To receive reports about and receive questions and answers on decisions made by Committees since the week of the publication of the last ordinary Council agenda.

The minutes of all committees which have met since 8 March, 2021 are attached, as below.

Members’ attention is drawn to one minute, in accordance with Part 4, Section 4, paragraph 9 of the Constitution, in that a decision was taken, which was regarded as urgent by the Committee, as follows:

·  Minute 109 (Policy and Resources Committee (24/3/21)) – Proposed Grant Agreement with LCR Combined Authority for the Costs of the Acquisition of 92 Grange Road, Birkenhead, as formal acceptance of the offer was required by 31 March, 2021.

Two urgent officer decisions have also been taken, and are also reported to the Council in accordance with part 4 of the Constitution, as referred to above. One on 8 July, 2021 by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, ‘Covid Local Support Grant – Extension No.2’ (Decision notice attached atpages 153 – 154); and a decision on 5 August, 2021 by the Director of Regeneration and Place, ‘A Town Deal for Birkenhead – Acceptance of Head of Terms’ (Report attached at pages 155 – 160).

Minutes of Committees:

·  Policy and Resources Committee – 17 and 24 March, 2021, 9 June and 30 June, and 28 July, 2021 (Pages 161 - 224)

·  Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee – 7 June and 29 July,2021 (Pages 225 – 250)

·  Children, Young People and Education Committee – 11 March and 15 June, 2021 (Pages 251 - 270)

·  Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee – 8 June and 26 July, 2021 (Pages 271 - 280)

·  Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee – 16 March and 14 June, 2021 (Pages 281 - 304)

·  Housing Committee – 10 March, 2021 (Pages 305 - 308)

·  Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee – 16 June and 27 July, 2021 (Pages 309 - 318)

·  Audit and Risk Management Committee – 9 March and 5 July, 2021

(Pages 319 - 336)

·  Constitution and Standards Committee – 23 June, 2021

(Pages 337 - 342)

·  Licensing Act Committee – 17 June, 2021 (Pages 343 – 344)

·  Partnerships Committee – 29 June, 2021 (Pages 345 – 352)

·  Pensions Committee – 29 March and 22 June, 2021 (Pages 353 - 366)

·  Planning Committee – 18 March, 15 April, 10 June, 15 July and 12 August, 2021 (Pages 367 - 408)

·  Regulatory and General Purposes Committee – 23 March and 17 June, 2021 (Pages 409 - 418)

The Civic Mayor introduced the minutes of the various Committees which had met since 8 March, 2021. He drew Members’ attention to one minute in particular, in accordance with Part 4, Section 4, paragraph 9 of the Constitution, in that a decision was taken, which was regarded as urgent by the Committee, as follows:

Minute 109 of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 24 March, 2021 – Proposed Grant Agreement with LCR Combined Authority for the Costs of the Acquisition of 92 Grange Road, Birkenhead, as formal acceptance of the offer was required by 31 March, 2021.

Two urgent officer decisions had also been taken and were also reported to the Council in accordance with part 4 of the Constitution, as referred to above. One on 8 July, 2021 by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, ‘Covid Local Support Grant – Extension No.2’; and a decision on 5 August, 2021 by the Director of Regeneration and Place, ‘A Town Deal for Birkenhead – Acceptance of Head of Terms’.

He then asked for questions to Committee Chairs on any of the minutes being received.

Councillor Andrew Gardner asked a question of Councillor Julie McManus in respect of minute 6 of the Housing Committee,10 March 2021 referencing government plans for affordable housing and whether the housing needs of the most deprived people in the Borough were being met. Councillor McManus agreed that some of the housing needs were not being met and agreed that the matter would be on the agenda for the next Housing Committee. 

Councillor David Burgess–Joyce asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson in respect of Minute 84 of the Policy and Resource Committee, 17 March 2021 and in light of the capitalisation directive issued by MHGLC and whether the use of up to £5m on a community bank was a good use of Council resources. Councillor Janette Williamson responded to say that the money had been set aside as part of the capital programme and she still thought it was.

Councillor Tony Cox asked a question of Councillor Liz Grey in respect of minute 8 of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee 14 June 2021 in relation to car parking charges and if she was aware that a traffic regulation order process could take up to 9 months, putting at risk the budget saving options, and was it discussed with the officers. Councillor Liz Grey responded to confirm that she was aware of this and had discussed it with officers and had been assured that it was part of the initial budget proposal.

Councillor Leslie Rennie asked a question of Councillor Liz Grey in respect of minute 34 of the Policy and Resource Committee 28 July 2021 where it laid out the remit for her committees to include unauthorised encampments and how many had the council dealt with this municipal year and how much it had cost the authority.

Councillor Rennie also referred to comments from members of the public on social media whereby it had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34