The Civic Mayor introduced the item ‘Investing to change our Urban Scene’ for which one motion and one amendment had been submitted.

MOTION

Councillor Phil Gilchrist moved and Councillor Dave Mitchell seconded the following Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7 -

“Council believes that there is a need for a step change or programme of improvements to the quality of the urban scene in Wirral.  The footways leading to local shopping centres and the areas of dropped kerbs and crossings need upgrading in some areas to provide safe, convenient and attractive routes for pedestrians and the users of electric buggies.

Council notes that there has been a measurable decline in the condition of Wirral’s roads and that the recently announced maintenance programme is constrained by the financial pressures facing the Borough.  Some local shopping centres have areas of damaged footways and need investment to ensure these are not only safe but are even and attractive environments.

Council considers that the use of prudential borrowing may provide a way of investing in road surfaces, footways and cycling facilities.  The opportunity could be taken to look at modifications to improve safety, reduce speeds and improve facilities for parking, pedestrians and cyclists.  This might enable the creation of a more pleasant environment, especially in congested areas and around schools.

Council recommends that Cabinet invites Ward Members to submit reports on the areas that they believe need to be upgraded.  This would be over and above minor maintenance but should be a series of suggestions for turning the decline around.  A target date for submissions should be offered so that a planned programme of improvement can be drawn up.

Council also requests that Cabinet reports back on how long it would take to address the backlog of highway repairs at current spending levels and how the deterioration might be reversed and resourced through prudential borrowing.”

AMENDMENT

Proposed by Councillor Liz Grey

Seconded by Councillor Janette Williamson

Delete all after; “Council recommends that Cabinet invites Ward Members to submit reports on the areas that they believe need upgraded.”

Replace with:

“This would be over and above minor maintenance but should be a series of suggestions for improving the environment and road safety. A target date for submissions should be offered so that a planned programme of improvement can be drawn up.

Council also requests that Cabinet reports back on how long it would take to improve the situation along our roads and pavements at current spending levels and if the deterioration might be reversed and resourced through prudential borrowing or capital investment”.

Having applied the guillotine, the Council did not debate this matter.

Councillor Gilchrist as mover of the motion, and duly supported by Councillor Mitchell as seconder, indicated acceptance of the amendment moved by Cllr Grey. 

The substantive motion was therefore put and carried.

Resolved (60:0) (One abstention) – That

Council believes that there is a need for a step change or programme of improvements to the quality of the urban scene in Wirral. The footways leading to local shopping centres and the areas of dropped kerbs and crossings need upgrading in some areas to provide safe, convenient and attractive routes for pedestrians and the users of electric buggies.

Council notes that there has been a measurable decline in the condition of Wirral’s roads and that the recently announced maintenance programme is constrained by the financial pressures facing the Borough. Some local shopping centres have areas of damaged footways and need investment to ensure these are not only safe but are even and attractive environments.

Council considers that the use of prudential borrowing may provide a way of investing in road surfaces, footways and cycling facilities. The opportunity could be taken to look at modifications to improve safety, reduce speeds and improve facilities for parking, pedestrians and cyclists.  This might enable the creation of a more pleasant environment, especially in congested areas and around schools.

Council recommends that Cabinet invites Ward Members to submit reports on the areas that they believe need to be upgraded. This would be over and above minor maintenance but should be a series of suggestions for improving the environment and road safety. A target date for submissions should be offered so that a planned programme of improvement can be drawn up.

Council also requests that Cabinet reports back on how long it would take to improve the situation along our roads and pavements at current spending levels and if the deterioration might be reversed and resourced through prudential borrowing or capital investment.