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.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct for Members, the following declarations of interest were made:-

(1)  A declaration of personal interest in agenda item 9a Local Development Framework’ was declared by Councillor Doughty by virtue of professional employment (minute number 131 refers).

(2)  Declarations of personal interest in agenda item 10 ‘Notice of Motion’, insofar as it related to Motion 1 and the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, were declared by Councillors Kenny, Meaden, Rennie and Stapleton by virtue of their appointment by the Council to the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (minute numbers 128 and 141 refers).

(3)  Declarations of personal interest in agenda item, 10 ‘Notices of Motion’, insofar as it related to Motion 7 and trades union membership, were declared on behalf of members the Labour Group (minute number 147 refers).

(4)  Declarations of personal interest in agenda item 10 ‘Notice of Motion’, insofar as it related to Motion 8 and Merseytravel, were declared by Councillors Foulkes, Norbury, Rowlands and Williams by virtue of their appointment by the Council to the Merseytravel Committee (minute number 148 refers).

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

The Chief Fire Officer, Dan Stephens, has been invited to address the Council in respect of Notice of Motion 1 ‘Cuts to Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority and the Impact on Delivering Public Safety’ at agenda item 10.

(a)  The Mayor advised on the recent retirement from membership of the Council by John Hale following 43 years service as a member of the Council.  The Mayor, supported by the Leaders of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups paid tribute to Mr Hale’s exemplary service to the Council and his constituents, and wished him well in his retirement.

Mr Hale addressed the Council and expressed his thanks to the Mayor and the Council for their words.

The Council gave Mr Hale a round of applause following his address.

(b)  The Mayor advised that Dan Stephens, Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, along with Councillor Dave Hanratty, Chair of the Authority, had been invited to address the Council in connection with the first Notice of Motion at agenda item 10.  The Chief Fire Officer would be invited to address the Council prior to item 6 on the agenda.

(c)  The Mayor noted that as this was the final Council meeting of the Municipal Year, it would be her last full Council meeting as Mayor and also as an elected member, as she was to retire at the forthcoming elections following 18 years as a member of the Council.  The Mayor expressed her thanks to Members of the Council, the Deputy Mayor and her husband / consort, Bill for their support in her Mayoral year.  Thanks were also expressed to senior officers and the Monitoring Officer for their help, and to staff in Democratic Services for their support and help at Council meetings.

(d)  The Mayor announced that the Andy Day Memorial Cup, awarded to the backbench member of the Council who had shown dedication and selflessness during the Municipal Year in memory of the late Councillor Andy Day, was to be awarded to Councillor Julie McManus.

The Leader of the Labour Group, supported by the Leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups, thanked the Mayor for her service as Mayor and first citizen of the Borough over the past year.

It was moved by Councillor Anita Leech and seconded by Councillor Phil Davies that Standing Order 9(1) be suspended and Motions 1, 2 and 3 at agenda item 10 be debated with the guillotine coming into effect after that.

Upon being put to the vote, it was -

RESOLVED (46:6) –

That Standing Order 9(1) be suspended and Motions 1, 2 and 3 at agenda item 10 be debated with the guillotine coming into effect after that.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting of the Budget Council held on 5 March 2018.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Budget Council held on 5 March 2018 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive submitted petitions in accordance with Standing Order 21.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, the Mayor received one petition submitted by Councillor Stuart Kelly on behalf of nine residents of Duncote Close and Eldon House asking for yellow lines to be placed at the junction with Village Road.

RESOLVED:

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

In accordance with Standing Order 8(c), Councillor Chris Blakeley moved and Councillor Lesley Rennie seconded that agenda item 9F ‘Cabinet Member Question Time at Council Meetings’ have precedence and that the recommendation of the Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee at a meeting held on 27 February 2018 (Minute 11(2) refers) such that Cabinet Member question time at meetings of the Council be extended to 45 minutes be approved.

Upon being put the vote the Motion was declared to be carried.  It was therefore -

RESOLVED (52:0) –

That the agenda item 9F ‘Cabinet Member Question Time at Council Meetings’ have precedence and the recommendation that Cabinet Member question time at meetings of the Council be extended to 45 minutes be approved.

To deal with questions from members of the public, in accordance with Appendix 1 to Standing Orders – up to 30 minutes.

