Agenda and minutes

            Paula Cain, Chief Executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce, addressed Members of the Council on the work of the Chamber.

The Council was advised that the Chamber represented businesses in the Widnes and Runcorn area, and was committed to the ongoing development and success of the economy in Halton. Its members could benefit from a range of business advice and support, with a wide variety of major events planned for the year, providing effective networking opportunities for local businesses.

There was an opportunity for Members to ask questions on current related issues. Ms Cain was then thanked for her attendance.

            The Leader reported on the following issues:

·         The Member Seminar on the Localism Act would take place on 15 February 2012 in the Council Chamber starting at 5.00pm;

·         Changes in the administration of Housing Benefits payments had resulted in a 10% cut (approximately £1.3m), for the Borough and would have an impact for Halton residents who claimed this benefit. However, pensioners and other vulnerable groups would be protected from these cuts;

·         Members had seen a leaflet produced by The Heath School circulating in the local community "consulting" on the creation of a 16-19 Free School, which was entitled "The Heath Sixth Form – A new Sixth Form for Runcorn". The school was likely to be based at The Heath Business Park; and

·         Congratulations were extended to Michael Sheehan, the Principal of Riverside College and his team and all the students for their hard work which had resulted in Riverside being ranked as the 4th Best Further Education College in the country.

            The Council considered the reports on the work of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of the Council on 14 December 2011:-

Children, Young People and Families

Employment, Learning, Skills and Community

Health

Safer

Environment and Urban Renewal and

Corporate

In receiving the minutes, the following comments/observations were made:

·         Councillor Dennett referred to the Halton Child and Family Poverty Strategy 2011-13 (minute CYP 40 referred), and recognised that this was the first step towards eradicating child poverty in the Borough.

The Council considered the reports of the work of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of the Council on 14 December 2011:-

Development Control

Appeals Panel and

Appointments Committee

In receiving the minutes, the following comments/observations were made:

·         Councillor Nolan (Chair of Development Control Committee) confirmed that the Ineos Chlor application had been withdrawn. In response, Councillor Chris Loftus thanked the Chairman and staff for their diligence in dealing with this application.

The Council considered:

(1)       whether Members of the press and public should be excluded from the meeting of the Council during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be considered, exempt information would be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972; and

(2)       whether the disclosure of information was in the public interest, whether any relevant exemptions were applicable and whether, when applying the public interest test and exemptions, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed that in disclosing the information.

            RESOLVED: That as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that, in view of the nature of the business, exempt information would be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

            The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, on amendments to the Capital Programme to ensure completion of Phase 2 of the St Michael’s Golf Course remediation programme.

            The Board had noted the importance of completing the Phase 2 works to reduce the estimated yearly leachate disposal costs, and to ensure the site could be restored for a yet to be determined future use.

            RESOLVED: That the Capital Programme be amended accordingly.