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.

No declarations of interest were received.

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

The Mayor’s Chaplain Revd Dr David Chester led the Council in prayers.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor David Elderton who had been absent from Council meetings for a while due to ill health and wished him a continued recovery.

The Mayor announced that the recipient of the Andy Day Memorial Cup for 2012/13, an award which was presented annually in memory of a former councillor to confer recognition on a member of the Council who, in the Mayor’s opinion, had demonstrated the qualities of dedication and selflessness possessed by the late Councillor, was Councillor Steve Williams.

The Mayor, who was presiding over his last full meeting of the Council, thanked all those who had supported him during his year in office.

To receive petitions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 21.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, the Mayor received petitions submitted by –

Councillor Mike Sullivan on behalf of 61 signatories requesting an investigation into the poor state of the roads in the area.

Councillor Walter Smith on behalf of 95 signatories requesting an investigation into anti-social behaviour in the Mayer Park area of Bebington.

Councillor Tony Smith on behalf of 250 signatories opposing the “Bedroom Tax”.

Councillor Anita Leech on behalf of 273 signatories opposing the “Bedroom Tax”

Councillor Jeanette Williamson on behalf of 577 signatories opposing the “Bedroom Tax”

Councillor Irene Williamson on behalf of 43 signatories against the closure of the Eastham Centre.

RESOLVED:

That the petitions be noted and referred to the appropriate Chief Officers in accordance with Standing Order 34.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5 March 2013

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 5 March 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Leader of the Council, Council Phil Davies, addressed the Council on the following matters:

• Councillor David Elderton

The Leader informed that he was pleased to see Councillor Elderton, who was attending his first meeting for a number of months, following a serious illness, and wished him well in his continued recovery. These sentiments were echoed by the other two political group Leaders.

Councillor Elderton thanked the Mayor and the three Political Group Leaders for their comments, kind thoughts and support given to him and his wife during his illness. He had been overwhelmed by the kindness he had been shown.

• Mayor and Mayoress

The Leader paid tribute to the outstanding work carried out during the year by the Mayor and Mayoress. He particularly noted the excellent work undertaken with their chosen charities and commented that he had been impressed by their generosity, warmth, spirit and passion for the Borough of Wirral. The Leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats Groups (Councillors Green and Harney) echoed the Leader’s comments agreeing that the Mayor and Mayoress had done an excellent job and asked that their appreciation be placed on record.

The Mayor thanked the Group Leaders for their tributes and support during his mayoral year.

To consider matters referred to the Council for determination. The relevant minutes are attached.

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1), these matters will be taken as approved except in respect of any to which objections or amendments are submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2).

A.  Cabinet (18 April 2013) – Minute 241

B.  Report of the Chief Executive and Appendix – Revisions to the Constitution

C.  Proposed Revised Constitution (Printed as a separate document)

D.  Audit & Risk Management Committee (15 April 2013) Minute 63

E.  Report of the Chief Executive and Appendix – Proposed Revisions to Council Contract Procedure Rules

F.  Report of the Interim Director of Finance and Appendix – Proposed Revisions to the Council Financial Regulations

G.  Minutes of the Democracy Working Party (8 April 2013)

H.  Member Consultation and Engagement Feedback Report

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1), Cabinet Minute 241, 18 April 2013, Revisions to the Constitution, was submitted for approval by the Council, but was the subject of two amendments.

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan

That Council is recommended to:

(1)  adopt the revised constitution as set out as Appendix 3 to the Chief Executive’s report;

(2)  note that additional consequential changes will need to be made over the next year in the light of operating the new Policy and Performance Committees and Constituency Committee arrangements;

(3)  rename the Standards Committee the Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee:

(4)  delegate the following additional responsibilities to the Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee:

  To keep the Council’s constitutional arrangements under review and to make such recommendations to the Council as it considers appropriate for ways in which the constitution should be amended in order to better achieve the purposes set out in Article 1 (set out at paragraph 2.23 of the Chief Executive’s report); and

Oversee and agree such minor changes to the Council’s constitution arrangements as are recommended by the Monitoring Officer from time to time.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

(1)  Given its history, Council believes it is dangerous to remove the Children and Young People and the Adult Social Services Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committees.

(2)    Given the lack of detail regarding the finances, powers, responsibilities and processes of the proposed Area Committees and the lack of clarity regarding its roles with regard to Public Sector Boards, Council believes it is unable to support this proposal at this time.

