Agenda and minutes

            The minutes of the meetings of Council held on 13 October 2021 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Mayor made the following announcements:

·         He reported that recent fundraising events, Town Hall Open Day and a Christmas bingo, had raised £1400 for the Mayor’s Charities. He thanked everyone who had contributed to these events; and

·         He announced that Halton’s Planning Team had recently been awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute - Public Sector Planning Team of the Year Award. The Mayor read out the judges’ comments and on behalf of Council, congratulated the whole Team on their tremendous achievement.

            The Leader highlighted the following issues since the last meeting of the Council:

·         he congratulated Councillor Sharon Thornton on winning the Halton Castle Ward By-Election;

·         Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP) - this was an important document on the agenda for approval. It had recently been subject to external inspection and the inspectors had found the plan to be generally sound. This was a good position for the Council to be in as other local authorities had not passed that soundness test and had effectively been sent back a stage. Assuming the Council approved the revised version of the DALP there would follow a further period of public consultation, with the aim of the Council signing off the final Plan at its meeting in March 2022;

·         Also on the Council agenda were initial budget savings for 2022/23, totalling £1.783m. There was some way to go before the Council could confidently say that we have a balanced budget for next year. Crucial to that would be the details contained in the Local Government Finance Settlement;

·         Appointment of New Chief Executive - the formal process of seeking a new Chief Executive had begun and he outlined the timeline for the recruitment process in place;

·         Members’ Remuneration Panel – he drew Members attention to the report on the Council agenda regarding the proposed arrangements for reviewing the members’ allowance scheme. By law the Council was required to review the scheme every three years and in doing so to take into account the views of an independent panel. The report explained how that was proposed to work. Members would be able to submit their individual views to the Chief Executive who would bring those to the attention to the Panel or they could submit their views via their political group leaders; and

·         Covid – There were changing circumstances with the new Omicron Covid variant and along with the Chief Executive, he would continue to provide specific briefings on Covid as new information emerged.

            The Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings on 14 October 2021 and 18 November 2021.

            RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 6 October 2021.

            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

1)    Council set the 2022/23 Council Tax Base at 35,831 for the Borough and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police and Crim Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

2)    Council set the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes as follows:

The Council considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, on the determination of the Council Tax Base for 2022/23.

In accordance with Standing Order 16 (3), a recorded vote was taken.

            The following Members voted FOR the motion:

Councillors Abbott, Ball, Baker, Begg, Bevan, Bramwell, D. Cargill, E. Cargill, Carlin, Dennett, Dourley, Fry, Gilligan, Harris, S. Hill, V. Hill, Hutchinson, Jones, Leck, M. Lloyd Jones, P. Lloyd Jones, K. Loftus, Logan, A. Lowe, J. Lowe, McDermott, A. McInerney, T. McInerney, Nelson, Nolan, Philbin, Polhill, Ratcliffe, Rowe, G. Stockton, J. Stockton, Aimee Teeling, Angela Teeling, Thompson, Wainwright, Wall, Wallace, Wharton, Whitley, Woolfall, and Wright.

There were no votes against the motion.

            There were no abstentions.

            RESOLVED: That

1)    the Council Tax Base for 2022/23 be set at 35,831 for the Borough, and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

2)    Council set the Council Tax Base for each of the Parishes as follows:

The Executive Board considered the attached report:

RECOMMENDED:  That Council approve the initial budget proposals for 2022/23, set out in Appendix 1.

            The Executive Board had considered a report setting out a recommendation to Council in respect of the initial Budget proposals for 2022/23,

            Councillor Dennett, Resources Portfolio holder,  thanked all Officers involved, for their support in producing this budget and wished to record his thanks to the Members of Executive Board, the Budget Working Group and the Chairs’ of the Policy and Performance Boards for their contribution.  In addition, he thanked the Leader for his help and support in delivering this budget.

            In accordance with Standing Order 16 (3), a recorded vote was taken.

            The following Members voted FOR the motion:-

Councillors Abbott, Ball, Baker, Begg, Bevan, Bramwell, D. Cargill, E. Cargill, Carlin, Dennett, Dourley, Fry, Gilligan, Harris, S. Hill, V. Hill, Hutchinson, Jones, Leck, M. Lloyd Jones, P. Lloyd Jones, K. Loftus, Logan, A. Lowe, J. Lowe, McDermott, A. McInerney, T. McInerney, Nelson, Nolan, Philbin, Polhill, Ratcliffe, Rowe, G. Stockton, J. Stockton, Aimee Teeling, Angela Teeling, Thompson, Wainwright, Wall, Wallace, Wharton, Whitley, Woolfall, and Wright.

