Members of the Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2018.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2019 be approved.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the Licensing Panel held on 29 August, 14 September, 3 October, 12 October and 24 October 2018.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings held on 29 August, 14 September, 3 October, 12 October and 24 October 2018 be approved.

To appoint a fourth Labour Member to the Licensing Panel who is required to replace a former Labour Member.

Resolved – That nominations be submitted to the Monitoring Officer and that this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee.

A report by the Director of Governance and Assurance requested agreement from the Committee that the Wirral Award be conferred on the nominees as recommended by the Wirral Award Working Party held on 13 December 2018.  The Wirral Award was intended to confer civic recognition upon individuals or organisations resident or located in Wirral for an outstanding achievement within the previous twelve months, or for distinguished service to the Borough over a period of twenty years or more.

A discussion took place regarding the current protocol and Councillor P Stuart requested that this be attached to all future reports regarding the Wirral Award in order that Members of the Committee could be clear on the procedure.

It was reported that once nominations were agreed, a presentation ceremony would be arranged which would be attended by The Mayor of Wirral, the Leader of the Council, Group Leaders or their nominees, the Chair and spokespersons of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee or their nominees and the award nominees plus one guest each.

On a motion by Councillor P Stuart and seconded by Councillor C Meaden it was -

Resolved (8:0) –

(1)  That the Wirral Award 2018 be conferred upon those recipients recommended by the Wirral Award Working Party.

(2)  That the arrangements for the presentation ceremony as set out in paragraph 3.0 of the report be agreed.

(3)  That the Wirral Award Protocol be appended to future reports on the matter.

A report by the Director of Governance and Assurance and Monitoring Officer provided details of a petition, signed by 100 people who live in the Borough requesting that the Committee review the provision and distribution of a polling station for Holmlands Estate, Oxton.

Members were advised that the Council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is a polling place accessible to all Electors in each of its polling districts. The report set out the petition, supporting information and recommendations on the Petition and also provided supporting information and comments from Councillors.

The Electoral Services Manager addressed the Committee to inform Members that the petition stated that the location of the polling station at Oxton St Saviours CE Primary School does not reflect the geographical distribution of the electorate. It was reported that the current polling station is located at the extreme boundary of the District served, surrounded on three sides by open spaces and playing fields. Members heard how it is acknowledged that the cost of providing and staffing an additional Polling Station to serve the Holmlands Estate may be considered an unreasonable expense. Other possible venues were set out within the report and included Townfield Primary School and Bethany Chapel. 

The Electoral Services Manager informed Members that following the elections in May 2019 a statutory review of polling districts and polling places would be undertaken and this district would be included.

A Ward Councillor addressed the Committee to support the recommendation that the status quo remain in relation to the designated polling place for polling district DB, Oxton St Saviours C of E Primary School (Holm Lane).

On a motion by Councillor D Mitchell and seconded by Councillor I Lewis it was -

Resolved (8:0) -

(1)  That the petition be considered.

(2)  That the boundary between polling district DA and DB be reviewed as part of the statutory Polling Districts and Polling Place Review being undertaken after the May 2019 elections.

(3)  That the status quo remain in relation to the designated polling place for polling district DB which is Oxton St Saviours C of E Primary School (Holm Lane).

A report by the Director of Governance and Assurance and Monitoring Officer provided details of a change in relation to a polling place within Polling District ND in the Hoylake and Meols ward of the Borough and sought approval of a suitable alternative.

Members heard how the current polling place is Westbourne Community Centre, however, this venue would not be available for the forthcoming local elections due to a block booking opportunity. Members were informed that further to investigations for a suitable alternative venue, the proposed alternative would be West Kirby Methodist Church Hall. Members were advised that this venue had been used in the past and was accessible to all electors.

On a motion by Councillor A Hodson and seconded by Councillor B Davies it was -

Resolved (8:0) – That West Kirby Methodist Church (Westbourne Road) be designated as the polling place for polling district ND for all future elections.