Agenda and minutes

          The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 7 December 2022 and 1 February 2023 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Mayor made the following announcements:-

·       it was great to see so many colleagues wearing the purple ribbon in recognition of International Women’s Day;

·       a St Patricks night was being held on 17 March, at the Stadium, Widnes, to raise funds for the two Mayor’s Charities; and

·       he acknowledged the support he had received during the year from his wife, the Mayoress, and spoke about the warmth and kindness they had received on the many engagements they had attended.

          The Leader made the following announcements:

·       He thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for their work during the past year and for also raising significant funds for their two chosen charities; and

·       He expressed his best wishes to all Councillors for the forthcoming Local Elections held in May.

          The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings on 8 December 2022, 19 January 2023 and 16 February 2023.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 18 January 2023.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

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

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council be recommended to:

1)    adopt the resolution set out in Appendix A, which includes setting the budget at £140.880m, the Council Tax requirement of £60.714m (before Parish, Police, Fire and LCR Combined Authority precepts) and the Band D Council Tax for Halton of £1,675.29;

2)    approve the capital programme set out in Appendix E;

3)    approve the introduction of a Council Tax Premium of 100% to properties where there is no resident and which are substantially furnished (typically referred to as second homes) from 1 April 2024, subject to legislation being enacted; and

4)    approve the Use of Capital Receipts Strategy as set out in Appendix F.

          The Executive Board had considered a report setting out a recommendation to Council in respect of the revenue budget, capital programme and council tax for 2023/24.

          The Executive Board had recommended that Council adopt the resolution set out in Appendix A of the report, which included setting the budget at £140.880m, the Council Tax requirement of £60.714m (before Parish, Police, Fire and LCR Combined Authority precepts) and the Band D Council Tax for Halton of £1,675.29.

Councillor Wharton, Leader of the Council, thanked all the Officers involved for their support in producing this budget and wished to record his thanks to the Members of the Executive Board, the Budget Working Group and all Members for their contribution.

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

          The following Members voted FOR the motion:

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

          The following Member voted AGAINST the motion: Councillor           Davidson.

          There were no abstentions.

RESOLVED: That Council:

1)    adopt the resolution set out in Appendix A, which includes setting the budget at £140.880m, the Council Tax requirement of £60.714m (before Parish, Police, Fire and LCR Combined Authority precepts) and the Band D Council Tax for Halton of £1,675.29;

2)    approve the capital programme set out in Appendix E;

3)    approve the introduction of a Council Tax Premium of 100% to properties where there is no resident and which are substantially furnished (typically referred to as second homes) from 1 April 2024, subject to legislation being enacted; and

4)    approve the Use of Capital Receipts Strategy as set out in Appendix F.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council be recommended to approve the 2023/24 Capital Strategy, as presented in the Appendix.

          The Council considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, on the Council’s Capital Strategy for 2023/24.

          Members noted that the Capital Strategy should be read in conjunction with the Treasury Management Statement, also considered at this meeting. The successful delivery of the Capital Strategy would assist the Council in planning and funding its capital expenditure over the next three years.

          RESOLVED: That Council approve the 2023/24 Capital Strategy, as presented in the Appendix attached to the report.

N.B. Councillor A. Lowe and J. Lowe declared a Disclosable Other Interest in the following item of business as they have a family member employed at St Lukes Care Home.

Executive Board received a report of spending against the Council’s revenue budget and capital programme as at 31 December 2022. A number of revisions to the 2022/23 capital programme were recommended for approval by Council and are outlined in 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, as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, be approved.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council be recommended to adopt the policies, strategies, statements, prudential and treasury indicators outlined in the report.

          The Council considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, on the Treasury Management Statement, which incorporated the Annual Investment Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Strategy for 2023/24.

          RESOLVED: That Council adopt the policies, strategies, statements, prudential and treasury indicators, outlined in the report.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council approve the Calendar of Meetings for the 2023/24 Municipal Year, as appended.

          The Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, on the calendar of meetings for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

          RESOLVED: That the calendar of meetings for the 2023/24 Municipal Year, as appended to the report, be approved.

The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 7 December 2022-

·       Children, Young People and Families;

·       Employment, Learning and Skills and Community;

·       Health;

·       Safer;

·       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 7 December 2022:-

·       Development Management;

·       Regulatory;

·       Appointments;

·       Regulatory Sub Committee; and

·       Taxi Licensing Sub Committee

The Mayoral Committee considered a Part II item making a recommendation on the appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

Council is requested to note the following recommendations, formal confirmation of which will be sought at Annual Council.

1)    Councillor Valerie Hill be appointed as the Mayor; and

2)    Councillor Kevan Wainwright be appointed as the Deputy Mayor.

          The Mayoral Committee had considered a Part II item which made recommendations for the appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

          Formal confirmation would be sought at the Annual meeting of Council.

          RESOLVED: That Council note that

1)    Councillor Valerie Hill be appointed as Mayor; and

2)    Councillor Kevan Wainwright be appointed as Deputy Mayor.

          The Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, which advised that following recent changes to the election process under the Elections Act 2022, there was now a requirement for Deputy Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). The Officers would provide resilience to the role so that the Council complied with its statutory duties in relation to elections and ensured the smooth administration of the electoral process.

          RESOLVED: That the Council appoint Janice Bisset (Elections Manager) and Paul Beaumont (Deputy Elections Manager) as Deputy Electoral Registration Officers to, in the absence of the Electoral Registration Officer:-

1)    approve and sign temporary Voter Authority Certificates; and

2)    conduct hearings of registration applications, objections and reviews.