Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from the Cabinet Member, Councillor Fairclough

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were received.

RESOLVED:  

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Planning and Economic Development Director that sought approval to increase fees and charges levied within the Planning and Technical Services Portfolios.

Attached as Annex A to the report was a summary of those fees and charges included within the Planning and Technical Services Portfolios, together with the proposed increase in charges.

The Cabinet, at its meeting to be held on 3 March 2011, was recommended to approve the proposed charges for 2011/12.

RESOLVED:  

That the content of the proposed increase in fees and charges report be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Planning and Economic Development Director that advised of the current progress with the Thornton to Switch Island (TSIL) scheme, including the responses from Government to the Council's Best and Final Funding Bid and the planning application; that sought approval to accept the Government's funding offer to initiate the next stages of the project, including land acquisition and of the revised project management arrangements; and that advised of the current scheme programme and cost profile.

The report indicated that the Council had been promoting the TSIL scheme for many years and there was overwhelming public support for the scheme, as demonstrated by the public consultations undertaken over recent years; that the Government had fully recognised the benefits and value for money the scheme offered by approving the Council's funding bid and that the scheme proposals were considered deliverable within the current allocation in the Council's Capital Programme; and that it was now important to move to the next stage of scheme delivery and proceed with the preparation of statutory Orders and negotiations with landowners for the purchase of land by agreement.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:  

That Cabinet be recommended to:

(1)      note the Department for Transport's acceptance of the Council's Best and Final Funding Bid for the scheme;

(2)          approve the acceptance of the Terms and Conditions of the proposed Government funding for the scheme and increase the cost of the scheme in the capital programme by £14.5m to be funded by the Department for Transport grant;

(3)      note the Government Office response to the planning application for the scheme confirming that they do not require a Public Inquiry to be held to consider the planning issues;

(4)      note the progress in the preparation of the necessary statutory Orders for the scheme;

(5)          approve the activities that were put on hold in June 2010 to be re-commenced, including land acquisition;

(6)          approve the start of work on the next stage of the scheme;

(7)          approve the revised Project management arrangements and Project Board for the scheme;

(8)      note the revised programme for the scheme; and

(9)      note the revised spend profile for the scheme.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Planning and Economic Development Director seeking endorsement of the Merseyside Local Transport Plan (LTP) and approval of Sefton's four year outline LTP Implementation Programme; and indicating that a decision on this matter was required as the third LTP would come into effect from 1 April 2011; that final responsibility for the LTP rested with the Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) (Merseytravel), but the LTP required the support and endorsement of the individual local authorities; that the LTP was required to include an Implementation Programme that would provide the basis for the 2011/12 LTP Capital Programme and future annual programmes; and that the Cabinet Member had delegated powers to approve the annual Local Transportation Capital Programme and therefore the outline programme on which it would be based needed to be approved.

Annex A to the report detailed the interactions between Sefton's transport priorities and LTP key actions; whilst Annex B detailed the proposed four year outline Implementation Capital Programme for Sefton.

This was a Key Decision and was included on the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:  

That Cabinet be recommended to:

(1)          endorse the Merseyside Local Transport Plan Preferred Strategy; and;

(2)          approve the proposed four year outline Sefton LTP Implementation Programme

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Planning and Economic Development Director seeking approval to revise the funding allocations within the approved 2010/11 Local Transport Plan Transportation Capital (LTPTC) Programme to enable the amended funding allocations to reflect the current financial and programme position for the 2010/11 Programme; and indicating that a decision on this matter was required as the Cabinet Member had delegated powers to approve the programme of schemes within the LTPTC Programme and that the detail and funding profile of the programme had changed due to changes to funding allocations and scheme cost estimates and project delivery timescales.

The report indicated that the revised programmes identified for Integrated Transport, Street Lighting, Highway Structures Maintenance, UTC, Drainage and Highway Maintenance could be accommodated within the overall approved 2010/11 LTPTC Programme into the 2011/12 Programme; and that the approval of the revised allocations of funding for schemes within the 2010/11 LTPTC Programme would ensure that the overall programme was on target to meet the Single Capital Pot Allocations.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the revised 2010/11 Local Transport Plan Transportation Capital Programme be approved; and

(2)       the allocation of £100k by Cabinet from capital resources to the 2010/11 Local Transport Plan Transportation Capital Programme to fund Highway Parking Improvements be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Planning and Economic Development Director, seeking approval in conjunction with the Acting Head of Corporate Legal Services, to issue a licence pursuant to Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980, as detailed within the report and indicating that a decision on this matter was required in order to construct a vehicle crossing to access a development as work progressed at 25a Lancaster Road, Southport.

RESOLVED:  

That the Acting Head of Corporate Legal Services, in conjunction with the Planning and Economic Development Director, be authorised to issue a licence under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 to the undermentioned applicant as shown on the plan numbered DC0717 and as detailed within the report submitted, subject to the applicant bearing all costs associated with the proposal and indemnifying Sefton Council against all claims, disbursements and actions arising from the proposed works.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Planning and Economic Development Director seeking approval, in conjunction with the Acting Head of Corporate Legal Services, to make an application to the Magistrates' Court for a Stopping-Up Order for part of the rear of footway adjacent to the new development known as The Tannery, Harris Drive, Bootle, under the provisions of Section 116 of the Highways Act 1980, following an application by Bellway Homes under Section 117 of the Highways Act 1980.

RESOLVED:  

That the Acting Head of Corporate Legal Services, in conjunction with the Planning and Economic Development Director, be authorised to request that the Magistrates' Court make an Order for the Stopping-Up of part of the rear of footway adjacent to the new development known as The Tannery, Harris Drive, Bootle, under Section 116 of the Highways Act 1980, as detailed within the report and shown upon the plan numbered DC0718, subject to the applicant bearing all costs associated with the application.