Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2021  having been 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 relevant to the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on two projects relating to electric vehicles and the installation of electric vehicle charging points.

            The Board was advised that in Autumn 2019, The Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) invited applications for the Residential On-Street Charging Point Fund. The focus of this particular fund was to reduce the barriers to electric vehicle ownership due to the lack of personal parking spaces. Officers identified a number of areas where car ownership was high, access to driveways was low and Halton submitted a successful application and received £74,250.00 from the OZEV. The funding supported 29 on-street residential Electric Charging Points (ECP).

            The Board noted a proposal to expand the existing residential on-street electric vehicle charging network by adding up to 120 additional charging points across Halton. Details of the proposed location of these was outlined in the report. The next stage of the proposal was to consult with the communities identified and if community support for the proposal was obtained an application would be prepared and submitted to OZEV.

            Arising from the discussion it was requested:

·         that Manor Road be added to the list of proposed locations to be assessed; and

·         information be made available to residents that they can apply for a personal grant towards the cost of an ECP.

            Members also considered information on a proposal to pilot a 4 year project regarding electric powered taxis. The target was to get 30 fully electric powered vehicles fully operating over the 4 year project timeline.

            RESOLVED: That the projects be endorsed and the Board recognises their contribution to the climate change agenda, in particular reducing air pollution.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided information on the Halton Pavement Licence (Outdoor Seating) Policy and Procedure July 2021, a copy of the document was attached as Appendix A to the report.

            The purpose of the Policy was to support the legislative changes brought about by the Business and Planning Act 2020. The Policy would be temporary until 30 September 2022 or such other date defined in legislation. Members were advised that the Policy document introduced a streamlined route for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place furniture on the highway until 30 September 2022. This would support them to operate safely whilst social distancing measures remained in place and would improve the viability of hospitality businesses and protect as many hospitality jobs as possible.

            Arising from the discussion it was requested that the outdoor furniture outside a café in Hale Village be looked at.

            RESOLVED: That the Board endorses the draft policy in Appendix A for presentation to the Executive Board.

            The Board considered an update on the progress of the Problem Pavement Parking Working Party. The Working Party had agreed an action plan, of which one specific action was to draft a letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner requesting their continued support in taking targeted enforcement action where pavement parking presented an ongoing problem. A copy of the letter, which had been sent was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

            RESOLVED: That the update be noted.

            This report was deferred to the next meeting.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, that sought approval from the Board of the proposed update to the Local Development Scheme (LDS) (Appendix 1).  Councils were required to prepare and keep up to date Local Development Schemes that set out the timetable for production of their Local Plan(s).  They identify and describe the Planning Policy documents that the Council intends to prepare and gives target dates for key stages in their production.   This update covers the remaining stages in the preparation of the Delivery and Allocations Local Plan.

            RESOLVED: That the Halton Borough Council Local Development Scheme 2021 Revision (Appendix 1) be endorsed and presented to Executive Board for approval.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 4 of 2020/21.

The reports related to the following functional areas which reported to the Board and detailed progress against service objectives and milestones, and performance targets and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period:

·         Development and Investment Services;

·         Highways and Transportation, Logistics and Development Services;

·         Waste and Environmental Improvement and Open Space Services; and

·         Housing Strategy.

            RESOLVED: That the second quarter performance monitoring reports be received and noted.