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.

Councillor Brian Kenny declared a personal interest in motion 2 as a member of a Trade Union and indicated that the same interest would apply for all members of the Labour Group.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Daisy Kenny, Naomi Graham, Ian Lewis, James Stewart Laing, Janette Williamson and Gill Wood.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor expressed his best wishes to Councillor Gill Wood who was recovering from a recent fall. The Mayor gave an update on his civic activity since the last meeting of Council, which included attending The Open at Hoylake Golf Club, opening the new state of the art facilities at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre and hosting a delegation from the Embassy of Peru.

The Mayor indicated that he wished to exercise his discretion and allow a presentation from Tommy Dunne who lived with Dementia and was in attendance at the invitation of Councillors Julie McManus and Mary Jordan on behalf of the Dementia friendly CIC, Thred. Tommy spoke of his experiences living with Dementia and a video was shown of a song he had written and produced. The Mayor thanked Tommy as well as Paul and Pat who accompanied him for their attendance.

The Mayor advised Council that he had received a request for an emergency motion following recent events in Israel, and was content to allow the motion to be tabled.

Councillor Jeff Green moved and Councillor Paul Stuart seconded the motion, which read:

‘Council wishes to express its absolute horror at the terrorist attacks across Israel, which began on Saturday morning. 

Council requests the Leader of the Council and Party leaders to write to Israel’s Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, expressing our deepest sympathy for all those who were murdered and confirms Council’s continuing support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.’

Councillor Pat Cleary moved and Councillor Jo Bird seconded the following amendment:

‘Council also requests that group leaders write to the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, conveying our heartfelt condolences to all those suffering due to this conflict. Council supports the right of Palestine to exist and protect itself.’

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6.41pm to allow Council to consider the amendment. The meeting resumed at 6.47pm.

Following a debate, the amendment was put to the vote and lost (40:18) (1 abstention).

Prior to the vote on the original motion, a number of Members rose to request a recorded vote in accordance with Standing Order 17.4. A recorded vote was then taken on the original motion as follows:

For

(47) Councillors Ann Ainsworth, Colin Baldwin, Paula Basnett, Gary Bennett, Stephen Bennett, Max Booth, Allan Brame, Helen Cameron, Chris Carubia, Tony Cox, Angie Davies, Graham Davies, George Davies, Steve Foulkes, Andrew Gardner, Phil Gilchrist, Jeff Green, Liz Grey, Brenda Hall, Andrew Hodson, Kathy Hodson, Gail Jenkinson, Paul Jobson, Jenny Johnson, Tony Jones, Mary Jordan, Stuart Kelly, Brian Kenny, Tom Laing, Louise Luxon-Kewley, Paul Martin, Grahame McManus, Julie McManus, Simon Mountney, Tony Murphy, Richie Pitt, Cherry Povall, Sue Powell-Wilde, Helen Raymond, Mike Redfern, Lesley Rennie, Jean Robinson, Mark Skillicorn, Kaitlin Stuart, Paul Stuart, Mike Sullivan and Vida Wilson.

Against

(11) Councillors Jo Bird, Pat Cleary, Chris Cooke, Harry Gorman, Judith Grier, Ed Lamb, Craig McDonald, Ruth Molyneux, Kieran Murphy, Amanda Onwuemene and Jason Walsh.

Abstention

(2) Councillors Ewan Tomeny and Jerry Williams

The motion was therefore carried, and it was –

Resolved – That

Council wishes to express its absolute horror at the terrorist attacks across Israel, which began on Saturday morning. 

Council requests the Leader of the Council and Party leaders to write to Israel’s Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, expressing our deepest sympathy for all those who were murdered and confirms Council’s continuing support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 10 July 2023.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings held on 10 July 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by noon, Wednesday 4 October 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer (via the online form here: Public Question Form) and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.

For more information on how your personal information will be used, please see this link: Document Data Protection Protocol

Please telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your question by the deadline for submission.

The Mayor outlined that 10 public questions had been received.

Wendy Bennett asked a question on behalf of Charlotte Smith to the Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, Councillor Liz Grey, regarding the Kings Gap slipway at Hoylake Beach and the need to clear this of vegetation for public access, including people with disabilities.