Mr J Brace, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 10, asked a question on the management of financial risks associated with the Hoylake Golf Resort project and Councillor Phil Davies, Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Growth, responded accordingly.

Mr Brace asked a supplementary question in accordance with Standing Order 10, and Councillor Phil Davies, Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Growth, responded accordingly.

Dan Stephens, Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority had been invited to address the Council in connection with the first Notice of Motion at agenda item 10 which related to cuts to the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority and the impact on delivering public safety.  Councillor Dave Hanratty, Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority, also attended for consideration of this item.

The Council was advised that the Authority had faced significant challenges since 2004, including a 50% real terms cut in revenue support since 2010/11.  The financial challenges would, by 2020, see a loss of 350 firefighters and 200 support staff when compared to 2010, with a 50% reduction in immediately available appliances.

The impact of the cuts in financial support had been significant.  Changes the Authority had had to make on Wirral would not have been recommended had it not been for the financial challenge, and had only been approved as the ‘least worst’ option.  Despite the challenge, it had been ensured that each appliance was staffed by five fire fighters; this was not necessarily the case elsewhere.

The current position meant that large incidents presented a significant challenge.  Such large incidents did not prevent other ongoing calls on the service, and the level of support provided by Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester fire and rescue services following the major incident at the Echo Arena on new years day 2018 would not have been required a decade ago.  The Home Office had been briefed on issues related to that incident, and a meeting was to be held with the relevant government Minister to express concerns.

The Council was asked to support the Motion before the Council that had been supported by the members of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority.

To receive the written reports of the Executive and Policy and Performance Committee Chairs, and to receive questions and answers on any of those reports in accordance with Standing Orders 10(2)(a) and 11.

The Mayor introduced the reports from the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members and Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and asked for questions on any of the reports.

Councillor Steve Foulkes asked a question of Councillor Stuart Whittingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure referring to recent adverse weather considerations and asking for a report on the response.  Councillor Whittingham referred to comments made at the Budget Council meeting and the thanks expressed for those staff who had worked all hours during the adverse condition.  The comments had been fed back to the staff concerned and been gratefully received.

Councillor Chris Blakeley asked the Leader of the Council for an update on his recent visit to New York.  Councillor Phil Davies advised that the Bloomberg Foundation and Harvard University funded the City Leadership Initiative, inviting Mayors and Leaders from a number of cities around the world to share experiences on matters of common interest and concern.  Matters considered included achieving inclusive growth, ensuring local people benefit from investment and job creation, and ensuring children and young people are school ready; the intention was to continue dialogue and the sharing of good practice.  Attendance, which had been funded by the Bloomberg Foundation at no cost to the Council, was considered to have benefits for the Liverpool City Region.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked Councillor George Davies, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, whether the creation of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) provided Wirral with further opportunities to increase the number of affordable homes in Wirral, and what work was being undertaken with Housing Associations to meet local needs?  Councillor George Davies advised that the MHCLG had a single plan which set out their objectives and how they will achieve them.  The plan set out a range of measures which continue to provide opportunities for Wirral to build on its successful record of delivering new affordable homes in the borough, in particular through the existing Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme.  The Council was continuing to work with Registered Providers to identify new development sites and opportunities to provide more affordable homes in the borough.  In addition, the Council is continuing to review and identify potential Council sites which could be recommended for sale to Registered Providers for the development of new affordable homes and also has in place capital programmes to provide funding for the development of new affordable housing, including the provision of Extra Care Housing to meet local needs.

Councillor Paul Stuart asked Councillor Matthew Patrick, Cabinet Member for Localism and Engagementfor an update on the neighbourhood working review.  Councillor Patrick advised that he and Rachael Musgrave had, between them, attended all four Constituency Committees to advise on progress and emerging messages.  Informal reports indicated that these sessions had been generally well received, and he hoped that all members felt engaged in the process.  Final emails would be sent to community and other interested groups in the near future.

Councillor Lesley Rennie asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

To consider Members’ general questions to the Civic Mayor, Executive or Committee Chair in accordance with Standing Orders 10 (2)(b) and 11.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked a question of the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure concerning issues with traffic lights on the New Chester Road between Bolton Road and Stanley Lane, Eastham.  Councillor Stuart Whittingham responded accordingly.

