Councillor Phil Davies opened the meeting and made reference to the terrible tragedy that had occurred at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, West London.  Everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with the victims and their families.  All present stood for one minute in memory of those who had lost their lives in the fire last week.

Councillor Davies informed that Councillor George Davies would be making a statement at the meeting on what the Council was doing locally in respect of similar tower blocks on Wirral.  He considered that it was important to reassure Wirral residents on a cross party basis.  Meetings would be held and invitations to attend would be sent to the other political groups.

Councillor Davies also referred to the terrible incident that had taken place by the Mosque at Finsbury Park, London last night when a van had been rammed into worshippers in a terror attack.  He informed that his heart went out to the victims.

Councillor Davies congratulated the four Wirral MPs on their re-election to Parliament on 8 May 2017.  He considered that these election results had sent a clear message to the Government from the people of Wirral that austerity must not and could not continue.  He informed that he would be writing to the Prime Minister to demand that austerity be reversed and that the vital public money stripped from the Council’s budget be restored.

Councillor George Davies informed the Cabinet that it was important that Members took a few minutes this morning to reflect on yet another tragedy that had occurred in this country.  He stated that the events in London over the past week had been heart breaking and everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with the victims, their families and those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.  Quite rightly, the circumstances of this five had prompted anger and fear throughout the UK.

Councillor Davies considered it important that Wirral residents were provided with as much information as possible and he knew landlords such as Magenta had been keeping their tenants well informed in the past few days.  He informed that:

·  Magenta owned eight high rise blocks in Wirral and there were another three which were in private ownership;

·  none of the blocks in Wirral had the panels which were seen at Grenfell Tower.  The Magenta blocks had all recently been refurbished and none now had gas supplies into the flats;

·  Magenta had also been clear that all of its high rise blocks had undergone an annual, independently carried out Fire Risk Assessment and annual inspections; and

·  the Council was working closely with landlords such as Magenta and were in constant contact with the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service as it begins to launch a local response to the tragic events in London which would potentially include reviewing every high rise building in the Liverpool City Region.

Councillor Davies reported that he had been reassured by how quickly local Services had responded to this situation and by how quickly the Council had been able to communicate with residents and ensure people did not worry unnecessarily.  Clearly though, this was a terribly sad situation and judging by the initial information, it seemed that a number of people and organisations would have questions to answer once the full facts were known.  For now the Council’s focus must be on supporting the victims and their families, as they begin the long process of putting their lives back together.

Councillor Davies informed that he had asked Senior Officers to convene a COBRA type crisis meeting with representatives of the Emergency Services in order to get a clear view of what needs to be done and he promised to keep the public informed on the proposed way forward.  

Members of the Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary 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.

No declarations of interest were received.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 March 2017 be confirmed as a correct record.

Key Decisions – taken under delegated powers. Period 17 March, 2017 to date.

·  Leader of the Council

Sustainable Transport Enhancement Package Years 3-6 (STEP)

(Executive Member Decision Form attached)

Call-in expired on 28 March, 2017

·  Cabinet Member – Public Health

Recommission the Healthchecks Programme and Commission a Service to provide Third Sector Infrastructure Support

(Executive Member Decision Form attached)

Call-in expired on 10 May, 2017

·  Leader of the Council

Request for Financial Assistance – Business Growth Grant Funding

(Executive Member Decision Form attached)

Call-in expired on 18 May, 2017

·  Leader of the Council

Request for Financial Assistance – Business Growth Grant Funding and Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone Investment Fund

(Executive Member Decision Form attached)

Call-in to expire on 12 June, 2017

RESOLVED:

That the following Key Decisions that have been taken under delegated authority during the period 17 March 2017 to date be noted:

·  Leader of the Council.

Sustainable Transport Enhancement Package Years 3-6 (STEP)

Effective from 28 March 2017 onwards.

·  Cabinet Member – Public Health.

Recommission the Healthchecks Programme and Commission a Service to provide Third Sector Infrastructure Support.

Effective from 10 May 2017.

·  Leader of the Council.

