Members of the Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary and/or any other relevant interest, in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Councillor B Mooney declared a personal interest in Item No. 4 on the Agenda – Wirral Plan: A 2020 Vision – Underpinning Strategies: Ageing Well in Wirral (Minute No. 89 refers.) by virtue of her working for Age UK.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17 December 2015 be confirmed as a correct record. 

Key Decisions – taken under delegated powers. Period 9 December, 2015 (date of publication of last Cabinet agenda) to date.

·  Cabinet Member – Leisure and Culture

Golf Fees and Charges – recommendations approved. Effective date: 5 January, 2016.

The Cabinet’s attention was drawn to a Key Decision made under delegated authority since the last Cabinet agenda was published as follows:

  Cabinet Member – Leisure and Culture

  Golf Fees and Charges – recommendations approved. 

Effective date: 5 January 2016.

RESOLVED:

That the Key Decision detailed above be noted.

Councillor C Jones introduced a report by the Director of Public Health provided the Cabinet with the Ageing Well in Wirral Strategy; a key strategic document which articulated ambitions related to the Wirral Plan People Priority:

  “Wirral is a place where the vulnerable are safe and protected, every child gets a good start in life and older residents are respected and valued.”

The Ageing Well in Wirral Strategy was appended to the Director’s report.  It was reported that it had been developed with residents, partners and stakeholders to ensure that there had been extensive engagement in the development of the Strategy and its priority areas.

Councillor Chris Jones informed that she was delighted to present the Strategy to the Cabinet as it was the first of its kind for the Wirral.  It concentrated on residents of 50 years old or over and on improving their lives.  The work involved had been led by Annette Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Voluntary and Community Action Wirral and was a fantastic example of what could be achieved in partnership.  Councillor Chris Jones thanked Ms Roberts for her work on the Strategy and Lucy Barrow, Strategy Manager and Rebecca Hindle, Graduate Officer for working hard and pushing the Strategy forward.

Councillor B Mooney informed that as she worked in this type of environment she could relate to the Strategy.  The document was excellent, people over 50 had a lot to offer Wirral and they should be embraced and appreciated.  The report underpinned all that needed to be done to support older people on Wirral.

Councillor Phil Davies added his support to the Strategy.  He informed that there were big challenges to be faced because of the Borough’s aging population and around social isolation.  He was concerned that the budget provided by central government could not address what needed to be done to provide support.  Councillor Phil Davies also informed that there were a lot of services available in the Borough but unfortunately some older people were unaware of them.  It was important to raise awareness about social activities and the key to this was the Action Plans which were appended to the report.  This would be the way the Council would manage the delivery of its Pledges.  The Council would work with partners on this as it could not do it all on its own.  Councillor Phil Davies endorsed the Strategy and informed that he was looking forward to the Action Plans being delivered.

RESOLVED:

That the Ageing Well in Wirral Strategy be approved.

Councillor Pat Hackett presented a report by the Investment Strategy Manager which included as an appendix the Wirral Growth Plan: a key strategic document which articulated the ambition related to the Wirral Plan Business Priority:

  “Wirral is a place where employers want to invest and businesses thrive”.

The report aimed to support Wirral businesses, attract new investment and improve the skills of local people so that all Wirral residents were able to contribute to and benefit from sustained prosperity and a good quality of life.

The Cabinet noted that the Growth Plan aimed to drive economic growth across the Borough and ensured that employment opportunities were accessible to all residents.  As a result it affected all Wards within the Borough and was therefore a key decision.  The Growth Plan aimed to attract £250 million of new private sector investment into the Borough over the next five years, create 250 new businesses, generate and safeguard 5,000jobs and build 3,500 new homes.

Councillor Pat Hackett informed that he was excited to be presenting this report.  The Wirral Growth Plan was very focused and would kick start investment.  There were major plans to revitalise Birkenhead Town Centre and link it up to Woodside and Hamilton Square.  This was a business improvement district and the potential for Birkenhead was immense.  The Plan would now start to be delivered and would provide Wirral people with better life chances.  Business Start-up Schemes had already commenced, the Contact Centre and Wirral Metropolitan College building were up and running and hundreds of jobs had been created.  The Plan was the recognition the Council needed to work with businesses, support them and help them to grow.

Councillor Pat Hackett reported that there was a range of Action Plans in place for the Borough’s Shopping Centres, Cammell Lairds was attracting new business and Unilever was investing in Port Sunlight.  The Council’s aim was to attract the very best of developers and there were immense opportunities.  The Council would work with its City Region partners to obtain its fair share of development opportunities.  It was expected that the City Region agenda would feature Wirral heavily.

Councillor Phil Davies informed that he wanted Birkenhead and Wirral to be the first choice for developers and companies looking to invest in the Northern Power House.  The Council was showing leadership and bringing key partners and players together.  People positively wanted to invest in the Wirral and Birkenhead was a significant opportunity.  The Town Centre scheme would create jobs for Wirral people.  The Council had a good track record on regeneration and what had been done to turn around the prospects of New Brighton was miraculous.  The Council wanted to do this in other parts of the Wirral as well.  The devolution deal provided a good opportunity to direct funding to attract businesses.  The building blocks were in place to make major progress on this during 2016 and delivery was now absolutely essential.  A number of priority schemes would go live in 2016, including plans  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Councillor Adrian Jones presented a report by the Acting Head of HR and Organisational Development which reminded Members that the Localism Act 2011 detailed the requirements for Councils to determine and publish annual pay policy statements. The requirements of The Localism Act included:

·  The Pay Policy Statement to be approved by Full Council, in advance of the financial year to which it relates.

·  The Pay Policy Statement to be published on the Council website.

The Pay Policy Statement was required to set out the Council’s policies relating to the following:

·  Chief Officer Remuneration, including salary, allowances, and enhancements at termination.

·  Remuneration of its lowest paid employees.

·  The relationship between Chief Officer Remuneration and that of other employees.

Councillor Adrian Jones informed that the Council was one of the first ones in the country to adopt the ‘Living Wage’.  As a consequence of this low wage earners on Wirral had been better off.  From 1 April 2016 they would receive £8.25 per hour, an increase of 40p.  This would cost the Council £84,000 in the next Financial Year, an amount that would be included in the budget.

Councillor Phil Davies reported that he was proud that Wirral was one of the first Council’s to adopt the ‘Living Wage’ for its work force.  He believed that, morally, it was the right thing to do and he hoped that other employers on Wirral would follow suit.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the introduction of the revised National Living Wage rate of £8.25 per hour, effective from 1 April 2016 be agreed; and

(2)  the Council be recommended to approve the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for the Financial Year 2016/17.