Agenda and minutes

Nick Atkin from Halton Housing Trust and Neil Townsend from Riverside Housing will brief Members on social housing in Halton.

            Nick Atkin from Halton Housing Trust and Neil Townsend from Riverside Housing Trust, addressed Members of the Council on current issues relating to social housing in the Borough, the programme of regeneration of and investment in the housing stock, the current challenging financial climate, the impact of welfare reforms and the choice based lettings system.

            There was an opportunity for Members to ask questions on current housing issues.

            The minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 20 May 2011, having been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting be confirmed and adopted.

            The Mayor made the following announcements:

            The following gifts had been received:

• A frame containing a Liverpool City Region Pledge to develop  a legacy from the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, signed by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and the Mayors of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council and Halton Borough Council in 2010;
• Gifts presented to the former Mayor, Councillor Marie Wright on her visit to Leiria, Portugal of a plate with the arms of all the Towns and Cities twinned with Leiria, a pewter box with the coat of arms of Leiria – Cidade de Leiria, a bronze medal, a photograph of Castelo De Cidade De Leiria and a bag of salt from the Rhine in Germany;
• A Framed Junk presented to the Mayor by the Lord Mayor of Tongling City and the delegation from Tongling on their visit to Halton in May 2011; and
• A Widnes Market Bell dated 1875-1975.

            The Leader reported on the following issues:

• Halton Borough Council, on behalf of the Liverpool City Region LEP and Greater Manchester LEP had submitted a bid for Daresbury Science and  Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) to be given an Enterprise Zone. Enterprise Zone status, if accepted would have an impact across the wider area in the North West as well as the whole UK;
• Recent Health Statistics released by the Department for Health demonstrated that there was still  much to do to improve health in Halton; however, a careful look at recent progress showed some welcome improvements;
• The Chief Executive and the Project Director for Mersey Gateway had recently met with the Secretary of State for Transport. Arrangements were in place to proceed with the procurement stage and approval of the final funding package was expected in late Summer/ early Autumn.

            The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings from 26 May 2011, 16 June 2011 and 30 June 2011.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board Sub Committee meetings from 26 May 2011, 16 June 2011 and 30 June 2011.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Mersey Gateway Executive Board meeting of 16 June 2011.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the 3MG Executive Sub Board meeting of 30 June 2011.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

            It was noted that no questions had been submitted under Standing Order No. 8.

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

RECOMMENDED: That Council note that, after consultation with the Leader and Members of the Executive Board, the Chief Executive, under delegated powers (Matters of Urgency, Constitution) determined not to submit a Local HealthWatch Pathfinders proposal.

            The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, on Local HealthWatch Pathfinders.

            RESOLVED: That Council note that, after consultation with the Leader and Members of the Executive Board, the Chief Executive, under delegated powers (Matters of Urgency, Constitution) determined not to submit a Local HealthWatch Pathfinders proposal.

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)         the Local Transport Settlement and indicative allocations covering the Comprehensive Spending Review Period be noted;

(2)         Council be recommended to approve the following sums for incorporation into the Council’s Capital Programme for 2011/12:

Transport Implementation Programme £2,663,000;

Transport Major Scheme Capital Funding (SJB) £4,416,000;

Street Lighting £200,000;

Flood Defence £106,000;

Fleet Replacements £370,000.

(3)         authority to agree the detailed programme of schemes, based where appropriate upon the four year implementation Programme described in the Local Transport Plan 3, be delegated to the Strategic Director Policy and Resources, in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Transportation; and

(4)         a bid for funding from the Government’s Sustainable Transport Fund be prepared for presentation to the Board before submission to Department for Transport by 24^th February 2012.

The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources on the Transport Capital Implementation Programme 2011/12.

RESOLVED: That Council

(1)         Note the Local Transport Settlement and indicative allocations covering the Comprehensive Spending Review Period;

(2)         approve the following sums for incorporation into the Council’s Capital Programme for 2011/12:

Transport Implementation Programme £2,663,000;

Transport Major Scheme Capital Funding (SJB) £4,416,000;

Street Lighting £200,000;

Flood Defence £106,000;

Fleet Replacements £370,000.

(3)         give authority to agree the detailed programme of schemes, based where appropriate upon the four year implementation Programme described in the Local Transport Plan 3, to be delegated to the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Transportation; and

(4)         approve a bid for funding from the Government’s Sustainable Transport Fund to be prepared for presentation to the Board before submission to Department for Transport by 24^th February 2012.

The Executive Board Sub Committee considered the attached report:-

RECOMMENDED: That Council note that, after consultation with the Leader and Members of the Executive Board Sub Committee, the Chief Executive had, under delegated powers (Matters of Urgency, Constitution), expressed support for the Licence to be agreed as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

            The Executive Board Sub Committee had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities on the Shopmobility Service at Halton Lea.

