Decisions

Earlier - Later

Decisions published

06/12/2022 - CONSULTATION OUTCOME OBSERVATORY SCHOOL ref: 5130    Recommendations Approved

Resolved - That-

 

(1)  the change to the lower age limit of The Observatory School from 11 to 8 be approved;

 

(2)  the permanent change of the number of places at The Observatory School to 100 be approved;

 

(3)  the expansion of The Observatory School onto a satellite site be located at the former Leasowe Early Years Centre be approved; and

 

(4)  the Director of Children, Families and Education be granted all necessary authority to implement the proposals.

Decision Maker: Children, Young People & Education Committee

Made at meeting: 06/12/2022 - Children, Young People & Education Committee

Decision published: 06/12/2022

Effective from: 08/12/2022

Decision:

Having previously declared a prejudicial interest in respect of this agenda item, Councillor Collinson left the room during consideration of this matter.

 

The Principal Officer for School Admissions, Place and Planning introduced the report of the Director of Children, Family and Education which provided the outcome of a consultation on proposals for prescribed alterations to The Observatory School. The report advised how The Observatory School is a mixed age 11 to 16 community special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. It was explained how the proposals listed within the report relate to making permanent a trial scheme providing places to primary school age pupils, increasing the number of places offered by the school and also an expansion onto a satellite site in the Leasowe area.

 

Members were advised how a public notice setting out the three prescribed alterations was published on 5th October 22 followed by a 4 week representation period to which no objections were received.

 

In response to a query, members were advised that the Assistant Director for Education would work closely with the school to address provision with regards to staffing. Furthermore with regards to staff moving from site to site, members were advised that the school are working with existing staff regarding any new working arrangements.

 

On a motion by Councillor Carubia and seconded by Councillor Povall it was:

 

Resolved – That

 

(1)  the change to the lower age limit of The Observatory School from 11 to 8 be approved;

 

(2)  the permanent change of the number of places at The Observatory School to 100 be approved;

 (3)  the expansion of The Observatory School onto a satellite site be located at the former Leasowe Early Years Centre be approved; and

 (4)  the Director of Children, Families and Education be granted all necessary authority to implement the proposals

 

Lead officer: Sally Gibbs


30/11/2022 - Weed Control ref: 5127    Recommendations Approved

The Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee approved the Council’s Weed Control Measures Options appraisal in September 2021 for a one-year contract with a further one-year extension. This report seeks approval for the one-year extension to allow time for officers to further investigate and action alternative methods of weed control. It is proposed that the extension to the current weed control contract will run from January 2023 until December 2023.

 

This updated report provides Committee with an overview of the appraisal exercise undertaken to consider options for future weed control across the borough

Decision Maker: Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee

Made at meeting: 30/11/2022 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee

Decision published: 01/12/2022

Effective from: 07/12/2022

Decision:

 

On a motion by Councillor Liz Grey, seconded by Councillor Steve Foulkes, it was -

 

Resolved – That

 

(1)  the current weed control contract with ManCoed Ltd at a cost of £260,000 for one year be extended.

 

(2)  the continued exploration of alternative options for weed control be endorsed, including the provision of an ‘in-house’ multi-disciplinary service and a further report including options and costs be brought to a future committee.

 

(3)  the Director of neighbourhoods be requested to engage residents in relation to the issue of ideas for controlling weeds.

 

Lead officer: Matthew Humble


30/11/2022 - Pollinator Strategy ref: 5126    Recommendations Approved

The Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee approved the Council’s Environment & Climate Emergency Policy in March 2021 since then officers have been putting arrangements in place and taking action, to progress the Policy’s objectives and commitments.

 

This report seeks the approval and endorsement of the Wirral Pollinator Strategy, which supports the Council’s biodiversity commitment within the policy, ‘Transforming our Open Spaces and Enhancing Biodiversity'. This strategy has been developed to raise awareness of the plight of pollinators and to ensure the Council and its local residents, businesses and landowners are provided with information to help us all protect and increase our pollinator populations.

 

Wirral Council is committed to helping to conserve the UK’s pollinators by ensuring the council considers the needs of pollinators in the delivery of its duties and activities. This strategy is designed to ensure the needs of pollinators are enshrined across the breadth of Council work and to increase awareness of pollinators across our local community.

Decision Maker: Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee

Made at meeting: 30/11/2022 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee

Decision published: 01/12/2022

Effective from: 07/12/2022

Decision:

On a motion by Councillor Liz Grey, seconded by Councillor Tony Smith it was –

 

Resolved (11:0) –That the Wirral Pollinator Strategy be approved, and officers and their partners, Wirral Wildlife, MEAS and New Ferry Butterfly Park be thanked for their hard work on this excellent report.

Lead officer: Matthew Humble


29/11/2022 - Information and Advice Service Commission ref: 5125    Recommendations Approved

This report seeks agreement from the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee to progress proposed commissioning intentions for information and advice services. The report sets out the requirement for a local information and advice service to be recommissioned from April 2024, as a joint commission.

 

The current service is experiencing increasing demand, supporting residents and communities with a wide range of issues. This report sets out the proposed funding model for the re-commission, including use of the Public Health Grant, given the strong links between the service outcomes, and improved population health. As part of the re-commissioning process, the potential to further integrate other information and advice services in Wirral will be explored.

 

Evaluation undertaken to date will shape the delivery and outcomes of this recommission, and an evaluation of the new service will take place to inform future recommissions.

 

The report supports the implementation of the Wirral Plan 2021 - 26 and its core purpose to improve equity for people and place through the provision of a pan-Wirral, commissioned service that directly supports people in need.