In response, Councillor Grey outlined that the slipways acted as an interface between the natural and man-made environment and users were made aware of the hazards present through the adjacent signage and to remove any vegetation without permission would be an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

David Pearson asked a question to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Stuart, asking why Wirral Motorcycle Action Group was not consulted on the imposition of 20mph speed limits.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that statutory consultees were directly consulted which did not include user groups, but that all residents were able to provide feedback via the Have Your Say consultation,

It was asked as a supplementary question why user groups were not included in the direct consultation. Councillor Stuart undertook to provide a written response.

Linda Ferrie asked a question to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Stuart, further to the statistics provided by Councillor Liz Grey on the number of those killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions in Wirral between 2017 and 2022, seeking the statistics for how many of those were as a result of speeding, drink/drug driving, stolen vehicles and uninsured drivers on which the 20mph zone rollout would have little impact.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that he believed Councillor Grey was responding to a specific question in relation to KSI data not the 20mph scheme, but would ask officers to provide those figures in a written response.

It was asked as a supplementary question why the figures were not available, if they had been used for the rollout of the 20mph scheme. Councillor Stuart undertook to ensure that this would be included in the written response.

Elaine Revans asked a question to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Stuart, outlining the opposition to the rollout of the 20mph scheme in Wirral, concerns around the consultation and concerns about the use of resources impact on traffic and asked Councillor Stuart to give reassurances regarding these concerns.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that the principle of introducing 20mph speed limits in residential areas of the borough was determined as policy by the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in 2021 following a series of cross-party road safety working group meetings which included key stakeholders.  Statutory consultation had already taken place on the particular zones proposed for 20mph limits in phases 1 and 2 of the scheme. Phase 1 would be fully implemented by the end of 2023 and a report will presented back to that Committee in December providing feedback on the results of the phase 2 consultation for their decision on whether to proceed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Notice of statements to be given in writing or by email by noon, Wednesday 4 October 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer (commmitteeservices@wirral.gov.uk) and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 11.1.

Petitions may be presented to the Council if provided to Democratic and Member Services no later than 10 working days before the meeting, at the discretion of the Mayor. The person presenting the petition will be allowed to address the meeting briefly (not exceeding three minutes) to outline the aims of the petition. The Mayor will refer the matter to another appropriate body of the Council within whose terms of reference it falls without discussion, unless a relevant item appears elsewhere on the Agenda. If a petition contains more than 5,000 signatures, it will be debated at a subsequent meeting of Council for up to 15 minutes, at the discretion of the Mayor. Please give notice of petitions to committeeservices@wirral.gov.uk in advance of the meeting.

Please telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your statement/petition by the deadline for submission.

The Mayor indicated that he had exercised his discretion and allowed Councillor Mary Jordan to submit a petition of 437 signatures relating to speed limits in Thornton Hough.

To consider Members’ questions to the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Council, Committee Chair or a Leader of a Political Group, in accordance with Standing Orders 12.

Councillor Graham Davies asked a question to the Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, Councillor Liz Grey, seeking clarification as to why the Council was intending to close three Heswall car parks.

In response, Councillor Grey confirmed no decision was being presented to close the car parks referred to, but a report was due to be presented to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in December which would include the findings of the general Phase 2 consultation and the proposed parking strategy.

Councillor Davies asked a supplementary question on how much the Council paid for the report informing the Parking Strategy, the process for the selection of the consultants and the process in place to ensure the outcome was fit for purpose. Councillor Grey undertook to provide a written response.

 
Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked a question to the Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, Councillor Liz Grey, about what measures were in place to ensure Wirral was prepared for the risk of floods given budgetary constraints.

In response, Councillor Grey outlined the Council’s statutory duty for highway drainage maintenance and outlined that proposals for service improvement would be the subject of a future report to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee.

Councillor Gilchrist asked as a supplementary question that leaf sweeping for the autumn leaf fall could begin in good time to prevent gully blockage. Councillor Grey undertook to pass the request onto officers.

Councillor Amanda Onwuemene asked a question to the Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Councillor Tony Jones, asking what costs had been incurred to date on the potential move of market traders to Argos and what the implications were for the already agreed plans to build a new market at the former House of Fraser site.

In response, Councillor Jones outlined that stage 1 design and viability assessment work was completed at a cost of £24,000, and that current proposals to relocate market to former House of Fraser site were being reviewed as costs had significantly increased.

