Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Wallasey Town Hall. View directions

Items
No. Item

128.

MEMBERS' CODE OF CONDUCT - 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.

 

Councillor Jeff Green declared his interest in item 6 (b) Council Budget 2013/2014 (see minute 135 post) insofar as it related to the Schools Budget 2013/2014, by virtue of his wife's employment as a headteacher with the authority.

 

In addition, all Councillors who had been appointed to serve as governors on Wirral schools also declared their interest in item 6 (b) Council Budget 2013/2014 (see minute 135 post) insofar as it related to the Schools Budget 2013/2014.

129.

MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS

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

Minutes:

The Mayor informed the Council of the sad news of the recent death of Honorary Alderman Arthur Smith, Mayor of Wirral 1987-1988 and Labour Councillor for Holt Ward 1962-1974, Wirral Council No 1 Ward 1975-1980 and Birkenhead Ward 1981-1991. The Council stood in silence, as a mark of respect.

 

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

 

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor David Elderton. The Mayor was pleased to inform the Council that Councillor Elderton had been discharged from hospital and was appreciative of the many best wishes he had received.

 

The Mayor referred also to the result of the recent by-election held in Pensby and Thingwall and welcomed newly elected Councillor Phillip Brightmore to the Council.

130.

PETITIONS pdf icon PDF 67 KB

A.  To receive petitions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 21.

 

B.  The following petitions are referred to the Council for consideration in accordance with Standing Order 34 (1) –

 

(i).  A petition of 1,631 signatures, submitted by New Ferry Residents Association opposing the closure of Bebington/New Ferry Youth Club as a result of proposed budget savings.

 

The front sheet of the petition is attached and, in accordance with the Petition Scheme, the petition organiser has been invited to address the Council for up to five minutes. The Council should debate the matter for a maximum of 15 minutes before deciding how to respond to the petition.

 

(ii).  A petition of 14,402 signatures, submitted by Wirral UNISON opposing the closure of Day Centres for People with Learning and/or Physical Disabilities, as part of budget savings proposals.

 

The front sheet of the petition is attached and, in accordance with the Petition Scheme, the petition organiser has been invited to address the Council for up to five minutes. The Council should debate the matter for a maximum of 15 minutes before deciding how to respond to the petition.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

(i)  Councillor Phil Davies and Deputy Mayor Councillor Dave Mitchell on behalf of 600 signatories, opposing the closure of Eastham Day Centre

 

(ii)  Councillor Kathy Hodson on behalf of 34 signatories, opposing the closure of Heswall Day Centre.

 

B.  The following petitions were referred to the Council in accordance with Standing Order 34 (1), having exceeded the threshold of 1500 signatures to trigger a Council debate, in accordance with the Petition Scheme –

 

(i)  A petition of 1631 signatures, submitted by New Ferry Residents Association, opposing the proposed closure of Bebington/New Ferry Youth Club, as part of the budget savings options.

 

Warren Ward, representing the petitioners, addressed the Council.

 

(ii)  A petition of 14,402 signatures, submitted by Wirral UNISON opposing the proposed closure of Day Centres for People with Learning and/or Physical Disabilities, as part of budget savings options.

 

Brenda Hall, UNISON Branch Officer (Social Care), addressed the Council on behalf of the petitioners.

 

On a motion by Councillor Davies, seconded by Councillor McLachlan, and following a debate, it was then –

 

Resolved –

 

(1)  That the petitions opposing the closure of Eastham and Heswall Day Centres, presented by Councillors Phil Davies, Kathy Hodson and Deputy Mayor Councillor David Mitchell, be considered during the course of the debate on the Council Budget 2013/2014.

 

(2)  That the thanks of the Council be accorded to Warren Ward and Brenda Hall for their presentations, their petitions be noted and their comments made be considered during the course of the debate on the Council Budget 2013/2014.

131.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 46 KB

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 11 February 2013.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 11 February 2013 had been circulated to Members and, it was –

 

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

132.

LEADER'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minutes:

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

 

·  Councillor Phil Brightmore

The Leader was pleased to welcome newly elected Councillor Phil Brightmore, and offered congratulations for his success in the recent by-election in Pensby and Thingwall Ward.

 

·  Honorary Alderman Arthur Smith

The Leader offered his sincere condolences for the death of former Councillor Arthur Smith, who he had succeeded as Councillor for Birkenhead Ward in 1991. Arthur had been a superb local Councillor with a detailed memory of local events and election campaigns and would be sadly missed.

 

·  Blue Flag Beaches

A recent report had revealed that only three beaches in the North West had achieved the highest standard of bathing water quality and all were in Wirral – at Meols, Moreton and Wallasey. The Leader thanked those staff involved in environment and tourism work and proposed that applications be made for Blue Flag status.

