Agenda item

The Board received a report of the Strategic Director Corporate and Policy which proposed the updating of the Action Plans for each of the five strategic priorities in order to deliver Halton’s Local Area Agreement (LAA) and the approval of the funding allocations contained within them.

It was noted that Halton had in place an established mechanism for managing its neighbourhood renewal programme. Since 2002, the Halton Strategic Partnership  Board had ensure that there was a Specialist Strategic Partnership (SSP) for each of the priorities. These partnerships were commissioned to produce the original Strategies and Action Plans and had produced updated Action Plans setting out their activities and investment proposals for 2009/10. They set out a programme of activity to deliver the thematic elements of the Community Strategy and the LAA for Halton and, in particular, to address the key measurable outcomes. The Action Plans were expected to meet a number of proposals which were outlined in detail in the report.

It was further noted that the Action Plans used Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF), and in the case of the Safer Halton Partnership, Safer and Stronger Communities Fund (SFCCF) as well. In addition, the Council had committed a substantial amount of resources through the Priorities Fund (PF). The Council monies were aimed at supporting neighbourhood renewal activity by match funding initiatives within the Action Plans. The revised Action Plans were appended to the report for information.

Each Action Plan had been put forward by the relevant SSP and were approved by the Halton Strategic Partnership Board on the 18^th February 2009, insofar as they related to Working Neighbourhoods Fund and Safer and Stronger Communities Fund.

Members were advised that the Council was the accountable body for Working Neighbourhoods Fund and Safer and Stronger Community Fund allocations, and it was incumbent upon the Executive Board to formally approve any allocations.

Members were further advised that the report set out the funding implications for each of the Action Plans attached to the report.

It was noted that the SSPs would be responsible for regular and careful monitoring of expenditure and progress would be reported to the Halton Strategic Partnership Board. The position would be reviewed in October 2009 and any necessary adjustments made then.

Members were further advised that before individual projects contained within the Action Plans could proceed, a service agreement must be entered into with the relevant SSP and the Halton Strategic Partnership Board. These service agreements set out the expected outcomes and outputs together with quarterly expenditure forecasts. The SSPs were responsible for monitoring progress on a quarterly basis and progress was reported to the Halton Strategic Partnership Board.

RESOLVED: That

(1)   the five Action Plans accompanying the report be approved;

(2)   the allocation of the Working Neighbourhood Fund and Safer and Stronger Communities Fund for 2009/10, and the indicative allocations for 2010/11 referred to in this report and contained in the Action Plans, be approved;

(1)   the allocation of the Council’s Priority Funds referred to in this report including that contained in the Action Plans, be approved; and

(2)   delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council to approve amendments to the Action Plans as necessary.