Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th October 2006, having been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate & Policy which set out for discussion a lobbying plan to secure European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to support the development of the 3MG Western Access Option (Knowsley).

 

Arising from the discussion, the following points were noted:-

 

·        The lobbying framework as set out in Appendix 1 to the report and the various methods and range of the lobbying was noted; and

 

·        It was recognised that it was important that there were regular briefings on the progress of the lobbying and action plan.  It was also noted that an information pack would be available and presentations undertaken where appropriate.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                    the comments raised be noted; and

 

(2)          the lobbying plan as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be endorsed.

The Committee was advised that a matter had arisen which required immediate attention by the Committee because in this case a decision was required before the date of the next meeting (Minute ESB12 refers), therefore pursuant to Section 100 B (4) and 100 E Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman ruled that the item be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Board considered an urgent report of the Strategic Director – Environment which sought authority to enter into a Legal Agreement with the NWDA. 

 

The Board was advised that the NWDA had in principle over the last twelve months allocated £4.5m towards the delivery of the Masterplan.  The reason for the urgency was that the Council would need to enter into a contract with the NWDA by the 31^st March 2007.

 

 The Council Solicitor advised as to the risks for the Council associated with entering into the agreement that was being insisted upon by the NWDA.

 

RESOLVED: That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director – Environment, in consultation with the Council Solicitor and the Executive Member for Planning Transportation, Regeneration and Renewal to negotiate and conclude the funding arrangements with the NWDA.

The Sub-Board considered:

 

(1)         whether Members of the press and public should be excluded from the meeting of the Board during consideration of the following items 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 paragraphs 1, 2, 3 (for agenda items 4 and 5) and paragraph 3 (for agenda item 6) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972; and

 

(2)         whether the disclosure of the information was in the public interest, whether any relevant exceptions were applicable and whether, when applying the public interest tests 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 outweighs 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 is likely that, in view of the nature of the business, exempt information will be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraphs 1, 2, 3 (for agenda items 4 and 5) and paragraph 3 (for agenda item 6) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate & Policy which sought approval to the terms for the termination of part of the agricultural holding at Linner Farm, Halebank Road, Widnes.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                    the report be noted; and

 

(2)          approval be granted to the terms for the termination of part of the agricultural holding at Linner Farm, Halebank Road, Widnes.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate & Policy which sought approval to the terms for the termination of an agricultural holding and the grant of a new residential tenancy at Linner Farm Cottage, Halebank Road, Widnes.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                    the report be noted; and

 

(2)          delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director, Corporate & Policy to negotiate terms for the termination of the agricultural holding at Linner Farm Cottage and the grant of a new residential tenancy at Linner Farm Cottage, Halebank Road, Widnes.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate & Policy which described the opportunity available to the Council to acquire the Tessenderlo site in Widnes as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, following the closure of the operation in December 2006.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                    delegated authority be granted to the Operational Director, Property Services, to negotiate with Tessenderlo for the acquisition of their land ownership in the West Bank area of Widnes; and

 

(2)          delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director, Environment and the Strategic Director, Corporate & Policy, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning, Transportation, Regeneration and Renewal and the Executive Member for Corporate Services, to take such action as is necessary to acquire the land from Tessenderlo, subject to the North West Development Agency agreeing to fully fund the purchase price.

MINUTES ISSUED: 5^th March 2007

CALL IN: 9^th March 2007

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 9^th March 2007.