The members of the Council are invited to consider whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

Councillors Mrs K Wood and T Smith declared a personal interest in Motion 1 (The Tory / Lib Dem Coalition is Out of Touch), Motion 2 (An Open and Honest Council), Motion 10 (Police Cuts) and Motion 16 (New Brighton) (see minutes 146, 147, 155 and 161 post) by virtue of their appointment on the Merseyside Police Authority.

Councillors L Rennie, S Niblock and D Roberts declared a personal interest in Motion 1 (The Tory / Lib Dem Coalition is Out of Touch), Motion 2 (An Open and Honest Council) and Motion 16 (New Brighton) (see minutes 146, 147 and 161 post) by virtue of their appointment on the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority.

Councillors D Mitchell, J Green and I Williams declared a personal interest in Motion 1 (The Tory / Lib Dem Coalition is Out of Touch), Motion 2 (An Open and Honest Council), Motion 4 (NHS Privatisation) and Motion 7 (Conflicts of Interest in the NHS) (see minutes 146, 147, 149 and 152 post) by virtue of their appointment on the Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Councillor P Davies declared a personal interest in Motion 1 (The Tory / Lib Dem Coalition is Out of Touch), Motion 2 (An Open and Honest Council), Motion 4 (NHS Privatisation) and Motion 7 (Conflicts of Interest in the NHS) (see minutes 146, 147, 149 and 152 post) by virtue of him being a Non Executive Director of NHS Wirral.

To receive the Mayor's announcements and any apologies for absence.

The Mayor, in presiding over her last full meeting of the Council, thanked all those who had supported her during her year in office. She paid particular thanks to Anna McLaughlin, as Mayoress, her brother Bernard for agreeing to be her chaplain, Councillor Gerry Ellis and his wife, Maggie as Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, the staff in the Mayor’s office, Sue Carroll, Sonia Norman, Alan Unsworth and Nick Greenlees and also all the members of the Mayor’s Charity Committee.

The Mayor also expressed her thanks to Brian Cummings, Ken Harrison, Alex Nuttall and Stella Elliott, the four independent members of the Standards Committee.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Green) paid tribute to the outstanding work carried out during the year by the Mayor and Mayoress and to their contribution to the life of the Borough during their period of office. In particular the excellent links which the Borough continued to forge with the armed forces. The Leaders of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups (Councillors P Davies and Harney) joined with the Leader in supporting his remarks.

The Mayor announced that the recipient of the Andy Day Memorial Award for 2011/12, which was presented annually in memory of a former colleague to confer recognition on a back-bench member of the Council who, in the Mayor's opinion, had demonstrated the qualities of dedication and selflessness possessed by the late councillor, would be Councillor Paul Doughty.

The Mayor expressed her thanks to all Councillors who would be standing for election at the forthcoming local elections. She paid particular tribute to the three Councillors who were not seeking re-election, Councillors Bob Wilkins, Ann Bridson and Kate Wood.

A.  To receive petitions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 21.

B.  Further to minute 107 (13 February 2012) and minute 128 (1 March 2012), the following petition is referred to the Council for consideration in accordance with Standing Order 34 (1) –

A petition of 2653 signatures, submitted by Councillor Pat Glasman in relation to Vascular Services, opposing the plans to merge and move services between the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park Hospitals.

The covering letter and front sheet of the petition is attached and, in accordance with the Petition Scheme, the petition organiser has been invited to address the Council for up to five minutes. The Council should debate the matter for a maximum of 15 minutes before deciding how to respond to the petition.

(A) In accordance with Standing order 21, the Mayor received a petition submitted by Councillor Mrs P M Williams on behalf of 26 signatories requesting access only and residents’ only parking from 240 Woodchurch Road continuing along to 57 Storeton Road, Oxton.

Resolved - That the petition be noted and referred to the appropriate chief officer in accordance with Standing Order 34.

(B) In accordance with the Petition Scheme (when petitions with a threshold of 1500 signatures will trigger a Council debate) the Council received a petition of some 2653 signatures, submitted by Councillor Pat Glasman in relation to Vascular Services, opposing the plans to merge and move services between the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park Hospitals.

Ms Lynette Rose addressed the Council on behalf of the petitioners.

On a motion by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Glasman, and following a debate, it was then

Resolved (65:0) – That,

Council agrees with and wishes to support the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland it it’s primary objective to provide all patients with vascular disease with the lowest possible elective and emergency morbidity and mortality rates in the developed world.

Council further agrees that one of the ways in which this primary objective can be achieved is by the creation and establishment of high volume arterial centres which will provide both elective and emergency arterial vascular surgical care.

Council believes that Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) is ideally suited to become the new arterial centre for the South Mersey region.

Council is concerned that Wirral’s Vascular Surgeons remain opposed to the proposal to site an arterial centre at the Countess of Chester Hospital rather than WUTH.

Council is further concerned that a degree of predetermination has taken place over this matter prior to the consultation events organised following the request of Council’s Health & Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (8th November 2011).

Due to significant public and staff support Council’s view is that WUTH should be the new arterial centre for South Mersey and requests the Leader of the Council to write the Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire Warrington and Wirral and the Chief Executive of WUHT outlining Council’s position so this may be reported into the ongoing consultation process and to the Board meetings of NHS Cheshire Warrington and Wirral (4 July) and NHS Merseyside (17 July).

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1 March 2012 and reconvened on 7 March 2012.

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1 March and reconvened on 7 March, 2012, had been circulated to members and it was –

Resolved – That the minutes be approved and adopted as a correct record.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor J Green, addressed the Council on the following matters –

·  He welcomed Councillor P Davies, in his role as the new leader of the Labour Group. He paid tribute to Councillor Foulkes for his services to the Council in his former role as Leader of the Council.

·  Referring to Cabinet minute 394 (Armed Forces Community Covenant) he thanked those officers in the Technical Services Department for their excellent work in bringing this covenant to fruition and that the Mayor would be the most suitable office holder to be the Council’s Armed Forces Champion.

·  He informed the Council that Jim Wilkie was still unwell and the Council sent him their best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. It would therefore be prudent for the Director of Finance to continue in his position as Interim Deputy Chief Executive for a further 2 months.

·  There was a need for additional senior management capacity and Michael Frater, formerly Chief Executive and Interim Chief Executive at a number of councils had been appointed to provide additional management support.

To consider matters referred to the Council for determination. The relevant minutes are attached; copies of the related reports can be provided for Council members on request.

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1), these matters will be taken as approved except in respect of any to which objections or amendments are submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2).

A.  Corporate Governance Committee – 18 January 2012

Minute 26

Review of Code of Corporate Governance

B.  Cabinet – 15 March 2012

Minute 351

*Nomination of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Municipal Year 2012/2012

*Note: this minute requires approval by the Annual Meeting of the Council.

C.  Cabinet – 29 March 2012

Minute 359

Draft Corporate Plan 2012/2013

NOTE: An objection has been received in respect of C above (Cabinet 29 March 2012 – Minute 359) and in accordance with Standing Order 7 (2) is listed within item 11 ‘Matters for Debate’.

(The minutes in respect of A,B and C above were attached to the original Council Summons dated 4 April 2012)

D.  Cabinet – 12 April 2012

Minute 394

Armed Forces Community Covenant

Minute 409

Parks and Countryside Services Modernisation Project

– Plant and Equipment Capital Investment Programme

Minute 411

Libraries Champion

Minute 416

Environmental Streetscene Services Contract Financial Review

Minute 425

Committee Calendar for 2012/2013

E.  Employment and Appointments Committee – 22 March 2012

Minute 78

Proposed Change to Senior Management Arrangements

F.  Report back from Democracy Working Party

Governance Arrangements

G.  Report of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management

NB The ‘New Standards Regime’ report will be presented to the Annual Meeting of the Council

H.  Acting Chief Executive and Acting Head of Paid Service

At the date of publication of this Summons, the Chief Executive was absent due to illness. During his absence, the roles of Acting Chief Executive and Acting Head of Paid Service have been undertaken by the Director of Finance, in his capacity of Interim Deputy Chief Executive. The term of appointment of the Director of Finance as Interim Deputy Chief Executive expires on 30 April 2012. If appropriate, Council is invited to consider whether to make further arrangements for the performance of the roles of Acting Chief Executive and Acting Head of Paid Service.

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1) a number of matters were submitted for approval by the Council.

One of these matters from the Cabinet on 29 March, 2012, minute 351 (Draft Corporate Plan 2012/13) was submitted for approval but was the subject of an objection. 

On a motion by Councillor J Green and seconded by Councillor L Rennie, it was –

Resolved – That the following matters be approved:

(i)  Minute 26 (Corporate Governance Committee – 18/1/12) - Review of Code of Corporate Governance

(ii)  Minute 351 (Cabinet – 15/3/12) - *Nomination of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Municipal Year 2012/2012

*Note: this minute requires approval by the Annual Meeting of the Council.

(iii)  Minute 394 (Cabinet – 12/4/12) - Armed Forces Community Covenant

(iv)  Minute 409 (Cabinet – 12/4/12) - Parks and Countryside Services Modernisation Project – Plant and Equipment Capital Investment Programme

(v)  Minute 411 (Cabinet – 12/4/12) - Libraries Champion

(vi)  Minute 416 (Cabinet – 12/4/12) - Environmental Streetscene Services Contract Financial Review

(vii)  Minute 425 (Cabinet – 12/4/12) - Committee Calendar for 2012/2013

(viii)  Minute 78 (Employment and Appointments Committee – 22/3/12) - Proposed Change to Senior Management Arrangements

(ix)  Report back from Democracy Working Party - Governance Arrangements

(x)  Acting Chief Executive and Acting Head of Paid Service – That the Director of Finance continue in his role as Acting Chief Executive and Acting Head of Paid Service for a further 2 months from 1 May, 2012.

On a motion by Councillor C Blakeley, duly seconded, it was –

Resolved – That Standing Order 7(8) be applied at the conclusion of the debate on the third motion.

Pursuant to Standing Order 5(2) (n), and in accordance with Standing Order 5(4), to consider written comments, objections or amendments to minutes submitted under Standing Order 7(2), together with those motions, submitted under item 10 above, that the Council agrees to debate at this meeting and any minority reports submitted in accordance with Standing Order 35(4).

The order for debates will be as follows:

1.  Motion:  The Tory/Lib Dem Coalition Is Out of Touch

2.  Motion:  An Open and Honest Council

3.  Motion:  Delivering Services with Empathy, Compassion

  and Common Sense

4.  Motion:  NHS Privatisation

5.  Motion  Council Improvement

6.  Motion  Delivering the Right Conditions for Safer Cycling

7.  Motion  Conflicts of Interest in the NHS

8.  Motion  Welcome to Wirral

9.  Motion  Getting Wirral Trade Centre Ready

10.  Motion  Police Cuts

11.  Motion  Cruelty Free Council

12.  Motion  Income Tax Threshold

13.  Motion  Adult Social Care – The Future

14.  Motion  Local Authority Mortgage Scheme

15.  Motion  Transferring Money from Pensioners to the Rich

16.  Motion  New Brighton

17.  Motion  Digital Inclusion

18.  Objection  Minute 359 (Cabinet – 29 March 2012)

  Draft Corporate Plan 2012/2013

The matters listed for debate in accordance with Standing Order 5(2) (n) were dealt with as indicated in minutes 146 to 163 below.

THE TORY / LIB DEM COALTION IS OUT OF TOUCH

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Steve Foulkes

This Council believes that the Tory/Lib Dem coalition currently in power nationally and locally is out of touch with the views of ordinary people.

Out of Touch on the Economy

In the recent Budget David Cameron prioritised a tax cut for the richest 1% over help for struggling families.

