Report of the Constituency Manager is attached.

The Constituency Manager introduced a report to update Members on the Constituency Committee’s priorities and their associated spend for 2016/17. The report also sought decisions from Members in relation to priority driven spend. Members were reminded that the work of Wirral South Constituency Committee contributes to a range of Wirral plan 2020 pledges and neighbourhood working is key to delivery of the plan.

The Constituency Manager drew attention to para 3.1.4 of the report that explained to Members how the WSCC currently holds £15,267 within its social isolation budget and it is proposed that this remaining amount should be used to provide the Wirral South Social Isolation Fund. Members heard how this fund would be open in the summer of 2017 and monies allocated by the end of September 2017 in the form of a small grants programme; maximum 2k per application.

Members were then informed how the Wirral South Engagement Officer had worked tirelessly on the “2016 Christmas Together Project” and the project is directly aimed at combating social isolation over the 2016 Christmas period in Wirral South.

The Constituency Manager then reported that following the recommendation from the previous committee, the Wirral South Youth Counselling Service Evaluation Panel met on Thursday 9 March and the incumbent contractor was given the opportunity to present their progress to date During this meeting the Panel had agreed to extend the service for another 12 months from 1 June 2017.

The recommendations were set out and explained clearly within the report. The committee voted separately on each recommendation as follows:

Recommendation one

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

Resolved (8:0) That:

The committee note that the current Social Isolation Contract will cease on 31^st May 2017

Recommendation two

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

Resolved (8:0) That:

The Committee agree to the provision of the Wirral South Social Isolation Grants Fund with the remaining funds for 2017/18 (£15, 267.28) allocated. Specific administrative details to be presented at the next committee, prior to launch.

Recommendation three

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

Resolved (8:0) That:

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

Recommendation four

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

Resolved (8:0) That:

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

Recommendation five

Councillor P Gilchrist led a discussion regarding the allocation of £18,281 funding to either New Ferry or Torr Park. The Committee heard how the total amount would be best spent on Torr Park as linked to the section 106 allocated funds.

Councillor W Ward then expressed his contention of how the full amount would be best spent in New Ferry Park especially in light of the major incident affecting residents of New Ferry.

David Armstrong informed the Committee that it would be unusual to spend funding linked to a planning application elsewhere and committed to making enquiries as to how the council might meet the gap in the expected park priority budget. A decision in relation to identifying the shortfall of £11,719 will be communicated to the constituency manager.  

A discussion was had regarding the option to split the funding equally between the two parks.

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

Resolved (8:0) That

The Committee agree to split funding equally, allocating £9140.5 each to Torr and New Ferry Park