Agenda and minutes

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and unanimously

RESOLVED:

That Clare Louise Carragher, a Councillor of the Borough, be elected Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year and until the acceptance of office by her successor.

Councillor Clare Louise Carragher took the Chair

at this point in the meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brennan, D’Albuquerque, Irving, Jones, McKinley, O’Brien, Pugh and Sayers.

Members are requested at a meeting where a disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest arises, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests, todeclare any interests that relate to an item on the agenda.

Where a Member discloses a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, he/she must withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest, except where he/she is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of a dispensation.

Where a Member discloses a personal interest he/she must seek advice from the Monitoring Officer or staff member representing the Monitoring Officer to determine whether the Member should withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest or whether the Member can remain in the meeting or remain in the meeting and vote on the relevant decision.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests were received.

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and unanimously

RESOLVED:

That June Burns, a Councillor of the Borough, be elected Deputy Chair of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year and until the acceptance of office by her successor.

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2022

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 April 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Election of New Councillors

The Mayor congratulated all of the Councillors who were re-elected to office following the Local Government Elections held on 5 May 2022, and extended a warm welcome to the 5 new Councillors elected to office:

Councillors Danny Burns, Judith Hardman, Gareth Lloyd-Johnson, Laura Lunn-Bates and Carol Richards.

Councillors Not Re-Elected

The Mayor also placed on record, the gratitude of the Council to Tony Carr, Denise Dutton and Yvonne Sayers, the three former Councillors, who were not re-elected to office, for their dedicated service to the Borough of Sefton over a period of 12 years for Tony Carr and Denise Dutton and a period of 4 years for Yvonne Sayers.

Death of Thomas Mann

The Mayor reported with great sadness on the loss of former Councillor Thomas Mann who passed away on 28 April 2022.

The Mayor advised that Thomas Mann was elected to the Cambridge Ward on 4 May 1995 and served on the Council for 12 years; that during his time on the Council Mr. Mann served on the Transportation Committee, the Environmental and Licensing Committee, the Leisure Services Committee, the Education Committee, the Standards Committee, the Licensing Committee and the Southport Area Committee; that Mr Mann also represented the Council on the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority; and served as Mayor of the Borough in 2006/07.

The Mayor concluded that she had attended Mr. Mann’s Civic Funeral held earlier in the afternoon at Southport crematorium.

Councillors Brough, Byrom, Shaw and Sir Ron Watson paid tribute to former Councillor Thomas Mann.

The Council then observed a one-minute silence as a mark of respect for former Councillor Thomas Mann.  

Citizens 4 Good Awards

The Mayor referred to the Citizens 4 Good Awards that she attended on 28th April 2022 and indicated that Citizens for Good Awards was a fantastic awards scheme that recognised all the hard work and help members of the public provided in their communities; and the Mayor urged Members to bear in mind these awards when the next nominations opened and to consider nominating deserving residents for such an award.  

The Mayor further advised that following the awards she met several people who she had promoted via her twitter account and that the extra help it had given their projects, just by highlighting them on the Council’s social media platforms, really did help.  The Mayor therefore encouraged Members who didn’t follow the Mayor of Sefton’s twitter account to do so and retweet posts as this support could be crucial. The Mayor provided a recent example of her visit to open the Birkdale Food Pantry and that from highlighting this on the Mayor of Sefton’s twitter account, the Pantry had more referrals come through than they had previously received so it really did help and made a difference.

Manchester Arena Terrorist Attack

The Mayor reported that 22 May 2022 would be the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Manchester Arena in which twenty-two people were killed, over one thousand were injured,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To deal with matters raised by members of the public resident within the Borough, of which notice has been given in accordance with the procedures relating to public questions, motions or petitions set out in Paragraph 36 to 47 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules in Chapter 4 of the Council Constitution.

(Details of any petitions notified or questions submitted by members of the public will be circulated at the meeting).

The Mayor reported that no matters had been raised by the public.

To receive and consider questions to Cabinet Members, Chairs of Committees or Spokespersons for any of the Joint Authorities upon any matter within their portfolio/area of responsibility, of which notice has been given by Members of the Council in accordance with Paragraph 49 to 51 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules, set out in Chapter 4 of the Council Constitution.

The Council considered a schedule setting out the written questions submitted by:

together with the responses given. Supplementary questions to questions 1, 2, 3 and 4 were responded to by the Cabinet Member – Communities and Housing, the Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills and the Cabinet Member - Children’s Social Care.

The Mayor referred Members to Rule 50 of Chapter 4 (The Full Council) of the Constitution which indicated that the period set aside for questions shall not exceed 30 minutes; and that the 30 minute-time period had now been reached.

It was moved by Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne:

That in accordance with Rule 111 of Chapter 4 of the Constitution (The Full Council) the Rules of Procedure specified in Chapter 4 of the Constitution be suspended to allow the period set aside for questions to continue beyond 30 minutes to allow those Members who have submitted questions to ask supplementary questions if they so wish.   

The Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the Motion was lost by 44 votes to 12 votes. 

To receive and note the report of the Chief Executive and Returning Officer on the results of the Council Elections held on 5 May 2022

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Returning Officer on the results of the Council Elections held on 5 May 2022.

It was moved by Councillor Grace, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To note that in accordance with the provisions in Paragraph 4 of Chapter 5 in the Council Constitution, the Council, at its meeting held on 16 May 2019 appointed Councillor Ian Maher as Leader of the Council for a period of four years until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting in May 2023, or until such time as his term of office expires.

