Members of the Council are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest, in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

The Members of the Council were invited to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any matters to be determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

No such declarations were made.

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

The Civic Mayor noted that apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pat Cleary, Tony Cox, George Davies, Les Rowlands, Chris Spriggs and Adam Sykes.

The Civic Mayor congratulated Tranmere Rovers FC on their success in returning to the Football League.

The Civic Mayor thanked all those within the Council and throughout the Borough who had supported her and her Consort in the wide variety of activities which they had undertaken throughout her year of office. In particular, the Civic Mayor thanked Sue Carroll in the Civic Services office and Sonia Norman and also Carol Jackson and Barbara Turner for all their work with the Civic Mayor’s Charity Fund. She also thanked her Cadets, Thomas Gratton and Chloe Hewitt. She expressed her thanks to Nick Greenlees who had now retired from his post of Mayoral Attendant and thanked Paul Stead who had taken over the role. She referred to some of the highlights of approximately 400 engagements which she and her Consort had undertaken.

To elect the Civic Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the municipal year 2018/19.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 26 March, 2018 (minute 101 refers) has nominated Councillor Geoffrey Watt for this role.

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

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

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillor Geoffrey Watt be elected Civic Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2018/19 municipal year.

Councillor Watt proceeded to make his declaration of acceptance of office and the retiring Civic Mayor, Councillor McLachlan vacated the Chair. Councillor Watt occupied the Chair.

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

To appoint the Deputy Civic Mayor.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 26 March, 2018 (minute 101 refers) has nominated Councillor Tony Smith for this role.

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

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

Resolved (unanimously) – That Councillor Tony Smith be appointed Deputy Civic Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2018/19 municipal year.

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