Decision details

Use of Council Buildings for Civic, Council and Committee Meetings

Decision Maker: Policy and Resources Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive, introduced a report which provided an update in respect of proposed arrangements for the safe operation of Council meetings for the administrative year 2021/22 giving due consideration to guidance and regulations arising from Covid-19.

 

In response to comments from Members, he stated that he would be happy to provide the Health and Safety guidance and Public Health England advice used in drafting the report, to Members. The report was purely about current arrangements for Committee meetings, both Wallasey and Birkenhead Town Halls were problematic buildings with regard to not having any air conditioning or ventilation equipment. Both buildings were being kept secure and technical appraisals for both buildings would be brought back to the Committee in a future report. The technical appraisals could take some time, but a work in progress update report would be brought back in the meantime. A Local Plan hearing could take place in the Floral Pavilion building conference suite if the Council was required to host such a meeting.

 

A Member suggested that Group Leaders could be apprised of the measures in place as to how the two town hall buildings were being kept secure.

 

A Member suggested the need for a clear analytical examination of accommodation requirements over the next few years, with new Council offices in Birkenhead due to be completed in two or three years’ time.

 

Members expressed some differing views as to the need for a working group to look into the issues raised in the report and also on the future use of the Town Hall in Wallasey.

 

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, it was -

 

Resolved (8:7) – That

 

(1)  the arrangements for the safe operation of Council and Committee meetings to continue at the Floral Pavilion for a six-month period from May 2021 be approved, with a potential review in September 2021.

 

(2)  the Assistant Chief Executive report back to the Committee on:

 

(a)  a review of the outcome of the HM Government Roadmap Review and revised Covid Regulations and / or Guidance following publication;

(b)  the implications of the impact that the Roadmap Review may have on Council and Committee Meetings in the context of the Council’s estate; and

(c)  consideration of the works and investment required to enable Wallasey and Birkenhead Town Halls to operate Council and Committee meetings going forward in a safe and compliant manner.

Publication date: 17/06/2021

Date of decision: 09/06/2021

Decided at meeting: 09/06/2021 - Policy and Resources Committee

Accompanying Documents: