Proposed by Councillor Dave Mitchell

Seconded by Councillor Ann Bridson

(1)  This Council notes with great concern the level of metal theft across our Borough, and the effect of this crime on our community, including on homeowners, businesses, places of worship, community buildings, heritage assets, war memorials and infrastructure providers. According to Merseyside Police, almost 6 crimes per day (5.8) are related to theft of metal. This equates to 2.1% (more than one in 50) of all recorded crimes.

(2)  Council welcomes the e-petition launched (by Walsall Council http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406) on the official Government website calling for a change to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964, to prohibit cash transactions, and make payment by cheque or bank transfer mandatory, providing an audit trail when thefts are detected or stolen or suspect materials are recovered.

(3)  Council welcomes the proposal of the Metal Theft (Prevention) Bill to Parliament by Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, aimed at establishing a robust licensing scheme for scrap metal dealers coupled with greater police and judicial powers to close scrap yards found flouting the law.

(4)  Council also welcomes the Government review into what else needs to be done to tackle the issue of metal theft.

(5)  Therefore, Council calls on the Leader to request:

(i)  That the Chief Executive contact Wirral’s four Members of Parliament, and the Home Secretary, to inform them of Wirral Council’s support for this legal change, and to request their support;

(ii)  That the e-petition be publicised on the Council’s website, along with advice on preventing such thefts, or on measures which may help to identify thieves such as the use of smart water, in partnership with the local Police and other partners, as appropriate.

(6)  Further, Council instructs the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to prepare a report for the next Sustainable Communities OSC on current levels of metal thefts, the steps that are being taken to prevent them and to bring those responsible to justice, with the opportunity for members to contribute suggestions and comments, to ensure that Wirral’s response to metal theft is as robust as possible.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Bill Davies

Seconded by Councillor John Salter

In paragraph (4) add after ‘theft’:

‘including consideration of the introduction of a full licensing regime to regulate the activity.’

In paragraph (5) (i) delete all after ‘Council's support’ and add the following:

‘for the Bill before Parliament and further measures that would strengthen regulatory controls for this trade such as a licensing regime, and to request their support.’

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The mover of the motion agreed to accept the amendment and the motion, as amended, was put and it was -

Resolved (64:0) (One abstention) –

(1)  This Council notes with great concern the level of metal theft across our Borough, and the effect of this crime on our community, including on homeowners, businesses, places of worship, community buildings, heritage assets, war memorials and infrastructure providers. According to Merseyside Police, almost 6 crimes per day (5.8) are related to theft of metal. This equates to 2.1% (more than one in 50) of all recorded crimes.

(2)  Council welcomes the e-petition launched (by Walsall Council http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406) on the official Government website calling for a change to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964, to prohibit cash transactions, and make payment by cheque or bank transfer mandatory, providing an audit trail when thefts are detected or stolen or suspect materials are recovered.

(3)  Council welcomes the proposal of the Metal Theft (Prevention) Bill to Parliament by Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, aimed at establishing a robust licensing scheme for scrap metal dealers coupled with greater police and judicial powers to close scrap yards found flouting the law.

(4)  Council also welcomes the Government review into what else needs to be done to tackle the issue of metal theft including consideration of the introduction of a full licensing regime to regulate the activity.

(5)  Therefore, Council calls on the Leader to request:

(i)  That the Chief Executive contact Wirral’s four Members of Parliament, and the Home Secretary, to inform them of Wirral Council’s support for the Bill before Parliament and further measures that would strengthen regulatory controls for this trade such as a licensing regime, and to request their support;

(ii)  That the e-petition be publicised on the Council’s website, along with advice on preventing such thefts, or on measures which may help to identify thieves such as the use of smart water, in partnership with the local Police and other partners, as appropriate.

(6)  Further, Council instructs the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to prepare a report for the next Sustainable Communities OSC on current levels of metal thefts, the steps that are being taken to prevent them and to bring those responsible to justice, with the opportunity for members to contribute suggestions and comments, to ensure that Wirral’s response to metal theft is as robust as possible.