Decisions

             Council considered a report of the Director – Legal and Democratic Services, that outlined the requirement to increase the road user charge for the Mersey Gateway Crossings by 20%. On 24 October 2024, the Executive Board had considered a report to increase tolls and set out a number of proposed changes to the current arrangements. The proposals were addressed in an updated draft Road User Charging Scheme Order (RUCSO) that was appended to the report and Council resolved to conduct a consultation on the proposed revised RUCSO.

          The consultation ran from 4 November 2024 to 16 December 2024 (inclusive). The Mersey Gateway Crossings Board had prepared a report on the consultation responses which was attached to the report at Appendix 2. The report requested the Council to make the RUCSO in the form detailed in Appendix 1.

             RESOLVED: That the Council after giving full and proper consideration to the responses received to the consultation, and having taken them into account

1)    confirm that no further consultation is required in respect of the updated RUCSO;

2)    confirm that no public inquiry is required to be held into the making of the updated RUCSO; and

3)    make the updated RUCSO in the form (or substantially the same form) as that at Appendix 1 and delegate to the Director (Legal & Democratic Services) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, the authority to take all necessary steps to bring the RUCSO into effect and make any non-material or consequential amendments as are necessary to enable the updated RUCSO to be made.

          Council considered a report of the Director of Finance, that sought approval for the Council to submit an application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for Exceptional Financial Support. Details of the application would be finalised by the Director of Finance in consultation with the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    an application for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as set out within the report, be approved;

2)    the details of the EFS application be finalised by the Director of Finance in consultation with the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder;

3)    all Directorates continue to implement control measures to reduce spending and help minimise the current year’s overspend position; and

4)    subject to recommendation (1) a robust, multi-year budget savings plan be prepared as a matter of urgency, as required as part of the EFS application.

          Council considered a copy of the External Auditor’s Report 2023/24 which was presented by Michael Green on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP.

          A number of key recommendation and improvement recommendations were shown within the report along with management’s responses to those recommendations. In addition, two Statutory Recommendation had been made (Appendix 1) which the Council was required to consider, confirm whether the recommendations were accepted and if so how they would be addressed.

          On behalf of the Council, Councillor Dennett thanked Mr Green for the report.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the contents of the Auditor’s Annual Report 2023/24 shown in the Appendix 2 be noted;

2)    the two Statutory Recommendations highlighted within the Auditor’s Annual Report 2023/24 be noted; and

3)    the Council’s responses to the Statutory Recommendations as detailed in Appendix 1, be approved.

             Council considered a report of the Director – Legal and Democratic Services, that contained a copy of the Statement of Gambling Policy which would come into effect from 31 January 2025. 

             RESOLVED: That Council

1.     adopt the Statement of Gambling Policy attached to this report to come into effect immediately following the expiry of the current policy; and

2.     directs that the Director – Legal and Democratic Services publishes the Statement of Gambling Policy in accordance with section 349 Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Act 2005 (Licensing Authority Policy Statement) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006.

                   Council was asked to approve the process for the review of the Members Allowances Scheme.

             RESOLVED: That

1)    the report be noted; and

2)    Council approves the process for the review of the Members Allowances Scheme set out.

          Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, permission is sought for:

·       Councillor Skinner to be granted a period of absence from attending Council meetings for a period of 6 months, concluding on 4 June 2025, due to Maternity Leave; and

·       Councillor Stretch be granted a period of absence from attending Council meetings for a period of 6 months, concluding on 4 June 2025, due to personal reasons.

RESOLVED: That approval be given for the Member absence as outlined above.

The Council considered a report of the Director of Finance, on the determination of the Council Tax Base for 2025/26.

The Mayor asked it there were any observations or amendments to the proposals set out in the report and none were received. The recommendation was unanimously approved by Council as detailed below.

          RESOLVED: That Council

1)    set the 2025/26 Council Tax Base at 36,936 for the Borough and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

2)    set the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes as follows:

          Council considered a report of the Director of Finance, which detailed the Medium-Term Financial Strategy from 2025/26 – 2028/29 which had been produced using a prudent estimate of the financial conditions over the course of the next four years. The report also set out details of the application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for Exceptional Financial Support

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved;

2)    the 2025/26 base budget be prepared on the basis of the underlying assumptions set out in the Strategy;

3)    the Reserves and Balances Strategy be approved;

4)    the award of Council Tax Support for 2025/26 remains at the 2024/25 level of 21.55%; and

5)    Council approve the submission of an application to Government for Exceptional Finance Support.

Council was asked to approve the Capital Programme as outlined in the attached report.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    all spending continue to be limited to only absolutely essential items;

2)    Executive Directors identify reductions to their directorate forecast outturn net spend position and urgently implement them; and

3)    Council agree to submit an application for Exceptional Finance Support to cover the deficit position for the year, as recommended within the Medium Term Financial Strategy report.