Agenda and minutes

          The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 16 May 2025 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          The Mayor made the following announcements:

       i.          Civic Sunday had been held on 29 June at St Michaels & All Angels Church. The Mayor thanked all those who attended; and

      ii.          delegates from the Kwangmyung Presbyterian Church in South Korea had been welcomed by the Mayor on a visit to Runcorn Town Hall. They had presented the Mayor with a gift as a thank you.

          The Leader in his report to Council:

·       Provided an update on the Adult Social Care Care Quality Commission Assessment outcome. The assessment had taken place between 17 – 19 March 2025. The Leader announced that the service had been rated as Good. He thanked everyone, staff and partners who had worked to make this judgement possible;

·       Provided an update on the Children Services Ofsted Inspection;

·       Congratulated Mary Murphy, Principal at Cronton College who had honoured in the recent King’s Birthday Honours List and awarded an OBE;

·       Reported that Staff Survey results had been collated and on the measure of satisfaction among staff, 78% said they were satisfied or very satisfied in their job; and

·       Reminded Members that this was Stephen Young’s last full Council meeting as Chief Executive. On behalf of the Council the Leader thanked Stephen for his work and support over the past three years and he wished Stephen well for the future.

          The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings on 25 February, 13 March, 17 April, 13 May and 12 June 2025.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 12 March 2025.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

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

           Council was asked to consider the attached report.

          RESOLVED: That Council considers the recommendation of the Appointments Committee and:

1)    appoints Mr Richard Rout as Interim Chief Executive with effect from 1 September 2025 until the date the new Chief Executive commences in post; and

2)    the Interim Chief Executive has;

a.     the full authority of the Chief Executive with effect from 1st September 2025 until the date the new permanent Chief Executive commences in post

b.     the full authority to exercise the delegations of the Chief Executive with effect from 1st September 2025 until the date the new permanent Chief Executive commences in post.

           Council was asked to consider the attached report.

          RESOLVED: That Council appoint Richard Rout to carry out the Electoral Registration Officer functions for the registration of Parliamentary and Local Government Electors and the Returning Officer functions for Parliamentary, Local, Parish, Combined Authority Mayoral, Police and Crime Commissioner Elections and Referenda under all relevant legislation and to act as the Proper Officer for all related functions and relevant legislation with immediate effect until a further decision of the Council.

          Council was asked to consider the attached report.

          RESOLVED: That Council approve that the powers granted to the Council as a Regulator under the Environmental Protection (Single Use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 are delegated to the Director of Public Health and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That

1)    the proposals set out within the report be approved;

2)    Council be asked to include £1.971m within the Council’s Capital Programme over 4 years to fund the proposed works as set out within the report; and

3)    authority be delegated to the Executive Director Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Urban Renewal, to prepare and approve all necessary documents, contracts and funding arrangements required to complete the proposed works.

          The Council considered a report of the Executive Director - Environment and Regeneration, which provided details of essential work required to be undertaken to refurbish aging infrastructure and update the grounds with a range of environmental enhancements at three of the Council's cemeteries located at Widnes, Runcorn and Halton cemeteries.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the proposals set out within the report be approved;

2)    Council is asked to include £1.971m within the Council’s Capital Programme over 4 years to fund the proposed works as set out within the report; and

3)    delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director - Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration, to prepare and approve all necessary documents, contracts and funding arrangements required to complete proposed works.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Stuart Smith OBE, be Co-Opted to the Children, Young People and Families Policy and Performance Board for a period of 12 months, to be reviewed at the end of that period.

          The Council considered a report of the Executive Director - Children’s Services, to Co-Opt a new independent member of the Children, Young People and Families Policy and Performance Board to provide assurance and challenge.

          RESOLVED: That Council appoint Stuart Smith OBE to be co-opted to the Children, Young People and Families Policy and Performance Board for a period of 12 months, to be reviewed at the end of that period.

          The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 16 May 2025:-

·       Local Economy;

·       Health and Social Care;

·       Housing and Safer;

·       Corporate and Inclusion; and

·       Audit and Governance.

          The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 16 May 2025:-

·       Development Management;

·       Regulatory

·       Taxi Licensing Sub Committee;

·       Regulatory Sub Committee; and

·       Appointments