Agenda and minutes

The Chair asked for a statement on the effects of the winter weather on the Borough’s highways. It was agreed that a full report be brought to the next meeting of the Board

            The minutes of the meeting held on 25^th November 2009 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, Executive Board Sub Committee, 3MG Executive Sub-Board and Mersey Gateway Executive Board.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

The last meeting of the Urban Renewal SSP was on 17 November 2009 however, these minutes will not be approved as a correct record until the next meeting of the SSP, therefore there are no minutes to consider at present.

            The last meeting of the Urban Renewal SSP was on 7^th November 2009. However, these minutes would not be approved as a correct record until the next meeting of the SSP, therefore were no minutes to consider at present.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate and Policy which provided information on the progress towards meeting Halton Local Area Agreement (LAA) targets to September 2009.

            It was noted that the revised LAA was signed off by the Secretary of State in June 2008. The LAA contained a set of measures and targets agreed between the Council, local partner agencies and the Government. There were 32 indicators within the LAA, along with statutory and education and early years targets. The current Agreement covered the period April 2008 to March 2011.

            It was further noted that the Agreement had been refreshed in March 2009 following a review of Government Office North West. It was not expected that there would be many significant changes to the Agreement, except those areas affected by the downturn in the national economy. Of this the Government had identified a list of factors for which targets would be reviewed before the end of March 2010.

            The Board was advised that attached as Appendix 1 was a report on progress to the 2009-10 mid years which included those indicators and targets that fell within the remit of the Board.

            Arising from the discussion reference was made to how the full impact of the recession on housing development would impact on targets within the LAA and other key documents such as the Core Strategy and it was noted that this was expected to be addressed through the review process.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

(NB: Councillor Hignett declared a personal interest in the following item of business due to him being employed by CIC (Community Integrated Care)).

            The Board received a report of the Chief Executive which detailed the 2^nd quarter performance management report on progress against service plan objectives and performance targets, performance trends/comparisons and factors affecting the services for:

• Highways Transportation and Logistics;
• Environment and Regulatory Services;
• Health and Partnerships;
• Culture and Leisure;
• Economic Regeneration; and
• Major Projects.

            RESOLVED: That the 2^nd quarter monitoring report be noted.

This item was deferred.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which demonstrated how the Landscape Services Division and The Parks and Countryside Service performed during Year 11 of the APSE Performance Network’s Benchmarking process in relation to Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural Services.

It was noted that the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) was the UK’s largest benchmarking club. Benchmarking was carried out through APSE Performance Networks using criteria that was deemed to be consistent and reliable by the Audit Commission.

The Board was advised that the Landscape Services Division joined the APSE Performance Networks Benchmarking group in year 2 of its existence (2000/1). Since that time the Division had submitted data, which had been used to compare its performance against other Local authorities. From year 8 data had also been gathered from the Parks and Countryside Service and submitted to APSE.  

It was further noted that Council’s were grouped into Families so that they could be compared on a more equal basis. Halton currently sat in Family Group H2/3.

The year 11 (2008/9) data was submitted to APSE in July 2009. Following a validation process a report was received by the Divisional Manager for Landscape Services in November 2009.  

The Board was further advised that based on the year 11 data submitted which demonstrated an overall improvement, Halton was nominated for ‘Best Performing Council’ and ‘Most Improved Performer’ in relation to its delivery of Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural Services. It was a finalist in both categories having previously been a winner for Most Improved Performer in 2007 and in 2008.

            The report further set out how Halton’s Landscape Services had compared with other local authorities in year 11.

            The Board expressed its congratulations to the team for their hard work.

RESOLVED: That The APSE Performance Networks report be accepted.

            The Board was advised that at its meeting on 25^th November 2009 Members received presentations from Operational Directors which set out the key issues and challenges for their Department’s services over the coming three years. The details of these presentations had subsequently been circulated to Members of the Board in December 2009 to enable more detailed consideration of the matters presented.

            Arising from Members comments and questions the following was noted:

• more detailed information on specific areas of interest could be requested from Officers;
• the difficulties new housing developments were having with surface water management and how these and other issues where being looked by the surface water management plan;
• the implications of the Gullicksen report on registered social landlords and how this could on impact the Council. It was requested that a further report be submitted to the Board.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)       the views of the Board be considered through the service planning process; and

(2)       a report be submitted to a future meeting in relation to the Gullicksen rule.

            The Board considered a report from the Strategic Director, Environment regarding the work programme for 2010/11 regarding possible topics for inclusion in the next Municipal Year.

            Arising from the discussion two topics were highlighted for inclusion in the 2010/11 work programme, Town Centres and Delinking of the Silver Jubilee Bridge.  It was further agreed an update report on the effectiveness of Town Centre advertising ‘rotunda’ posts be submitted to a future meeting

            RESOLVED: That

(1)       the suggestions made be noted, but only the Town Centres and (if appropriate) the Delinking of the Silver Jubilee Bridge topics be actioned;

(2)       terms of reference be submitted to the next meeting of the Board; and

(3)       an update report on the effectiveness of Town Centre advertising ‘rotunda’ posts be submitted to a future meeting

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which informed Members of the DfT’s proposals to revise its speed limits circular and to seek the Board’s comments on the proposals.

            The Board was advised that in December 2009, the Department for Transport (DfT) wrote to Highway Authorities, Road Safety Partnerships and Road Safety organisations seeking their views on proposed changes to its speed limit circular. The changes were focused on the advice relating to 20 mph zones and speed limits and on rural A and B single carriageway roads.

            The Board was advised of the benefits of 20 mph speed limits in residential areas could potentially bring, particularly with regard to road safety, vehicle emissions and quality of life were noted. The Executive Board Member for Planning, Transportation, Regeneration and Renewal in consultation with the Chairman had requested that the Board consider the DfT’s proposals. This was to enable a view to be developed on the future implementation of 20 mph zones and limits within the Borough. It was noted that these proposals would have resource implications, which would have to be considered in the development of any new policy.

            Arising from Members comments and questions the following was noted:

• that repeater signs would be beneficial for estates/roads with blanket 20mph zones;
• that there was a need for greater discretion for Councils’ in locations and types of signs;
• that there were currently problems with enforcement by the police, but, it had been shown that traffic did reduce in speed in 20mph zones even without enforcement;
• that if an area had 20mph signs it meant that a traffic regulation order had been made and therefore these areas were enforceable; and
• that 20mph zones around schools would be beneficial.     

            RESOLVED: That

(1)       the comments made by the Board be submitted to DfT  by 5 February 2010; and

(2)       the 20mph speed limit traffic order for Castlefields Avenue South, next to St Mary’s school be checked