Members’ attention is drawn to two 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.

Cost of Living – Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector Grants Programme

22 December 2022

Director of Public Health

Cost of Living – Fuel Poverty

22 December 2022

Director of Public Health

The minutes of all committees which have met since 11 November 2022, up until 24 February 2023 are attached below.

Minutes of Committees:

·  16.11.2022 – Regulatory & General Purposes Committee

·  16.11.2022 – Licensing Act Committee

·  23.11.2022 – Constitution & Standards Committee

·  29.11.2022 – Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee

·  30.11.2022 – Environment, Climate Emergency & Transport Committee

·  01.12.2022 – Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee

·  06.12.2022 – Children, Young People & Education Committee

·  07.12.2022 – Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee

·  14.12.2022 – Pensions Committee

·  15.12.2022 – Planning Committee

·  21.12.2022 – Health & Wellbeing Board

·  11.01.2023 – Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee

·  12.01.2023 – Planning Committee

·  17.01.2023 – Audit & Risk Management Committee

·  18.01.2023 – Charitable Trusts Sub-Committee

·  18.01.2023 – Policy & Resources Committee

·  24.01.2023 - Children, Young People & Education Committee

·  26.01.2023 - Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee

·  30.01.2023 - Environment, Climate Emergency & Transport Committee

·  31.01.2023 - Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee

·  01.02.2023 - Regulatory & General Purposes Committee

·  02.02.2023 - Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee

·  09.02.2023 – Strategic Applications Sub Committee

·  09.02.2023 – Planning Committee

·  15.02.2023 – Policy & Resources Committee

·  21.02.2023 – Pensions Committee

·  22.02.2023 – Constitution & Standards Committee

The Civic Mayor introduced the minutes of the various Committees which had met from 11 November 2022 to 24 February 2023 and asked for questions to Committee Chairs on any of the minutes being received.

Councillor Mary Jordan asked a question of Councillor Yvonne Nolan, in respect of minute 39 of the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee held on 11 October 2022, regarding the recommendation made that Wirral was established as a place where people who are living with, or affected by, Dementia can truly ‘live well’, she asked if Councillor Nolan would work closely with the Chairs of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee and Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, as well as people living with dementia to ensure a joined up approach to ensure that Wirral is dementia friendly. Councillor Yvonne Nolan agreed that the suggestion to work with those Chairs as well as those with dementia was something that she would continue to do.

Councillor George Davies asked a question of Councillor Helen Cameron in respect of minute 59 of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee held on 2 February 2023, regarding library asset transfers for Pensby and Irby, he asked why she did not support all libraries as she had voted against the budget which saved them. Councillor Helen Cameron responded that she did not feel that the budget vote had anything to do with the library closures.

Councillor Brian Kenny asked a question of Councillor Kathy Hodson as Chair of Children, Young People and Education Committee, in respect of a statement that she had read out from Councillor Ian Lewis at a meeting of the committee on 24 January 2023. This statement questioned the reality of potential savings for closing play schemes. Councillor Kenny asked why Cllr Hodson had voted against the budget which protected these play schemes. Councillor Kathy Hodson responded that she felt the closure of the three play services in question were never under threat and that they perform an outstanding service. 

Councillor Paul Martin asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson in respect of minute 83 of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 18 January 2023, regarding the report of the Independent Assurance Panel. Cllr Martin asked how Cllr Williamson felt about the second largest political group voting against a legal budget and whether she felt that this would set the Council back with the Panel. Councillor Janette Williamson stated that she hoped that the work that had been carried out since the Independent Assurance Panel had been overseeing the Council would not be detracted from in light of the budget.

Councillor Angie Davies asked a question of Councillor Kathy Hodson in respect of minute 57 of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, held on 24 January 2023, regarding the Budget Workshop Outcomes. Councillor Davies stated that Councillor Hodson had proposed a motion, which was unanimously passed, to oppose any attempts to close play schemes and centres, she asked what evidence Councillor Hodson had considered when voting against the budget. Councillor Kathy Hodson stated that she fully agreed with keeping the play schemes open and refuted the notion that by voting against the budget she had voted against keeping them open.

Councillor Simon Mountney asked a question of Councillor Yvonne Nolan, in respect of minute 71 of the Adult, Social Care and Public Health Committee held on 11 January 2023, regarding the Updated Position Regarding Social Care Delivery Review. Councillor Mountney asked for further information on the cost of this project. Councillor Yvonne Nolan noted that as she had not had notice of the question, she did not have the figures to hand and that a written response would be provided to Councillor Mountney.

Councillor Harry Gorman asked a question of Councillor Tony Jones in respect of minute 47 of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee held on 26 January 2023, regarding Utilisation of Procure Partnerships Framework. Cllr Gorman asked what assurances Councillor Jones could give that these projects would be delivered in a timely manner to ensure that the funding was not lost. Councillor Tony Jones responded that as he had not had notice of the question, he was not able to provide a full answer and a written response would be provided to Councillor Gorman.

Councillor Liz Grey asked a question of Councillor Janette Williamson in respect of minute 84 of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 18 January 2023 regarding Council Tax 2023/23 (Tax Base, Discounts and Exemptions and Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme). Councillor Grey asked if the Conservatives had voted for the increase in Council Tax. Councillor Janette Williamson indicated that they had.

Councillor Helen Collinson asked a question of Councillor Kathy Hodson in respect of minute 57 of the Children, Young People and Education Committee held on 24 January 2023, regarding the Budget Workshop Outcomes. Councillor Collinson asked at what point Councillor Hodson decided that the play centres did not need to be kept open. Councillor Kathy Hodson responded that she did not vote to close any play centre or play scheme.

Councillor Stephen Bennett asked a question of Councillor Kathy Hodson in respect of minute 44 of the Children, Young People and Education Committee held on 6 December 2022, regarding the Update on Wirral School Improvement Strategy 2021-2024. Councillor Bennett asked Councillor Hodson how voting against the Schools’ budget at Full Council would help Wirral schools and if she thought it made her position as Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee untenable. Councillor Kathy Hodson responded that she did not vote against the School’s budget and she did not find her position untenable.