Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2020 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which sought a waiver of Procurement Standing Orders for the continued provision of the Home Based Respite Care Service in Halton.

 

            The Board was advised that home based respite care provided practical help, personal care and emotional support to people in their own homes. The service supported carers and the cared for to help them to remain independent for as long as possible.

 

            It was reported that the contract with the current provider, Crossroads Care North West, was due to end on 31 March 2020. A continuation of the service with this provider would support the Council in its development of out of hospital services with NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group, the One Halton place based approach and support the Council’s commitment to providing breaks for carers in line with local and national targets for independent living. Therefore, a waiver of the relevant Procurement Standing Orders was sought to extend the contract for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022, with an option to extend for a further one year.

 

            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 3 of Procurement Standing Orders is approved.

 

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which provided details of the proposed refurbishment of Millbrow Care Home.

 

            The Board was advised that at the time of purchase by Halton Borough Council in 2017, Millbrow Care Home building was in disrepair.  During the Care Quality Commission (CQC)  inspection in February 2019, they recognised the improvements that had been made in all areas, with particular focus on care, which had been rated as ‘Good’.

 

            It was reported that some initial building work had taken place to ensure the establishment was habitable and fit for purpose. However, as the building was in need of major refurbishment, the work would be divided into three phases. The first phase, subject of this report, focused on the needs of the residents to ensure the environment was suitable for good quality care provision.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

1)    the report be noted;

 

2)    the Board agree the refurbishment plans; and

 

 

3)    the Board agree funding for the project.

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which outlined a recommendation to Council in respect of the Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax for 2020/21.

 

            It was noted that at the time of writing, the Cheshire Fire Authority and the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner had not set their budget and Council Tax precept. However, final figures would be reported to Council when the information was available.

 

            The Board was advised that the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), approved at its meeting on 14 November 2019, had identified funding gaps of around £7.9m in 2020/21, £15.1m in 2021/22 and £4.4m in 2022/23. The Strategy had the following objectives:

 

·           Deliver a balanced and sustainable budget;

·           Prioritise spending towards the Council’s priority areas;

·           Avoid excessive Council Tax rises;

·           Achieve significant cashable efficiency gains;

·           Protect essential front line services and vulnerable members of the community; and

·           Deliver improved procurement.

In terms of consultation, it was noted that the Council used various methods to listen to the views of the public, and Members’ own experiences through their Ward work was an important part of that process. Individual consultations had taken place in respect of specific budget proposals and equality impact assessments would be completed where necessary.

 

Appendix B outlined proposed budget savings for 2020/21, totalling £4.230m. The departmental analysis was shown in Appendix C  and the major reasons for change from the current budget were shown in Appendix D.

 

The Board was advised the final Local Government Finance Settlement figures were awaited, along with confirmation on some 2020/21 grant allocations including the Public Health grant. It was confirmed that the Council would continue to participate in the pilot of the 100% Business Rates Retention Scheme, as part of the Liverpool City Region (LCR).

 

Further information was provided on the budget outlook, Halton’s Council Tax, Precepts for Parishes, Police, Fire and Liverpool City Region Mayor, the Capital Programme, Prudential Code and School Budgets.

 

Reason(s) for Decision

 

To seek approval for the Council’s Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax for 2020/21.

 

 

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

 

In arriving at the budget saving proposals set out in Appendix B, numerous proposals had been considered, some of which had been deferred pending further information, or rejected.

 

Implementation Date

 

4 March 2020.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

1)    Council be recommended to adopt the resolution set out in Appendix A attached to the report, which includes setting the budget at £115,770m, the Council Tax requirement of £52.179m (before Parish, Police, Fire and LCR Combined Authority precepts) and the Band D Council Tax for Halton of £1,475.70;

 

2)    Council be recommended to approve the revenue budget proposals for 2020/21 set out in Appendix B and Capital Programme set out in Appendix F, both attached to the report; and

 

3)    from 1 April 2020 the level of Empty Homes Premium on dwellings that have been unoccupied for between 2 and 5 years remain at 100%. The level of Premium on dwellings unoccupied for more than 5 years be increased  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which reported on the 2019/20 Quarter 3 spending as at 31 December 2019.

 

A summary of spending against revenue budget up to 31 December 2019 was attached to the report at Appendix 1. This provided individual statements for each department. The Board was advised that, in overall terms, revenue expenditure was £3.790m above the budget profile. Whilst the overspend position had increased since Quarter 2, the trend had slowed over the previous 3 months as action taken by all departments continued to restrict spending.

 

            The Board was advised that a number of budget savings proposals approved by Council in March 2019 were yet to be implemented. These were detailed in Table 1. The main budget pressures continued to be within the Children and Families Department. In addition, service demand for Adult Social Care had increased over the year.

