Members of the Committee were requested to declare whether they had any disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of such interest.

Councillor M Sullivan declared a non pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Ward Councillor in respect of item 3 on the agenda (minute 31 refers).

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2016.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2016, be approved.

The Electoral Services Manager introduced a report which provided details of necessary changes required in relation to a polling place within the Borough and sought the approval of a suitable alternative.  Further to minute 19 of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee held on 25 November 2015, Members were also updated in respect of matters relating to Thingwall Leisure and Social Club.

Upton Ward – Polling District MB

The Electoral Services Manager advised that due to renovation works, Upton Victory Hall had been used in substitution for St Mary’s Church Hall for the elections in 2015.  She further advised that the renovation works at St Mary’s Church Hall would not be completed in time for the May 2016 elections and therefore, for continued certainty, recommended that the Upton Victory Hall be the permanent polling place for Polling District MB

On a motion by Councillor Niblock, seconded by Councillor Salter, it was –

Resolved – That the Upton Victory Hall be used as the polling place for the MB polling district of the Upton Ward at the elections to be held on 5 May 2016 and at all future elections and referendums thereafter.

Pensby and Thingwall Ward – Polling District FB

The Electoral Services Manager referred to her report and confirmed that following advice taken from the Highways and the Transformation and Resources Health, Safety and Resilience Team, it was deemed that Thingwall Leisure and Social Club would not be appropriate as the polling place for this polling district due to its location.

The Electoral Services Manager further advised Members that the Emanuel Church in Pensby had been considered as an alternative option due to the issues that had been identified in respect of Thingwall Leisure and Social Club.

Councillor Salter confirmed he had visited the Thingwall Leisure and Social Club and advised Members of his concerns in respect of the access to the building and therefore believed it would not be a suitable venue.  However, he supported the suggestion that the Emanuel Church in Pensby would be appropriate.

The Electoral Services Manager advised Members that the Church were currently considering the request made and that should the Emanuel Church, Pensby, be available, this could be a viable option.  Members were informed that should the request not be accepted, another suitable venue would be Thingwall Primary School.

On a motion by Councillor Niblock, seconded by Councillor Sullivan, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  That the Emanuel Church, Pensby, if available, be used as the polling place for Polling District FB for the election to be held on 5 May 2016 and all future elections and referendums.

(2)  That should the Emanuel Church, Pensby be unavailable, Thingwall Primary School be confirmed as the polling place for Polling District FB for the election to be held on 5 May 2016 and all future elections and referendums.

It was moved by Councillor J Salter and seconded by Councillor M Sullivan

that –

“The public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of this matter on the grounds that disclosure may involve providing personal financial information about individuals.”

Resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972,the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of this item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended)to that Act. The Public Interest test had been applied and favoured exclusion.

The Licensing Manager advised Members that they were required to appoint an independent consultant to undertake an assessment of the supply and demand for Hackney Carriage Vehicles in Wirral.

It was reported that on 28 September 2015, officers had been authorised to proceed with a tender exercise for the independent investigation into the supply and demand for Hackney Carriage Vehicles in Wirral and that the closing date for tender applications was 21 January 2016.

The Licensing Manager reported that the responses had been evaluated using the criteria set out in the Request for Quotation document and advised that the cost would be funded through licence fees.  Members considered the tender applications that had been received.

It was moved by Councillor Salter and seconded by Councillor Sullivan that –

“the independent consultant as identified by Members be appointed to undertake an assessment of the supply and demand for Hackney Carriage Vehicles in Wirral.”

Resolved – That the independent consultant as identified be appointed to undertake an assessment of the supply and demand for Hackney Carriage Vehicles in Wirral.