team was to help maximise external funding into the Borough. The Team
was responsible for preparing medium to large-scale funding bids on behalf of
Council colleagues, public sector partners, the voluntary sector and the
private sector. The report set out details of the
structure of the Team, its key functions, and the common values and motivations
that underpinned the work of the Team. It was noted that in the year to date,
specific support had been given to four large-scale Liverpool City Region ESF
bids; and continued to support colleagues in bidding to the Strategic
Investment Fund (SIF), the Town Centre Commission Fund and the Future High
Street Fund, amongst others. In addition, each member of the Team was assigned
to support one or more of the Mersey Gateway Regeneration Plan Plus Impact
Areas and the Team was supporting the Borough of Culture Programme for Halton in 2021. RESOLVED: That the Board 1) note
the contents of the report; and 2) approves
the current pipeline project list at Appendix 2, attached to the report. |
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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(s) 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 item 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 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 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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Physical Environment Portfolio |
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Foundry Lane Residential Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, which updated Members on the proposals for residential
development at Foundry Lane, Widnes. The report provided Members with details of the proposals, policy and
financial implications for their consideration. RESOLVED: That Executive
Board 1)
supports
the principle, subject to planning and other statutory approvals, of bringing
forward residential development in the Foundry Lane area, bringing back into
use under-utilised brownfield sites and making better use of poor quality
industrial sites; 2) endorses the decision taken by the Chief
Executive in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holders for
Physical Environment and Resources to acquire the Stobart Foundry Lane site; 3) authorises the Operational Director for
Economy, Enterprise and Property to arrange all required documentation to be
completed to the satisfaction of the Operational Director, Legal and Democratic Services; 4) agrees to accept the offer of grant from
Homes England for the purpose of preparing the sites known as Tarmac and
Stobart for residential development; and 5) agrees to fund any shortfall in the
preparatory works for the above two sites, if this exceeds the Homes England
grant. |
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MINUTES ISSUED: 21 January 2020 CALL-IN: 28 January
2020 at 5.00 pm. Any matter decided by
the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 28 January 2020. |