Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 3^rd November 2020 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.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which detailed the planned changes to the borough’s Ward Boundaries and the impact this would have on Local Area Forums.

            It was noted that changes to the borough’s current Ward boundaries were due to come into effect on 7^th May 2020, however, following the postponement of the 2020 local elections due to COVID-19, those boundary changes would come into effect on 6^th May 2021. The boundary changes would have a number of implications for Local Area Forums, including the Area Forum ‘footprints’ the population levels within each Forum area and the budget allocations. The report provided Members with details of those implications.

            It was anticipated that a number of Area Forums would have some level of budget remaining that would be carried forward to the 2021/22 financial year. It was proposed that any Area Forum budget underspend at 31^st March 2021 would be split down to Ward level and allocated to the new Ward that was most closely aligned. In addition where any current Ward boundaries alter as a result of the planned changes, the amount of any budget underspend carried forward would be based upon the proportion of Electorate that made up the old Ward that was transferring to the new one.  

            RESOLVED: That

1.    The proposals for dealing with the impacts that Ward boundary changes will have upon Local Area Forums as set out within the report be endorsed; and

2.    A report be presented to the Executive Board recommending that:

a.    Halton’s current seven Local Area Forums be disbanded with effect from 5^th May 2021;

b.    Six new Local Area Forums, as set out in Paragraph 4.1, be established in Halton with effect from 6^th May 2021;

c.    The 2021/22 Local Area Forum budget be allocated as set out within Table 1; and

d.    Any Local Area Forum budget remaining as at 31^st March 2021 be carried forward and allocated as set out within Table 2.

            The Board considered a report which provided information on the arrangements the Council had put in place, together with its partners, to monitor and if necessary and possible, to mitigate any impacts arising from the end of the EU Exit Transition Period. At the time of the report it was noted that there no issues of concern had arisen but it was early days.

            It was noted that the Council was currently working in partnership with Cheshire Resilience Forum Partners and regional and national agencies, as part of a Command and Control Structure. The aim being to assess and mitigate the impacts of the UK’s exit from the EU in Cheshire, whilst supporting the national response through the national strategic responsibilities.

            Within the Council there was an internal officer group, which was meeting on a monthly basis. The aim of the group was to monitor potential impacts and escalate matters of concern to Management Team and Members.

            RESOLVED: That the Board notes the arrangements in place.

            The Board considered a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on the process of retendering for a number of the Council’s major insurance policies that included property, motor and computer. The report outlined details of that process and a wider update on the Council’s insurance and risk financing arrangements. It was anticipated that an increase in premiums was extremely likely, despite the Council’s excellent claims history.

            The Board received information on:

·         Levels of self insurance from 2010/11 to 2020/21;

·         Direct cost of insurance and risk financing – 2010/11 to 2019/20;

·         Public liability claims 2010/11 to 2019/20;

·         Employer’s liability claims – 2010/11 to 2019/20; and

·         Motor vehicle claims – 2010/11 to 2019/20.

            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 2 of 2020/21.

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.

            It was agreed that further information would be emailed to Members on the following matters:

1.    the latest Universal Credit claimant numbers for Halton from the DWP;

2.    the roll out of laptops to school children in the Borough, details on the process and how well it was working; and

3.    the roll out of Microsoft Teams to all schools in the Borough.

            Arising from the discussion it was agreed that an update on the recent staff survey would be brought to a future meeting of the Board

            In addition, on behalf of the Board the Chair thanked Chris Patino and the team for all their work whilst the schools have been closed, in providing lunches to those children on free school meals.

RESOLVED: That the Quarter 2 Performance Monitoring reports be received and noted.