Agenda and minutes

            The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

            The Board was presented with the Minutes relating to the Corporate Services Portfolio which had been considered by the Executive Board since the last meeting of the Board.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

The Board considered the minutes of the Member Development Group meeting held on 22^nd June 2017.

RESOLVED: That the Board note the minutes.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on related activities at reducing CO2 emissions within the Council. Overall, the Council’s CO2 emissions had significantly reduced from a baseline in 2006/7 of 26,338 tonnes of CO2, to 19,874 tonnes for 2015/16 which equated to a 24.5% reduction over the 9 year period. The reduction was partly due to:

·         Carbon reduction measures implemented by the Council;

·         Rationalisation of buildings with the Council now occupying fewer buildings;

·         The Council was part way through a four year programme to switch high sodium pressure street lighting used in residential areas and the main routes throughout the borough to LEDs;

·         Solar PV on Council buildings; and

·         Biomass boilers installed at Brookvale Leisure Centre and Norton Priory Museum.

            In addition, the Board noted that a successful bid had been submitted to the Department for Local Government and Communities to develop a Solar Farm on the former St Michael’s Golf Course. The Solar Farm would be connected to the Halton Stadium and the system would produce between 850,000 and 950,000wh per annum. The energy generated by the Solar Farm would reduce CO2 emissions by 380 tonnes per annum.

            RESOLVED: That the report and ongoing work be noted.      

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources which provided an update on the role of the Welfare Rights Team, including information on:

·         individual posts and roles;

·         background to the establishment of the Service;

·         progress to date on the delivery of the Service;

·         areas of activity  by the team including the number of claimants assisted at tribunal hearings and success rates; and the amount of benefits gained for Halton residents; and

·         future challenges for the Team.

            Arising from the discussion it was suggested that an article be included in Inside Halton on the work of the Welfare Rights Service.

            RESOLVED: That the update provided in the report regarding the Welfare Rights Service be noted.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 2 of 2017/18.

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:

·         Finance;

·         Human Resources and Organisational Development;

·         ICT and Administrative Support;

·         Legal and Democracy;

·         Policy and Performance;

·         Property Services; and

·         Catering, Stadium and Registration Services.

            That as part of future reports, Officers explore the possibility of providing a breakdown of the number of employees within each department.

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

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director Enterprise, Community and Resources, which informed members of the project delivery for Area Forums for the period 1^st of April 2016 to 31^st March 2017. The seven Local Area Forums in Halton provided a mechanism for Councillors to respond to community needs and aspirations. Community initiatives and projects were generated and delivered collaboratively with other partner organisations to help secure funding from a variety of sources. Each year funding was allocated to support the projects programme. In 2016/17 the budget was £400,000 and it was split on a per capita basis across the Forums. A full breakdown of projects for each individual Forum was outlined in the report, together with case study information and resident feedback.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.