Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 20th June 2007
Present
Chair
S Foulkes
Councillors
PL Davies, G Gardiner, PJ Hackett, SA Holbrook, SE Kelly, RK Moon, Jean Quinn
In attendance:
JE Green, Mrs LA Rennie
Apologies
George Davies, M McLaughlin
Index to Minutes
- Minute 82 - MINUTES
- Minute 83 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
- Minute 84 - CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND LIFELONG LEARNING - REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES: OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS ON OPTIONS PUT FORWARD FOR THE PHASE 3 PLANNING AREAS
- Minute 85 - ADJOURNMENT
- Minute 86 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - FINANCIAL OUT-TURN
- Minute 87 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - CAPITAL OUT-TURN AND DETERMINATIONS
- Minute 88 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - COLLECTION SUMMARY
- Minute 89 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - EFFICIENCY INVESTMENT BUDGET
- Minute 90 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - WIRRAL'S BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN 2006 -2007
- Minute 91 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - DELIVERING EFFICIENCY IN LOCAL SERVICES
- Minute 92 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT
- Minute 93 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - LOCAL TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007/08 - WALKING AND CYCLING
- Minute 94 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - LOCAL TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007/08 - ROAD SAFETY
- Minute 95 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - FINALISATION OF NORTH WEST OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME (NWOP)
- Minute 96 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - LOCAL ENTERPRISE GROWTH INITIATIVE (LEGI)
- Minute 97 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW PROVISIONS OF THE COPYRIGHT, DESIGNS AND PATENTS ACT 1988 - CREATION OF A POST FOR AN ASSISTANT TRADING STANDARDS OFFICER
- Minute 98 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - PERMANENT REGENERATION TEAM
- Minute 99 - ENVIRONMENT - NOTTINGHAM DECLARATION UPDATE REPORT NO.2
- Minute 100 - ENVIRONMENT - SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT - PARKING STANDARDS - CONSULTATION DOCUMENT FOLLOWING PUBLIC CONSULTATION
- Minute 101 - ENVIRONMENT - SMOKE FREE IMPLEMENTATION
- Minute 102 - ENVIRONMENT - SCHEME OF DELEGATION - ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2006
- Minute 103 - CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND LIFELONG LEARNING - WIRRAL LIFELONG AND FAMILY LEARNING CHARGING POLICY 2007/8
- Minute 104 - COMMUNITY AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT - CALL CENTRE – STREETSCENE SERVICES
- Minute 105 - ADJOURNMENT
- Minute 106 - EXEMPT INFORMATION - EXCLUSION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
- Minute 107 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - WEST KIRBY REGENERATION - THE SAIL PROJECT
- Minute 108 - ENVIRONMENT - LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK - PUBLICATION AND CONSULTATION SOFTWARE
- Minute 109 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Minute 82 - MINUTES
Minute Text :
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 7th June 2007, had been published and no items were called in.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the minutes be approved and adopted.
Minute 83 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Minute Text :
The members of the Cabinet were invited to consider whether they had a personal or prejudicial interest in connection with any of the items on this agenda and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest. The following declarations were made:-
Councillor Jean Quinn - a personal interest in Minute 84 due to her daughter's membership of Pensby Infant School governing body;
Councillor Pat Hackett - a personal interest in Minute 107 due to his membership of Mersey Waterfront Regional Park Board;
Councillor Gill Gardiner - a personal interest in Minute 107 due to her membership of Wirral Waterfront Park Board; and
Councillor Jeff Green - a personal interest in Minute 84 due to his wife's employment and a relative being employed at one of the schools mentioned in the report.
Minute 84 - CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND LIFELONG LEARNING - REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES: OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS ON OPTIONS PUT FORWARD FOR THE PHASE 3 PLANNING AREAS
Minute Text :
The Director of Children's Services presented a report which advised the Cabinet of the outcomes of the consultation process which had taken place in the Pensby and Thingwall, South Wallasey and Leasowe planning areas, in respect of the options for consultation agreed at Cabinet on 14th December 2006. The report described the responses to the various options put forward for discussion, including additional suggestions put forward during the consultation process, and made recommendations with regard to statutory proposals in each area under review.
