The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Councillor Steve Foulkes declared a personal interest in item 9 (Allotment Provision Scrutiny Review) as he was a Non-Executive Director of Magenta who owned land referred to, although operational decisions were not taken at Board level.

Councillor Christina Muspratt declared a personal interest in item 9 (Allotment Provision Scrutiny Review) as she rented one.

There were no questions from the public or from Members.

A report by the Director of Neighbourhood Services updated on the Climate Emergency Action Plan, which had been in development since the declaration of a climate emergency by the Council in July 2019.

Nicki Butterworth, Director of Neighbourhood Services, introduced the report and the Plan which had included over 400 actions covering a wide range of headings and was alongside a senior internal action group with all Directors to drive actions from the Action Plan. Members noted achievements such as funding for tree planting programme and the new ways of working as a Council which had been accelerated by the Covid pandemic.

Members questions aspects of the plan and how Members could be involved.

Councillor Steve Foulkes proposed an amendment to the recommendation that the Working Group be increased to 7 Members to reflect the host committee to make 3:2:1:1 to allow all parties from the host committee to have a place.

This was seconded by Councillor Christina Muspratt.

Members voted on the amendment and it was approved without dissent.

Members then voted on the substantive proposal as amended.

Resolved: That

(1)  the actions that have been taken since the Council declared an Environment and Climate Emergency in July 2019 be noted and endorsed;

(2)  the emerging Environment and Climate Emergency Action Plan

attached as Appendix 1 to this report be endorsed;

(3)  an Environment and Climate Emergency Policy Members' Working Group be established to act as a Task and Finish Group and develop an Environment and Climate Emergency Policy with a membership of 7 with a proportion of 3:2:1:1.

(4)  the Environment and Climate Emergency Policy Members’ Working Group be instructed to report back to this Committee at a future meeting with recommendations for the Environment and Climate Emergency Policy;

(5)  the Monitoring Officer be authorised as proper officer to carry out the wishes of the Group Leaders in allocating Members to membership and substitute membership of the Environment and Climate Emergency Policy Members’ Working Group and to appoint those Members with effect from the date at which the proper officer is advised of the names of such Members.

A report by the Director of Neighbourhood Services proposed minor revisions to the Council’s Parking Enforcement Policy that had been adopted in March 2012.  Any revisions were to be published on the Council’s website, which was a legal requirement. The report was in response to a Motion passed unanimously at Council in October 2019.

The Chair introduced the report. Members then raised and debated parking issues, with Simon Fox, Assistant Director for Highways and Infrastructure, answering questions and stressing that enforcement of parking around schools was taking place during the pandemic.

Resolved:

Thatthe revised parking enforcement policy included at Appendix A to the report be approved.

A report by the Director of Neighbourhood Services proposed a process for budget setting and described the existing situation and the approach to tackle issues.

The report was introduced by Nikki Butterworth, Director of Neighbourhood Services, and Senior Finance Business Partner Sarah Cox who provided detail.  Members noted an amendment with corrected figures from the report which had been published as a supplement and queried the levies which the Council was committed to.

Resolved:

That the Council’s current financial position and process for the 2021/22 budget in this transition year be noted.

A report by the Director of Resources proposed to shape performance monitoring for the Committee’s work in the future.

Nicki Butterworth, Director of Neighbourhood Services, introduced the report and suggested that a dashboard of information could be developed for Members.

Members considered the report and suggested that infographics be used to display data.

Resolved:

That the proposals outlined in the report for shaping future Performance monitoring reports be noted, and that further discussions take place with the Committee Chair and Group Spokesperson in early November so that they can shape monitoring reports for the purposes of this Committee.

A report by the Director of Neighbourhood Services set out the findings and recommendations arising from a scrutiny review of allotment provision across Wirral. This review had been commissioned as part of the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee’s work programme in 2019/20.

Councillor Christina Muspratt, who was a member of the Scrutiny Panel, introduced the report and spoke of the benefits of allotments. Members debated the issue and options available to increase the number and revenue of allotments.

Resolved:

That the recommendations contained within the Allotment Provision Scrutiny Review report of the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee be approved and the Committee have updates at future meetings.

A report by the Director of Law and Governance which detailed the planned work programme for the Committee.

The Chair introduced the report which was then considered by Members and suggestions were made for additional issues which could come to Committee.

Resolved:

That the proposed Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee work programme for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year be noted, with the addition of:

·  road safety

·  grass verges

·  parking charges

·  Hoylake beach