Issue - meetings

Strategic Asset Review

Meeting: 09/02/2009 - Council (Item 109)

109 Cabinet minute 325 (15 January) - Transforming Wirral: Strategic Asset Review pdf icon PDF 376 KB

Recommendation:

 

On 27 November Cabinet agreed the Strategic Asset Review, recommended by officers in principle, subject to consultation with the people of Wirral.

 

Cabinet welcomes the high level of public participation in this consultation, as set out in the Cabinet report. Cabinet notes that residents also made it clear that they were prepared to pay more to keep facilities open.

 

Cabinet acknowledges that residents on a peninsula believe it is particularly important that their children have the opportunity to learn to swim and take part in swimming activities and that there have been representations from the public and from the health community on the importance of swimming as a way of tackling obesity.

 

Cabinet noted the often passionate support of what were felt to be local community facilities and recognised the considerable time and effort put in by a number of correspondents who sought to provide detailed arguments for the retention of a particular facility.

 

Cabinet is particularly grateful for the hard work that went into the detailed document submitted on the importance of Woodchurch Leisure Centre to the local community.

 

Cabinet also recognises the high regard in which Wirral residents hold their historic buildings and accepts the need to respect Wirral’s heritage.

 

It also recognises the clear commitment of staff, residents, local musicians and artists and young people to maintaining good cultural facilities and suitable performance venues on the Wirral and thanks those who submitted detailed reasons why these are important to the life of the community as a whole.

 

However, Cabinet is also mindful of the current economic climate and the hardship that will create for many Wirral people.

 

It is mindful as well of the fact that definite action is required to tackle Wirral’s budgetary problems and that the recession will also impact on the Council in a number of ways, increasing the need for firm financial control in order to protect Wirral’s council tax payers;

 

Bearing in mind the Council’s Corporate Priorities and in particular the need to do everything possible to tackle social exclusion and deprivation, Cabinet therefore resolves as follows, and recommends to Council that:

 

(1)  The Woodchurch Leisure Centre be retained;

 

(2)  Officers are asked to explore the possibility of persuading any of the Council’s strategic partners who may benefit from the use of the Leisure Centre to contribute towards the £374,000 subsidy currently paid by the Council to keep the Leisure Centre open and to investigate the level of current charges to swimming clubs, schools and other organisations across the borough to ensure that the Council Tax payers are receiving good value for money which should  be the subject of a report to Cabinet on February 5th as part of the budget setting process;

 

(3)  The Woodchurch Community Centre adjoining the Leisure Centre be considered for transfer to the Community within a two year time frame and the Leisure Centre and Community Centre be seen as the clear focus for community activities;

 

(4)  The two year time frame for community asset  ...  view the full agenda text for item 109

Minutes:

Resolved:  That

 

(1)  The Woodchurch Leisure Centre be retained;

 

(2)  Officers are asked to explore the possibility of persuading any of the Council’s strategic partners who may benefit from the use of the Leisure Centre to contribute towards the £374,000 subsidy currently paid by the Council to keep the Leisure Centre open and to investigate the level of current charges to swimming clubs, schools and other organisations across the borough to ensure that the Council Tax payers are receiving good value for money which should  be the subject of a report to Cabinet on February 5th as part of the budget setting process;

 

(3)  The Woodchurch Community Centre adjoining the Leisure Centre be considered for transfer to the Community within a two year time frame and the Leisure Centre and Community Centre be seen as the clear focus for community activities;

 

(4)  The two year time frame for community asset transfer will expire on 16 January 2011;

 

(5)  A  two-year provision be set up to allow Guinea Gap to remain open pending a better understanding of the potential scale of any development along the waterfront and the possibility of bringing forward any Government investment in the Housing Market Renewal Initiative which could contribute towards kick starting any major development initiative.

 

(6)  That negotiations are held with Arena/Leasowe Community Homes for the transfer of the Leasowe Recreation Centre to the benefit of the community, subject to the agreement of satisfactory terms and conditions.

 

(7)  Cabinet notes that members of the public made it clear during the consultation period that they believed the main focus of activity in the Bromborough/Eastham area should be located in Bromborough. Cabinet therefore resolves to locate the multi- purpose complex at Bromborough Civic Centre, incorporating the Bromborough Library and the One Stop shop currently located in Eastham.

