Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd January 2008 having been printed and circulated were signed as a correct record.

            It was confirmed that no public questions had been received.

            The Board considered the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board and Executive Board Sub Committee relevant to the Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board.

 

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

The Board considered a report regarding the Third Quarter Monitoring Reports for the Highways & Transportation, Environment & Regulatory Services, Cultural & Leisure, Major Projects, Economic Regeneration and Health and Partnerships Services.

Arising from the discussion the Board sought clarification on a number of issues including:

·        the marketing drive for the logistics sector;

·        the increased costs of the Fireworks event;

·        having a street market in Runcorn Old Town;

·        ongoing works in relation to the regeneration of Castlefields;

·        repair works to the Silver Jubilee Bridge; and

·        progress on the Mersey Gateway project.

Each of the issues raised was addressed and responded to by the relevant Council Officer. 

 

RESOLVED: That the quarterly monitoring reports be received.

            The Board received a presentation from S. Munikwa, EDZ Programme Manager on the Performance Plan for Widnes Waterfront Economic Development Zone (EDZ), which gave an overview of the progress made in 2007/8 and the proposed programme of work for the Financial Year 2008/9.

 

            It was noted that for North West Development Agency (NWDA) schemes that last for more than one year it was a requirement of the scheme approval that the delivery organisation, in this case Halton Borough Council, prepared an Annual Performance Plan.

 

            Furthermore it was noted that in 2007/8 it was likely that £850,000 of NWDA funding would be claimed. This was less than originally anticipated and this was attributed to the changes made to the Borough’s assisted status which meant that two projects, each with a £0.5m NWDA contribution, had been delayed. The main NWDA funded achievements from April 2007 to March 2008 were outlined within the report.

 

The Board was advised of the key projects approved in 2006/7 which would continue into 2008/9, the projects rolled forward from 2007/8 to 2008/9 and the new projects for 2008/9.

 

RESOLVED: That the Annual Widnes EDZ Waterfront Performance Plan for 2008/9 be endorsed.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which gave a progress update in relation to the ideas put forward in February 2007, to raise revenue from existing services within the Environment Directorate.

 

            It was noted that a number of possible areas of raising revenue were reported to the Board in 2007 and were outlined within the report. At its meeting on 22^nd February 2007, the Topic Group recommended that further investigations be undertaken for the following three areas: 

 

·              Biomass;

·              Printing Services; and

·              Sponsorship

 

Members were advised on the progress made in each of these areas, as was detailed within the report.

 

The Board felt that the 3 year return criteria for ‘Invest to Save’ initiatives was too short term and it was suggested that the Strategic Director, Environment and/or any relevant Council Officer be invited to the next meeting to give an overview of the scheme and its criteria.

 

It was further noted that work was still ongoing under the Safer Halton PPB Topic Group in relation to refuse services. In particular the issue of waste bin replacement and the need to tighter control spending in this area had recently been discussed. 

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)       the work of the topic group be concluded; and

 

(2)       the Strategic Director, Environment and/or any relevant Council Officer be invited to the next meeting to give an overview of the ‘Invest to Save’ scheme and its criteria.