To consider Members’ questions to the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Council, Committee Chair or a Leader of a Political Group, in accordance with Standing Orders 12.

The Mayor reported that 8 questions by members had been submitted.

Councillor Pat Cleary asked a question to Councillor Jenny Johnson as Chair of Audit and Risk Management Committee regarding the exercise being undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of programme governance within the regeneration progress, and sought an update on when it would be reported back to the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

In response, Councillor Johnson outlined that it was a substantial piece of work that was ongoing and the Committee would be updated on its findings upon completion, likely be early in 2024.

Councillor Jason Walsh asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council regarding the Councillor Portal regarding cases closed with no update and asked whether Councillor Stuart agreed that a review of the system was required.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that 4,454 cases had been responded to in a timely manner since 5^th May, but shared the frustration of cases being closed inappropriately and outlined that officers had given assurances that these were being reported back to the responsible officers. Councillor Stuart also asked whether the Chair of the Member Support Steering Group would review these issues at its next meeting.

Councillor Ewan Tomeny asked a question to Councillor Tony Jones as Chair of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee asking whether the proposed move of Birkenhead the proposed move of Birkenhead Market to the Argos building, if approved, would be a permanent or a temporary move.

In the absence of Councillor Jones, Councillor Paul Stuart responded to say that he had met with the Birkenhead Market Traders Association the same day at the Argos site. He outlined that some traders didn’t appreciate how large the Argos site was with several advising that they did not want to move to the House of Fraser site. Councillor Stuart gave assurances that the Council would fully engage market traders with the future plans via meaningful consultation. The Civic Mayor outlined that Councillor Jones would also provide a written response. 

Councillor Ed Lamb asked a question to Councillor Liz Grey as Chair of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee regarding road safety incidents at Broadway roundabout and sought an update on the progress of the programme of works needed urgently.

In response, Councillor Grey agreed that the work was needed urgently and outlined that the feasibility of design had been approved in March 2023 and the work would be included in the programme of work for 2024/25 which was due at the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in March 2024.

Councillor Amanda Onwuemene asked a question to Councillor Tony Jones as Chair of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee regarding whether the new proposed site for Birkenhead Market would include a multi-use entertainment facility and food hall and whether a report to members was required urgently.

The Civic Mayor outlined that in the absence of Councillor Jones, a written response would be provided.

Councillor Mike Redfern asked a question to Councillor Liz Grey as Chair of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee on the progress of the Committee’s undertaking to increase allotment provision across the borough by 1000 plots by 2025.

In response, Councillor Grey outlined how ambitious the target was given an increase of 1,000 plots represented a 50% increase, and outlined the variety of additional plots that had been allocated up to a number of 184, with additional work ongoing to identify further sites.

Councillor Redfern asked a supplementary question on what the average wait time for an allotment site was. In response, Councillor Grey outlined that the average waiting time was under 4 years, with some plots having a waiting time of up to 9 years but others under a year.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council regarding the brownfield development as part of the progress of the Local Plan and what work was underway to get funding and deliver the brownfield first regeneration as quickly as possible.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that regeneration was a Council Plan priority and the brownfield first policy had cross party support and was a bedrock of the Local Plan. Councillor Stuart outlined that the Council had an excellent record of securing regeneration funding including the recent £10.78m of Levelling Up funding for Liscard and was confident the Council had the resources to deliver on its regeneration commitments.

Councillor Stuart Kelly asked a question to Councillor Paul Stuart as Leader of the Council querying whether the Cleveland Street council depot had been identified as requiring relocation to Limekiln Lane in order to support housing development in the Cleveland Street area of potentially 1,000 homes and the unlocking of more on the peel estate beyond.

In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that there had been a strategic review of the future requirements of the 4 depot sites, with the Council owning three of the sites and leasing one, noting that the outcome of the review would be considered by the Corporate Property Board in February 2024 and then further with members.

Councillor Kelly asked a supplementary question outlining the need for the Cleveland Street depot to move if the area was to be redeveloped for housing and queried why there was not a definitive date for the move. In response, Councillor Stuart outlined that the site could not be relocated until the review had been undertaken and the site reallocated as part of the Local Plan.