 

(8)  This would, as a consequence, entail the closure of Eastham library. Residents of Eastham will be given the opportunity to explore alternative ways of making best use of all the facilities in Eastham to meet community needs, including the possibility, if the community so wishes, of a community transfer of the library building, proper access to IT facilities where they are needed, and a remote book ordering point in a relevant location.

 

(9)  That, in response to substantial public representation, and in recognition of the fact that it is geographically central to a number of deprived areas and housed in a building of historic interest, Upton Library be retained and Woodchurch Library closed.

 

(10)  In view of the fact that the closure of Eastham library and Woodchurch library was not directly set out in the proposals for consultation, transitional finance of up to three months, to the end of June 2009, will be available to allow residents to consider the best use of buildings within their communities.

 

(11)  That the development of the five major multi-purpose complexes in Bebington, Birkenhead, Liscard, Moreton and West Kirby (including brand new build in Moreton and Liscard  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109


Meeting: 09/02/2009 - Council (Item 117)

OBJECTION: Minute 325 (Cabinet - 15 January 2009) - STRATEGIC ASSET REVIEW

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Green

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

 

(1)  This Council welcomes the Cabinet’s U-turn in its decision to retain Woodchurch Leisure Centre, Bromborough Civic Centre, Upton Library and Pensby Library.

 

(2)  Council notes that Guinea Gap has only been given a stay of execution and that the future of Leasowe Recreation Centre remains uncertain.

 

(3)  Council is shocked that Woodchurch Library and Eastham Library, libraries that were not even mentioned in the original Strategic Asset Review, are now to be closed and believes that it is unacceptable to treat the residents and service users in this way.

 

(4)  Council believes that the public is totally opposed to the closures announced and contained in Cabinet minute 325 and Council therefore expresses its view that the closures announced by the Cabinet should not go ahead.

 

(5)  Council further believes that Wirral is made up of a series of geographically dispersed and diverse communities: Council believes that the best way of meeting the needs of these communities is by providing local, high quality services. Council therefore demands that officers cease any further actions on the current Strategic Asset Review (other than activity based on streamlining back office administrative functions) and start work immediately on a new plan which will retain and enhance all those services (libraries, leisure centres, community centres, theatre and museums, etc) that are currently under threat.

 

(6)  Council believes that the ruling administration has no mandate to close these vital services before the public has had the opportunity to express their wishes in the local elections.

____

 

During the course of the debate, the Mayor requested that, in accordance with Standing Order 16, a member of the public be asked to leave the public gallery.  The Council adjourned at 8.40pm and reconvened at 8.50pm.

____

 

Following a debate, it was proposed by Councillor Green that Standing Order 18(7) be waived to allow a card vote to be carried out following the application of the guillotine procedure.  The proposal was put and lost (28:35:1).

 

The objection was put and it was –

 

Resolved (25:39:1) – That the objection be not approved.

 

NB.  The following Councillors requested that their vote in favour of the objection be recorded:

 

Councillors T Anderson, C Blakeley, SL Clarke, WA Duffey, DM Elderton, GJ Ellis, Mrs L Fraser, JE Green, J Hale, T Harney, Karen Hayes, Paul Hayes, AC Hodson, PSC Johnson, J Keeley, I Lewis, SD Moseley, SR Mountney, C Povall, A Pritchard, Mrs LA Rennie, SL Rowlands, Sue Taylor, GCJ Watt, and Mrs K Wood.


Meeting: 02/02/2009 - Finance and Best Value Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 58)

58 Transforming Wirral - Strategic Asset Review pdf icon PDF 92 KB

At its meeting on 15 January, 2009 (minute 325 refers), the Cabinet agreed the following resolution following a public consultation on the Strategic Asset Review.

 

“Cabinet welcomes the high level of public participation in this consultation as set out in the Cabinet report. Cabinet notes that residents also made it clear that they were prepared to pay more to keep facilities open;

 

Cabinet acknowledges that residents on a peninsula believe it is particularly important that their children have the opportunity to learn to swim and take part in swimming activities and that there have been representations from the public and from the health community on the importance of swimming as a way of tackling obesity;

 

Cabinet noted the often passionate support of what were felt to be local community facilities and recognised the considerable time and effort put in by a number of correspondents who sought to provide detailed arguments for the retention of a particular facility;

 

Cabinet is particularly grateful for the hard work that went into the detailed document submitted on the importance of Woodchurch Leisure Centre to the local community;

 

