The Members of the Council were invited 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.

No such declarations were made.

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

The Civic Mayor thanked all those within the Council and throughout the Borough who had supported him and the Mayoress in the wide variety of activities that they had undertaken throughout his year of office. In particular, the Civic Mayor thanked the staff of Civic Services and the Attendants for their valued assistance, and all those involved in the work of the Civic Mayor’s Charity Fund. He stated how grateful, humble and proud both he and the Mayoress were to have served as Civic Mayor and Mayoress.

To elect the Civic Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the municipal year 2015/16.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 12 March (minute 164 refers) has nominated Councillor Les Rowlands for this role.

The Civic Mayor invited nominations for election of the Civic Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

On a motion moved by Councillor Jeff Green, seconded by Councillor Gilchrist and, in the absence of any other nominations, it was:

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillor Les Rowlands be elected Civic Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2015/16 municipal year.

Councillor Rowlands proceeded to make his declaration of acceptance of office and the retiring Civic Mayor (Councillor Foulkes) vacated the Chair. Councillor Rowlands occupied the Chair.

The Civic Mayor welcomed his guests and spoke to his election.

To appoint the Deputy Civic Mayor.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 12 March (minute 164 refers) has nominated Councillor Pat Hackett for this role.

The Civic Mayor invited nominations for the appointment of a Deputy Civic Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

On a motion moved by Councillor Phil Davies, seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, and in the absence of any other nominations, it was:

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillor Pat Hackett be appointed Deputy Civic Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2015/16 municipal year.

Councillor Hackett proceeded to make his declaration of acceptance of office.

To agree that, pursuant to the Annual Council procedure (Standing Order 5A), the meeting stand adjourned to 6.15pm on Tuesday, 19 May, 2015.

The Council agreed, without a vote, pursuant to Standing Order 5A (1), that the meeting stand adjourned to 6.15pm on Tuesday, 19 May 2015.

RECONVENED ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING

Annual Council reconvened at 6.15pm on Tuesday 19 May 2015

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 Members of the Council were invited to consider whether they had 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 such declarations were made.

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

The Civic Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting, including the public and the three newly Elected Members and those Members successfully re-elected.

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

(i).  Councillor Sykes on behalf of 155 signatories calling upon the Council to move the crossing point on Woodkind Hey to make the crossing safer for schoolchildren and other pedestrians.

(ii).  Councillor Sykes on behalf of 52 signatories calling the Council to reinstate the 4-weekly litter picks throughout the village of Thornton Hough.

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

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 March, 2015.

The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 16 March, 2015 had been circulated to Members and, it was –

Resolved – That the minutes be approved and adopted as a correct record.

To receive and note the report of the Returning Officer on the results of the Local Government Election held on 7 May 2015.

The Chief Executive/Returning Officer presented a summary of the results of the Local Government Elections held on 7 May 2015.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The Leader will confirm his Cabinet and Cabinet Portfolios and Holders (or otherwise confirm to Council that such details shall be communicated to all Members as soon as practically possible after the meeting).

The Leader of the Council confirmed appointments to his Cabinet for 2015/16 as follows:

The Leader indicated that there would be no changes made to the Cabinet and Portfolio but gave notice to Members that his intention was to review the portfolios and report back to the Council in due course.

The Leader further highlighted his intention to recommend a three year Corporate Plan for approval to Policy Council meeting held on 13 July following consideration by the Cabinet at its meeting in June 2015. The Leader indicated that Plan would be shared with the Political Leader prior to its submission to Cabinet and Policy Council.

Resolved – That the Cabinet appointments be noted.

To consider the reports of the Head of Legal and Member Services on the following matters:

A.  Appointment and Constitution of Council Committees for 2015/16.

(Pages 21 – 39)

B.  Appointments to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels 2015/16. (Pages 41 – 53)

C.  Appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to Outside Bodies and organisations 2015/16. (Pages 55 – 68)

D.  Policy Council – Agenda (Pages 69 - 72)

The Council was requested to consider the reports of the Head of Legal and Member Services and Committee referrals on the following matters –

(i).  Appointments and Constitution of Council Committees and the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to such Committees.

(ii).  Appointments to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels.

(iii).  Appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to Outside Bodies and Organisations.

(iv).  Policy Council Agenda.

In response to a Members question, the Leader indicated that the position of Chair for the four Policy and Performance Committees would be taken up by the Labour Group.

In respect of the first matter requiring approval, it was moved by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan –

‘That the recommendations in the report be approved.’

Resolved (61:1) (One abstention) –

(1)  That for the 2015/16 municipal year the total number of Committee places (excluding those on the Cabinet and Constituency Committees) shall be 133 and the places shall be allocated in the following proportions:

(2)  That the Chairs of the above Committees be allocated to the Labour Group along with the Vice-Chairs

(3)  That the nominations for places on committees be submitted by the respective Political Group Leaders to the Head of Legal and Member Services and be as set out in Appendix A to the minutes of this meeting.

(4)  That the ongoing nominations of Diocesan and Parent Governor representatives on the Coordinating Committee and Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee be noted.

In respect of appointments to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels it was moved by Councillor Phil Davies, seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan and –

Resolved (62:0) (One abstention) - That the numbers be agreed for each appointment to Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels for the 2015/2016 municipal year, including the proportional split where appropriate, and the nominations be submitted by the respective Political Group Leaders to the Head of Legal and Member Services and be as set out in Appendix B to the minutes of this meeting.

In respect of appointments to Outside Bodies and Organisations, it was moved by Councillor Phil Davies, seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan and –

Resolved (62:0) (One abstention) - That the numbers be agreed for each appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to all Outside Bodies for the 2015/2016 municipal year, including the proportional split, where appropriate, and the nominations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Appendix A Committee Membership 2015/16

Appendix B Statutory and Advisory Committees, Working Parties and Panels 2015/16

Appendix C Outside Bodies 2015/16