Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Atkinson, Ball, Brennan, Brodie-Browne, Kevin Cluskey, Dams, Dodd, Dutton, Fairclough, Jamieson, McCann, Pitt and Shaw.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interest were received.

Minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 11 May 2017; the Adjourned Annual Council meeting held on 16 May 2017 and the Extra-ordinary Council meeting held on 20 June 2017

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 11 May 2017; the Adjourned Annual Council meeting held on 16 May 2017 and the Extra-Ordinary Council meeting held on 20 June 2017 be approved as a correct record.

The Mayor reported that it was the Memorial week of Srebrenica and requested that all those present stand in silence for one minute as a mark of respect.

The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment - Freedom of the Borough

The Mayor referred to the Extra-ordinary Council Meeting held on 20 June 2017 and the Reception that took place in Bootle Town Hall after bestowing the Freedom of the Borough on The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. He thanked Members of the Council for their attendance at what was a truly successful and enjoyable event and thanked all the Officers in the Democratic Services Team for their hard work in organising the Freedom Event.

Royal Visit

The Mayor reported that together with the Mayoress, he had been delighted to meet HRH The Duke of Wessex when he visited the Brunswick Youth and Community Centre on 23 June 2017, to celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of the Centre. The Mayor indicated that both the Mayoress and himself thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Armed Forces Weekend

The Mayor reported that together with the Mayoress, he had attended various engagements to celebrate the Armed Forces Weekend, which commenced on Friday 23June with a reception on board HMS Iron Duke and then on Saturday 24 June, they attended the Armed Forces Day Parade, followed by Sefton’s own Armed Forces Day Event on Sunday 25June 2017 which included a drumhead service and parade. The weekend had concluded with a Church Service and Reception in Liverpool.

Tina Wilkins – Head of Adult Social Care

The Mayor reported that Tina Wilkins, the Head of Adult Social Care would be leaving the Council after 5 years’ service to take up a position with North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation and on behalf of the Council extended thanks and appreciation for the work which Tina had undertaken for the Council and best wishes for the future in her new role. Councillor Cummins (Cabinet Member – Adult Social Care) paid tribute to the work undertaken by Tina for Sefton Council.

Steve Pearce – Democratic Services Manager

The Mayor reported that Steve Pearce, the Democratic Services Manager would be taking early retirement after 43 years’ local government service and 10 years’ service with Sefton Council and on behalf of the Council extended thanks and appreciation for the work which Steve had undertaken for the Council and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement. The Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher) and Councillors McGuire, Jones and Bennett paid tribute to the work undertaken by Steve for Sefton Council.

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 Chapter 4 of the Council Constitution.

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 48 to 50 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:

·       Councillor O’Hanlon to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

·       Councillor Weavers to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

·       Councillor Daniel Lewis to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

·       Councillor Pullin to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

·       Councillor Marianne Welsh to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

·       Councillor Hands to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

·       Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills (Councillor Atkinson)

·       Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member – Health and Wellbeing (Councillor Moncur) – 2 Questions

·       Councillor McGuire to the Cabinet Member – Communities and Housing (Councillor Hardy)

together with the responses given. Supplementary questions were responded to by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member – Health and Wellbeing.

Report of the Director of Public Health

The Council considered the report of the Director of Public Health which incorporated his independent annual report on the health and wellbeing of the population of Sefton highlighting key issues. The annual report had been developed through collaborative working with a range of Council and external partners and it considered the root causes of health inequalities across Sefton, what actions are already being undertaken locally to address these issues, as well as recommendations for future actions on nine key areas, which are:

·       The best start in life

·       Healthy schools and pupils

·       Helping people find good jobs and stay in work

·       Active and safe travel

·       Warmer and safer homes

·       Access to green and open spaces and the role of leisure services

·       Strong communities, wellbeing and resilience

·       Public protection and regulatory services

·       Health and spatial planning

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

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the annual report of the Director of Public Health be received; and

(2)      it be noted that the report will be published.

