Councillor Janette Williamson moved and Councillor Phil Gilchrist seconded a Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

“Council wishes for the success of any current government in tackling the current global pandemic.

Council places on record its thanks and appreciation of all those involved in the fight to contain and tackle the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

However, there are a number of failures that cannot be ignored by Council. Local government is clearly an important player in the fight against the second wave.

However such  government support that has been forthcoming by way of funding or access to national track and trace databases has only been secured in recent times and only after repeated requests to ensure local government is  better equipped to help control the virus.

Council recognises that its officers have worked tirelessly to secure data from the national Test and Trace Service and to combine local and national data in the best interests of Wirral’s people.

Council  considers that the Government’s determination to reorganise Public Health England in the midst of national and local work to be a diversion of energy and capacity that should be focussed on tackling the virus.

Notwithstanding this work, Council believes that the substantial sums awarded to the contractors by the Government are not, to date, providing value for money in the fight against the virus. There remains considerable public suspicion about the role of contractors that have and are being used, a clear need for greater transparency in the way contractors have been appointed and are operating, leading to growing concern that a system intended to secure public confidence has failed to do so.

Council recognises that further introductions of local lockdowns have become necessary, but only because previous attempts by the government to control the virus have failed.

Council believes that the transfer of Test and Trace funding to this and other local authorities, taking full advantage of local knowledge and contacts, would produce greater public trust in the system than can be secured under the arrangements that have been made.

Council believes that  the way to improve this is to give funding to council for the extra costs and loss of income it is experiencing, and to give us the powers, support and capacity to conduct locally run testing, tracking and tracing.

Council recommends this be communicated by Group Leaders in the strongest possible way to ministers.

Council further requests that Wirral’s MPs take up this issue and that Wirral Council works with the Local Government Association to secure improvements to the system.”

Councillor Chris Carubia moved and Councillor Dave Mitchell seconded an amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.3, such that after the final paragraph, the following be inserted:

“Council lends its weight to all the background work and representations made recently by the Leader and Officers in conveying the views of Members to secure as much funding as possible to support Wirral’s residents through this crisis.

Council is anxious that, as the restrictions do appear likely to be in place for some time, the Government needs to recognise that both individual and family finances will come under increasing pressures, so further funding must be added to the levels announced.

Further, as groups or individuals are identified as falling through these provisions, these issues should also be identified and highlighted.

Representations should be made to Wirral’s MPs and Ministers urging them to follow these up in the interest of reducing poverty and hardship.”

Following a debate conducted in accordance with Standing Order 15, and Councillor Williamson having replied, the amendment was put and carried (59:0) (One abstention).

The substantive motion, as amended, was then put and it was -

Resolved (59:0) (One abstention) – That,

Council wishes for the success of any current government in tackling the current global pandemic.

Council places on record its thanks and appreciation of all those involved in the fight to contain and tackle the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

However, there are a number of failures that cannot be ignored by Council.

Local government is clearly an important player in the fight against the second wave.

However such government support that has been forthcoming by way of funding or access to national track and trace databases has only been secured in recent times and only after repeated requests to ensure local government is better equipped to help control the virus.

Council recognises that its officers have worked tirelessly to secure data from the national Test and Trace Service and to combine local and national data in the best interests of Wirral’s people.

Council  considers that the Government’s determination to reorganise Public Health England in the midst of national and local work to be a diversion of energy and capacity that should be focussed on tackling the virus.

Notwithstanding this work, Council believes that the substantial sums awarded to the contractors by the Government are not, to date, providing value for money in the fight against the virus. There remains considerable public suspicion about the role of contractors that have and are being used, a clear need for greater transparency in the way contractors have been appointed and are operating, leading to growing concern that a system intended to secure public confidence has failed to do so.

Council recognises that further introductions of local lockdowns have become necessary, but only because previous attempts by the government to control the virus have failed.

Council believes that the transfer of Test and Trace funding to this and other local authorities, taking full advantage of local knowledge and contacts, would produce greater public trust in the system than can be secured under the arrangements that have been made.

Council believes that the way to improve this is to give funding to council for the extra costs and loss of income it is experiencing, and to give us the powers, support and capacity to conduct locally run testing, tracking and tracing.

Council recommends this be communicated by Group Leaders in the strongest possible way to ministers.

Council further requests that Wirral’s MPs take up this issue and that Wirral Council works with the Local Government Association to secure improvements to the system.

Council lends its weight to all the background work and representations made recently by the Leader and Officers in conveying the views of Members to secure as much funding as possible to support Wirral’s residents through this crisis.

Council is anxious that, as the restrictions do appear likely to be in place for some time, the Government needs to recognise that both individual and family finances will come under increasing pressures, so further funding must be added to the levels announced.

Further, as groups or individuals are identified as falling through these provisions, these issues should also be identified and highlighted.

Representations should be made to Wirral’s MPs and Ministers urging them to follow these up in the interest of reducing poverty and hardship.

At 7.30pm, the Civic Mayor announced that the Council would adjourn for 10 minutes.

The Council resumed at 7.40pm.