The Budget also included a hidden raid on pensioners. David Cameron’s ‘granny tax’ means nearly 4.5 million pensioners lose an average of £83 a year next April. And people turning 65 next year will lose up to £323.

Council supports Labour’s call for a change of course in favour of adopting a 5-point plan for jobs and growth, which includes a tax on bank bonuses to fund a real jobs guarantee for all young people out of work for a year.

Out of Touch on Police and Fire Services

As a result of Tory/LibDem cuts, in Merseyside 624 police officer posts have been slashed and by 2015 five fire stations could have to close and 150 fire-fighter posts deleted.

Council calls on the Tory/LibDem coalition government to reverse these damaging cuts so that people in Merseyside can feel safe.

Out of Touch on the NHS

The Tory/LibDem coalition is also wasting billions on a damaging NHS reorganisation – opposed by patients, nurses and doctors – that will do nothing for patient care and which David Cameron promised wouldn’t happen.

Instead of wasting billions on a damaging and unnecessary reorganisation, Labour would save the money and protect 6,000 nurses jobs. Labour would put patients first, protect the frontline and support the right kind of reforms needed to address the long-term challenges of the NHS.

Out of Touch on Wirral Council

The Tory/LibDem coalition running Wirral Council has slashed 1200 local authority jobs – more than one-fifth of the workforce. Their budget for 2012/13 will put 135 jobs at risk; offer a one-off election bribe; lead to an automatic rise in the Council Tax next year; and provide less money for Council services.

Labour’s budget proposed a 0% increase in Council Tax; extra jobs for young people; £5 million to invest in savings next year; more appropriate care for the elderly; improving anti-social behaviour services; tackling fly-tipping and improving road safety.

Council believes that on all of these key issues the Tory/LibDem coalition is out of touch and, as a result of these failures, they should be out of office.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Tom Harney

Seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell

Delete title and replace with: “Wirral Labour is Out of Touch”

Delete all text after “This Council believes that the” and replace with:

Labour Party in Wirral is out of touch with the views of ordinary people.

Council notes that, since last May, when Labour took over the running of the Council, their performance was poor, as evidenced by;

·  Their inadequate response to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

Proposed by Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

Council notes that its reputation among staff and taxpayers has been hit by a failure to be open and honest with the people we serve about the problems within the organisation, including two PIDA reports; a Red Flag from the Audit Commission; intervention using the Libraries Act; a damning CQC Report and ongoing weaknesses in corporate governance.

Council believes that all parties must work together to tackle these serious failings and welcomes the work so far that has also:

·  Returned £4 million to the local economy through a cut in Council Tax

·  Helped the over 70s with an additional Council tax reduction

·  Supported services for families including Sure Start

·  Given greater opportunity for local communities to tackle issues in their neighbourhoods

·  Supported our returning veterans

·  Doubled the size of the Dog Fouling Enforcement Team

Council believes that, even in these tough times as the country tackles Labour’s legacy of debt, the needs of the people in the Borough can be met and only by being honest about our past failings can those weaknesses be addressed.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Pat Hackett

Delete all and replace with the following:

An open and honest Council, working together, recognises and acknowledges its joint responsibility for the actions of its elected Members and Senior Officers. In so doing it should not resort to trying to con the Wirral public with illusory financial gains which bear no relation to the impact of the national led Tory-Lib Dem coalition cuts which will hit Wirral families severely.

Council recognises that:

·  A one-off £30 per household cut in Council Tax is totally negated by families in Wirral losing their Working Families Tax Credit of an average of £580 per year

·  Council Tax will increase next year by 0.48%

·  The over 70’s are being hit by tax hikes, fuel and VAT rises whilst millionaires receive tax cuts of £40,000

·  £100 million has been slashed over three years from funds for vital Council services

·  Local residents’ safety is being put at risk through cuts to police and fire services

·  £4m has been cut from the Council’s budget to bribe voters with a one-off Council Tax rebate, using money which was earmarked for protecting services in the future

·  1200 jobs have been axed from the Council, funded by a loan of £4.4m from government to fund redundancy payments and damaging local services

·  £19m has been slashed from services for vulnerable adults

·  The NHS is being carved up and privatised.

Council believes that the climate of austerity, leading the Country into double dip recession and record unemployment is a national disgrace on which the Wirral public will rule at the ballot box shortly.

Following a debate and Councillor Green having replied, the amendment was put and lost (29:36) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:29) (One abstention) –

Council notes that its reputation among  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

Proposed by Councillor Stuart Kelly

Seconded by Councillor Tom Harney

(1)  Council notes the reported catastrophic break down of services designed to support vulnerable people and the ongoing improvement work with the LGA to restore some resemblance of normality back into Wirral Council’s management processes in these areas.

(2)  Council also notes how some departments assess the impact of their outward facing services by using techniques such as mystery shopping and believes this to be a useful tool in understanding our service delivery from the point of view of the customer.

(3)  Council believes that the problems our customers and clients have suffered at the hands of poor council management is often due to a culture that is unable to empathise, show compassion or apply common sense to service decisions affecting the lives of service users.

(4)  Council further notes the recent study by consumer association ‘Which’ into home care services for the elderly and how, as an independent organisation, this study has been able to highlight poor quality and practice in service delivery.

(5)  Council welcomes organisations such as ‘Which’ looking at public services in the same way as other goods and services and subjecting them to the same sorts of tests and believes this is especially important where there is no, or limited, consumer choice - such as with services provided by the Council.

(6)  Council, therefore, resolves that the following actions should be undertaken and requests the Leader to instruct the Chief Executive to prepare an action plan to:

(a)  Ensure service managers and staff in direct contact with service users are sufficiently trained and equipped to provide empathy, compassion and common sense to customers in the delivery of services.

(b)  Take immediate steps to monitor services from the point of view of the customer and to report the findings to future appropriate meetings of the Council and its Committees

(c)  Draw on the experience and expertise of organisations such as ‘Which’ and to approach ‘Which’ to investigate whether they would be interested in undertaking a piece of work to independently assess customer experiences of Wirral Council services.

