Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2009, having been printed and circulated were signed as a correct record.

            It was confirmed that no public questions had been received.

            The Board considered the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board and Executive Board Sub Committee relevant to the Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board.

            In relation to EXB93 the Board discussed the nominations to serve on the Ineos Local Liaison Forum and felt that membership of this group should be cross party.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

            It was confirmed that there had not been a meeting of the Urban Renewal Specialist Strategic Partnership (SSP) since the last meeting.  The Board was advised that a Monitoring Sub-Group had been formed to deal with all monitoring matters.  As it had proved difficult to bring together the relevant partners, it had been agreed that the date scheduled for the SSP be used for the Sub-Group to meet.

The Board considered a report regarding the Third Quarter Monitoring Reports for the Highways & Transportation and Logistics, Environment & Regulatory Services, Cultural & Leisure, Major Projects, Economic Regeneration and Health and Partnerships Services.

             Arising from the discussion the following issues were raised:

• clarity was sought regarding the figures for the central administration in terms of re-allocation.  In response it was noted that this information would be circulated to Members when available;
• the board discussed the town centre improvement budget; and
• the current site underneath Silver Jubilee Bridge was being used by railway improvement contractors, Members considered the idea of the Council charging Network Rail for use of this land.

RESOLVED: That the Third Quarter Monitoring Reports be received.

            The Board received a presentation from the EDZ Programme Manager, which outlined the North West Development Association funded projects completed in 2008/9, and those which had been identified for funding in 2009/10.  In addition the report sought agreement from the Policy and Performance Board to the Widnes Waterfront Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) Performance Plan for the financial year 2009/10.

            The Board was advised that for NWDA schemes that last more than one year it was a requirement of the scheme approval that the delivery organisation, in this case HBC, to prepare an Annual Performance Plan.

            It was reported that in the 2008/9 financial year it was likely that £1,597, 000 of NWDA funding would be claimed which was only a slight change from the figure originally anticipated.  The main NWDA funded achievements from April 2008 to March 2009 were outlined in the report for Members’ consideration.

            The presentation set out achievements to date as follows:

• Widnes Trade Park;
• Turnstone Business Park;
• Heron Business Park – Phases 1 and 2;
• Forward Group – Forward Point office development;
• Moss Bank Park; and
• Tan House Lane Landscaping;

The Board was also advised of other projects  including the Emplyers Steering Group, highways and sustainable transport, marketing, the Hive leisure development, Carter House Bridge replacement, landmark public art such as the Future Flower, land acquisitions and the funding breakdown for 2002 to 2010.

Arising from discussion the Board noted that developments at Astmoor would be improved once the Mersey Gateway preparations were underway. Developments to the canal were also discussed in terms of dredging in addition to the planting schemes along Watkinson Way.

The Board received an update from the Strategic Director, Environment regarding other developments in the Borough as follows:

• 3MG;
• Widnes Town Centre;
• Runcorn Docks;
• Manor Park;
• Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus;
• Castlefields;
• Halton Lea; and
• Mersey Gateway,

The Board agreed that a tour of the Widnes Waterfront and other strategic sites in conjunction with the Development Control Committee Members would be useful. The Major Projects Team were thanked for the hard work and effort given in helping to achieve the many developments in the Borough.

RESOLVED: That

1)     the Widnes Waterfront NWDA Performance Plan for the financial year 2009/10 be received and ratified; and

2)     Members of the Board be contacted with information regarding a tour of the strategic development sites.