The Chair welcomed attendees and viewers to the meeting and reminded everyone that the meeting was webcast and retained on the Council’s website.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Jerry Williams.

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.

Members were 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 Naomi Graham declared a non pecuniary interest by virtue of her husbands employment.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2022.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2022 be approved and adopted as a correct record.

Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, 30 January 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer via this link: 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 for Public Speakers at Committees | Wirral Council

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

The Chair indicated that 11 public questions had been received.

Jon White attended the meeting to ask a question on what the KKP Indoor and Built Facilities Strategy says about the community swimming provision in the Borough. The Chair responded that the Strategy was commissioned by Wirral Council’s Planning Department and was a publicly available document and offered a paper copy or the link to be sent.

A supplementary question was asked on where children will learn the important life skill of swimming if 3 more swimming pools were lost, it was agreed that a written response would be provided within 10 working days of the meeting.

Jane Langsdale attended the meeting to ask a question about the Wallasey Central Library site and what specific plans the Council had for the future use of the land and building if it ceased to be used for its original purpose. The Chair responded that The Council had not developed any specific plans for the future use of the land and / or building that currently houses Wallasey Central Library in the event that it was ceased to be used as a Library.

A supplementary question on what enquiries had been previously made about the use of the land at Wallasey Central library and the Chair stated that a written response would be provided within 10 working days of the meeting.

Barbara Hardcastle attended the meeting and asked a question on continuing covid restrictions in libraries which had led to activities and groups being unable to be reinstated and opening times being limited. In response, the Chair outlined that whilst restrictions had been lifted regarding social distancing, and the Government had removed legal restrictions, Councils were directed to follow guidance. The guidance meant the Council must provide additional fresh air to our buildings and as a ‘Duty of Care’ (as building owners) and therefore is obligated to provide adequate fresh air for members of the public/employees, and to provide adequate ventilated spaces that are supported by statutory ‘Approved Documents’ and the likes of CIBSE etc. It was also prescribed by law in Regulation 6 of the Workplace (Health and Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Whilst the guidance meant ventilation numbers cannot be ignored, the Library Service is working with the Facilities Management section to increase these where possible with investment in CO2 monitors to provide data to enable the numbers to be revisited and in some sites installation of mechanical ventilation to improve this. The implementation of the New Library Model would see the reintroduction of evening opening hours in the 4 Central libraries.

A supplementary question was asked around why there were not already CO2 monitors installed in libraries and the Chair stated that a written response would be provided within 10 working days of the meeting.

Jessica Keeler submitted a question around restrictions in Libraries planning and facilitating activities and events since the pandemic. The Chair indicated that a written response would be provided and minuted. The prepared response was the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Statements

Notice of representations to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, 30 January 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer (committeeservices@wirral.gov.uk) and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 11.1.

Petitions

Petitions may be presented to the Committee if provided to Democratic and Member Services no later than 10 working days before the meeting, at the discretion of the Chair. The person presenting the petition will be allowed to address the meeting briefly (not exceeding three minute) to outline the aims of the petition. The Chair 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 telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your statement/petition by the deadline for submission.

The Chair indicated that there were 3 public statements to be heard.

Keith Marsh read a statement which emphasised that the Community Asset Transfer process had been an anxious and exhaustive period for Brackenwood Golf Club and members of the community. The statement noted how since May 2022, Brackenwood Golf Club volunteers had acted as custodians of the land ensuring it had been well maintained. He detailed how Brackenwood had submitted a Biodiversity Net Gain strategy which was complimentary of the brownfield first policy in the Local Plan and in support of greenbelt protection and how Brackenwood’s business plans offered affordable golf closer to home, reducing car journeys and carbon footprints as well as providing free access to a sport often seen as expensive to under 16’s and affordable access to adults to promote inclusivity rather than exclusivity.

Robin Clarke read a statement which demonstrated the local communities’ sentiments at the officer recommendation not to proceed with the Community Asset Transfer of Brackenwood Golf Course and echoed the community and volunteers commitment to the site and Biodiversity Net Gain. The statement detailed the support the members of Brackenwood Golf Club had given to businesses who expressed an interest in the future of the club throughout the Community Asset Transfer process.

In his capacity as a Wirral resident, Councillor Jason Walsh made a statement, supporting the previous statements that Brackenwood was a much loved community space and was important to residents.

Questions by Members to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Orders 12.3 to 12.8.

There were no questions by Members.

The Assistant Chief Executive introduced the report which outlined the various stages undertaken to secure funding for and subsequently award the tender for New Ferry Rangers Community Clubhouse project. The report related to the refurbishment of Bebington Youth Club in New Ferry for community uses. The main driver for the project was to transfer the under-utilised asset to New Ferry Rangers Football Club (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), allowing them to deliver a fit for purpose, community offer from the site, including a Community Café, Community Gym and 3G Pitch. The Community Clubhouse should be seen as a complimentary element of the wider regeneration of New Ferry.