(d)  Review existing Council policy documents, criteria, and procedures, in consultation with service users and customers, to test their flexibility and ‘customer friendliness’ making improvements, as appropriate.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Anne McArdle

Seconded by Councillor Pat Glasman

Delete all and replace with the following:-

1.  Council accepts that some of our outward service delivery falls below the standards we should be willing to accept and in line with the ongoing work on improving corporate governance we should urgently consider ways to improve our delivery of services so that it is consistently good across all departments.

2.  Council notes that some departments already assess the impact of their customer services by using tried and tested techniques such as mystery shopping and surveys.

3.  Council therefore believes that we should look at these and other models with a view to disseminating and establishing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

Proposed by Councillor Adrian Jones

Seconded by Councillor Pat Glasman

This Council:-

(i)  Expresses its grave concern at the impact on Wirral residents of the Health and Social Care Bill passed recently by Parliament.

(ii)  Notes the extensive opposition from professional bodies representing doctors, nurses and allied health care staff. Their support in delivering any future health care reforms will be crucial and the current absence of that support is a matter of regret and anxiety amongst the public.

(iii)  Recognises that the introduction of a top down structural re-organisation of the NHS at a time that both NHS and the Dept of Adult Social services are working hard to implement integrated patient/carer user services is a distraction and waste of public money which could be put to better use. This undermines both the need for greater clinical cooperation and to find common solutions across health and social care to the enormous financial and demographic challenges we face. In Wirral this is especially crucial given the grave differences in health outcomes and life expectancy across the Borough and the cuts in funding it is currently experiencing.

(iv)  Agrees that the NHS was, and remains, the backbone of dramatically improved health care for millions of UK citizens “from the cradle to the grave”. Recognising, until lately, that it would mean political suicide to dismantle, in pursuance of private health care businesses, what belongs to the whole of the UK people, Tory leaders have paid lip-service to the NHS.

(v)  Notes that in his pre-election promise to the UK people David Cameron publicly declared: “There will be no more top-down reorganisation of the NHS”- shortly before initiating the biggest “top down” reorganisation it has ever faced. The LibDem/Tory collaboration government now seeks to “modernise” the National Health Service backwards by replacing an integrated national “not for profit” service with a chaotic patchwork of localised competitive hospitals and GP consortia motivated by “market forces” dogma.

(vi)  Further notes that the LibDem/Tory government’s decision to dismantle the NHS is fundamentally at odds with the Beveridge principles to which the former Liberal Party contributed so much.

(vii)  Welcomes the LibDem Party’s Spring Conference decision to reject its Parliamentary Party’s collaboration with Tory privatisation plans for the NHS. It is however extremely regrettable that LibDem MPs ignored this and voted with their Tory allies to pass this Bill. Furthermore, the changes to the legislation in its passage through Parliament have resulted in chaotic, inconsistent and incoherent arrangements which are forcing GPs to spend more of their time on management and administration, leading to a less effective Primary Care service.

In the light of the absence of any mandate from the public for these changes and given that the NHS had the highest approval ratings in its history at the time of the last General Election, Council agrees to lobby Wirral MPs to repeal this legislation at the earliest opportunity.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Ann  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149.

Proposed by Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

Council welcomes the support of the Local Government Association (LGA) and the creation of the LGA Wirral Improvement Board.

Council notes the Improvement Board is a partnership between Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council and the Local Government Association which will provide oversight, support and challenge to Wirral’s improvement.

Council welcomes the Board’s aims in supporting the Council to:

·  Demonstrate its ambitions for its local communities

·  Drive forward its plans for improvement in corporate governance and services in a timely way

·  Prioritise what is most important

·  Create the capacity and plans to embed lasting improvements and culture change

·  Deliver improved services within realistic spending constraints

Council welcomes the Improvement Board’s role to:

·  Provide support and guidance

·  Identify and signpost appropriate good practice

·  Provide challenge and act as a critical friend

·  Ensure the contributions from different external agencies/bodies to Wirral’s improvement journey are coordinated

·  Ensure there is a single, integrated and holistic improvement plan that can be clearly understood and communicated internally and externally

·  Endorse decisions which impact on political and managerial leadership arrangements, corporate governance and improvement in advance of them going through Wirral’s own decision-making structures, eg. Cabinet or Council.

Council further notes that attendees of the LGA Wirral Improvement Board will include the Council Leader and Leaders of the other two main political parties.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan

Add the following at end of motion:-

‘Council is disappointed that the Leader of the Council called an additional Cabinet meeting on the 29^th March during purdah and failed to publish the papers until a few hours before the meeting commenced. In addition, the Cabinet meeting of the 12^th April had an agenda of 53 items, many of which were blatant electioneering by the Tory/LibDem coalition during purdah. A number of items included contentious restructuring proposals which had not been endorsed by the LGA/Wirral Improvement Board.

Council believes that these actions represent extremely poor corporate governance and calls on the Leader of the Council to start taking the improvement agenda seriously and spend less time playing party politics and undermining the standing of the Council.

Council also believes that the Improvement Board will be best served by including the Deputy Leader of the Council in its membership, as per the original terms of reference as agreed with the LGA, as a vital component in driving forward improvements at the decision making level.’

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and lost (29:36) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:29) (One abstention) –

Council welcomes the support of the Local Government Association (LGA) and the creation of the LGA Wirral Improvement Board.

Council notes the Improvement Board is a partnership between Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council and the Local Government Association which will provide oversight, support and challenge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150.

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Alan Brighouse

(1)  This Council recognises the commitment of successive Governments to encourage the use of bicycles and that cycling is an extremely efficient form of transport which is good for health and the environment.

(2)  Council is concerned, however, that the number of cyclists killed on Britain’s road this year had risen to eighteen by the third week in March, and is grateful that these individual tragedies have been highlighted by The Times and other newspapers, taking important and welcome steps to raise awareness of the dangers facing cyclists as road users and the steps that can be taken to improve safety and cycling conditions.

