The minutes of all committees which have met since 11 November 2023, up until 27 February 2024 are attached below.

Minutes of Committees:

21.11.23 Policy & Resources Committee

23.11.23 Regulatory & General Purposes Committee

28.11.23 Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee

29.11.23 Children Young People & Education Committee

30.11.23 Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee

05.12.23 Environment, Climate Emergency & Transport Committee

06.12.23 Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee

07.12.23 Health & Wellbeing Board

11.12.23 Pensions Committee

12.12.23 Audit & Risk Management Committee

13.12.23 Policy & Resources Committee

11.01.24 Planning Committee

15.01.24 Audit & Risk Management Committee

17.01.24 Policy & Resources Committee

22.01.24 Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee

23.01.24 Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee

25.01.24 Tourism, Communities Culture & Leisure Committee

29.01.24 Environment, Climate Emergency & Transport Committee

31.01.24 Regulatory & General Purposes Committee

01.02.24 Children, Young People & Education Committee

08.02.24 Planning Committee

13.02.24 Policy & Resources Committee

Councillor Jeff Green asked a question of the Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Stuart Kelly in relation to minute 60 of the Meeting held on 8 February 2024 noting that the Chair had expressed frustrations with the systems used by the authority to process planning applications, following deferral of this item. Councillor Green asked if Councillor Kelly could update Council with his understanding of how these issues were being tackled.

Councillor Kelly responded to state that it was vital that planning officers had access to planning IT services that were fit for purpose, noting that it was frustrating that the planning IT system had thrown up issues of functionality which had let to delays. Following the meeting on 8 February, views were exchanged with the Chief Executive, Director of Regeneration and Place and head planner that there needs to be a step change in progress. High level communication between the council and programmer have taken place, including weekly project management meetings and with actions captured in weekly progress reports and further guidance delivered to planning staff in regards checking documents.

Councillor Jeff Green asked a question of Councillor Paul Stuart, Chair of Policy and Resources Committee on minute 105, of the held on 17 February 2024, regarding an extra £650k to prevent homelessness in the borough, noting that Council’s and Housing associations cannot do this alone, with employers have a key role in supporting staff and preventing homelessness. The Homelessness Covenant was launched in 2010 and to date, 160 leading businesses have signed up. Councillor Green stated he had written to the Chief Executive, asking that the Council sign up to the Covenant and requested that Councillor Paul Stuart does the same.

Councillor Paul Stuart placed on record his thanks for the hard work undertaken by the Housing department, headed by Lisa Newman. Councillor Stuart was sure that the Council was fully supportive of the initiative and would speak with the Chief Executive to bring a paper to the Policy and Resources committee in the future.

Councillor Angela Davies asked a question to Councillor Janette Williamson, chair of the Adult, Social Care and Public Health Committee on minute item 60, of the Committee held on 23 January 2024, in relation to the Maternity and Neo-Natal quarterly report.  The report provided an update and oversight of quality and safety of maternity services at Wirral University Teaching Hospital.  Cllr Davies asked if Seacombe Birthing Centre was included within this report and requested a brief summary of the findings. 

Councillor Janette Williamson responded to explain that the report was produced on the back of the Lucy Letby trial, noting that it was a very positive report. The Seacombe birthing centre was, despite initial concerns, going very well. The centre opened in 2019 and assists with an average 100 births a year, with the experiences of the mothers being stated as very positive. 

Councillor Ian Lewis asked a question of Councillor Paul Stuart, Chair of Policy and Resources Committee on the committee minutes for the meeting held on 13 December 2023, to consider work on supporting the Masterplans in the area, including New Brighton. Councillor Lewis asked if the leader agreed if the use of the promenade by West Wallasey Van Hire harmed the visitor economy and would he attend the next meeting with the officers, the Leader of Conservative group and ward Councillors to seek to have the vehicles removed.

Councillor Paul Stuart responded by stating that he had received many complaints and had met with the company owners to see what the issues were. The Council provided land to the company for vehicle storage and officers had sought to get the situation rectified as quickly as possible. The Leader stated that he would be more than happy to attend the meeting, alongside the other ward Councillors.

