Report to be circulated separately.

The Interim Chief Executive presented a report, supplemented by a presentation, outlining progress in relation to the implementation of the Council’s consultation programme ‘Wirral’s Future: Be a part of it’, initiated by Cabinet on 24th June 2010.  The report also presented a series of options and recommendations from the four Task Forces established as part of the consultation programme to review service priorities and delivery around four distinct themes that correspond with the Council’s corporate objectives:

Economy and Regeneration;

Living in Wirral;

Adult Social Services, and;

Children and Young People’s Services.

These options and recommendations were presented to Cabinet by the Task Forces within the context of the budgetary challenges faced by the Council.

The Leader made the following statement which was endorsed unanimously by all members of the Cabinet:-

“The Progressive Partnership formed between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Councilors in May 2010 resolved that by working together we would provide the stability the Council requires to take Wirral through difficult times to better days ahead. We recognised that the national debt crisis would have a significant impact on local government finances and that balancing the Council’s budget, whilst protecting key frontline services must be a key priority.

This Administration made it clear that we would be inclusive in our decision making; committed to meaningful, open and transparent public consultation and to ensuring that no part of Wirral is ignored. We made clear our commitment to openness, fairness and responsibility and the decisions we are making tonight have been guided by these values.

Therefore, Cabinet would like to place on record our thanks to the Wirral Council Project team for designing and delivering the ‘Wirral’s future – be a part of it’ consultation exercise - the largest ever undertaken in the Borough. We would also like to thank the Chairs and members of the four Task Forces for putting their knowledge, time and experience to work in the interest of the people of Wirral and for delivering such progressive, clear and imaginative recommendations.

We would also like to thank the people of Wirral for their constructive responses to the crucial questions and choices that were put before them.

Cabinet further welcomes the ‘Wirral’s future – be a part of it’ consultation exercise and the outstanding level of public participation, as we believe the adoption of the Task Force recommendations will allow the Council, for the first time, to align its policies for Children and Young People, Adult Social Services, Living in Wirral and the Wirral Economy, to Wirral resident’s priorities and therefore make better subsequent decisions on how it chooses to spend or to save the public’s money.”

On a motion by the Leader seconded by Councillor Holbrook it was:

RESOLVED:That:

(1)  all Task Force recommendations be considered at item 9 (budget projections) of this agenda;

(2)  the Interim Chief Executive be instructed to report to an early meeting of the Cabinet on the alignment of Wirral’s future Policy and Budgetary Framework to the public’s priorities (as expressed in the ‘Wirral’s future – be a part of it’ consultation exercise’) including the resources required to ensure that from now on, resident insight and consultation are embedded into the Council’s budget and policy decision making;

(3)  Cabinet agrees with all of the Task Forces that if frontline services are to be sustainable for the future the way they are managed and delivered will have to change. Also that there is an opportunity to procure a range of services more cost-effectively from the Voluntary, Community, Faith Sector. This will be subject to a robust performance management framework that will ensure the quality of outcomes for service users are maintained or improved. The Council will provide support and help to enable the sector to develop and grow and will put in place arrangements to provide a seamless transition for service users and a fairer charging policy to protect the vulnerable;

(4)  the Interim Chief Executive be instructed to ensure all necessary steps are taken to enable contracts with Voluntary, Community and Faith groups and organisations, which are due to end in March 2011 are extended by three months to facilitate service continuity during a period of contract review;

(5)  Cabinet is aware that Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector Organisations already play a crucial role in enriching the lives of Wirral residents and therefore commits our Administration to supporting their continued development, ensuring that Wirral becomes a shining example of how a Council can work in close partnership with the sector in the future for the benefit of local people. Cabinet recognises that this commitment requires a new way of working and thinking and that it will be at the heart of all we do in the future;

(6)  to facilitate this cultural shift, Cabinet gives the Interim Chief Executive delegated authority in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council to establish a dedicated unit, initially from within existing resources, to support and encourage the development of the ‘Big Society’.  This unit will initially focus on increasing the involvement of voluntary, community, faith sectors in Council service delivery, the transferring of more power to local Councillors and neighbourhoods, ensuring greater transparency in the Council’s activities, encouraging greater collective action to care for the vulnerable and supporting the creation of cooperatives, mutuals, and social enterprises;

(7)  overall responsibility for leading and coordinating the Council’s contribution to the Big Society; in liaison with the relevant Portfolio holders, be added to the Council Leader’s Portfolio and Cabinet requests the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to publish the relevant adjustments to Cabinet Portfolio responsibilities;

(8)  Cabinet also welcomes the urgency expressed in the consultation exercise for the Council to reduce its carbon footprint and requests the Interim Chief Executive to bring forward recommendations at the earliest opportunity on how the public’s priorities for greater pace in this area of Council policy can be achieved;

(9)  Cabinet welcomes the views of the Task Forces and public regarding the potential to raise income through charging for Council services where appropriate. Cabinet also recognises that it is crucial that a fair charging policy is developed to ensure vulnerable people are protected. Cabinet also wishes to ensure that additional income raised is reinvested in front line services and that any costs of administering a new fair charging policy are minimised. We therefore instruct Officers to:

·  ensure that the recommendations from the Task Forces’s regarding potential areas for fees and charges are incorporated into the Strategic Change Programmes review of Fees and Charges as a matter of urgency and a report is brought back to Cabinet in January;

·  that as a matter of urgency the Director of Finance carries out the necessary work to establish a corporate policy on affordable charging to ensure that the most vulnerable people and those most dependant on Council supported services in our community are protected; and

·  that the Director of Finance reports to Cabinet on the establishment of one unified back office system for the processing of fees and charges; and

(10)  the Council be asked to note the options and recommendations presented by the Task Forces at Appendices A, B, C and D in respect of the Council’s future plans, request a review of the consultation process, and instruct Officers to ensure that it is embedded within the Council’s business planning processes for all future years including the development of a new Corporate Plan.