Proposed by Councillor Brian Kenny

Seconded by Councillor Phil Davies

Council is disappointed that despite a recent pledge from David Cameron that ‘money is no object’ in the repair of damage caused by the recent extreme weather, Wirral is only set to receive a measly £20,000 for our suffering businesses and not one penny for infrastructure damage or the North Wirral coastline.

Wirral will instead have to fund the cost of the damage, some £250,000, from an under-spend in the 2013/14 budget. This is money that could have been used to protect front-line services from further Tory-Lib Dem cuts. 

Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the government seeking equal and fair treatment for Wirral.

An amendment, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Alan Brighouse

Add after paragraph 3

Council, whilst not objecting to a letter being sent, believes it should be more constructive.

Council believes that the terms of the proposed letter should recognise that the Government is reviewing and re-evaluating the scheme of emergency financial assistance introduced in 1983.

Generally known as the ‘Bellwin’ Scheme, it has always helped local authorities claim and meet exceptional and unexpected costs.

It should be acknowledged that the Scheme has been changed this year to include:

·  paying Bellwin Grant at 100% above threshold instead of the normal default 85%

·  allowing upper tier authorities with responsibility for fire to claim on a comparable basis to standalone fire authorities

·  reducing the Bellwin thresholds for all county councils and unitary authorities

·  extending the eligible spending period until the end of March 2014

These changes were followed by an announcement of an offer of a £5,000 “repair and renew” grant for homeowners and businesses, to support repairs which improve a property’s ability to withstand future flooding.

The letter should stress that both Government and local authorities now need to plan for the greater frequency of such events due to climate change and thus:

(a)  outline the steps Wirral has been taking to encourage its tourism potential and coastal economy

(b)  recognise that the wind direction, storm surges and low pressure affected many parts of the western coasts but, fortunately, did not have as serious an impact here.

(c)  fairly represent Wirral’s budgetary problems

(d)  offer to join a dialogue on the investment needed to make services more resilient for the future.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9 the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and lost (24:37)

The motion was put and carried (37:24) (One abstention)

Resolved (37:24) (One abstention) – That

Council is disappointed that despite a recent pledge from David Cameron that ‘money is no object’ in the repair of damage caused by the recent extreme weather, Wirral is only set to receive a measly £20,000 for our suffering businesses and not one penny for infrastructure damage or the North Wirral coastline.

Wirral will instead have to fund the cost of the damage, some £250,000, from an under-spend in the 2013/14 budget. This is money that could have been used to protect front-line services from further Tory-Lib Dem cuts. 

Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the government seeking equal and fair treatment for Wirral.