The purpose of the report is to seek approval from the Director of Care and Health in respect of the following Lots for the Award of the Early Intervention and Prevention and Carers (Adult and Young Carers) in Wirral following a procurement exercise:

Lot 1 – Early Intervention and Prevention and Carers (Adults and Young Carers)

Lot 2 – Daytime Support and Opportunities for older people with dementia, frailty, and people with early onset dementia

Lot 3 – Sensory Services

Provider information can be found in Appendix 1 please note this information is commercially sensitive and is restricted by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

This matter affects all wards within the Borough as the services cover all residents in Wirral.

This is a key decision.

The Director of Care of Health approved the award of the contract for a 3 year term for:

(a) Lot 1 – Early Intervention and Prevention and Carers (Adults and Young Carers)

(b) Lot 2 – Daytime Support and Opportunities for older people with dementia, frailty, and people with early onset dementia; and

(c)  Lot 3 – Sensory Services

to the highest scoring tenderer (as outlined in the exempt Appendix 1) within the approved budget and in accordance with the Most Economically Advantageous Tender criteria.

The Director of Care and Health approves the award of 2 year contract (with a one year extension option)  to highest scoring tenderer Provider B outlined in Appendix A and approves the progression to notice of the award of the contract, within the approved budget and in accordance with the most economically advantageous tender criteria.

This report seeks to progress the appointment of an Independent Assurance Panel, in response to the Ministerial External Assurance Review report, as agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee on 30 November 2021 (minute 93 refers) and as endorsed by Council on 6 December 2021.

The role of the Panel is to act in an advisory capacity to support the Council in delivering its Improvement and Financial Recovery Plan to the satisfaction of Council Members and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

Resolved – That an Independent Assurance Panel be appointed for a period of up to three years consisting of the following membership:

Carolyn Downs (Chair)

Richard Paver

Quentin Baker

Sean Hanson

Claire Hogan

Cllr Shaun Davies

Cllr Mike Wilcox

Cllr Janette Williamson

Cllr Tom Anderson

Paul Satoor

A report on the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee’s recommendations from its meeting on 22 November in respect of the proposed disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in land at Exmouth Street, Birkenhead, to the existing lessee that holds a ground lease of the site and owns the operational public house which is sited thereon.

The report was before the Committee because in accordance with the Council’s Constitution any disposal of assets with a value in excess of £100,000 was reserved to Policy and Resources Committee.

Resolved – That,

(1)  the freehold interest of land at Exmouth Street, Birkenhead, (which is held via a ground lease with 56 years unexpired and occupied by an operational public house with a grassed area to one side), be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

(2)  the Director of Law & Governance be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, to dispose of the property to the current lessee, JSM Company Group Ltd for a price of £120,000, plus payment of the Council’s legal costs.

That

The Director of Regeneration & Place awards the contract, within approved budget and to the highest scoring tenderer and in accordance with the Most Economically Advantageous Tender criteria for the delivery of Business Support Services (Lot 1) to Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

The Director of Regeneration & Place awards the contract, within approved budget and to the highest scoring tenderer and in accordance with the Most Economically Advantageous Tender criteria for the delivery of Careers Education Support (Lot 2) to Career Connect.

The current service contract is due to end on the 31 March 2022. A procurement exercise has been completed in accordance with Council Contract Procedure Rules and the successful bidder is the most economically advantageous, is fully compliant and is within allocated budget provision. The new contract will be in in place by the 1

April 2022.

Resolved:- That the contract for the Community Infection Prevention and Control Service be awarded to the highest scoring tenderer (as outlined in the exempt Appendix 1) within the approved budget and in accordance with the most economically advantageous tender criteria on the basis of a five-year contract commencing on 1 April 2022 and running until 31 March 2027 (with the option of two one-year extensions).

Resolved – That the Director of Public Health approves the award of the contract for the Information and Advice Service, on a one year term commencing on 1 April 2022 (with a one year option to extend) to the highest scoring tenderer (as outlined in the exempt Appendix 1 ) within the approved budget and in accordance with the Most Economically Advantageous Tender criteria.

Resolved – That the recommendations contained within minute 78 of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10 November, 2021, be agreed and that the following be approved:

(1)  a revised Capital Programme of £77.6 million for 2021/22, including the addition of the new grant funding referred to  in section 3.4 in the report, as follows:

Coastal Defence – Meols Feasibility Study - £100,000;

Future High Street Fund – New Ferry - £3.214 million;

(2)  virements referred to in Appendix 3 in the report.

The Chief Executive reported that the Council, having applied for exceptional financial support, received a capitalisation directive for 2020/21 and received an offer for 2021/22 subject to an external assurance review focusing on its financial position and on its ability, including the strength of its governance arrangements, to deliver its plans for medium-term sustainability. The reviews were commissioned by the Government Department with the intention of it resulting in an agreed plan between the Authority and the Secretary of State to address the review’s recommendations.

The Minister had written to the Council on 2 November, 2021, enclosing and publishing the two independent reports that made up the External Assurance Review. The letter asked the Council to set out in writing, within the following month, the steps it was taking in the immediate and longer term to respond to the Review and implement the recommendations.

The report highlighted the primary recommendations within the reviews and provided further details on how these would be addressed, including for:

·  The development of a financial recovery plan

·  Appointment of an independent panel

·  A whole Council electoral scheme

·  Reducing the number of committees

Responding to comments from Members both the Chief Executive and Director of Law and Governance confirmed the process by which policies, which might need to be reviewed in light of the financial recovery plan, could be undertaken. The Senior Leadership Team were already working closely with the Finance Sub-Committee on the 2022/23 budget and it was a two way process in which policies might naturally come up during these discussions or the Sub-Committee members could be asking officers to review those policies if that was what was required. The Chair and group spokespersons would be consulted on officer decisions when the relevant director considered it necessary to do so. The Director also confirmed that the delegation of decisions to officers, which was already up to £1,5m, did not affect the Constitution as it was always within the ability of a Committee to delegate further.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist spoke against the recommendations within the report and stated that he had reservations about signing the letter of response to the Government.

In response to a Member’s comment the Chief Executive stated that as Head of Paid Service it was incumbent on him to encourage all political groups to work together and as Chief Executive he was seeking the co-operation of all groups to turn the organisation around.

The Chair and Members of the Committee expressed their very grave disappointment at the stance being taken by the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Tom Anderson, it was -

Resolved (14:1) –

That this Committee:

(1)  authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to provide a written response to the Minister’s letter to the Council of 2^nd November 2021 (attached as Appendix A to the report) in the terms of:

(a)  acknowledging and accepting the content of the reports;

(b)  developing the recommendations for implementation; and, in particular,

(c)  emphasising the adoption of the recommendations concerning:

(i)  development of a financial recovery plan;

(ii)  appointing an independent Panel to support the Council;

(iii)  moving to a whole council scheme of elections, subject to consultation, to take effect at the earliest practicable opportunity; and

(iv)  review the committee system to reduce the number of committees;

(2)  authorises the Chief Executive to take such decisions as he considers necessary to implement the recommendations contained in the External Assurance Review (as outlined at Appendix B to the report), such decisions to be taken in consultation with the Leader and Group Leaders wherever appropriate.

(3)  For the remainder of the 2021/22 municipal year, agree to recommend to all policy committees that:

(a)  agenda be reduced so far as is practicable to only those matters associated with the effective maintenance of statutory services, the budget, budget and financial recovery plan development and responding to the external assurance process; and

(b)  all other matters, including all key and non-key decisions, be delegated to the relevant Director, in consultation with a committee’s chair and group spokespersons where considered necessary.

In response to further comments from Members, the Director of Law and Governance clarified the position with regard to possible consideration at the forthcoming Council meeting of any issues which this debate and passing of this decision had raised but emphasised that this decision had now been taken and that this would now be implemented. The Chief Executive confirmed that the letter to the Government would be sent on 1 December, 2021.

The Chair, in seeking to stress the importance of the decision the Committee had just taken and why it had needed to be taken, then read out a paragraph of the letter from the Government Minister as follows:

“As such, I would ask that you set out in writing, within the next month, the steps you are taking in the immediate and longer term to respond to the Review and implement its recommendations. Any faltering in this area would be of considerable concern and could lead to a reconsideration as to whether a different approach might be appropriate to secure the improvements that are necessary.”

The Director of Law and Governance introduced a report which brought forward a process to enable a change to a four year, “all out” electoral cycle at the earliest opportunity following a recommendation made in the External Assurance Review of 2 November 2021, that the Council should move to implement such a change.

The earliest practicable year for a change in electoral scheme to whole council elections was considered to be 2023, which provided the Council with the ability to consult and prepare for the change and was felt to best accord with the Boundary Commission’s planned review. The report detailed the steps required for such a change to take place.

It was moved by Councillor Paul Stuart and seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, that –

“This Committee authorises commencement of a consultation process with a view to changing the Council’s scheme for elections by thirds to a scheme for whole-council elections and that the year for elections be set for the purposes of the consultation as 2023.”