(3)  As the changes proposed to the Council Procedures and Standing Orders will remove the opportunity for Councillors to raise matters of concern to them or have these items debated.  Council believes this will place even greater power in the hands of the administration at the expense of ordinary members of the Council. Seen alongside the administration’s desire to abolish annual local elections and the lack of any ‘opposition time’ to raise matters of concern to the public and have them debated by the Council.

Council therefore rejects those Amendments of the Constitution outlined in the Summary of Amendments and listed as:

• Article 6 Overview and Scrutiny Committees

• Article 10 Creation of four Area Committees

• Part 4 Council Procedure and Standing Orders

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Tom Harney

Seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Delete all and replace with:

This Council regrets that the Democracy Working Party was unable to reach a consensus on the way Wirral Council should move forward.  Council believes that insufficient time was set aside to study the way other Councils serve their residents and that only limited evidence of best practice was studied.

Council considers that:

a.  the proposed format for Council meetings provides insufficient time for debate.

b.  the process proposed for questioning Cabinet Members and consideration of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

To consider matters referred to the Council for determination. The relevant minutes are attached; copies of the related reports can be provided for Council members on request.

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1), these matters will be taken as approved except in respect of any to which objections or amendments are submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2).

Cabinet – 14 March 2013

Minute 221

Neighbourhood Planning Designations- Devonshire Park and Hoylake

On a motion by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan, it was –

RESOLVED:

That the following matter be approved:

Minute 221 (Cabinet – 14 March 2013)

Neighbourhood Planning Designations – Devonshire Park and Hoylake

The following matters, determined by the Cabinet, are drawn to the Council’s attention in accordance with the Constitution (copies of the related reports can be provided for Council members on request).

A.  Cabinet - 14 March 2013

Minute 125

Financial Monitoring – Revenue (Month 10)

Minute 216

Financial Monitoring – Capital (Month 10)

B.  Special Cabinet – 18 April 2013

Minute 242

Financial Monitoring – Revenue (Month 11)

Minute 243

Financial Monitoring – Capital (Month 11)

RESOLVED: That the following matters be noted

(1)  Minute 125 (Cabinet – 14 March 2013) Financial Monitoring – Revenue (Month 10)

(2)  Minute 216 (Cabinet – 14 March 2013) Financial Monitoring – Capital (Month 10)

(3)  Minute 242 (Special Cabinet – 18 April 2013) Financial Monitoring – Revenue (Month 11)

(4)  Minute 243 (Special Cabinet – 18 April 2013) Financial Monitoring – Capital (Month 11)

To receive nominations, in accordance with Standing Order 25(6), in respect of any proposed changes in the membership of the Cabinet and committees, and to approve nominations for appointments to outside organisations.

Two nominations have been received in respect of the vacancy on Leasowe Community Homes Management Board, as follows

• Councillor Chris Blakeley
• Councillor John Salter

The Council is required to determine which nominee shall fill the vacancy.

In accordance with Standing Order 25(6) the Council had received two nominations in respect of the vacancy on Leasowe Community Homes Management Board, as follows

• Councillor Chris Blakeley
• Councillor John Salter

In respect of the nominations received, The Council divided as follows –

For Councillor Chris Blakeley (21) Councillors C Blakeley, E Boult, W Clements, T Cox, DM Elderton, L Fraser, J Green, J Hale,  P Hayes, AC Hodson, K Hodson, M Hornby, P Kearney, I Lewis, SR Mountney, Mrs C Povall, Mrs L Rennie, SL Rowlands, A Sykes, GCJ Watt and S Williams.

For Councillor John Salter (36) Councillors RL Abbey, P Brightmore,  J Crabtree, G Davies, P Davies, WJ Davies, D Dodd, P Doughty, S Foulkes,  P Glasman, RJ Gregson, P Hackett, AER Jones, C Jones, B Kenny, A Leech, ARC McLachlan, M McLaughlin, Mrs C Meaden, B Mooney, C Muspratt, S Niblock, T Norbury, D Realey, DE Roberts, J Salter, H Smith, PA Smith, W Smith, J Stapleton, M Sullivan, J Walsh, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams and J Williamson.

Abstentions (8) - Councillor A Brighouse, G Ellis, PN Gilchrist, T Harney, M Johnston, SE Kelly, GD Mitchell and Mrs PM Williams.

RESOLVED: (36:21) (8 abstentions) :–

That Councillor John Salter be appointed to the vacant position in respect of Leasowe Community Homes Management Board.