Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, Wednesday 29 November 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 Mayor informed Council that four questions had been received.

Alan Featherstone asked a question to Councillor Tony Cox as Chair of Constitution and Standards Committee on behalf of The Big Flower Shop asking the Council to approve formal guidance giving public questioners the right to submit support documents for public questions and the right to ask a question on someone else’s behalf if they have authority.

In response, Councillor Cox outlined that the Constitution requires a public question to be submitted 3 working days before a meeting and it was his view that if supporting documents were submitted within this timeframe, they would likely be accepted by the Chair and circulated to members. Councillor Cox also responded that the Constitution specifies that in the absence of a questioner, the Chair would read out the question, and that the Constitution and Standards Committee was content for this discretion afforded to Chairs to remain.

Alan Featherstone asked as a supplementary question whether the Council would consider providing answers to public questions 24 hours in advance. In response, Councillor Cox felt it could undermine the asking of questions in person, and that any question not answered on the night would be provided in writing.

Alan Featherstone asked a second question to Councillor Tony Cox as Chair of Constitution and Standards Committee on behalf of The Big Flower Shop asking who was responsible for the accuracy of responses to public questions.

In response, Councillor Cox outlined that whilst the Councillor responding would rely on information provided by officers, the Councillor responding to the question was ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the response. Councillor Cox referred Mr Featherstone to the complaints procedure if he felt that incorrect information had been provided in response to a public question.

Alan Featherstone asked as a supplementary question whether the response should name the officer who provided the information. In response, Councillor Cox reinforced that the accountable person was the elected member and again referred Mr Featherstone to the complaint procedure if there were particular issues he had.

Julian Priest asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council outlining issues with the MyWirral system closing cases immediately with seemingly no action being taken and no responses to emails, and sought assurances from the Leader that the system was managed and monitored.

In response, Councillor Stuart advised that the email account that sent notifications was a no reply account. Councillor Stuart also outlined that the automatic case closed messages had been discontinued and replaced with a requirement for officers to provide a detailed update on the case and if work could not be undertaken, providing a reason why.

Julian Priest asked a supplementary question outlining that he had not been given contact details for officers and therefore if no action is taken, how could a resident contact the person taking responsibility for the case. In response, Councillor Stuart undertook to determine from officers whether there was an escalation process and would provide a response in writing.

Jane Turner asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council detailing the impact of increased cost of living on residents in Wirral and provided the evidence of this collected by Citizens Advice Wirral. Jane asked whether Councillors would undertake to read the live dashboard provided and work together with the third sector to support those who were in critical need in the Borough.

In response, Councillor Stuart detailed the stark picture that the data painted and thanked Citizens Advice for the work they do. Councillor Stuart shared the concerns raised in the question and outlined the work ongoing at the Council including commissioning a new Information and Advice contract and that further updates on the progress to tackle the impact of increased cost of living were due at Health and Wellbeing Board later that week.

Jane Turner asked a supplementary question which outlined that St Helen’s Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority had signed up to work with Policy in Practice and asked whether the Leader would consider working with those authorities. In response, Councillor Stuart undertook to discuss this with St Helen’s and the Combined Authority.