The Constituency Manager introduced a report that provided an update on the Constituency Committee’s committed spend. The report also detailed the Committee’s budget for 2015/16 and outlined recommendations for a way forward regarding its spend for decision by the Committee.

The report informed that Wirral Council had devolved a further £50,000 to Wallasey Constituency Committee for this financial year, and that funding amounting £34,495.81 has been returned to Wallasey Constituency Committee for its reallocation - in total, £84,495.81 (less the additional £1,784.94 awarded to the Little Sparks Fund noted in minute 7 above).

The Constituency Manager advised Members of suggested allocations of spend as detailed in the report, namely that:

• Christmas Lighting - £20,000 be set aside by the Committee as a contribution towards festive lighting this year and that the Constituency Manager works alongside elected members and any local groups to facilitate this.

• Problem Solving Fund – additional funding of £7,843.27 be set aside by the Committee for low spend items that will provide a quick response to issues and/or allow a new approach to be tested that may ultimately lead to improvements within the Constituency. As noted in the report (paragraph 4.5.1), a figure of £7,156.73 had been carried over from the 2014/15 allocation to the Problem Solving Fund.

• Large Scale Project Based Activity - the Committee focus a portion of its budget on one or two larger scale projects that will assist the Committee in addressing its priorities, whilst taking the lead and driving forward activity to deliver sustainable improvements within its footprint (note: subject of a separate item on the meeting agenda – ‘Timebanking’).

The report informed that each of the above allocations met with the 3-year priorities as agreed at Wallasey Constituency Committee on 26 June 2014, Minute No. 9 refers:

• improving personal wellbeing;
• improving economic wellbeing; and
• improving neighbourhood wellbeing.

In addition, a number of specific budget head/funds had been allocated to the Constituency Committee, as follows:

• Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour (£15,000)
• Community Clean Ups (£10,000)
• ‘Your Wirral’ 2015/16 (£50,000) - for applications from voluntary and community sector (not for profit) groups for bids of up to £2,500.

Mr Steve Ruddy (One Stop Shop Manager) informed Members that the ‘One Stop Shop maximisation of disposable income pilot’ launched in July 2014 (funded by the Committee) had been a success, although accessing individuals via some outreach methods (door knocking) had proved difficult, and people were happier to discuss financial matters in one-stop-shop venues. A Member suggested the use of community / church groups to spread the word. Mr Ruddy informed that as a result of the programme being maintained within existing budgets without the need for staffing backfill, a sum of £14,150 had been released back to the Constituency Budget.

Members were advised that the objection received with regard to 20mph speed restrictions in the Sandbrook Lane / Chapelhill Road area had been withdrawn (appendix 7 to the report).

Ms Jenny Welsh, Wirral District Prevention Manager – Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, provided an update to the Constituency Committee on the work of the Service with regard to the ‘Winter Safe and Warm’ project(funded by the Committee) to reduce the number of death and injury from house fires. A copy of the presentation is available via the Council’s website – appended to this meeting’s Agenda Reports.

Members of the public, Mr Danny McLeod (Argyle Taxis) and Mr John White (Cherry Tree Centre) informed the Committee of the success of the ‘Light Up Liscard - Christmas in April’ initiative, and resulting publicity in the national media, including TV reports.

Councillor Blakeley expressed disappointment that a Lead Officer had withdrawn from the meeting at this point.

Resolved - That

1)  £20,000 be allocated as a contribution towards festive lighting - the Constituency Manager working alongside elected members and any local groups to facilitate this;

2)  the Committee Handbook be amended to allow for the lead political party spokespersons for the Committee to authorise spend in individual amounts of £500 or less through unanimous agreement, and that the Handbook be also amended to require that in such circumstances, all members of the Committee will be contacted by email for information and the decision reported to the next meeting of the Constituency Committee; 

3)  a further £7,843.27 be allocated to the Problem Solving Fund (adding to the £7,156.73 carried over into this Fund from 2014/15 and bringing the total to £15,000); 

4)  £54,867.60be set aside for the development of a larger scale project(s) that will contribute to addressing the Committee’s priorities (£20,000 of this ring-fenced for delivering public health outcome/s); and

5)  the ‘Your Wirral’ Fund (Wallasey – 2015/16) be launched 20 July 2015; with a closing date for applications of noon on Monday 14 September 2015; with a decision being made regarding the awarding of funding at the next Constituency Committee meeting on 22 October 2015.