Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by noon, Wednesday, 5 June 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer (via the online form here: Public Question Form) and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.

For more information on how your personal information will be used, please see this link: Document Data Protection Protocol

Please telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your question by the deadline for submission.

The Civic Mayor informed the Council that eight public questions had been received.

Chris Cureton asked a question to Councillor Liz Grey as Chair of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee on whether the Council supported the introduction of a by law to outlaw the use of gill nets in the Dee and Mersey estuaries and North Wirral foreshore.

In response, Councillor Grey outlined that she supported any move to prevent gill nets and that she hoped the debate on the motion on the matter would answer the questioners concerns.

Arthur Shaw asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council on the installation of a fence at the East Float dock edge for public safety.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that the matter had been raised with Council officers and Peel Waters LLP, and that Council agrees that the installation of a barrier is the correct course of action but that it was not a public highway and therefore not a matter for which the Council had a responsibility. However, the Council would continue to affirm its position to Peel Waters LLP.

Arthur Shaw asked whether the Council could send a representative to a meeting arrange with Peel Waters LLP on Wednesday 19^th July on the matter. In response, Councillor Stuart undertook to arrange for an officer to attend the meeting.

Sean Martin asked a question to Councillor Liz Grey as Chair of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee on the impact to the roll out of 20 miles per hour zones throughout Wirral, particularly on bus times and taxi fares.

In response, Councillor Grey outlined that most buses spent little time travelling at more than 20mph due to the frequency of stops and the need to negotiate obstacles and that data showed that buses spend less than 25% of their time above 18.5mph. She further outlined that there was no anticipated impact on taxi fares but the consultation on the schemes would be shared with taxi drivers.

Sean Martin outlined the impact on 20mph zones on his journey on Seabank Road which added 1 minute to a 1 mile journey and suggested that the impact would be higher than the quoted data suggested.

The Monitoring Officer read out a question on behalf of John Brace to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council on the Council’s request for a Capitalisation Directive in 2021 and what lessons had been learnt by the Council including any training for Councillors.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined the Council’s response to the recommendations from the Independent Assurance Panel with the appointment of a new Director of Finance and Director of Law and Governance, an agreed budget for 2023/24 and the delivery of financial training to all members with an ongoing programme of support planned throughout the municipal year.

The Monitoring Officer read out a question on behalf of John Brace who had asked a question on behalf of the organisation Level 80 to Councillor Janette Williamson as Chair of the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee on the shortage of social care workers compared to demand and what actions the Council was taking to provide adequate social care services.

In response, Councillor Williamson outlined the level of support provided in the social care sector with an 11.6% increase in the numbers of old people requiring support during 2023 with £5m invested to pay care Staff the Real Living Wage and £14.7m additional investment for 2023/24 and advised that the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee receives quarterly performance reports detailing this activity.

The Monitoring Officer read out a question on behalf of John Brace asked a question on behalf of the organisation Level 80 to Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde as Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee regarding careers advice for teenagers in Wirral and the best sources of specialist advice.

In response, Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde outlined the various sources of careers advice available to young people in the borough, including the BE MORE careers portal, the annual Careers Show at the Hive Youth Zone and Career Connect, and requested that sources of information be included within the minutes.
Liverpool City Region Be More Scheme: https://lcrbemore.co.uk/

Career Connect: 0151 556 2620 wirral@careerconnect.org.uk

Alison Roberts asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council as to why Bromborough Civic Centre and Library had been placed on a proposed asset disposal list when it was being explored for Community Asset Transfer.

In response, Councillor Stuart acknowledged the recommendation of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee in relation to Bromborough Civic Centre which sought the progression of consideration of the business cases for Community Asset Transfer of the site alongside the consideration of the Asset Strategy, which the disposal list formed part of. Councillor Stuart undertook to ensure the concerns raised were brought to the attention of members of Policy & Resources Committee on Wednesday.

As a supplementary Alison Roberts outlined the importance of the site to the overall high street and asked what the masterplan for Bromborough was and how were residents being consulted. Councillor Stuart undertook to provide a written response.

Keith Marsh asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council seeking reassurance and support for the Community Asset Transfer of Brackenwood Golf Club to Brackenwood Community Golf Ltd and calling for an extraordinary meeting of Policy & Resources to deal with the matter urgently.

In response, Councillor Stuart acknowledged the hard work of the volunteers and outlined his support in principle for Community Asset Transfers. He detailed the need for due diligence to be undertaken on the viability of any business plans to accompany a bid for an asset transfer and that this would take time meaning the item would be considered at the September meeting of Policy & Resources Committee.

Keith Marsh outlined the viability of the group’s business plans and that negotiations with Council officers had been done hastily and urged the Council to consider the financial impact on the community group maintaining a Council asset.