Proposed by Councillor Ann McLachlan

Seconded by Councillor Phil Davies

(1)  Council welcomes the decision by the Improvement Board at its meeting held on 29th November, that Wirral has now reached a position where we can manage our own improvement process. 

(2)  We are proud of what has been the quickest improvement of any Council in the country. However we recognise that there is still a great deal left to do and we are not complacent. 

(3)  We remain committed to working with all Councillors, staff, partners and residents to continue our Improvement Journey towards becoming the outstanding Council we aspire to be. 

(4)  Council would want to thank all employees of the Authority who have contributed to the enormous amount of work involved in addressing the priority areas set by the Board and who are now diligently working to continue our progress towards a transformed Authority. Further, that all elected Members will continue to be fully engaged via the Policy and Performance Committees and future Visioning events.

(5)  Council would like to record our thanks to Joyce Redfearn, Chair of the Improvement Board and other Members of the Board for the hard work, commitment and support that they have provided over the past twenty months.

An amendment which had been circulated in advance of the meeting was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Pat Williams

“Delete paragraph (2) and replace with:

We note the improvements that have been achieved. However, we recognise that there is still a great deal left to do and we are not complacent. The Improvement Board remained of the view that ‘there is still significant risk going forward’ (para 198) and that their Chair was clear that the Council…must now maintain this momentum and focus on making continued improvements.”.

In particular, paragraph 166 of the Report stated that “embedding the culture is vitally important” and that the Board felt “There is still a residual sense that some members are unwilling to embrace change.”

Delete from paragraph 4:

‘Further, that all elected Members will continue to be fully engaged via the Policy and Performance Committees and future Visioning events.’

Insert new paragraph (5):

It is important that Members, regardless of their status, experience or party, are enabled to influence decisions and develop policy in a way that works to the benefit of the people of Wirral. This must include timely access to information, the distribution of supporting papers in good time and structures that ensure sufficient opportunity for discussion and debate.

Renumber original para (5) as para (6).”

It was then agreed that Standing Order 9 be suspended and only the movers and seconders of the first motion be invited to speak prior to the remaining business being disposed of by being formally moved and seconded and put to the vote.

The Mayor then requested the movers of the motion and amendment to speak to their proposals followed by the seconders. Councillor McLachlan having waived her right of reply, the amendment was then put and lost (26:37) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (37:26) (One abstention).

Resolved (37:26) (One abstention) -

(1)  Council welcomes the decision by the Improvement Board at its meeting held on 29th November, that Wirral has now reached a position where we can manage our own improvement process. 

(2)  We are proud of what has been the quickest improvement of any Council in the country. However we recognise that there is still a great deal left to do and we are not complacent. 

(3)  We remain committed to working with all Councillors, staff, partners and residents to continue our Improvement Journey towards becoming the outstanding Council we aspire to be. 

(4)  Council would want to thank all employees of the Authority who have contributed to the enormous amount of work involved in addressing the priority areas set by the Board and who are now diligently working to continue our progress towards a transformed Authority. Further, that all elected Members will continue to be fully engaged via the Policy and Performance Committees and future Visioning events.

(5)  Council would like to record our thanks to Joyce Redfearn, Chair of the Improvement Board and other Members of the Board for the hard work, commitment and support that they have provided over the past twenty months.