Councillors Steve Niblock, Lesley Rennie, Denise Roberts and Jean Stapleton, having declared a prejudicial interest in this motion, left the Chamber whilst the matter was considered.

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Matt Patrick

Council notes the Conservative Government's announcement of a Summer budget on July 8th.

Council recognises the unprecedented challenge before Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, who due to continued cuts to their funding are faced with the closure of West Kirby and Upton Fire Stations, both of the emergency facilities in Wirral West Constituency. 

Council requests Wirral MPs, as a matter of urgency, to raise this matter with the appropriate minister with a view to revisiting the grant allocation to stop these closures.

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 Chris Blakeley

Seconded by Councillor Bruce Berry

Leave all and add after the final paragraph:

Council notes that at its meeting on 30th June Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority approved the merger of Upton and West Kirby fire stations at a new station on green belt land on Saughall Massie Road.

However Council also acknowledges the overwhelming public opposition to the proposal by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority for a fire station on green belt land in Saughall Massie, as demonstrated by:

·  The 200 people who attended a public meeting arranged by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, and a further 270 who were unable to gain admission to the venue.

·  The opposition of the Saughall Massie Village Area Conservation Society and the Wirral Society.

·  The 1,030 people who have, so far, signed a petition against the proposal.

Therefore Council impresses upon Cabinet:

(1)  To maintain protection of Wirral’s Green Belt, as set by agreed policies and stop inappropriate development.

(2)  To ask officers to continue to work co-operatively with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in identifying and facilitating a more suitable brown field site for operational purposes and to maintain the amenity of the local people.

Following a debate and Councillor Phil Davies having replied, and prior to the vote on the amendment, Councillor Jeff Green and five Conservative Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

A ‘card vote’ was then taken on Councillor Blakeley’s amendment and the Council divided as follows:

For the amendment (21) Councillors T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, A Brighouse, D Burgess-Joyce, C Carubia, Mrs W Clements, D Elderton, G Ellis, P Gilchrist, J Green, J Hale, P Hayes, A Hodson, K Hodson, D Mitchell, T Pilgrim, A Sykes, G Watt and S Williams.

Against the amendment (33) Councillors R Abbey, P Brightmore, M Daniel, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, S Foulkes, R Gregson, P Hackett, T Johnson, A Jones, C Jones, B Kenny, A McLachlan, M McLaughlin, C Meaden, C Muspratt, T Norbury, M Patrick, D Realey, L Reecejones, J Salter, PA Smith, W Smith, C Spriggs, M Sullivan, J Walsh, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams and J Williamson.

Two abstentions – Councillors Pat Cleary and Les Rowlands.

The amendment was therefore lost (21:33) (Two abstentions).

Prior to the vote on the motion, Councillor Phil Davies and five Labour Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

A ‘card vote’ was then taken on Councillor Phil Davies’ motion and the Council divided as follows:

For the motion (55) Councillors R Abbey, T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, A Brighouse, P Brightmore, D Burgess-Joyce, C Carubia, P Cleary, Mrs W Clements, M Daniel, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, D Elderton, G Ellis, S Foulkes, P Gilchrist, J Green, R Gregson, P Hackett, J Hale, P Hayes, A Hodson, K Hodson, T Johnson, A Jones, C Jones, B Kenny, A McLachlan, M McLaughlin, C Meaden, D Mitchell, C Muspratt, T Norbury, M Patrick, T Pilgrim, D Realey, L Reecejones, J Salter, PA Smith, W Smith, C Spriggs, M Sullivan, A Sykes, J Walsh, G Watt, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams, S Williams and J Williamson.

One abstention – Councillor Les Rowlands.

Resolved (55:0) (One abstention) – That

(1)  Council notes the Conservative Government's announcement of a Summer budget on July 8th.

(2)  Council recognises the unprecedented challenge before Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, who due to continued cuts to their funding are faced with the closure of West Kirby and Upton Fire Stations, both of the emergency facilities in Wirral West Constituency. 

(3)  Council requests Wirral MPs, as a matter of urgency, to raise this matter with the appropriate minister with a view to revisiting the grant allocation to stop these closures.