Cabinet also recognises the high regard in which Wirral residents hold their historic buildings and accepts the need to respect Wirral’s heritage;

 

It also recognises the clear commitment of staff, residents, local musicians and artists and young people to maintaining good cultural facilities and suitable performance venues on the Wirral and thanks those who submitted detailed reasons why these are important to the life of the community as a whole;

 

However, Cabinet is also mindful of the current economic climate and the hardship that will create for many Wirral people;

 

It is mindful as well of the fact that definite action is required to tackle Wirral’s budgetary problems and that the recession will also impact on the Council in a number of ways, increasing the need for firm financial control in order to protect Wirral’s Council Tax payers;

 

Bearing in mind the Council’s Corporate Priorities and in particular the need to do everything possible to tackle social exclusion and deprivation, Cabinet therefore resolves as follows, and recommends to Council that:

 

(1)  The Woodchurch Leisure Centre be retained;

 

(2)  Officers are asked to explore the possibility of persuading any of the Council’s strategic partners who may benefit from the use of the Leisure Centre to contribute towards the £374,000 subsidy currently paid by the Council to keep the Leisure Centre open and to investigate the level of current charges to swimming clubs, schools and other organisations across the borough to ensure that the Council Tax payers are receiving good value for money which should  be the subject of a report to Cabinet on February 5th as part of the budget setting process;

 

(3)  The Woodchurch Community Centre adjoining the Leisure Centre be considered for transfer to the Community within a two year time frame and the Leisure Centre and Community Centre be seen as the clear focus for community activities;

 

(4)  The two year time frame for community  ...  view the full agenda text for item 58

Additional documents:

Minutes:

At its meeting on 15 January 2009 (minute 325 refers), the Cabinet, having received a detailed breakdown of the consultation responses that had been received on the Strategic Asset Review (SAR) prior to the start of its meeting, considered a report of the Chief Executive, which summarised the response to the consultation and sought the Cabinet’s views on the way forward.

 

The Cabinet welcomed the high level of public participation and was also mindful of the current economic climate and the hardship it would create for many Wirral people. It was mindful as well of the fact that definite action was required to tackle Wirral’s budgetary problems and that the recession would also impact on the Council in a number of ways, increasing the need for firm financial control in order to protect Wirral’s Council Tax payers. Bearing in mind the Council’s Corporate Priorities and in particular the need to do everything possible to tackle social exclusion and deprivation, the Cabinet made a number of recommendations to the Council.

 

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management set out those recommendations in full and reported that in accordance with the procedure adopted for other budget proposals agreed by the Cabinet, the minute had been referred to this Committee for consideration in order for its views to be presented to the Council on 9 February 2009.

 

At the request of the Chair, the following documents were presented for consideration –

 

·  The report of the Chief Executive to the Cabinet on 15 January 2009 ‘Transforming Wirral – Delivering the Strategic Asset Review – Consultation Response’

·  Appendix 2 to the Chief Executive’s report (summary of public responses)

·  Information presented to the Committee on 7 January 2009

o  Savings on Closure/Transfer of Assets

o  Consolidated schedules in respect of Library and Sports Centre closures

·  Statistical Analysis of Library Usage

 

In response to a request from the Chair by e-mail, for additional information, the Head of Asset Management presented a briefing paper, which sought to provide members with answers to a number of matters raised by the Chair. Those issues were in relation both to the decision of the Cabinet and to the previous resolution of the Committee (minute 44 (7 January 2009) refers). Members expressed the view that they were not able to see how the views of the Committee had either influenced or been reflected in the Cabinet resolution, apart from the reference to accelerate the process of making savings from the rationalisation of the Council’s office accommodation.

 

In response to comments from a member with regard to the capitalisation of the £6.2m for repairs, the Director of Finance indicated that the Authority was required to comply with the accounting regulations and he confirmed that spend could be classed as capital if it added value to, or enhanced the life of an asset. However, general repairs or maintenance and expenditure less than £10k was classed as revenue expenditure.

 

With regard to the office accommodation aspects of the SAR, the Head of Asset Management  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58


Meeting: 15/01/2009 - Cabinet (Item 325)

Transforming Wirral - Strategic Asset Review

Report to follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

At its meeting on 27 November 2008, Cabinet considered a report on the Strategic Asset Review which set out options for the future of the authority’s asset portfolio.  Cabinet resolved to approve in principle the option for strategic consolidation of the Council’s asset base and requested that this be subjected to public and staff consultation, with the results brought back to a future meeting.  The Cabinet considered the Chief Executive’s report which summarised the response to the consultation and sought Cabinet’s views on the way forward.  It was noted that the Cabinet had received a detailed breakdown of those consultation responses that had been received prior to the start of the meeting.

