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

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

Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked a question of Councillor Stuart Whittingham, Cabinet Member Highways and Transport, regarding £1.465 million pounds recently provided by Government for the repair of damaged roads and work on bridges. What proposals did the Cabinet Member have for allocation of these funds, and could Members submit bids for a share of this additional funding to tackle the concerns of their residents in relation to highways matters.

Councillor Whittingham responded that that money was welcomed and a report of the 2019/20 repairs programme was to be be reported in the New Year, he added that an email would be sent to Members with details nearer the time.

Councillor Mary Jordan asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson, Cabinet Member Finance and Resources, on how investing £26 Million in the Hoylake Golf Course helped the most vulnerable.

Councillor Williamson responded stating that this was matter not covered in her report, but income generation was core to the Council’s new way of working, as had been referred to in the Cabinet Member, Environment’s answer to an earlier question.

Councillor Jean Stapleton asked a question of Councillor Phil Davies, Leader, regarding the Council’s plans when it assumed the role of Borough of Culture.

Councillor P Davies responded that he was pleased to have attended the official handover at St Helens the previous weekend and was proud that Wirral had been selected for this role in 2019. He provided an update on a number of proposed highlight projects and informed Council that more details would be announced in due course.

Councillor Bruce Berry asked a question of Councillor Angela Davies, Cabinet Member Jobs and Growth, regarding the plans for £150 million investment in Birkenhead, and questioned why other investment had not been set aside for centres such as Liscard and New Ferry.

Councillor A Davies responded that the massive investment programme planned for Birkenhead Commercial District was well known, and a key driver for regeneration under the auspices of the Wirral Growth Company.

Councillor Alan Brame asked a question of Councillor George Davies, Cabinet Member Housing and Planning, requesting updated figures regarding empty / substandard properties being brought back into use. 

Councillor G Davies responded, directing Councillor Brame to the last paragraph of his report, stating that the number had reduced to 4200 and that the 2015 target to bring empty properties into use should be achieved by 2020.

Councillor Andrew Gardner asked a question of Councillor George Davies, Cabinet Member Housing and Planning regarding Government guidance on housing numbers did not represent a mandatory target, and was simply a starting point for local authorities to work within its boundaries and other constraints such as green belt. 

Councillor G Davies responded that he was aware of this, and Wirral’s housing figures had been based on the Office for National Statistics figure of 488 per year.

Councillor Tony Cox asked a question of Councillor Phil Davies, Leader, regarding the plans for significant investment and questioned why these funds were not being directed towards New Ferry.

Councillor P Davies responded that the development had received support from Conservative Members, but Government cuts meant that the Council needed to raise additional income from alternate funding streams such as the development of Hoylake Golf Course.

Councillor Joe Walsh asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson, Cabinet Member Finance and Resources, regarding New Ferry and how the Government had been dragging its feet to support the people affected by the explosion.

Councillor Williamson responded that the Government had completely ignored New Ferry and in addition to the £300,000 already spent by Wirral Council to help deal with this tragedy, it had been agreed in principal to establish a hardship fund for those victims of the blast.

Councillor Pat Cleary asked a question of Councillor Anita Leech, Cabinet Member Environment, regarding the recent reports of insulting and disrespectful behaviour of Kingdom employees (this Council’s contractor) that had resulted in Liverpool Council’s cancelling of their contract.

Councillor Leech responded that she was disappointed by the alleged comments and had asked Kingdom to investigate. She added that Wirral’s team was now under new management and Council officers were working with the company using robust contractual arrangements to investigate when things went wrong. 

Councillor Cherry Povall asked a question of Councillor Phillip Brightmore, Cabinet Member Leisure and Recreation, as to why the Brackenwood Golf Course had been excluded from the recently announced plans for Wirral Golf Courses.

Councillor Brightmore responded that Brackenwood was part of the Green Space review and any decisions would be made once this had concluded.

Councillor Stuart Kelly asked a question of Councillor George Davies, Cabinet Member Housing and Planning, regarding the actual numbers for Wirral Waters Housing used in the local plan.

Councillor G Davies responded that he too had been bewildered by promises made by the developer, but at present 1100 units were scheduled to be delivered as part of a planning application expected for decision in the next two weeks. He added that he had written to the company and the Government Minister regarding past promises on this matter.

Councillor Chris Blakeley asked a question of Councillor Angela Davies, Cabinet Member Jobs and Growth, regarding social media comments with regards to Birkenhead’s shipyards, support of skilled workers and cessation of existing partnerships.

Councillor A Davies responded that she was proud to support the shipyard’s workers and pleased to say that redundancy notices had been withdrawn.

Councillor Jeff Green asked a question of Councillor Stuart Whittingham, Cabinet Member Highways and Transport, regarding why Members had not been invited to submit suggestions to the structural maintenance programme.

Councillor Whittingham responded that this had been answered in his earlier response to Councillor Gilchrist.

