Agenda and minutes

The Leader reported that the Council had secured £2.5million from the Big Lottery Fund to transform the former Kingsway Health Centre into a youth facility called “Buzz”, and would be a fantastic facility for the young people of the Borough.

(NB The Councillors shown below declared personal interests in the following item of business due reasons described

Bryant – wife being employed by Halton Borough Council;

Murray – wife being employed by Halton Borough Council;

Nolan – wife being employed by Halton Borough Council;

Howard – wife being employed by Halton Borough Council;

Osborne – wife being employed by Halton Borough Council;

Wright – daughter-in-law employed by Halton Borough Council;

Polhill – daughter being employed by Halton Borough Council; and

Hignett – due to being employed  by Community Integrated Care.

The Executive Board considered the attached report.  Please note that at the time of writing the report the Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire precepts were still awaited. When both of these have been received, a revised report will be circulated.

RECOMMENDED: That the resolution set out in Appendix A be adopted, which includes setting the budget at £105.467m and the Band D Council Tax for Halton (before, Parish, Police and Fire Precepts) of £1,116.69.

            The Executive Board had considered a report setting out a recommendation to Council in respect of the Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax for 2009/10.  Since then the Cheshire Police and Fire Authorities had set their budgets and council tax precepts and an updated report had been circulated for Members’ attention providing information in respect of:

• medium term financial strategy;
• the Budget consultation;
• review of the 2008/09 Budget;
• the Budget 2009/10;
• the Budget outlook;
• the Local Government Financial Settlement;
• Halton’s Council Tax;
• Parish Precepts;
• Average Council Tax;
• Police Precept;
• Fire Precept;
• Total Council Tax;
• Capital Programme;
• the Prudential Code; and
• School Budgets.

The Executive Board had recommended that Council adopt the resolution set out in Appendix A of the report, which included setting the budget at £105.467m and the Band D for Council Tax for Halton (before Parish, Police and Fire precepts) of £1,116.69.

The Corporate Services Portfolio Holder thanked Officers and Members for all their support in producing this budget.

The following motion was moved and seconded by Councillors Wharton and McDermott respectively:

That:

1.         The policies outlined in this paper be adopted, including the Budget for 2009/10, the growth and savings set out in Appendix B, the Capital Programme set out in Appendix C, and Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix D.

2.         That it be noted that at the meeting on 17^th December 2008 the Council agreed the following:

(a)       For 2009/10, in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003 and with regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, a Council Tax Base of 38,200 being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, as its Council Tax Base for the year, and

(b)       For the Parishes, the Council Tax base for each Parish for the year 2009/10 be set as follows:

            being the amounts calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Regulations, as the amounts of its Council Tax Base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which special items relate.

3.         In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (Sections 32 to 36), the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2009/10 and agreed as follows:

(a)       £309,420,856 – being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2)(a) to (e) of the said Act.

(b)       £204,260,250 – being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(3)(a) to (c) of the said Act.

(c)        £105,160,606 – being the amount calculated by the Council for the year 2008/09 in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as its budget requirement for the year.

(d)       £62,459,271 – being the aggregate of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

To consider the attached report.

The Executive Board had considered a report seeking to progress the adoption of the Council’s Departmental Service Plans for 2009-2012 as a basis for action and performance monitoring. A copy of the Service Plans had been circulated to Council Members in CD Rom format for information.

Councillor Hodgkinson asked the following question in relation to the service plans;

“Improving health is a major priority for Halton and Key Area of Focus no 5 in the Corporate Plan states that we are ‘actively managing the environmental factors detrimental to health.”

“This action is addressed in the Environmental and Regulatory Services Plan, but only contaminated land issues are mentioned. Air pollution which can cause lung and other diseases is not mentioned. Although visible air pollution has decreased significantly in recent decades, problems associated with industry and traffic remain.”

“How is Halton actively managing air pollution?”

In response it was advised that the Local Authority had been required to carry out an investigation regarding the potential effects from air pollution and DEFFRA had published the findings from this on their website. 

            It was noted that air quality objectives had been achieved and a more detailed assessment was underway in the area of Widnes Town Centre.  It was also reported that emission monitoring was the responsibility of the specific plant operators.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)               this set of advanced draft Service Plans be received; and

(2)               the decision of the Executive Board to delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, authority to make any final amendments and adjustments that may be required, and to approve the final service plans, be supported.