The Mayor reported that on 16 May 2019 the Council had appointed Councillor Ian Maher as the Leader of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council for a four-year term of office and until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting in May 2023 or until such time as his term of office expires.

Report of the Leader of the Council

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council on the membership of the Cabinet.

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED: That

(1)              it be noted that Councillor Fairclough was appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council in May 2019 for a four-year term of office or until such time as his term of office expires; and

(2)              it be noted that the Cabinet comprising of the Members indicated below will hold office until the Leader’s term of office expires, unless removed by the Leader or for any of the reasons set out in Paragraph 4 (a) to (c) of Chapter 5 in the Constitution;

Cabinet (10)

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer to follow

The Council considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer which provided details of the allocation of Committee Places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules and the proposed Membership of the Committees and Working Groups for 2022/23. The report also sought approval to the terms of reference for Committees and Sub-Committees set out in chapters 6 and 7 of the Council’s Constitution.

It was moved by Councillor Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED: That:

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (ADULT SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH) (10)

(Plus 2 Associate Members)

(Lab 7 /LD&PA 2 /Con 1 /Ind 0/ LMAL 0 /SCG 0)

Associate Members:

(Non-voting Co-opted Members)         Mr. Brian Clark and Ms. Diane Blair (Nominated by Healthwatch, Sefton)

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND SAFEGUARDING) (10)

(Plus 4 Education Added Members and 3 Associate Members)

(Lab 7 / LD&PA 1 /Con 1 /Ind 0 / LMAL 1/ SCG 0)

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (REGENERATION AND SKILLS) (10)

(Lab 8 / LD&PA 1 /Con 1 /Ind 0 / LMAL 0/ SCG 0)

Details of the proposed representation on the Merseyside Joint Authority bodies for 2022/23 to follow

The Council considered a schedule of the proposed representation on the Merseyside Joint Authority Bodies for 2022/23.

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

The Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services that set out supplementary estimates for approval in the Council’s Capital Programme 2022/23.

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Faircloughand

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer

The Council considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer that sought approval for the establishment of a Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System Joint Health Scrutiny Committee and to consider for adoption the amended “Protocol for the Establishment of Joint Health Scrutiny Arrangements in Cheshire and Merseyside”.

Attached as Appendix A to the report was the draft Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System Joint Health Scrutiny Committee – Joint Committee Arrangements Document; and Appendix B the draft Protocol for the Establishment of Joint Health Scrutiny Arrangements in Cheshire and Merseyside (updated March 2022).

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED: That

It was moved by Councillor Corcoran, seconded by Councillor Carlin:

That:

Tackling Transphobia

This Council notes:

-                 There are many discussions in the media about trans rights – most recently this includes a question about the Cass Review (an Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People) in PMQs, discussions about safe spaces and sport suitability and an MP announcing a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

-                 The UK Prime Minister openly supported the LGB Alliance

-                 Media reports inciting moral panic have been proven to be disproportionate on multiple occasions. (Adele @ the Brits, Swimmer at Uni of Penn et al)

-                 The UK government announced a review of the Gender Recognition Act in 2017 but has failed to prioritise and deliver this despite calls from the community and successful reform in other countries.

-                 Hate crimes against the LGBT community are ever increasing, including those committed against trans people (and those perceived to be trans) - research in 2020 from Galop found four out of five respondents had experienced this.

-                 Trans people face physical and mental health inequalities - two in five young people who identify as trans have attempted suicide.

This Council celebrates:

-                 Chesterfield High School is a Stonewall Champion School.

-                 Sefton Council is a borough for everyone and regularly recognises significant days such as IDAHOBIT.

-                 Trans Health Sefton was launched in November 2017 and developed into Cheshire and Merseyside Area Gender Identity Collaborative (CMAGIC) covering the Liverpool City Region.

-                 Sefton collaborating with Merseyside Police for Hate Crime Awareness Week.

-                 In May 2022 there will be a celebration of the LGBT community in Merseyside.

This Council believes:

-                 Trans men are men, trans women are women and non-binary genders are valid.

-                 Trans people deserve respect and autonomy.

-                 Transphobia is not only a violation of law but has a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of individuals.

-                 Trans rights and gender-based rights can co-exist.

-                 In the dignity of all people and their right to respect and equality of opportunity.

-                  

This Council resolves:

-                 To state publicly that trans rights are human rights.

-                 To continue to tackle prejudice, recognise and celebrate awareness days and share resources.

-                 To encourage Councillors to attend relevant training, particularly around terminology and respect and challenging transphobia.

-                 To commit to continuing to be welcoming, inclusive and respectful and ensure the Trans community have a voice so all needs are met, with a view to redressing inequalities faced as well as acknowledging the role of intersectionality.

-                 To support more schools to become Stonewall Champion Schools

-                 To echo celebration events throughout Sefton.

NOTES

The dictionary definition of transgender is ‘denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex.’  Gender is a term used for social constructs such as norms, roles and relationships whereas sex refers to biological and physiological characteristics.  The preferred umbrella term is trans.

Transphobia is defined  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To note that the Council meetings scheduled to be held during the Municipal Year 2022/23 are as follows:

·       14 July 2022

·       15 September 2022

·       17 November 2022

·       19 January 2023

·       2 March 2023 (Budget Meeting)

·       20 April 2023

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the Council meetings scheduled to be held during the Municipal Year 2022/23 are as follows:

·       14 July 2022

·       15 September 2022

·       17 November 2022

·       19 January 2023

·       2 March 2023 (Budget Meeting)

·       20 April 2023