            There were no votes against the motion.

            There were no abstentions.

RESOLVED: That Council approve the initial budget proposals for 2022/23, set out in Appendix 1.

Council is asked to consider the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2021/22 capital programme set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, be approved.

            Council was asked to consider the attached report.

RESOLVED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2021/22 capital programme set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, be approved.

Audit and Governance Board considered the attached report:

RECOMMENDED: That Council be recommended to approve opting-in to the sector-led procurement by Public Sector Audit Appointments, for the provision of external audit services for the five years commencing 1 April 2023.

            Council was asked to consider the attached report:

RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to approve opting-in to the sector-led procurement by Public Sector Audit Appointments, for the provision of external audit services for the five years commencing 1 April 2023.

Council is asked to consider the attached report.

            RECOMMENDED: That Council be recommended to:

1)    approve the modifications to be made to the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (APPENDIX A) for the purposes of a six week period of public consultation;

2)    agree that further minor editorial amendments as required be made to the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan by the Operational Director for Policy, Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Leader of the Council, before commencing the period of public consultation or adoption; and

3)    assuming a favourable Inspector’s Report, agree that the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan be brought back before Council for formal adoption as part of the Development Plan for Halton following receipt of the Inspectors report.

            Council was asked to consider the attached report.

            RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to:

1)    approve the modifications to be made to the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (APPENDIX A) for the purposes of a six week period of public consultation;

2)    agree that further minor editorial amendments as required be made to the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan by the Operational Director for Policy, Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Leader of the Council, before commencing the period of public consultation or adoption; and

3)    assuming a favourable Inspector’s Report, agree that the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan be brought back before Council for formal adoption as part of the Development Plan for Halton following receipt of the Inspectors report.

Council is asked to consider the attached report.

            RECOMMENDED that the Council:

1)    adopt the Statement of Gambling Policy attached to this report to come into effect immediately following the expiry of the current policy; and

2)   directs that the Operational Director – Legal and Democratic Services publishes the Statement of Gambling Policy in accordance with section 349 Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Act 2005 (Licensing Authority Policy Statement) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006.

            Council was asked to consider the attached report.

            RESOLVED: That the Council:

1)    adopt the Statement of Gambling Policy attached to this report to come into effect immediately following the expiry of the current policy; and

2)   directs that the Operational Director – Legal and Democratic Services publishes the Statement of Gambling Policy in accordance with section 349 Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Act 2005 (Licensing Authority Policy Statement) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006.

Council are asked to note that Councillors C. Plumpton Walsh and N. Plumpton Walsh have been absent from attending Council meetings for seven months due to personal family circumstances.

Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, permission is sought for Councillors C. Plumpton Walsh and N. Plumpton Walsh to be granted an extended period of absence from attending Council meetings for a further period of 3 months, concluding on 13 April 2022.

Council are asked to note that Councillors C. Plumpton Walsh and N. Plumpton Walsh have been absent from attending Council meetings for seven months due to personal family circumstances.

Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, permission is sought for Councillors C. Plumpton Walsh and N. Plumpton Walsh to be granted an extended period of absence from attending Council meetings for a further period of 3 months, concluding on 13 April 2022.

Council is asked to consider the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council appoint Ian Leivesley 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 & 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 appoint Ian Leivesley 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 & 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 is asked to consider the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That

1)    the report be noted; and

2)    Council approves the process for the review of the Members Allowances Scheme set out.

            Council was asked to consider the attached report.

            RESOLVED: That

1)    the report be noted; and

2)    Council approves the process for the review of the Members Allowances Scheme set out.

Council be requested to:

1)    note the attached Borough By-Election Result for the Halton Castle Ward on 25 November 2021; and

2)    appoint Councillor Sharon Anne Thornton to the following Boards:

·         Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board; and

·         Corporate Services Policy and Performance Board.

            Council be requested to:

1)    note the attached Borough By-Election Result for the Halton Castle Ward on 25 November 2021; and

2)    appoint Councillor Sharon Anne Thornton to the following Boards:

·         Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board; and

·         Corporate Services Policy and Performance Board.

The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 3 March 2021:-

·         Children, Young People and Families;

·         Health;

·         Safer;

·         Environment and Urban Renewal;

·         Corporate Services; and

·         Business Efficiency.

The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 3 March 2021:-

·         Development Control;

·         Regulatory; and

·         Appointments Committee