Agenda and minutes

Apologises for absence were received from Councillors Carlin, Hardy, Jones, McKinley, Sathiy and Sir Ron Watson.

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.

In accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations of personal interest were made, and the Members remained in the room during the consideration of the item:

Minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2022

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 29 September 2022 be approved as a correct record, subject to the reference to Aintree Motorcycle Racing Club in Minute No. 44 being amended to read Aintree Circuit Club.

Former Councillor Robert Brennan

The Mayor reported that Robert (Bobby) Brennan had resigned as a Councillor on 31 October 2022, after giving 28 years’ service on the Council. He was elected as a Labour Councillor for the Orrell Ward on 5 May 1994 which was re-named as the Netherton and Orrell Ward in 2000/01.

Robert Brennan was the Mayor of Sefton Council in 1999/2000 and the Armed Forces Member Champion from 2012 to 2022. He was the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) from 2011/12 to 2014/15 and the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee from 2015/16 to 2018/19.

Prior to that, he was Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Review Committee (Cabinet; Best Value; Corporate Resources; and Licensing) from 2001/02 to 2002/03 and Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) from 2006/07 to 2008/09.

On behalf of the Council, The Mayor extended her best wishes to Robert Brennan for the future and thanked him for his dedicated service to the Council over the last 28 years.

Councillors Maher and Bradshaw paid tribute to the service given to Council by Mr Robert Brennan.

Remembrance Sunday Services

The Mayor thanked all the Members of the Council who had attended the Remembrance Sunday Services last weekend. All the services were extremely well attended, and the Mayor had been honoured to attend the Southport Service this year.

Citizens 4 Good Awards

The Mayor reported that on 13 October 2022, she had hosted her second Citizens 4 Good Awards at Southport Town Hall. The Mayor indicated that the awards gave an insight into the great work people do to support and help their local communities. A further Awards event would be held on 15 February 2023 at Maghull, and the Mayor encouraged Members of the Council to submit nominations if they were aware of any great work been done in the community by their constituents.

Mayoral Charity Donation

The Mayor reported that she had been invited to lunch at Castle Bingo on 27 October 2022 and was shocked and overwhelmed to receive a donation of £1,500 to her Charity Fund. The money was raised by the members and Castle Bingo do a huge amount for the community. The Mayor indicated that it was great to get an insight into what they do.

Jurgen Klopp

The Mayor reported that she was delighted to attend the Freedom of the City of Liverpool award to Jurgen Klopp on 2November 2022 at the Town Hall, Liverpool.

Mayoral Charity Quiz Night

The Mayor extended a huge thank you to everyone who attend the Mayoral Charity Quiz on 3 November 2022 at The Albion Pub, Bootle, which was a great night and £586.00 was raised on the night for her Charity Fund.

Maghull Musical Theatre Company

The Mayor reported that on 4November 2022, she had attended a performance by the Maghull Musical Theatre Company called ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. The Mayor indicated that it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

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 further 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 members of 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:

(1)      Councillor Prendergast to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

(2)      Councillor Prendergast to the Cabinet Member for Locality Services (Councillor Fairclough)

(3)      Councillor Evans to the Leader of the Council(Councillor Maher)

(4)      Councillor Shaw to the Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Roscoe)

together with responses given. Supplementary questions were responded to by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Locality Services. The Leader of the Council indicated that he would send a written response to the supplementary question to question 3.

Report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health

The Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health which provided details of the revised set of Terms of Reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board, which forms part of the Council’s Constitution. This was in response to the introduction of the Health and Care Act 2022 and following a programme of development delivered in partnership with the Local Government Association.

It was moved by Councillor Moncur, seconded by Councillor Cummins and

RESOLVED:

That the revised terms of reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board be approved and the Constitution be amended accordingly.

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

Further to Minute No. 86 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 November 2022, the Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services which provided a review of the Treasury Management activities undertaken to 30 September 2022. The document was the mid-year report to Cabinet and Council, as well as the second report of the ongoing quarterly monitoring provided to Audit and Governance Committee whose role was to carry out scrutiny of treasury management policies and practices.

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

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management update to 30 September 2022, the effects of decisions taken in pursuit of the Treasury Management Strategy and the implications of changes resulting from regulatory, economic and market factors affecting the Council’s treasury management activities be noted.

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

Further to Minute No. 84 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 November 2022, the Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services which provided an update on the Capital Programme and sought approval to a supplementary estimate in respect of essential repairs and maintenance required at two Leisure Centres.

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

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to a supplementary capital estimate of £0.350m for essential repairs and maintenance at two Leisure Centres funded by Prudential Borrowing.

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

Further to Minute No. 85 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 November 2022, the Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services which provided:

1.             An update to the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2023/24 to 2025/26 taking account of all currently available information; and

2.             The position in respect of the Council’s High Needs Budget, the commencement of the Delivering Better Value programme and within this, the need to reach an annual financially sustainable position. In addition, these plans will be shared with the Council’s External Auditor.

