To consider matters referred to the Council for determination. The relevant minutes are attached; copies of related reports which aren’t attached can be provided for Council members on request.

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1), these matters will be taken as approved except in respect of any to which objections or amendments are submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2).

A.  Cabinet – 20 December 2012

Minute 156 [attached to the original Council Summons]

Local Development Framework – Annual Monitoring Reports

B.  Cabinet – 24 January 2013

Minute 170 [attached to the original Council Summons]

Neighbourhood Working

Minute 69 of the Democracy Working Party - 31 January, 2013 in relation to Neighbourhood Working is attached.

NOTE: Two objections have been received in respect of minute 170 (Cabinet – 24/1/13) and in accordance with Standing Order 7(2) are listed within item 11, ‘Matters for Debate’.

Minute 171 [attached to the original Council Summons]

Budget Council Procedure

Minute 172 [attached to the original Council Summons]

Committee Calendar 2013/14

C.  Any matters referred to Council by Cabinet at its meeting on 7 February, 2013, including –

Minute 186

*Nomination of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Municipal Year 2013/14

*Note – this minute requires approval by the Annual Meeting of the Council.

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1), a number of matters were submitted for approval by the Council.

One matter from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 24 January 2013 (minute 170 – Neighbourhood Working) was submitted for approval but was the subject of two objections (see minutes 120 and 121 post).

A further item from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7 February 2013 (minute 186 – Nomination of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Municipal Year 2013/2014) required approval by the Annual Meeting of the Council and, as such, was for noting.

On a motion by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  That the following matters be approved:

(i).  Minute 156 (Cabinet – 20 December 2012)

Local Development Framework – Annual Monitoring Reports

(ii).  Minute 171 (Cabinet – 24 January 2013)

Budget Council Procedure

(iii).  Minute 172 (Cabinet – 24 January 2013)

Committee Calendar 2013/2014

(2)  That minute 186 (Cabinet – 7 February 2013) Nomination of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Municipal Year 2013/2014, be noted.

The Chief Executive reported upon the development of a neighbourhood working approach across constituencies in Wirral, in order for services and community engagement to be more effectively and efficiently configured, targeted and delivered.

The Chair commented that the proposed neighbourhood working approach would help to develop a closer relationship between the Council and residents, promote improved partnership working across the public sector and ensure future service delivery reflected an improved understanding of resident views through consultation and participation. The proposal also potentially offered a more cost-effective approach to the future delivery of services by joining front line delivery and tackling issues at their source. It was about changing ways of working for all public, private, social sector providers to deliver improvements for neighbourhoods. He commented that it would not be possible to adopt a new model of working utilising the existing 11 Area Forum boundaries because of the costs of administration and the Area Forum footprints being too small for services to be more effectively co-ordinated.

It was proposed that the neighbourhood working structure would be based upon Wirral’s four Parliamentary Constituency boundaries, with staff and services being located within Constituencies and a Constituency Committee established for each area. Each Constituency would have a Public Service Board that would bring together bodies including the Council, Police, Fire and Health, to co-ordinate the strategic delivery of a Constituency Plan that would outline priorities for each area.

The Chair indicated that he had received support for the proposals from the Council’s partners and that feedback from a recent visioning event had been very positive. The Cabinet Member for Improvement and Governance commented that the proposal had the potential to be a very effective way of engaging with local communities. She hoped that all members would engage with the process and commented that more detailed work would be undertaken by the Democracy Working Party.

Resolved –

(1)  That the proposals to establish a new neighbourhood working approach across constituencies in Wirral, be endorsed and the report be referred to the Council for consideration and agreement.

(2)  That a special meeting of the Democracy Working Group be held, on 31 January 2013, to discuss the report and make comment prior to the referral of the recommendation to Council on Monday 11 February 2013.