To receive reports about and receive questions and answers on decisions made by Committees since the last meeting of Council. Members’ attention is drawn to three officer decisions which have been taken and excluded from removal of delegation and reconsideration by Policy & Resources Committee and is reported to the Council in accordance with Part 4, Section 4, paragraph 6(a)(ii) of the Constitution.

Grassroots Football - Grant Acceptance, Virement of Council Match Funding and Pavilion Contract Award Approval

Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee

26 July 2022

Strategic Acquisition

Director of Regeneration and Place

4 November 2022

The minutes of all committees which have met since 19 September 2022, up until 11 November 2022 are attached as below.

Minutes of Committees:

·  27.09.2022 – Regulatory and General Purposes Committee

·  28.09.2022 – Pensions Committee

·  29.09.2022 – Health and Wellbeing Board

·  29.09.2022 – Constitution and Standards Committee

·  05.10.2022 – Policy and Resources Committee

·  11.10.2022 – Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee

·  12.10.2022 – Children, Young People & Education Committee

·  13.10.2022 – Planning Committee

·  19.10.2022 – Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee

·  20.10.2022 – Environment, Climate Emergency & Transport Committee

·  24.10.2022 – Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee

·  25.10.2022 – Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee

·  26.10.2022 – Audit & Risk Management Committee

·  02.11.2022 – Health and Wellbeing Board

·  09.11.2022 – Policy and Resources Committee

·  10.11.2022 – Planning Committee

The Civic Mayor reported that in accordance with Part 4, Section 4, paragraph 6(a)(ii) of the Constitution, Council’s attention was drawn to two decisions which had been taken and excluded from removal of delegation and reconsideration by Policy and Resources Committee.

The Civic Mayor introduced the minutes of the various Committees which had met from 19 September to 11 November 2022 and asked for questions to Committee Chairs on any of the minutes being received.

Councillor Sue Percy asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson as Chair of Policy & Resources Committee, in respect of a re-profiling of capital funding in the High Street Fund for New Ferry, seeking assurances that the regeneration of New Ferry after the horrific explosion in 2017 would remain as a regeneration priority. Councillor Tony Jones as Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee responded providing an update on the residential development plans in New Ferry with the Council working in partnership with Regenda Group on a comprehensive plan for the area to include affordable and energy efficient housing with a greater amount of family homes and environmental sustainability, with construction anticipated to start on the first site by late spring or early summer 2023.

Councillor George Davies asked a question of Councillor Liz Grey, in respect of minute 33 of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, seeking an update on the Hoylake Beach Management Plan. In response, Councillor Liz Grey updated that at the meeting on Wednesday, a realistic compromise of two options was agreed for a natural beach with improved access for all and some vegetation removal nearer to the RNLI station, which would undergo assessment before submission to Natural England and a full public consultation.

Councillor George Davies asked a question of Councillor Tony Jones as  Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, welcoming the opening of Eureka and seeking further information on when further regeneration activities would be completed. In response, Councillor Tony Jones also welcomed the opening of Eureka and the creation of jobs for the area, and provided an update on other schemes including the Millers Quay residential development which was now in development, the Hive office which was almost two thirds let after only a year since completion, and further Public Realm work across Birkenhead waterfront getting underway.

Councillor James Laing asked a question of Councillor Stuart Kelly as Chair of Planning, in relation to the refusal of an application for smart parking in the Cherry Tree centre in Liscard following issues with incorrect fixed penalty notices for disabled residents, asking whether the applicant had appealed the decision. In response, Councillor Stuart Kelly confirmed that he had not received notification of an appeal, but that unsuccessful applicants had six months from the date of decision to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Councillor Angie Davies asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, asking whether she would wish to congratulate the previous Director of Public Health, Julie Webster on her retirement and her work to finalise the Public Health Annual Report, welcome Dave Bradburn as the new Director of Public Health, and thank the Public Health team for everything they do to keep Wirral safe. In response, Councillor Janette Williamson outlined her pleasure working with Julie Webster throughout her time at the Council, welcomed Dave Bradburn to the Council, and expressed how enormously valued the Public Health team were.

Councillor Julie McManus asked a question of Councillor Tony Jones as the Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, seeking assurances that active travel was at the heart of the Council’s regeneration programme. In response, Councillor Tony Jones outlined that there were numerous active travel schemes that were key to the delivery of the regeneration project, and outlined recent examples of funding to support the schemes including £2.25m funding awarded by Department of Transport to support movement schemes in Birkenhead, and that in the last two weeks, three consultations had been launched on active travel schemes.

Councillor Paul Martin asked a question of Councillor Liz Grey, in respect of minute item 33 of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, seeking an update on progress with the flood alleviation scheme. In response, Councillor Liz Grey outlined the excellent progress being made despite the complex engineering work required, and informed Council that the scheme was in-keeping with the environment in West Kirby and added to the public realm as well as protecting lives, property and businesses.

Councillor Tom Anderson asked a question of Councillor Tony Jones as Chair of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, asking whether he agreed that the £180m worth of investment showed the Conservative government’s commitment to levelling up Birkenhead. In response, Councillor Tony Jones outlined that to drive the regeneration of Birkenhead forward, it was right and proper that sources of funding were accepted when available.

Councillor Daisy Kenny asked a question of Councillor Tony Jones, in respect of minute item 24 of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, noting that the item relating to Dominick House was withdrawn, and seeking assurances that the future regeneration of the site would be of the highest quality and done in consultation with ward Councillors, local businesses and residents. In response, Councillor Tony Jones confirmed this was the case and expressed his gratitude to Liscard ward members for offering to ensure that the consultation process was done in its fullest manner.