With the permission of the Chair, Mike Collins, Chair of Governors at Pensby Junior School addressed the Cabinet. Mr Collins referred to the governors wish to see a new school built to serve the existing infant and junior schools, but expressed the view that the schools should not be amalgamated until such time as the new build was completed.
With the permission of the Chair, Councillor Sarah Quinn, a member of the governing body of Pensby Infant School, addressed the Cabinet. Councillor Quinn added her support to the issues raised by Mr Collins previously and expressed a wish to see the two schools (and their governing bodies) remaining separate until such time as the new joint school was completed.
With the permission of the Chair, Tom Howarth, headteacher of Poulton Primary School, addressed the Cabinet. Mr Howarth requested that children at Poulton Primary School be guaranteed places at The Park Primary School to discourage parents attempting to move their children prior to the school closing.
With the permission of the Chair, Ted Tindall, chair of governors at Pensby Park Primary School, addressed the Cabinet. Mr Tindall stressed that the school had always attempted to balance its books and that, by proposing closure, the Cabinet would be losing an excellent school.
The Director of Children's Services responded to issues raised by the speakers. Mr Cooper felt it was preferable to appoint a new shadow governing body for the proposed Pensby Primary School at the earliest opportunity to enable the headteacher and other senior staff to be appointed. To avoid disruption to the pupils, it was proposed that the two existing school buildings would remain open until the new school was completed. There would be a further report on the location of the final round of children's centres to the Cabinet in due course. In terms of Mr Howarth's points, Mr Cooper referred to the previous rounds of reviews that had been managed successfully and indicated that further work would be undertaken on how the transition would occur.
The Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning thanked everyone that had contributed to this phase of the review and the consultation process. In addition, he thanked the Director and his staff for co-ordinating the review and reiterated that the purpose was to ensure that public money was used wisely. Councillor Davies supported the views of Mr Howarth and indicated that he would ensure that the transition was as smooth as possible. With reference to the proposals for the Leasowe area, he felt it made sense to work with the two Dioceses. With regards to the proposals for Pensby, he suggested that there were exciting funding proposals around but in terms of the amalgamation, he was more in favour of taking the action forward at the earliest opportunity.
The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group indicated that proposals to close schools were never easy decisions. He paid tribute to the staff and governors of the schools concerned and stressed that the decisions did not reflect on the performance of the schools. He noted that the governing bodies of Pensby Infant and Junior Schools welcomed the proposals for a new school. He suggested that the governors could form a joint project board to make decisions on the new school but felt that managing the transition from two schools to the new build would be easier with one school governing body. Councillor Holbrook indicated that he supported the site of Pensby Park Primary school to me the most appropriate for a new Children's Centre.
The Director of Children's Services indicated that it was essential to keep the issue of the Children's Centre separate to the proposals under consideration and a full options appraisal would be required. In terms of timing, the proposals would be in place for September 2008.
With the permission of the Chair, the Leader of the Conservative Group addressed the Cabinet. He placed his thanks on record to all those who had taken part in the consultation exercises and those members of staff that had worked on the review. He stressed that the money saved by the review would be spread out across all other primary schools in Wirral, and not kept centrally by the Council. He associated himself with the remarks of Councillor Davies regarding the Leasowe area. He indicated that he was a supporter of separate infant and junior schools but indicated a preference for keeping the two schools separate until such time as further plans were available regarding the new build school, operating the two schools as at present until the capital become available for the proposed new building. He felt that the discussions regarding the new Children's Centre should be kept separate. Councillor Green queried whether there was a plan for Pensby Park Primary School if further children left the school over the 2007/8 academic year and whether the new competition regulations would apply to Pensby.
The Director of Children's Services responded that Pensby Park would be able to work in collaboration with neighbouring schools prior to the proposed closure, and that this would be assisted by his officers within Children's Services. Mr Cooper indicated that the amalgamation of infant and junior schools was exempt from the competition regulations.
Councillor Holbrook queried whether the site at Poulton Primary School could be retained as a transitional measure.
The Director of Children's Services indicated that the proposals could involve significant development at the Park site and the use of the Poulton site would be considered.
