The Chair had agreed to consideration of this item as a matter of urgent business by reason of the special circumstances of the changing picture of public health advice concerning the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19.

Philip McCourt, Director of Law and Governance, introduced a report in respect of the expected lifting of coronavirus restrictions in line with the Government’s roadmap and that the legal requirements on non-opening of venues to the public would come to an end. This was in the context of a rapidly changing and worsening of case numbers as the Delta variant of Covid-19 spread.

In addition to compliance with likely changing Government and public health guidance, additional requirements were likely to be placed upon the Council in terms of deployment of resources to respond to public health events, business continuity and commerciality that would have a direct and immediate effect on the operation of Council venues and facilities.

Support was therefore sought in relation to continued communication of public health advice and to speedy decision making in response to any such requirements.

With regard to the proposals in the report, Philip McCourt highlighted the following generic criteria which would support officers taking individual decisions in relation to venues, as follows:

A.  Covid-19 Guidance Compliance (health and safety);

B.  Ability to function and resource availability (business continuity); and/or

C.  Financial considerations (investment and commerciality).

Julie Webster, Director of Public Health gave an update to the committee on the current numbers of cases of COVID-19 in the Borough, with 229 cases recorded in one day on 28 June, a substantial increase since 17 May. At the beginning of May cases were 5 or 6 per day. The rise in case numbers was, however, fortunately not this time translating into a significant rise in hospitalisations. She also gave an update with regard to the number of school pupils self-isolating, 3,300, currently, approximately 6% of the schools population and 250 schools staff, approximately 5% of all school staff.

In response to comments from Members, Julie Webster confirmed the breakdown in respect of schools numbers for primary and secondary pupils and that with regard to free school meals, this should be notified to those families with children self-isolating through the COVID support hub and she would follow this up.

Responding to further comment, Philip McCourt stated that with revised guidance expected shortly, decisions would then be taken with regard to any expenditure required on facilities to reopen. If social distancing meant that a venue wouldn’t be economic to open then discussions could be held with the Director of Resources and colleagues at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about how funding could be used and reprioritised.

The Chair commented upon the need not to allow commercial considerations to override any public health advice.

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

Resolved – That,

(1)  Committee endorse authority for the Chief Executive or a Director to suspend, vary or cease operation of a Council venue or facilities as a response to Coronavirus related events, including compliance with Government and public health advice, prioritisation of resource availability and economic impact.

(2)  Where there is to be a variation proposed as a result of prioritisation or economic considerations then any decision shall be in consultation with the Chair and Group Leaders. 

(3)  That this decision be subject to review and an update report be submitted to the Committee’s meeting of 1st December, 2021 at the latest, failing which the decision shall cease to be of effect.

Philip McCourt, Director of Law and Governance introduced a report which requested the Committee to appoint a representative of the Council to serve on the Mersey Forest Steering Group in 2021/2022.

Membership of the Mersey Forest would support the Council to deliver the requirements of the Tree, Woodland and Hedgerow Strategy. An expectation of the Council’s Mersey Forest membership was to be represented and contribute to the Steering Group’s work.

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

Resolved – That Councillor Elizabeth Grey be appointed as the elected member to represent the Council on the Mersey Forest Steering Group.

Having previously declared a prejudicial interest, Councillor Moira McLaughlin vacated the room during consideration of this item (minute 18 refers).

Tony Williams, Assistant Director: HR and Organisational Development, introduced a report which set out the issues and implications relating to the implementation of a homeworking allowance and which also set out the detail and eligibility criteria should the Policy and Resources Committee agree to implement an allowance.

The Council had moved to a hybrid working model where significant numbers of staff would have the option to work at home regularly combined with some attendance at offices and site visits as required.

The Trade Unions had requested that the Council formally consider the implementation of a homeworking allowance for staff. It was appropriate that this request was considered by the Policy and Resources Committee.

There was no obligation for the Council as an employer to pay a homeworking allowance or meet any costs of homeworking that might be incurred by employees. As such, senior officers’ position had been to maintain the position currently adopted, which was to signpost employees to apply to claim tax relief from HMRC. There was no cost to the Council for this and all employees could apply. Additionally, any staff who had concerns about the cost of homeworking could choose to work from a Council building.

