David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive, introduced a report which provided an update in respect of proposed arrangements for the safe operation of Council meetings for the administrative year 2021/22 giving due consideration to guidance and regulations arising from Covid-19.

In response to comments from Members, he stated that he would be happy to provide the Health and Safety guidance and Public Health England advice used in drafting the report, to Members. The report was purely about current arrangements for Committee meetings, both Wallasey and Birkenhead Town Halls were problematic buildings with regard to not having any air conditioning or ventilation equipment. Both buildings were being kept secure and technical appraisals for both buildings would be brought back to the Committee in a future report. The technical appraisals could take some time, but a work in progress update report would be brought back in the meantime. A Local Plan hearing could take place in the Floral Pavilion building conference suite if the Council was required to host such a meeting.

A Member suggested that Group Leaders could be apprised of the measures in place as to how the two town hall buildings were being kept secure.

A Member suggested the need for a clear analytical examination of accommodation requirements over the next few years, with new Council offices in Birkenhead due to be completed in two or three years’ time.

Members expressed some differing views as to the need for a working group to look into the issues raised in the report and also on the future use of the Town Hall in Wallasey.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, it was -

Resolved (8:7) – That

(1)  the arrangements for the safe operation of Council and Committee meetings to continue at the Floral Pavilion for a six-month period from May 2021 be approved, with a potential review in September 2021.

(2)  the Assistant Chief Executive report back to the Committee on:

(a)  a review of the outcome of the HM Government Roadmap Review and revised Covid Regulations and / or Guidance following publication;

(b)  the implications of the impact that the Roadmap Review may have on Council and Committee Meetings in the context of the Council’s estate; and

(c)  consideration of the works and investment required to enable Wallasey and Birkenhead Town Halls to operate Council and Committee meetings going forward in a safe and compliant manner.

Shaer Halewood, Director of Resources, introduced a report on the 2021/22 budget monitoring and 2022/23 budget process.

The Committee was aware that the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had provided a conditional offer of exceptional financial support (capitalisation directive) for 2021/22 of up to £10.7m. One of the conditions of that offer was that the Council would need to provide evidence from the assurance review of the authority’s financial position and its ability to meet any or all of the identified budget gap without any additional borrowing. Therefore, it was vitally important that the Council had robust processes in place to manage and monitor the in-year financial position, to ensure it was reporting a forecast balanced position to the end of the year and that the process for 2022/23 budget setting was underway early so that a budget could be agreed by full Council in March.

The report also outlined the processes and information to be provided for all Policy Committees to monitor their specific budgets and to ensure that the committee budgets remained within the relevant envelope and to take collective responsibility via the Policy and Resources Committee to ensure that the whole Council budget remained in balance at all times, by agreeing mitigating actions to bring the budget back in line, should a deficit be forecast.

The report reminded Members that one of the key documents required to enable the Council to receive approval for exceptional financial support was a balanced five-year medium term financial plan (MTFP). A summary of this was provided in the budget report to the Committee on 17 March 2021 (minute 87 refers). Each Committee, supported by officers, was accountable for identifying, developing and agreeing savings proposals during the summer to ensure a draft balanced budget could be considered by this Committee in October 2021, to enable budget consultation to start in a timely manner in November 2021.

To enable the officer budget proposals to be scrutinised by the Committee, it was recommended that a budget workshop be established to consider the content of the MTFP and make recommendations into the Committee on the viability of the proposals, the robustness of the pressures / growth items and to recommend any additional proposals that the Committee required officers to prepare.

The Chair expressed support for the approach but also the need for a reboot of the commercial strategy providing more income generation for the Council rather than a continual need to find savings and suggested an item on the work programme looking at the Council’s appetite for risk with a commercial strategy.

Responding to comments from Members, Shaer Halewood, acknowledged that no single committee had come forward to take on the zero based budgeting approach, and that to minimise the risk of achieving the savings identified all committees could take this on, although there was no assurance that this could happen. After some discussion on the subject, it was suggested that the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee could be the pilot Committee to initially trial zero based budgeting with other committees potentially following on.

Responding to further comments, Shaer Halewood, stated that more detailed information for budget workshops with a breakdown of budget headings would be provided including on bad debt provision. Some of this information was not readily accessible due to the financial systems being based on directorates and not individual committees. Policy and Resources Committee would have oversight of all the Policy Committee proposals in October on which to take decisions as to what went out for consultation in November. Updates would be provided to this Committee before the October meeting.

