The Council is requested to consider a report of the Director of Law and Governance in respect of the Hoylake Golf Resort Development Agreement, following the removal of the Policy and Resources Committee’s delegation to consider the matter, at its meeting on 28 July, 2021, in accordance with Article 7.3 of the Constitution.

Further to the resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting held on 28 July 2021 (minute 44 refers) to refer the matter to Council for a decision, and having agreed to consideration of a referral item as a matter for consideration at this extraordinary Council, the Mayor called upon the Director of Law and Governance to introduce his exempt report on the matter of the Council’s Framework Development Agreement relating to Hoylake Golf Resort.

Following the verbal update by the Director of Law and Governance, and prior to the tabling of a formal proposal and debate on the matter, the Mayor provided Councillors the opportunity to ask questions of the Director.

A number of Councillors sought clarification on a number of areas relating to the report, general history and timeline of the development agreement. The Director of Law and Governance responded accordingly.

Following the question and answer session, at 6.50pm, the Mayor adjourned the meeting for a short break.

The meeting resumed at 7.00pm.

Following a lengthy and considered debate, and after a further adjournment of 10 minutes, the Motion (recommendation as contained within the report) moved by the Mayor Councillor George Davies, seconded by Councillor Janette Williamson, was put to the vote.

In accordance with Standing Order 12, a number of Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

A recorded vote was then taken on the Motion and the Council divided as follows:

For the motion (22): D Brennan, K Cannon, H Collinson, T Cottier, G Davies, K Greaney, E Grey, S Hayes, AER Jones, C Jones, S Jones, B Kenny, D Kenny, P Martin, J McManus, Y Nolan, C O’Hagan, J Robinson, I Williams, J Williams, J Williamson, G Wood. 

Against the motion (21): T Anderson, B Berry, M Booth, A Brame, D Burgess-Joyce, H Cameron, C Carubia, P Cleary, M Collins, A Gardner, E Gleaves, H Gorman, J Johnson, M Jordan, S Kelly, I Lewis, D Mitchell, S Mountney, L Rennie, L Rowlands, A Wright.

It was therefore -

Resolved (22:21) no abstentions– That the recommendations within the report be approved.

Meeting concluded 7.52pm

The Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that this item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to s100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chair had agreed to consideration of a referral item from the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee of 26 July, 2021, as a matter of urgent business to enable this Committee to make a decision on the report of the Director of Law and Governance in relation to the Hoylake Golf Resort Development Agreement.

Philip McCourt, Director of Law and Governance, introduced a report on the matter, which also provided commentary from the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee.

Following a lengthy and considered debate, and after an adjournment of 20 minutes, it was then, on a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan,

Resolved (8:7) – That the recommendations within the report be approved.

Councillor Tom Anderson then proposed that a vote be taken on removing this matter from the Committee’s delegation, in accordance with Article 7.3 of the Constitution.

Philip McCourt confirmed that removal from delegation would require 40% of those Members present and voting to vote in favour of such removal, in this case being 6 Members. The matter would then be referred to a meeting of the full Council for consideration, if successful.

With six Members voting in favour of removal, the matter then became a referral to Council for a decision, the resolution above having in effect been rescinded.