The second item requiring approval was in relation to a report of the Chief Executive, which presented The Wirral Plan 2021-26 Draft Delivery Plans. These had been developed during the summer, with Group Leaders considering the draft Plans on Friday 20 August 2021.

The motion was formally moved by Councillor Janette Williamson and seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan

Before moving to debate the Civic Mayor made Council aware of an amendment moved by Councillor Cleary and seconded by Councillor Grey,

‘Delivering a robust Active Travel strategy and Road Safety plan at pace for all of Wirral is fundamental to achieving our policy objectives on climate, air quality and health. These issues cut across various aspects of council activities. Successful outcomes will rely on active engagement across several committees. However, it is the view of council, taking on board the amount of work done to date in advancing our net zero carbon and road safety ambitions, that these areas sit best within the Sustainable Environment brief.

Council notes that at its meeting of 30 June the Policy and Resources Committee asked “that the Constitution and Standards Committee consider whether existing provision within the Council’s Constitution with respect to the planning for and implementation of active travel schemes are sufficiently clear and appropriate and if necessary to make recommendations to Council on any necessary changes to the Constitution.”

Moreover, given the work already undertaken by members of the Environment Climate Emergency & Transport committee on the development of the Environment and Climate Emergency Action Plan, the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy and the promotion of carbon literacy, Council believes that section 2 from the Safe and Pleasant Communities section of the draft Wirral Plan should be moved and placed within the Sustainable Environment section.

Accordingly, Council agrees to:

Add an additional category 3 – Safer, Sustainable Transport – to the Sustainable Environment section

Amend the Summary for item 5 in Inclusive Economy to read “Embedding active travel solutions and local cycling and walking infrastructure across all of Wirral”. Move this item to the new section 3 under Sustainable Environment

Move “Deliver new Road Safety Action Plan” from section 4 in Safe and Pleasant Communities to the new section 3 under Sustainable Environment.

Remove section 2 from Safe and Pleasant Communities and place the items clearly within the Sustainable Environment part of the Delivery Plan.’

After a debate Councillor Janette Williamson spoke to the amendment to confirm she had no particular issue with it, however was concerned around some of the language used by Councillor Cleary when speaking to the amendment about it being outdated.

The amendment was then put and carried (42:18).

The Civic Major then asked members to debate the substantive motion. After a lengthy debate the motion, as amended was then put and it was –

Resolved (39:21) -

Having considered the additional contents within the draft Delivery Plans set out in Appendix 1 to the report, Council agrees that further engagement and discussion with relevant Committees takes place to further shape the underpinning delivery plans and work programmes required to implement the Wirral Plan.

Delivering a robust Active Travel strategy and Road Safety plan at pace for all of Wirral is fundamental to achieving our policy objectives on climate, air quality and health. These issues cut across various aspects of council activities. Successful outcomes will rely on active engagement across several committees. However, it is the view of council, taking on board the amount of work done to date in advancing our net zero carbon and road safety ambitions, that these areas sit best within the Sustainable Environment brief.

Council notes that at its meeting of 30 June the Policy and Resources Committee asked “that the Constitution and Standards Committee consider whether existing provision within the Council’s Constitution with respect to the planning for and implementation of active travel schemes are sufficiently clear and appropriate and if necessary to make recommendations to Council on any necessary changes to the Constitution.”

Moreover, given the work already undertaken by members of the Environment Climate Emergency & Transport committee on the development of the Environment and Climate Emergency Action Plan, the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy and the promotion of carbon literacy, Council believes that section 2 from the Safe and Pleasant Communities section of the draft Wirral Plan should be moved and placed within the Sustainable Environment section.

Accordingly, Council agrees to:

Add an additional category 3 – Safer, Sustainable Transport – to the Sustainable Environment section

Amend the Summary for item 5 in Inclusive Economy to read “Embedding active travel solutions and local cycling and walking infrastructure across all of Wirral”. Move this item to the new section 3 under Sustainable Environment

Move “Deliver new Road Safety Action Plan” from section 4 in Safe and Pleasant Communities to the new section 3 under Sustainable Environment.

Remove section 2 from Safe and Pleasant Communities and place the items clearly within the Sustainable Environment part of the Delivery Plan.’