Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brodie-Browne, Friel, Howe, Maher, Mainey, Tonkiss and Welsh.

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 27 October 2011

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 October 2011 be approved as a correct record.

Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor reported that it was a great source of pride that all of the Remembrance Services within the Borough were extremely well attended on Sunday 13 November 2011. 

Mayor’s Annual Christmas Gift Appeal 2011

The Mayor indicated that it was a sad fact that there were some for whom Christmas unfortunately brought no cheer.  This was especially heartbreaking when these were children who should have every right to experience the joy and magic of Christmas.

The annual appeal asked all residents in Sefton to try and provide presents for some of the Borough’s most deserving children and make this Christmas extra special for them. The Mayor encouraged all those who lived or worked in Sefton to donate a present for the annual Mayor’s Christmas Gift Appeal and indicated that each year the generosity of people was overwhelming.

The Mayor requested that all gifts be left with the Reception Staff at Bootle and Southport Town Halls until 20 December 2011, after which they would be distributed throughout the Borough. Or if so wished, items could be donated through our partners in this year’s appeal – ASDA (Southport) and Rock FM.

Mayoral Ball – 17 February 2012

The Mayor reported that his Charity Ball would be held on 17 February 2012 in the Floral Hall, Southport.  The theme for the evening would be ‘A Vintage 1930s Ball’ to hopefully invoke the evocative elegance of a bygone age.  Tickets were on sale from the Mayor's Office at a cost of £45 per person.

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 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 a written question submitted by Councillor Hands to the Cabinet Member – Performance, Governance and Commissioning, and the response given.

Report of the Chief Executive

Further to Minute No. 58 of the Cabinet meeting held on 10 November 2011, the Council considered the report of the Chief Executive which provided an update on the progress of the Transformation Programme in the establishment of the 2012/13 budget, reviews of service and consultation processes being undertaken on the budget savings options.  The report also set out a package of savings proposals relating to internal consultation options.

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 Moncur and

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the work programme timetable set out in Annex A of the report be noted;

(2)       it be noted that the first stage of consultation on the change proposals set out in Annex B of the report is complete;

(3)       the change proposals set out in Annex B of the report be approved and Officers be authorised to continue with the consultation and implementation processes with partners, key stakeholders, employees and Trade Unions, including the issue of relevant statutory and contractual notifications if appropriate to achieve change;

(4)       the risks and mitigating actions outlined in Annex B of the report be noted; and

(5)       it be noted that further options will be submitted to Council for approval.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 60 of the Cabinet meeting held on 10 November 2011, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the Treasury Management Activities undertaken in the first half of 2011/12 and the recent activity of credit rating agencies.  The report also sought approval to an amendment to the credit criteria set out in the Treasury Management Strategy document.

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

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Treasury Management update be noted; and

(2)       approval be given to the credit criteria for investing with institutions set out in Paragraph 2.8.9 of the Treasury Management Strategy document being revised from ‘Fitch rating F1 + AA’ - to ‘Fitch rating F1 A-.’

Schedule attached

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

RESOLVED:

That further to Minute No. 64 of the meeting held on 27 October 2011, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Urgent Business Committee held on 17 October 2011 be approved.

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

It was proposed by Councillor Blackburn that the following change be made to the Membership of the following Committee:

Audit and Governance Committee

Councillor Shaw to replace Councillor Robertson as a Member of the Committee and Councillor Robertson to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Shaw.

RESOLVED:

That the change to the Membership of the Committee listed above be approved.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Doran:

“This Council wishes to place on record its’ appreciation of the efforts made by the Merseyside Police Authority to protect front line police services across Sefton and the whole of Merseyside in the face of the extensive cuts imposed upon it by the Coalition Government.

This Council calls upon the Coalition Government to reassess its position on police budgets and to allocate the necessary finance for Merseyside Police to provide the service the public expect and deserve.”     

It was moved by Councillor Doran, seconded by Councillor Cuthbertson:

“This Council wishes to place on record its appreciation of the efforts made by the Merseyside Police Authority to protect front line police services across Sefton and the whole of Merseyside in the face of the extensive cuts imposed upon it by the Coalition Government.

This Council calls upon the Coalition Government to reassess its position on police budgets and to allocate the necessary finance for Merseyside Police to provide the service the public expect and deserve”.

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

Deletion of all the text in the Motion after the words “whole of Merseyside” in the first paragraph and the substitution of the following text:

“during these difficult times.

This Council calls upon the Government to reassess the budget for all emergency services at the first opportunity once the Country’s financial situation has been addressed.

This Council recognises, and appreciates, the work within local communities who through volunteering continue to give added support to our emergency services and wider afield.”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that, with his casting vote, the amendment was lost by 29 votes to 28.

A further amendment was moved by Councillor    Sir Ron Watson, seconded by Councillor Pearson that the original Motion be amended as follows:

Deletion of all the text in the Motion after the words “whole of Merseyside” in the first paragraph and the substitution of the following text:

“during these difficult times.

This Council calls upon the Government to reassess the budget for all emergency services in twelve months time, once the Country’s financial situation has been addressed.

This Council recognises, and appreciates, the work within local communities who through volunteering continue to give added support to our emergency services and wider afield.”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried by 30 votes to 29.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried by 30 votes to 29 and it was

RESOLVED:

This Council wishes to place on record its appreciation of the efforts made by the Merseyside Police Authority to protect front line police services across Sefton and the whole of Merseyside during these difficult times.

This Council calls upon the Government to reassess the budget for all emergency services in twelve months time, once the Country’s financial situation has been addressed.

This Council recognises, and appreciates, the work within local communities who through volunteering continue to give added support to our emergency services and wider afield.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Sir Ron Watson:

(1)       That in view of the significant economic and non partisan political advantages that membership of the Local Government Association offers the Borough of Sefton, the Council decision to cease membership of the Local Government Association on 31 March 2012 now be reconsidered; and

(2)       That the Cabinet receive a full report setting out the changes taking place at the Local Government Association including reduced membership fees and the specific economic advantages accrued by Sefton as a Member of the Local Government Association.

It was moved by Councillor Sir Ron Watson, seconded by Councillor Pearson:

“(1)      that in view of the significant economic and non partisan political advantages that membership of the Local Government Association offers the Borough of Sefton, the Council decision to cease membership of the Local Government Association on 31 March 2012 now be reconsidered; and

(2)       that the Cabinet receive a full report setting out the changes taking place at the Local Government Association including reduced membership fees and the specific economic advantages accrued by Sefton as a Member of the Local Government Association.”

During the debate, Councillors Sir Ron Watson and Pearson indicated that they wished to withdraw the Motion, but this was not consented to by the Council.

Following further debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was lost by 55 votes to 3 and it was

 RESOLVED:

That no action be taken on the Motion.