 

The Leader of the Council moved a motion, duly seconded which was circulated to the Cabinet and members of the public.  Councillor Foulkes referred to the Area Forum Conferences that had been held as part of the consultation process which he had found challenging and rewarding.  He understood that the contents of the Motion would not please all consultees but referred to the constructive comments that had been received as part of the consultation process.  In particular, Councillor Foulkes indicated that the Council’s representatives on Merseytravels Committees would take forward the transport issues raised within the consultation.

 

The Deputy Leader of the Council supported the Leader’s comments.

 

Resolved:  That

 

on November 27th Cabinet agreed the Strategic Asset Review recommended by officers in principle, subject to consultation with the people of Wirral;

 

Cabinet welcomes the high level of public participation in this consultation as set out in the Cabinet report. Cabinet notes that residents also made it clear that they were prepared to pay more to keep facilities open;

 

Cabinet acknowledges that residents on a peninsula believe it is particularly important that their children have the opportunity to learn to swim and take part in swimming activities and that there have been representations from the public and from the health community on the importance of swimming as a way of tackling obesity;

 

Cabinet noted the often passionate support of what were felt to be local community facilities and recognised the considerable time and effort put in by a number of correspondents who sought to provide detailed arguments for the retention of a particular facility;

 

Cabinet is particularly grateful for the hard work that went into the detailed document submitted on the importance of Woodchurch Leisure Centre to the local community;

 

Cabinet also recognises the high regard in which Wirral residents hold their historic buildings and accepts the need to respect Wirral’s heritage;

 

It also recognises the clear commitment of staff, residents, local musicians and artists and young people to maintaining good cultural facilities and suitable performance venues on the Wirral and thanks those who submitted detailed reasons why these are important to the life of the community as a whole;

 

However, Cabinet is also mindful of the current economic climate and the hardship that will create for many Wirral people;

 

It is mindful as well of the fact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 325


Meeting: 07/01/2009 - Finance and Best Value Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 44)

44 Transforming Wirral - Strategic Asset Review pdf icon PDF 49 KB

A.  Extract of Cabinet Minute 264 (27 November 2008)

 

B.  Report of the Chief Executive to Cabinet 27 November 2008

§  Transforming Wirral: Delivering The Strategic Asset Review

§  Appendix

 

C.  Information requested by the Chair in relation to savings on closure/transfer of assets

 

D.  Information requested by the Chair in relation to consolidated schedules in respect of Library and Sport Centre closures

1.  Library Savings

2.  Sports Centre Savings

 

E.  List of the seven administrative assets identified by the Review Group that will be programmed for closure and disposal in 2009/2010

§  Bridge Court

§  4 Cavendish Road

§  5/7 St Andrews Road

§  Moreton Municipal Building

§  Oakenholt

§  The Old Courthouse

§  19 Heath Road

 

F.  Information requested by the Chair in relation to the basis of the £45m calculation of the no change option will be reported verbally by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management

 

G.  Information requested by the Chair from the Director of Finance in relation to relevant sections of the Budget Book 2008/2009

 

H.  The following reports requested by the Chair contain information in relation to the backlog of major property repairs of £10m –

 

1.  Report of the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services to Cabinet 16 August 2007

§  Planned Maintenance 2007/2008

 

2.  Report of the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services to Cabinet 13 March 2008 [Exempt]

§  Property Performance Management

§  Appendix 1 – Administrative Buildings

§  Appendix 2 – Other Buildings – Running Costs

§  Appendix 3 – Maintenance Backlog

§  Appendix 4 – Disabled Access

§  Appendix 5 – Delivery of Capital Projects

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

At the request of the Chair, the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management presented the Cabinet report of the Chief Executive on the Strategic Asset Review (SAR) (Cabinet minute 264 (27 November 2008) refers), which had been referred to this Committee for scrutiny. The report set out a vision for transforming Wirral’s use of assets in order to improve service delivery; provide better value for money; and support the regeneration of the Borough, particularly its most deprived parts. It recommended investing £20m, over four years, to develop a strategic network of 12 state-of-the-art multi-purpose complexes, which would be a mix of brand new buildings and enhancements to existing facilities. To achieve the level of service improvement, whilst simultaneously controlling overall buildings related costs, required a strategic review of all the Council’s properties and a reduction in the total number of publicly funded premises. The vision for the future contained within the report was of much improved facilities, but not as many Council maintained buildings.

