This report requests that the Interim Director of Regeneration and Place agrees to commence a procurement exercise for a construction contract for the refurbishment of a section of Joseph Paxton Campus, 157 Park Road North, Birkenhead to enable the relocation of the Schools Home Education Service from Pilgrim Street Arts Centre.

This report supports the Implementation of the Council Plan: Wirral Working Together 2023 - 27 and specifically the themes: Early Help for Children & Families and People-Focussed Regeneration

This decision affects the Claughton Ward

The Interim Director of Regeneration and Place has approved the commencement of a procurement process for the refurbishment of a section of Joseph Paxton Campus, 157 Park Road North, Birkenhead with the preferred tenderer to be selected on the lowest tender basis via a Further Competition utilising the Procure Partnerships PCR 2015 Compliant Framework, North West £1,000,000 to £5,000,000 Construction Partners Lot. 

Resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.  The Public Interest Test had been applied and favoured exclusion.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services reported upon an application received to license a Mercedes-Benz V-Class, registration number KP24 PWV, as a Private Hire Vehicle outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%. 

The report also included a request by the proprietor of the vehicle to be granted an exemption from the legal requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates and the conditions relating to displaying door signs on this vehicle.

The current criteria that vehicles must comply with before being granted a Private Hire Vehicle Licence states that: The front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%.  It is also a legal requirement that when a Private Hire Vehicle Licence is granted the Council must issue a plate or a disc identifying that vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle.

It was reported that should the application be granted it would be necessary for the vehicle to be examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations in order for it to receive a valid MOT and Compliance certificate.

The proprietor of the vehicle attended the meeting with the vehicle which was inspected by Members.  The proprietor of the vehicle explained that they currently provided an executive travel service and that the application had been made as they had a new vehicle to be licensed. 

Resolved –

(1)  That the application to license a Mercedes-Benz V-Class, registration number KP24 PWV as a Private Hire Vehicle, outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30% be granted with the following conditions:

·  All bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

·  Payment for all bookings must be requested through an invoicing system.

·  The operator must communicate with customers for each booking taken, by text or email, with the following information:

-  Private Hire Driver name

-  Private Hire Driver photograph

-  Private Hire Driver badge number

-  Private Hire Vehicle registration number

  For the avoidance of doubt, the above conditions also apply in respect of drivers and vehicles undertaking work for bookings subcontracted to other private hire companies.

(2)  That the application to exempt the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, registration number KP24 PWV from displaying Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates and from displaying door signs which provide details of the Private Hire Operator be granted.

(3)  That officers be given delegated authority to grant a Private Hire Vehicle Licence should the applicant wish to change their vehicle in the future to operate the same executive travel service under the above conditions subject to the vehicle being inspected by a Licensing Officer.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services reported upon an application received to license a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, registration number H6 MWV, as a Private Hire Vehicle outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%. 

The report also included a request by the proprietor of the vehicle to be granted an exemption from the legal requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates and the conditions relating to displaying door signs on this vehicle.

The current criteria that vehicles must comply with before being granted a Private Hire Vehicle Licence states that: The front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%.  It is also a legal requirement that when a Private Hire Vehicle Licence is granted the Council must issue a plate or a disc identifying that vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle.

The proprietor of the vehicle attended the meeting with the vehicle which was inspected by Members.  The proprietor of the vehicle had submitted a letter in support of their application to Members of the Licensing Panel in advance of the meeting which outlined their business model to Members of the Panel in that they wished to provide an executive travel service and wanted to be able to offer a discreet service to their customers. 

Resolved –

(1)  That the application to license a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, registration number H6 MWV as a Private Hire Vehicle, outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30% be granted with the following conditions:

·  All bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

·  Payment for all bookings must be requested through an invoicing system.

·  The operator must communicate with customers for each booking taken, by text or email, with the following information:

-  Private Hire Driver name

-  Private Hire Driver photograph

-  Private Hire Driver badge number

-  Private Hire Vehicle registration number

For the avoidance of doubt, the above conditions also apply in respect of drivers and vehicles undertaking work for bookings subcontracted to other private hire companies.

(2)  That the application to exempt the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, registration number H6 MWV from displaying Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates and from displaying door signs which provide details of the Private Hire Operator be granted.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services reported upon an application received to amend the conditions attached to a current Private Hire Vehicle Licence namely a Mercedes-Benz V300, registration number YK70 FEY to allow the vehicle to operate without door signs and to consider amendments to the standard Private Hire Operator Licence to be granted to the applicant so that the conditions would be relevant and appropriate for the operation of executive travel vehicles.