Report attached

The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2016/17 and Councillors Page, Murphy, Sayers and Byrom highlighted the key areas of work undertaken by the respective Committees and thanked Members and Officers for their support and assistance during 2016/17.

It was moved by Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Byrom and

RESOLVED:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2016/17 be noted.

Report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance

Further to Minute No. 7 of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on 19 June 2017, the Council considered the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance on the draft Public Space Protection Order – Dog Control, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The report provided an overview of the public consultation on proposed additional dog control measures through a proposed Public Space Protection Order

It was moved by Councillor John Kelly, seconded by Councillor Friel and

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Public Space Protection Order - Dog Control be implemented as follows:

(i)                  continue with the offences of not removing dog’s fouling forthwith;

(ii)                  restrict the number of dogs that can be walked by one person to a maximum of 6;

(iii)               prohibit dogs from entering enclosed playgrounds;

(iv)               prohibit dogs from entering marked or fenced sports pitches during specified periods;

(v)                 dogs to be kept on a lead within defined picnic sites and family areas;

(vi)               dogs to be kept on a lead within all public roads and footways;

(vii)              dogs to be kept on a lead within all cemeteries and crematoria; and

(viii)            dogs to be placed on a lead when directed by an authorised officer, to prevent a nuisance or behaviour likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to the public; 

(2)      it be noted that the following restrictions/requirements will not be included within the proposal:

(i)                  prohibiting dogs from open playgrounds;

(ii)                 dogs to be kept on leads in designated wildlife areas;

(iii)               dogs to be kept on leads in designated nature reserves;

(iv)               prohibiting dogs from designated beach areas – “dog free zones” (except for existing Dog Free Zones under current bylaws);

(v)                dogs to be kept on leads within fenced conservation areas when livestock are present; and

(vi)               persons in charge of a dog to have a receptacle with them to remove dog fouling; and

(3)      Officers be commended for the high levels of public engagement undertaken through a range of consultation channels in preparing the Public Space Protection Order – Dog Control.

Report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance

The Council considered the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance which indicated that Councillor Dawson was no longer a member of the Liberal Democrat Group with effect from 28 June 2017, which had changed the Political Balance on the Council and that the change in proportionality affected the entitlement to formal Committee Places.

The impact of the change was that the Labour Group would now be entitled to one additional place on the membership of the Licensing and      Regulatory Committee and the Liberal Democrat Group would lose one place on that Committee. As a consequence, Councillor Keith indicated that Councillor Marianne Welsh would no longer be a Member of the Committee. She also referred to a number of proposed changes to the membership of Committees by the Liberal Democrat Group.

Councillor Bliss on behalf of the Conservative Group proposed a change to the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Adult Social Care and Health)

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

RESOLVED: That

(1)    it be noted that the change in proportionality resulted in an increase in the Labour Group entitlement of one committee place and a corresponding decrease in the Liberal Democrat entitlement;

(2)    the membership of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee be amended by the deletion of Councillor Marianne Welsh (Liberal Democrat) and the addition of Councillor Tweed (Labour); and

(3)    the following changes to the membership of Committees and Outside Bodies, as submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group and Conservative Group be approved:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Adult Social Care and Health)

·       Councillor Marianne Welsh to replace Councillor Dawson as a Member of the Committee

·       Councillor Jo Barton to replace Councillor Keith as the Substitute Member for Councillor Marianne Welsh on the Committee

·       Councillor Dodd to replace Councillor Marianne Welsh as the Substitute Member for Councillor McGuire on the Committee.

·       Councillor Jones to replace Councillor Bliss as a Member of the Committee and Councillor Bliss to be the Substitute Member for Councillor Jones on the Committee

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services and Safeguarding)

·       Councillor Brodie Browne to replace Councillor Dodd as the Substitute Member for Councillor Hands on the Committee.

·       Councillor Preece to replace Councillor Booth as the Substitute Member for Councillor Keith on the Committee.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills)

·       Councillor Daniel Lewis to replace Councillor Dawson as the Substitute Member for Councillor Weavers on the Committee.