Request for Financial Assistance – Business Growth Grant Funding.

Effective from 18 May 2017.

·  Leader of the Council.

Request for Financial Assistance – Business Growth Grant Funding and Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone Investment Fund.

Effective from 12 June 2017.

Councillor Phil Davies introduced a report that reminded Members that on 27February 2017, the Cabinet had considered and approved an Outline Business Case (OBC) that set out a proposal to create a Property Company. Primarily the purpose of the company had been to enable the Council to use its assets to secure local economic growth, community and environmental benefits and to provide long term sustainable income streams for the Council. The Cabinet had instructed Officers to develop a Full Business Case (FBC) for a joint venture property company to take forward the delivery of growth and regeneration in Wirral.

Appended to the report was a Full Business Case to create a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) between the Council and a private sector investor/developer as a joint venture (JV). Whilst a range of company models existed, the business case concluded that the LLP model was best able to meet the Council’s strategic objectives and, in particular, offered a governance structure that would allow the Council to exert joint influence over the company with the private sector partner and benefit from more favourable taxation arrangements.

The Business Case showed a potential financial return based upon around 50 indicative sites, including three prospective acquisitions. Whilst a significant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillor Matthew Patrick introduced a report which reminded the Cabinet that The Wirral Plan: A 2020 Vision set out a shared partnership vision to improve outcomes for Wirral residents.  Delivery of the priorities and outcomes described in the Plan were underpinned through the delivery of a set of key strategies.

Appended to the report was the Wirral Together Strategy; a key strategic document which articulated ambitions related to volunteering and community involvement which would assist the delivery of all areas of the Wirral Plan.

Councillor Patrick thanked Annette Roberts, Chief Executive of Community Action Wirral and a member of Wirral’s Partnership Board who had carried out a wonderful job leading the development of a Strategy which recognised the essential role that active citizens and volunteers played in building strong communities. He also thanked all those who had been engaged in this over the last 12 months when a lot of meetings had been held.

Councillor Patrick informed that the three priorities of the Strategy were to inspire people to get involved in their communities, to encourage more people to volunteer in Wirral and to work together to remove barriers to volunteering.

The Cabinet noted that the Strategy included a set of partnership actions to be delivered over the course of the three-year Strategy.  The Strategy would be reviewed on an annual basis with regular performance reporting taking place through appropriate governance arrangements.

It was noted that this matter affected all Wards within the Borough and was therefore a key decision.

Councillor Chris Jones informed that volunteering was a huge issue and it was great that this Strategy was around volunteering.

Councillor Bernie Moody welcomed this important Strategy and that there were no barriers in the volunteers’ way.

Councillor Phil Davies made reference to the Strategy’s action plan.  He considered that the Strategy was excellent and that lots of people would like to be afforded the opportunity to be a volunteer.  This Strategy was a positive move forward and would help the Council deliver the Wirral Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the Wirral Together Strategy, which was appended to the report, be approved.

Councillor Chris Jones introduced a report which informed that The Wirral Plan: A 2020 Vision set out a shared partnership vision to improve outcomes for Wirral residents. Delivery of the priorities and outcomes described in the Plan were underpinned by the development and implementation of a set of key strategies.

Appended to the report were copies of the Strategies developed to address both tobacco and alcohol use in the borough as outlined in the Wirral Plan Healthy Lives pledge: “We want all of our residents to have a good quality of life and live healthy lifestyles in clean and safe environments”.

Councillor Jones informed that these Strategies had been developed with residents, partners and stakeholders to ensure that there has been extensive engagement in their development and priority areas for action.

Tackling tobacco use in Wirral requires action to address individual, cultural and social influences on smoking behaviour.

The aim was also that Wirral become a place that promoted a responsible attitude towards alcohol and minimised the risks, harms and costs of alcohol misuse to allow individuals, families and communities to lead healthier and safer lives.

These matters affected all Wards within the borough and approval of both Strategies was key decision.

