Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes from the meeting held on 6 September 2022 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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

The Board was provided with a report from the Operational Director, Policy, Planning & Transportation, on the performance of health and safety management within the Authority from 1 April 2022 to 31 August 2022.

The report highlighted health and safety incidents that had taken place over the past 4 months and as a result of those incidents proposed actions for the future. In addition, the report included information around the number of actual near misses, accidents that had resulted in over 7 day absences, together with significant accidents. 

The report also highlighted the following key points:

·       following the pandemic, an expected rise in accidents and violent incidents could occur as services were returning to their pre-pandemic status and this would show over the next 6 months;

·       registered users for lone working had decreased from the same period as last year whilst actual usage had increased.  The decrease could be attributed to the pandemic and homeworking.  Monitoring was now in place to encourage relevant staff to the system; 

·       there had been an increase in figures for risk assessments completed on the Corporate Risk Assessment system; and

·       work on maintaining appropriate bomb and lockdown procedures in Council buildings was ongoing, with a number of exercises planned. 

          RESOLVED: That the contents of the report be noted including the recommendations and actions for 2022/23.

The Board received a presentation on the proposed Widnes Market Business Plan which summarised its vision and strategy, marketing strategy, business priorities and actions and its financial information. 

The Business Plan outlined the following key areas:

·       the environment in which Widnes Market was operating;

·       the key ingredients needed to continue to make Widnes Market successful;

·       the priorities and actions;

·       it provided financial information, including current levels of outstanding trader debt; and

·       stall occupancy and footfall rates.

It was reported that Widnes Market had a current occupancy rate of 92% in comparison to the national average of 72%.  However, according to NABMA (The National Association of British Market Authorities) the national average footfall in September 2022 had reduced by 6% compared to the pre-pandemic figures of September 2019.  Halton’s average for the same comparison was 22%.  It was suggested that the introduction of car park charges and bus strikes could have impacted on the reduction in footfall in Halton.  The Board was reassured that work was ongoing to attract new customers and traders to the market and in October 2022, 4 new traders had opened up stalls in the market. 

In early November 2022, the British Legion held their annual Poppy Event at the Widnes Market Event Space and positive feedback had been received. 

The results of a survey completed by the public in November 2020 were reported.  Members suggested that it might also be useful to undertake a 360 survey with market traders in the near future. 

The Board noted their thanks for the presentation and the ongoing work to improve Widnes Market. 

RESOLVED:  Members considered the Widnes Market Business Plan and recommended it for approval at Executive Board.

          The Board received a report from the Operational Director, Finance, which updated Members on the progress of the delivery of the Government’s Household Support Fund from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.  This fund was intended to support vulnerable households with the pressures caused by the significantly rising cost of living. 

Halton had been awarded grant funding of £1,297,880 and it was proposed to allocate £178,000 to the Discretionary Support Scheme.    A Spending Plan had been prepared and attached as an appendix.  This demonstrated how the grant funding might be utilised via a combination of Council departments and the Voluntary Sector to deliver help and assistance to vulnerable households over the six month period.

It was suggested that the Household Support Fund be promoted in various places e.g. schools and nurseries to ensure people are aware of its availability. 

          RESOLVED:  That progress with delivery of the Household Support Fund be noted.