Members of the Council are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest, in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

The Civic Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and those watching the webcast. The Civic Mayor then asked Members to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any matters to be determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

Councillor Vida Wilson declared a personal interest as a member of the Shaughall Massie Conservation Society. 

Councillor Naomi Graham declared a personal interest by virtue of her husband’s employment.

Councillor Julie McManus declared a personal interest as a Member of Bidston Conservation Society.

To receive the Civic Mayor's announcements and any apologies for absence.

The Civic Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ainsworth, Basnett, Carubia, Bird, Cox, G Davies, Foulkes, Grey, A Hodson,  Molyneux, T Murphy,  Robinson, Mark Skillicorn,  Stewart-Laing and Janette Williamson.

The Civic Mayor then asked Members and the public to observe a minutes silence in memory of Clarence (Bill) Wells, former Mayor of Wirral in 1979 – 1980.

The Civic Mayor advised Members that the purpose of the Extraordinary Council meeting was to consider a requisition notice signed by six Members. As outlined within the notice, the Extraordinary Council Meeting had been convened to discuss the Council’s response to the consultation on the revised National Planning Policy Framework.

The Civic Mayor noted that Council had received four motions in respect of the issue, and it was her intention to utiliseStanding Order 15.15 to hold a joint debate on the motions.

Before the Motions were formally moved, the Civic Mayor informed Members that the Labour Group had submitted an amendment to the Liberal Democrat Group’s motion. Councillor Stuart Kelly confirmed he was happy to accept the amendment moved by the Labour Group as a friendly amendment, as follows:

Council notes the challenges Government is aiming to respond to including a national housing shortage, high affordability ratios (which on Wirral equate to over 6x the medium salary), and high numbers of people on local waiting lists for housing. However, Council believes the proposed standard method of calculation is flawed and has produced national targets which undermine local regeneration priorities

The Civic Mayor then invited the following Councillors to formally move and second their Motions.

Councillor Green moved and Councillor Rennie seconded their motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

Councillor Stuart moved and Councillor Davies seconded their motion as amended submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

Councillor Cleary moved and Councillor Jenkinson seconded their motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

Councillor Kelly and Gilchrist seconded their motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

The Civic Mayor then invited speeches from proposers and seconders of the motions as well as Members who wished to speak on the matter. Following a debate and the proposers of the motions having replied, the motions were put to the votes.

In Respect of the Liberal Democrat Motion as amended it was –

Resolved (51:0) – That:

Council notes the statement made to the House of Commons by The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government concerning the proposed revisions to the NPPF and in particular changes to the standard method to calculate local housing need.

Council notes the challenges Government is aiming to respond to including a national housing shortage, high affordability ratios (which on Wirral equate to over 6x the medium salary), and high numbers of people on local waiting lists for housing. However Council believes the proposed standard method of calculation has produced national targets which undermine local regeneration priorities.

Council is clear that a well-researched and authoritative response is needed to the consultation announced covering the suggested changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and revised formulae.

Council therefore requests that the Chief Planning Officer produces a response to the consultation taking into account the significant progress that Wirral’s draft local plan has made and the important stage that the Council has reached in discussions with the inspectorate on housing delivery and a stepped  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.