Councillor Ewan Tomeny asked a question to the Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Councillor Tony Jones, asking when members could expect to receive the Pathfinder Investment Plan for consideration prior to its submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

In response, Councillor Jones outlined that the Policy and Resources Committee on 4 October 2023 delegated the decision to the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with Group Leaders, to submit the Simplification Pathfinder Investment Plan to the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities on 20 October 2023. A report would be brought back to a future meeting of Policy and Resources Committee.

Council is requested to agree to the following recommendations of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 12 July 2023:

to approve the revised Capital Programme of £87 million for 2023/24, including the virements of budget referred to in Appendix C of this report.

to approve the additional funding for the schemes referred to in section 3.7, with proposed extra funding from a variety of sources, new borrowing required from the Council, revenue contributions and the repurposing of previously agreed Council borrowing.

Minute extract and report are attached.

The first matter for approval was to approve the revised Capital Programme of £87 million for 2023/24, including the virements of budget referred to in Appendix C of this report, and to approve the additional funding for the schemes referred to in section 3.7, as recommended by Policy and Resources Committee on 12 July 2023.

On a motion by Councillor Paul Stuart, seconded by Councillor Jean Robinson, it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That

(1)   the revised Capital Programme of £87 million for 2023/24, including the virements of budget referred to in Appendix C of this report be approved.

(2)  t the additional funding for the schemes referred to in section 3.7 be approved, with proposed extra funding from a variety of sources, new borrowing required from the Council, revenue contributions and the repurposing of previously agreed Council borrowing.

Council is requested to agree to the following recommendations of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 12 July 2023:

To approve that the Revenue budget be increased by £2.000m due to increased Council funding, detailed in paragraph 3.25 and allocate to the budget areas detailed in Table 2.

Minute extract and report are attached.

The second matter requiring approval was the proposed increase of the revenue budget by £2.000m due to increased Council funding, detailed in paragraph 3.25 and allocate to the budget areas detailed in Table 2.

On a motion by Councillor Paul Stuart, seconded by Councillor Jean Robinson, it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That the revenue budget be increased by £2.000m due to increased Council funding, detailed in paragraph 3.25 and allocate to the budget areas detailed in Table 2.

Council is requested to agree to the following recommendations of the Children, Young People and Education Committee held on 25 September 2023.

To approve the Wirral Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan 2023-2024.

Minute extract and report are attached.

The third matter requiring approval was the Wirral Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan 2023-2024 as recommended by the Children, Young People and Education Committee on 25 September 2023.

On a motion by Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde, seconded by Paul Stuart it was –

Resolved – That the Wirral Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan 2023-2024 be approved.

Council is requested to agree to the following recommendations of the Constitution and Standards Committee held on 28 September 2023.

To approve the recommendations of the Constitution and Standards Committee in respect to the Member Parental Leave Policy.

Minute extract and report are attached.

The fourth matter requiring approval was the Members Parental Leave Policy as recommended by the Constitution and Standards Committee on 28 September 2023.

On a motion by Councillor Tony Cox, seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, it was –

Resolved – That the draft Member Parental Leave Policy be approved, subject to the deletion of the paragraph titled ‘Paternity’ and the deletion of all references to ‘maternity’ and ‘paternity’ and their replacement with the word ‘parental’.

Council is requested to agree to the following recommendations of the Constitution and Standards Committee held on 28 September 2023.

To approve the recommendations of the Constitution and Standards Committee in respect to the establishment of the Integrated Care Partnership.

Minute extract and report are attached.

The fifth matter requiring approval was the establishment of the Integrated Care Partnership as a Joint Committee, as recommended by the Constitution and Standards Committee on 28 September 2023.

On a motion by Councillor Tony Cox, seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, it was –

Resolved – That

(1)  the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership be established as a Joint Committee.

(2)  the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and a named deputy be appointed to represent the Council on the Cheshire and Merseyside and Care Partnership.

(3)  the Director of Law and Governance be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Council’s Constitution.

One urgent decision outside the Budget and Policy Framework was taken by Director of Finance on 17 July 2023 and is reported to Council in accordance with Part 4 Section 3 of the Constitution.

The minutes of all committees which have met since 19 June 2023, up until 15 September 2023 are attached below.