The proprietor of the vehicle attended the meeting with the vehicle which was inspected by Members.

The proprietor of the vehicle had provided a business plan to Members of the Panel which was outlined at the meeting confirming that he wished to provide an executive travel service.

Resolved –

(1)  That the conditions attached to the current Private Hire Vehicle Licence namely a Mercedes-Benz V300, registration YK70 FEY be amended to allow the vehicle to operate without door signs.

(2)  That officers be given delegated authority to amend the conditions to be attached to the standard Private Hire Operator Licence to be granted to the applicant so that the conditions are relevant and appropriate for the operation of executive travel vehicles.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services reported upon an application received to license a Ford Tourneo, registration number BC18 UWL, as a Private Hire Vehicle outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%. 

The report also included a request by the proprietor of the vehicle to be granted an exemption from the legal requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates on this vehicle.

The current criteria that vehicles must comply with before being granted a Private Hire Vehicle Licence states that: The front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%.  It is also a legal requirement that when a Private Hire Vehicle Licence is granted the Council must issue a plate or a disc identifying that vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle.

It was reported that should the application be granted it would be necessary for the vehicle to be examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations in order for it to receive a valid MOT and Compliance certificate.

The proprietor of the vehicle attended the meeting with the vehicle which was inspected by Members.  It was reported that the proprietor of the vehicle had previously attended the Licensing Panel regarding this application however this meeting had been adjourned to allow the applicant to provide further information to the Licensing Panel.

The proprietor of the vehicle had provided further details in support of his application to Members of the Licensing Panel in advance of the meeting and outlined the business model to Members of the Panel in that they wished to provide an executive travel service and wanted to be able to offer a discreet service to their customers.  During the meeting the applicant also requested that the vehicle be exempt from displaying door signs which provide details of the Private Hire Operator.

Resolved –

(1)  That the application to license a Ford Tourneo, registration number BC18 UWL as a Private Hire Vehicle, outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30% be granted with the following conditions:

·  All bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

·  Payment for all bookings must be requested through an invoicing system.

·  The operator must communicate with customers for each booking taken, by text or email, with the following information:

-  Private Hire Driver name

-  Private Hire Driver photograph

-  Private Hire Driver badge number

-  Private Hire Vehicle registration number

For the avoidance of doubt, the above conditions also apply in respect of drivers and vehicles undertaking work for bookings subcontracted to other private hire companies.

(2)  That the application to exempt the Ford Tourneo, registration number BC18 UWL from displaying Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates and from displaying door signs which provide details of the Private Hire Operator be granted.

Resolved – That

1.  Unspent sums from Transport Shed and Sustainability Central projects be re-allocated to 7 projects within the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot as set out in the proposed allocation column table in Appendix 1 to this report.

2.  The project at Woodside Ferry Village as set out in the Full Business Case attached as exempt Appendix 7 of the report be approved.

3.  The Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to re-allocate funds into the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot programme for future re-allocation. should the conditions of the relevant grant funding not be complied with by 20 January 2025.

Resolved – that the following be approved:

1.  the draft proposal for Selective Licensing in the following six areas from 2025 until 2030 based on the robust evidence base:

·  Tranmere Lairds – LSOA Code E01007291 / Wirral 021D (existing area);

·  Egremont South – LSOA Code E01007275 / Wirral 005E (existing area);

·  Lower Tranmere – LSOA Code E01007293 / Wirral 027C (new area);

·  Tranmere North – LSOA Code E01007130 / Wirral 021A (new area);

·  Birkenhead Central – LSOA Code E01007128 / Wirral 016C (former area);

·  Hamilton Square B – LSOA Code E10034839 / Wirral 016G (part of former area);

2.  the Business Case set out in Appendix 1 to this report as the basis for the rationale for wider consultation on Selective Licensing;

3.  the consultation plan as set out in Appendix 1.3; and

4.  that the Director of Regeneration & Place be authorised to undertake any minor amendments to the Business Case should further evidence be made available which should be included in the consultation.

Resolved – That the following Masterplans be adopted as the Council’s approved dynamic long-term planning strategy for the relevant areas:

1.  The Woodside Masterplan; and

2.  The Wallasey Town Hall Quarter Masterplan.

This report provides an overview of School Streets in Wirral and sets out a proposed prioritisation matrix criteria for future school streets schemes and proposed next steps.

