Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 11 September 2014 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 the Board. Under Minute No EXB61, it was agreed that a report would be submitted to the next meeting on Local Government Transparancy and the Government’s proposals which were currently subject to consultation.

RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

The Board considered a report which advised Members that the process of developing Directorate Business Plans for the period 2015-2018 had begun. It was reported that each Directorate developed a medium term business plan, in parallel with the budget that was subject to annual review and refresh.  At this stage Members were invited to identify a small number of priorities for development or improvement that they would like to see reflected within those plans. Strategic Directors would then develop draft plans which would be available for consideration by Policy and Performance Boards early in the New Year.

Members were informed that plans could only be finalised once budget decisions had been confirmed in March and that some target information may need to be reviewed as a result of final outturn data becoming available post March 2015.

The following points arose from the discussion:

·         a quarterly report be submitted for information to the Board detailing the Council’s financial investments;

·         the Council was looking at developing financial services that Academy schools could buy back into;

·         Concerns were expressed on the impact of Universal Credit on Halton residents once the pilot was completed and it was extended to this area. The Department of Works and Pension had approached local authorities asking that they provide assistance helping people to complete Universal Credit forms. This would provide an income to the Council. An update report on benefits would be brought to a future meeting of the Board;

·         a report be brought to a future meeting on the People Plan;

·         the Board had previously submitted a proposal to the Executive Board that the Council adopt a ‘living wage’ for employees. The proposal had been referred to the Budget Working Party for consideration. It was agreed that an update on the progress of the ‘living wage’ proposal be brought to a future meeting; and

·         Members should continue to be kept informed on any Council land sales in their ward.

RESOLVED: That

1.    Members comments be taken into account when developing the Business Plan; and

2.    the draft plan be brought to a future meeting.

            The Board considered a report which provided an update on the adoption of a Markets Charging Policy. At a previous meeting of the Board held in June 2014 (Minute No.9 refers), Members were advised on the changes and improvements that had been made at the markets during the last 12 months. During the discussion Members made a number of suggestions and observations relating to future priorities and actions at the Markets. It was also noted that a review of the market hall rents had taken place and it was acknowledged that a payment system was required that accurately reflected an equitable distribution of expenditure/costs across the market and distinguished between popular or conversely difficult to let stalls.

            It was reported that a review of the way the Council charges traders had been undertaken to ensure that rents were consistent, competitive, and viable. In addition a Charging Policy had also been implemented to ensure that there was a consistent starting point for any future rent reviews.

            It was noted that rents within Widnes Market had remained static since 2009/10 and any changes in rental levels proposed within the Charging Policy would not be introduced until April 2015.

            The following points arose from the discussion:

·         a further report be brought to a future meeting on Market rent arrears; and

·         information would be forwarded to Members on the rent charge for frontage on stalls.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board was provided with a report from the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which presented details of corporate accident statistics with associated trends, from 1 April 2014 to 1 September 2014.

Officers commented that the report highlighted that there had been an increase in the number of risk assessments completed, a decrease in the number of violent incidents and a reduction in the number of days lost in work due to violent incidents.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.