Councillor Bernie Moody informed that she had been involved with the development of the Strategies.  It had involved attendance on a 12 week course where those on it had been thoroughly grilled.  The amount of enthusiasm exhibited by the young people in attendance had been breath taking and consequently, hard work underpinned these Strategies.

Councillor Phil Davies considered that if the Council could work with people to quit smoking and/or reduce their alcohol intake it would clearly result in an improvement in their health.

RESOLVED:

That both the Tobacco and Alcohol Strategies be approved.

Councillor Phil Brightmore introduced a report which informed that The Wirral Plan: A 2020 Vision set out a partnership vision to improve outcomes for Wirral residents.  Delivery of the priorities and outcomes described in the Plan were underpinned through the delivery of a set of key strategies.

Appended to the report was the Wirral Visitor Economy Strategy 2017-18, a key strategic document which articulated ambitions related to growing the value of the Visitor Economy in Wirral and the associated creation of jobs, which would assist the delivery of various aspects of the Wirral Plan.

Councillor Brightmore informed that he was eager to build on this ambitious expert led Strategy that had been developed in collaboration and would be delivered in partnership over a three year period. Four ambitious priorities had been identified:

(1)  Developing Wirral’s Tourism Marketing Strategy and Positioning the Peninsula as an Outstanding Destination.

(2)  Generating Greater Benefit from Conferences, Business Meetings and Events.

(3)  Developing Wirral’s Tourism Assets and Experiences to Increase Competitiveness and attract New Visitor Markets.

(4)  Establishing a Sustainable and Accessible Visitor Economy.

Councillor Brightmore thanked everyone who had given up their time to help with the development of the Wirral Visitor Economy Strategy.

This matter affected all Wards within the borough and was, therefore, a key decision.

Councillor Christina Spriggs informed that there had been some great feedback on where the Council was up to with regard to the Strategy.  She considered that the cross cutting themes that were coming through skills development from this work were heartening and that the Culture Visitor Economy was going to be massive.

Councillor Brightmore paid tribute to Councillor Spriggs for the work she had carried out in respect of the Strategy.

Councillor Phil Davies informed that it was hugely important sector and there were aspirations to increase the visitor economy.  These were exciting times and the Visitor Economy must be linked with regeneration opportunities on Wirral.  The quality of life factor was absolutely critical to encourage people to come to Wirral.

RESOLVED:

That the Wirral Visitor Economy Strategy be approved. 

Councillor Stuart Whittingham introduced a report which considered representations submitted against the modified Traffic Regulation Order consulted upon in respect of the following proposed car parking charges budget savings options:

·   Increase car parking tariffs at all Council operated car parks by 20p; and

·   Introduce car parking charges in country parks with charges of 50p for 1 hour, £1 for 2 hours and £2 all day in Arrowe Country Park, Royden Country Park, Eastham Country Park and Thurstaston Country Park.

The report recommended approval of a revised set of proposals taking into account the representations received to the modified published proposals.

The Cabinet noted that the Wirral Plan 2020 pledge relevant to this report, and to the parking service area, was Pledge Thirteen: Transport and Technology Infrastructure fit for the future, and the proposal supported the Transport Strategy priority to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

Councillor Whittingham referred to the Government’s austerity measures which had meant tough decisions like these ones having to be taken.  He informed that Council Services, as well as other Public Services e.g. Police and Fire, NHS, were being cut to the bone.

Councillor Whittingham drew attention to the fact that  even though the proposals had been reduced from those originally consulted on back in January 2017, there was still an important requirement of the statutory process to give notice to inform persons affected of the modifications and to give due consideration to any further representations received.

  Notices had been erected at the sites and a public notice had formally advertised this in the local press on 8 March 2017.  During this formal notice period the following further representations have been received:

·  141 individual representations (via letter or email) to all of the modified car parking charges budget proposals; and

·  16 of the individual representations included specific traffic management concerns. The general concern was of the traffic impact in other areas, displaced parking in to adjacent roads, traffic congestion, blocked access, dangerous parking, road safety concerns, conflict and inconvenience with residents.

  On detailed assessment, officers were satisfied that there were no fundamentally different or new points being raised that had not already been considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.