Minutes of Committees:

·  19.06.23 – Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee

·  20.06.23 – Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee

·  21.06.23 – Children, Young People and Education Committee

·  22.06.23 – Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee

·  27.06.23 – Audit and Risk Management Committee

·  29.06.23 – Planning Committee

·  11.07.23 – Pensions Committee

·  12.07.23 – Policy and Resources Committee

·  17.07.23 – Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee

·  18.07.23 – Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee

·  19.07.23 – Children, Young People and Education Committee

·  20.07.23 – Health and Wellbeing Board

·  20.07.23 – Planning Committee

·  24.07.23 – Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee

·  25.07.23 – Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee

·  27.07.23 – Policy and Resources Committee

·  17.08.23 – Planning Committee

·  07.09.23 – Regulatory and General Purposes Committee

·  13.09.23 – Policy and Resources Committee

·  14.09.23 – Planning Committee

Councillor Stuart Kelly asked a question to the Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in relation to minute item 10 at the meeting held on 19^th June 2023, asking what plans were in place for the use of the grounds maintenance machinery in parts of East Wirral which this year had not had roadside verges cut at the same frequency at the same frequency as West Wirral.

In response, Councillor Grey outlined that the rota would be reviewed to ensure that the maintenance would be fair and equitable for all residents and Councillors across the borough.

Councillor Kathy Hodson asked a question to the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee in relation to minute item 21 at the meeting held on 12^th July 2023, seeking clarification on whether the adverse variance for car parking charges income was £500,000 or £600,000, what date the car parking strategy was expected, and what the forecast adverse variance would be in Quarter 2 or Quarter 3. Councillor Paul Stuart undertook to provide a written response.

Councillor Kathy Hodson asked a question to the Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in relation to minute item 8 at the meeting held on 19^th June 2023, asking why a five year contract was entered into for parking enforcement as opposed to an option for less than five years given the Council was consulting on closing car parks in the borough. Councillor Liz Grey undertook to provide a written response.

Councillor Gary Bennett asked a question to the Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee in relation to minute item 8 at the meeting held on 20^th June 2023, seeking an update on the impact of the cycle lanes and whether the original survey had progressed in the last 3 months and when the responses would be shared with members. Councillor Tony Jones undertook to provide a written response.

To receive questions and answers to representatives on Joint Authorities on matters which fall within the responsibility of the relevant Joint Authority, to be received in accordance with Standing Order 12.4. These include:

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Scrutiny Committee

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee

One question had been submitted by Councillor Mary Jordan to Councillor Steve Foulkes as Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 12.4.

Councillor Jordan outlined that Spital railway station had been due to have a lift installed in 1999 but still had not received one and asked when Spital would have a lift installed.

In response, Councillor Foulkes outlined that the Combined Authority had applied to the Department for Transport had in 2019 applied for match funding from the Department for Transport for the installation of lifts at 10 stations, one of which was Spital, but the Department for Transport did not approve the application. He outlined that a further bid was being developed for 2024 which would again include Spital.

Councillor Jordan asked a supplementary question outlining the greater number of accessible trains and stations on the West Kirby line and asked Councillor Foulkes to use his influence to improve accessibility on the Chester and Ellesmere Port line. In response, Councillor Foulkes outlined that of the 10 stations submitted by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, 4 were in Wirral on the Chester and Ellesmere Port line.

Motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.1, are attached. They are listed in accordance with Standing Order 13.2, and the full text of each motion is attached.

Councillor Paul Stuart proposed under Standing Order 14(c) that motions 2 and 4 be re-ordered, so that the Liberal Democrat motion could be debated before the Labour motion.

With the consent of Council, the order of business was rearranged accordingly.

Councillor Jeff Green moved and Councillor Lesley Rennie seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

Following a debate, and Councillor Green having replied, the motion was put and lost (16:43) (1 abstention).

The guillotine was applied at 9.30pm.

Councillor Chris Carubia moved and Councillor Phil Gilchrist seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9.1, the Council did not debate the matter, and it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That

Council notes that the number of children in need of support nationally from Local Authorities is now at its highest level since before the pandemic.

Council further notes that the funding announced in the Government’s Children’s Social Care Implementation Strategy falls way short of addressing the £1.6 billion shortfall required each year simply to maintain current service levels.

Council believes that there needs to be significant additional funding for all Local Authorities, not just for those chosen for the DFE’s pilot and pathfinder schemes, so it can be wisely invested in stabilising the current system to ensure strong foundations on which to build future reform.

The number of Wirral’s children in care fluctuates around eight hundred, the cost of which in 2022/23 was £27.952m. The current average cost of a care placement for Wirral is £5,887.83 per week. With the cost for Wirral’s children with more complex needs being many times higher.

