Decision details

Cockling off the Leasowe to New Brighton Coast

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management submitted a report which updated the Cabinet in respect of the actions that had been taken to mitigate the potentially adverse impact to Wirral residents arising from the harvesting of cockles from the Leasowe/New Brighton Beds.

 

The report also sought an amendment to the Council’s Constitution in relation to responsibility for Sea Fisheries matters. This responsibility was currently listed within the responsibilities of the Cabinet Member holding the Environment Portfolio, which suggested that it was an Executive function. However, this was an erroneous allocation, as Sea Fisheries was a Council function by virtue of the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended). As such, the Cabinet might wish to consider recommending to Council that responsibility for matters relating to Sea Fisheries should be included within the terms of reference of the Licensing, Health & Safety and General Purposes Committee.

 

Resolved -

 

(1)  That Cabinet recommends to Council that the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be requested to write to the North West Inland Fisheries Conservation Authority (NWIFCA), urging that: consideration be given to the adequacy of the control regime pertinent to the Leasowe/ New Brighton Shellfish Bed; with a view to NWIFCA taking the necessary steps (including the use of Orders under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967), to provide effective controls to help protect those Wirral residents affected by the harvesting activity and the sustainability of the fishery.

 

(2)  That Cabinet recommends to Council that the responsibilities in relation to Sea Fisheries matters be delegated the Licensing, Health & Safety and General Purposes Committee.

 

(3)  That once Council allocates responsibility for Sea Fisheries matters, the Leader amends the extent of the Environment Portfolio by deleting reference to Sea Fisheries.

Publication date: 28/09/2011

Date of decision: 22/09/2011

Decided at meeting: 22/09/2011 - Cabinet

Effective from: 06/10/2011

Accompanying Documents: