Resolved: That the contents of this report be noted.

Resolved – That

(1)  the update on the significant progress made against the priorities that were agreed on 28 May 2019 be noted.  

(2)  the update of significant progress since 28 May 2019 including the mitigating actions against the targets rated red be noted.

(3)  it be noted that Mitigating actions have been identified to bring delivery back on track.

Resolved –

That this report, including the financial position at 31^st October 2019, be noted.

Resolved –

That the approach in the draft strategy be endorsed and the progress to completion and publication be supported.

Resolved (by assent) - 

That the following 6 persons be appointed to the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 4 years:-

Peter Bounds (Chair)

Helen Brennan

Jenny Chapman-Brown

Tony Green

Steve Griffiths

Keryn Malthouse

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That

(1)  the Cabinet recommends the Council to approve the content of the Wirral Local Plan 2020-2035 Issues and Options Report (attached to the report) and its accompanying technical evidence for the purposes of public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England)  Regulations 2012; and

(2)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be given authority to make non-material amendments to the final text and presentation of the consultation documents before the consultation exercise begins. 

Resolved (56 for, none against, 1 abstention) –

That Council recognises that considerable progress has been made in developing ‘Urban intensification’ as the preferred approach and the possibility of a ‘stepped approach’ to brownfield development in Wirral.

Council endorses this approach and will continue to examine the implications of increased densities on these sites with a view to ensuring that residential amenity is retained.

Council understands the necessity for adhering to a timetable that has been set out to satisfy Government requirements.  This has led to the production and circulation of a substantial body of evidence and consultation papers which Members will consider further during the consultation process

Members may as part of the consultation process particularly wish to further study and challenge the criteria for the ‘weakly performing parcels’ of Green Belt at all appropriate stages, considering the detail of sites identified in the ‘Interim Green Belt Site Assessment’ and its ‘interim conclusions’.  These need to be considered alongside the ‘significant negative effects’ of Options 2a and 2b as set out in AECOM ‘Sustainability Appraisal: Interim Note’ dated December 2019 (pages 383-398 refer).

Included in the documentation are sections which make it clear that with ‘potential intensification’ and ‘additional urban housing allocations’ ( sections 4.2.13 to 4.2.18 and Table 4.2, pages 94 and 95  refer), it is possible to meet the Government targets.  Council stresses the need to seek to develop these areas having regard to the outcome of the  public consultation.

 Council requests that during the consultation process Members are kept informed as appropriate on the issues emerging so that these can be properly assessed.

Given the legal advice available to Members and the publicity secured for the launch of the consultation, coupled with the high degree of public registration and interest, the Council needs to proceed with the available documentation.

It should be noted, that:

(i)  the study of the agricultural land and economy in Wirral has now been published;

(ii)  a number of detailed studies and supporting documents have been issued and are subject to the consultation process, including the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Chapter 7 page 166 onwards).  Following consultation Members will wish to be satisfied that development will have regard to the provision of school places and greener transportation systems;

(iii) work with the NHS and primary care networks is ongoing (page 177 section 7.5.8 refer) and that following the consultation Members will need to be satisfied that  adequate plans are being made to cope with the pattern of growth being suggested.

Given the timescales and the need for the consultation to proceed to assemble all the evidence necessary for the Regulation 19 stage of the process,

(1)  Council approves the content of the Wirral Local Plan 2020-2035 Issues and Options Report attached to this report and its accompanying technical evidence for the purposes of public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012; and

(2)  The Director of Regeneration and Place be given authority to make non-material amendments to the final text and presentation of the consultation documents before the consultation exercise begins.

As part of the Local Plan process advice has been sought from Queen’s Counsel which has confirmed that it is no longer legally appropriate for the Deputy Leader to also fulfil a position as one of the Council’s Directors on the Wirral Growth Company LLP due to a technical conflict between the respective roles. As a result, it is required that there is a change in the Council’s representative as a Director of the Wirral Growth Company LLP as a matter of urgency.

Resolved – That the Deputy Leader of the Council (presently Councillor Anita Leech) be removed as a Director of the Wirral Growth Company LLP and be replaced by the Cabinet portfolio holder for Children, Families and Education (presently Councillor Tom Usher).

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive sought approval to the disposal of land adjacent to 72 Lowfields Avenue, Eastham.

Resolved - That the land adjacent to 72 Lowfields Avenue, Eastham be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and the Assistant Chief Executive be authorised to progress the disposal by private treaty to the owners of 72 Lowfields Avenue.