Decisions

          The Board considered a report of the Director – Legal and Democratic Services, that advised on the requirement to replace the existing Road User Charging Scheme Order (RUCSO) with a new RUCSO to reflect the need to increase toll charges on both the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge. The report also included details on proposed changes to Blue Badge Holders, Penalty Charge Notices and Local User Discount Scheme, which would all be subject to consultation which would run for six weeks in November and December 2024.

          It was noted that both bridges are described as being operated as tolled crossings, however motorists pay in the form of a road user charge under the Transport Act 2000. The charges are anticipated to remain on the crossing until the Mersey Gateway Bridge, improvements to the Silver Jubilee Bridge and other associated highway network improvements are paid for.

          Since the tolls were introduced in 2017, they had remained unchanged and there was now a need to increase the tolls by 20% to ensure that they were in line with the original proposals and the project remained financially robust without the need for additional local or central funding beyond that already agreed.

          It was noted that the Mersey Gateway Project had continued to operate with a financial loss and had required Central Government grants. Details of the income and expenditure of the scheme from October 2017 to March 2024 were outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

          Following the consultation period a report would be taken to a meeting of the Council and if approved, the updated RUCSO would come into effect from 1 April 2025.

          Following a discussion, the Board agreed that the reference to proposed changes for Blue Badge holders would be deleted in the updated RUCSO before the document is subject to consultation.

          RESOLVED: That the Board should

1)    consult on making an updated RUCSO based on the working draft enclosed at Appendix 1 on the basis prescribed in this report, subject to the removal of the reference to changes for Blue Badge holders;

2)    after full and proper consideration to any responses received, and having taken them into account, recommend the Council to make the updated RUCSO based on the working draft enclosed at Appendix 1 and delegate to the Director – Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, the authority to make any non-material or consequential amendments as are necessary to give it effect; and

3)    authorise the Director – Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to take all necessary steps to bring the RUCSO into effect, provided that any material amendments or considerations shall be considered by the Council and subject to its determination before the RUCSO is brought into effect.

          The Board considered a report of the Executive Director – Adult Services, which outlined the homelessness grant funding allocated by Central Government to reduce and prevent homelessness within the Borough for the period 2024/25. The Council had been allocated £369,000 and the report set out in appendix 1 and 2, proposals for the allocation of the grant for the period.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the Board note and consider the content of the report; and

2)    approve the recommendations for expenditure against the grants as described in Appendices 1 and 2.

          The Board considered a report of the Executive Director – Adult Services, that advised on a proposal to continue with the existing service provision provided by two Romani Traveller Wardens at two sites at Riverview, Widnes and Canalside, Runcorn. The report set out the advantages of employing site wardens and the service they provided which had proven successful.

          The two warden contracts would be initially for three years, with an option to extend by a further two years, subject to performance and would be renewed annually. The combined contract value for the two wardens would be £48,876 annually and a combined cost of £244,380 across the five-year period.

Reason(s) for Decision

The proposal to extend the wardens employment contract will ensure a consistent approach and stability across the three traveller sites within Halton. As the wardens are situated on site, this offers an out of hours service.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Due to previous issues raised, it would not be advisable to consider further service options or employing none traveller wardens, as this would prove more costly and could result in serious issues across the three sites.

Implementation Date

The contract implementation date will be 1 November 2024 for a period of three, plus one, plus one years.

          RESOLVED: That the Board

1)    Approve the proposed employment contract for the two Traveller Wardens; and

2)    Agree that the in house wardens will continue to provide site management and support across the three Council owned sites.

          The Board considered a report of the Executive Director – Environment and Regeneration, which sought approval to accept capital funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) in compliance with Standing Orders.

          It was noted that in addition to the current capital funding arrangements through the LCRCA, the Council had received two Highways and Improvement Grants for £306,781.20 each and a Traffic Signal Maintenance and Improvement Grant for £44,394.12. The cost of works undertaken as part of these grant funding agreements would be met entirely from the approved budget allocations for this additional capital funding.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the Board approves the Director Planning and Transportation, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Environment and Urban Renewal, be delegated to accept the Grant Funding Agreement and enable timely delivery of the agreement; and

2)    the Director Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Urban Renewal, be delegated to deal with any matters relating to procurement and operation of this agreement.

          The Board considered a report of the Executive Director – Environment and Regeneration, which sought approval of an updated Halton Trees and Woodlands Strategy. A review of the Strategy had recently been undertaken as one of the Council's Climate Change Action Plan objectives ES10.

          The Board was advised that there had been no material changes to the Council’s Policy since the adopted Trees and Woodland Strategy was approved in 2018. A summary of the primary updates to the Strategy was detailed in the report and a copy of the Strategy was attached as Appendix 1.

          RESOLVED: That the Board approve the updated Trees and Woodland Strategy attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

The Board received a report of the Executive Director – Environment and Regeneration, which sought approval of Halton’s Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) update report. The 2024 update report was prepared by Knight Kavanagh & Page, in consultation with partners including Halton Sports Partnership, Sport England and the National Governing Bodies of relevant sports. A copy of the Halton Borough Council Playing Pitch Strategy Update Report August 2024 and Action Plan, was appended to the report.

The update report set out the changes in demand for and supply of playing pitches in Halton since the previous annual update was conducted in 2023. The report also provided an audit of the quality, quantity and accessibility of playing pitches, current levels of demand and whether pitches were being over/under used.

It was noted that the report was an enabling document and did not commit the Council or any other body to funding any of the actions identified.

           RESOLVED: That the Board approves the Playing Pitch Strategy Update Report 2024, including the updated site action plan. This is based upon consultation undertaken by sports provision consultants Knight Kavanagh & Page in 2024.

The Board received a report from the Director – Finance, which presented two applications for discretionary non-domestic rate relief, under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, for consideration.

It was noted that under the amended provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, the Council was able to grant discretionary rate relief to any business ratepayer.  This relief had previously only been available to organisations that were a registered charity, a community amateur sports club or a not for profit organisation.

The report outlined details of the two applications, in relation to their respective addresses.  Appended to the report was the potential annual cost to the Council of granting the discretionary rate relief.

RESOLVED:  That

1)    the application for 15% discretionary top up relief from Community Integrated Care, be rejected for the reasons outlined within the report; and

2)    the application for discretionary rate relief from Runcorn Amateur Boxing Club, be approved at 90%