Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes of the meeting held on 26^th January 2012 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          The Sub-Committee considered a report which updated Members on the activities undertaken on the money market as required by the Treasury Management Policy.

          The report provided supporting information on the economic background, economic forecast, short term rates, longer term rates, temporary borrowing/investments and new borrowing. It was noted that during the financial year to date, the Council had operated within the treasury limits and prudential indicators set out in the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and in compliance with the Council’s Treasury Management Practices.

          RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

          The Sub Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director Children and Enterprise which requested that Standing Orders be waived to allow the purchase of the SIMs software licence from the existing supplier for the financial year 2012/13. The proposed waiver would allow time for the new Central Government Information Management and Learning Services Framework (IMLS) to be established in 2013/14.

          Central Government were actively encouraging all local authorities to use the new IMLS Framework in order to conduct procurements in respect of 2013/14 contracts onwards. The framework was designed around educational requirements, to increase choice and competition enable legal procurements and drive best value for money. It would also avoid local authorities spending time and expense of running an OJEU competition.

          RESOLVED: That Procurement Standing Order 1.8.2(e) and 4.1 be waived in respect of the School Information Management System Licence (SIMs) thereby allowing the licence to be procured from the existing supplier for financial year April 2012 to March 2013.

          The Sub-Committee received a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which set out the proposed admission charges for 2012/13 for the Council Libraries, The Kingsway Learning Centre, Leisure Centres, Parks and Playing Pitches, Halton Athletic Track, Community Centres, Bereavement Services, and The Brindley Arts Centre.

          RESOLVED: That

(1)  the charges as proposed be approved; and

(2) the relevant Policy and Performance Board be requested to review        the leisure card eligibility criteria for 2013/14.

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 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 outweighs the public interest 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 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 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

          The Sub Committee considered a report which sought approval to write off a debt of £164,930.56 which was associated with works adjacent to St Helens canal at Carter House Bridge. In June 2008 a hole appeared on Council owned land between the railway line and St Helens canal adjacent to Carter House Bridge at the bottom of Tan House Lane, Widnes. It became evident that water was leaking from the canal through the masonry wall. Subsequently the canal was drained and it was established that the water was entering a United Utilities overflow drain. United Utilities repaired the pipe but did not accept that they were liable for anything other than that. Remedial works were carried out and funded from the maintenance budget 2008/09.

          RESOLVED: That Members agree to write off the debt from 2008 in the amount of £164,930.56 following legal advice.

          This item was withdrawn.

MINUTES ISSUED:   14^th February 2012

CALL IN: 21^st February 2012

Any matter decided by the Executive Board Sub Committee may be called in no later than 21st February 2012