The first matter requiring approval was in relation to the Combined Authority and the recommendations of the Special Meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 March 2014 (minute 157 refers)

It was moved by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan –

“That the recommendations contained within Cabinet minute 157 be approved”.

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor John Hale and seconded by Councillor Jeff Green –

“That Council:

1.  Notes that the present powers and responsibilities of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council were created by Parliament Acts which took effect in 1974 and were further enhanced following the abolition of Merseyside County Council in 1986 and the proposals contained within the consultation documents before Council show an intention to surrender these powers from a Council which gives representation from every ward in Wirral across all parties as against 6 people, the Leaders of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral, 5 of whom neither reside in Wirral, represent any part of Wirral and have never been elected by anyone in Wirral and believes that this would be against the wishes of the residents of Wirral.

2.  Believes that the responsibilities and powers granted to the Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council by Acts of Parliament should not be transferred to an unelected body, most of whom are without any connection with Wirral.

Recommendation:

Add as the first paragraph “No transfer of powers and/or responsibilities as confirmed in the Cabinet recommendations shall proceed until a referendum of the electors of Wirral has been held to ascertain whether they support a transfer of powers and/or responsibilities to an unelected body, the wording of the referendum to be agreed by the political parties of Wirral”.

At the request of the Leader of the Council, the Mayor adjourned the meeting for 15 minutes at 6.40pm, to allow Members an opportunity to consider the proposed amendment.

The meeting reconvened at 6.55pm

Following a debate and Councillor Phil Davies having replied, the amendment proposed by Councillor Hale was put and lost (19:42) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (42:19) (One abstention)

Resolved (42:19) (One abstention) – That the recommendations contained within Cabinet minute 157 be approved:

(1)  Council confirms its previous decision that it should formally become a constituent member of the Combined Authority for the Liverpool City Region (as referred to in the report of the Chief Executive).

(2)  Council notes the position on the making of the Orders, as attached in Appendix One to the Chief Executive’s report, and the Parliamentary process in train.

(3)  Council endorses the Constitution for the Combined Authority for adoption, as attached to the Chief Executive’s report as Appendix Two.

(4)  Council approves the Operating Agreement for the Combined Authority for adoption as attached to the Chief Executive’s report as Appendix Three.

(5)  That Councillors Phil Davies and Ann McLachlan (as substitute) be appointed to the Combined Authority as set out in section 5.1 of the Chief Executive’s report (see minute 101 post).

(6)  That Members be nominated to the Merseytravel Committee on the basis of continuing with the existing arrangements until the Annual General Meeting in June 2014, as set out in section 5.2 of the Chief Executive’s report (see minute 101 post).

(7)  Council notes that no allowances (other than travel and subsistence) will be paid to Members of the Combined Authority, the Scrutiny Panel and other Committees and Boards, with the exception of the Merseytravel Committee (as part of the transitional arrangements).

(8)  Council agrees that the payment of allowances for co-opted Members of the Merseytravel Committee (using the current Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority scheme) will be dealt with by the Council’s own scheme as part of the transitional arrangements, and funded by Merseytravel, as set out in section 10.1 of the Chief Executive’s report.

(9)  Council notes that a review of the Combined Authority’s arrangements will be undertaken during the first year and reported to the Combined Authority in 2015.

(10)  Council agrees that approval to make any technical amendments to the Constitution and Operating Agreement for the Combined Authority on behalf of the Council be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.