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

RESOLVED:

That the updated Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2023/24 to 2025/26 and any assumptions made, be approved.

Report of the Executive Director - People

The Council considered the report of the Executive Director (People) on proposals for the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to be conferred on Alex Greenwood.

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

RESOLVED Unanimously:

That:

(1)      In accordance with Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, this Council wishes to place on record its high appreciation of Alex Greenwood as an ambassador for Bootle and an outstanding role model for women and girls in sport and football, and in the light of her hard work, dedication and success, the Council resolves that the Honorary Freedom of the Borough be conferred on Alex Greenwood in recognition of her outstanding achievements; and

(2)      the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services be authorised to take all the necessary actions associated with (1) above and arrange a civic reception for Alex Greenwood and invited guests to take place at the rising of an Extra-ordinary Council meeting in Bootle Town Hall on a date to be arranged.

To consider any changes to the membership of any Committees etc.

(1)      The Mayor reported on the following proposed changes to the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board:

·       Joe Rafferty, the Chief Executive of the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust to be the representative of the Trust on the Board; and

·       Nina Russell to replace Anne-Marie Stretch as a representative of the NHS Acute Provider Sector on the Board.

(2)      The Mayor reported that the Labour Group wished to make the following changes to the membership of the following Committees:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services

Councillor McGinnity to be appointed as a Member of the Committee in place of former Councillor Brennan.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Adult Social Care and Health

Councillor Roche to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Myers.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Children’s Services and Safeguarding

Councillor Howard to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Burns and Councillor Tweed to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Spencer.

Local Joint Consultative Committee

Councillor Anne Thompson to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Carlin and Councillor Burns to be the Substitute Member for Councillor O’Brien.

Joint Consultative Committee for Teaching Staffs

CouncillorThomasto be the Substitute Member for Councillor Waterfield.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee

Councillor Hansen to be a Member of the Committee in place of the Late Gordon Friel. 

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee 

Councillor O’Brien to be a Member of the Committee in place of the Councillor Hansen.

(3)      Councillor Shaw reported that the Liberal Democrat and Progressive Alliance Group wished to make the following changes to the membership of the following Committees:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Children’s Services and Safeguarding

Councillor Lloyd-Johnson to be a Member of the Committee in place of Councillor Evans and Councillor Evans to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Lloyd-Johnson.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Regeneration and Skills

Councillor Dodd to be a Member of the Committee in place of Councillor Sathiy and Councillor Sathiy to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Dodd.

RESOLVED:

That the changes as detailed above be approved.

Copy attached

It was moved by Councillor Doyle, seconded by Councillor Roscoe:

This Council notes the latest data released by the Government on the 31 March 2022, shows that 9501 of the children in the borough of Sefton live in relative low-income families. The highest density of families living in relative poverty live in the south of the borough, but there are also areas in the north where many families face the same issues.

At Sefton Council, we are well placed to see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our residents and their children and families. As an authority, we are focused on ensuring that our most disadvantaged children are not left behind, in line with our anti-poverty strategy.

To help us do that, we must make sure that every child has the nutrition they need to be able to learn and work to their potential during the school day. Not doing so would undermine all the great efforts of the education and healthcare workforce to tackle inequalities. We understand the benefits free school meals provide to those currently entitled. For many, it is the only hot, nutritious meal they have in a day. A quality school meal helps improve children’s concentration and behaviour during lessons. We understand the effect they can have on improving school attendance, on children’s health, and academic performance.

We know that, prior to the current cost of living crisis:

One in three school-age children in England living in poverty (800,000) missed out on free school meals despite cost-of-living struggles of families. In large part, this is because of the restrictive eligibility criteria and lack of universal provision for all ages.

Government action in England lags far behind Scotland and Wales, where government funding means primary schools are moving towards free school meals for all children.

The intensifying cost-of-living crisis means many more are now struggling to afford school lunches. Children are falling into school meal debt, and there is a serious threat to take-up of school meals and the viability of the catering service, not to mention risking the health and wellbeing of our pupils.

We hear from school leaders about the devastating reality of children coming to school unable to afford to buy lunch, because their family circumstances mean they fall outside the restrictive free school meal eligibility criteria. The Food Foundation’s latest data indicates an estimated 2.6 million children live in households that missed meals or struggled to access healthy food during April 2022. Additionally, the Institute of Health Equity has estimated that by January 2023, 66% or 18 million households, in the UK will be in fuel poverty, thus adding to the crisis.

Excluding so many vulnerable children is a real barrier to learning and must be urgently addressed. Now is the right moment for the government to commit to an expansion of free school meals, providing a nutritional safety net that supports all children to learn and achieve.

The clear solution to ensuring fairness and equity across our schools is to extend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.