 

The report also provided details of other services which had experienced budget variances including the Children and Families Department; Community and Environment Department; the Education, Inclusion and Provision Department; ICT and Support Services; Adult Social Care including the Complex Care Pool. An underspend in Corporate and Democracy was noted.

 

The Capital Programme had been revised to reflect a number of changes in spending profiles as schemes had developed, and these were detailed in the report.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

1)     all spending continues to be limited to only absolutely essential items;

 

2)     Departments continue to seek to implement the 2019/20 budget savings proposals  listed in Table A, which were approved by Council in March 2019;

 

3)     Strategic Directors take appropriate action to ensure that overall spending was contained as far as possible within their total operational budget by year-end; and

 

4)    Council be recommended to approve the revised Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 2 attached to the report.

           

 

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, on the Council’s Capital Strategy for 2020/21.

 

It was reported that all councils were required to produce a Capital Strategy annually, the aim of which was to ensure that the Council understood the overall long-term policy objectives and resulting capital strategy requirements, governance procedures and risk appetite.

 

            Members were advised that the Capital Strategy should be read in conjunction with the Treasury Management Statement, included on the same agenda. It was noted that the successful delivery of the Capital Strategy would assist the Council in planning and funding its capital expenditure over the next three years.

 

              RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to approve the 2020/21 Capital Strategy, as presented in the Appendix attached to the report.

 

 

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, proposing the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) which incorporated the Annual Investment Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Strategy for 2020/21.

            The TMSS was attached to the report and detailed the expected activities of the treasury function in the forthcoming financial year (2020/21).

            The Local Government Act 2003 required the Council to “have regard to” the Prudential Code and to set Prudential Indicators for the next three years, to ensure that the Council’s capital investment plans were affordable, prudent and sustainable. The Act therefore required the Council to set out its treasury strategy for borrowing as well as an Annual Investment Strategy, which set out the Council’s policies for managing its investments and for giving priority to the security and liquidity of those investments. However, Government guidance stated that authorities could combine the statement and the strategy into one report, and the Council had adopted this approach.

            Members noted that the provision of a Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement was required and a formal statement for approval was contained within the report at paragraph 2.3, with Appendix A detailing the full policy.

            RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to adopt the policies, strategies, statements, prudential and treasury indicators outlined in the report.

 

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on progress against key objectives/milestones and performance targets for the second quarter to 30 September 2019.

 

The Board was advised that the Directorate Performance Overview Report provided a strategic summary of key issues arising from the relevant quarter for each Directorate. The Board noted that such information was key to the Council’s performance management arrangements and Executive Board had 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, progress and performance information be noted.

 

           

            The Board considered  a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which set out the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the 2020/21 Municipal Year, which was appended to the report for information.

 

            RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to approve the Calendar of meetings for the 2020/21 Municipal Year, as appended to the report.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which sought approval for the update to Halton’s Local Development Scheme (LDS).

 

            The Board was advised that the LDS was a public statement of the Council’s three year work programme for the production of the Local Plan. Councils were required to prepare and keep up to date an LDS and to set out the timetable for the production of their Local Plan. It was noted that this update would cover the remaining stages in the preparation of the Delivery and Allocations Local Plan.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

1)     the Halton Borough Council Local Development Scheme 2020 Revision (Appendix 1) be formally adopted and shall have effect from 28 February 2020; and

 

2)     authority be delegated to the Operational Director: Policy, Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Executive Board Member, Physical Environment, to approve any minor changes to the wording and/or timelines of the production of documents in the Local Development Scheme as required prior to publication.

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.

 

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.

 

 

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which sought approval to the Council’s Disposal Programme.

 

            The Board was reminded that in September 2019, it had approved an asset, acquisition and retention strategy, which formed the rationale for the proposals outlined in Appendices A and B, attached to the report.

 

Reason(s) For Decision

 

The approval to the schedule would form the Council’s disposal programme for assets, surplus to the requirements of the Council.

 

To allow development of the sites for alternative uses.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

 

The approval to declare sites surplus to requirements was necessary under the Council’s Constitution.

 

Implementation Date

 

Once approved, recommendations would be immediately acted upon.

 

            RESOLVED: That Executive Board

 

1)    approves the Disposal Programme and sites identified in Appendix A attached to the report, as surplus to requirements and to be sold;

 

2)    approves the sites to be retained in Council ownership identified in Appendix B attached to the report; and

 

 

3)    authorises the Operational Director, Economy, Enterprise and Property and the Operational Director, Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Resources Portfolio holder, to progress the implementation of the Disposal Programme.

MINUTES ISSUED:  3 March 2020

 

CALL-IN: 10 March 2020 at 5.00 pm.

 

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 10 March 2020.