Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2010 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy on Councillor Membership on the Mersey Gateway Environment Trust.

The Mersey Gateway Environment Trust (the Trust) was the long-term vehicle for the nature conservation mitigation plan to deliver lasting benefits associated with the Mersey Gateway and related initiatives. At the meeting of the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board on 15 September 2010, it was resolved to ask the Mersey Gateway Executive Board to consider increasing the Council membership on the Trust to three.

The report provided supporting information and background on the establishment of the Trust and its current membership for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED: That

1)                 the request to increase councillor Membership of the Mersey Gateway Environment Trust be not approved and the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board be invited to nominate a replacement for Councillor Polhill  as the Council’s representative on the Trust; and

2)                 an annual report on progress on the establishment and activities of the Trust be presented to the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy on the outcome of the Government’s Spending Review as it affected the Mersey Gateway preparation and funding.

            The Board were advised that the Coalition Government had decided to protect the construction of Mersey Gateway as part of its policy towards supporting economic growth. The Spending Review announcement had established that Mersey Gateway had strong policy and funding support from the Coalition Government and had been allocated top priority as one of ten schemes in the ‘Supported Programme’. It was reported that funding had been confirmed at a meeting with Department for Transport (DfT) officials on 11 November 2010, and further discussions would take place  during November and December on preferred funding mechanisms for the next stage of the project, leading to a final agreement proposal by the end of January 2011.

            Members were advised that the project plan would be amended based on the approvals to commence procurement early next year and this would be presented to the next meeting of the Board along with funding details following further discussions with DfT officials.

            The Chairman wished to place on record his congratulations to all staff involved in the project.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)       the actions required to settle a funding agreement with Government be noted: and   

(2)       the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to take all necessary actions to progress the Mersey Gateway Project.

MINUTES ISSUED:  22 November 2010

CALL-IN:   29 November 2010

Any matter decided by the Mersey Gateway Executive Board may be called in no later than  5.00pm on 29 November 2010