Agenda and minutes

          The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 22 October 2025, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          The Mayor announced that Runcorn Town Hall Open Day would be held on 6 December. All were welcome to attend.

          The Leader made the following announcements:

·       He welcomed the good news regarding the recommendation from Appointments Committee for Andrew Donaldson to be appointed to the role of Chief Executive;

·       Children’s Services improvement journey continued and Ofsted had noted significant improvements had been achieved;

·       The Council had received grant funds of:

§  £1.5m from the Government – Pride in Place Fund; and

§  £2,170,118m from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority– Connect to Work;

·       He wished everyone a happy Christmas and thanked everyone for their contributions in the past year.

          Council considered a report of the Interim Chief Executive, on the urgent decisions taken since the last meeting of the Council.

          RESOLVED: That Council note the report.

          Council considered the minutes of the Executive Board meetings on 23 October and 13 November 2025 .

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

The Council considered the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 8 October 2025.

          RESOLVED: That the minutes be received.

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

          Council were asked to consider the recommendation of the Appointments Committee for the appointment to the post of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service.

          RESOLVED: That the recommendation of the Appointments Committee be approved and Mr. Andrew Donaldson be appointed as Chief Executive with effect from a date to be confirmed.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council

1)    the report be noted; and

2)    approves the proposal for Stage 1 delegation as outlined.

          Council considered a report that sought approval to delegate Stage 1 consideration of substantial variation to health services, where necessary, when Joint Health Scrutiny (JHS) arrangements may apply.

          RESOLVED: That Council

1)    note the report; and

2)    approves the proposal for Stage 1 delegation as outlined.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council be recommended to approve:

1)    setting the 2026/27 Council Tax Base at 37,115 for the Borough and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

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

The Council considered a report of the Director of Finance, on the determination of the Council Tax Base for 2026/27.

Councillor Davidson expressed concern at the current Council Budget outlook position which was estimated to be £4.6m over budget. In response Councillor Dennett advised that the predicted overspend had reduced and measures continued to be taken to achieve a balanced budget. A Government Finance Policy Statement that aimed to reform local government finances was expected soon, meanwhile Council finances remained under severe pressure.

The recommendation was unanimously approved by Council as detailed below.

          RESOLVED: That Council

1)    set the 2026/27 Council Tax Base at 37,115 for the Borough and that the Cheshire Fire Authority, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Environment Agency be so notified; and

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

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That

1)    all spending continue to be limited to only absolutely essential items;

2)    Executive Directors identify reductions to their directorate forecast outturn net spend position and urgently implement them;

3)    Council be asked to agree to submit an application for Exceptional Finance Support to cover the deficit position for the year, as recommended within the Medium Term Financial Strategy report  elsewhere on the agenda; and

4)    future reports be submitted for information to all Council Boards.

Council was asked to approve the Capital Programme as outlined in the attached report.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    Executive Directors continue to implement the approved 2025/26 saving proposals as detailed in Appendix 3;

2)    Executive Directors continue to identify areas where they can further reduce their directorate’s spending or generate income, in order to ensure the council wide forecast outturn overspend position for the year remains within budget;

3)    this report be shared with each Policy and Performance Board, in order to ensure they have a full appreciation of the councilwide financial position, in addition to their specific areas of responsibility;

4)    approve the revisions to the capital programme set-out in paragraph 3.25 and incorporated within Appendix 4.

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council

1)    note the progress on the production and consultation of the draft Housing Strategy for Halton 2026 – 2031 (Appendix A) and supporting evidence document (Appendix B);

2)    provides delegated approval to the Executive Director Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Environmental Sustainability to agree any final revisions to the draft Housing Strategy; and

3)    Council be recommended to approve the revised Housing Strategy.

          Council was requested to approve the Boroughwide Housing Strategy. A copy of the Strategy document was attached to the report.

          Councillor Wainwright queried if the Housing Strategy document had been considered by the Council scrutiny committee and the cost of the housing survey. Councillor Harris agreed to provide a written response to Councillor Wainwright.

          RESOLVED: That Council

1)    note the progress on the production and consultation of the draft Housing Strategy for Halton 2026 – 2031 (Appendix A) and supporting evidence document (Appendix B);

2)    provides delegated approval to the Executive Director Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Environmental Sustainability to agree  any final revisions to the draft Housing Strategy; and

3)    Council be recommended to approve the revised Housing Strategy.

Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, permission is sought for Councillor McDonough to be granted a period of absence from attending Council meetings for a period of 6 months, concluding on 3 June 2026, due to personal reasons.

          Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, permission is sought for Councillor McDonough to be granted a period of absence from attending Council meetings for a period of 6 months, concluding on 3 June 2026, due to personal reasons.

          RESOLVED: That approval be given for the Member absence as outlined above.

          The Council considered the reports of the following Boards in the period since the meeting of Council on 22 October 2025:-

·       Local Economy;

·       Health and Social Care;

·       Housing and Safer;

·       Environment and Regeneration;

·       Corporate and Inclusion; and

·       Audit and Governance.

          Councillor Wainwright asked if market traders could be consulted on the Market Business Plan (Corporate and Inclusion Minute CS23 refers)

          The Council considered the reports of the following Committees in the period since the meeting of Council on 22 October 2025:-

·       Regulatory; and

·       Appointments

Recommended: That Council approve the following appointments detailed below:

Audit and Governance Board – Councillor Hughes

Health and Social Care Policy and Performance Board – Councillor Wallace

Scrutiny Co-Ordinator – Councillor McDermott

Outside Bodies:

National Association British Market Authorities - Councillor Gilligan

Manchester Port Health Authority – Councillor Gilligan

Catalyst Museum – Councillor Carol Plumpton Walsh

Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) – Vacant

          Council was requested to agree the following appointments.

          RESOLVED: That Council approve the following appointments detailed below:

·       Audit and Governance Board – Councillor Hughes

·       Health and Social Care Policy and Performance Board – Councillor Wallace

·       Scrutiny Co-Ordinator - Councillor McDermott

Outside Bodies:

National Association British Market Authorities - Councillor Gilligan

Manchester Port Health Authority – Councillor Gilligan

Catalyst Museum – Councillor Carol Plumpton Walsh

Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) – Vacant

          On behalf of the Council the Leader thanked Sue Wallace Bonner for her work and years of support and he wished her a happy and healthy retirement.