Agenda item

Motion - The Northern Powerhouse

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

 

Council will be aware of the Cities and Devolution Bill designed to provide for the devolution of powers to cities with elected metro mayors to build a Northern Powerhouse.

 

Council understands that the Chancellor, the key architect of the country’s economic recovery, has made it clear that he wants to harness the individual successes of the north into a combined Northern Powerhouse able to challenge the South providing jobs and opportunities for individuals and economic security for their families.

 

Council recognises that this is a once in a generation opportunity for the hardworking families of Wirral; a Chancellor who represents a seat in North West England and one that is prepared to devolve significant powers and budgets to our region in order to improve the lives of hardworking families.

 

Council believes that the opportunity provided by the Government must not be squandered.

 

Council further believes that any devolution of power and budget to the City Region must be balanced by providing a direct opportunity to hold those with authority accountable.

 

Therefore Council recommends that the Leader of the Council advises the next meeting of the Combined Authority to engage enthusiastically in the development of the Northern Powerhouse; provide clarity to this Council about the details of any devolution of power and budget it is seeking from the Government and confirm its support for a directly elected Metro Mayor.

 

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 Dave Mitchell

 

In paragraph 2 delete:

 the key architect of the country’s economic recovery”

 

Replace with:

 recognising long-standing concerns about rebalancing the economy”.

 

In paragraph 4 delete:

 must not be squandered.”

 

Replace with:

 must be thoroughly explored and its opportunities quantified and tested.”

 

In paragraph 5 insert at end:

“In the event of a regional Mayor emerging as the chosen option, a democratically elected Assembly should be established with members drawn from each local authority, on lines similar to those operating in London.”

 

In paragraph 6 delete:

confirm its support for a directly elected Metro Mayor”

 

Replace with:

continue to press the Government to develop democratic arrangements that meet local concerns and aspirations”

 

Following a debate and Councillor Jeff Green 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 Phil Gilchrist’s amendment and the Council divided as follows:

 

For the amendment (5) Councillors A Brighouse, C Carubia, P Cleary, P Gilchrist and D Mitchell.

 

Against the amendment (54) Councillors R Abbey, T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, P Brightmore, D Burgess-Joyce, Mrs W Clements, M Daniel, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, D Elderton, G Ellis, S Foulkes, 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, C Muspratt, S Niblock, T Norbury, M Patrick, T Pilgrim, D Realey, L Reecejones, L Rennie, D Roberts, J Salter, PA Smith, W Smith, C Spriggs, J Stapleton, M Sullivan, A Sykes, J Walsh, G Watt, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams, S Williams and J Williamson.

 

One abstention – Councillor Les Rowlands.

 

The Liberal Democrat amendment was therefore lost (5:54) (One abstention).

 

Prior to the vote on the motion, Councillor Jeff Green and five Conservative Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

 

A ‘card vote’ was then taken on Councillor Jeff Green’s motion and the Council divided as follows:

 

For the motion (18) Councillors T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, D Burgess-Joyce, Mrs W Clements, D Elderton, G Ellis, J Green, J Hale, P Hayes, A Hodson, K Hodson, T Pilgrim, L Rennie, A Sykes, G Watt and S Williams.

 

Against the motion (41) Councillors R Abbey, A Brighouse, P Brightmore, C Carubia, P Cleary, M Daniel, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, S Foulkes, P Gilchrist, R Gregson, P Hackett, T Johnson, A Jones, C Jones, B Kenny, A McLachlan, M McLaughlin, C Meaden, D Mitchell, C Muspratt, S Niblock, T Norbury, M Patrick, D Realey, L Reecejones, D Roberts, J Salter, PA Smith, W Smith, C Spriggs, J Stapleton, M Sullivan, J Walsh, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams and J Williamson.

 

One abstention – Councillor Les Rowlands.

 

The motion was therefore lost (18:41) (One abstention).