STRATEGIC ASSET REVIEW

Proposed by Councillor Green

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rennie

(1)  Council believes:

that the mark of a just and fair society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens and that local authorities have an important role to play in encouraging aspiration, healthy living and community spirit.

(2)  Council notes:

(a)  that 2008 is the National Year of Reading, a year-long celebration of reading, in all its forms, to increase awareness of the many values of reading – anything, any time, any place – for children, families and adult learners alike;

(b)  that wards such as Upton, Seacombe, Bidston & St James and Leasowe & Moreton East, have below-average numbers of pupils who achieve L2 or better at Key Stage 1 for reading compared with the national average;

(c)  that remarks by Andy Burnham [Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport] in July that the Government wishes local authorities to expand participation in swimming, in particular for the over-60s and under-16s, in their local communities and that £35 million was made available to modernise public swimming pool provision;

(d)  that many leisure centres offer valuable alternative activities for young people to shine and achieve their full potential;

(e)  that the programmes offered by local libraries and community and leisure centres reduce the likelihood of anti-social behaviour in areas and communities that have no other source of activity;

(f)  that many community centres rely on a small and dedicated team of volunteers who in turn rely on the Council to provide and oversee professional support for maintenance, insurance, budgets, personnel and health and safety.

(3)  Council welcomes:

the enactment of the Sustainable Communities Act in October 2008 to reverse the decline in local communities and neighbourhoods affected by the large-scale withdrawal of services and amenities.

(4)  Council therefore:

(a)  does not support the approval of the Cabinet to close libraries, leisure centres, museums and theatres;

(b)  does not support the proposal to withdraw Council funding from community centres forcing their closure or demolition if they cannot find alternative funding within two years;

©  believes that fundamental changes to the Wirral wide provision of services by the Council should have electoral support and, as such support for these proposals has not been demonstrated at the ballot box, a Wirral-wide referendum should be held before any decision for the wholesale closure of libraries, leisure centres, community centres, museums and theatres is implemented;

(d)  believes that, if our local services are as derelict and starved of investment as the Leader of the Council claims, he is accountable and should accept his responsibility for this by submitting his resignation to the Council.

The Council agreed without a vote to consider this matter and the following notice of motion as a joint debate.

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Proposed by Councillor Green

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rennie

(1)  Council believes:

that the mark of a just and fair society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens and that local authorities have an important role to play in encouraging aspiration, healthy living and community spirit.

(2)  Council notes:

(a)  that 2008 is the National Year of Reading, a year-long celebration of reading, in all its forms, to increase awareness of the many values of reading – anything, any time, any place – for children, families and adult learners alike;

(b)  that wards such as Upton, Seacombe, Bidston & St James and Leasowe & Moreton East, have below-average numbers of pupils who achieve L2 or better at Key Stage 1 for reading compared with the national average;

(c)  that remarks by Andy Burnham [Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport] in July that the Government wishes local authorities to expand participation in swimming, in particular for the over-60s and under-16s, in their local communities and that £35 million was made available to modernise public swimming pool provision;

(d)  that many leisure centres offer valuable alternative activities for young people to shine and achieve their full potential;

(e)  that the programmes offered by local libraries and community and leisure centres reduce the likelihood of anti-social behaviour in areas and communities that have no other source of activity;

(f)  that many community centres rely on a small and dedicated team of volunteers who in turn rely on the Council to provide and oversee professional support for maintenance, insurance, budgets, personnel and health and safety.

(3)  Council welcomes:

the enactment of the Sustainable Communities Act in October 2008 to reverse the decline in local communities and neighbourhoods affected by the large-scale withdrawal of services and amenities.

(4)  Council therefore:

(a)  does not support the approval of the Cabinet to close libraries, leisure centres, museums and theatres;

(b)  does not support the proposal to withdraw Council funding from community centres forcing their closure or demolition if they cannot find alternative funding within two years;

(c)  believes that fundamental changes to the Wirral wide provision of services by the Council should have electoral support and, as such support for these proposals has not been demonstrated at the ballot box, a Wirral-wide referendum should be held before any decision for the wholesale closure of libraries, leisure centres, community centres, museums and theatres is implemented;

(d)  believes that, if our local services are as derelict and starved of investment as the Leader of the Council claims, he is accountable and should accept his responsibility for this by submitting his resignation to the Council.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(3):

Proposed by Councillor Holbrook

Seconded by Councillor Moon

Delete paragraph (4) and replace with:

(4)  Council therefore

(a)  welcomes the Cabinet’s commitment to invest £20m in modernising Council facilities to provide high quality services in fewer, more modern and appropriate buildings; and the commitment to consult and engage with the community in the design and development of these improved facilities;

(b)  welcomes the opportunity arising from the Strategic Asset Review for the increased community ownership of their own assets and the greater opportunities that flow from asset ownership;

(c)  welcomes the wider engagement of partners from the other parts of the public sector and the benefits from co-location of services and closer working arrangements;

(d)  acknowledges the concerns raised by members of the public and that these representations will be considered; notes that no final decision has yet been taken; recognises that whilst some changes will not be welcome, best endeavours will be used to ensure that, when buildings have to close, valued community activities are provided where this is practicable;

(e)  notes that the asset review will deliver better value for money to the council taxpayer; avoiding an additional £45 million pounds in running costs over the next ten years; and will bring about long term sustainability in Wirral’s services provision.