Councillor Andrew Hodson asked a question of the Chair of Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Paul Stuart, relating to the meeting held on 4 December, 2024, minute 26 stating that the Brown Field First Policy had cross party support. Cllr Hodson asked could the Leader confirm if he had made representation to the Leader of the Labour party regarding his pledge to weaken his Green belt protection.

Councillor Paul Stuart responded to say that he was surprised that he has been asked this question, given his support of Brown Field First. But stated that he was more than happy to do this, noting that the Council was the first local authority to put Brown Field First on record.

Councillor Kathy Hodson asked a question of the Chair of Children, Young People and Education Committee, Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde in relation to the meeting of 1 February, minute 11.  The minute related toto early years funding expansion. The increase in take-up was welcome and asked that the chair confirm that representatives of early years providers were involved and engaged in the Council’s funding.

Councillor Sue Powell- Wilde responded to state that this was the case.

Councillor Tony Murphy asked a question of the chair of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, Councillor Elizabeth Grey in relation to the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2023. Councillor Murphy asked a question, regarding allotment site expansion stating that he attended the Bebington Road Annual General Meeting, and queried  the allotment strategy and if it was being refreshed.

Councillor Elizabeth Grey responded to say that allotments were an important part of the Climate Emergency response and supporting residents emotional and physical wellbeing. Members of the committee had long called for better allotment provision, noting that there is a statutory duty to provide allotments that meets demands. 

Councillor Simon Mountney asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Paul Stuart in relation to minute 73, of the meeting held on 21 November 2023.Cllr Mountney asked that the Chair update Council on the need for a digital transformation partner and confirm that this expenditure would make it easier for people to contact the council either face to face or in person, noting the 33% increase in older people living in Wirral.

Councillor Stuart responded to state that, one of the biggest frustrations for residents is the lack of face to face or phone contact and that a fuller response would be provided regarding the digital transformation programme.

Councillor Stephen Bennett asked a question of the Chair of Adult Social Care and Adult Health Committee, Councillor Janette Williamson, in relation to the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2023. Noting that the government had failed to invest in social care, and a deepening crisis in the sector due to the decision of the Government that families of immigrant workers are no longer allowed to work in the UK. Had a decision been made to continue to use the resources to continue the real living wage as agreed by Council in 2019.

Councillor Janette Williamson responded to state that the challenges faced had been a discussion that had been had by Committee Members, especially in regard to recruitment. Councillor Janette Williamson stated that the real living wage would be kept as a priority, noting the work undertaken by the Director of Adult Care and Health in recent years.

Councillor Mary Jordan asked a question of the Chair of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, Councillor Elizabeth Grey in regard to minute 58 of the meeting held on 5 December 2023 and the increase of inconsiderate parking, such as pavement parking, double parking and parking on dropped curbs. The Council and Police both state that the responsibility lies with each other and queried would there need to be a fatality before this is properly dealt it. Councillor Jordan asked if this could be properly considered as part of the Parking Strategy.

Councillor Elizabeth Grey responded to state that parking issues were increasingly problematic and should be considered an important part of the parking strategy.

Councillor Louise Luxton-Kewley asked a question to the Chair of Childrens, Young people and Education Committee, Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde in regard to the meeting held on 29 November 2023, regarding corporate parenting, asking if the Chair could explain to Members what this meant.

Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde responded to state that, Corporate Parenting means having a strong corporate parenting ethos.  Everyone from the Chief Executive and beyond, having a passion about the children looked after, embedding strong governance and accountability, with clear understanding of roles, responsibilities and a whole system approach driven by the voices of young people.

Councillor Gary Bennett asked a question of the Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee, Councillor Tony Jones in relation to minute 49 of the meeting held on 6December 2023. Cllr Bennett asked could the chair please provide a written response and share with members from Moreton West, Saughall Massie and Leasowe and Moreton East, to confirm the current status of works and a timeline of works on the Wirral Growth Company site in Moreton including the development of a supermarket, re-developments to the library and inclusion of facilities to young people.

Councillor Tony Jones responded by confirming that a written response would be provided.