The following nomination has been received, in accordance with Standing Order 25(6), in respect of a proposed change in the membership of committees:-

Councillor Ian Lewis to replace John Hale as a full member of the Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

In accordance with Standing Order 25(6) the Council was requested to deal

with the following matter in respect of the membership of a committee –

Councillor Ian Lewis to replace John Hall as a full member of the Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

With the consent of the Council, Councillor Phil Davies moved and Councillor George Davies seconded that Councillor Christina Muspratt be removed as a substitute member of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and that a replacement name be forwarded to the Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED –

That the appointments and appointment arrangements be confirmed.

To consider and determine recommendations of the Executive which require the approval or consideration of the Council:-

A.  Local Development Framework – Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety (and Deputy Leader of the Council), 21 December 2017.  (Pages 57 - 84)

The Council is recommended to approve the adoption of the revised Local Development Scheme and that the Scheme comes into effect on the day following the Council resolution.

Further papers considered by the Cabinet Member and referenced in the report can be viewed on the Council website here.  (Copies can be provided on request).

B.  Calendar of Meetings – Cabinet, 26 February 2018 (Minute 87 refers)  (Pages 85 - 106)

The Council is recommended to adopt the calendar of meetings for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

C.  Responsibility For Local Choice Functions at Part 3 of the Council Constitution – Cabinet, 28 February 2018 (Minute 95(6) refers)

Minute 95 (extract) –

……

(6)  so as to provide for appointments which were in furtherance of the exercise of an executive function, including the appointment of representatives on the WGC, it be recommended to Council that Paragraph 16 of Responsibility For Local Choice Functions at Table 1 of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution be amended so that the decision making body for the appointment to a body or office reads ‘The Council or in respect of executive function the Leader or Cabinet’;

D.  Pay Policy Statement 2018/19  (Pages 107 - 124)

The Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council to recommend the Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 to the Council.

To consider and determine recommendations of Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Council Committees which require the approval or consideration of the Council:-

E.  Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002 - Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 30 November 2017 (Minute 33(2) refers)  (Pages 125 - 134)

The Council is recommended to adopt Part 6(3) of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.

F.  Cabinet Member Question Time at Council Meetings - Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee, 27 February 2018 (Minute 11(2) refers) (Pages 135 - 138)

The Council is recommended to extend Cabinet Member question time at meetings of the Council to 45 minutes.

G.  Amendments to the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution - Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee, 27 February 2018 (Minute 16 refers) (Pages 139 - 144)

The Council is recommended to adopt amendments to the Scheme of Delegation within the Council’s Constitution.

H.  Appointment of Monitoring Officer – Employment and Appointments Committee, 6 March 2018 (Minute reference to be notified)

The Council is asked to approve the revision of the post of Assistant Director: Law and Governance to that of Director – Governance & Assurance and to confirm, subject to the Council’s standard pre-employment process, the permanent appointment of Philip McCourt to the post of Director – Governance & Assurance (Monitoring Officer). 

In accordance with Standing Order 5(2) several matters had been submitted for approval or consideration by the Council and were determined as indicated in Minutes 132 - 138 below.

Councillor George Davies moved and Councillor Phil Davies seconded the recommendation of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety (and Deputy Leader of the Council) of 21 December 2017 such that the revised Local Development Scheme be adopted and come into effect on the day following the Council resolution.

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.  It was -

RESOLVED (51:0) (One abstention) –

That the revised Local Development Scheme be adopted and come into effect the day following this meeting of the Council.

Councillor Phil Davies moved and Councillor George Davies seconded the recommendation of the Cabinet from a meeting held on 26 February 2018 (minute 87 refers) that the calendar of meetings for the 2018/19 Municipal Year be adopted.

An amendment moved by Councillor Phil Gilchrist and seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell, which had been submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9) and circulated in advance, such that the calendar be adopted subject to an additional meeting of the Council to be held on Monday 17 September 2018 was voted upon and lost (20:31) (One abstention).

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.  It was  

RESOLVED (32:17) (One abstention) –

That the calendar of meetings for the 2018/19 Municipal Year, as recommended by the Cabinet, be adopted.