The Leader of the Council stated that this was one of the most difficult decisions that the Cabinet was required to make. This was the third phase of the review and would ensure that more money per pupil would be available across the borough. He indicated that he had seen the benefits of the Children's Centre within his own was and supported the establishment of a centre at Pensby Park Primary School site. In terms of Pensby Infant and Junior Schools, he felt it was better to amalgamate the schools now.
The Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning moved an additional motion, duly seconded, regarding the decision of the School's Adjudicator regarding St Mary's CE Primary School in Eastham.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) statutory proposals be published in respect of a, b, c, d, e and f below:
a Closure of Poulton Primary School
b Extend the lower age range of Park Primary School to provide an LA designated F1 class
These two proposals to be regarded as linked.
c Closure of Pensby Park Primary School
This proposal to be regarded as separate.
d Closure of Pensby Infant School
e Closure of Pensby Junior School
f Establishment of a new Community Primary School at the Pensby Infant and Pensby Junior site
These three proposals to be regarded as linked.
(2) the Director of Children's Services be authorised to take all necessary steps to publish these proposals, ensure the prescribed procedures are followed, including requesting permissions from the Secretary of State and proposals for the re-zoning of schools, in furtherance of the proposals;
(3) the Director of Children's Services be authorised to give all necessary support to the governing body of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, the Anglican Diocese of Chester, and the Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury with regard to publishing proposals to close Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School and to establish a new joint denominational school on the Our Lady of Lourdes site;
(4) the position of community primary schools in the Leasowe planning area be monitored and reviewed in a future review phase pending the outcome of (3) above;
(5) the position of Brentwood Early Years Centre be re-assessed in conjunction with primary schools in a future review of the South Wallasey planning area;
(6) prior to publication of statutory proposals in regard to items 1(d), 1(e) and 1(f) above, the Director of Children's Services be authorised to instigate an evaluation of potential sources of funding related to building work at the Pensby Infant and Pensby Junior site and return to Cabinet with an option appraisal report on this matter; and
(7) the decision of the School's Adjudicator to support the Council's decision to close St Mary's CE Primary School in Eastham be noted and the Cabinet's thanks be extended to all the staff and governors at St Mary's CE Primary School.
Footnote :
Councillors Jeff Green and Jean Quinn declared a personal interest in this matter (minute 83 refers).
Minute 85 - ADJOURNMENT
Minute Text :
The meeting adjourned for five minutes.
Minute 86 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - FINANCIAL OUT-TURN
Minute Text :
A full review of the financial accounts had been completed with a financial out-turn report due to be submitted to each relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Director of Finance presented a report which provided an overall comparison of the out-turn to the estimate for 2006/07 with an analysis of the major variations.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That:
(1) the out-turn for the 2006/07 accounts be agreed;
(2) the provisions be agreed; and
(3) the reserves be agreed.
Minute 87 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - CAPITAL OUT-TURN AND DETERMINATIONS
Minute Text :
The Director of Finance presented a report which informed Members of the capital out-turn for 2006/07 and the resources used to fund the programme. Under Part IV of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Authority was required to make a number of formal Determinations in respect of its capital expenditure and financing and the report included those for the 2006/07 financial year.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the report regarding the capital out-turn and financing for 2006/07 be noted; and
(2) the formal Capital Determinations be agreed.
Minute 88 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - COLLECTION SUMMARY
Minute Text :
The Director of Finance presented a report which detailed the collection of Council Tax, Business Rates, Sundry Debtors and Housing Act Advances.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the report be noted.
Minute 89 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - EFFICIENCY INVESTMENT BUDGET
Minute Text :
The Cabinet was requested to consider the creation of an efficiency investment budget to aid the delivery of the efficiency plan.
The Leader of the Council indicated that there were some difficulties around the concept of this proposal. In principle, he felt it was a good idea but the proposal meant adding to the savings already to be achieved. He moved an amendment, duly seconded.
With the permission of the Chair, the Leader of the Conservative Group addressed the Cabinet. He indicated that he would prefer to see all money earmarked for change purposes in one place and a priority list for change identified. This would enable to the Council to see value for money being achieved.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That Cabinet agrees, in principle, the establishment of a £2m investment fund in order to facilitate the savings required under the Efficiency Plan. However, Cabinet is mindful of the very high level of savings already required to meet targets and therefore, in addition to the use of the Efficiency Plan, wishes to explore every other option possible for funding necessary investment.
