Prior to consideration of the item the Chair welcomed members of the public, Elected Members and Officers, thanking them for their attendance.

The Chair then referred to the decision of the Cabinet taken on 27 March 2017 in respect of Leisure and Cultural Services – future provision of services (Minute 113 refers).

The decision had been called-in by Councillors Jeff Green, Tom Anderson, Bruce Berry, Chris Blakeley, Eddie Boult, David Burgess-Joyce, Wendy Clements, David Elderton, Gerry Ellis, John Hale, Paul Hayes, Andrew Hodson, Kathy Hodson, Ian Lewis, Tracey Pilgrim, Cherry Povall, Lesley Rennie, Les Rowlands, Adam Sykes, Geoffrey Watt and Steve Williams, on the following grounds:

“The signatories wish to call-in the following recommendations from the decision:

That

(1)  the findings of the ‘Re-imagining Leisure and Cultural Services’ report, and the services this relates to, prepared by Bates, Wells & Braithwaite (BWB) (Appendix 1 of the report) be noted; and

(2)  the Strategic Commissioner for Environment be requested to ensure these findings are given due consideration as part of the options appraisal and development of the Full Business Case for the future provision of specified services, to be reported to a future meeting of Cabinet in June 2017.” 

Reasons for Call-in:

There has been inadequate consultation with key stakeholders by the London based consultants, Bates, Wells, Brathwaite (BWB) in the preparation of their report “Wirral BC – Re-imagining Leisure and Cultural Services.”

Numerous Friends Groups, volunteer organisations, Trade Unions, Parks Friends Forum and Friends of the Libraries have all expressed significant concerns over the contents and accuracy of this report not least because the key stakeholders, who know our Leisure and Cultural Assets best, have not been involved or consulted over the production of this report.

We believe it is expensive folly to have spent £284,000 of Taxpayers money on a report without recourse to such important stakeholders as their knowledge and experience is vital in bringing out key issues in developing future options for our Leisure and Cultural Assets.

By disenfranchising these key stakeholders at this stage of the process the Council risks missing out on significant benefits and therefore this process should be paused to allow a period of consultation and engagement, which is missing from the BWB report, prior to moving to options appraisal and development of the full business case.

Explanation of Call-in by the Lead Signatory – Councillor Jeff Green

Councillor Green referred to the previous independent consultation, undertaken during 2016 on the matter of libraries, leisure and culture services, which had not been made available to the public or Elected Members. He stated that the report had been completed in January 2017 and was dismayed that the content hadn’t been circulated.

Councillor Green’s idea of consultation was to involve and engage in the whole process. This had not occurred in this case.

He explained that it was the view of his Group that the decision based on the report had included the translation of an Outline Business Case into a Full Business Case,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

Attached to the agenda are:

·  Call-in procedure   (Page 1)

·  Call-in form   (Pages 3 - 4)

·  Executive Member Decision Form   (Pages 5 – 7)

·  Car Parking Charges Budget Savings Options

Report  (Pages 9 - 14)

The Chair referred to the decision of the Leader of the Council taken on 20 February in respect of Car Parking Charges Budget Savings Options – Traffic Regulation Orders.

The decision had been called-in by Councillors Jeff Green, Tom Anderson, Bruce Berry, Chris Blakeley, Eddie Boult, David Burgess-Joyce, Wendy Clements, David Elderton, Gerry Ellis, John Hale, Paul Hayes, Andrew Hodson, Kathy Hodson, Ian Lewis, Tracey Pilgrim, Cherry Povall, Lesley Rennie, Les Rowlands, Adam Sykes, Geoffrey Watt and Steve Williams, on the following grounds:

“The signatories wish to call-in the following recommendations from the decision:

(2)  That car parking tariffs at all council operated car parks, where charges already apply, be increased by 20p.

(3)  That car parking charges be introduced in country parks with charges of 50p for 1 hour, £1 for 2 hours and £2 all day in Arrowe Country Park, Royden Country Park, Eastham Country Park and Thurstaston Country Park.

Reasons for Call-in:

We believe that ANY increase in car parking tariffs will have a damaging effect for Wirral’s shopping centres and the introduction of car parking charges in our parks will do untold damage to the grassroots football clubs, golfing societies, mental health charities and small businesses associated with them.

We are also concerned that the introduction of car parking charges at Wirral’s parks is incompatible with the Council’s Public Health responsibilities.

Accordingly, we consider it appropriate that the executive decision be reviewed as insufficient weight has been attached to the specific and broader concerns raised by the public, businesses and other bodies in relation to changes to existing car parking tariffs and the introduction of new car parking charges.”

The Chair then invited the lead signatory to the call-in to address the Committee for up to five minutes.

Explanation of Call-in by the Lead Signatory – Councillor Jeff Green

Councillor Green referred to the number of witnesses that the Committee would hear from on the devastating impact these proposed charges would have on their businesses. Normally a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) would have been reviewed by an all-party Highways Panel, a change in the process meant that this decision was flawed and should be referred back to the decision maker.

In December, Cabinet had received the Medium Term Financial Strategy report, including budget options to raise £1.5m from car parking charges, just enough to cover the cost of interim appointments and consultants. The Leader of the Council had had to perform an embarrassing partial u-turn faced with unprecedented opposition to the proposals. Of the £150,000 it was anticipated these charges would generate, £80,000 would have to be spent on the equipment and its installation, and a net income of £48,000 would be received, just £12,000 per park. Friends of Royden Park raised money for voluntary work and as well as the Barking Mad café at Royden Park, there were a number of other parks with cafes and a number of employees whose jobs would be under threat. What value did the Committee place on these jobs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60