With regard to the Capitalisation Directive, the MHCLG commissioned external review, due to start this month would conclude in the summer, and any recommendations would be taken forward for the Council’s budget setting process for next year. There would be a report on capital receipts with a forecast income of £4.6m from assets for 2022/23 and these would form part of the budget workshop for Members to look at which assets they would be happy to dispose of to form part of next year’s budget savings.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, it was -

Resolved – That,

(1)  Committee notes the content of the report and the current forecast position of savings for 2021/22 and the ongoing work being undertaken to mitigate any under achievement due to the National Employers’ pay award offer in paragraph 3.14 of the report;

(2)  Committee notes that it may be possible to reduce the value of exceptional financial support in 2021/22 as a result of utilising some of the Contain Outbreak Management Funding for expenditure currently committed against the Tranche funding, but that this will be monitored during the year and an update provided to the Committee at the quarterly reporting;

(3)  Committee convene a series of budget workshops to identify any alternative savings / income / reductions in pressures to ensure that the agreed budget savings for 2021/22 can be made as highlighted in paragraph 3.10 of the report;

(4)  Committee agree for officers to work on the current proposals within this report at paragraph 3.25 for the 2022/23 budget, and tasks officers with developing them into full business cases, where appropriate, for inclusion in the 2022/23 budget proposals to Policy and Resources Committee at its October meeting for approval;

(5)  Committee convene a series of budget workshops to identify any alternative savings / income / reductions in pressures for 2022/23 to ensure that a full suite of costed and deliverable proposals can be recommended to the Policy and Resources Committee at its October meeting for approval;

(6)  Committee agrees to commence the Zero Based Budgeting project within the budget workshops, as highlighted in paragraph 3.19 of the report to contribute to the overall savings target of £170k in 2021/22, commencing with Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee undertaking the process, fully supported by officers to enable a framework to be developed for other Committees to follow.

Julie Webster, Director of Public Health, introduced a report which provided an update in relation to the Contain Outbreak Management Fund, specifically:

·  An overview of this temporary fund and Wirral’s awarded allocation up to 2021/22.

·  The current position in relation to use of the fund to date, and the remainder to be allocated.

·  An outline summary of emerging priorities and plans, supporting the ongoing COVID-19 response and population health recovery over the next twelve months.

·  Recommendations relating to the development of future spending proposals for this fund, linked to other existing COVID-19 funding and the wider recovery and renewal priorities for Wirral.

Responding to Members’ comments, she acknowledged the difficulties faced by some when asked to self-isolate and that work was ongoing, with the help of Community Connectors to support individuals who were finding it difficult. With regard to contact tracing she expressed full support for it being carried out locally and reassured the Committee that no care home residents were being discharged from hospitals without first having a negative COVID test.

Members expressed their thanks to the Director of Public Health and all her team for the amazing work which had they had undertaken over the past 15 months.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, it was -

Resolved – That,

(1)  this Committee notes the contents of the report, the progress made to date and supports the ongoing COVID-19 response;

(2)  a Member Working Group be established to consist of eight Members (3:2:1:1:1) to give oversight to future spending proposals for this fund, linked to other existing COVID-19 funding and the wider recovery and renewal priorities for Wirral.

Vicki Shaw, Head of Legal Services, presented a report to the Committee which advised, in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions and the terms of the Constitution, on the appointment of Members to the four Sub-Committees of the Policy and Resources Committee for 2021/22, as follows:

· The Senior Officer Appointments and Staffing Sub-Committee

· The Local Plan Steering Sub-Committee (and its Working Group)

· The Finance and Procurement Sub-Committee

· The Shareholder Board

Two of the sub-committees, the Senior Officer Appointments and Staffing Sub-Committee and the Local Plan Steering Sub-Committee (and its Working Group) would not be appointed in accordance with the political balance rules, having been unanimously agreed by the Council in September and October, 2020 that they be exempt from the rules on proportionality.

Responding to a Member’s comment on a proposed Employment Sub-Committee, as referred to in minute 4, Vicki Shaw stated that any proposed new sub-committee would be a matter for Constitution and Standards Committee to look at, as clarity would be required on the terms of reference and also on amending the current Constitution.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, it was -

Resolved – That this Committee,

(1) (a) confirms that the Senior Officer Appointments and Staffing Sub-Committee be appointed for 2021-22 with the terms of reference as referred to in paragraph 3.1 of the Director’s report and will consist of:

(i)  the leader (Chair of Policy & Resources Committee), or in their absence the Deputy Leader (Vice-Chair), who shall chair the Sub-Committee;

(ii)  a member from each of the other Political Groups represented on the Policy & Resources Committee; and

(iii)  the Chair, or in their absence the Vice-Chair, of the Policy & Services Committee with terms of reference most closely associated with the post concerned (or if that committee concerned is deemed to be the Policy & Resources Committee then the Deputy Leader (Vice-Chair).