·       Councillor Booth to replace Councillor Shaw as the Substitute Member for Councillor Bill Welsh on the Committee.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services)

·       Councillor Shaw to replace Councillor Weavers as the Substitute Member for Councillor Booth on the Committee.

Audit and Governance Committee

·       Councillor Bill Welsh to replace Councillor Hands as the Substitute Member for Councillor Shaw on the Committee.

Planning Committee

·       Councillor Lynne Thompson to replace Councillor Marianne Welsh as a Member of the Committee.

·       Councillor Brodie-Browne to replace Councillor Dodd as the Substitute Member for Councillor Ashton on the Committee.

·       Councillor Dodd to replace  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

Report of the Head of Commissioning Support and Business Intelligence

The Council considered the report of the Head of Commissioning Support and Business Intelligence on proposed changes to the Contract Procedure Rules in the Council Constitution, following a review of procurement processes, rules and guidance, the progress of which has been reported regularly to Audit and Governance Committee.

It was moved by Councillor Roche, seconded by Councillor Byrom and

RESOLVED:

That the revised Contract Procedure Rules set out in the report be approved.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Bennett:

Cuts to Police Force Budgets

“The Council recognises the vital role played by Merseyside Police Service and thanks our police officers for the work they do in protecting our residents and in many cases putting their own lives at risk when tackling crime.

The Council considers that it is not only the Metropolitan Police Force that should be strengthened as terrorism and organised crime is spread across the country, and to do so only highlights the north/south divide.

The Council notes that;

·         significant threats remain of violent crime and terrorism and that police officers consistently play the essential role in keeping order and halting terrorist atrocities.

·         The latest Home Office figures show that between September 2010 and September 2016 the number of police officers in English and Welsh forces fell by 18,991, or 13%.

·         As of March 2016, there were 5,639 authorised firearms officers in England and Wales, down from 6,976 in March 2010. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) says that an additional 640 firearms officers have been recruited in the last year and plans are in place to bring the number of armed police back up to around 7,000 by next year. This is only being partly funded by the Government and some of the Police Forces must find some of the cash themselves.

·         The numbers of special constables and police community support officers (PCSOs) who patrol the streets have fallen by 7% and 11% respectively in the past year alone, and simply comparing budget cuts to performance does not take account of demographic differences and crime levels. So while it is true to say that policing is being protected at least to some extent, this comes off the back of five years of deep cuts.

·         Merseyside Police is approaching breaking point as the staff fighting a surge in shootings are “stretched to the limits”. That is the stark warning from Chief Constable Andy Cooke, who warned further planned budgets cuts could lead to low-level incidents not being responded to. His words came as Merseyside Police battles a gun crime epidemic while struggling to come to terms with the loss of more than 1,000 officers since 2010.

·         Seven years of cuts have seen the Merseyside Police workforce slashed to such an extent that the Chief Constable, who has spent three decades in the police, has “never known a situation where Merseyside Police officers have been pushed to the limit in dealing with everything we need to deal with to keep our communities safe”. The force’s budget has already been reduced by almost £100m, but further cuts are expected to lead to the loss of more officers over the next three years. If those cuts become a reality, Chief Constable Cooke fears the public will see “a significant reduction in the service offered to them”.

·         The primary duties of the Police are the protection of life and property, preservation of the peace, and prevention and detection of criminal offences which  ...  view the full agenda text for item 33.

It was moved by Councillor Bennett, seconded by Councillor Gannon and unanimously

RESOLVED:

Cuts to Police Force Budgets

The Council recognises the vital role played by Merseyside Police Service and thanks our police officers for the work they do in protecting our residents and in many cases putting their own lives at risk when tackling crime.

The Council considers that it is not only the Metropolitan Police Force that should be strengthened as terrorism and organised crime is spread across the country, and to do so only highlights the north/south divide.

The Council notes that:

·       significant threats remain of violent crime and terrorism and that police officers consistently play the essential role in keeping order and halting terrorist atrocities.

·       The latest Home Office figures show that between September 2010 and September 2016 the number of police officers in English and Welsh forces fell by 18,991, or 13%.

