Agenda item

LEADER'S, EXECUTIVE MEMBERS' AND CHAIRS REPORTS

To receive the written reports of the Executive and Policy and Performance Committee Chairs, and to receive questions and answers on any of those reports in accordance with Standing Orders 10(2)(a) and 11.

 

Minutes:

The Mayor introduced the summary reports from the Leader, Cabinet Members and Policy and Performance Committee Chairs and asked for questions on any of the reports.

 

Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked a question of the Leader, Councillor Phil Davies.

 

Councillor Phil Davies stated in response:

·  Current focus and efforts to develop the Wirral Growth Company had come about as a result of a further £132 million of cuts being forced on the Council as a result of the loss of the revenue support grant from central government. The proposed scheme would generate income for the Council that could be re-invested in the community. Such decisions were vital to the future of the Council, particularly given the pressures faced in key areas such as children’s social care.

 

Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked a question of the Cabinet Member - Housing and Community Safety, Councillor George Davies.

 

Councillor George Davies stated in response:

·  Housing Adaptation Grants continued, with on average 2500 grants being awarded each year. During 2016/17 in the region of 3000 grants had been accessed which had led to the council’s performance target for the current year being raised from 2000 to 2500. There were currently no outstanding requests and a review of the service had been undertaken. A Cabinet Member decision was due shortly which would speed up and streamline the service and use of the discretionary budget. 

 

Councillor Pat Cleary asked a question of the Cabinet Member - Highways and Transport, Councillor Stuart Whittingham.

 

Councillor Stuart Whittingham stated in response:

·  Improvements to the North Bank scheme had considered objections from the Merseyside Cycle campaign.

 

Councillor Chris Blakeley asked questions of the Leader, the Cabinet Member - Transformation, Councillor Angela Davies, the Cabinet Member – Localism and Engagement, Councillor Matthew Patrick and the Cabinet Member – Finance and Income Generation, Councillor Janette Williamson.

 

In response comments included:

 

Councillor Phil Davies

·  Questions on the subject of Strategic Asset Acquisitions, including the Europa Building in Birkenhead, and advice given would be best directed to the Assistant Director: Law and Governance.

Councillor Angela Davies

·  A number of developers were expressing an interest in engaging with the Council as part of the Wirral Growth Company. Due diligence and competitive dialogue was still underway, and the outcome of a preferred deal was expected in 2018.

Councillor Matthew Patrick

·  He was happy to report that he had involvement with the budget engagement plans, and asked if Councillor Janette Williamson could take this opportunity to elaborate further in response to the questioner.

Councillor Janette Williamson

·  The information requested was actually contained in the report, and residents could provide their views through the budget consultation process that would include workshops and public engagement. The invitation to all elected members – regardless of party – to support the process still stood.

 

Councillor Brian Kenny asked a question of the Cabinet Member - Highways and Transport.

 

Councillor Stuart Whittingham stated in response:

·  Taking over direct responsibility for key areas of the maintenance of street lighting, carriageway, footpaths, drainage and pot hole repairs would provide better use of the Council’s resources and maximise the ‘Wirral Pound’.

 

Councillor David Burgess-Joyce asked questions of the Leader, the Cabinet Member – Delivering Differently, Councillor Chris Spriggs and the Cabinet Member – Finance and Income Generation.

 

In response comments included:

 

Councillor Phil Davies

·  As with all Committees of Council, Cabinet Members declare all personal and/or prejudicial interests at the start of all Cabinet meetings.

Councillor Chris Spriggs

·  The allotted time for questions expired and a written response would be provided on the all age disability and mental health service.

Councillor Janette Williamson

·  The question did not relate to information contained in her report - however she was happy to respond with a written response on interest rates. The Hoylake Golf Resort project was generally regarded as an opportunity to provide jobs locally and also generate income for the Council.

 

Councillor Gerry Ellis asked a question of the Leader.

 

Councillor Phil Davies stated in response:

·  On the subject of the plans for Hoylake Golf Resort the proposals were still at the stage where the project potential was being explored. A variety of studies were required e.g. flood, traffic, environmental impact etc which would be undertaken, at no expense to the Council. Consultation would go on throughout 2018 as a precursor to any planning application. It would be folly to completely block off any potential opportunity to generate significant income and jobs for the area. There needed to be a balanced picture about what local people and businesses thought.

 

Councillor Les Rowlands asked questions of the Leader, the Cabinet Member – Delivering Differently and the Cabinet Member – Finance and Income Generation.

 

In response comments included:

 

Councillor Phil Davies

·  The structure of the Wirral Growth Company differed greatly from the London Borough of Haringey, where their model was housing based – replacing existing stock. The Wirral Growth Company would provide additional housing and include industrial and retail elements in the overall package. More details would be available in the New Year.

Councillor Chris Spriggs

·  The allotted time expired and a written response would be provided on when the Price Waterhouse Cooper report on integration of health care service would be published.

Councillor Janette Williamson

·  The budgets mentioned were currently underspent, but this was not unusual at this point in the year, both the coastal project and matters regarding potholes on the highway will be the subject of written reports in the future.

 

Councillor Cherry Povall asked a question of the Cabinet Member - Highways and Transport.

 

Councillor Stuart Whittingham stated in response:

·  Grit bins could be provided by Constituency Committees if Members were able to identify funding they could contact him about specific locations.

 

Councillor Kathy Hodson asked questions of the Leader, the Cabinet Member – Transformation, the Cabinet Member – Highways and Transport and the Chair of the Adult Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Julie McManus.

 

In response comments included:

 

Councillor Phil Davies

·  He was aware of the lost income for the municipal golf courses, but did not have specific detail of the figures at hand. A written response to the question would be provided.

Councillor Angela Davies

·  With regard to the total cost of the BWB shared intelligence report a written response would be provided. No third report was to be commissioned.

Councillor Janette Williamson

·  The question did not relate to information contained in her report - however she was happy to provide a written response on council borrowing from Barclays Bank.

Councillor Julie McManus

·  The allotted time for questions expired and a written response would be provided on the publication of PWC report on the Integrated Commissioning Hub.

 

Councillor Adam Sykes asked a question of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation.

 

In response Councillor Janette Williamson stated that it was not her role to meet with the Trades Unions as this was more of a leadership role.

 

The Civic Mayor informed Council that the allotted time for this item had now been reached, Cabinet Members and Overview and Scrutiny Chairs would ensure that written responses be provided by e-mail in respect of all unanswered questions.

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