(b) appoint Members to serve on the Senior Officer Appointments and Staffing Sub-Committee in 2021-22, including the appointment of the Chair and named deputies.

(2)  (a)  confirms that the Local Plan Steering Sub-Committee be appointed for 2021-22 with the terms of reference identified with 5 Members of the Policy and Resources Committee, as well as Local Plan Working Group (terms of reference attached as Appendix 1).

(b) appoint Members to serve on the Local Plan Sub-Committee in 2021-22, including the appointment of named deputies.

(c) appoint Members to serve on the Local Plan Working Group in 2021-22, including the appointment of named deputies

(3)   (a) confirm that the Finance and Procurement Sub-Committee be appointed for 2021-22 with the terms of reference identified with 5 Members of the Policy and Resources Committee.

(b) appoint Members to serve on the Finance and Procurement Sub-Committee in 2021-22, including the appointment of the Chair and named deputies.

(4)  (a)   confirms that the Shareholder Board be appointed for 2021-22 with the terms of reference identified with 3 Members of the Policy and Resources Committee.

(b) appoint Members to serve on the Shareholder Board in 2021-22, including the appointment of named deputies.

(5)   authorises the Monitoring Officer as proper officer to carry out the wishes of the Group Leaders in allocating Members to membership and substitute membership of those sub-committees listed in recommendations (1) to (4) above and to appoint those Members with effect from the date at which the proper officer is advised of the names of such Members. (Sub-Committee membership attached as an appendix to these minutes).

The report seeks approval from the Children, Young People and Education Committee to agree in principle to invest up to £1,000,000 by way of a loan to the organisation identified in the exempt Appendix 1 to this report to develop children’s residential accommodation in Wirral.

In March 2019, the Children Looked After Sufficiency Strategy (“the Strategy”) was approved by Cabinet. The Strategy set out priorities to strengthen and increase current placement provision within Wirral, including children’s residential accommodation. In accordance with the Strategy, a 6 -bed facility for children with disabilities has been established along with the commissioning of an external organisation to provide Tier 3 respite and short breaks support.

Following approval of the Strategy, collaborative work took place at a Liverpool City Region level to further develop and define a Market Reform Programme which would not only increase placement choice and quality but also seek to strengthen the voluntary/non-profit making position within the children’s care market.

A high level business proposal has been formulated with a view to providing a new, ethical, sustainable network of residential care homes that could significantly improve the life chances of children living in care. For Wirral, this plan involves the establishment of four children’s homes over two phases focussed on supporting the social, emotional and mental health needs of children and young people.

To provide the kickstart funding required to set up the homes in Wirral, the Committee is requested to support a loan on commercial terms in the sum of £1,000,000 for the building allocation, refurbishment and initial employee costs to enable a facility to be provided by an identified organisation in accordance with the relevant regulatory and commissioning requirements. The facility will then be enabled to gain accreditation as a registered facility for a residential care home and to seek admission to an established procurement framework (the North West Flexible Purchasing Scheme) to enable the Council and other local authorities to place children at the facility.

The proposal aims to support the strategic aims and objectives of the Wirral Plan 2025 ‘Brighter Futures’The Wirral Plan articulates a clear priority to secure Brighter Futures for all, regardless of their background. The proposals within this report are aimed at improving the local offer and availability of options of high-quality provision that meets the need of children looked after.

Resolved – That

1)  agreement be given in principle to invest up to £1,000,000 by way of a loan on commercial terms to enable the development of children’s homes within Wirral for children looked after.

2)  the Director of Children, Families and Education be requested to bring a further report to Committee after due diligence has been completed in respect of the proposals set out in the report.

This report provides the Children, Young People and Education Committee with an overview of proposals to implement an equitable, consistent, branded, neighbourhood youth offer for universal, open access provision. It is the final element of the Youth Offer Review to be actioned, following the consultation which took place in summer 2019 and the report to Cabinet in February 2020. The neighbourhood model responds to the views and wishes of local young people and outlines the contribution of the Local Authority, The Hive Youth Zone and other partners within the developing Wirral Youth Collective.