            RESOLVED: That Council note that, after consultation with the Leader and Members of the Executive Board Sub Committee, the Chief Executive had, under delegated powers (Matters of Urgency, Constitution), expressed support for the Licence to be agreed as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

            The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities on the Adults and Community Capital Programme.

            RESOLVED: That Council

(1)                     note the final 2010/11 outturn figures; and

(2)          approve the capital project for 2011/12 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

RECOMMENDED: That Council be recommended to approve the changes to Procurement Standing Orders as set out in Appendix 1 located at http://councillors.halton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=316&MId=3704&Ver=4

.

The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources on Changes to Procurement Standing Orders.

            RESOLVED: That Council approve the changes to Procurement Standing Orders as set out in Appendix 1.

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)         the Halton Core Strategy Revised Proposed Submission Document (May 2011) be approved for Submission to the Secretary of State under Regulation 30 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2008;

(2)         any minor editorial amendments required to improve the legibility of the Halton Core Strategy be agreed with the Inspector by the Operational Director for Policy, Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Physical Environment;

(3)         authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, to enter into discussions with parties and to suggest wording changes, as are deemed necessary by the Inspector to reach agreement on matters discussed at the examination into the soundness of the Core Strategy; and

(4)    material weight to give to the Halton Core Strategy Revised Proposed Submission Document (May 2011) as a material consideration in Council Development Control policy decisions.

The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources on the Halton Core Strategy – Submission to the Secretary of State.

RESOLVED: That

(1)         the Halton Core Strategy Revised Proposed Submission Document (May 2011) be approved for Submission to the Secretary of State under Regulation 30 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2008;

(2)         any minor editorial amendments required to improve the legibility of the Halton Core Strategy be agreed with the Inspector by the Operational Director for Policy, Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Physical Environment;

(3)         authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, to enter into discussions with parties and to suggest wording changes, as are deemed necessary by the Inspector to reach agreement on matters discussed at the examination into the soundness of the Core Strategy; and

(4)    material weight to give to the Halton Core Strategy Revised Proposed Submission Document (May 2011) as a material consideration in Council Development Control policy decisions.

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, on the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-14.

RESOLVED: That Council endorse and adopt the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-14.

 To consider the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That the 2010/2011 Annual Reports submitted from the Policy and Performance Boards be received.

The Council considered the report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources outlining the Annual Reports for each of the Policy and Performance Boards (PPBs) for 2010-11, (with the exception of the Safer PPB), which had been submitted outlining their work, making recommendations for future work programmes and amended working methods if appropriate.

It was further reported that the Annual Reports had been submitted to the appropriate PPBs for consideration and had all been agreed. Councillor Alan Lowe corrected two figures contained in the Corporate PPB report under Staff Accident/Violent Incidents Statistics and were noted as follows:

“There had been 823 days this year…” should read “There had been 318 days this year…”; and

“the total cost of the accidents…. compared to £459,000 last year” should read “ the total cost of the accidents … compared to £450,000 last year”.

            RESOLVED: That the 2010 - 2011 Annual Reports submitted from the Policy and Performance Boards be received.

The Standards Committee considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That the Standards Committee Annual Report 2010/11 be received.

The Council considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources which summarised the work of the Standards Committee in the last Municipal Year.

            RESOLVED: That the information in the report be noted. 

To consider the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That the Council appoint representatives to the Outside Bodies.

The Council considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources regarding the appointment of Members to serve on various outside bodies. A document was tabled showing recommendations put forward.

            RESOLVED: That Council

1)     note, that after consultation with the Leader, the Chief Executive had, under delegated powers (Matter of Urgency, Constitution), appointed representatives to the Cheshire Fire Authority and the Manchester Port Health Authority, as detailed in the attached list; and

2)     appoint representatives to outside bodies in accordance with  the tabled report, subject to Councillor K Loftus replacing Councillor C Loftus on Halton Play Council and Councillor Hodgkinson be appointed to serve on Halton Borough Transport.

(N.B Councillor Peter Lloyd Jones declared a personal interest in the minutes of the Health Policy and Performance Board for the meetings held on 7 and 28 June 2011, as he was a Non-Executive Director of Halton and St Helens PCT)

            The Council considered the reports on the work of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of the Council on 20 May 2011:-

Children, Young People and Families

Employment, Learning, Skills and Community

Health

Safer

Environment and Urban Renewal

Corporate

Business Efficiency Board

In receiving the minutes, the following comments were made:

In relation to Minute EUR8, Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board, Councillor Balmer commented on the ongoing parking issues in Farnworth.