Minute 90 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - WIRRAL'S BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN 2006 -2007
Minute Text :
Wirral’s performance plan for 2006/2007 was in two parts. The summary, which was incorporated into the council tax booklet and sent to all households in March, and a full performance plan including details of performance in line with statutory requirements, to be published by 30th June. The full performance plan required the approval of the full Council. It was intended to refer it to Council on 25th June 2007 to comply with the requirement to publish it by 30th June.
The purpose of the report was to seek approval for the draft of the full performance plan, prior to referral to full Council on the 25th June. In view of the very tight timescales for collection of performance information, it was inevitable that some changes to both the text and layout would be necessary before the document was published on 30th June. Cabinet was requested to agree that the Chief Executive be given delegated authority to make last minute decisions on minor details relating to presentation and content.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the approach taken to the Best Value Performance Plan be supported and the plan be recommended to council; and
(2) the Chief Executive be authorised to make last minute decisions on minor details relating to presentation and content.
Minute 91 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - DELIVERING EFFICIENCY IN LOCAL SERVICES
Minute Text :
The Director of Finance presented a report which recommended approval of the submission of the Annual Efficiency Statement (AES) Backward Look 2006/07 which was required to be with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) by 5 July 2007.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the Annual Efficiency Statement – Backward Look 2006/07 be approved; and
(2) the Director of Finance be authorised to make any amendments to include any information received from Merseytravel and the Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority prior to its submission.
Minute 92 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT
Minute Text :
The Director of Finance presented a report which informed Members of the final financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) following the granting of permission from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for its closure. Members were asked to endorse the actions undertaken to close the HRA and the treatment of the balances arising from the closure.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the following actions be endorsed:
a. the closure of the Housing Revenue Account and actions outlined above taken to achieve closure including the transfer of balances to the General Fund.
b. the set aside of £1.5 million in a reserve for any possible future liabilities.
c. the repayment of the loan to WPH for set up costs totalling £3,693,325.
d. the transfer of balances from the General Fund to the Community Fund as per the terms of the stock transfer agreement.
e. the use of the increase in the amount transferred to the Community Fund arising from unpaid central heating works to fund the equivalent liability passed to WPH by the Authority to allow for the recovery of VAT to occur.
Minute 93 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - LOCAL TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007/08 - WALKING AND CYCLING
Minute Text :
The Director of Technical Services presented a report which set out project details relating to proposed schemes to deliver the Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategies. The report also detailed how the Area Forums had been included in drawing up programmes within the Walking Strategy. The report was included in the Forward Plan dated 1 June 2007.
The Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services welcomed the report and the encouragement of healthier methods of transport.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the following programmes be approved:-
• Walking Strategy as outlined in Section 4;
• Cycling Strategy as outlined in Section 5.
(2) suggestions received following the June 2007 cycle of Area Forums be considered and, where appropriate, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to select a suitable alternative to the recommendations made within this report in consultation with the party spokespersons;
(3) in the event it proves impractical to proceed with an approved scheme or unallocated finance becomes available, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to select a suitable alternative from the reserve list in consultation with the party spokespersons; and
(4) the petitioners’ concerns be noted and that they be advised of this year’s identified priorities.
Minute 94 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - LOCAL TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007/08 - ROAD SAFETY
Minute Text :
Further to Cabinet's approval of the Local Transport Capital Programme on 28th March 2007, the Director of Technical Services presented a report which set out project details relating to proposed schemes within the areas of road safety, school travel, structural road maintenance, walking and cycling. The report was included in the Forward Plan dated 1 June 2007.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the following programmes be approved:
• Local Safety Schemes as outlined in Section 3.4;
• Community Safety Projects as outlined in Section 3.5; and
• Safer Routes To Schools Schemes as outlined in Section 3.8.
