Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 8 June 2021 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

The Board was presented with the Minutes relating to the Corporate Services Portfolio which had been considered by the Executive Board since the last meeting of this Board.

Under Minute No EXB2, a Member requested information on the number of businesses that had previously received discretionary non domestic rate relief that were still trading.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

The Board considered the minutes of the Member Development Group meeting held on 30 January 2021.

On behalf of the Board, the Chair thanked the Member Development Team for their work during the previous months.

RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

            The Board was advised that following a recommendation of the Audit and Governance Board on 7 July, the Council at its meeting on 14 July had agreed that three members this Board would be asked to attend each individual hearing of the Appeal Panel. The Council did not feel that there was a need to make any changes to the terms of reference of the Appeals Panel at this stage, but that would be kept under review.

            The Board were requested to consider the Chairing arrangements for future Appeal Panel hearings. It was also proposed that appropriate training could be put in place for members prior to being involved in hearings.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    Three members of the Board be invited to attend meetings of the Appeals Panel. This would include the Vice Chair of the Board who would sit as Chair of the Appeals Panel. If the Vice Chair was unavailable to attend, a member of the Board would be appointed as Chair of that particular meeting; and

2.    appropriate training be put in place for members prior to being involved in hearings.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on Widnes Market, highlighting the investment which had gone into the Market in the recent past and outlining other initiatives which were contributing to the Markets current performance. The report provided detailed information on:

·         The new management arrangements in place from October 2018;

·         The Internal Audit carried out in February 2019 and the follow up report carried out in February 2021;

·         Current occupancy rates;

·         Arrears;

·         Investment in the Market since 2018 and new services and facilities which had been added;

·         Sunday and Wednesday Markets and new food and drink traders

·         The impact of Covid 19 and the support provided to traders; and

·         Advertising and social media coverage.

            Members were advised that following on from suggestions by traders, the Council was in the process of arranging the traders to nominate trader representatives who would attend regular meeting with the market management team to put ideas forward, ask questions and cascade information back to traders.

            Arising from the discussion the Board was provided with information on rent arrears that had been written off, the market management team open door policy and the trader’s quarterly newsletter.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Report for Quarter 1 of 2021/22.

The reports related to the following functional areas which reported to the  Board and detailed progress against service objectives and milestones and performance targets, and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period:

·         Finance;

·         Human Resources and Organisational Development;

·         ICT and Administrative Support;

·         Legal and Democracy;

·         Policy and Performance;

·         Property Services; and

·         Catering, Stadium and Registration Services.

            RESOLVED: That the Quarter 1 Performance Monitoring reports be received and noted.