Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Hubbard.

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 16 February 2012           

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 February 2012 be approved as a correct record.

The Mayor reported that the Mayoral Charity Ball held in the Floral Hall (Southport Theatre and Convention Centre) in Southport on 17 February 2012 had been a resounding success.  Although final figures were not yet available, indications were that this year’s event would set a record for fund raising on behalf of the Mayor’s Charity.  The Mayor extended his thanks to all those who attended and to those who contributed in any way

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.

The Mayor reported that following the publication of the report relating to the Revenue Budget 2012/13, to be considered under Minute No. 111 later in the meeting, a petition had been submitted, containing 2,124 signatures objecting to the proposal set out in budget saving option E4.8 for the closure of the facilities at the Botanic Gardens and Hesketh Park.

The Mayor indicated that the petition did not contain the requisite number of signatures required under the Council’s Petition Scheme to enable the petition organiser to present and address the Council on the content of the petition but he requested the Council to take the petition into account when it debated the proposals later in the meeting.

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 a written question submitted by Councillor Hands to the Leader of the Council, and the response given.

Report of the Director of Corporate Support Services

Further to Minute No. 118 of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 March 2012, the Council considered the report of the Director of Corporate Support Services on the requirement under the Localism Act 2011 for all local authorities to produce a pay policy statement for 2012/13 and each subsequent financial year.  The report set out the proposed Pay Policy for the Council and the proposed changes to the functions of the Employment Procedure Committee and the Pay and Grading Committee in order to ensure compliance with the guidance in the Act.

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

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to:

(1)       the proposed Pay Policy set out in Annex A to the report; and

(2)       the proposed changes to the functions of the Employment Procedure Committee and the Pay and Grading Committee set out in the report and the consequential amendments being made to the Council’s Constitution.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 108 of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2012, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the proposed procedures and strategy to be adopted in respect of the Council’s Treasury Management Function in 2012/13.

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

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to:

(1)       the Treasury Management Policy Document for 2012/13 (Annex A);

(2)       the Treasury Management Strategy Document for 2012/13 (Annex B);

(3)       the amendment to banking arrangements contained within the Financial Procedure Rules of the Constitution;

(4)       the Money Laundering Policy Document (Annex C); and

(5)       the option set out in Section 5 of the report being used as the basis for the calculation of the Minimum Revenue Provision for Debt Repayment in 2012/13.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 109 of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2012, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT on proposals to establish the Prudential Indicators required under the Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities.  This would enable the Council to effectively manage its Capital Finance Activities and comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

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

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to:

(1)       the Prudential Indicators detailed in the report and summarised in Annex A, as the basis for compliance with The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities;

(2)       the amendment of relevant Prudential Indicators in the event that any unsupported borrowing is approved as part of the 2012/13 Revenue Budget; and

(3)            delegated authority being granted to the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT to manage the Authorised Limit and Operational Boundary for external debt as detailed in Section 5 of the report.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 107 of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2012, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the 2012/13 Capital Allocations received to date and their use in the development of a new starts programme for 2012/13.  The Council also considered an addendum to the report which provided details of the revised Capital Programme for 2011/12.

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

RESOLVED:

That the revised Capital Programme for 2011/12 as set out in the addendum report be approved.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 105 of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2012, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided an assessment on the robustness of the estimates, the adequacy of the financial reserves and the longer term revenue and capital plans based on the proposals in the report on the Revenue Budget 2012/13 to be considered under Minute No. 111 below.

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

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To receive statements by the three Party Group Leaders on the Revenue Budget for 20012/13

The Leaders of the three Political Groups, Councillors P. Dowd, Robertson and Parry made statements and outlined the policies of their respective Groups in respect of the issues to be considered under Minute No. 111 below, in respect of the Revenue Budget for 2012/13.

Joint report of the Chief Executive and Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 90 of the meeting held on 16 February 2012, the Council considered the joint report of the Chief Executive and the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the remaining budget savings options to be considered under the Transformation Programme proposals, and the proposed framework budget referred by the Cabinet on 16 February 2012 to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) meeting on 21 February 2012 for consideration prior to this Council meeting.

The report incorporated the following information:

Executive Summary

Annex A          Revenue Budget Proposals 2012/13

Annex B          Revenue Budget Summary 2012/13

Part A Transformation Programme

·        Work Programme and Prioritisation

·        Consultation and Engagement Overview

·        Impact Assessment Overview

·        Risk Management

·        Remaining relatively Low and Medium Impact Options

·        Reviews

·        Options requiring further consideration

• Landscape Services
• Supporting People
• Adults Transport
• Re-Commissioning of Nursing and Residential Care

·        Conclusion

Annex C         Work Programme Timetable

Annex D         Remainder of options where the impact has been assessed as relatively low or medium following the analysis of the consultation and engagement activity

Annex E          Community Care Practitioner Review

Annex F          Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector Review

Annex G         Terms of Reference - Library Services Review

Annex H          Terms of Reference - Leisure Activity Review

Annex I            Terms of Reference - 24 Hour Response Review

Annex J          Terms of Reference - Street Lighting Review

Annex K          Landscape Services Change Proposals

Annex L          Supporting People Proposal

Part B “Framework” Budget

The Mayor reported that the details of the frequently asked questions on the Transformation Programme 2011-2104, had been circulated around the Council Chamber to enable all Members of the Council to consider the content.

The Mayor indicated that much of the information within the report was based on the large scale consultations held on the budget savings options and he expressed thanks to the Members of the public who had taken part in the consultation exercise.

The Mayor requested Members to take into account the issues raised at the Members’ Briefing Sessions held on 9 and 16 February 2012 and be aware of their responsibilities relating to the consideration of the key issues set out in the report.

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:

“That:

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

(2)       after taking into account the equality analysis assessment, the consultation feedback, risks and mitigating actions for each individual proposal, approval be given to the following actions being taken on the budget savings options set out in Annex D of the report:

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

A copy of the draft Budget Resolution will be circulated at the Council Meeting

The Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT on the level of levies and precepts set for 2012/13 and the proposed level of Council Tax for 2012/13.

A copy of the formal budget resolution to be agreed by the Council, based on the resolutions referred to in Minute No. 111 above was circulated to Members of the Council for consideration.

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

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       it be noted that at its meeting on 19 January 2012, the Council calculated the following amounts for the year 2012/2013 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 1992 (as amended):

(2)       the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2012/2013 (excluding Parish Precepts) be calculated as £117,952,710;

(3)       the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2012/2013 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

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

No changes were made to the Membership of Committees.

The Council at its meeting held on 16 February 2012 considered the Motion submitted by Councillor Byrom, which is set out below and resolved that it 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.

Details of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority precept for 2012/13 are set out in the report for agenda item 11 (d) above.

The Council is requested to give further consideration to the following Motion:

“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.”

Further to Minute No. 97 of the meeting held on 16 February 2012, 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 Papworth that the Motion be amended as follows:

“That the existing text in the seventh paragraph of the Motion be deleted and substituted by the following text:

‘In order to continue the valuable service provided to Sefton, we ask the Government to consider the advice of the Fire Chiefs when making future decisions regarding finances’.”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was lost by 50 votes to 14.

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

RESOLVED:

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.