Report of the Constituency Manager is attached.

Racheal Musgrave, on behalf of the Constituency Manager, introduced a report to update Members on the Committee’s priorities and their associated spend for 2016/17 and sought decisions in relation to priority driven spend.

Members were reminded that in December a budget proposal was brought to Cabinet suggesting a one year reduction in spend for constituency committees for 2017/18 totalling £250k in savings. Members were advised that, although at this stage, the saving option is a proposal, it is important that recommendations are made at this stage.

The recommendations were set out and explained clearly within the report. Some discussion was had regarding concerns and implications surrounding a lack of Government funding having impacted upon this Committee. The Committee discussed and voted separately on each recommendation.

Recommendation one

Councillor Adam Sykes, regarding recommendation one, moved the following amendment, as follows:

“The Wirral South Constituency Committee calls for the proposal for reduction in spending on Constituency Committees to be withdrawn to ensure stability and continuity for our commissioned services. Given the Council’s support for devolution to the city region, this Committee feels that this should continue down to the constituencies and adequate funding needs to be in place to make this meaningful and not just paying lip service. “

Councillor Gilchrist endorsed the recommendation and requested that a further clause be included as follows:

“Cabinet be requested to honour the funding”

The amendment in its entirety as moved by Councillor Sykes and seconded by Councillor Gilchrist was put and it was :

Resolved (6:0: with 8 abstentions) That:

The Wirral South Constituency Committee calls for the proposal for reduction in spending on Constituency Committees to be withdrawn to ensure stability and continuity for our commissioned services. Given the Council’s support for devolution to the city region, this Committee feels that this should continue down to the constituencies and adequate funding needs to be in place to make this meaningful and not just paying lip service and Cabinet be requested to honour the funding.

Recommendation two

With regards to recommendation two, Mr K Sutton, Community Representative raised concerns regarding the changes made to Wirral South Social Isolation Service. David Armstrong, informed the Committee that the organisation in question had approached the Council to inform Officers that they could no longer continue as an organisation and have since gone into liquidation and as a result a new provider was sought.

Councillor J Walsh also mirrored concerns, and requested that the Constituency Manager report back on details of new contracts awarded to the next Committee.

On a motion by Councillor Pilgrim and duly seconded it was:

Resolved (14:0) That:

Progress made by and changes made to the Wirral South Isolation Service be noted.

Recommendation three

On a motion by Councillor Pilgrim and duly seconded it was:

Resolved (14:0) That:

The progress made by the Wirral South Youth Counselling service be noted.

Recommendation four

Volunteers were sought for one elected Member per Ward covering Wirral South to sit upon an evaluation panel to review the Wirral South Youth Counselling Service. The following Members volunteered for the role:

Councillor C Muspratt – Bebington Ward

Councillor W Ward – Bromborough Ward

Councillor P Gilchrist – Eastham Ward

Councillor A Sykes – Clatterbridge Ward

Councillor L Rowlands – Heswall Ward

On a motion by Councillor Pilgrim and duly seconded it was:

Resolved (14:0) That:

Volunteers (one elected Member per ward) agree to sit upon an evaluation panel prior to the next committee to review the Wirral South Youth Counselling Service and agree (via delegated decision) if the contracted one year extension be adopted or not. Decision to be reported to the Committee on 27 April 2016 with volunteers as appointed by this Committee. Evaluation panel to convene no later than 4 weeks after the date of this committee.

Recommendation 5

On a motion by Councillor Pilgrim and duly seconded it was:

Resolved (14:0) That:

The Committee note the progress made in providing the Wirral South National Citizenship Service Bursary.

Recommendation 6

With regards to recommendation 6, Members expressed concerns regarding the Open Spaces budget for 2016/17 (£15k) being allocated in its entirety to New Ferry Park, leaving Torr Park with £50k allocation via section 106 monies.

Councillor J Walsh, seconded by Councillor W Ward moved the following motion:

“The decision relating to the Open Spaces budget for 2016/17 be deferred for a decision to be taken at the next scheduled meeting of the Wirral South Constituency Committee.”

Resolved (14:0) That:

“ A decision relating to the Open Spaces budget for 2016/17 be deferred to the next scheduled meeting of the Wirral South Constituency Committee.”

RESOLVED that:

1)  The Wirral South Constituency Committee calls for the proposal for reduction in spending on Constituency Committees to be withdrawn to ensure stability and continuity for our commissioned services. Given the Council’s support for devolution to the city region, this Committee feels that this should continue down to the constituencies and adequate funding needs to be in place to make this meaningful and not just paying lip service; and Cabinet be requested to honour the funding;

2)  progress made by and changes made to the Wirral South Isolation Service be noted;

3)  the progress made by the Wirral South Youth Counselling service be noted;

4)  volunteers (one elected Member per ward) agree to sit upon an evaluation panel prior to the next committee to review the Wirral South Youth Counselling Service and agree (via delegated decision) if the contracted one year extension be adopted or not. Decision to be reported to the Committee on 27 April 2016 with volunteers as appointed by this Committee. Evaluation panel to convene no later than 4 weeks after the date of this committee;

5)  the Committee note the progress made in providing the Wirral South National Citizenship Service Bursary; and

6)  the decision relating to the Open Spaces budget for 2016/17 be deferred for a decision to be taken at the next scheduled meeting of the Wirral South Constituency Committee.