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.

The Members of the Council were invited to consider whether they had 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. No such declarations were made.

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

The Mayor thanked all those within the Council and throughout the Borough who had supported her and the Mayoress in the wide variety of activities that they had undertaken throughout her year of office and in the work of the Mayor's Charity Fund. In particular, the Mayor thanked the staff of Civic and Member Services and the Attendants for their valued assistance, and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gerry Ellis, for his encouragement and support. All of the Mayor's remarks were warmly endorsed by the whole Council.

At the request of the Mayor, Wirral's Young Poet Laureate, Beth Kady, read a poem composed for the occasion.

To elect the Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the municipal year 2012/13.

The Mayor invited nominations for election of the Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

On a motion moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor P Davies and endorsed by Councillor Harney and, in the absence of any other nominations, it was:

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillor Gerry Ellis be elected Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2012/13 municipal year.

Councillor Ellis made the declaration of acceptance of office required by law, and the retiring Mayor (Councillor McLaughlin) vacated the Chair. Councillor Ellis occupied the Chair.

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev Dr David Chester, then led the Council in prayer after which the Mayor welcomed his guests and spoke to his election.

To appoint the Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor invited nominations for the appointment of a Deputy Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

On a motion moved by Councillor Harney and seconded by Councillor Mrs P M Williams, and in the absence of any other nominations, it was:

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillor Dave Mitchell be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2012/13 municipal year.

Councillor Mitchell made the declaration of acceptance of office required by law.

The Council is requested to consider its representation on the Merseyside Police Authority Appointments Committee (scheduled to meet on 25 May 2012) in the political ratio (2:1:0).

(The ratio in 2011/12 was 1:1:1 and the Party Leaders represented the Council on this committee). 

Further to the Council agenda of 14 May, the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management invited the Council to make three appointments to represent the Authority, on a 2:1:0 basis, on the Merseyside Police Authority Appointments Committee.

On a motion moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor P Davies, it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillors G Davies, McLachlan and Rennie be appointed to represent the Council on the Merseyside Police Authority Appointments Committee.

To agree that, pursuant to the Annual Council procedure (Standing Order 5A), the meeting stand adjourned to 6.15pm on Monday 21 May 2012.  A supplementary Summons will be issued for that meeting with those reports marked ‘to follow’ attached.

The Council agreed, without a vote, pursuant to Standing Order 5A (1), that the meeting stand adjourned to 6.15pm on Monday, 21 May 2012.

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.

The Members of the Council were invited to consider whether they had 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. No such declarations were made.

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

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev Dr David Chester, led the Council in prayer. The Mayor then referred to the Olympic Torch Relay, which was passing through Wirral on 1 June and expressed the hope that Members would attend the event, if it was possible for them to do so.

To receive petitions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 21.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, the Mayor received petitions submitted by –

·  Councillor Denise Realey

A petition containing 246 signatures objecting to an application submitted by Tesco for the Sale of Alcohol

·  Councillor John Salter

A petition containing 220 signatures requesting the provision of public conveniences and baby changing facilities in Central Park, Wallasey

·  Councillor Don McCubbin

A petition containing 56 signatures requesting the provision of Road Safety Measures on the A551 in Barnston, in the vicinity of the WI Hall.

Resolved – That the petitions be noted and referred to the appropriate Chief Officer in accordance with Standing Order 34.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 April, 2012. (To follow)

The minutes of the meeting of the Council meeting held on 16 April 2012, having been circulated to all Members, it was:

Resolved – That the minutes be approved and adopted.

To receive and note the report of the Returning Officer on the results of the Council Election held on 3 May 2012.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management and Returning Officer presented a summary of the results of the Local Government Elections held on 3 May 2012.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

In accordance with article 7.3 (iii) (d) of the Council’s Constitution, the Council is requested to consider the following motion to remove the Leader of the Council -

Proposed by Councillor Steve Foulkes

Seconded by Councillor Brian Kenny

In the light of the recent election results and the clear message sent by the people of Wirral, this Council resolves that:

(i) In accordance with Article 7.3 (iii) (d) of the Constitution, Councillor Jeff Green be removed from the office of Leader of the Council with immediate effect.

(ii) Council elect a new Leader in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5B.

(iii) The Leader of the Labour Group is recommended to be the new Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council was appointed on 13 February 2012 (Council minute 109 refers).

With the agreement of the Mayor, Councillor J Green made a brief statement to the Council. He congratulated the Labour Group on their recent election success and confirmed that he had written to the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to formally resign as Leader of the Council. He offered his support to Councillor Phil Davies, in recognition of the wishes of the people of Wirral and hoped that the new administration would make full use of the skills and abilities of Members in all political groups. Councillor Harney joined with Councillor Green in congratulating the Labour Group on recent election success and also offered his support to Councillor Phil Davies.