Councillor Phil Davies moved and Councillor George Davies seconded the recommendation of the Cabinet from a meeting held on 28 February 2018 (minute 95(6) refers) such that Paragraph 16 of Responsibility For Local Choice Functions at Table 1 of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution be amended so that the decision making body for the appointment to a body or office reads ‘The Council or in respect of executive function the Leader or Cabinet’.

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.  It was  

RESOLVED (46:6) (One abstention)–

That paragraph 16 of Responsibility For Local Choice Functions at Table 1 of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution be amended so that the decision making body for the appointment to a body or office reads ‘The Council or in respect of executive function the Leader or Cabinet’.

The Council considered a report setting out the requirement for Councils, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, to determine and publish annual pay policy statements.  The statements were required to set out policies relating to Chief Officer remuneration, including salary, allowances, and enhancements at termination; remuneration of the Council’s lowest paid employees; and the relationship between Chief Officer remuneration and that of other employees.  The report further advised that a new Foundation Living Wage rate was announced by The Living Wage Foundation on 1 November 2017, the new Living Wage rate being £8.75 per hour, an increase of 30p.

Councillor Phil Davies moved and Councillor George Davies seconded the recommendations to introduce the revised National Living Wage rate of £8.75 per hour, effective from 1 April 2018, and to approve the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2018/19.

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.  It was  

RESOLVED (51:0) (One abstention) – That –

(1) the revised National Living Wage rate of £8.75 per hour, be introduced with effect from 1 April 2018; and

(2) the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2018/19 be approved.

Councillor Paul Stuart moved and Councillor Steve Foulkes seconded the recommendation of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee at a meeting held on 30 November 2017 (Minute 33(2) refers) such that the Council adopt Part 6(3) of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.  It was -

RESOLVED (51:0) (One abstention) –

That the Council adopt Part 6(3) of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.

Councillor Moira McLaughlin moved and Councillor Paul Stuart seconded the recommendation of the Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee at a meeting held on 27 February 2018 (minute 16 refers) for the amendment of the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution in respect of matters related to the authorisation of  Officers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to drivers of idling vehicles pursuant to Part 6 of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002 and the identification of the Cabinet Member for Environment being the person to hear and determine matters in respect of Schedule 1 s7 of the Scrap Metal Act  2013.

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.  It was  

RESOLVED (51:0) (One abstention) –

That the recommended amendments to the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution be adopted.

Councillor Phil Davies moved and Councillor George Davies seconded the recommendation of the Employment and Appointments Committee at a meeting held on 6 March 2018 (Minute 21(9) refers) asking that the Council approve the revision of the post of Assistant Director: Law and Governance to that of Director – Governance & Assurance and to confirm, subject to the Council’s standard pre-employment process, the permanent appointment of Philip McCourt to the post of Director – Governance & Assurance (Monitoring Officer). 

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.  It was  

RESOLVED (31:20) (One abstention) –

That the revision of the post of Assistant Director: Law and Governance to that of Director – Governance & Assurance be approved and, subject to the Council’s standard pre-employment process, the permanent appointment of Philip McCourt to the post of Director – Governance & Assurance (Monitoring Officer) be approved. 

Notices of motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(1), are listed below. They are listed in accordance with Standing Order 7(2), and the full text of each motion is attached. The Mayor, having considered each motion in accordance with Standing Order 7(4), has decided that each will be debated:-

1.  Cuts to Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority and the Impact on Delivering Public Safety.

2.  Labour NEC Interference in Local Government.

3.  Car Parking Charges and Supporting Local Commerce.

4.  Zero Tolerance of Litter.

5.  Scrap Wirral View.

6.  Securing Safe Energy Supplies.

7.  ISS Facilities Management Limited at the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen Hospitals NHS Trust.

8.  Support for New Trains on the Merseyrail Network.

Notices of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(1) were reported to the Council and determined as detailed within Minutes 141 – 148 below.

In standing to move a Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1), Councillor Brian Kenny indicated acceptance of an amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Orders 12(1) and (9) to be moved by Councillor Chris Carubia and seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell.  The Council gave its agreement to the variation to the Motion as required by Standing Order 12(1), such agreement being given by general consent.

Accordingly, Councillor Brian Kenny moved and Councillor Janette Williamson seconded the following varied Motion –

“Council recognises the excellent work undertaken by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) in delivering community safety and prevention initiatives across Liverpool City Region, including Wirral.

