To receive the written reports of the Leader and Cabinet Members and receive questions and answers on any of those reports in accordance with Standing Orders 10(2)(a) and 11.

Also attached is the Strategic Director of Transformation and Resources’ Scrutiny Annual Report 2013/14.

The Leader of the Council presented his summary report upon matters relevant to his portfolio. He responded to questions from Councillors Green, Blakeley and Stapleton and made a number of comments including –

·  It was a privilege to be confirmed as Chair of the Combined Authority and he was pleased that all the Leaders of the Merseyside authorities were working in harmony.

·  He welcomed the additional City Region funding which would be used for a whole range of projects including improving access to the region with a freight and logistics hub on the SuperPort.

·  A City Region Investment Fund would be created.

·  He could not agree that the economy was booming, improvements were being seen in the south of England and London, there was still record youth unemployment in the region.

·  He agreed that more stations were needed in the region and not just at Town Lane, Moreton. The Chief Executive of Merseytravel had informed a recent meeting of the Combined Authority that a transport plan to improve public transport across the region included proposals a number of new stations.

Questions were then invited for Councillor Ann McLachlan on her Governance, Commissioning and Improvement Portfolio Report and responses to a question from Councillor Chris Blakeley included the following comments:

·  The Freedom of Information Scrutiny Review was a commendable piece of work which had made some important recommendations including having dedicated officer champions in each department.

·  All FoI requests should be dealt with in a timely manner and it was not acceptable for any Members to have to probe to get information.

Questions were then invited for Councillor George Davies on the Neighbourhoods, Housing and Engagement Portfolio Report and his responses to questions from Councillors Tom Anderson, Stuart Kelly and Matt Daniel included the following comments:

·  There was a need to improve poor housing through the Healthy Homes project as the cost of not improving properties would be borne by the health service in treating vulnerable residents.

·  Healthy Homes should be a main priority and he would be endeavouring to get more funding for this project.

·  In respect of selective licensing for private landlords, officers had been involved in developing a business case following Department for Communities and Local Government guidance. An evidence base was now nearing completion with the Public Health intelligence team helping with data analysis. Recommendations for key areas were being finalised and these would be put to Cabinet before going out to full consultation.

Questions were invited for Councillor Pat Hackett on his Economy Portfolio Report and responses to questions from Councillors Rob Gregson and Andrew Hodson included the following comments:

·  He expanded upon the work of the Mersey Dee Alliance and the work of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board in facilitating cross border growth.

·  Two of its main priorities were the upgrade of the Bidston – Wrexham Borderlands link and the re-opening of the Halton Curve, a direct rail link between North Wales and Liverpool.

·  It was proposed that the Chair of the MDA be in post for two years if not longer. Wirral was taking an influential role and he would shortly be meeting with the Secretary of State for Wales.

·  He would be supporting the Retail Action Plans and looking at funding opportunities to develop these. All aspects of parking charges would be looked at.

Questions were invited for Councillor Adrian Jones on the Support Services Portfolio Report and his responses to questions from Councillors Steve Williams, Leah Fraser, Paul Doughty and Chris Carubia included the following comments:

·  The Council would be upgrading to Windows 7 at the same time and work on this was progressing well.

·  The previous Conservative administration had made 1,100 people redundant on worse terms (which was disputed by Councillor Green). The current administration was trying to allow the Council to function as best it could under restriction of funds that the Government had taken away.

·  As a consequence of excellent leadership the Merseyside Pension Fund was acknowledged as one of the best in the UK.

·  Government enforced redundancies in Wirral and similar funding reductions to other Merseyside Authorities would have an effect on cash flow to the Pension fund and the future stability of the fund.

·  The Council also had to meet the costs itself of those retiring at 55 years of age.

·  It had been felt that Office 2010 software was the best and most efficient system for the Council to upgrade to.

At the conclusion of Councillor Jones’ comments, Councillor Fraser approached the Mayor to request that her question be answered, ‘How many people will the Labour administration be making compulsorily redundant?’

Cllr Jones responded that the Council was not making people redundant, the Government was.

Questions were invited for Councillor Chris Jones on the Adult Social Care and Public Health Report and her response to a question from Councillor Lesley Rennie included the following comments:

·  The Department of Adult Social Services was at risk of having a £3m overspend because of Government cuts, a budget update was provided to the Policy and Performance Committee and to Cabinet, though she would be happy to bring an update next time.

·  Good progress was being made on the transformation of day services.

Moving on to the Leisure, Sport and Culture Portfolio Report, questions were invited to Councillor Phil Davies, in the absence of Councillor Chris Meaden. His responses to questions from Councillors Chris Blakeley, Stuart Kelly and Alan Brighouse included the following comments:

·  There were no plans to close any libraries, one stop shops or leisure centres, although he did not believe that any Council could guarantee not to close any Council building

·  In spite of the withdrawal of public health funding, the Forest Schools project would continue and schools would be asked to help fund these. There was now a Forest Schools shop in Birkenhead Park and a range of activities were to be delivered over the summer.

·  With regard to the Williamson Art Gallery, the Strategic Shadow Board continued to meet and an alternative business plan would be discussed with the Council.

Questions were invited for Councillor Bernie Mooney on the Environment and Sustainability Portfolio Report and her responses to questions from Councillors Chris Blakeley, John Hale, Paul Hayes, Stuart Kelly and Pat Cleary included the following comments:

·  Garden waste could be placed in green bins in sensible amounts.

·  She had understood that there had been a minimal amount of missed bin collections but would look into the situation raised by Councillor Hale with regard to missed collections in Hoylake and provide a written response.

·  The takeaway project had been a success, although she could not answer for what was happening with planning regulations she would look in to any proposals for collaborative working and provide a written response.

·  As of today 36,400 residents had signed up to the garden waste subscription service, the digital divide would be discussed with the Cabinet.

·  She would provide a written response as to how many of the 28 fixed penalty notices for alleyway dumping had been paid.

Questions were then invited for Councillor Tony Smith on the Children and Family Services Portfolio Report and his response to a question from Councillor Leah Fraser included the following comments:

·  The Consultation period timeline for The Lyndale School he had referred to in the debate.

·  Although three locality events had been held to understand what early help means for Wirral, work would be undertaken across the four constituency areas.

Questions were then invited for Councillor Stuart Whittingham on the Highways and Transport Portfolio Report and his responses to questions from Councillors Lesley Rennie, Andrew Hodson, Dave Mitchell, Phil Gilchrist and Mike Sullivan included the following comments:

·  The Council was within the top quartile of Councils in England for the condition of its roads.

·  With regard to the claims against the Council for pavement trips, he would provide a written response.

·  A written response would also be provided in respect of whether or not money collected in car parking charges was being spent in contravention of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

·  He had every confidence that the scheme for replacement dock bridges would be well planned out and cause as least disruption as possible.

During this item of business it was agreed that Standing Order 9 be suspended and that for the remaining debates only the movers and seconders of the motions be invited to speak before the motions were put to the vote.

Resolved –

(1)  That each of the Cabinet Portfolio Summary reports be noted.

(2)  That the Scrutiny Annual Report of the Strategic Director of Transformation and Resources be noted.