To consider any other items of business that the Civic Mayor accepts as being urgent.

The Civic Mayor informed that he had received two urgent Notices of Motion from the Labour and Conservative groups. Given the possible impact on the local economy, and residents of Wirral and to enable its consideration prior to the next scheduled meeting of Council, he had agreed to their consideration as a matter of urgent business.

The proposers of both motions having agreed that, given the mutually inclusive nature of the motions contents, a combined resolution be put to the vote.

THE FUTURE OF VAUXHALL MOTORS

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Ian Lewis

1)  Council is extremely concerned about the future of the Vauxhall Motors Car Plant in Ellesmere Port following the announcement that Peugeot/Citroen has purchased the European operations of General Motors.

2)  Vauxhall Motors employs a substantial number of local residents from Wirral and surrounding areas. Many people are also employed in supply chain companies which serve Vauxhall.

3)  Vauxhall Motors has an excellent production record and remains profitable – building the Astra, The European Car of the Year.

4)  Vauxhall Motors at Ellesmere Port was selected by GM to produce this model of the Astra through to 2021, following a Europe-wide competition which recognised the efforts of the workforce, management and local representatives to operate an efficient and flexible plant.

5)  Council is concerned that the Government’s Brexit negotiations will fail to secure customs and trade freedoms and renews its call on the Government to deliver a Brexit Deal that keeps Vauxhall building cars in Ellesmere Port.

6)  Council notes that the Leader of the Council has written to Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, seeking an urgent meeting and assurances that the government will intervene to protect the future of this company.

7)  Council agrees to work with the government, our local MPs, our partners in Cheshire West and Chester Council and any other relevant organisations to ensure that we retain these vital local jobs.

8)  Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of French carmaker, PSA Peugeot Citroen to offer the Councils full support in helping to secure the long-term future of Vauxhalls, Ellesmere Port.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That

1)  Council is extremely concerned about the future of the Vauxhall Motors Car Plant in Ellesmere Port following the announcement that Peugeot/Citroen has purchased the European operations of General Motors.

2)  Vauxhall Motors employs a substantial number of local residents from Wirral and surrounding areas. Many people are also employed in supply chain companies which serve Vauxhall.

3)  Vauxhall Motors has an excellent production record and remains profitable – building the Astra, The European Car of the Year.

4)  Vauxhall Motors at Ellesmere Port was selected by GM to produce this model of the Astra through to 2021, following a Europe-wide competition which recognised the efforts of the workforce, management and local representatives to operate an efficient and flexible plant.

5)  Council is concerned that the Government’s Brexit negotiations will fail to secure customs and trade freedoms and renews its call on the Government to deliver a Brexit Deal that keeps Vauxhall building cars in Ellesmere Port.

6)  Council notes that the Leader of the Council has written to Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, seeking an urgent meeting and assurances that the government will intervene to protect the future of this company.

7)  Council agrees to work with the government, our local MPs, our partners in Cheshire West and Chester Council and any other relevant organisations to ensure that we retain these vital local jobs.

8)  Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of French carmaker, PSA Peugeot Citroen to offer the Councils full support in helping to secure the long-term future of Vauxhalls, Ellesmere Port.

Councillors Dave Mitchell and George Davies declared a personal interest in this item due to their being in receipt of Vauxhall Motors pensions.