In standing to move a Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7, Councillor David Elderton sought the agreement of the Council to the variation of the Motion. The Council gave its agreement to the variation of the Motion as required by Standing Order 12(1), such agreement being given by general consent.

Accordingly, Councillor David Elderton moved and Councillor Gerry Ellis seconded the following varied Motion –

“Council believes the introduction of car parking charges at Wirral’s coastal areas and promenades, following the introduction of charges in our country parks:

·  Will bring in relatively small amounts of money

·  Will have a health and happiness cost, by discouraging residents from using green spaces and the beaches

·  Will disproportionately impact on poorer residents, for whom access to the country parks and beaches is a relatively cheap activity, and for whom travel on public transport with children and associated equipment will be more expensive and inconvenient

Council also notes the views of Members in the Wards affected by the proposals for coastal parking charges (Wallasey, Hoylake & Meols and West Kirby & Thurstaston) who have highlighted the potential impact on small and medium sized businesses reliant on visitor and tourist trade.

Council therefore welcomes the rejection of coastal parking charges as proposed by the Cabinet Member for Highways following the rejection of similar proposals for our high streets and shopping areas in 2017 and urges the Leader of the Council to similarly remove parking charges in our country parks forthwith”.

Councillor Stuart Whittingham moved and Councillor Phil Davies seconded the following amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(9) such that the Motion be approved subject to –

The addition to bullet point one of “compared to the £250 million slashed from Wirral Council’s budget by Tory austerity policies”; and the deletion of the final paragraph and its replacement with “Council congratulates the Leader of the Council for having considered the results of the consultation on proposed parking charges and taking the sensible step of rejecting them, demonstrating his administration’s un-wavering support for Wirral’s visitor economy, and despite the enormous pressures Tory cuts are placing on the council, for his commitment to listen and act in the best interests of Wirral residents”.

Following a debate conducted in accordance with Standing Order 12, and Councillor Elderton having replied, a number of Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

A recorded vote was then taken on the amendment and the Council divided as follows:

For the amendment (36) R Abbey, P Brightmore, K Cannon, T Cottier, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, S Foulkes, P Hackett, AER Jones, C Jones, S Jones, T Jones, B Kenny, A Leech, M McLaughlin, J McManus, C Meaden, B Mooney, C Muspratt, M Patrick, PA Smith, C Spriggs, J Stapleton, P Stuart, M Sullivan, T Usher, J Walsh, W Ward, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams, J Williamson and G Wood.

Against the amendment (24) T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley A Brame, D Burgess-Joyce, C Carubia, P Cleary, W Clements, D Elderton, G Ellis, A Gardner, P Gilchrist, J Green, P Hayes, A Hodson, K Hodson, M Jordan, S Kelly, I Lewis, D Mitchell, C Povall, L Rennie, L Rowlands and S Williams.

One abstention - Councillor G Watt (Civic Mayor).

Prior to voting on the substantive motion, as amended, a number of Members rose to request a ‘card vote’. A recorded vote was then taken and the Council divided as follows:

For the amendment (36) R Abbey, P Brightmore, K Cannon, T Cottier, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, S Foulkes, P Hackett, AER Jones, C Jones, S Jones, T Jones, B Kenny, A Leech, M McLaughlin, J McManus, C Meaden, B Mooney, C Muspratt, M Patrick, PA Smith, C Spriggs, J Stapleton, P Stuart, M Sullivan, T Usher, J Walsh, W Ward, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams, J Williamson and G Wood.

Against the amendment (24) T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley A Brame, D Burgess-Joyce, C Carubia, P Cleary, W Clements, D Elderton, G Ellis, A Gardner, P Gilchrist, J Green, P Hayes, A Hodson, K Hodson, M Jordan, S Kelly, I Lewis, D Mitchell, C Povall, L Rennie, L Rowlands and S Williams.

One abstention - Councillor G Watt (Civic Mayor).

Resolved (36:24) (One abstention) –

Council believes the introduction of car parking charges at Wirral’s coastal areas and promenades, following the introduction of charges in our country parks:

·  Will bring in relatively small amounts of money compared to the £250 million slashed from Wirral Council’s budget by Tory austerity policies.

·  Will have a health and happiness cost, by discouraging residents from using green spaces and the beaches

·  Will disproportionately impact on poorer residents, for whom access to the country parks and beaches is a relatively cheap activity, and for whom travel on public transport with children and associated equipment will be more expensive and inconvenient

Council also notes the views of Members in the Wards affected by the proposals for coastal parking charges (Wallasey, Hoylake & Meols and West Kirby & Thurstaston) who have highlighted the potential impact on small and medium sized businesses reliant on visitor and tourist trade.

Council congratulates the Leader of the Council for having considered the results of the consultation on proposed parking charges and taking the sensible step of rejecting them, demonstrating his administration’s un-wavering support for Wirral’s visitor economy, and despite the enormous pressures Tory cuts are placing on the Council, for his commitment to listen and act in the best interests of Wirral residents.