An additional 53 School Street requests have been recorded by the Road Safety Team. The requests have been received from: Schools (23) Councillors (20), Residents (8) Council Staff / Police (2).

The recommendations have been made following the completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 School Streets. Officers have been asked to continue the roll out of School Streets via the Road Safety Working Group. Not every proposed location will be suitable for the provision of a School Street

Resolved – That

(1)  the update on school streets in Wirral be noted;

(2)   the school streets prioritisation matrix criteria and the 2025/26 proposed action plan as set out in appendix 1 of this report be approved.

Resolved (7:4) – That

(1)  the comments and objections received, following public consultation as part of the necessary traffic regulation order process, together with officer responses be noted; and

(2) the following be approved:

a)  introduction of charges as set out in appendix 1 at off street council owned car parks, that are listed in appendix 1 to this report through the introduction of an amended traffic regulation order;

b)   introduction of a £1 overnight charge at off street council owned car parks, that are listed in appendix 1 to this report through the introduction of an amended traffic regulation order;

c)   an increase of 20p per hour to the car parking charges as set out in appendix 1 at existing council car parks listed in appendix 1 to this report that currently charge through the introduction of a variation to the existing traffic regulation order;

d)  introduction of car parking charges in on street bays at new Brighton, Hoylake and Meols and West Kirby, as detailed in appendix 1 through the introduction of a new traffic regulation order;

e)  a £1 overnight charge in on street parking bays at new Brighton, Hoylake and Meols and West Kirby through the introduction of a new traffic regulation order;

f)   an increase of 20p per hour to the car parking charges at on street bays where fees already apply in the Birkenhead controlled zone through the introduction of an amended traffic regulation order as set out in appendix 1;

g)  a £1 overnight charge in on street parking bays at the Birkenhead controlled zone through the introduction of an amended traffic regulation order.

Resolved (7:3) – That the Director of Neighbourhood Services be authorised to introduce Phases 3 and 4 of the 20mph speed limit programme on those roads or parts of roads shown on the list attached within Appendix A to this report

Resolved – That the following be approved:

1. Mount Primary School consults on having a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 45, reducing from 50;

2. Ss Peter & Paul RC Primary School consults on having a PAN of 30, reducing from 45;

3. St Alban’s RC Primary School consults on having a PAN of 45, reducing from 60;

4. Somerville Primary School consults on having a (Published Admission Number) PAN of 60, reducing from 90; and

5. Egremont Primary consults on having a PAN of 45, reducing from 57.

To approve the award of a contract to deliver breast feeding support in Wirral to Koala Northwest, commencing on 1^st February 2025 for two years, at a total value of £159,915.

Resolved -That

1. The re-specification and commissioning of a new Adult Social Care Advocacy Service using co-production and co-design processes with people who use the service, their families and supporters be approved.

2. The carrying out of a procurement process and award of the contract for new service, to start in 2027, to the Director of Adults, Health, and Strategic Commissioning, at an indicative cost of £391,016 per year be delegated.

Resolved - That

1. The re-specification and commissioning of a new Early Intervention, Prevention and Carers Support Service using co-production and co-design processes with people who use the service, their families and supporters be approved.

2. The carrying out of a procurement process and award of the contract for new service, to start in 2027, to the Director of Adults, Health, and Strategic Commissioning at an indicative cost of £2,362,847 per year be delegated.

Resolved – That under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

The Director of Pensions introduced his report which presented the minutes of meetings of Working Parties held since the previous Committee meeting.

Councillor Jeff Green noted that his apologies had been omitted from the minutes of the Responsible Investment Working Party. With that amendment, it was:

Resolved – That

1.  The recommendation from the Responsible Investment Working Party on 5 September 2024 that the Director of Pensions in consultation with the Chair and Spokes be authorised to approve a final version of Merseyside Pension Fund’s (MPF) submission to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) for the October 2024 deadline be approved;

2.  The working party minutes be approved.

The Director of Pensions introduced the report which proposed changes to authorised signatories at Merseyside Pension Fund (MPF) following a review of the current signatories against business needs. It was reported that the proposed change was to add one additional signatory for investment decisions and documents only.

Resolved – That

1.  the arrangements set out in section 3 of the report in relation to the internal control arrangements at Merseyside Pension Fund be approved; and

2.  officers designated in section 3 of this report be approved as authorised signatories for Merseyside Pension Fund.

The Director of Pensions presented his report which provided the Committee with the draft minutes of the previous meeting of the Wirral Local Pension Board.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Wirral Local Pension Board be noted.