It was then moved as an amendment by Councillor Tom Anderson and seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie, that –

“This Committee authorises commencement of a consultation process with a view to changing the Council’s scheme for elections by thirds to a scheme for whole-council elections and that the year for elections be set for the purposes of the consultation as 2022.”

Following a considered debate on the amendment and motion, the amendment was put and lost (5:10).

The motion was then put and carried (15:0), and it was therefore –

Resolved (15:0) -  That this Committee authorises commencement of a consultation process with a view to changing the Council’s scheme for elections by thirds to a scheme for whole-council elections and that the year for elections be set for the purposes of the consultation as 2023.

Responding to a Member’s comment the Director of Law and Governance confirmed that the Boundary Commission would be informed of this decision, with the Commission being due to start their review in 2023/24, the impact of their proposals would then come into effect in 2027, should whole-council elections be implemented from 2023.

The report presents the proposed Change Programme required to support the implementation of the Wirral Plan by ensuring the Council’s operating model is as effective and efficient as possible. This will lead to the optimisation of Council resources in relation to delivering the Wirral Plan priorities and outcomes.

The programme takes account of the linked to exceptional financial support External Assurance Review (EAR) recommendations published on the 2^nd November 2021. The Change Programme has been put forward as part of the Council’s evidence to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC formerly MHCLG) that the Council has the capability to implement a programme of change to deliver the required savings to achieve financial sustainability.

The EAR reports and recommendations provide a clear steer to the Council and officers have acknowledged this in the design of programmes presented in this report. The overall goals of the Change Programme are to:

·  Support the delivery of the Wirral Plan, approved by Council 1 September 2021, by helping improve outcomes for residents.

·  Support the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy by ensuring the Council’s operating model provides best value in prioritising our services and investment around the greatest need.

Resolved – That,

(1)  the Chief Executive be requested to progress and implement the Change Programme and required service reviews to deliver a new operating model;

(2)  it be agreed that oversight of the Programme be through P&R Finance Sub-Committee who will review emerging business cases and receive regular updates on progress.

The Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) sets out the financial implications of the Council’s Corporate Plan and how this can be funded over the period of five years. Each year, the Council is required by law to approve a balanced budget, where gross expenditure is matched by available resources. The MTFS sets out the guiding principles and considerations to deliver a balanced budget.

The report provides the Committee with the proposed MTFS 2022/23 to 2026/27, which provides a robust, consistent, and sustainable approach to establishing and maintaining a stable and prudent financial basis on which the Council’s services are to be delivered.

The MTFS is one of the key strategies of the Council and the five-year strategy sets out the Council’s commitment to providing services that meet the needs of people locally and that represent good value for money.

The MTFS identifies a structural deficit for the five-year period covered. Upon the budget balancing for 2022/23 this structural deficit is removed based on latest estimates.

Contained within the MTFS are indicative figures for financial years 2022/23 to 2026/27; these figures will change in line with a number of factors, including confirmation of the government’s forthcoming funding settlement for 2022/23 (which is expected in December), which in turn will inform the budget proposals made by Policy and Resources Committee for consideration by full Council in February 2022.

Resolved – That the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2022/23 to 2026/27, be approved.

Resolved – That,

(1)  the content of the report and the announcement from Government regarding the Town Deal funding award in relation to Birkenhead, be noted;

(2)  the re-profiling of the funding allocation for projects as set out in paragraph 3.8 of the report, be noted;

(3)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to accept the offer and funding from DLUHC, via a grant made under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003;

(4)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to progress delivery of the Town Deal Programme, in line with the Section 31 Grant and the Town Investment Plan, and to implement a change control process (if required);

(5)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to allocate the Town Deal predevelopment funding of £1,250,000 (5% of the total award) on receipt;

(6)  the Director of Resources, as S151 Officer, be authorised to review and approve business cases, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, and submit the results to DLUHC in order to release the remaining funds; and

(7)  the Director of Law and Governance be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place and the Director of Resources, to enter into any necessary agreements or other legal documentation to implement the above recommendations.

Report to formally accept approximately £350,000 in funding allocated to Wirral Council, from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. This represents Wirral’s portion of a £1.5m grant to support the promotion of tourism across the city region. The grant will be spent on improvements to the visitwirral.com website and on advertising campaigns, to increase visits to Wirral. Following the Covid pandemic, it is part of a series of measures to support the recovery of businesses in the visitor economy sector.

Resolved – That,

(1)  this Committee notes that the funding is subject to receiving and entering into a formal Grant Funding Agreement, which details the terms and conditions of the award;

(2)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to approve the Grant Funding Agreement, thereby accepting the funds.