Council appreciates that MFRS has to deal with a wide range of incidents, both speedily and effectively, and therefore requires diverse and appropriate resources. MFRS also supports National Resilience and is required to respond to incidents regionally, nationally and internationally, such as terrorist threats, severe weather, flooding and any incident that may have an impact on critical infrastructure.

MFRS delivers interventions that meet the needs of our communities including: ‘Safe and Well’ visits that target our most vulnerable residents. This Service is held in very high regard and gains access to over 50,000 homes annually, to deliver community safety interventions.

Council believes that the Government should recognise the Fire and Rescue Service is a unique public body that plans for ‘risk,’ not ‘demand,’ and therefore should fund it accordingly.

Council calls on the Government to recognise that Wirral has a number of COMAH upper tier sites and that the Borough is also at risk of extensive coastal flooding and that these factors should be taken into account.

Council is concerned that MFRS has experienced the worst budget reductions in the whole of the Country. The number of stations, engines and firefighters have all been cut drastically, thereby increasing the risk to the communities that the service works so hard to protect.

The impact of the cuts to MFRS are as follows:

Council therefore calls on the Government to:

1.Cease any further cuts to the MFRS budget

2. Fund a real increase in firefighters’ pay

3.Undertake a full evaluation of the impact of these cuts to date

Council wishes to place on record its wholehearted thanks and appreciation for the work undertaken by MFRS, firefighters and support staff for their dedication, commitment and continuing professionalism, in keeping our communities safe”.

Following a debate conducted in accordance with Standing Order 12, and prior to the varied Motion being put to the vote, such Members as required by Standing Order 18(5) rose to request a ‘card vote’. 

A ‘card vote’ was then taken on the varied Motion and the Council divided as follows:

For the Motion (50) - Councillors B Berry, C Blakeley, A Brighouse, P Brightmore, D Burgess-Joyce, C  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141.

Councillor David Burgess-Joyce moved and Councillor Chris Blakeley seconded the following Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) –

“Council is concerned that the Leader of Wirral Council is currently unduly influenced in decision-making that directly impacts on the communities he serves.

Council is aware the Leader, along with other Labour council leaders across the country, has written to his party headquarters to voice his concern about National Executive Committee interference in local decisions.

Clearly involvement by a non-elected body such as the Labour Party NEC into Wirral Council workings is anathema to the very tenet of democracy and all right-thinking councillors of every party would feel it wrong.

To this end Council would ask the Leader of the Council to reiterate his disdain for such actions by the NEC and confirm to Council that no actions or decisions he or his Cabinet have made since his letter to the NEC have, or will be, altered as a result”.

Following a debate conducted in accordance with Standing Order 12, the Motion was put and lost (18:31) (Two abstentions).

Councillor Stuart Kelly moved and Councillor Alan Brighouse seconded the following Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) –

“This Council is concerned that the retail offer in Wirral’s main retailing centres, with the range and variety of businesses,needs to be better placed to withstand the impact of online retailing and the challenges facing well know multiple chains.

Council recognises that the warning signs, evidenced in the 2014 review of charges, are becoming yet more relevant.

Council notes that the September 2014 Scrutiny Review into car parking charges at shopping centres

(http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/documents/s50021835/Car%20Parking%20Scrutiny%20Review.pdf) considered that car parking charges should follow the following Policy Objectives:-

·  P01 To support the long-term economic viability of the Borough's shopping and commercial centres.

·  P02 To ensure that the price for car parking is fair and not detrimental to the economic well-being of shopping and commercial centres.

Council considers these objectives are not being met and that car parking charges are now used as a ‘cash cow’ to augment Council income rather than to aid local business and support centre viability.

Council notes that car parking charges make a ‘profit’ of in access of £800,000.

Council therefore requests Cabinet to instruct officers to work with retail organisations to develop a scheme of car parking charges that meets these objectives first identified in 2014.

The new scheme should include an offer of a refund of £1 on a ticket where validation by participating retailers of spend of £5 or more has taken place in the shopping retail centres of Birkenhead, Liscard, Heswall and West Kirby”.