Council therefore requests that the Leader of the Council writes to The Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP to highlight the need to implement regulations to prevent private companies setting exorbitant fees for childcare placements, and from benefiting from huge profits made off the backs of our most vulnerable children in care.

Councillor Ewan Tomeny moved and Councillor Ed Lamb seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

In moving the motion, Councillor Tomeny confirmed he was happy to accept the amendments proposed by all three other groups as follows:

As moved by Councillor Liz Grey and seconded by Councillor Gill Wood, to insert additional paragraph after paragraph 7:

‘Council welcomes that fact that Wirral officers have successfully secured £171,000 of DEFRA funding to engage with residents in campaigns aimed at developing understanding and behaviour that will improve Air Quality in Wirral. This included a very successful workshop with interested stakeholders and experts from across the region held in Wirral earlier this year.’

As moved by Councillor Andrew Gardner and seconded by Councillor Jenny Johnson, to insert an additional paragraph at the end as follows:

‘To further safeguard against adverse effects of air pollution, Council resolves to continue monitoring air quality across the borough and bring a report back to the relevant committee within the guidance of committee terms of reference.’

As moved by Councillor Stuart Kelly and seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, to insert ‘as means to tackle health inequalities within the Borough’ after ‘Wirral Plan’ in the penultimate paragraph.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9.1, the Council did not debate the matter, and it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That

Health inequalities on Wirral are substantial, deeply rooted, and in many cases, worsening.

The 2022/2023 Wirral Plan Refresh underscores that health inequalities within our borough remain ‘stubbornly persistent’, and outlines addressing them as a key priority for the upcoming year.[1]

Health inequalities are caused by a web of many complex factors. One such factor is poor air quality, as recognised in the Wirral 2023 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) published this June.[2] The report additionally recognises how air pollution disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in our communities, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions. Considering our commitment to reducing the significant health inequalities on Wirral, it is vital that we proactively pursue strategies able to mitigate contributing factors to these disparities.

In Bidston St James, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead & Tranmere, and Seacombe the number of deaths from respiratory diseases is over twice the expected rate based on national data.[3] On Wirral, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a respiratory condition linked to both air pollution levels and income,[4] is more prevalent compared to the rest of England. However, the Wirral COPD burden is not spread evenly, with the rate of emergency hospital admissions in Seacombe five times higher than in Heswall.[5]

Last year, Wirral Council undertook monitoring of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) at 56 sites across the borough.[2] These monitoring sites encompassed roadside and kerbside detection, and sensors outside of seven schools. At one-third of the 43 sites with comparative data from 2021, NO₂ levels had increased, while just one of the 56 sites met World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines (10  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Councillor Brian Kenny moved and Councillor Julie McManus seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

Councillor Judith Grier moved and Councillor Jo Bird seconded the following amendment, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.3:

Insert at the end:

‘Council further agrees that the letter should include the request from Council that the New Deal for Working People should include a commitment to offer at least the real living wage to all workers delivering council services.’

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9.1, the Council did not debate the matter.

The amendment was put to the vote and lost (18:41) (1 abstention).

The original motion was then put to the vote and carried (43:16) (1 abstention). It was therefore –

Resolved – That

This Council recognises that there must be a fundamental change in our economy, and for this to happen the world of work must be fundamentally changed, to the benefit of all working Wirral residents.

Council therefore agrees that there must be a New Deal for Working People.

Council notes with concern that the Government wants to continue with insecure and exploitative employment eg Zero hours contracts, resulting in many Wirral residents suffering.

Council affirms that Wirral residents need to have a new partnership with employers and trade unions, to create jobs and build a society where everyone is entitled to fair pay, job security and dignity at work.

To achieve this, all Wirral workers must have a comprehensive set of rights and protections with trade unions empowered to organise, bargain and win for working people.

Council agrees that fair and decent work that provides security, improves national productivity, increases economic opportunity, and protects health is what all Wirral residents deserve.

Council affirms that it is entirely possible to have a future economy that rebalances wealth and power to serve the needs of working people.

Council is adamant that all Wirral residents need and deserve improved living standards and economic security.

Council therefore agrees to request the Council Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions – Mel Stride MP, to insist that a New Deal for Working People is agreed and introduced, as soon as possible.