(2) suggestions received following the June 2007 cycle of Area Forums be considered and, where appropriate, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to select a suitable alternative to the recommendations made within this report in consultation with the party spokespersons;
(3) in the event it proves impractical to proceed with an approved scheme or unallocated finance becomes available, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to select a suitable alternative from the reserve list in consultation with the party spokespersons; and
(4) the petitioners’ concerns be noted and they be advised of this year’s identified priorities.
Minute 95 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - FINALISATION OF NORTH WEST OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME (NWOP)
Minute Text :
This report updates members on the finalisation of the new North West Operational Programme (NWOP). Members are asked to note the contents of the report and provide any comments.
Minute Decision :
That the report and any comments be noted.
Minute 96 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - LOCAL ENTERPRISE GROWTH INITIATIVE (LEGI)
Minute Text :
The Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Corporate Services presented a report which advised Members on the latest situation regarding the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) and requested authorisation for the appointment of consultants to develop a Round 3 Application.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That officers be authorised to appoint consultants to develop a Local Enterprise Growth Initiative Application.
Minute 97 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW PROVISIONS OF THE COPYRIGHT, DESIGNS AND PATENTS ACT 1988 - CREATION OF A POST FOR AN ASSISTANT TRADING STANDARDS OFFICER
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration presented a report which sought Members agreement to create an additional post of Assistant Trading Standards Officer (Scale 4-6, £22,293 - £27,866 including on costs) in the Regeneration Department. The post-holder would implement additional statutory responsibilities concerning copyright falling to the Trading Standards Division and would be funded by the allocation of additional funds by Specific Grant in 2007/08 and subsequently through Revenue Support Grant.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the implications of The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 be noted and the matter be referred to Employment and Appointments Committee for consideration of the establishment of an Assistant Trading Standards Officer;
(2) it be recommended that Employment and Appointments Committee agree to the establishment of a post of Assistant Trading Standards Officer Scale (Scale 4-6, £22,293 - £27,866 including on costs).
Minute 98 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - PERMANENT REGENERATION TEAM
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration presented a report which advised the Cabinet of:
(i) the ending of significant, externally funded regeneration programmes in March and September 2008 and the significant implications of this for the wider regeneration of the Borough and more specifically the Council’s staff providing Regeneration services for Wirral;
(ii) the resources necessary to mainstream staff within the Regeneration Department on time limited contracts and additional resources required to enhance capacity to meet the needs of delivering the recently agreed Investment Strategy.
The Leader of the Council indicated that the Chief Executive would look at innovative ways of funding this matter and give some permanence to those staff involved.
With the permission of the Chair, the Leader of the Conservative Group addressed the Cabinet. He stressed that it was also important to look at the skills required within the Section to deliver the new approach the Council was adopting.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the work commitments of the Strategy and Implementation section in the Regeneration Department in ensuring that the Council does not face any liabilities in the winding down of the current regeneration programmes and is able to maximise investment opportunities for the Borough in future years, be noted;
(2) it be noted that the funding for staff within the Strategy and Implementation section is primarily provided through external grant funding which is due to cease on 31 March 2008 (30 September 2008 for the Endeavour Team);
(3) the principle be agreed of time limited posts within the Regeneration Department be mainstreamed and that additional capacity be created to help deliver the needs of the Investment Strategy;
(4) the budgetary implications for 2008/09 budget be considered; and
(5) a further report be brought outlining the proposed staffing structure in more detail.
Minute 99 - ENVIRONMENT - NOTTINGHAM DECLARATION UPDATE REPORT NO.2
Minute Text :
At the Cabinet meeting on 19 October 2006, Members noted the update report on the work of the Nottingham Declaration Group and also endorsed the development of a Climate Change Strategy for Wirral by Councillors and Officers.
The Director of Technical Services presented a second report which provided Members with an update of the work of the Nottingham Declaration group since October 2007, together with a draft of the proposed Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Members to approve.
The Cabinet Member for the Environment congratulated the officers on the work undertaken in this area.
With the permission of the Chair, the Deputy Leader of the Cabinet addressed the Cabinet and also welcomed the report.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the report be noted.
Footnote :
AMENDMENT AGREED BY CABINET ON 16TH AUGUST 2007 (MINUTE 162 REFERS) TO SHOW ADDITIONAL RESOLUTION AS FOLLOWS:
(2) the draft attached Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan be approved.