Councillor Stuart Whittingham moved and Councillor Warren Ward seconded the following amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9) such that the Motion be approved subject to -

The deletion ofparagraphs 1 and 2 and the deletion of all after bullet point 2 ending “economic well-being of shopping and commercial centres”, and the insertion of - 

“Council notes that standard rate parking charges in Liverpool One range from £2.50 to £17.00.

Council notes that here in Wirral our parking charges are reasonable and consistent with neighbouring authorities.

Council notes that many of the car parking spaces in both Birkenhead and Liscard, our major retail areas are under the ownership of the shopping centre operators.

Council notes that in partnership with local businesses in Heswall, a shopper’s discount scheme is already in operation there.

Council would welcome the opportunity to work with the business community in other district centres to roll out the initiative further.

Council welcomes the formation of The Wirral Growth Company which will unlock the potential of Wirral and increase the attractiveness of our retail and commercial offer”.

Following a debate conducted in accordance with Standing Order 12, the amendment was put and was carried (31:19) (One abstention).

The Motion, as amended, was put and carried.  It was

RESOLVED (31:19) (One abstention) –

That Council notes that the September 2014 Scrutiny Review into car parking charges at shopping  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

Councillor Phill Brightmore moved and Councillor Phil Davies seconded the following Motion, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) –

“This Council reaffirms its support for a zero tolerance approach towards litter in the Borough.

Council rejects criticism by the Green Party that our approach towards people who drop litter in Birkenhead is ‘heavy-handed and ineffective’ and that smokers are being targeted.

This Labour Administration makes no apology for clamping down on people who drop litter. In the last six months 1,800 litter Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued in the Birkenhead area. This is approximately half of all litter FPNs issued in the Borough. Although 93.6% of these were for cigarette litter, this simply represents the most common form of littering rather than any attempt to target smokers.

Council believes that the Green Party’s stance of being soft on litter louts is not shared by the vast majority of residents who are pleased with the priority the Council is giving to tackling this issue. This Council will not tolerate littering and rejects Green party calls to do so within Birkenhead”.

Having applied the guillotine pursuant to minute 123 above, the Council did not debate this matter.

Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was carried.  It was

RESOLVED (49:1) (One abstention) –

That the Motion be approved.

Councillor Wendy Clements moved and Councillor Lesley Rennie seconded a Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) –

“Council is concerned that the Wirral View newspaper continues to be beset with problems – including patchy distribution and low levels of external advertising.

Council believes that £254,000 spent to date, and the further £140,000 planned for 2018/19, is a waste of money and therefore calls on Cabinet to put the publication out of its misery”.

Councillor Chris Carubia moved and Councillor Dave Mitchell seconded an amendment submitted in accordance with Standing orders 12(1) and (9) such that the Motion be approved subject to - 

Insert after the second paragraph -

“Council notes that advertising ‘income’ of £85,800 was included in the Budget in 2017-18 but that only £28,000 was realised, requiring savings in services elsewhere.

Council observes that the recent edition of Wirralview incorporated the symbol ‘FREE’ in white letters on a blue background as part of its masthead.  Council requests Cabinet to replace the 'FREE' symbol with an equally prominent statement to clarify that the publication is, in fact, funded by the Wirral Council Taxpayers”.

Having applied the guillotine pursuant to minute 123 above, the Council did not debate this matter.

Upon being put to a vote, the amendment was lost (19:31) (One abstention).

Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was lost (19:31) (One abstention).

In standing to move a Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1), Councillor Phil Gilchrist indicated acceptance of an amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Orders 12(1) and (9) to be moved by Councillor Geoffrey Watt and seconded by Councillor Gerry Ellis.  The Council gave its agreement to the variation to the Motion as required by Standing Order 12(1), such agreement being given by general consent.

Accordingly, Councillor Phil Gilchrist moved and Councillor Dave Mitchell seconded, the following varied Motion –

“Council recalls that, at its meeting of 18 July 2011 (Minute 28), Council unanimously approved a Notice of Motion proposed by Cllr Mark Johnston and seconded by Cllr Dave Mitchell.

The Motion responded to and set out this Council’s response to public concerns at that time. These concerns remain as shown by the strong opposition to developments in Lancashire and in North Yorkshire.

