Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were received:

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2011

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 November 2011 be approved as a correct record.

Holocaust Memorial Day

The Mayor reported that in conjunction with the Chairman and Members of the Southport Branch of the Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women, a Holocaust Memorial Day Service took place at Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport on Sunday, 22 January 2012.  The Service was extremely well attended and was a fitting and very moving occasion.

To deal with matters raised by members of the public within the Borough, in accordance with the procedures relating to Petitions, Public Questions.and Motions set out in Rule 11 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules.

(Details of any further Petitions notified or Questions submitted to the Legal Director by members of the public in accordance with Rule 11 will be circulated at the meeting).

The Mayor reported that members of the public had not submitted any petitions or questions.

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 in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules.

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

·                    Councillor Jones to the Cabinet Member - Environmental (Councillor Shaw)

·                    Councillor Papworth to the Cabinet Member - Transportation (Councillor Fairclough)

·                    Councillor Brodie-Browne to the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools and Families (Councillor Moncur)

·                    Councillor Shaw to the Cabinet Member - Older People and Health (Councillor Porter)

Together with the responses given.  Councillors Brodie-Browne and Shaw asked a supplementary question which was responded to by the relevant Cabinet Member.

Report of the Chief Executive

Further to Minute No. 94 of the Cabinet meeting held on 2 February 2012, the Council considered the report of the Chief Executive detailing the progress made towards the establishment of the budget for 2012/13 and the reviews of services and consultation processes completed and in progress, as part of the Transformation Programme.

The report incorporated the following information:

·                    Introduction/Background

·                    Work Programme and Prioritisation

·                    Consultation and Engagement Overview

·                    Impact Assessment Overview

·                    Risk Management Overview

·                    Low and Medium Impact Options to Progress

·                    Conclusion

The report also contained the following annexes:

Annex A            Work Programme Timetable

Annex B          Proposals where the impact has been assessed as relatively low or medium following the analysis of the consultation and engagement activity

Annex C         Organisational changes and efficiencies not requiring consultation with the public

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

The Mayor reported that the Cabinet had endorsed the content of the recommendations set out in the report at its meeting held on 2 February 2012, but at its meeting held earlier that day, the Cabinet had amended the proposed action to be taken on Policy Option E3.6 relating to the review of the life guard cover at all swimming pools.  A copy of the Cabinet Minute and revised service description for this Option had been circulated around the Council Chamber, prior to the start of the meeting.

The Mayor advised Council that the Cabinet had recommended that the proposal set out in recommendation (d) of the agenda papers to provide “a limited reduction of life guard cover during the low cost periods identified in the report”, be deleted and substituted by “life guard cover be provided at all public swimming sessions, as at present and the shortfall in budget savings to be achieved, be met by an increase of 3% above inflation in the charges for swimming sessions.”

The Mayor also advised Council that a further report on the Transformation Programme had been considered by the Cabinet at its meeting held earlier that day and the recommendations arising from that meeting would be submitted to the next Council meeting to be held on 1 March 2012 for consideration.

The Mayor requested Members to take into account the issues raised at the Members’ Briefing Sessions held on 9 February 2012 and prior to this Council meeting and be aware of their responsibilities relating to the consideration of the key issues on the agenda.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and unanimously

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)       the work programme timetable contained in Annex A of Part A of the report be noted;

(2)            Officers be authorised in terms of the proposals included in the report, to prepare for implementation immediately, (subject to the duty to consult with employees and trade unions) including the issue of relevant statutory and contractual notifications;

(3)       it be noted that the detail within the equality analysis assessment, the consultation feedback and the mitigating actions for each budget  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 86 of the Cabinet meeting held on 19 January 2012, the Council considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the proposed declaration of two Air Quality Management Areas in Sefton.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and unanimously

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the declaration of the Sefton Council Air Quality Management Area Numbers 4 and 5 Order, 2011 as detailed in the order attached in Annex 1 to the report.

Report of the Director of Corporate Support Services

Further to Minute No. 89 of the Cabinet meeting held on 19 January 2012, the Council considered the report of the Director of Corporate Support Services on a proposed change to the Employee Code of Conduct which forms part of the Council’s Constitution.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and unanimously

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the insertion of the following revised text in Paragraph 10.1 of Section 10 of Part 5 of the Council’s Constitution:

“Some jobs within the Authority are politically restricted.  This means that the employees in these posts are not allowed to take part in political activities, such as standing as a candidate for election to a public body, canvassing at elections or being a non-executive Director of a Health Trust, etc.  The posts concerned are those of Chief Officers and Deputy Chief Officers and certain other politically sensitive posts.  All the posts are listed in a central register maintained by the Corporate Legal Department.”

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Further to Minute No. 96 of the Cabinet meeting held on 2 February 2012, the Council considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning on the draft Programme of Meetings for the 2012/13 Municipal Year.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and unanimously

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Programme of Meetings for the Council, Member Briefing Sessions and Regulatory Committees; Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Area Committees for 2012/13, as set out in Annexes B, C and D of the report be approved; and

(2)       the Programme of Meetings for the Cabinet, Leader’s Group, Strategic Leadership Team, Public Engagement and Consultation Panel and Sefton Borough Partnership Operations Board and Strategic Board for 2012/13, as set out in Annexes A and E of the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive relating to the appointment of a Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and unanimously

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Electoral Registration Officer Functions for the registration of Parliamentary and Local Government Electors and Acting Returning Officer/Returning Officer Functions for Parliamentary, Local, Parish and European Elections under the relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 be attached to Margaret Carney (Chief Executive) and Margaret Carney be appointed to act as the Proper Officer for all related functions and relevant legislation with effect from 17 February 2012; and

(2)       the relevant sections of the Constitution be amended accordingly.