Minute 100 - ENVIRONMENT - SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT - PARKING STANDARDS - CONSULTATION DOCUMENT FOLLOWING PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Minute Text :
The Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Corporate Services presented a report which set out the results of public consultation on the content of a proposed Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) – Parking Standards and its accompanying Sustainability Appraisal Report, which took place between 22 February and 5 April 2007. The formal adoption of the SPD required a decision of Council.
The report recommended that minor revisions were made to the final version of the SPD and the Sustainability Appraisal Report; that Council was recommended to determine that an appropriate assessment under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations was not required; and that Council was recommended to formally adopt the final version of the SPD, attached to the report.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the amendments set out above and in the Report of Consultation attached to this report be incorporated into the final Supplementary Planning Document – Parking Standards and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal Report;
(2) it be recommended that Council determines that the Supplementary Planning Document is not likely to have a significant effect on Natura 2000 sites and that an ‘appropriate assessment’ is not required under the terms of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994;
(3) it be recommended that Council resolves to formally adopt the final version of the Supplementary Planning Document – Parking Standards, attached to this report, at the next available opportunity.
Minute 101 - ENVIRONMENT - SMOKE FREE IMPLEMENTATION
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration presented a report which:
a) Updated the Cabinet on the progress on Smokefree implementation in Wirral;
b) advised Members how the allocation of additional funds previously agreed by Members was being used to secure compliance with the smoke-free provisions of the Health Act 2006 and the Smoke-free regulations due to be introduced in England in July 2007; and
c) requested the Cabinet to recommend to Council an amendment to the Scheme of Delegation so that The Director of Regeneration be given delegated authority to exercise the powers and duties arising under the provisions of The Health Act 2006. The recommendation is to enable authorisation of officers to carry out additional duties required to enforce smokefree regulations made under the Health Act 2006.
The Leader of the Council welcomed the implementation of the smoke-free regulations on 1st July 2007 and stressed the importance of the Council setting an example for others within it's own buildings.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the progress on Smokefree Wirral implementation and how the identified resources are being utilised to achieve the aims and requirements of the Health Act 2006 for ensuring compliance with the ‘Smoke free’ provisions of the Health Act 2006, be noted; and
(2) Council be recommended that an amendment be made to the Scheme of Delegation, that the Director of Regeneration be given delegated authority to exercise the powers and duties arising under the provisions of The Health Act 2006.
Minute 102 - ENVIRONMENT - SCHEME OF DELEGATION - ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2006
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration presented a report which asked Cabinet to recommend to Council an amendment to the scheme of delegation so that the Director of Regeneration be given delegated authority to exercise the powers and duties arising under the provisions of The Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The recommendation was to enable the Director of Regeneration to authorise officers to carry out additional animal welfare duties required by The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and any subsequent amendments and secondary legislation that arose thereunder.
Minute Decision :
That Council be recommended that an amendment be made to the scheme of delegation, that the Director of Regeneration be given delegated authority to exercise the powers and duties arising under the provisions of The Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Minute 103 - CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND LIFELONG LEARNING - WIRRAL LIFELONG AND FAMILY LEARNING CHARGING POLICY 2007/8
Minute Text :
Wirral Lifelong and Family Learning Service was funded by the Learning and Skills Council Greater Merseyside (LSCGM), through the Personal and Community Development Funding (PCDL) funding stream. The Director of Children's Services presented a report which detailed the proposed increase to fees for 2007-08, in the light of national and local policy and proposed LSC funding allocation.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the increase in Lifelong Learning fees be approved.
Minute 104 - COMMUNITY AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT - CALL CENTRE – STREETSCENE SERVICES
Minute Text :
On considering a report on the Streetscene Environmental Service Contract performance review Cabinet on 24 May 2007 (minute 25) requested a report on the review of procedures and responses to customers by the Call Centre. The Director of Finance presented a report which detailed the impact upon the Call Centre of Phase 2 of the Alternate Weekly Collections (AWC) which commenced in April 2007. It highlighted the issues encountered by the Call Centre in the weeks following the roll out and the action to mitigate the increased contact levels.