·       As of March 2016, there were 5,639 authorised firearms officers in England and Wales, down from 6,976 in March 2010. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) says that an additional 640 firearms officers have been recruited in the last year and plans are in place to bring the number of armed police back up to around 7,000 by next year. This is only being partly funded by the Government and some of the Police Forces must find some of the cash themselves.

·       The numbers of special constables and police community support officers (PCSOs) who patrol the streets have fallen by 7% and 11% respectively in the past year alone, and simply comparing budget cuts to performance does not take account of demographic differences and crime levels. So while it is true to say that policing is being protected at least to some extent, this comes off the back of five years of deep cuts.

·       Merseyside Police is approaching breaking point as the staff fighting a surge in shootings are “stretched to the limits”. That is the stark warning from Chief Constable Andy Cooke, who warned further planned budgets cuts could lead to low-level incidents not being responded to. His words came as Merseyside Police battles a gun crime epidemic while struggling to come to terms with the loss of more than 1,000 officers since 2010.

·       Seven years of cuts have seen the Merseyside Police workforce slashed to such an extent that the Chief Constable, who has spent three decades in the police, has “never known a situation where Merseyside Police officers have been pushed to the limit in dealing with everything we need to deal with to keep our communities safe”. The force’s budget has already been reduced by almost £100m, but further cuts are expected to lead to the loss of more officers over the next three years. If those cuts become a reality, Chief Constable Cooke fears the public will see “a significant reduction in the service offered to them”.

·       The primary duties of the Police are the protection of life and property, preservation of the peace, and prevention and detection  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Carragher:

Breast is Best

“Sefton Council strongly encourages mothers to breastfeed. The Health and Wellbeing Strategy actively promotes breast feeding as the best start in life, and as such it is encouraged by NHS and community breastfeeding support staff. In spite of this, the Council will not discriminate against any woman in her chosen method of infant feeding and will fully support her in the decision she has made.

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby and there are important health benefits for both mother and child. Despite this, Sefton still has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the UK. The most recent statistics for Sefton tell us that 57.7% of new mothers start breastfeeding, but that this rapidly declines to 29.8% after just 6-8 weeks.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby’s life. Mothers often stop breastfeeding exclusively around 4-6 months of age, perhaps because they have returned to work.  However, returning to work does not mean that women have to stop breastfeeding. Legislation is in place protecting new mothers in the workplace. Employees of the Council who are breastfeeding are covered under these regulations (can add reference).

Sefton Council actively promotes breast feeding to new mothers, and it is acknowledged that the Council should create a breastfeeding friendly working environment. In so doing the Council will act as role model for other employers. Benefits include, reduced levels of sickness amongst mothers and babies, increased staff morale and an extra incentive to offer potential employees.

The Council will ensure that a Sefton Council  workplace breastfeeding policy is implemented that includes ; break allowances so that mothers can express milk; provision of a clean, warm and private room for expressing milk; a fridge to store expressed milk and flexible working hours for breastfeeding mothers.

In addition, the Council will  ensure:

• That breastfeeding is permitted and welcomed in all public areas of the council
• That under no circumstances will a breastfeeding mother be asked to move, cover up or stop feeding her baby
• That objections to breastfeeding in any public place are tactfully but robustly challenged
• The development and implementation of a breastfeeding policy based on the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Standard, relevant NICE guidance and the Healthy Child Programme. The policy will be a collaboration involving families, health care professionals and the voluntary sector.
• That no Council or partner agency condones the promotion of infant formula through   aggressive marketing techniques, or non-evidence based claims of health benefits.
• However, the Council, whilst actively promoting breast feeding will not discriminate against any woman in her chosen method of infant feeding and will fully support her in the decision that she feels is best suitable for her well being.”

It was moved by Councillor Carragher, seconded by Councillor Moncur and unanimously

RESOLVED:

Breast is Best

Sefton Council strongly encourages mothers to breastfeed. The Health and Wellbeing Strategy actively promotes breast feeding as the best start in life, and as such it is encouraged by NHS and community breastfeeding support staff. In spite of this, the Council will not discriminate against any woman in her chosen method of infant feeding and will fully support her in the decision she has made.