The Director of Pensions introduced the report which set out details of a pensions review, launched by the Chancellor, with the objective of boosting investment, increasing saver returns and tackling waste in the pensions system. It was reported that a call for evidence was issued on 4 September and was to close on 25 September. The call for evidence was discussed with members on 18 September at the Investment Monitoring Working Party

Members noted that the timescales to prepare a response were extremely short. The Director confirmed that this had been raised with the government and that in response it was confirmed that the initial call for evidence would be followed by a full consultation process for a longer period to provide comprehensive deliberation on the matters.

Resolved – That

1.  The report be noted; and

2.   The Director of Pensions, in consultation with the Chair and Spokespersons, be authorised to approve the response to the call for evidence on behalf of the Fund with the directors of Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire pension Funds on behalf of the Northern LGPS Investment Pool.

The Head of Pensions (Finance and Risk) introduced the report of the Director of Pensions which presented the draft conflict of interest policy for Merseyside Pension Fund for approval. It was reported that the policy set out a process for identifying, monitoring and managing conflicts of interest and included a code of conduct and guidance on to whom the policy applied.

Members discussed the specific changes that the policy sought to introduce. The Head of Pensions confirmed that the policy built upon existing procedures and various legislation under one policy and that it was considered best practice for administering authorities to set out a specific conflict of interest’s policy within the context of the Pensions Fund.

Resolved – That the conflict-of-interest strategy for Merseyside Pension Fund be approved.

The Head of Finance and Risk at Merseyside Pension Fund presented the report which sought approval for the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for Merseyside Pension Fund for 2023/24 and a letter of representation prepared by Officers on behalf of the Committee. The Fund’s financial position for the year ended 31 March 2024 was reported as £10.8bn. It was reported that the external audit work had identified one adjustment to the financial statements financial position alongside a small number of changes to the disclosure notes have also been which had been agreed.

Resolved – That

1.  The audited Statement of Accounts for 2023/24, the Aduit Findings Report and the letter of representation be approved;

2.  The recommendation above be referred to the Audit and Risk Management Committee; and

3.  The publication of the Annual Report of Merseyside Pension Fund for 2023/24 be approved.

A representative of Grant Thornton presented the report which highlighted the key findings and other matters arising from Grant Thornton’s external audit of the financial statements of Merseyside Pension Fund for the year ended 31 March 2024. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the outstanding audit work, Grant Thornton’s anticipated audit opinion would be unqualified.

Members discussed the impact of impact of increased costs of audit fees and the work being undertaken to review segregation of duties conflict with the Oracle Fusion Management system.

Members also placed on record Committee’s thanks to the team involved in the successful implementation of the Oracle Fusion IT system.

Resolved – That the Audit Findings Report for Merseyside Pension Fund be noted.

The Head of Pensions Administration introduced the report of the Director of Pensions which outlines and recommends proposed revisions to Merseyside Pension Fund’s Pensions Administration Strategy (PAS) which was last approved by Pensions Committee on 13 November 2017. It was reported that the PAS had been updated to reflect the transition from annual to monthly data submissions and developments in the automation of exchanging data.

Resolved – That the revised draft Pensions Administration Strategy and charging schedule be approved, with implementation taking effect from Monday 30 September 2024.

The Head of Pensions Administration introduced the report of the Director of Pensions which provided an overview of central government policy impacting the Local Government Pension Scheme. Members were advised of the new governments legislative programme and proposed bills such as the National Wealth Fund and the Government Landmark Pension Review.

Members discussed the implications of a draft bill on audit reform and governance for the reporting of the annual report and accounts for the pension fund in the future. Members also considered the impacts of the Government Landmark Pension Review. In response to queries, the Director of Pensions noted that the government had indicated that the review would consider several pooling models for pension funds with the aim of providing more uniformity across the sector. Members also considered the impact of the government’s proposed national wealth fund and the encouragement of investment in the UK. The Director noted that the government’s call for evidence provided the opportunity to make suggestions to government on measures to encourage pension funds to invest in the UK but that Members under their fiduciary duty should only agree to more investment in the UK if justified by the prospective financial returns.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The Director of Merseyside Pension Fund presented his report which provided Members with an update on pooling arrangements in respect of Merseyside Pension Fund (MPF) and the Northern LGPS Investment Pool. Minutes of the previous Northern LGPS Joint Committee meeting were appended for noting.

Resolved – That the Committee note the report and the minutes of the Joint Committee meeting.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Pensions Committee held on 30 July be agreed as a correct record.