Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Wallasey Town Hall

Items
No. Item

66.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

Minutes:

Members of the Council were asked 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.

 

Councillors Jeff Green, Tony Norbury, Stuart Whittingham and Janette Williams declared a personal interest in agenda item 3a – Potential Devolution of Powers and Resources – Liverpool City Region by virtue of their employment (see minute 69 post).

 

Councillor Jean Stapleton declared a personal interest in agenda item 3b – ‘Car Parking Charges’ by virtue of her appointment on the Birkenhead Improvement District Steering Membership Steering Group (see minute 70 post).

 

67.

CIVIC MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Minutes:

The Mayor noted that apologies were received from Councillors Paul Hayes, Andrew Hodson, Kathy Hodson, Cherry Povall and Denise Realey.

 

The Mayor referred to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, the Council then stood for a minute’s silence in tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives.

 

68.

MATTERS REQUIRING APPROVAL BY THE COUNCIL

To consider any recommendations which require the approval of the Council.

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 5(2) two matters were submitted for approval by the Council (see minutes 69 and 70 post)

 

 

69.

Potential Devolution of Powers and Resources - Liverpool City Region pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

 

Liverpool City Region Devolution Agreement

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The first matter requiring approval was in relation to the report of the Chief Executive, on the following matter – Potential Devolution of Powers and Resources – Liverpool City Region.

 

It was moved by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan –

 

“That the recommendations as contained within the report be noted”.

 

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Phil Gilchrist and seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell –

 

  After 2.1 D add…….

 

“Council notes that the Devolution Agreement states …

 

‘Devolution must deliver opportunities for all of those residents and businesses, through creating more jobs, improving the skills and employment prospects of our residents and allow them a greater say over the future of their communities’.

 

Council also notes that this Agreement:

 

a.  promises (page 6, section 2) to’build on’ the Governance model used by the Combined Authority.

 

b.  offers assurances that The LCR Mayor will also be required to consult the Combined Authority members on his/her strategies’ (page 6, section 3).

 

c.  in Section 60 page 16 states that'The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is accountable to local people for the successful implementation of the devolution deal’.

 

Council believes it essential that an early steer is given to all those developing the Governance model. Council wishes to ensure that the Combined Authority and the elected Mayor are as accountable and transparent as possible.

 

Council needs to be assured that the existing provisions regarding Scrutiny in the Combined Authority, albeit in their infancy, can be strengthened to deal with the increased resources, responsibilities and momentum of the new structure.

 

Therefore, Council suggests that, as the process of governance is being developed, early consideration is given to:

 

a.  the creation of an ‘assembly’, with practices similar to that operating in London, before which the elected Mayor Is expected to outline his or her priorities and proposed actions.

b.  a model that allows three members, chosen by the Councillors in each Parliamentary Constituency, from amongst their own number, to form the basis for such a body.

 

Council requests that this is considered by the constituent Councils and the Combined Authority.”

 

Following a debate and Councillor Phil Davies having replied, the Liberal Democrat amendment was then put to the vote.

 

At the request of several Members, a ‘card vote’ was then taken on Councillor Gilchrist’s amendment to the motion and the Council divided as follows:

 

For the amendment (20) Councillors T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley,  E Boult, A Brighouse, C Carubia, W Clements, D Elderton, G Ellis, L Fraser,  P Gilchrist, J Green, J Hale, D Mitchell, T Pilgrim L Rennie, A Sykes,  GCJ Watt, Mrs PM Williams and S Williams.

 

Against the amendment (39). Councillors R Abbey, P Brightmore, Burgess-Joyce, J Crabtree, M Daniel, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies,  P Doughty, S Foulkes, R Gregson, P Hackett, T Johnson, AER Jones,  C Jones, B Kenny, A Leech, A McLachlan, M McLaughlin, C Meaden,  B Mooney, C Muspratt, S Niblock,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

70.

Car Parking Charges pdf icon PDF 50 KB

Cabinet Minute 72 (5 November, 2015) is attached and the Council is recommended to approve the ‘free parking after 3’ scheme as agreed by Cabinet.

Minutes:

The second matter requiring approval was in relation to the recommendations of the Cabinet at its meeting on 5 November 2015 (minute 72 refers). This recommendation sought approval of the ‘free after 3’ car parking scheme.

 

It was moved by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan –

 

“That the recommendations as contained within Cabinet minute 72 be approved”.

 

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor S Whittingham and seconded by Councillor J Stapleton –

 

Addition to Cabinet recommendation:

 

“The Council has been contacted by businesses requesting that the  Council supports the national ‘Small Business Saturday’ initiative by providing free parking at all Council car parks on Saturday 5th December. The budgetary implication of this is an additional £5000 reduction in car parking charges but that reduction can be met from within existing approved budgets. Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council also agrees that:

 

“Council agrees that on Saturday 5th December 2015, there be free all day parking at all Council owned car parks plus free on-street pay and display parking in the Birkenhead area in support of the ‘Small Business Saturday’ initiative and that the cost of this proposal be met from within existing approved budget”

 

Following a debate and Councillor P Davies waiving his right to reply, the amendment was then put to the vote.

 

The amendment was carried (59:1) (One abstention).

 

The substantive motion as amended was then put and carried (59:1) (One abstention).

 

Resolved (59:1) (One abstention) – That

 

(1)  from Tuesday, 1 December until the end of December 2015 the Council cuts the cost of parking in Council owned car parks by introducing free parking after 3pm;

 

(2)  on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day the Council provides free all day parking in Council owned car parks; and

 

(3)  officers be instructed to evaluate any change in usage in Council owned car parks compared to previous years.

 

(4)  that, in accordance with the Budgetary Policy Framework, the matter be referred to Council on 19 November, 2015 for approval; and

 

(5)  on Saturday 5th December 2015 there be free all day parking at all council owned car parks plus free on-street pay and display parking in Birkenhead area in support of the ‘Small Business Saturday’ initiative and that the cost of this proposal be met from within existing approved budget.

 

 

71.

VACANCIES

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

 

OUTSIDE BODIES

 

(i).  Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust

 

Councillor Mike Sullivan to replace Councillor Matt Daniel (appointed until 27 September 2017)

 

(ii).  Wirral Chamber of Commerce

 

Vacancy, formerly Mr K Adderley

 

ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND WORKING PARTIES

 

(iii).  Birkenhead Business Improvement District Steering Group

 

Vacancy, formerly Mr K Adderley

Minutes:

The Council was requested to deal with the following matters in respect of appointments to outside organisations and Advisory Committees and Working Parties.

 

Outside Bodies

 

Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust

 

Councillor Mike Sullivan to replace Councillor Matt Daniel as a Governor (appointed until 27 September 2017).

 

Wirral Chamber of Commerce

 

Mr Alan Evans to replace Mr K Adderley

 

Advisory Committees and Working Parties

 

Birkenhead Business Improvement District Steering Group

 

Mr Alan Evans to replace Mr K Adderley

 

Resolved – That the appointments and amendments to the bodies listed above, be approved.