Councillor Brian Kenny asked a question of Councillor Angela Davies, Cabinet Member Jobs and Growth, to provide an update on progress for Birkenhead Commercial District.

Councillor A Davies responded that regeneration was central to the Council’s 2020 pledges, and that the Council had entered a joint venture arrangement with the company ‘Muse’ and that Cabinet had recently approved public consultation to hear views on the proposed masterplan. She added that the Commercial District would provide benefits of centralisation for both Council and other workers, acting as a catalyst for business and providing job opportunities.

Councillor Wendy Clements asked a question of Councillor Chris Jones, Cabinet Member Adult Care and Health, regarding the current proposals for Walk-In Centres and Urgent Care Treatment.

Councillor C Jones responded that the Clinical Commissioning Group’s consultation was ongoing and that she had submitted her views and would await the outcome.

Councillor Gerry Ellis asked a question of Councillor Phillip Brightmore, Cabinet Member Leisure and Recreation, regarding the recent felling of trees in the Borough and lack of consultation with residents and Ward Councillors.

Councillor Brightmore responded that the matter was one of public safety, surveys had been undertaken and that the Council had a duty of care with regard to public safety and he was satisfied that the work was necessary.

Councillor David Elderton asked a question of Councillor George Davies, Cabinet Member Housing and Planning, regarding bringing back empty properties into use, offsetting the requirement for new builds as part of the local plan.

Councillor G Davies responded that he hoped that as many such properties could be utilised, possibly as many as 3500.

Councillor Pat Hackett asked a question of Councillor Phil Davies, Leader, regarding the status of funding bids for the regeneration of New Ferry and Liscard.

Councillor P Davies responded that work was taking place and a bid for £1 million had been submitted to the LCR Mayor. He added that the matter was subject to due diligence but hoped that a 50/50 split between the two centres would be agreed.

Councillor Andrew Hodson asked a question of Councillor Phil Davies, Leader, regarding a Social Media comment linking Peel Holdings to the local Tories.

Councillor P Davies responded, referring to an earlier answer and added that as a developer of brownfield sites the company had a responsibility to deliver on their earlier promise of 13,500 properties.

Councillor Adam Sykes asked a question of Councillor Phillip Brightmore, Cabinet Member Leisure and Recreation, regarding his plans for the review of local Library Services.

Councillor Brightmore responded that the proposals were being drafted and would be presented to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

Councillor Steve Williams asked a question of Councillor Stuart Whittingham, Cabinet Member Highways and Transport, regarding how much Government funding had been allocated for the works set out in his report.

Councillor Whittingham responded that he would provide a written response.

Councillor Ian Lewis asked a question of Councillor Phillip Brightmore, Cabinet Member Leisure and Recreation, querying that despite the Council’s commitment to inclusive growth, the proposal for Hoylake Golf Course was ‘exclusive’. He added that given the search for an alternative specialist provider for the Council’s golf courses and that usage of golf facilities was down / in decline, why had the Council not considered a wildlife park centre instead.

Councillor Brightmore responded that despite recent dwindling numbers, golf was still enjoyed by thousands both across the Borough and Nationally. The arrangement to outsource the operation of the Council’s golf courses would provide additional investment and attract new comers to the sport.

Councillor George Davies asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson, Cabinet Member Finance and Resources, regarding savings made from restructuring senior management.

Councillor Williamson responded that this focussed on staff not in a frontline role, and included back office staffing. The exercise was undertaken in November and was taking into account views whether or not posts could be deleted, avoiding indiscriminate removal of staff as had happened in the past.

Councillor Les Rowlands asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson, Cabinet Member Finance and Resources, regarding outstanding debt and monies owed to/by the NHS.

Councillor Williamson responded that she would provide a written response.

Councillor Lesley Rennie asked a question of Councillor Anita Leech, Cabinet Member Environment, regarding the current status of the Public Space Protection Order and whether she had had the opportunity to meet with any group representatives opposing the proposals.

Councillor Leech responded that since her appointment she had been looking into the detail of this matter and the matter would be the subject of pre-decision scrutiny by Members in January.

Councillor Chris Carubia asked a question of Councillor Chris Jones, Cabinet Member Adult Care and Health, regarding the Constitutional issues that prevented Members of the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee voting on recent matters of Call-In.

Councillor C Jones responded that the matter had been of concern to all Members and requested that this be addressed.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson, Cabinet Member Finance and Resources, regarding removal of revenue support grant funding from Government and that he hoped the Cabinet Member would be taking part in the fair funding review currently underway.

Councillor Williamson responded that removal of the grant was placing significant pressures on local authorities and the need for Council to generate income was vital, with many Council’s in the North of England being left to sink or swim.

Councillor Chris Blakeley asked a question of Councillor Angela Davies, Cabinet Member Jobs and Growth, regarding recently reported figures for jobs at the Celtic Manor Hotel.

Councillor A Davies responded that the figures represented more than just the hotel itself, but would include construction, supply chain and other services associated with the resort.