The members of the Council are invited to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or any other relevant 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 any disclosable pecuniary and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any matters to be 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 him and the Mayoress in the wide variety of activities that they had undertaken throughout his year of office. In particular, the Mayor thanked the Leader of the Conservative Group and the Leader of the Council for their support; he also expressed special thanks to the staff of Civic and Member Services and the Attendants for their valued assistance, and all those involved in the work of the Mayor’s Charity Fund. He stated how grateful, humble and proud both he and the Mayoress were to have served as Mayor and Mayoress.

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

To elect the Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the municipal year 2013/14.

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

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

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillor Dave Mitchell be elected Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2013/14 municipal year.

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

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev Beth Glover, 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 Phil Davies, seconded by Councillor Gilchrist, and in the absence of any other nominations, it was:

Resolved (41:5) (17 abstentions) – That Councillor Steve Foulkes be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2013/14 municipal year.

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

To agree that, pursuant to the Annual Council procedure (Standing Order 5A), the meeting stand adjourned to 6.15pm on Monday 20 May 2013. 

The Council agreed, without a vote, pursuant to Standing Order 5A (1), that the meeting stand adjourned to 6.15pm on Monday, 20 May 2013.

The members of the Council are invited to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or any other relevant 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 referred to the Homecoming Parade for the Mercian Regiment which would take place on Wednesday 12 June and invited all who were able to join him for this Parade. He also referred to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29 June and invited everyone along to Birkenhead Park to celebrate this day with a picnic.

To receive petitions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 21.

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

(i)  Councillor Kathryn Hodson on behalf of 242 signatories objecting to the Brown Bin Garden waste collection charge.

(ii)  Councillor Brian Kenny on behalf of 1053 signatories requesting an extension to the Alcohol Free Zone in Birkenhead.

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 30 April, 2013.

The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 30 April 2013 had been circulated to Members and, it was –

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

A.  To consider the reports (attached to the original agenda dated 2 May) of the Strategic Director of Transformation and Resources on the following matters:

(i)  Appointment and Constitution of Council Committees for 2013/14.

(ii)  Appointments to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels 2013/14.

(iii)  Appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to Outside Bodies and organisations 2013/14.

(iv)  Revisions to the Committee Calendar for the Municipal Year 2013/14.

(Further revisions have been made to the proposed Committee Calendar and this is attached to the supplement).

B.  To consider a recommendation from the Leader of the Council (made under his strong Leader powers) on the following matter:

• Role and Responsibilities of the Policy and Performance Committee Chairs. (Report attached).

The Council was requested to consider the reports of the Strategic Director of Transformation and Resources 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)  Revisions to the Committee Calendar for the Municipal Year 2013/14.

The Council was also requested to consider a recommendation from the Leader of the Council on the Role and Responsibilities of the Policy and Performance Committee Chairs.

On a motion by Councillor Phil Davies, seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan, it was -

Resolved (unanimously) –

(1) That for the 2013/14 municipal year the total number of Committee places (excluding those on the Cabinet and Constituency Committees) shall be 133 and the places shall be allocated in the following proportions:

(2) That the Chairs of the above Committees be allocated as follows with the Labour Group being allocated the Vice-Chairs of each:

(3)  That the nominations for places on committees be submitted by the respective Political Group Leaders to the Head of Legal and Member Services and be as set out in Appendix A to the minutes of this meeting.

(4)  That the ongoing nominations of Diocesan and Parent Governor representatives on the Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee be noted.

(5)  That the numbers be agreed for each appointment  to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels for the 2013/2014 municipal year, including the proportional split where appropriate, and the nominations be submitted by the respective Political Group Leaders to the Head of Legal and Member Services and be as set out in Appendix B to the minutes of this meeting.

(6)  That the numbers be agreed for each appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to all Outside Bodies for the 2013/2014 municipal year, including the proportional split, where appropriate, and the nominations be submitted by the respective Political Group Leaders (and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.