This report details the procurement process and outcomes of the Elections and Electoral Registration Print Contract for Wirral as part of a Merseyside/Lancashire procurement exercise. Furthermore, it requests the Director of Law & Governance to agree to award a contract to Civica Electoral Services at a cost of £400,000 for the printing contract for the period 2022-2026.

The contract meets the objectives of the Wirral Plan by supporting the themes for Brighter Futures and Inclusive Economy. The Framework will achieve “Brighter Futures” by providing robust and secure printed materials for the correct conduct of annual canvass and elections, CES will work with local authorities to ensure the most efficient use of printed material that is fit for purpose and helpful to those in the local communities.  The Framework will achieve “Inclusive Economy” through Social Value by procuring and paying for printed items to support all elections teams in the delivery of the new requirements of the Elections Act, they will pay a local print company in the region to produce the print items.

The recommendations detailed in the report do not constitute a key decision.

The Director of Law & Governance has agreed to enter into a contract with the first named supplier (Civica Electoral Services) on the Elections and Electoral Registration Print Framework at a cost of £400,000 for the printing contract for the period 2022-26.

This report seeks approval to appoint Mott MacDonald Group Limited to produce an outline business case and supporting trafflic modeling and environmental surveys in respect of the delivery of transport and active travel measures associated with removal of the tunnel flyovers (“Connecting Birkenhead”).

The Wirral Plan 2021-2026 sets out the Councils vision to secure the best possible future for our residents, defined by the community prosperity we create and supported by our excellent people and services. This proposal directly supports the following key themes within that plan:

·  A prosperous, inclusive economy where local people can get good jobs and achieve their aspirations

·  A cleaner, greener borough which celebrates, protects and improves our environment and urgently tackles the environmental emergency

·  Safe, vibrant communities where people want to live and raise their families

Town centre regeneration is a long-standing priority for the Council and is reflected in the Wirral Council Plan 2021-2026 through the requirement to deliver inclusive economic growth, working for a prosperous, inclusive economy where local people can get good jobs and achieve their aspirations.

The Director of Regeneration and Place has agreed to approve the appointment of Mott MacDonald Group Limited to produce an outline business case and undertake supporting trafflic modeling and environmental surveys in respect of the transport and active travel measures associated with removal of the Birkenhead flyovers, via the Fusion 21 Procurement Framework.

The fourth matter requiring approval was in relation to the appointment of Members (and/or other individuals) to outside bodies and organisations.

On a motion by The Civic Mayor, seconded by Councillor Janette Williamson, it was –

Resolved – That Council authorises the Monitoring Officer as proper officer to carry out the wishes of the Leaders of Political Groups in allocating Members to membership and substitute membership where relevant, of the Outside Bodies listed at Appendix 1, and to appoint those Members with effect from the date at which the proper officer is advised of the names of such Members.

The third matter requiring approval was in relation to the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Committees.

On a motion by Councillor Paul Stuart, seconded by Councillor Jean Robinson, it was –

A. Resolved –

(1)  That Councillor Janette Williamson be appointed Leader of the Council (Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee).

Having been invited by the Civic Mayor to make her acceptance speech, Councillor Janette Williamson then spoke to her election as Leader.

On a motion by Councillor Janette Williamson, seconded by Councillor Paul Stuart, it was –

B. Resolved –

(2)  That Councillor Jean Robinson be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council (Vice-Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee).

C. Resolved –

(3)  That Chairs and Vice-Chairs be appointed to Committees as referred to in the list circulated in the supplementary agenda, and that the appointments be as set out below.

The final matter for approval was in relation to the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the 2022/23 municipal year, as recommended by the Constitution and Standards Committee of 13 April 2022.

On a motion by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, seconded by Councillor Paul Stuart, it was –

Resolved – That the Calendar of Meetings for the 2022/23 municipal year be approved.

The first item requiring approval was three referrals from Constitution and Standards Committee, to adopt a revised Constitution including a revised Member Code of Conduct and Petition Scheme.

On a motion by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, seconded by Councillor Paul Stuart, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  That the revisions to the Constitution be agreed.

(2)  The revised Member Code of Conduct be agreed.

(3)  The revised Petition Scheme be adopted.

As detailed in the report.

As detailed in the report.

The second item requiring approval was in relation to the appointment of committees.

On a motion by the Civic Mayor, seconded by Councillor Janette Williamson, it was –

Resolved – That

(1)   the formation of those Committees set out in Part 3(B) of the revised Constitution be agreed and seats on the Committees be allocated as set out in Appendix 1.

(2)  the Monitoring Officer be authorised as proper officer to carry out the wishes of the Leaders of Political Groups in allocating Members to membership and substitute membership of the committees or other authorities, and to appoint those Members with effect from the date at which the proper officer is advised of the names of such Members.

(3)   the appointment of sub-committees, panels and statutory/advisory committees be delegated to the appropriate parent Committee of Council.

(4)  Authority be delegated to the Director of Law and Governance, to appoint Members to the Regulatory Panel of the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee and appoint Members to the Licensing Panel of the Licensing Committee, in consultation with the Chair and Spokespersons of these Committees, to enable meetings of either, or both, of these panels, if required, prior to their appointment at the first meetings of each of these committees.