Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Note:  (Councillors: Harris and Wright declared a Discosable Other Interest in the following item of business as Halton Housing Trust Tenants.)

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which provided an update on the progress of Halton Housing Trust for the past twelve months.

The Board received a verbal update from Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust, and Ingrid Fife, Chair of the Board, Halton Housing Trust (HHT).  They reported on progress to date in delivering some key achievements, partnerships and strategic priorities.

          The Board noted that during the past year, the Trust had reviewed their governance arrangements to ensure that they remained fit for the future. Achieving and demonstrating value for money was integrated into their working practices, making the best use of resources available.

          The Board noted the key priorities and targets for 2014/15 included delivery of the Digital First Programme, completion of the Governance Review, the exploration of new business opportunities through their subsidiary OSUK and the Trust and to secure grant funding through the Affordable Homes Programme for 2015 to 2018; other targets were detailed in the report.

Members were further advised that one of the most significant risks faced by the Trust was the introduction of Welfare Reforms. Through automation, the Trust advised that they would be able to mitigate some of the increased costs associated with the introduction of Universal Credit.

Members had the opportunity to ask questions and clarify information contained in the presentation before Mr Atkin and Ms Fife were thanked for attending.

RESOLVED: That the progress report be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which reported the findings of the public consultation on the proposals for the future delivery arrangements for the Library Service in Halton.

The Board was advised that, following an in-depth review by the Efficiency Programme Board, a consultation exercise was undertaken in which the public and stakeholders had the opportunity to comment on two proposals for the future delivery of the Service. It was reported that both the Library Service and the Efficiency Programme Board were keen to ensure that as part of any recommendations for the future, two key criteria were met. These were detailed as all four of the Borough’s libraries remaining open and that any new arrangements were able to deliver strategic objectives contained within the Council’s adopted Library Strategy, as set out in the report.

It was noted that, given the first criteria of keeping all four libraries open, the focus of the consultation had been on library opening hours. In addition, views were also sought on the viability of maintaining the universal mobile library service and the need to address the services to the elderly and the housebound. The Board was further advised that further consultation would begin immediately on this before any final decision was made.

Details of the consultation responses were attached at Appendix 1 and a proposed schedule of opening hours were attached at Appendix 2, for Members’ information.

Reason(s) For Decision

The recommendations relating to Library opening times contained within the report had been developed following a period of public consultation, details of which could be found in the report.

There were 1011 individual responses to the questionnaire; 84% of respondents preferred ‘Option 1’. While the majority of people selecting Option 1 as their preference also agreed with the opening times as stated in the questionnaire, a number of comments were received suggesting minor amendments to the proposed hours. These suggestions included a range of comments relating to earlier opening times (i.e. before 10am), and moving the late night opening (until 7pm) from Monday to another weekday.

As a result of the number of people selecting Option 1, and the suggested alternatives, the recommended opening hours were as included in the report.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The public consultation questionnaire included two possible options for opening hours. Option 2 was preferred by only 12% of respondents and consequently this option had been rejected on the basis of the public consultation.

Implementation Date

It was anticipated that any new opening arrangements would be implemented across the library service in March/April 2015.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the contents of the report be noted;

2)    the results of the public consultation on the future delivery of the Library Service be noted; and

3)    the service delivery model, outlined in the report, be approved.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which sought approval in principle for the Council to fund the installation of a proposed Biomass boiler as part of the Norton Priory Museum re-development.

The Board was advised that the Heritage Lottery Fund had confirmed the success of a bid to allow for the refurbishment and extension of the Museum. It was reported that as part of the design work, a mechanical and electrical services report had been completed which included an assessment of the most appropriate type of heating system. A number of options had been considered, as set out in the report.

It was reported that the most attractive proposition would be the installation of a Biomass boiler, which would be able to take advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payment scheme. Estimated costs, tariff levels and RHI payments were detailed in the report for Members’ consideration.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the funding of the Biomass boiler at Norton Priory Museum be supported in principle, subject to further assessment of the financial returns following the detailed design of the boiler; and

2)    Council be requested to approve the addition of the Biomass boiler project to the 2014/15 Capital Programme.

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health, which sought approval to commence the procurement of a School Nursing Service for Halton.

The Board was advised that the Council was responsible for commissioning services to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people resident in the Borough. It was noted that financial provision for the School Nursing Service was contained within the Public Health budget. The current service, provided by the Bridgewater Community NHS Trust, would need to be extended by two months, to enable the procurement and implementation of a new contract to take place. The Board noted that such an extension would require the waiver of Procurement Standing Orders 4.1.

It was reported that the new service would provide the universal delivery of the National Healthy Child Programme, with a schedule of health and development assessments, immunisations, parenting support and health promotion advice.

Reason(s) For Decision

A decision was required to enable the procurement exercise to commence.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Implementation Date

The new procurement process would commence in October 2014, with the new service in place form June 2015.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the proposal to tender for a School Nursing Service for Halton be approved;

2)    the timeline for the tender process, as  detailed in Appendix A attached to the report, be approved; and

3)    the waiver of Procurement Standing Orders 4.1 be approved, so as to extend the current contract for two months to May 2015.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, which detailed a request for Business Rates relief.

The Board was reminded that in April 2013, the Government had introduced a Business Rates Retention Scheme, which enabled Councils to keep a proportion of the business rates revenue as well as growth on the revenue that was generated within their area.

The Board was advised of a request for Business Rates Relief from a company that had agreed a long lease on premises in Manor Park, Runcorn, the details of which were set out in the report.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the proposals set out in the report be approved; and

2)    subject to the required outcomes being delivered regarding capital investment and job creation, approval be given on an exceptional basis to the award of Business Rate Relief to Jem Recycling Group for the period of six months at the level as  set out in the report.

MINUTES ISSUED: 3 October 2014

CALL-IN: 10 October 2014

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 10 October 2014