 

·  Improving the Skills of Young People

The Leader was pleased to report that 12 young people aged between 16 and 18, from Leasowe and Moreton East Ward, who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) had been accepted by Wirral Metropolitan College on a free Spring/Summer course for six weeks in Plumbing, Brickwork and Plastering. The agreement was brokered by Councillor Anita Leech and Jenni Jones from Leasowe Development Trust Job Club, the aim being to promote interest in young people attending full time college courses. He commented that it was important to reduce the NEET figures and applauded the initiative.

 

·  Involve North West

The Leader offered his congratulations to Involve North West, a voluntary organisation which provided help for young people who were long term unemployed, activities for young people, mediation services and debt advice, which had secured a substantial Lottery grant for three years. The Mayor had recently been kind enough to open their offices in Tranmere and the Leader was pleased that the organisation had been recognised by the award of the grant.

133.

Procedure

Minutes:

In response to comments from Members with regard to procedural matters, the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management advised that the Budget Council procedure had been agreed by the Cabinet on 24 January 2013 (minute 171 refers) and subsequently by the Council (minute 108 (11 February 2013) refers). He commented that the procedure differed somewhat from previous years but had been discussed with Group Leaders and was in accordance with the rules of debate.

 

Having had regard to the views expressed by Members, the Leader of the Council indicated his willingness to meet with the Group Leaders to discuss the procedure to be adopted for subsequent years.

134.

Corporate Plan pdf icon PDF 37 KB

Cabinet – 18 February 2013

Minute 196 is attached, together with the report of the Chief Executive

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 7 (1), the following matter was submitted for approval by the Council –

 

Minute 196 – Cabinet (18 February 2013)

Corporate Plan

 

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

 

Resolved (56:7) – That minute 196 (Cabinet – 18 February 2013) Corporate Plan, be approved.

135.

Council Budget 2013/2014 pdf icon PDF 220 KB

In accordance with the Budget Council procedure, the following alternative Budget proposals/amendments were submitted to the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management by 12.00noon on Thursday 28 February 2013.

 

1.  Proposed amendment to the Cabinet Revenue Budget Proposal by the Conservative Group

 

Proposed by  Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

 

2.  Proposed amendment to the Cabinet Revenue Budget Proposal by the Liberal Democrat Group

 

Proposed by  Councillor Tom Harney

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Kelly

 

In relation to each amendment, the Authority’s Chief Financial Officer is satisfied, pursuant to section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, as to the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the General Fund balances and reserves. In accordance with section 25, the Interim Director of Finance will circulate prior to the meeting a written report on each set of proposals.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 13 (Budget Council Procedure), the Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Davies, moved the Cabinet’s Budget recommendations, duly seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan, Deputy Leader, with any additional paragraphs (those related to precepts), together with other minutes from the Cabinet meeting held on 18 February 2013 that required approval by the Council, plus the recommendations of the Interim Director of Finance, in his revised Council Tax 2013/2014 report.

 

A specific vote was required to be taken in relation to the recommendations in relation to Council Tax 2013/2014.

 

A.  The following minutes were deemed to be approved, subject to consideration of budget amendments. Therefore, if the budget amendments were to fail, the following minutes and the cabinet budget would be approved, in accordance with the agreed Budget Council procedure –

 

1.  Minute 201 (Cabinet – 18 February 2013)

Level of General Fund Balances 2013/2014

 

Resolved: That

 

(1)  it be agreed that the level of general fund balances recommended be based on a locally determined approach to the assessment of the financial risks that the Council may face in the future; and

 

(2)  it be agreed that the Council maintains its level of balances at or above the locally determined level of general fund balances.

 

2.  Minute 203 (Cabinet – 18 February 2013)

S.25 Statement – Robustness of Estimates

and Adequacy of the Proposed Reserves

 

In accordance with Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, the Council’s Chief Financial Officer (Director of Resources) was required to report on the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the Council’s budget calculations and the adequacy of the adequacy of the General Fund balances and reserves.

 

The Cabinet noted that Budget estimates were exactly that, being estimates of spend and income made at a point in time. The Statement about the robustness of estimates could not give a guaranteed assurance about the Budget, but gave reasonable assurances that the budget had been based on the best available information and assumptions.

 

The report of the Interim Director of Finance had also outlined a number of key processes that had been put in place in order to meet the requirement on robustness.

 

3.  Minute 207 (Cabinet – 18 February 2013)

Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

Resolved: That

 

(1)  the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2013/2016 be approved;

 

(2)  the Prudential Indicators be adopted;

 

(3)  the Council’s Minimum Revenue Provision Policy be approved;

 

(4)  those Council Officers listed within Appendix F to the report on the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy Statement, be authorised to approve payments from the Council’s bank accounts for all treasury management activities;

 

(5)  the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved; and

 

(6)  regular updates on the Medium Term Financial Strategy be reported to the Cabinet.

 

4.  Minute 202 (Cabinet – 18 February 2013)

Revenue Budget 2013/2014

 

BUDGET RESOLUTION - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Resolved – That

 

Unprecedented cuts to Council funding from central government, combined with unfunded increased demand for social care in particular, mean that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

136.