 

Information was presented to the Committee in relation to net savings to be made on closure/transfer of assets, which amounted to approximately £3.7m per annum. A more detailed analysis was also presented in relation to potential savings through the closure of libraries and sports centres.

 

The Director set out the seven administrative assets identified by the Review Group that were programmed for closure and disposal in 2009/2010 and he provided a breakdown of the calculation of £45m cost of the ‘no change’ option, which had not been recommended. In response to comments from members, he indicated that the net savings of £3.7m per annum had not been a target, but had been identified as a result of the Strategic Consolidation option recommended by the Review Group, subject to closure or transfer by 31 March 2009. He commented also that without the SAR, the Audit Commission Use of Resources assessment would likely drop from 2 to a 1 of 4 rating, which would have a further detrimental knock-on effect. He accepted that the preferred option was a subjective judgement, but commented that if the no change option had been preferred, compensatory savings would have to be identified elsewhere, in order for the Council to set a balanced budget.

 

The Chair had also requested the presentation of reports that had been considered by the Cabinet on 16 August 2007 and 13 March 2008, which contained information in relation to the backlog of major property repairs of £10m. On the advice of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management, the Committee agreed that the exempt report of the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services (Property Performance Management) should be considered in open Committee, and copies were made available to members of the public who were in attendance.

 

The Director of Regeneration provided information in relation to comparisons that had been made with other local authorities with regard to the provision of libraries and sports centres. However, the demography of Wirral and the availability of public transportation had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44


Meeting: 27/11/2008 - Cabinet (Item 264)

264 Transforming Wirral - Strategic Asset Review pdf icon PDF 179 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council indicated that as this report proposed the start of a consultation process, interested individuals would have an opportunity to feed into that consultation process, if the recommendations were agreed.

 

The Chief Executive presented a report which set out a vision for transforming Wirral’s use of assets in order to improve service delivery; provide better value for money; and support the regeneration of the Borough, particularly its most deprived parts.  It recommended investing £20 million, over four years, to develop a strategic network of 12 state-of-the-art multi-purpose complexes.  These would be a mix of brand new buildings and enhancements to existing facilities.  It was proposed to develop high quality, energy efficient and well maintained facilities, equipped with modern technology (including free Wi-Fi access) and to consult with local people over extending opening hours to meet service users’ needs.

 

To achieve the level of service improvement, whilst simultaneously controlling overall buildings related costs, required a strategic review of all the Council’s properties and a reduction in the total number of publicly funded premises.  The vision for the future was of much improved facilities, but not as many Council maintained buildings: the vision is ‘Fewer but Better’.  If the Council paid for the running costs of fewer buildings, Wirral residents would be able to enjoy the high quality and efficient modern facilities they deserved whilst the Council Tax could be kept at an acceptable level.

 

The Leader of the Council referred to the background to the report and increases in energy costs and indicated that his priority was to ensure that increased costs were not passed on to the Council tax payer.

 

The Deputy Leader of the Council referred to the transfer of assets to the community and the opportunity for residents to become involved in shaping the new services.

 

Councillor Stuart Kelly also referred to the transfer of assets to the community and the need for the administrative services of the Council to reduce its share of the costs.

 

The Leader of the Council hoped that the results of the consultation would be able to be reported to the Cabinet on 15th January 2009 and invited other private and public organisations to contribute to the consultation process.

 

The Leader of the Council moved an amendment, duly seconded and it was –

 

Resolved – That

 

(1)  Cabinet agrees the recommendation as set out below:

 

That the proposals set out in the report for the strategic consolidation of the Council’s asset base across the borough be agreed in principle and then be subject to public and staff consultation as described, with the results of that consultation brought to a future meeting of Cabinet.

 

and asks that a special Area Forum Conference/Conferences be convened as soon as possible in order to allow a full debate on the proposals in the report.

 

(2)  Cabinet also asks that this matter be referred to a joint Scrutiny Committee, comprising of Finance and Best Value, Corporate Services and Culture, Tourism and Leisure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 264