(3)  Council welcomes:

(a)  the Cycling Strategy adopted by Cabinet, drawing together various funding streams, to improve safety at key locations throughout Wirral

(b)  the close working relationship with the Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority to secure cycle training for all age groups and the funding of Bikeability training by the Government

(c)  the longstanding contribution that the work of the members of Wirral’s Cycle Forum in progressing local schemes that benefit cyclists in Wirral.

(4)  Council recognises that the highways maintenance budgets include a programme of road repairs and funding to react to potholes and hazards as they are identified.

(5)  Council also welcomes the additional funding made available to Area Forums to respond to and target local problems and priorities.

(6)  Notwithstanding these provisions and the guidance on tackling ‘actionable defects’ Council recognises that:

(i).  potholes represent an especial hazard to cyclists who have to avoid them

(ii).  the area of highway used by cyclists adjacent to road edges and kerbs always needs to be examined with the needs of cyclists in mind.

(7)  Accordingly, Council requests that Wirral’s engineers and highway inspectors routinely bear these factors in mind when carrying out their inspections and develop guidelines which fully recognise these issues.

(8)  Further, Council urges the Cycle Forum to examine the measures proposed in the Times' cyclist manifesto, alongside local evidence about what improvements could be made to improve safety, and to make recommendations to Cabinet (or other such committee as appropriate) about further appropriate measures or actions that could be taken in Wirral to improve safety and cycling conditions.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Wendy Clements

Seconded by Councillor Paul Hayes

Add in after paragraph 8

(9)  Council further welcomes the report considered by Cabinet at its meeting of 12th April 2012 ‘20MPH speed limits in residential areas’ and believes adoption of the recommendations contained within that report will further assist in delivering the right conditions for safer cycling.

(10)  In order to facilitate the implementation of 20MPH speed limits in Wirral’s residential areas Council requests:

(a)  that the Deputy Director of Technical Services ensures a relevant Council Officer attends the 3^rd ‘20’s Plenty For Us Annual Conference’ on 1^st May 2012 and that Rod King, Director of the 20s Plenty Campaign Group be invited  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

Proposed by Councillor Darren Dodd

Seconded by Councillor Anne McArdle

That Council condemns the Government’s decision to force through the Health and Social Care Bill despite not having the support of Doctors and Nurses on the front line and ignoring the 170,000 people who signed a petition urging the Government to ‘Drop the Bill’.

Council further notes that the Bill has no safeguards against conflicts of interests despite GP leaders calling for them. This refusal will erode the trust between Doctors and Patients as GPs are forced to decide between the best interest of their patients and the interests of the Commissioning Groups purse. This refusal also allows GPs to set up their own services and commission themselves.

Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to urgently seek assurances from the three Clinical Commissioning Groups in Wirral that no Commissioning Group Members sit on the Board of, or have a financial interest in, a Health Care Provider from whom they are commissioning services.

Council believes that this is necessary to assure patients in Wirral that they are getting medical advice based on medical need and not financial interest.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Ann Bridson

Delete first three paragraphs and replace with:

Council believes that implementation of the Health and Social Care Act will require robust safeguards against conflicts of interest. Council notes that the General Practice Committee of the BMA and the Royal College of General Practice is drawing up guidelines on conflict of interest to guard against damage to GP reputations.

Council notes the governance arrangements for consortia will require all consortia to have a constitution that sets out how the consortium makes decisions, how it deals with conflicts of interest and how it ensures effective participation of all its members.

Council also notes that the Lib Dem Spring Conference called for the continued separation of the commissioning and provision of services to prevent conflicts of interests between GPs as providers and purchasers.

Recent press coverage has also highlighted concerns over GPs shares in private healthcare firms and warned that this could diminish patient trust and lead to more NHS services being run by private operators.

Council agrees that it is really important that GP consortia operate above reproach and suspicion, by ensuring tough mechanisms - consistent with the Nolan principles used elsewhere in public life - are put in place to avoid problems. This should include a requirement for clinicians to declare and publish potential conflicts of interest and for Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure transparency and integrity of their decision making.

Therefore, Council urges the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board to give consideration to the issues of governance, transparency, conflict of interest and non-executive oversight.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

The substantive motion was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:29) (One abstention)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152.

Proposed by Councillor Sue Taylor

Seconded by Councillor John Hale

Council believes that Wirral’s natural heritage and close proximity to other tourist destinations offers great opportunities to attract additional visitors to the Borough, from the North West and further beyond.

Council also welcomes the commitment to invest £2.4 million in two of our main tourist destinations at New Brighton and Hoylake. Both have a long history of proving to be attractive to tourists in the past and Council believes they can become so again.

Council instructs officers to invest the £2.4 million to improve the public realm and main access routes to these destinations. Council further believes that the significant private sector investment in New Brighton, led by Neptune, and the attraction of the ‘Open’ returning to Hoylake will be enhanced by improvements to the public realm and will be welcomed by visitors and residents alike.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

Resolved (65:0) (One abstention) – That the motion be approved.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Johnston

Seconded by Councillor Pat Williams

(1)  Council recognises that all political parties have consistently worked in true political partnership to support the Wirral Waters project. This unified approached has assisted Peel in the development of this project and helped to attract significant and further potential Chinese and other investors.

(2)  Council also recognises the outstanding input from key Officers to ensure that Wirral is presenting itself as a highly attractive investment partner and destination.

(3)  Council is encouraged to see that Peel have secured and match funded £1.3 million of Government funds to start preparing the ITC site, with land remediation works already underway, and that recent visits by delegations from China were highly successful in presenting the Trade Centre site as an attractive location for potential tenants, with a further delegation expected in April.

(4)  Council now calls for work to “prepare the ground” for Wirral to be Trade Centre Ready, so that Wirral and its residents and businesses are in the best possible position to embrace all the potential business opportunities that will come and that we can offer the best possible support to businesses and investors that come here, to ensure the ITC is a long term success.

(5)  Work needs to be undertaken to ensure Wirral is ready, particularly in the following areas:

(i).  Trade, export, marketing and inward investment

(ii).  Employment and skills

(iii).  Education, including languages and training

(iv).  Culture and development of longer terms links with China, Korea, India and other countries likely to develop significant future business links with Wirral.

(6)  Council therefore calls on the three Parties to agree membership for a 1:1:1 Member Working Party, reporting to the Economy and Regeneration OSC. This Working Party will scope a project leading to recommendations to ensure this Council and its partners are Trade Centre Ready and able to embrace all opportunities for development through its growing links with China and other countries and that potential barriers to businesses and investors are identified and recommendations made as to how these can be overcome.

(7)  Council requests that the Working Party completes this work in time to enable any recommendations to be implemented before the ITC is built and opens for business and so that recommendations have enough time to be considered for the setting of 2013/14 budget, as appropriate.

(8)  Council also requests that the first meeting of the Working Party receive a report updating on progress in relation to paragraph 3 of the previous Notice of Motion on this topic (Minute 53, 17 October 2012 Council refers).

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

Resolved (65:0) (One abstention) – That the motion be approved.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Smith

Seconded by Councillor George Davies

This Council deplores the fact that more than 16,000 police officers in England and Wales are to be cut over the next four years. These job losses would be a consequence of cutting the police budget by a fifth by 2014-15. Far from protecting frontline policing as David Cameron promised at the last election there will be 16,000 fewer police officers fighting crime, solving serious cases, or keeping our country safe. Cutting so fast and so deep into police budgets is crazy. It is completely out of touch with communities across the country, who want to keep bobbies on the beat.

On Merseyside, the Comprehensive Spending Review announced in 2010 presented Merseyside Police Authority with two very significant financial challenges, the estimated requirement  of £61.4m of revenue savings over the review period 2011/12 to 2014/15 and the front loading of the savings requiring £38.5m to be saved over the initial two year period. By the end of 2012/13 it is anticipated that the Force will have lost 624 Police Officers posts, and 178 Police Staff posts.

On Merseyside the police performance, between 2006-2011, showed 50% reduction in anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime down by 55%, household burglary down by 28%, robbery by 39% and all crime by 30%. In January, figures from the British Crime Survey showed that personal crime, including theft, robbery and violence, had gone up by 11% over the last year, the steepest increase for more than a decade.

Council condemns the depth of these cuts, and believes that without the officers to carry out foot patrols, the coalition’s aims on policing cannot be realised.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The motion was put and lost (29:36) (One abstention).

Proposed by Councillor Lesley Rennie

Seconded by Councillor Ian Lewis

Council welcomes the commitment by the Coalition to ban the use of animals to test household products.

Council supports the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in their campaigning to end animal experiments by purchasing, for use in all buildings for which Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council is directly responsible for cleaning, only cleaning products which have been certified as not tested on animals under the Humane Standards.

Where cleaning is conducted on behalf of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council by an outside contractor, this condition will be added to the next tender specification when it is published.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Adrian Jones

Seconded by Councillor Harry Smith

Add the following paragraph:

Council further calls on the Coalition Government to introduce legislation to once and for all make illegal the pursuit of wild animals “… the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable…” with dog packs, including the thinly veiled practice of chasing a “scent” such that foxes in particular just “happen” to be torn apart by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (65:0) (One abstention)

The substantive motion was put and carried (63:2) (One abstention)

Resolved (63:2) (One abstention)

Council welcomes the commitment by the Coalition to ban the use of animals to test household products.

Council supports the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in their campaigning to end animal experiments by purchasing, for use in all buildings for which Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council is directly responsible for cleaning, only cleaning products which have been certified as not tested on animals under the Humane Standards.

Where cleaning is conducted on behalf of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council by an outside contractor, this condition will be added to the next tender specification when it is published.

Council further calls on the Coalition Government to introduce legislation to once and for all make illegal the pursuit of wild animals “… the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable…” with dog packs, including the thinly veiled practice of chasing a “scent” such that foxes in particular just “happen” to be torn apart by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

Proposed by Councillor Tom Harney

Seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell

(1)  This Council notes:

(a)  The Government plan to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000, so that the first £10,000 people earn will be tax-free.

(b)  That a recent opinion poll conducted by ComRes in February 2012 shows that a majority of people clearly support this policy, promoted by the Liberal Democrats in Government.

(c)  That, last April, the raising of the income tax threshold meant 800,000 people on low incomes now do not have to pay any income tax at all and that working people were also given a £200 tax cut; and that this year a further cut is planned so a further 1.1 million people on low incomes will not pay any income tax at all.

(d)  The recent open letter to the Chancellor signed by Liberal Democrat Group Leaders around the country, including Wirral, urging George Osborne to make helping those on low and middle incomes a priority in the Government’s Budget by speeding up the raising of the income tax threshold.

(e)  The announcement in the Budget 2012 that from next year, the Income Tax threshold will be raised further, ensuring that no one pays any income tax on the first £9,200 they earn.

(2)  Council believes that raising the income tax threshold will have a clear impact on improving the lives of lower paid people in Wirral and those on benefits seeking work.

(3)  Therefore, Council welcomes this measure to speed up the raising of the tax threshold and notes that, in Wirral, 9,880 people will have been lifted out of paying income tax altogether by 2013 and 103,400 will receive an income tax cut.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Adrian Jones

Seconded by Councillor Anne McArdle

Delete all and replace with:

1.  This Council notes:

(a)  The 2012 Budget was an ordinary budget for extraordinary times. Since his first ‘emergency’ budget in June 2010 George Osborne has consistently promised steady and sustained economic recovery with low inflation and falling unemployment. He has failed on both counts. This country needed a budget that would make jobs a priority, particularly for young people. Instead the Collaboration of LibDems and Tories has delivered a ‘Sheriff of Nottingham’ budget for the rich by the rich. Despite publicly declaring that he found tax avoidance “morally repugnant” the Chancellor has rewarded legal tax avoidance by cutting income tax for the richest one per cent, with precious little relief for hard pressed families on low and middle incomes. Treasury figures show that those on low and middle incomes will do worse than those on higher incomes in tax measures that seem more designed to keep the ConDem Collaboration together than for the good of the UK People.

