Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lord Fearn, Killen, S. McGuire, Robinson and Sir Ron Watson.

Members are requested to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct, before leaving the meeting room during the discussion on that particular item.

Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 18 April 2013

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 46 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules in the Council Constitution.

To note that Councillor P. Dowd was appointed as the Leader of the Council by the Council on 17 May 2011 for a four year term.

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

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that Councillor P. Dowd was appointed as the Leader of the Council by the Council on 17 May 2011 for a period of four years or until such time as his term of office expires.

To note that the Cabinet, comprising of the Members indicated below, was appointed by the Leader of the Council at the Council meeting held on 15 May 2012 for a four year term of office or until such time as their term of office expires, they are removed by the Leader or for any of the reasons set out in Paragraph 4 in Chapter 5 of the Constitution:-

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

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the Cabinet, comprising of the Members indicated below, was appointed by the Leader of the Council at the Council meeting held on 15 May 2012 for a four year term of office or until such time as their term of office expires, they are removed by the Leader or for any of the reasons set out in Paragraph 4 in Chapter 5 of the Constitution:-

The Council considered a schedule 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 2013/14.

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

That:

(1)       the allocation of Committee Places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules, as set out below, be noted; and

(2)       the Members, Chairs and Vice-Chairs for the Committees and Working Groups as set out in the schedule be appointed for a period of twelve months until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting to be held in May 2014.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Brodie – Browne, seconded by Councillor Hands that the Motion be amended as follows:

“(1)      that the Council distributes the Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees and of the Audit and Governance Committee proportionally ie: 3 Labour / 1 Liberal Democrat / 1 Conservative; and

(2)       that, within the above, the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee be held by an Oppposition Member in line with the practice in Sefton Council until May 2012, and also in accordance with recommended best practice”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was lost by 34 votes to 26 with 1 abstention.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 34 votes to 26 with 1 abstention and it was

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)       the allocation of Committee Places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules, as set out below, be noted; and

(2)       the Members, Chairs and Vice-Chairs for the Committees and Working Groups set out below be appointed for a period of twelve months until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting to be held in May 2014.

(A)       OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES

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

(Plus 4 Education Added Members)

(Lab 6 /Lib Dem 3 /Con 1)

Education Added Members:-      Canon R. Driver and Father D. Seddon

(Voting Co-opted Members)        (Church Diocesan Representatives);

                                                            Mrs. S. M. Bradley and 1 Vacancy.

                                                            (Parent Governor Representatives)

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

(Lab 6 /Lib Dem 3 /Con 1)

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (PERFORMANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES) (10)

(Lab 6 /Lib Dem 3 /Con 1)

Subject to the item above, the Council is requested to approve the terms of reference of the Committees and Working Groups, as set out in Chapters 6 and 7 of the Council Constitution

To approve the Council’s representation on the following Joint Authorities for 2013/14:

(i)            Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority

(ii)          Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority

(iii)         Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority

(iv)         Merseyside Police and Crime Panel

(The proposed representation on the above bodies is attached)

The Council considered a schedule of the proposed representation on the Merseyside Joint Authorities for 2013/14.

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

RESOLVED: 

That the following Members be appointed to serve on the following Joint Authorities in 2013/14:

The proposed representation on the Partnership Bodies for 2013/14 is attached

The Council considered a schedule of the proposed representation on the Thematic Partnerships/Groups and Area Partnerships of the Sefton Borough Partnership for 2013/14.

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

RESOLVED:

That the following Members set out below, be appointed to serve on the Thematic Partnerships of the Sefton Borough Partnership and Area Partnerships in 2013/14:

To note that the Council meetings scheduled to be held during the Municipal Year 2013/14 are as follows:

·         27 June 2013

·         5 September 2013

·         21 November 2013

·         23 January 2014

·         6 March 2014 (Budget Meeting)

·         24 April 2014

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No’s 142 and 147 of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 April 2013, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided an update on the capital allocations allocated to Sefton for 2013/14 by the Government and proposals for the development of a Capital Investment Plan for 2013/14 and details of the outturn figure for the Southport Cultural Centre Project.

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:

(1)       the Children’s Services capital allocations for 2013/14 for Devolved Formula Capital, Basic Needs, and Capital Maintenance as referred to in paragraph 2.2 of the report be noted;

(2)       the Disabled Facilities Grant allocation for 2013/14 as referred to in paragraph 2.2 of the report be noted;

(3)       the detailed profile of the Capital Priorities Fund of £1m as referred to in paragraph 3 of the report be noted;

(4)       the items recommended by the Strategic Capital Investment Group (SCIG) for inclusion within the Capital investment Plan be approved, including those items classed as pre-allocated, those funded from Direct Revenue Funding, and those recommended to the SCIG to be funded from the Single Capital Pot, as referred to in paragraph 4 of the report; and

(5)       approval be given to the inclusion in the Capital Programme of the additional spend on the Southport Cultural Centre Project, as set out in paragraph 5 of the report.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services

Further to Minute No. 143 of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 April 2013, the Council considered the report of the Director of Corporate Services which provided details of the review of the Scheme of Members’ Allowances undertaken by the Independent Remuneration Panel and the recommendations of the Panel.

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

That approval be given to:

(1)       the existing Scheme of Allowances being implemented for the 2013/14 Municipal Year;

(2)       the Scheme of Allowances being adjusted annually in accordance with the average of any pay increase awarded to Sefton Council employees;

(3)       the publicity required, as set out in Section 4 of the report being undertaken; and

(4)       the Council’s Constitution being amended to insert the revised Scheme.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Shaw that the Motion be amended by the addition of the following text at the end of Resolution (1):

“subject to the special responsibility allowances payable to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members being reduced by 10% and the resulting saving of £14,500 be used to fund the re-instatement of the Crosby, Formby and Sefton East Parishes Area Committees”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was lost by 34 votes to 26 with 1 abstention.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 34 votes to 25 with 1 abstention and it was

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to:

(1)       the existing Scheme of Allowances being implemented for the 2013/14 Municipal Year;

(2)       the Scheme of Allowances being adjusted annually in accordance with the average of any pay increase awarded to Sefton Council employees;

(3)       the publicity required, as set out in Section 4 of the report, being undertaken; and

(4)       the Council’s Constitution being amended to insert the revised Scheme.