As part of the motion, it was resolved that Council:

(a)  states its opposition to any application by IGas or other companies to carry out shale gas or coal gas methane testing or extraction in Wirral until such time as the Council is satisfied as to the safety of the process and that the risk of adverse environmental impacts have been fully addressed.

(b)  requests the appropriate chief officer prepare a report for the Planning Committee, the Economy and Regeneration and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committees to aid members in better understanding the Council's responsibility and regulatory role in relation to gas exploration.

(c)  further requests the Economy and Regeneration OSC to include a study of the potential economic impacts of shale gas exploration and exploitation in Wirral in its workplan, including whether the impact of a proliferation of shale gas drilling on the Liverpool City Region will adversely impact on it becoming a leading area for the manufacture of low carbon technologies and development of a green economy.

Council also recalls that at its meeting of 14^th July 2014 (minute 17) the Mayor had referred a Notice of Motion ‘Underground Coal Gasification’, which had been proposed by Cllr Geoffrey Watt and seconded by Cllr Gerry Ellis, to the Regeneration and Environment Policy and Performance Committee.  That motion was duly considered by the Committee on 22^nd September 2014 (minute 15) receiving unanimous support and was referred back to Council on 20^th October 2014 (minute 52) where that recommendation again received unanimous approval.

This second motion noted the existing protections afforded to the Dee Estuary, Hilbre Islands, North Wirral Coast and Mersey Narrows, together with the growing evidence of environmental damage emerging from countries where Unconventional Gas Extraction was practiced.  It also restated Council’s opposition to such practices under Wirral and its surrounding coastal areas, resolved not to facilitate them and further instructed the then Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Wirral’s four MPs and six neighbouring coastal authorities, informing them of Wirral’s stance and inviting those authorities to pass equivalent resolutions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

Councillor Matthew Patrick moved and Councillor Brian Kenny seconded the following Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) –

“Council notes that staff employed by ISS Facilities Management Limited (ISS) provide vital services at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust (RLBUHT), cleaning hospital wards, transporting patients around hospital departments and cooking for patients, visitors and staff.

Council notes the changes that ISS have made to the sick pay scheme for facilities management workers at RLBUHT and a couple of other NHS Trusts in the country, which has reduced sick pay to 12 days. Council notes that this means that staff who are the most seriously ill and most in need of time away from work, workers suffering from illnesses like cancer, heart problems or physical injuries, are the people who are faced with the difficult decision of either working when medically unfit to do so or facing severe financial difficulties due to not being paid.

Council further notes the collective grievance containing over 270 names submitted by Unite the Union to ISS management calling for the full sick pay scheme to be reinstated, which has so far been repeatedly ignored by ISS management.

Council therefore calls on ISS to negotiate with Unite with a view to reinstating the full sick pay regime so that ISS facilities management staff at RLBUHT have access to a fair sick pay scheme on the same basis available to NHS workers and ISS worker at other NHS Trusts and also calls on the RLBUHT Board and management to put pressure on ISS to make this happen.

Council requests that the Leader of the Council writes to the Chief Executives of ISS and RLBUHT outlining the terms of this motion”.

Having applied the guillotine pursuant to minute 123 above, the Council did not debate this matter.

Upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED (50:0) (One abstention) –

That the Motion be approved.

In standing to move a Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1), Councillor Les Rowlands indicated acceptance of an amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Orders 12(1) and (9) to be moved by Councillor Stuart  Kelly and seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist.  The Council gave its agreement to the variation to the Motion as required by Standing Order 12(1), such agreement being given by general consent.

Accordingly, Councillor Les Rowlands moved and Councillor Chris Blakeley seconded, the following varied Motion –

“Council welcomes the decision by all members of Merseytravel Transport Committee to support the introduction of new trains on the network.

Council believes the new carriages, replacing rolling stock that is 40 years old, will improve the quality of service for all rail users and, in particular, improve access for disabled passengers.

Council also believes that the new carriages should not be used as an excuse by Merseytravel / Merseyrail to reduce security on trains.  In the light of concerns that continue to be raised by the RMT and the public, Council is anxious to establish, beyond doubt, that the safety of passengers from abusive and loutish behaviour can be assured”.

Having applied the guillotine pursuant to minute 123 above, the Council did not debate this matter.

Upon being put to the vote, it was –

RESOLVED (19:0) (32 abstentions) –

That the varied Motion be approved.