(N.B. The following Councillors declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following items of business on the Development Control Committee minutes:

Councillor Balmer in respect of DEV80 on 16 May 2011, as he prepared and submitted the application; Councillor Wainwright in respect of DEV11 on 4 July 2011,as he was an employee of Ineos)

            The Council considered the reports of the work of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of the Council on 20 May 2011:-

Development Control

Standards

Regulatory

Appeals Panel

Mayoral

(N.B The following Councillors declared a personal interest in the following item of business for the reasons stated:

Councillors Baker, D Cargill, E Cargill, Hignett, Horabin, Polhill, Swain and Wright – all have family members in the Local Government Pension Scheme

The following Councillors declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item of business for the reasons stated and left the room before the start of the discussion:

Councillors Dennett, Hodgkinson, Tom McInerney, Macmanus, Thompson and Wharton, – all as members of the Local Government Pension Scheme; Councillor Ratcliffe as a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme and has family members in the Scheme)

The following motion has been submitted in accordance with Standing Order No.6:

Proposer: Councillor A Lowe

Seconder: Councillor Stockton

“DEFENDING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME

Council notes:

The LGPS is a sustainable, good quality pension scheme that benefits from being funded and locally managed. It is valuable to employers and employees alike. This coalition government has failed to recognise the distinctiveness of the LGPS in setting policy, most notably in the proposal announced by the Chancellor in the last CSR to impose an extra 3.2% contribution tax on scheme members, increasing scheme average member contributions from 6.6% to 9.8%. This tax does not benefit the scheme, or scheme members, or employers. This proposal is in addition to pension reductions caused by being indexed against  CPI instead of RPI and is in advance of expected benefit reform recommendations from the Hutton Review.

Council agrees:

An increase in member contributions as proposed will lead to mass opt outs from the LGPS and that would be undesirable and damaging. The views expressed by the LGA in its letter to the Chancellor dated 16 February 2011 on this subject are also the views of this Council.

Council resolves:

Council will write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Local Government within the next month stating this Councils support for the LGA letter referred to above and calling for government to rethink it’s proposed increases to LGPS member contributions. Council will work with Trade Unions to ensure employees are made aware of the proposals for the LGPS and encouraging them to support the Council’s representations to defend their pension scheme.

This Council is strongly opposed to this proposed change in pension policy for Local Government workers and calls on the Government to reconsider its proposals.”

The following motion was moved and seconded by Councillors A Lowe and Stockton respectively:

DEFENDING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME

Council notes:

The LGPS is a sustainable, good quality pension scheme that benefits from being funded and locally managed. It is valuable to employers and employees alike. This coalition government has failed to recognise the distinctiveness of the LGPS in setting policy, most notably in the proposal announced by the Chancellor in the last CSR to impose an extra 3.2% contribution tax on scheme members, increasing scheme average member contributions from 6.6% to 9.8%. This tax does not benefit the scheme, or scheme members, or employers. This proposal is in addition to pension reductions caused by being indexed against  CPI instead of RPI and is in advance of expected benefit reform recommendations from the Hutton Review.

Council agrees:

An increase in member contributions as proposed will lead to mass opt outs from the LGPS and that would be undesirable and damaging. The views expressed by the LGA in its letter to the Chancellor dated 16 February 2011 on this subject are also the views of this Council.

Council resolves:

Council will write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Local Government within the next month stating this Councils support for the LGA letter referred to above and calling for government to rethink it’s proposed increases to LGPS member contributions. Council will work with Trade Unions to ensure employees are made aware of the proposals for the LGPS and encouraging them to support the Council’s representations to defend their pension scheme.

This Council is strongly opposed to this proposed change in pension policy for Local Government workers and calls on the Government to reconsider its proposals.”

A recorded vote was requisitioned in accordance with Standing Order number 16(1) (b).

Moved by Councillor A Lowe

Seconded by Councillor Stockton

            The following Councillors voted for the motion:

Councillors Austin, Baker, J Bradshaw, M Bradshaw, Browne, Carlin,

D Cargill, E Cargill, Cole, Edge, Fraser, Fry, Gerrard, Gilligan, Harris, Hignett, Hodge, Horabin, Howard, Jones, M Lloyd Jones, P Lloyd Jones, C Loftus,

K Loftus, A Lowe, J Lowe, McDermott, A McInerney, Morley, Nelson, Parker, Philbin, C Plumpton Walsh, N Plumpton Walsh, Polhill, Roberts, Rowe, Shepherd, Stockton, Swain, Wainwright, Wright, Zygadllo.

            Councillor Balmer abstained.

RESOLVED: That the motion be agreed.