The Cabinet Member for Community and Customer Engagement indicated that he felt that the call centre was not geared up to handling the level of calls set out within the report. He referred to the need for the Cabinet to revisit the customer care guidelines set out for staff. He stressed that the correct information must be given out to customers of the call centre, even if that meant calling back to the constituent. He moved a recommendation, duly seconded.
The Leader of the Council referred to the positive feedback he had received with regards to the latest roll-out of the alternate weekly collection.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) Cabinet notes:
(a) the levels of calls into the call centre during April/May following the phase two roll out of the new recycling collection service;
(b) the high levels of call abandonment;
(c) the service failures which led to the increase in customer dissatisfaction.
(2) Cabinet further notes the measures taken to ensure that the third phase roll out of the recycling service is better managed and service failure issues are escalated efficiently for quicker resolution;
(3) Cabinet places on record its thanks to members of the public for their forbearance and patience during this period, and also to call centre staff called upon to handle service failure issues with limited information feedback;
(4) Cabinet is further concerned that communications between some Council Departments and Council Members or Wirral residents is not complying with the requirements for responses set out by the Council in its Customer Care guidelines;
(5) Cabinet resolves;
(i) to support the measures taken within the call centre to mitigate the effects of increased contacts;
(ii) to urge officers to ensure that the requirements of the customer care guidelines are met in correspondence with members of the council and the public;
(iii) to instruct officers to develop Customer Care guidelines to include appropriate service response guidelines specifically for the call centre to ensure that accurate information is communicated to callers as soon as practicable.
Minute 105 - ADJOURNMENT
Minute Text :
The Cabinet adjourned for five minutes.
Minute 106 - EXEMPT INFORMATION - EXCLUSION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Minute Text :
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the relevant paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.
Minute 107 - REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY - WEST KIRBY REGENERATION - THE SAIL PROJECT
Exempt :
NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Exempt by virtue of paragraph 3, Part I, Schedule 12A (as amended), Local Government Act 1972.
Minute Text :
The Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Corporate Services presented a report which summarised progress made towards the potential appointment of a preferred development partner to deliver the Sail Project in West Kirby. The report covered the key issues involved and the merits of proposals put forward by the two short-listed developers. The report was accompanied by presentations from both development companies.
Members were requested to confirm their continued support for this development and if so, whether they were minded to approve the appointment of one of the short-listed developers.
The Cabinet received presentations from each of the short-listed developers and questioned them further on their proposals.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That a further report be brought reflecting the range of issues discussed by Members following the presentations from the prospective developers.
Footnote :
Councillors Gill Gardiner and Pat Hackett declared a personal interest in this matter (minute 83 refers).
Minute 108 - ENVIRONMENT - LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK - PUBLICATION AND CONSULTATION SOFTWARE
Exempt :
NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Exempt by virtue of paragraph 3, Part I, Schedule 12A (as amended), Local Government Act 1972.
Minute Text :
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced a new system of development plans – the Local Development Framework (LDF). In contrast to the Unitary Development Plan, the LDF was comprised of a series of individual documents, prepared against a rigorous timetable (the Local Development Scheme). Performance on plan preparation was measured by the Government and determined the level of Planning Delivery Grant that the Council received.
The new system placed a considerable administrative burden on the Council, requiring extensive consultation on a series of documents and the maintenance of an audit trail of document changes and consultation responses. Rather than the Public Inquiry into the Unitary Development Plan, the Local Development Framework documents were tested for ‘Soundness’, ie. whether they had been prepared to an agreed process and in conformity with national and regional policy.
Local Authorities were encouraged by the Government to use integrated software to manage the LDF process. The use of integrated document and consultation software was a performance measure used by the Government in assessing the amount of Planning Delivery Grant awarded to the Council. Purchase of such software qualified as capital expenditure in terms of Planning Delivery Grant.
Minute Decision :
Resolved (unanimously) - That
(1) the purchase of the document production and consultation software, including maintenance and upgrading, as set out in paragraph 1.5 of the report be agreed; and
(2) call-in on this matter be waived and the Council be advised accordingly.
Minute 109 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Minute Text :
There were no items of urgent business.
(Minutes Published: 27 June 2007)