The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive, which indicated that on 16 September 2013, the Council published a series of budget options for consultation, as it sought to make savings of £27.5 million in 2014/15.

The Chief Executive introduced the report which highlighted the options which had been subject to comprehensive consultation with residents, Elected Members, Trade Unions, staff, partners, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders.The report presented the feedback from those consultations for consideration.

The budget options for the individual departments along with the budget consultation demographic and geographical data and the feedback from the Policy and Performance Committee were attached as appendices to the report.

Councillor P.Davies thanked the members of the public, staff, partners and local businesses and groups who took part in the survey which had been used to shape the options going forward. He further thanked the Head of Neighbourhoods and Engagement and her team for all their work in co-ordinating the consultation process.

Councillor P. Davies invited Alan Small, Unite Union to address the Cabinet on its Budget proposals.

Mr Small speaking for members of Unite Union informed the Cabinet that they felt that the questions contained within the surveys were misleading.

In relation to the proposals relating to the CCTV control room, feedback from staff was that those redundancies had already been earmarked and that this was a foregone conclusion.

Mr Small referred to the option relating to parks and beach maintenance and felt this was totally unacceptable given that a reduction in services would mean beauty spots would be ruined and considering that the Wirral would be hosting the Open in Hoylake in 2014, attracting many tourists and visitors to the Borough this may have a detrimental effect.

Councillor P. Davies invited Phil Goodwin, Unison Branch Secretary to address the Cabinet on its Budget proposals.

Mr Goodwin on behalf of Members of Unison, endorsed the comments made by Mr Small in relation to the options regarding the CCTV Control Room and the Beaches and Parks.

Mr Goodwin indicated that on behalf of staff, the Union was worried about the large scale compulsory redundancies these savings would make and asked the Cabinet to reconsider.

He asked the Cabinet to choose an uncapped scheme with a multiplier to enable those who wished to leave the Council may do so under a better scheme. He urged cabinet to retain the 1.8%.

In relation to the severance deal, their view was that this should be retained longer than the agreed period.

He urged the Cabinet to consider the hard working workforce and their families and indicated that staff had already taken on board huge cuts.

Councillor P.Davies thanked both Mr Small and Mr Goodwin and at this point circulated the following revised recommendations for the Cabinet’s consideration.

National Context

Last year, we made some extremely difficult decisions in order to set a legal budget. This year, due to continuing huge, disproportionate and unfair cuts from the Tory-led government, we are in the same position  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115