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 are reminded that they should also declare whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

There were no declarations of interest or of the application of a party whip in connection with the business to be considered by the Committee.

The Chair introduced the item of business “Wirral Local Plan – Update Report’ considered by the Cabinet at Minute 47 of the meeting held on 17 December 2018, the decision relating thereto having been called-in in accordance with Council Procedure Rule / Standing Order 35.  The Chair advised that he had received a request for additional witnesses to be called but had determined, following receipt of advice, that the calling of the Chief Executive and a former employee was not relevant to the call-in. 

The Chair referred to the procedure for the consideration of called-in business that had been circulated with the agenda.  The Committee further received -

• the details of the call-in and reasons submitted;
• Minute 47 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17 December 2018; and
• the related submitted report considered by the Cabinet

The resolution of the Cabinet at Minute 47 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17 December 2018 had been called in by Councillors Tom Anderson, Bruce Berry, Chris Blakeley, David Burgess – Joyce, Wendy Clements, Tony Cox, David Elderton, Gerry Ellis, Andrew Gardner, Jeff Green, Paul Hayes, Andrew Hodson, Kathy Hodson, Mary Jordan, Ian Lewis, Cherry Povall, Lesley Rennie, Les Rowlands, Adam Sykes, Steve Williams on the following grounds:-

“We note the decision

(2) approval be given to amend the Scheme of Delegation of Executive Functions to Officers to delegate to the Corporate Director of Economic and Housing Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, decisions relating to the approval and publication of the evidence base, and associated technical reports, relevant to the preparation of the Local Plan; 

1. As the Council does not have a Corporate Director of Economic and Housing Growth in post, Elected Members need to be informed who Cabinet will be delegating this matter to.
2. Regardless of call in reason 1, we have concerns that this decision will give Council Officers far too much control over the Local Plan, removing responsibility and taking away control from Wirral’s 56 back bench Councillors, and could result in Council Officers allocating swathes of our precious Green Belt for housing.  The Local Plan will be published in the name of all 66 Elected Members, and it is they who will be held to account at the ballot box, while Council Officers will not and therefore, we believe that Elected Members must have total control over the production and decision making of Wirral’s Local Plan.

We also note in the report it states at 7.4 External consultants will be appointed to undertake the sustainability appraisal and strategic environmental assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment and any other specialist technical studies.  The appointment of consultants does not appear under financial implications, does not appear as a recommendation in the minutes, or give any indication as to the total costs of employing further consultants, as elected members we have a responsibility to ensure Council Taxpayers money is spent wisely and in line with good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.