Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Jean Stapleton

(1) This Council recognises the many excellent achievements which the authority has delivered over the past three years either directly or in partnership. The following achievements are those about which the Council can be particularly proud:

• 150 new apprenticeships focussed on young people not in education,

employment or training.

• Phase 2 of the regeneration of New Brighton amounting to £60m.

• 270 new jobs secured at Tulip.

• £20m new secondary school in Woodchurch.

• £12m new primary care facility at Victoria Central Health Centre.

• Phase 3 Children’s Centres announced, bringing the total number to 21.

• 4 new super youth clubs to be open six nights per week announced (1 in each parliamentary constituency).

• £4.8m secured for improving school buildings and equipment.

• Wirral has best refuse and recycling rates in Merseyside.

• Major Wirral Waters development has progressed to the planning stage.

(2) The above clearly demonstrates that Wirral is a ‘can do’ Council which has

delivered excellent outcomes for local residents while at the same time reining in

council tax increases so Wirral has now dropped right down the Council tax league

from having one of the highest Council Tax levels to one of the lowest.

(3) Council acknowledges the hard work which officers from both the Council and other agencies have contributed to this excellent record and thanks all of those involved.

AMENDMENT

Proposed by Councillor Simon Mountney

Seconded by Councillor John Hale

Add paragraph

(4) Despite the outstanding work carried out by officers and partners alike it is

important to recognise that the recent CAA Area Assessment reported:

“that the area has a relatively small, low value economy which is growing slower than other parts of Merseyside, the North West and the rest of England” “and that the number of people claiming job seekers allowance has risen by 60% since April 2008, with some areas of the Borough having levels of unemployment as high as 12%.”

By recognising these facts we are not only better positioned as a Council to respond to the poor performance of our local economy moving forward but also able to learn from our previous decisions looking back.

The amendment was put to the vote and carried (42:19)

AMENDMENT

Proposed by Councillor Simon Holbrook

Seconded by Councillor Gill Gardiner

Add the following bullet points to the end of paragraph (1):

• The number of children killed or seriously injured in road accidents on Wirral

reduced from 37 in 2005 to the lowest ever recorded figure of 14 in 2008.

• Introduction of advisory 20mph speed limits to residential areas across Wirral.

• Achieved significant reductions in the Council’s carbon footprint through ongoing schemes such as boiler replacements, building insulation, awareness raising, street lighting efficiency, solar water heating scheme at Europa Pools, biomass heating at the Floral Pavilion, staff travel and agile working schemes.

• Invested in a Sustainability Unit and CRed Wirral to promote carbon reduction across the borough.

• The largest delegation to local communities of centrally held funds through the ‘You Decide’ and ‘Funds For You’ initiatives which include local decisions on highways and environmental schemes

• The achievement of level 3 of the equality standard for local government.

The amendment was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

Resolved – That the motion, as now amended and set out below, be approved.

(1) This Council recognises the many excellent achievements which the authority has delivered over the past three years either directly or in partnership. The following achievements are those about which the Council can be particularly proud:

• 150 new apprenticeships focussed on young people not in education,

employment or training.

• Phase 2 of the regeneration of New Brighton amounting to £60m.

• 270 new jobs secured at Tulip.

• £20m new secondary school in Woodchurch.

• £12m new primary care facility at Victoria Central Health Centre.

• Phase 3 Children’s Centres announced, bringing the total number to 21.

• 4 new super youth clubs to be open six nights per week announced (1 in each parliamentary constituency).

• £4.8m secured for improving school buildings and equipment.

• Wirral has best refuse and recycling rates in Merseyside.

• Major Wirral Waters development has progressed to the planning stage.

• The number of children killed or seriously injured in road accidents on Wirral

reduced from 37 in 2005 to the lowest ever recorded figure of 14 in 2008.

• Introduction of advisory 20mph speed limits to residential areas across Wirral.

• Achieved significant reductions in the Council’s carbon footprint through ongoing schemes such as boiler replacements, building insulation, awareness raising, street lighting efficiency, solar water heating scheme at Europa Pools, biomass heating at the Floral Pavilion, staff travel and agile working schemes.

• Invested in a Sustainability Unit and CRed Wirral to promote carbon reduction across the borough.

• The largest delegation to local communities of centrally held funds through the ‘You Decide’ and ‘Funds For You’ initiatives which include local decisions on highways and environmental schemes

• The achievement of level 3 of the equality standard for local government.

(2) The above clearly demonstrates that Wirral is a ‘can do’ Council which has

delivered excellent outcomes for local residents while at the same time reining in council tax increases so Wirral has now dropped right down the Council tax league from having one of the highest Council Tax levels to one of the lowest.

(3) Council acknowledges the hard work which officers from both the Council and other agencies have contributed to this excellent record and thanks all of those involved.

(4) Despite the outstanding work carried out by officers and partners alike it is

important to recognise that the recent CAA Area Assessment reported:

“that the area has a relatively small, low value economy which is growing slower than other parts of Merseyside, the North West and the rest of England” “and that the number of people claiming job seekers allowance has risen by 60% since April 2008, with some areas of the Borough having levels of unemployment as high as 12%.”

By recognising these facts we are not only better positioned as a Council to respond to the poor performance of our local economy moving forward but also able to learn from our previous decisions looking back.