An appendix to the report set out a proposed homeworking allowance policy, addressing the varying complexities in introducing such an allowance, including eligibility criteria.

The cost to the Council was difficult to predict precisely but for modelling purposes, a calculation based on 50% of employees at Band H or below who could work at home, claiming 3 days a week homeworking allowance for 46 weeks a year, would cost £80k per annum. This equated to around £165 per annum per employee.

Responding to comments from Members, Tony Williams stated that staff had not been surveyed as to the take up of the HMRC allowance and negotiations were still ongoing between employers and Trades Unions with regard to the current pay claim. The Council was able to reach local agreements which might differ from what was agreed nationally and this wouldn’t fall foul of any NJC national bargaining arrangements. There were a mix of local and national terms and conditions currently in place.

Members expressed opposing views as to whether an allowance should be paid or not. Some Members suggesting that the proposed allowance not be paid but that this could be reviewed after national pay negotiations had been resolved.

On a motion by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, seconded by Councillor Julie McManus, it was –

Resolved (8:6) – That a homeworking allowance be paid on the basis of the draft policy and eligibility criteria detailed in the report and appendix, subject to a review at a later date after national pay negotiations had been resolved.

That the Director of Neighbourhood Services agrees the indicative local allocation of the grant extension as outlined below:

That the Director of Regeneration and Place approves the appointment of Maccreanor Lavington Ltd (company number 04944069) to provide consultancy services for the preparation of the Birkenhead Design Guide and Public Realm Strategy.

Resolved (unanimously) – That,

(1)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised 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)  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 the report, be approved;

(3)  the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Chairs and Spokespersons of the Economy, Regeneration and Development and the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committees, be authorised to amend the Programmes if required having due regard to any issues that may arise during design or consultation stages of projects;

(4)  Committee notes 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;

(5)  Committee notes the significant overlap between the terms of reference of the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee and the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee and requests that these committees work jointly with Economy Regeneration and Development Committee leading on active travel issues which affect major regeneration master plan projects and the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee to lead on all other transport, active travel and road safety strategy and schemes. Officers are asked to liaise with the Chairs of both committees on all transport planning to ensure that the work programmes are always agreed.

(6)  Committee asks that the Constitution and Standards Committee consider whether existing provision within the Council’s Constitution with respect to the planning for and implementation of active travel schemes are sufficiently clear and appropriate and if necessary to make recommendations to Council on any necessary changes to the Constitution.

This report provides an update about this project to bring forward 500 residential units in a 1 and 2 bedroom apartment scheme on the East Float of Wirral Waters. It is a joint project between Peel Holdings and Wirral Council, with the Council entering into  leases for the apartments for up to 50 years.

The development will be the first large scale purpose built private rented scheme in Wirral and will significantly enhance the housing offer within the local area by providing high quality apartments, on brown field land, on a waterfront location. The scheme will also support further residential and commercial development in Wirral Waters creating a new community within the dockland area.

The scheme originally involved Aviva Investors Commercial Assets GP Limitedas the scheme funder. Aviva have withdrawn from the scheme due to changes in their lending criteria and  a new funder  Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”) has been identified. PIC, has requested some amendments to the commercial arrangements. This report sets out the  changes to the original commercial deal including the mitigating steps and explains that the changes do not materially affect the commercial value of the deal to the Council.

That the Director of Regeneration and Place agrees to Pension Insurance Corporation PLC being the funder for the Legacy Development Scheme in substitution forAviva Investors Commercial Assets GP Limitedwith the changes to the commercial arrangements as identified in the exempt Appendices 1 and 2  to this report.

On the 19th November 2020, the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee authorised the Director of Public Health to recommission a range of services. This report provides an update on the recommissioning process and outcome for the Ethnic Minority Health Improvement and Inequalities Programme. The contract term has a maximum value of £261,250.00 and is a three year contract with the option to extend for one year plus a further year.

The process has concluded, the tenders received have been fully evaluated according to Council procurement rules and the Director of Public Health will take the decision to award the contract to the successful bidder.

Resolved – That

the winning tender for the Ethnic Minority Health Improvement and Inequalities Programme which has been submitted and evaluated in accordance with Wirral Council Contract Procedure rules be accepted and the award of a three-year contract (with the option to extend for one year plus a further year) commencing on 1st October 2021 at a maximum value of £261,250 be approved.