Agenda and minutes

          The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 19 October 2022 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          The Leader highlighted the following issues since the last meeting of the Council:

·       Ofsted had revisited the Children’s Services Department for a focussed visit of our ‘front door’ arrangements. This was the first visit since the focussed visit of November 2021. Once the formal report was received an update would be provided to Members; and

·       An outline of the implications of the Government’s Autumn Statement on 17 November and its anticipated impact on the Council and the public.

          The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings on 20 October 2022 and 17 November 2022.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 12 October 2022.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

          It was noted that no questions had been submitted under Standing Order No. 8.

          To seek approval to a number of revisions to the Council’s 2022/23 capital programme.

RECOMMENDED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2022/23 capital programme set out in paragraph 3.2 below, be approved.

          Council was asked to consider the attached report.

RESOLVED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2022/23 capital programme set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, be approved.

          To seek approval to a number of revisions to the Council’s 2022/23 capital programme.

          RECOMMENDED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2022/23 capital programme set out in paragraph 3.2 below, be approved.

          Council was asked to consider the attached report.

RESOLVED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2022/23 capital programme set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, be approved.

The Executive Board considered the attached report:

RECOMMENDED:  That

1)    Council set the 2022/23 Council Tax Base at 36,241 for the Borough and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

2)    Council set the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes as follows:

The Council considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, on the determination of the Council Tax Base for 2023-24.

Reason for Decision

To seek approval for the Council Tax Base for the Borough and also the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Council is required to determine annually the Council Tax Base and to notify the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the Environment Agency and Parish Councils.

Implementation date

The Council Tax Base 2023/24 will be implemented from 1 April 2023.

In accordance with Standing Order 16 (3), a recorded vote was taken.

          The following Members voted FOR the motion:

Councillors Abbott, Ball, Baker, Begg, Bramwell, D. Cargill, E. Cargill, Carlin, Dennett, Dourley, Fry, Garner, Gilligan, Harris, V. Hill, Hutchinson, Jones, Leck, M. Lloyd Jones, P. Lloyd Jones, K. Loftus, Logan, A. Lowe, J. Lowe, McDermott, T. McInerney, Nelson, P. Nolan, Philbin, C. Plumpton Walsh, N. Plumpton Walsh, Polhill, Ratcliffe, Rowe, G. Stockton,  Aimee Teeling, Angela Teeling, Thompson, Thornton, Wall, Wallace, Wharton, Woolfall, and Wright.

The following Member voted against the motion: Councillor Davidson.

          There were no abstentions.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the Council Tax Base for 2023/24 be set at 36,241 for the Borough, and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

2)    Council set the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes as follows:

          The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 19 October 2022:-

·       Children, Young People and Families;

·       Employment, Learning, Skills and Community;

·       Health;

·       Safer;

·       Environment and Urban Renewal;

·       Corporate Services; and

·       Audit & Governance Board.

(N.B. Councillor G. Stockton declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Minute DEV20 of the Development Management Committee as he was the applicant)

          The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 19 October 2022:-

·       Development Management;

·       Regulatory; and

·       Appointments

Government Access To Work Programme

          Council considered a Notice of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order No. 6.

          The following Motion was proposed by Councillor Abbott and seconded by Councillor Wallace:-

Halton Borough Council recognises that many of the 22% of our local population who have a disability are excluded from employment often because they cannot physically get to a workplace or there is a lack of appropriate work place equipment.

HM Government “Access to work” programme enables people with disabilities to access funding to pay for transport to work and equipment in the work place.

However this scheme is millions of pounds under claimed and many local people live in poverty on benefits even though they have the skills and abilities to undertake decent paid employment. This lack of support excludes many local people from the work force.

Halton Borough Council commits itself to publicise and promote “Access to Work” to help tackle this inequality.