Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer that included the most recent reports from the Cabinet Members for Communities and Housing; Health and Wellbeing (Green Sefton element); Locality Services; Planning and Building Control; and Regeneration and Skills.

Councillor Atkinson, Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills presented her report and highlighted the following issues:

·       Sefton Council Economic Growth and Housing service being nominated for the team of the year at the Institute Economic Development Annual Awards 2023.

·       Salt and Tar music festival being nominated in the the Best New Festival and Best Small Festival categories at this year’s UK Festival Awards

Members of the Committee asked questions/commented on the following issues:

·       Reasons for the poor attendance at the ‘Getting Back into Work’ event held on 13 September 2023.

·       A comment was made that the Visitor Guide should have been ready for print and circulation in October 2023 rather than January 2024.

·       Success for Ukrainian learners achieving ESOL Speaking and Learning Entry Level 1.

·       Issues associated with Southport Pier including structural reports; ongoing work with regards to detailed cost and survey work; the appointment of a contractor following the procurement process; the contract specification and terms and conditions; and when would information be known on funding gaps to deliver required works.

Councillor Hardy, Cabinet Member – Communities and Housing presented her report and highlighted the following issues:

·       The success of the neighbourhoods team and partners in respect of “Operation Banger” during the bonfire night period.

·       The Christmas light switch on and the Mayor’s toy appeal.

Members of the Committee asked questions/commented on the following issues:

·       The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act and its impact on the supported housing and the older person’s housing sector.

·       Funding streams for Christmas lights.

·       Deadlines for donations to the Mayor’s toy appeal; and how personal donations could be made to the appeal.

·       The Hate Crime Joint Action Group; and the great work undertaken by Hate Crime Community Ambassadors to  promote hate crime awareness.

A Members of the Committee indicated that he wished to ask questions of the Cabinet Member – Locality Services who was not in attendance at the meeting. The Chair, Councillor Dowd advised that the Member could email the Cabinet Member directly seeking responses; and such responses could then be circulated to Committee members either via email or by inclusion on the next agenda.

RESOLVED: That