The Head of Democratic and Member Services submitted a report in respect of a request received by the Mayor from Tim Mallion, Club Secretary to the Tricolore Great Britain Limited – Ducati Owners Club Great Britain, to use the Council’s Coat of Arms to highlight the Wirral Branch of the National Club and help promote the Wirral at national motorcycle events.

The Principal Democratic and Member Services Officer reported that the Wirral Branch had been established over ten years ago, and comprises sixty-one members, the majority of whom reside in or around the Wirral.  The Club meet regularly and at the time the report had been submitted had a full diary of events for 2022 and holds many charity events such as the Wirral Ducati Owners Club bike show held at the Swinging Arm pub in Birkenhead. Local bikers were invited to attend the show and prizes were awarded for their bikes etc. Monies were raised through a variety of raffle items which are then donated to Claire House and other local children's charities.

Members were informed that the Club regularly takes part in both Wirral Egg Runs, one at Christmas and one for Easter, and other branches from all over the UK had been invited to join the Wirral Branch on Sunday 3rd of April for the Egg Run to Clatterbridge Hospital at which ninety members had been expected to attend.  The Wirral Branch attended shows all over the UK and this year a trip had been planned to Italy for World Ducati Week in Misano July, and as stated, by inviting other branches to events the club wished to continue to promote examples of what the Wirral has to offer.

Members were advised that the club would like to utilise the Coat of Arms on clothing and badges to be worn at National Club events to aid promotion of the Wirral Branch of the club and encourage other branches to visit Wirral and to enjoy the varied attractions and locations of interest.

The Chair and Councillor Dave Mitchell announced that they fully supported the request made as they believed this would highlight Wirral.

Members discussed the issue of whether any other groups might request to use the Wirral Coat of Arms and the requirement of any such requests to be brought to this Committee.  Discussions also took place in respect of the environment and issues in respect of the impact on the emission of Greenhouse gases.

The Chair thanked Patrick Sebastian, Principal Democratic and Member Services Officer for the report and wished him all the best for his impending retirement.

On a motion by Councillor Dave Mitchell and seconded by Councillor Chris Cooke, it was –

Resolved – That the request for the use of the Council’s Coat of Arms by the Tricolore Great Britain Limited – Ducati Owners Club Great Britain (Wirral Branch) be agreed.