 

The proposed actions affect all wards within the borough and is a key decision.

Decision Maker: Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee

Made at meeting: 29/11/2022 - Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee

Decision published: 29/11/2022

Effective from: 06/12/2022

Decision:

 

On a motion by Cllr Mary Jordan, Seconded by Cllr Ivan Camphor it was -

 

Resolved – that,

 

 

1.  The Director of Public Health be authorised to re-commission the Wirral Information and Advice service totalling up to £7,000,000 (£1,400,000 per annum) for a three-year contract (1st April 2024 – 31st March 2027) with the option of a one year plus further one year extension.

 

 

2.  A report be bought back to the committee at a future date, mapping existing service provision and specification development, before the service goes out to tender.

 

3.  Delegated authority be given to the Director of Public Health to award the tender to the successful bidder following the tender process

 

 

Lead officer: Jennifer Smedley


29/11/2022 - Direct Payments Review ref: 5124    Recommendations Approved

It is a statutory duty as defined by the Care Act 2014 to offer a person a Direct Payment as a cash alternative to a directly commissioned care and support service where a person has been assessed as having eligible needs.

 

This applies both to carers and people in need of care and support. The regulations of the Children’s Act also place a duty on Local Authorities to offer a Direct Payment to disabled children.

 

A report was presented to Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee on the 3rd of March 2022 where it was noted the number of people and carers in receipt of a Direct Payment was relatively low. A recommendation to review and improve this position was approved, this report contains a summary of the review and describes to members the work underway to unpick the barriers it identified and to set out what we need to change.

 

This review has been a collaborative exercise and included, as equal partners, officers of the Council, people with lived experience, voluntary sector providers and representatives from Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) and the Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHCFT).

Decision Maker: Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee

Made at meeting: 29/11/2022 - Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee

Decision published: 29/11/2022

Effective from: 06/12/2022

Decision:

Resolved – that,

 

1. Direct Payment hourly rates for Personal Assistants for adults be aligned to that of a Domiciliary Care Worker from April 2023 be approved.

 

2. Work commences towards reconciling the Direct Payment hourly rates for adults and children.

 

3. A future report be brought to this committee exploring the options of either providing,

 

(a) Council Coordinated Personal Assistant register

 

(b) Tender for a full Direct Payment Service to include a Personal Assistant Register, Payroll, a Managed Accounts Service and Information and Advice

Lead officer: Claire Molyneux


25/11/2022 - INSTALLATION OF TEMPORARY DOUBLE MOBILE CLASSROOM AT RIVERSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL, WALLASEY ref: 5123    Recommendations Approved

This report requests that the Director of Regeneration and Place agrees to award a construction contract to Springfield Mobile (Lancs) Ltd. The contract will allow for the rental of a double mobile classroom for a 104 week period by the Riverside Primary School, Wallasey (“the school”).  Due to an increase in Special Educational Needs (“SEND”) pupils at the school additional classroom capacity is required prior to the proposed rebuild programme at the school.

 

The decision supports the delivery of the Wirral Plan 2021 – 2026 Brighter Futures theme by working together for brighter futures for our children, young people and their families by breaking the cycle of poor outcomes for all regardless of their background.

 

This decision affects the Seacombe Ward. This is not a Key Decision.

 

Appendix 1 of this report is not for Publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Decision Maker: Director of Regeneration and Place

Decision published: 29/11/2022

Effective from: 25/11/2022

Decision:

Resolved – That Springfield Mobiles (Lancs) Ltd be awarded the contract for the supply and installation of a temporary double mobile classroom at Riverside Primary School, Wallasey within approved budget and as the highest scoring tenderer in accordance with the lowest fixed price criteria.

 


28/11/2022 - DECLARATION OF CASUAL VACANCY IN THE HESWALL WARD ref: 5122    For Determination

To seek approval for the declaration of a casual vacancy in the Heswall ward due to the failure of a member of the authority during a period of six consecutive months from the date of his last attendance to attend any meeting of the Council.

Decision Maker: Head of Legal Services

Decision published: 28/11/2022

Effective from: 28/11/2022

Decision:

Lead officer: Vicki Shaw


28/11/2022 - PITCHED ROOF REPLACEMENT SCHEME AT BIDSTON AVENUE PRIMARY SCHOOL ref: 5121    Recommendations Approved

This report requests that the Director of Regeneration and Place agrees to award a construction contract to Mac Roofing & Contracting Ltd. The proposed  contract includes extensive Pitched Roof Replacement Scheme over a 16-week contract period. The proposed roof replacement scheme replaces an existing aged slate roof covering which is in a poor condition. The proposed Metrotile Slate 900 tile system, provides additional insulation to reduce heat loss.  The school is looking to install PV solar panels to the roof areas to provide much need energy efficiency and running costs.

  

The decision supports the delivery of the Wirral Plan 2021-2026  Brighter Futures theme by working together for brighter futures for our children, young people, and their families by breaking the cycle of poor outcomes for all regardless of their background.

 

This decision affects the Claughton Ward. This is not a Key Decision.

 

Appendix 1 of this report is not for Publication by virtue of by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

 

 

Decision Maker: Director of Regeneration and Place

Decision published: 28/11/2022

Effective from: 28/11/2022

Decision:

Resolved – that the Director of Regeneration and Place has agreed to approve that Mac Roofing & Contracting Ltd be awarded the contract to undertake the Pitched Roof Replacement scheme at Bidston Avenue Primary School within approved budget and as the highest scoring tenderer in accordance with the lowest fixed priced criteria. 

 

 

Wards affected: Claughton;

Lead officer: Anna Perret