Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th June 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 First Quarter Monitoring Reports for the Highways & Transportation, Environment & Regulatory Services, Cultural & Leisure, Major Projects, Economic Regeneration and Health and Partnerships Services.

             It was noted that the departmental revenue service charges were not included in the report.  Officers undertook to look into whether it would be possible to include this information in future reports.

  RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board considered a report of Strategic Director, Corporate and Policy which advised on progress towards targets set in the Community Strategy and 2007 Local Area Agreement.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which set out the costs and operational requirements for implementing a ‘Heart of Halton’ plaque scheme to identify and celebrate where Halton’s achievers, people and notable activities took place or lived.

Arising from the discussion reference was made to a number of issues including:

·        The current budget constraints were noted and it was suggested that the scheme be implemented in two phases.  Phase One would be the purchase of 50 plaques and include £1,000 maintenance, with a total cost of £11,000.  The Board agreed.

 

·        The achievements of individuals in Halton was recognised and the positive benefits of the scheme was noted.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)              the scheme as amended (50 plaques and maintenance costs at a total cost of £11,000 in Phase 1) be endorsed for implementation, subject to securing the necessary funding as part of the Council’s 2009/10 budget settlement; and

 

(2)       the scheme be referred to the Executive Board for consideration during the Council’s 2009/10 budget settlement process.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which informed the Members of developments concerning Growth Point Status.

 

The Board was advised that Halton Borough Council together with St Helens MBC and Warrington BC as the Mid-Mersey Housing Market Area had been awarded Growth Point Status in the recent Government announcement of the 16^th July 2008.  The formal DCLG letter confirming this status and conditions that would need to be fulfilled were set out in Appendix A to the report.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board Recommends to the Executive Board:

 

(1)               The acceptance of the offer of Growth Point Status; and

 

(2)               that officers work with our partners in the Mid-Mersey area and where appropriate private landowners to further work on the successful delivery of the Growth Point agenda, including submission of returns for Community Infrastructure Fund and Growth Fund.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which advised Members on the contents of the Local Transport Plan (LPT2) Interim Review Report due to be submitted to Government Office North West (GONW) at the end of September 2008.

Arising from the discussion reference was made to a number of issues including:

·        The issues concerning car parking in the Borough, particularly in the town centre and Runcorn Rail Station;

 

·        It was noted that a car parking study for Runcorn town centre had been undertaken and that the one for Halton lea and Widnes town centre was due for completion in October.  It was suggested that the findings of the studies could be available for the Board to consider at the next meeting;

 

·        The implications of implementing Residents Parking Schemes in the Borough was noted and Members were informed that a review of the Council’s policy on Resident Parking Schemes would be undertaken and reported to a future meeting of the Board; and

 

·        Concern was raised regarding landscaping surrounding highways in the Borough and the number of trees restricting signage.  It was reported that this was being addressed currently and the trees were being cut down around signage to alleviate this problem.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)               the contents of the Local Transport Plan (LTP2) Interim Review Report  be noted;

 

(2)               the Board supports taking the Local Transport Plan (LPT2) Interim Review Report to Executive Board for approval to submit to Government Office North West; and

 

(3)               the findings of the town centre car parking studies and the review of the Council’s policy on Resident Parking Schemes be brought to a future meeting of the Board.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which requested Members agree nominations of Members to sit on the Council’s Public Transport Advisory Panel for the 2008/09 municipal year.

 

RESOLVED: That the nomination for Halton Public Transport Advisory Panel for 2008/09 be Councillors Hignett (Chair), Morley, Polhill and Hodgkinson be approved.

 The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which informed Members of recent developments in relation to emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West. 

 

In this respect Appendix A was tabled at the meeting which summarised the main implications of the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for Halton.

Arising from the discussion reference was made to a number of issues including:

·        The new previously developed land target for residential development for Halton with St Helens which had been confirmed to be at least 65% was noted.  It was reported that this target should be achievable; and

 

·        Halton’s requirement to deliver 9,000 dwellings net of clearance over the period 2003-2021 being confirmed, which equated to an annual average figure of 500 dwellings per annum (excluding Growth Point) was noted.  It was also noted that this included replacement housing and should be achievable.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)              the contents of the report be noted; and

 

(2)              once it is adopted, a further report be produced detailing the implications of Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which informed the Members of the progress of the preparation of the Halton Core Strategy.

 

The Board was advised that the Core Strategy was the central document in the Council’s Local Development Framework and would provide the overarching spatial planning policy for the Borough until 2026.  The Core Strategy would also plan for the spatial delivery of the aims of the Borough’s Community Strategy.  Therefore, once adopted, the document would be an extremely important policy tool for the Council overall, forming part of the development plan along with the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West.

 

The Board was advised that a meeting of the Local Development Framework Working Party was provisionally being arranged during the week commencing 3^rd November 2008.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)               the policy implications set out in the report be noted; and

 

(2)       the drafting of the Core Strategy as a central enabling document in the delivery of Corporate priorities be supported.