Agenda and minutes

          The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 19 May 2023 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Mayor made the following announcements:-

·       The Mayor and her consort had attended many engagements since May. This included a visit to Liverpool for the appointment of the new High Sheriff of Merseyside; and

·       following a visit to Hope Corner Church, the Mayor had received a gift of two copies of the New Testament.

          The Leader reported on the following issues since the last meeting of the Council:

·       an update on the LGA Conference held in July;

·       following a recruitment process for the post of Director of Children’s Services (DCS), an offer of employment had been made and Members would be updated on the successful candidate as soon as all the formalities had been agreed. Council was advised that until the successful candidate was in post, John Wilson had been appointmented as Interim DCS;

·       the Transformation process was progressing, and the Labour Group and Opposition Groups would be kept updated. A Members portal was being developed on which the Transformation Team would deposit updates;

·       the Council, along with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, had written to the Secretary of State for Transport, urging that they work with the train operators to prevent the closure of ticket offices at railway stations because of the detrimental impact on rail users;

·       Grant Thornton (External Audit) had provided the 2021-22 Annual Report to Audit and Governance Board at its meeting on 7 July. This was an excellent report, coming at a time when the Council faced many challenges; and

·       he congratulated Damian Nolan – Operational Director Commissioning and Provision, on being awarded an MBE.

          The Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, on the urgent decisions taken since the last meeting of the Council.

          RESOLVED: That Council note the report.

N.B. Councillor A. Lowe and J. Lowe declared a Registrable Other Interest in the following item of business (Executive Board Minutes - 15 June 2023 items 3A, and 3C) as they have a family member employed at St Lukes Care Home.

          The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings on 16 March, 20 April, 16 May and 15 June 2023.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 22 March 2023.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

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

N.B. Councillor Bramwell declared an Registrable Other Interest in the following item of business as she has a family member employed within Halton Borough Council.

          RESOLVED: That Council adopts this Pay Policy Statement for the Financial Year 2023/24.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

        RECOMMENDED: That;

(i)              The intention to undertake a procurement exercise via The Chest with the purpose of securing a Design, Build, Operate and Maintenance Contract for the implementation of the Halton Micro Grid, be approved; and

(ii)             Council be asked to include the £11m total estimated cost of the Halton Micro Grid scheme within the capital programme, to be funded as outlined in section 5 below.

        RESOLVED: That;

1)    the intention to undertake a procurement exercise via The Chest with the purpose of securing a Design, Build, Operate and Maintenance Contract for the implementation of the Halton Micro Grid, be approved; and

2)    Council agree to include the £11m total estimated cost of the Halton Micro Grid scheme within the capital programme, to be funded as outlined in section 5.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

          RECOMMENDED: That the Board

1)    approve the Protocol for the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen/ Alderwomen appended to the report at Appendix B (“the Protocol”); and

2)    recommend to Council that the Protocol be adopted.

          RESOLVED: That the Protocol for the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen/Alderwomen appended to this report at Appendix B (“the Protocol”) be adopted.

          The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 19 May 2023:-

·       Children, Young People and Families;

·       Employment, Learning and Skills and Community;

·       Health;

·       Safer;

·       Environment and Urban Renewal;

·       Corporate Services; and

·       Audit and Governance Board.

The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 19 May 2023:-

·       Development Management;

·       Appointments; and

·       Taxi Licensing Sub Committee