Agenda and minutes

(NB Prior to the start of the meeting the Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Mrs Gilbody, a previous Council Member, who had recently died.)

            The minutes of the meetings held on 21 February and 7 March 2007, having been printed and circulated, were taken as read.

 

            RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings be confirmed and adopted.

            The Mayor made the following announcements:

 

• A pennant and literature from the home town of a group of student and teacher visitors from Latvia, visiting Ss Peter and Paul High School, had been presented to the Council on 7^th March 2007.
• A medal from the Under 16s Touring Rugby League Team from Carcassonne in France, paying a return visit following the West Bank Bears ARL visit to Carcassonne in October 2005, had been presented to the Council on 5^th April 2007.
• A framed picture of a scene showing the Manchester Ship Canal had been presented to the Council on 12^th April 2007 during a visit to Runcorn Town Hall.
• A medal, rugby ball and team shirt from team members of the Students European Nations Cup Finals, hosted in Halton on 8^th April, had been presented to the Council on 25^th April 2007. Councillor Jones was commended for the huge role he had played in organising this event.

 

In addition, the Mayor thanked Council for Members’ exemplary conduct during the year and commended Councillors Pearsall and Whittaker, who would be standing down from office from 3^rd May, for their distinguished service with the Council.

            The Leader of the Council reported on the positive articles in the Manchester Evening News in respect of Daresbury and the Runcorn Industrial Market.

            The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board held on 8^th February, 22^nd February, 15^th March and 29^th March 2007. In receiving the minutes it was noted that minute number EXB91 of the meeting held on 15^th March should refer to “children with a disability”.

 

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

(NB Councillor Wharton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item of business in respect of minute number ES83 of the meeting held on 22^nd February as his son played for Hale Juniors FC.)

            The Council considered the Minutes of the Executive Board Sub-Committee held on 8^th February, 22^nd February, 15^th March and 29^th March 2007.

 

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

            The Council considered the minutes of the Executive (Transmodal Implementation) Sub-Board held on 1^st March 2007.

 

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

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

(NB Councillors Hodgkinson and Cole declared personal and prejudicial interests in the following item of business due to being nominees and left the room for the duration of its consideration.)

The Executive Board Sub-Committee considered a Part II report, exempt under Category 1 of the Local Government Act 1972, regarding the appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2007/08 Municipal Year.

 

RECOMMENDED: That

 

(a)               Councillor Hodgkinson be appointed Mayor for the 2007/08 Municipal Year; and

 

(b)            Councillor Cole be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2007/08 Municipal Year.

            The Executive Board Sub-Committee had considered a report regarding the appointment of a Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2007/08 Municipal Year.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

(1)               Councillor Hodgkinson be appointed Mayor for the 2007/08 Municipal Year; and

 

(2)               Councillor Cole be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2007/08 Municipal Year.

The Executive Board Sub-Committee considered the attached report.

 

RECOMMENDED: That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy be approved.

            The Executive Board Sub-Committee had considered a report regarding the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2007/08.

 

            RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy be approved.

The Executive Board considered the attached report.

 

RECOMMENDED: That the proposed programme for 2007/08, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

            The Executive Board had considered a report regarding the forecast outturn for the 2006/08 housing capital programme, and seeking approval for the 2007/08 programme.

 

            RESOLVED: That the proposed programme for 2007/08, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

The Executive Board considered the attached report.

 

RECOMMENDED: That authority be delegated to the Regulatory Committee to set fees under Section 212 Gambling Act 2005 in accordance with Section 154 Gambling Act 2005.

            The Executive Board had considered a report regarding a recommendation from the Regulatory Committee in respect of setting fees under section 212 of the Gambling Act 2005.

 

            RESOLVED: That authority be delegated to the Regulatory Committee to set fees under Section 212 Gambling Act 2005 in accordance with Section 154 Gambling Act 2005.

(NB Councillor Massey declared a personal interest in the following item of business in respect of minute no. HEA47 of the Healthy Halton Policy and Performance Board held on 13^th March 2007.)

            The Council considered the reports on the work of the following Boards in the period since the last meeting of the Council:

 

Children and Young People

Employment, Learning and Skills

Healthy Halton

Safer Halton

Urban Renewal

Corporate Services

Business Efficiency Board

 

            In receiving the minutes, the Chairs, Deputy Chairs and all Councillors on the Boards were thanked for their work and assistance throughout the year. In addition;

• in respect of minute number CYP50, bullet point 4, of the meeting of the Children and Young People Policy and Performance Board (PPB) held on 26^th February, an objection was raised in respect of the wording and the Chairman agreed to look at this the following meeting; and

• the Chairman of the Safer Halton PPB congratulated all officers and members who had been involved in reviewing the provision of alleygates, which were considered to be of great benefit, providing security and reducing the fear of crime.

            The Council considered reports on the following Committees in the period since the last meeting of the Council:

 

Development Control

Regulatory

Appointments

(NB At the close of the meeting the Leader thanked all Members for their service during the year and paid credit to the Mayor for the way he had chaired meetings and carried out his ambassadorial role, together with the Mayoress, throughout the year.)