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby and there are important health benefits for both mother and child. Despite this, Sefton still has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the UK. The most recent statistics for Sefton tell us that 57.7% of new mothers start breastfeeding, but that this rapidly declines to 29.8% after just 6-8 weeks.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby’s life. Mothers often stop breastfeeding exclusively around 4-6 months of age, perhaps because they have returned to work.  However, returning to work does not mean that women have to stop breastfeeding. Legislation is in place protecting new mothers in the workplace. Employees of the Council who are breastfeeding are covered under these regulations.

Sefton Council actively promotes breast feeding to new mothers, and it is acknowledged that the Council should create a breastfeeding friendly working environment. In so doing the Council will act as role model for other employers. Benefits include, reduced levels of sickness amongst mothers and babies, increased staff morale and an extra incentive to offer potential employees.

The Council will ensure that a Sefton Council  workplace breastfeeding policy is implemented that includes ; break allowances so that mothers can express milk; provision of a clean, warm and private room for expressing milk; a fridge to store expressed milk and flexible working hours for breastfeeding mothers.

In addition, the Council will ensure:

• That breastfeeding is permitted and welcomed in all public areas of the Council;

• That under no circumstances will a breastfeeding mother be asked to move, cover up or stop feeding her baby;

• That objections to breastfeeding in any public place are tactfully but robustly challenged;

• The development and implementation of a breastfeeding policy based on the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Standard, relevant NICE guidance and the Healthy Child Programme. The policy will be a collaboration involving families, health care professionals and the voluntary sector;

• That no Council or partner agency condones the promotion of infant formula through   aggressive marketing techniques, or non-evidence based claims of health benefits; and

• However, the Council, whilst actively promoting breast feeding will not discriminate against any woman in her chosen method of infant feeding and will fully support her in the decision that she feels is best suitable for her well being.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Hardy:

Gun and Gang Crime

“Events in the last months have highlighted significant challenges to maintaining the safety of our communities and the confidence of the public in those agencies tasked with keeping them safe. This is a time of unprecedented challenges for agencies working in Community Safety Partnerships.

During recent months the country has faced three terror attacks and the terror level has reached “critical”.  At the same time, the Liverpool City Region has seen seven firearms discharges in seven days, one of which resulted in the murder of an 18 year old boy, as well as having to deal with an English Defence League rally in Liverpool City Centre.

Individually, and separately, these issues have led to heightened fears of violence across the region; people are scared and more needs to be done by the Government to address this.

Years of severe austerity cuts to policing, local authority and other public sector budgets have made it harder for partners to take the steps required to identify and challenge those engaging in terror and some of the most serious criminal activity that is currently blighting our communities.

Since 2010, Merseyside Police has lost £84 million from its budget, and is still required to deliver a further £18 million savings before 2021/22. This equates, in real terms, to 1,022 less police officers in Merseyside than there were 7 years ago and the implementation of a functional model that moves away from the Neighbourhood Policing model that had served our communities so effectively and delivered year on year reductions in reported crime and anti-social behaviour.

At the same time the Government continues to impose significant cuts in funding for local authorities. By the end of 2017/18 the Council will have met a funding shortfall of approximately £200m since 2010 and by 2020 Sefton will have had a real terms cut in funding of 51%. 

Given the amount of money already saved and the scale of the funding cuts still to come, the council is now in a position where it simply cannot continue to provide the same levels of service. Whilst every effort has been made to protect front-line services, this is becoming increasingly difficult.  Many council services have already been reduced or stopped entirely.  The council’s workforce has been reduced accordingly since 2010 and this impacts upon our ability to appropriately support the Community Safety agenda. 

At this time appropriate funding is required to enable Merseyside Police and other partners involved in the Community Safety and Prevent agendas to identify and challenge those potentially involved in terrorism or those who engage in incidents of serious violence within our communities.

A reactionary approach alone is not sufficient and the Police and other agencies in the Liverpool City Region require additional funding to support prevention activity that seeks to work with those at risk of radicalisation or offending and to improve community cohesion in some of our hardest to reach communities.

