To consider any recommendations of the Leader, Cabinet, Cabinet Member and Committees which require the approval of the Council, including:

·  Any document falling within the Policy Framework as defined by Article 4, paragraph 4.1(1) of the Constitution; and/or

·  Medium Term Financial Strategy; and/or

·  Any other strategy, policy or plan referred by the Leader, Cabinet, Cabinet Portfolio and/or Council Committee.

Wirral Council Plan 2016-20

The report is attached and the Recommendation from Cabinet (9 July, 2015) (to follow).

The Council was requested to consider the report of the Chief Executive, a Cabinet referral on the following matter – Wirral Council Plan: A 2020 Vision, and the Cabinet’s recommendation of 9 July 2015 (minute 22 refers).

It was moved by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan –

“That the recommendations as contained within Cabinet minute 22 be approved”.

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Phil Gilchrist and seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell –

“That the Wirral Council Plan as proposed be approved, subject to the following comments and observations which require additional work so that Council can be clear on how the Plan can be put into practice:

a. how the document is to be channelled into plans for the departments and operational units of the Council;

b. how the target of new house building is to be progressed and how this fits in with brownfield sites and land not yet allocated for housing;

c. the developing financial situation identified in the context of the Tory Government’s recent budget and forthcoming spending review;

d. the practical use of the substantial capital receipts expected to be secured this year.

Council welcomes the emphasis on the importance of public sector partners working closely together, removing duplication and working with the private and third sector, along with the emphasis on tackling health, educational achievement and other inequalities.

Council also recognises the emphasis on stating key priorities since the Peer Challenge in May 2013 told Wirral that it needed:

…A fully owned, clear vision of what the organisation looks like in 3-4 years’ time, including key service delivery methods, levels of service provided, and ways of working that will help inform the transformation activity required…

Council notes the references to ‘radical changes’ in the document bearing in mind that the Peer Challenge of November 2012 called upon the Council to:

‘….Accelerate ground work on radical options for service delivery’ and to 'Use learning from others in the sector’

Council is anxious to receive further detail on the ‘new models’ referred to in the ‘Foreword’.

Council looks forward to the work being undertaken to inform and involve communities. Council suggests that the section ‘Go local’ (page 35) requires early identification of the additional funding to the Constituency Committees.

Council also notes that this is a more user-friendly and better set out document, especially when compared to that of December 2011 when the then Leader used his driving test analogy.”

Following speeches by the movers and seconders and Councillor Phil Davies having replied, the Liberal Democrat amendment was then put to the vote.

The amendment was lost (18:36) (One abstention).

One abstention – Councillor L Rowlands (Civic Mayor).

At the request of several Members, a ‘card vote’ was then taken on Councillor Davies’ motion and the Council divided as follows:

For the motion (54) Councillors R Abbey, B Berry, E Boult, Burgess-Joyce, C Carubia, P Cleary, W Clements, M Daniel, A Davies, G  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39

Councillor Phil Davies introduced a report by the Chief Executive.  Appended to the report was the Wirral Council Plan: A 2020 Vision for the Cabinet’s consideration and approval.  It was also proposed to refer the Plan to the meeting of the Council scheduled for 13 July 2015 for its consideration and ultimate approval.

The Council Plan articulated the ambition for Wirral and for the Council as an organisation.  It identified the priority areas and outcomes for people and place and outlined the delivery approach.

The Council Plan was the key policy document of the Council and articulated the ambition for the organisation and the borough.

The Plan set out the Council’s ambition related to following three priorities:

·  Wirral was a place where the vulnerable were safe and protected, every child got a good start in life and older residents were respected and valued;

·  Wirral was a place where employers wanted to invest and businesses thrived;

·  Wirral had an attractive and sustainable environment, where good health and an excellent quality of life was enjoyed by everyone who lived there. 

Underpinning the three priorities were twenty outcomes designed to be delivered by 2020.

The new Plan outlined how the Council would organise itself in order to deliver the stated ambitions.  It would provide Member led leadership to communities, design services with residents, work closely with partners and influence regionally, nationally and internationally.  The Council would need to organise itself appropriately to deliver the plan and drive further improvements to deliver the best outcomes for Wirral. 

Delivery of the priorities and outcomes described in the Council Plan would be underpinned through the development and implementation of a business plan and strategies.  Progress against the identified outcomes would be regularly reported and published.

In presenting the Wirral Plan to the Cabinet Councillor Phil Davies reported that the Council had come a long way over the last three years: It had inherited a £17m overspend and had been on the verge of intervention by Central Government.

In March 2015, following a period of intense partnership work with the Local Government Association (LGA) via a joint Improvement Board, the Council had been recognised as the Local Government Chronicle’s ‘Most Improved Council’.

The Council’s improvement had been hailed as the fastest turnaround of any Council in the country.  It had been championed by the LGA and was recognised as an example of best practice.  Councillor Phil Davies informed that the Council’s aim now was to move from normal to outstanding.

As a result the May Local Government Elections, the Council’s Administration now had a clear mandate from the people of Wirral of their vision for Wirral.

As a progressive Administration, with social justice and economic prosperity as part of its core values, it considered that the time was now right to set out a long term (five years) Plan.

Councillor Phil Davies set out the content of the Wirral Council Plan.  The Plan contained a long term vision for Wirral.  The Council wanted Wirral to be a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22