Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 6^th November 2018 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            Arising from the Minutes, Members noted that discussions were ongoing with the Widnes Vikings. In respect of Area Forums, a Member commented on  the difficulties Forums occasionally experienced acquiring three quotes to support their bid for funding. It was agreed that this would be looked into.

            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.

            Under Minute No EXB44 the Board requested an update on the outcome of the re-tendering of insurance contracts. It was agreed that this would be provided.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

The Board considered the minutes of the Member Development Group meetings held on 22^nd March 2018 and 6^th September 2018.

Members requested that the meetings be held at a later time.

RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

            The Board received a presentation from the Operational Director ICT & Support Services, which provided Members with an overview of the make up of the department in order to highlight the number of service delivery teams within the department and the breadth of services delivered through these teams. 

            It was noted that over the last 10 years the ICT department had reduced staffing numbers by over half. However, the efficiencies delivered through the effective use of technology and the dedication of those working within the specialist areas had allowed the authority to change in line with its efficiency targets. The department had also taken the opportunity to offer similar innovative platforms to external organisations raising levels of income and additional opportunity for growth through:

·         the Halton Cloud;

·         the Records Management Unit; and

·         the Agresso Collaboration.

            The departments commercial opportunities continued to expand through the growth and development of School Clients. In addition the authority had developed hundreds of internally written and supported applications removing the need for expensive and often inferior support systems. Examples of those currently in development or recently released were:

·         the transport co-ordination and route planning systems;

·         the in house cemeteries system which had been sold externally to a commercial operator of crematoria;

·         interfaces of external partners’ systems; and

·         the continued development of the Halton CRM and Web based systems.

            RESOLVED: That the Board supports the ongoing efforts of the department within the key project areas.

            The Board considered a report that provided Members with an update on initiatives and actions delivered by the following teams within Property Services during the past 12 months and included those that would be prioritised over the next 12 months:

·         Property Services – Asset Management;

·         Property Operations;

·         Facilities Management; and

·         Technical Support & Markets Team.

            The report also detailed current Market arrears and debt management and proposals for reviewing the Market opening/closing times, encroachment, new trader applications and request for new commodities. Arising from the discussion the following comments were noted:

·         the new roof was now complete. As a result the heating and air conditioning system was now accessible therefore improvements to the system would be considered in the next financial year;

·         it was hoped to get a consensus from the Market Traders on future opening and closing times;

·         Market occupancy rates had improved over the past 12 months;

·         further details would be provided to Members on the £1.9 m generated in capital receipts;

·         a number of proposals were being considered for the Broseley House site;

·         discussions were ongoing with Mersey Gateway regarding the handover of land near Wigg Island;

·         Members discussed the Council’s decision making processes and the role of the Corporate Policy and Performance Board.

            RESOLVED: That Members note the content of the report and welcome the progress being made on a wide variety of Property related matters.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 3 of 2018/19.

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.

            The Board discussed Housing Policy and were advised that the responsibility for scrutiny was within the Environment Policy and Performance Board (PPB). Councillor Gilligan agreed to raise the issue discussed with the Chair of the Environment PPB. In addition, a Member commented that in respect of the percentage figures provided detailing Council Tax collected and Business rates received, it would be beneficial to include financial figures in future reports to support this information.

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