Following a debate, the amendment was put and carried, with the Council dividing as follows:

For the amendment (39) - Councillors RL Abbey, A Bridson, I Coates, JA Crabtree, George Davies, PL Davies, WJ Davies, F Doyle, S Foulkes, G Gardiner, John George, PN Gilchrist, T Harney, SA Holbrook, AT Jennings, SE Kelly, Brian Kenny, DT Knowles, Ann McLachlan, M McLaughlin, CM Meaden, GD Mitchell, RK Moon, S Niblock, Jean Quinn, M Redfern, PTC Reisdorf, DE Roberts, J Salter, H Smith, PA Smith, WW Smith, PM Southwood, JV Stapleton, A Taylor, CM Teggin, R Wilkins, KJ Williams and P Williams.

Against the amendment (24) - Councillors T Anderson, C Blakeley, SL Clarke, WA Duffey, DM Elderton, GJ Ellis, Mrs L Fraser, JE Green, J Hale, Karen Hayes, Paul Hayes, AC Hodson, PSC Johnson, J Keeley, I Lewis, SD Moseley, SR Mountney, C Povall, A Pritchard, Mrs LA Rennie, SL Rowlands, Sue Taylor, GCJ Watt, and Mrs K Wood.

Abstainers (2) – Councillors A Jones and D Kirwan.

The substantive motion was put and carried with the Council dividing as follows:

For the motion (39) - Councillors RL Abbey, A Bridson, I Coates, JA Crabtree, George Davies, PL Davies, WJ Davies, F Doyle, S Foulkes, G Gardiner, John George, PN Gilchrist, T Harney, SA Holbrook, AT Jennings, SE Kelly, Brian Kenny, DT Knowles, Ann McLachlan, M McLaughlin, CM Meaden, GD Mitchell, RK Moon, S Niblock, Jean Quinn, M Redfern, PTC Reisdorf, DE Roberts, J Salter, H Smith, PA Smith, WW Smith, PM Southwood, JV Stapleton, A Taylor, CM Teggin, R Wilkins, KJ Williams and P Williams.

Against the Motion (24) - Councillors T Anderson, C Blakeley, SL Clarke, WA Duffey, DM Elderton, GJ Ellis, Mrs L Fraser, JE Green, J Hale, Karen Hayes, Paul Hayes, AC Hodson, PSC Johnson, J Keeley, I Lewis, SD Moseley, SR Mountney, C Povall, A Pritchard, Mrs LA Rennie, SL Rowlands, Sue Taylor, GCJ Watt, and Mrs K Wood.

Abstainers (2) – Councillors A Jones and D Kirwan.

Resolved – That

(1)  Council believes:

that the mark of a just and fair society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens and that local authorities have an important role to play in encouraging aspiration, healthy living and community spirit.

(2)  Council notes:

(a)  that 2008 is the National Year of Reading, a year-long celebration of reading, in all its forms, to increase awareness of the many values of reading – anything, any time, any place – for children, families and adult learners alike;

(b)  that wards such as Upton, Seacombe, Bidston & St James and Leasowe & Moreton East, have below-average numbers of pupils who achieve L2 or better at Key Stage 1 for reading compared with the national average;

(c)  that remarks by Andy Burnham [Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport] in July that the Government wishes local authorities to expand participation in swimming, in particular for the over-60s and under-16s, in their local communities and that £35 million was made available to modernise public swimming pool provision;

(d)  that many leisure centres offer valuable alternative activities for young people to shine and achieve their full potential;

(e)  that the programmes offered by local libraries and community and leisure centres reduce the likelihood of anti-social behaviour in areas and communities that have no other source of activity;

(f)  that many community centres rely on a small and dedicated team of volunteers who in turn rely on the Council to provide and oversee professional support for maintenance, insurance, budgets, personnel and health and safety.

(3)  Council welcomes:

the enactment of the Sustainable Communities Act in October 2008 to reverse the decline in local communities and neighbourhoods affected by the large-scale withdrawal of services and amenities.

(4)  Council therefore

(a)  welcomes the Cabinet’s commitment to invest £20m in modernising Council facilities to provide high quality services in fewer, more modern and appropriate buildings; and the commitment to consult and engage with the community in the design and development of these improved facilities;

(b)  welcomes the opportunity arising from the Strategic Asset Review for the increased community ownership of their own assets and the greater opportunities that flow from asset ownership;

(c)  welcomes the wider engagement of partners from the other parts of the public sector and the benefits from co-location of services and closer working arrangements;

(d)  acknowledges the concerns raised by members of the public and that these representations will be considered; notes that no final decision has yet been taken; recognises that whilst some changes will not be welcome, best endeavours will be used to ensure that, when buildings have to close, valued community activities are provided where this is practicable;

(e)  notes that the asset review will deliver better value for money to the council taxpayer; avoiding an additional £45 million pounds in running costs over the next ten years; and will bring about long term sustainability in Wirral’s services provision.