Resolved – That delegated authority be given to the Director of Children’s Services to carry out actions for the delivery of a universal, open access youth provision as set out in Paragraph 3.6, 3.16, 3.18 and Appendix 2 to the report.

Resolved (6:4 with one abstention):

That this Committee

(1)  agrees to adopt car parking charging options 1, 3 and 4 and to standardise charges at: £1 for up to one hour, £2 for up to two hours, £3 for up to three hours, £4 for up to four hours and £5 for over four hours or all day parking; and

(2)  delegates authority to the Director of Neighbourhood Services to implement the decision of this Committee and the parking charges options selected as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Resolved – That

(1)  the proposed Carbon Budgets from 2020/21 to 2027/28 be approved;

(2)  the Annual Carbon Budget Performance Reports are tabled in June each year.

The purpose of the report is to seek approval from the Director of Care and Health in respect of the Wirral Advocacy Hub following the undertaking of a procurement exercise.

Provider information is detailed at Appendix 1 (exempt).  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.

Resolved (8:1) (2 abstentions) – That:

1.  authorisation be given to the Director of Care and Health to proceed with the procurement for:

·  Mobile Night Service (5-year contract)

·  Beach Accessible wheelchairs (2-year contract)

·  Early Intervention and Prevention services (3-year contract)

·  Wirral Advocacy Hub (3-year contract)

·  Cardigan House (2-year contract)

2.  Delegated authority be given to the Director of Care and Health to award the tender to the successful bidders following the tender process.

Resolved – That

1)  the Director of Public Health be authorised to re-commission the Wirral Community Infection Prevention and Control Service totalling up to £2,450,000 (£350,000 per annum) for an initial five-year contract (1 April 2022 – 31 March 2027) with the option of two one-year extensions.

2)  delegated authority be given to the Director of Public Health to award the tender to the successful bidder following the tender process.

Resolved (by assent) – That the Policy and Resources Committee:

(1)  Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Place to accept the grant funding of £1,153,380 allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and accept the Local Authority Active Travel Capability Fund Programme indicative allocation of £286,000.

(2)  Approve the proposed Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and the Active Travel Capability Fund Programme (“the Programmes”) as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of this report.

(3)  Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Chair and Spokespersons of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee to amend the Programmes if required having due regard to any issues that may arise during design or consultation stages of projects.

(4)  Note that the above authority and approvals are subject to the schemes at the Crescent and proposed cycle way through Wallasey and New Brighton being deferred until a consultation process has taken place.

This report provides the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee with an overview of the Government’s national grant funding programme for Drug Treatment and Recovery, and outlines proposals to utilise the funding to ensure the following three main objectives are achieved:

1. Reduction in drug-related deaths

2. Reduction in drug-related offending

3. Reduction in prevalence of drug use

Resolved – That

1)  the acceptance of the £1.4m national Drug Treatment and Recovery Grant funding be agreed.

2)  the proposals for spending the £1.4m Drug Treatment and Recovery Grant funding as set out in Appendix 2 be agreed.

Discharge to Assess (D2A) is a pathway model for people who are clinically ready for

discharge from hospital and who no longer require an acute hospital bed, but who may still require care services including short-term, funded support. The ethos is to discharge people to remain in their own home wherever this is possible. This is the ‘Home First’ approach.  However, some people require a period of extended short-term support, assessment and therapy within a bed based D2A service before they can return to their home or to their onward care arrangements.

The proposal in this report is to transfer D2A bed-based service provision from the current range of services in the independent care home sector, to a single site service operated by the NHS.

Resolved – That

1)  the current D2A independent care home contracts held by the Council due to expire on 30 September 2021 be supported.

2)  the progression of proposals for D2A bed-based services to be commissioned by the NHS as a single site NHS offer from 1 September 2021 be supported.

3)  the proposal for up to an additional 30 community independent care home beds to be commissioned for a period of 6 months (ending on 31 March 2022) to support the transition from the current model and to support with the additional demand on the care and health system expected due to winter pressures be supported.

4)  a further report be presented to a future Committee with detail of the D2A service arrangements.

5)  In the event of capacity stresses arising in the proposed arrangements, officers be requested to report back to the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee to advise on the steps being taken to address this.

Resolved – That

1)  approval be given to the rates that apply to services commissioned by Wirral Council and jointly commissioned services between Wirral Council and NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), in relation to Residential and Nursing, Supported Living, Extra Care, Care and Support at home and Direct Payments, as detailed in the report.

2)  approval be given to the backdating of the rates to apply from 1 April 2021.