The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration, Housing and Planning informing Wirral Council, as the Council Member of Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH), of the proposed changes to WPH’s Constitution and sought support at the Annual General Meeting for those changes.

Councillor G.Davies, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety introduced the report which indicated that following a Governance Review at WPH and WPH Board’s approval of the recommendations arising from the review, approval would be sought at the AGM on 20 September 2013 to:

• Reduce the size of WPH Board from its current number of 15 to 12
• Reserve one-third of the seats on the Board (four) for Council nominees and the remaining two thirds (eight) to be allocated to independents and tenants. WPH is continuing to consult with its Company Members as to the best split of the eight seats between Independent and Tenant Board Directors.
• Amend Board Directors’ terms of office from the current three terms of three-years to two terms of four-years.

The Council would also be asked to agree to the removal by the Company of those Company Members (independent and tenant) who are not engaged with WPH.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the recommendation to reduce WPH Board members to 12 members be approved;

(2)  the recommendation to reserve one-third of the seats (four) for Council nominees and for the remaining two thirds (eight) to be allocated to independents and tenants subject to the outcome of the consultation process outlined in this report be approved;

(3)  the recommendation to amend WPH Board Directors’ terms of office to two terms of four-years be approved;

(4)  the relevant skills and experience of its representatives when making its appointments onto the board of WPH  be considered by the Council and  it be noted on the subject of remuneration, WPH are offering payment to all Board Directors, including Councillors, however, it is up to individual Board Directors and specifically regarding Councillors it would also be subject to Wirral Council’s own policy, as to whether the payment is accepted;

(5)  subject to the outcome of Company Member consultation, it be agreed to support the removal by the Company of those Company Members who are not engaged with WPH, such individuals to be named in the Notice of the General Meeting;

(6)  these changes will also require changes in the drafting of the memorandum and articles of association of WPH, its constitution. Officers are therefore seeking permission to vote on those changes at WPH’s AGM in so far as they are associated with the proposals above.