(b)  Whilst referring misleadingly to apparent tax reductions for those on low incomes, the net effect of the Collaboration Government’s measures will be that families are likely, through the loss of other benefits, to lose  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

Proposed by Councillor Anne McArdle

Seconded by Councillor Pat Glasman

1.  That this Council accepts that the changing demographic pattern of the Wirral will mean a high percentage increase in the older population and that this factor will place even greater demands on health and social care services over the next decade.

2.  It is therefore of paramount importance that this Council begins a mature and considered debate as to how these services can be best provided in a climate of ever decreasing funding from central government. This debate should be cross party and include all stakeholder organisations so that future policy decisions are made on evidenced based strategic need – not political expediency.

3.  The passing of the Health and Social Care Bill and the inevitable march towards private provision for health and social care will mean that multi-national businesses such as Virgin Care will be reluctant to provide for those with long-term chronic conditions that are often a characteristic of the older population. In Wirral we must fight against this threat.

4.  It is with these priorities in mind that the need for an effective and efficient Adult Social Services Department becomes paramount. Council acknowledges the big improvements that have been made in Adult Social Services and congratulates all staff on a very positive Self-Evaluation exercise which was completed in December 2012. This report has provided an excellent milestone in the work towards the peer review due to be undertaken later this year.

5.  It is time to move forward so that constructive energies and scarce resources are channelled appropriately and not over –focussed on the errors of the past.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Simon Mountney

Seconded by Councillor Cherry Povall

Delete all after paragraph 1 and insert:

2.  This Council recognises the dedication and determination shown by the staff working within the Department of Adult Social Services. Their efforts, professionalism and flexibility are the cornerstone of the provision of service as we move forward.

3.  This Council has now had the opportunity to investigate the “Martin Morton” affair and the 4 week delay policy along with other ongoing issues within DASS. The findings thus far indicate that issues exist within the management teams at all senior levels and that the standard of leadership expected and required by this Council has been lacking in certain areas.

4.  There of course should always be a culture of moving provision on and upwards but this must be managed against the background of learning all the lessons from our mistakes. It appears that some management have yet to embrace this culture of learning and inclusion. Council would find it useful and interesting to see the raw returns from the recent self evaluation exercise so council could assess these findings against the subsequent report.

5.  This Council does not wish to dwell or focus on the past to the detriment of service provision as we all move forward together. However, Council does wish to learn  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Johnston

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Kelly

1.  Council notes recent announcements intended to help first time buyers onto the housing ladder through such schemes as:

(a)  Increasing the Right to Buy discount

(b)  The introduction of the NewBuy Scheme to enable first time buyers of new build properties to access 95% loan to value mortgages.

2.  Council agrees that these schemes have the potential to support housing markets in areas at risk of housing market failure, stimulating the local housing market and benefiting the wider local economy

3.  However, Council also notes that these schemes are aimed at social rented and new build properties only and that more needs to be done to support at risk housing markets in Wirral by supporting first time buyers to purchase from existing private stock in the Borough.

4.  Council is reminded that the ‘Lend a Hand’ local authority mortgage scheme exists precisely for this purpose, is aimed at first time buyers finding it difficult to raise the 20-25% deposit needed to obtain an affordable mortgage interest rate and is now being run in 22 local authorities around the country, with a further 200 expressing an interest.

5.  The NW authorities that piloted this scheme each pledged £5 million to ‘underwrite’ part of the mortgage for first time buyers, by loaning applicants up to 20% of a first time buyer’s mortgage, by lodging the funds with the lender. Council notes that interest is paid on the money pledged at a rate of 4.2%. Council also notes that, based on current repossession rates (according to The Council of Mortgage Lenders), the risk to local authorities is around 0.3 per cent – or £3,000 for every £1 million invested.

6.  Council is further reminded that the Director of Finance has previously been asked to prepare a report reviewing the impact of the ‘Lend a Hand’ local authority mortgage scheme (Minute 118, 18 April 2011 Council) and that the Director of Regeneration has already presented a report to Economy and Regeneration OSC, setting out the minimal risks of default associated with such a scheme (Minute 50, 8 March 2012 Economy and Regeneration OSC).

7.  Therefore, in line with the recommendations of the Economy and Regeneration OSC, Council welcomes the April report to Cabinet and the ongoing discussions on the establishment of a Local Authority Mortgage Scheme to assist first time buyers in Wirral, taking on board lessons learned from pilot areas. Council urges the development of options outlining how this and other schemes could be implemented in Wirral, identifying the funds that would need to be made available, both for investment and as a reasonable provision to mitigate against the risks of repossession.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

Resolved (65:0) (One abstention) – That the motion be approved.

TRANSFERRING MONEY FROM PENSIONERS TO THE RICH

Proposed by Councillor Ann McLachlan

Seconded by Councillor Jean Stapleton

Council calls on the collaboration government of Tories and LibDems to apologise to the UK public for its “Sheriff of Nottingham” budget policy of transferring money from pensioners to the rich.

Council believes the best message it can give to the Government is that it has demonstrated its unfitness to remain in office and should resign.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Bob Wilkins

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Kelly

Delete title and replace with: “Fairer Deal for Pensioners”

Delete all text after ‘Council’ and replace with:

welcomes the biggest ever cash rise in the basic state pension in history to support our pensioners whilst the country experiences difficult economic times, along with a guaranteed basic state pension of at least £140 a week for pensioners in the future.

Council recognises that the substantial rise in the basic state pension is thanks to the implementation of the Liberal Democrats ‘Triple Lock’ pension mechanism to ensure that each year; pensions will rise in line with prices, earnings or 2.5% - whichever is highest.

Council notes that this means that, over the last two years, the state pension has risen by around £10 per week (£4.50 per week last year and £5.30 per week from April this year).

This Council is pleased to note that never again will pensioners suffer the insult of a measly 75p a week rise, inflicted under the previous Labour Government by Gordon Brown, who failed in their 13 years in power to provide a fairer deal for pensioners.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

The substantive motion was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:29) (One abstention) –

Council welcomes the biggest ever cash rise in the basic state pension in history to support our pensioners whilst the country experiences difficult economic times, along with a guaranteed basic state pension of at least £140 a week for pensioners in the future.

Council recognises that the substantial rise in the basic state pension is thanks to the implementation of the Liberal Democrats ‘Triple Lock’ pension mechanism to ensure that each year; pensions will rise in line with prices, earnings or 2.5% - whichever is highest.

Council notes that this means that, over the last two years, the state pension has risen by around £10 per week (£4.50 per week last year and £5.30 per week from April this year).

This Council is pleased to note that never again will pensioners suffer the insult of a measly 75p a week rise, inflicted under the previous Labour Government by Gordon Brown, who failed in their 13 years in power to provide a fairer deal for pensioners.

Proposed by Councillor Pat Glasman

Seconded by Councillor Pat Hackett

1.  This Council recognises the support and assistance from our local Merseyside Police, Fire and Health services in Wirral’s seaside towns during the busy summer period.

2.  It is pleased to welcome the ‘Operation Beachsafe’ initiative back to Hoylake this year and as a new response to the New Brighton promenade and shore area. This is a much needed support to the Beach Patrol staff and the RNLI.

3.  As the remaining units on the Marine Point development open, it is entirely likely that visitor numbers will increase in New Brighton. Marketing policy is intended to advertise the town as a year round day and night time resort, encouraging visitors to stay for long periods.

4.  This Council would welcome further discussions and collaboration between Council Departmental staff and our Police, Fire and Health services to introduce year round town strategies to meet the needs of a town in transition with the potential to bring long term, sustainable business and prosperity to the area.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

Resolved (65:0) (One abstention) – That the motion be approved.

Proposed by Councillor Brian Kenny

Seconded by Councillor Jim Crabtree

This Council notes:

·  That a high proportion of Wirral residents are ‘digitally excluded’ i.e. do not have access to the internet;

·  That digital exclusion correlates closely to social and financial exclusion – those without IT skills find it harder to access education and employment opportunities, and miss out on opportunities to save money by accessing goods and services online;

·  That 30million people in the UK use the internet daily – but nearly 10 million never do, and

·  That Race Online 2012 is a national campaign to get everyone online by the end of the Olympic year (hence the ‘race’).

Council resolves to:

1.  Ask elected members to sign up as ‘Digital Champions’ to commit to helping others get online, which is a major part of this campaign – this can be done quickly at www.raceonline2012.org/giveanhour

2.  Ask the Acting Chief Executive to report to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity on developing a Digital Inclusion Plan for Wirral which would harness the resources of the Council and its partners; and

3.  Consider holding an event during Adult Learners Week (commencing the 14^th May) to highlight this issue and make practical suggestions as to how all Wirral residents can gain access to the internet with particular regard to finding out about education and employment opportunities.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Don McCubbin

Seconded by Councillor Mike Hornby

Add the following additional bullet points in before “Council resolves to”

·  Welcomes and supports the Coalition Government’s initiative appointing Martha Lane Fox as the UK Government’s Digital Champion in which capacity she founded the Race on Line 2012 campaign.

·  Notes the progress being made in Wirral bringing together One Stop Shops and Libraries into one information service. Along with the provision of free Wi Fi at all sites, and the introduction of an E Book service on the Library Web Site all possible as a result of two consecutive Conservative led budgets bringing an additional £340,000 of new investment into our Library Service.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

The substantive motion was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:29) (One abstention) –

This Council notes:

·  That a high proportion of Wirral residents are ‘digitally excluded’ i.e. do not have access to the internet;

·  That digital exclusion correlates closely to social and financial exclusion – those without IT skills find it harder to access education and employment opportunities, and miss out on opportunities to save money by accessing goods and services online;

·  That 30million people in the UK use the internet daily – but nearly 10 million never do, and

·  That Race Online 2012 is a national campaign to get everyone online by the end of the Olympic year (hence the ‘race’).

·  Welcomes and supports the Coalition Government’s initiative appointing Martha Lane Fox as the UK Government’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Adrian Jones

In the light of the fact that the Draft Corporate Plan 2012/2013 was not published until the afternoon of the Cabinet meeting of the 29^th March, and given that it has not yet been endorsed by the Improvement Board, this item should be deferred until a future meeting of full Council.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

Resolved (29:36) (One abstention) – That the objection be not approved.

To receive nominations, in accordance with Standing Order 25(6), in respect of any proposed changes in the membership of the Cabinet and committees, and to approve nominations for appointments to outside organisations.

The Council was requested to deal with the following appointments:

Outside Bodies

Social Care and Inclusion

1. The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Councillor Mike Hornby to replace Councillor Cherry Povall with effect from 30 April 2012.

Regeneration and Planning Strategy

2. Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership – Director

Leader of the Council, Councillor Jeff Green

3. Chrysalis (General Partner) Limited – Director

Leader of the Council, Councillor Jeff Green

In respect of 1. it was moved by Councillor Green and seconded by Councillor Rennie, that –

‘Councillor Mike Hornby to replace Councillor Cherry Povall with effect from 30 April 2012.’

It was moved by Councillor Davies and seconded by Councillor Foulkes, that -

‘Councillor Pat Glasman to replace Councillor Cherry Povall with effect from 30 April 2012.’

Councillor Davies’ motion was put and it was carried (30:29) (7 abstentions).

Resolved –

(1) (30:29) (7 abstentions) – That Councillor Pat Glasman replaces Councillor Cherry Povall with effect from 30 April 2012 on the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust.

(2) That the appointments in respect of 2 and 3 be approved.