Agenda and minutes

          The Mayor reported on the sad passing of Councillor Frank Fraser, who had served as a Borough Councillor and former Mayor of Halton.

          The Council stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

          It was reported that the funeral and Civic Service would take place on Thursday 23 October 2014 at St Bede’s Church, Leigh Avenue, Appleton Village, Widnes at 12 noon.

          The minutes of the meetings held on 16 July 2014 and 15 September 2014, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          The Mayor made the following announcements:-

·       The Mayor had attended a presentation by the Royal Town Planning Institute. A certificate had been presented which read-

“In its Centenary Year, the Royal Town Planning Institute is pleased to celebrate and acknowledge the special contribution of Runcorn to the evolution of the science and art of spatial planning and all that is involved in the development of communities that thrive”.

·       The Mayor and Mayoress had attended a UEFA Women’s Champion League Match Dinner. The match that took place was between Liverpool Ladies FC and Linköpings FC and the Mayor was presented with a Flag Pendant by Linköpings FC on behalf of the Borough;

·       Wade Deacon had made a donation to the Mayors’ charities. The Drama Group had performed the play ‘Stone Cold’ and during the interval had raised the sum of £500 which they wanted to donate to a charity which helped the homeless; and

·       The Mayor reminded everyone present that he would be holding a Halloween themed Charity Dinner on 31 October 2014, in aid of his chosen charities.

          The Leader made the following announcements:-

·       All Members and Staff were advised of the programme of Flu jabs which would be available at the Council’s main offices over the coming weeks;

·       The Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable had attended a private session for Members prior to the start of the Council meeting, and gave an update on policing in the Borough;

·       Advice would be issued widely on the issue of Child Sexual Exploitation, providing guidance on who to contact and signs to look for. The Leader stressed that Halton treated the issue as a high priority and would be working closely with the Police and other agencies to ensure robust practices were in place.

          The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings from 7 July 2014, 4 September 2014, 18 September 2014 and 2 October 2014.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

          The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meetings on 9 July 2014 and 17 September 2014.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

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

(N.B. The following Councillors declared a Disclosable Other Interest in the following item of business for the reasons stated: Councillor Jones as a Governor of Fairfield School; Councillor Martha Lloyd Jones as a Governor of Beechwood Primary School)

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council approve the revisions to the Council’s 2014/15 Capital Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

          Executive Board had considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which sought approval to a number of revisions to the Council’s 2014/15 Capital Programme.

          RESOLVED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2014/15 Capital Programme, as set out in the report at paragraph 3.2, be approved.

(N.B. Councillor Jones declared a Disclosable Other Interest in the following item of business as he was a Governor of Fairfield School)

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council approve

1)    the proposal to allocate Basic Need capital funding to the Fairfield Primary School project; and

2)    the bid process for Responsible Bodies based on Strategic Needs.

          Executive Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, on the allocation and spending of Basic Need Capital funding.

          RESOLVED: That Council approve

1)    the proposal to allocate Basic Need Capital Funding to the Fairfield Primary School; and

2)    the bid process for Responsible Bodies based on Strategic Needs.

(N.B. Councillor Wallace declared a Disclosable Other Interest in minute EUR19 (Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board) as she was the Ward Councillor and had attended the meeting and submitted the petition; Councillor Peter Lloyd Jones declared a Disclosable Other Interest in all items of business on the Health Policy and Performance Board as he was a member of the CAB (Halton), a Governor of Warrington and St Helens Hospitals Trust and a Governor of Bridgewater Community Services Trust)

          The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 16 July 2014:-

·       Children Young People and Families;

·       Employment, Learning, Skills and Community;

·       Health;

·       Safer;

·       Environment and Urban Renewal;

·       Corporate; and

·       Business Efficiency.

In considering the minutes, the following comments and observations were made:-

·         Councillor Dennett brought Members’ attention to the loss of Education Services Grant (ESG) to local authorities (CYP17 referred);

·         Councillor McDermott requested that the Area Profiles referred to in SA18 be circulated to all Ward Members;

·         Councillor Gilligan referred to the establishment of the Fees and Charges Topic Group (CS 17 referred). Councillor Loftus made an observation that a representative from the Opposition Group or a substitute should be invited to attend meetings. Councillor Ratcliffe (Opposition Group Leader) would advise the Chair on representation.

(N.B. Councillor Wainwright declared a Disclosable Other Interest in minute DEV 20 (Development Control) as he was employed by Ineos, owners of the application site )

The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 16 July 2014:-

·       Development Control; and

·       Appeals Panel;

In considering the minutes, the following comments and observations were made:-

·         Councillor Wainwright reminded all Members of the Appeals Panel that training would take place on Thursday 23 October at 5.00pm in Halton Stadium.