Pay Policy Report pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Employment and Appointments Committee – 14 February 2013

Minute 66 is attached, together with the report of the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council gave consideration to minute 66 of the Employment and Appointments Committee held on 14 February 2013 and to the report of the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management in relation to the Pay Policy Statement 2013/2014. His report was submitted, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, which required Council’s to determine and publish annual pay policy statements.

 

The Employment and Appointments Committee –

 

(1)  Recommended to Council, for approval, the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2013/2014;

 

(2)  Noted the increase of the Living Wage, effective from 1 November 2012.

 

(3)  Noted the responsibility of the Employment and Appointments Committee to ensure the provisions set out in the Pay Policy were applied consistently throughout the Council, and recommend any amendments to the Council.

 

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

 

Resolved (64:0) (one abstention) – That the Pay Policy Statement 2013/2014 be approved.

137.

Devolution of Major Transport Schemes Funding and the Department for Transport Assurance Framework pdf icon PDF 53 KB

Cabinet – 18 February 2013

Minute 210 is attached, together with the report of the Interim Director of Technical Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council gave consideration to minute 210 of the Cabinet held on 18 February 2013 and to the report of the Interim Director of Technical Services, in relation to the Devolution of Major Transport Schemes Funding and the Department for Transport Assurance Framework.

 

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

 

Resolved – That the recommendations set out in Cabinet minute 210 be confirmed.

138.

Statutory Scrutiny Officer

The Council is requested to approve the appointment of the Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health as the Council’s Scrutiny Officer, in place of the Democratic Services Manager.

Minutes:

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

 

Resolved – That the Council’s Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health be appointed as the Council’s Scrutiny Officer.

139.

BY-ELECTION RESULT - 28 FEBRUARY 2013

The Council is requested to note the results of the by-election held on 28 February 2013 –

 

Pensby and Thingwall

Phillip Alexander Brightmore, 8 Chatsworth Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Wirral CH42 1NY

 

Minutes:

The Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management submitted a summary of the result of the by-election held on 28 February 2013 –

 

Pensby and Thingwall

Phillip Alexander Brightmore, 8 Chatsworth Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead

 

Resolved – That the report be noted.

140.

ALLOCATION OF COMMITTEE PLACES AND VACANCIES pdf icon PDF 40 KB

A.  Following the result of the by-election held on 28 February 2013, the Council is requested to give consideration to the allocation of Committee places for meetings to the end of the current municipal year.

 

B.  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.

 

The report of the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management is attached. The Council is requested to nominate Members to fill the vacancies listed in the attached report or, to submit nominations to the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Following the results of the by-election held on 28 February 2013, the Council was requested to give consideration to the allocation of Committee places for meetings to the end of the current municipal year.

 

A note from the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management proposed an increase of one place for the Labour Group of overall Committee places and for this to be applied to the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to represent the approved allocation of Committee places, agreed at the Annual Meeting.

 

The Council was also requested to deal with a number of vacancies, as follows:

 

Committees

 

COUNCIL EXCELLENCE O&S COMMITTEE

 

Additional Labour place – Councillor Phillip Brightmore

 

EMPLOYMENT AND APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

 

Councillor Wendy Clements to replace Councillor David Elderton as deputy

Councillor Pat Hackett to replace Councillor John Salter as deputy

 

SCRUTINY PROGRAMME BOARD

 

Conservative deputy vacancy

 

COUNCIL EXCELLENCE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

Conservative deputy vacancy

 

HEALTH AND WELL BEING OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

Conservative deputy vacancy

 

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

Conservative deputy vacancy

 

Outside Bodies

 

COMMUNITY AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

 

(i).  Kylemore Community Centre Joint Management Committee

(Pensby and Thingwall Ward Councillors)

 

Vacancy to replace former Councillor Don McCubbin

 

(ii).  Leasowe Play, Youth & Community Association

Management Committee

 

Vacancy to replace former Councillor Anne McArdle

 

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

 

(iii).  Leasowe Community Homes Management Board

 

Vacancy to replace former Councillor Anne McArdle

 

REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY

 

(iv).  Conservation Area Advisory Committees

 

Conservation Area  Councillor(s)

 

Barnston  Vacancy to replace former Councillor Don McCubbin

Gayton and Heswall  Vacancy to replace former Councillor Peter Johnson

 

ADULT SOCIAL CARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

 

(v).  Heswall Advisory Body (Heswall ATC) (1:1:1)

 

Vacancy to replace former Councillor Peter Johnson

 

STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES

 

(vi).  Wirral Pedestrian Forum (1:1:1)

 

Vacancy to replace former Councillor Don McCubbin

 

Resolved –

 

(1)  That an increase of one place for the Labour Group, on the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.

 

(2)  That the amendments to membership and appointments listed above, be approved and nominations to any outstanding vacancies, be submitted to the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management.