Members thanked officers for their hard work, noting that residents had previously reported there were not enough facilities for young people and so this project would be appreciated.

Resolved – That

(1)  the award of the tender for refurbishment of the Bebington Youth Club and installation of a short sided 3G pitch to Skyline Property Solutions Ltd be noted.

(2)   the acceptance of the Sport England grant to help fund this project (comprising of £300,000 total capital and £36,

875 revenue in development support) be endorsed.

(3)  the establishment of a long-term lease for the building, transferring responsibility to New Ferry Rangers Charitable Incorporated Organisation be endorsed, said lease will include continuity of Youth Services provision from the site, minimum nine hours per week.

TheAssistant Director - Special Projects introduced the report of the Director of Resources which made recommendations in relation to the following Community Asset Transfer (CAT) matters: Former Libraries, Brackenwood Golf Course, Bromborough Civic Centre, and in addition to an Asset Transfer (AT) matter: Former Public Toilets in Moreton

Members thanked officers for their hard work throughout the Community Asset Transfer Process.

Members considered the recommendations individually.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins that the Director of Resources be authorised to conclude the transfer of assets of Pensby Library to Pioneer People and Prenton Library to St. Stephens Church on the basis of the terms reported in the exempt appendix 1 to the report. This was agreed by assent.

Members discussed that this was a good use of a community asset being introduced and re-opened to the community.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Jenny Johnson that the Director of Resources be authorised to enter into negotiations on the basis of the re-submitted business plans contained in the exempt Appendix 2 of this report to agree Heads of Terms for the transfer of the former library assets at Wallasey Village to the Wallasey Village Library and Community Centre, Irby to the Friends of Irby Library, and Higher Bebington library to the Co-op Academy Bebington. Once agreed these Heads of Terms are to be reported back to this Committee for a decision or onward recommendation to Policy and Resources Committee. This was agreed by assent.

The Chair noted that the additional 9 weeks that had been added to the timeline had been beneficial for small businesses as creating a business plan could be a daunting task. Members noted the importance of keeping as many libraries open as possible and welcomed this recommendation.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins that the Director of Resources be authorised to market the site of the former Hoylake Library for sale or commercial leasing on the basis that it is surplus to the requirements of the Committee. This was agreed by assent.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Tony Smith that the removal of the former Woodchurch Library asset from the CAT process be approved. This was agreed by assent.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Judith Grier that Policy and Resources be recommended to agree that Higher Bebington Library be appropriated by the Council for educational purposes. This was agreed by assent.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Tony Smith that Policy and Resources be recommended to agree that the former Woodchurch Library asset be appropriated by the Council for educational purposes. This was agreed by assent.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Jenny Johnson that Policy and Resources be recommended to agree that the site of the former Hoylake Library be marketed for sale or commercial leasing. This was agreed by assent.

A discussion ensued around officer recommendation 5,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services introduced the report which enabled the Committee to consider feedback and outcomes from the Budget Workshops which had been held in recent months. The workshops enabled officer and member liaison on proposed budget options, to facilitate discussion and allow direction to be obtained on further analysis required. The Budget Workshops also provided an opportunity for alternative proposals to be considered.

Engagement with local residents and businesses had been undertaken as part of the budget setting process. The outcome of this consultation for Leisure and Library Services was included at Appendices 4 and 5 and would be presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 15 February 2023, alongside the outcomes of the other service-specific consultations.

The Chair thanked officers for their hard work in delivering the workshops and budget options and expressed that some options had been difficult to consider but acknowledged that officers had to bring a range of proposals to Members.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Budget Workshop feedback and outcomes, as detailed in Appendices 2 & 3, be reported to Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.

(2)  the latest budget information provided to Policy and Resources Committee in January be noted.

(3)  the outcome of the public consultation for Leisure and Library Services as detailed in Appendices 4 & 5 to the report be noted.

The Consultant Lawyer introduced the report of the Director of Law and Governance which provided the Committee with an opportunity to plan and review its work across the municipal year.

It was requested that reports on trading standards and air pollution be added to the work programme.

In response to a Member query, the Assistant Director Neighbourhoods, Safety & Transport agreed to provide a briefing note and to hold a workshop for the Committee on the Open Golf.

Resolved – That the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee work programme for the remainder of the 2022/23 municipal year be noted.

The following items contain exempt information.

RECOMMENDATION:  That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

Resolved – That under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

Resolved – That the content of the appendices be noted.

Resolved – That the content of the appendices be noted.