Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 13 July 2022 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          At the commencement of the meeting the Mayor welcomed representatives from the Halton Youth Cabinet to the meeting. The Mayor also advised Members that:

·       the family of former Councillor Eastup had donated a painting to the Council;

·       he had recently met and congratulated Mr Noone, who had been undertaking challenges to raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Charity. Mr Noone had presented the Mayor with a vest he had worn during the challenges; and

·       he had met with two Buddhist monks from a temple in Runcorn and they had presented him with two gifts.

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

·       on 8th September 2022, Her Majesty the Queen sadly passed away following which the Council conducted a range of activities connected with “Operation London Bridge” which was the plan associated with the death of Her Majesty.  The Council had conducted itself impeccably in observing the various protocols and traditions associated with the death of a monarch and the proclamation of a new King;

·       in response to the cost-of-living crisis, the Council had recently agreed a process to distribute the £1.3 million Household Support Fund Extension Grant received from Government. Four key areas of need had been targeted:

·       ensuring those children who received free school meals have access to food during the October half term;

·       vulnerable pensioners to help with their rising energy bills; 

·       a sum for discretionary support to help vulnerable people who did not fit the first two categories; and

·       a sum had been made available for partners in the charity sector to distribute directly food and warmth support.

·     the Governments mini budget announced on 23 September. The Leader gave an outline of their plans and also his concerns of how the Government was going to pay for the tax cuts announced in the mini budget;

·     progress made to date against balancing the Council budget and in year pressures;

·     an update on the latest office development at Sci Tech Daresbury (Project Violet) which was completed in February and already at 80% full; and

·     an update on the progress of the revised Council Senior Management Structure.

          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.

          The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meeting on 14 July 2022.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 6 July 2022.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

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

          Council is asked to consider the attached report.       

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

          The Council considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which sought approval for a number of revisions to the Council’s 2022/23 Capital Programme.

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

          The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 13 July 2022:-

·       Safer;

·       Environment and Urban Renewal;

·       Corporate Services; and

·       Audit & Governance Board.

          The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 13 July 2022:-

·       Development Management;

·       Appointments; and

·       Taxi Licensing Sub Committee