To consider any changes to the Membership of any committees etc.

No changes were made to the Membership of Committees.

Report of the Leader of the Council

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council setting out details of those matters dealt with in accordance with Rule 17 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (Call-in and Urgency).

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Byrom:

“This authority supports the Metropolitan Fire Authorities Joint response to the Governments Resource Review.

It notes that 62% of cuts in the English Fire Service, outside London, have fallen on the six Metropolitan brigades alone.  

The number of frontline staff has been reduced by 458, nearly 6% of the establishment.

The six Chief Fire Officers have given a professional opinion that the scale of cuts now planned will severely affect  frontline services and may result in the number of fire-fighters being “massively reduced, some by compulsory redundancy” Fire appliance numbers will be cut and fire stations closed.

It is their professional view that the scale of cuts envisaged would “leave the main regional cities of this country with radically low levels of fire and rescue cover and significantly less ability to manage or assist at a major incident involving terrorism or flooding”

The Metropolitan Brigades, including Merseyside, have had the biggest revenue support grant cut. Of the total RSG reductions planned between 2005/06 and 2012/13 of £75.9m - £62m has been in the Mets - 82% of all cuts.

In order to protect the life and property of the community of Sefton, the scale of these damaging cuts must be reversed and the strong message from the six Metropolitan Fire Chiefs given credence.

This authority resolves to write to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Fire and Rescue Service, all of Sefton’s MP’s and the Prime Minister voicing our strong support for the joint Metropolitan Fire Services campaign.”

It was moved by Councillor Byrom, seconded by Councillor Mahon:

“This authority supports the Metropolitan Fire Authorities Joint response to the Government’s Resource Review.

It notes that 62% of cuts in the English Fire Service, outside London, have fallen on the six Metropolitan brigades alone.

The number of frontline staff has been reduced by 458, nearly 6% of the establishment.

The six Chief Fire Officers have given a professional opinion that the scale of cuts now planned will severely affect frontline services and may result in the number of fire-fighters being “massively reduced, some by compulsory redundancy”.  Fire appliance numbers will be cut and fire stations closed.

It is their professional view that the scale of cuts envisaged would “leave the main regional cities of this country with radically low levels of fire and rescue cover and significantly less ability to manage or assist at a major incident involving terrorism or flooding”.

The Metropolitan Brigades, including Merseyside, have had the biggest revenue support grant cut.  Of the total RSG reductions planned between 2005/06 and 2012/13 of £75.9m - £62m has been in the Mets - 82% of all cuts.

In order to protect the life and property of the community of Sefton, the scale of these damaging cuts must be reversed and the strong message from the six Metropolitan Fire Chiefs given credence.

This authority resolves to write to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Fire and Rescue Service, all of Sefton’s MP’s and the Prime Minister voicing our strong support for the joint Metropolitan Fire Services campaign.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Jones, seconded by Councillor McIvor that the Motion be amended as follows:

“That the Motion be deferred for further consideration at the next Council meeting on 1 March 2012, by which time the outcome of the visit by representatives of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to Government Ministers would be known, together with the details of their precept for 2012/13.”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried unanimously.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried unanimously and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Motion be deferred for further consideration at the next Council meeting on 1 March 2012 by which time the outcome of the visit by representatives of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to Government Ministers would be known, together with the details of their precept for 2012/13.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Parry:

"The Council warmly welcomes the news that the Port of Liverpool is likely to be expanded, bringing thousands of jobs to Merseyside in general and Sefton in particular, and resolves to work constructively with Peel Holdings plc and other relevant parties to resolve the relevant concerns regarding the environment."

It was moved by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Papworth.

“The Council warmly welcomes the news that the Port of Liverpool is likely to be expanded, bringing thousands of jobs to Merseyside in general and Sefton in particular, and resolves to work constructively with Peel Holdings plc and other relevant parties to resolve the relevant concerns regarding the environment.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Sir Ron Watson, seconded by Councillor Pearson that the Motion be amended by the addition of the following text at the end of the Motion:

“Sefton recognises that there may well be some important planning issues to be dealt with in due course and agrees that they will need to be dealt with in a positive manner and will ensure that the consideration of any such planning application will be resourced as a matter of priority.”

“The Council also recognises that it is possible that there might be some elements of disruption to Local residents and asks Peel Holdings to ensure that where they are responsible for providing compensation they will progress this as a matter of priority.”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was lost by 62 votes to 4.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Original Motion was carried unanimously and it was

RESOLVED;

“The Council warmly welcomes the news that the Port of Liverpool is likely to be expanded, bringing thousands of jobs to Merseyside in general and Sefton in particular, and resolves to work constructively with Peel Holdings plc and other relevant parties to resolve the relevant concerns regarding the environment.”