In the light of the resignation of Councillor Green, the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management indicated that the motion to remove the Leader, moved in accordance with Article 7.3 of the Constitution, was effectively redundant.

In accordance with Standing Order 5B, it was moved by Councillor Steve Foulkes and seconded by Councillor Brian Kenny –

“That Councillor Phil Davies be appointed as Leader of the Council”

Councillor Davies confirmed that he accepted the nomination and it was:

Resolved (66:0) – That Councillor Phil Davies be appointed as Leader of Wirral Council for the period ending 11 May 2015.

Councillor Phil Davies, having been elected Leader of the Council, gave an acceptance speech and thanked the outgoing Leader, Councillor Jeff Green, for his services to Wirral during his tenure.

Councillor Davies indicated that he would take on the portfolio of Finance, with key responsibility for the Budget. He confirmed the appointment of Councillor Ann McLachlan as Deputy Leader of the Council, who would take on a new portfolio of Improvement and Governance. Councillor George Davies would take on the portfolio of Housing and Community Safety and, in the light of the heavy workload ahead, would also serve as second deputy. The full list of Cabinet appointments were as follows:

Councillor Davies outlined his intention to review and update the detailed responsibilities of each portfolio and also to reallocate the responsibilities currently within the Community and Customer Engagement portfolio. He commented that some responsibilities may be shared between all portfolios, but there would be specific responsibilities; for example, for equalities, for consultation and for Mayoral Services, that would need to be specifically allocated to an individual portfolio. He would also ensure that each portfolio represented, where necessary, new duties as well as established ones to truly reflect the operation of the Council in the coming years. The revised portfolios and any amended titles would be circulated as soon as they were completed.

He confirmed also that the Scheme of Delegation of functions to Officers as far as it related to Executive functions would continue.

In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Davies proposed to establish a Leaders’ Board, to include all three Group Leaders, with a view to bringing much needed stability to the Council. He also set out the key priorities for his administration, which included a need to make rapid progress on the improvement agenda and to make progress on Members’ Training and Development. He confirmed his commitment to the Skills Wirral Programme and indicated his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To consider the reports of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management on the following matters:

(i).  Appointments to Council Committees and the appointment of Chairs and Vice–chairs to such Committees.

(ii).  Appointments to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels.

(iii).  Appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to Outside Bodies and organisations.

(iv).  Political Assistants. (Item Withdrawn)

(v).  Recommendations of the Standards Committee of 16 April, 2012 in relation to:

·  Constitution: Article 9 - Terms of Reference of the Standards Committee (and its Panels) to take effect from 1 July, 2012.

·  Members’ Code of Conduct, to take effect from 1 July, 2012.

(vi).  Acting Chief Executive/Acting Head of Paid Service and Chief Finance Officer

At the date of publication of this Summons, the Chief Executive remains 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 (who is also the Council’s Chief Finance Officer or Section 151 Officer), 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 June 2012, but the next meeting of Council is not until 16 July 2012. In these circumstances, 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 addition, Council’s attention is drawn to the advice of CIPFA that the role of the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) should not normally be combined with the role of the Chief Executive. Accordingly, Council is invited to consider whether to make any arrangements for the performance of the roles of Acting Chief Finance Officer and Acting Deputy Chief Finance Officer during such time as the Director of Finance is performing the roles of Acting Chief Executive and Acting Head of Paid Service.

The Council was requested to consider the reports of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management on the following matters –

(i).  Appointments to Council Committees and the Appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to such Committees.

(ii).  Appointments to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels.

(iii).  Appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to Outside Bodies and Organisations.

(iv).  Recommendations of the Standards Committee held on 16 April 2012 in relation to –

·  Constitution: Article 9 – Terms of Reference of the Standards Committee (and its Panels) to take effect from 1 July 2012.

·  Members’ Code of Conduct – to take effect from 1 July 2012

(v).  Acting Chief Executive/Acting Head of Paid Service and Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer).

On a motion by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, it was:

Resolved (66:0) –

(1)  That for the period up to 1 July 2012 the total number of Committee places (excluding those on the Cabinet and Standards Committee) shall be 123 and the places shall be allocated in the following proportions:

(2)  That, with effect from 1 July 2012, as a result of the new Standards regime, the total number of Committee places for the 2012/2013 Municipal Year (excluding those on the Cabinet but including the Standards Committee) shall be 132 and the places shall be allocated in the following proportions:

(3)  That the Chairs of the above Committees be allocated as follows: