Halton Borough Council

Halton Borough Council
Type
Type	Unitary authority
History
Founded	1 April 1974 (1974-04-01)
Leadership
Mayor	Cllr John Bradshaw, Conservative Since 18 May 2018
Council Leader	Cllr Rob Polhill, Labour Since 21 May 2010
Chief Executive	David Parr Since June 2004
Structure
Seats	56 councillors
Political groups	Administration      Labour (51) Other parties      Conservative (2)      Liberal Democrat (2) Vacant (1)
Joint committees	Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Elections
Voting system	Plurality-at-large
Last election	3 May 2018
Motto
Latin: Industria Navem Implet (Industry fills the ships)
Meeting place
Runcorn Town Hall
Website
www.halton.gov.uk

Halton Borough Council is the local authority for the Borough of Halton. It is a constituent council of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.^[1]

History

Although Halton dates back to the 12th century (and beyond) when land on both sides of the river belonged to the Barony of Halton, the origin of the District Council was the outcome of the local government commission's suggested reforms of England, in 1969, the Redcliffe-Maud Report. This proposed to create metropolitan counties constituted of metropolitan district councils in the most urbanised parts of England. The model was that of the London Boroughs and Greater London Council formed in 1965. Southern Lancashire and northern Cheshire were among these urban areas, and two new metropolitan Counties were to be formed around Liverpool (as Merseyside) and Manchester (as Greater Manchester). However, the towns of Widnes and Runcorn (and the County Borough of Warrington) which lay between these were reluctant to join either. The Commission agreed that Halton and Warrington would become districts within Cheshire, as they would be detached from Lancashire by the two new metropolitan counties controlling the territory to the north.

The district was formally established on 1 April 1974 from Runcorn urban district and part of Runcorn Rural District from Cheshire, and the borough of Widnes and the parish of Hale from the Whiston Rural District in Lancashire. On 1 April 1998 Halton became an independent unitary authority, though it is still served by Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, and forms part of Cheshire for ceremonial purposes, such as the Lord Lieutenancy.

On 1 April 2014 Halton became part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, joining the local authorities of Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens, the five metropolitan district councils which constitute the county of Merseyside. This effectively reverses the position adopted in the 1970s which created it as an anomaly. As a unitary authority its status is similar to the metropolitan district councils.^[2]

Political control

Elections to the council are by thirds. This means that a third of the 56 councillors are elected every year over a four-year cycle (with no elections in the fourth year). Elections are usually held on the first Thursday in May.

Since the creation of the council in 1974, political control of the council has been held by the following parties:^[3][4]

References