Issue - meetings

          Executive Board had considered the report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, on the Markets Capital Programme.

RESOLVED: That £1.43m be included in the Capital Programme for 2016/17, in respect of the Markets.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which presented initial proposals for the development of a Capital Programme for Widnes Markets.

Following a presentation to the Board in October 2015 on “The Future of our Markets in Halton”, a set of initial proposals had been developed. These were set out in the report as Options 1 to 6.

It was reported that Members had previously agreed that the Widnes Indoor and Outdoor Markets played an important role in attracting visitors to the town centre. An estimated £1.43m of capital investment would be required to refurbish and upgrade existing facilities at Widnes Markets. It was noted that the preferred option (Option 5), would not result in a complete refurbishment, but would present an excellent opportunity to safeguard the fabric of the Markets for the next ten years.

RESOLVED: That

1)    Council be recommended to include £1.43m in the Capital Programme for 2016/17 in respect of the Markets;

2)    approval be given to undertake a procurement exercise for a roof for the Indoor Market at Widnes; and

3)    the Operational Director, Economy, Enterprise and Property, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Physical Environment, be authorised to progress the most cost effective route for providing photovoltaic panels at Widnes Market.