This Council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 35.

It was moved by Councillor Hardy, seconded by Councillor Thomas following debate, unanimously

RESOLVED:

Gun Crime and Funding

Events in the last months have highlighted significant challenges to maintaining the safety of our communities and the confidence of the public in those agencies tasked with keeping them safe. This is a time of unprecedented challenges for agencies working in Community Safety Partnerships.

During recent months the country has faced three terror attacks and the terror level has reached “critical”.  At the same time, the Liverpool City Region has seen seven firearms discharges in seven days, one of which resulted in the murder of an 18 year old boy, as well as having to deal with an English Defence League rally in Liverpool City Centre.

Individually, and separately, these issues have led to heightened fears of violence across the region; people are scared and more needs to be done by the Government to address this.

Years of severe austerity cuts to policing, local authority and other public sector budgets have made it harder for partners to take the steps required to identify and challenge those engaging in terror and some of the most serious criminal activity that is currently blighting our communities.

Since 2010, Merseyside Police has lost £84 million from its budget, and is still required to deliver a further £18 million savings before 2021/22. This equates, in real terms, to 1,022 less police officers in Merseyside than there were 7 years ago and the implementation of a functional model that moves away from the Neighbourhood Policing model that had served our communities so effectively and delivered year on year reductions in reported crime and anti-social behaviour.

At the same time the Government continues to impose significant cuts in funding for local authorities. By the end of 2017/18 the Council will have met a funding shortfall of approximately £200m since 2010 and by 2020 Sefton will have had a real terms cut in funding of 51%. 

Given the amount of money already saved and the scale of the funding cuts still to come, the council is now in a position where it simply cannot continue to provide the same levels of service. Whilst every effort has been made to protect front-line services, this is becoming increasingly difficult.  Many council services have already been reduced or stopped entirely.  The council’s workforce has been reduced accordingly since 2010 and this impacts upon our ability to appropriately support the Community Safety agenda. 

At this time appropriate funding is required to enable Merseyside Police and other partners involved in the Community Safety and Prevent agendas to identify and challenge those potentially involved in terrorism or those who engage in incidents of serious violence within our communities.

A reactionary approach alone is not sufficient and the Police and other agencies in the Liverpool City Region require additional funding to support prevention activity that seeks to work with those at risk of radicalisation or offending and to improve community cohesion in some of our hardest to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Pullin:

“Following the tragedy of Grenfell Tower and the discovery of many of the nation’s high-rise homes being covered in non-fire resistant cladding, The Council recognises:

•         That the concerns and worries of the residents must be met and homes must be made safe.

•         That many residents who live in our nations tower blocks rely on social housing, many of which are on low incomes and are some of most vulnerable in society.

•         That, if the cost of re-cladding tower blocks are to be met by their owners (Councils, housing associations or private landlords) then these costs are likely to be passed on to residents or will mean cutting of other services.

•         That the passing on of costs or cutting services adversely affect the poorer and most vulnerable more.

•         That landlords, through the lack of resources or an inability to raise resources, may do nothing and thus leave residents living in potentially dangerous homes.

•         That the government’s own figures estimate the number of tall residential buildings which potentially have similar cladding as Grenfell Tower to be around 600.

•         The Council acknowledges that it has neither the financial or human resources to respond to this issue. 

Therefore this Council:

•        Instructs the Chief Executive to write on the Council’s behalf to the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary, with a copy to local MPs constituencies within the Borough, expressing that the government should consider this as a civil emergency and express the Councils wish that where housing within a local authority area proves to be of concern and where there are no immediate funds to rectify the issues are available, that the Government (the SoS for Communities and Local Government) sets aside sufficient funding for capital works and also for local authorities to access to deal with any homelessness issues that may arise.”

It was moved by Councillor Pullin, seconded by Councillor Marianne Welsh:

“Following the tragedy of Grenfell Tower and the discovery of many of the nation’s high-rise homes being covered in non-fire resistant cladding, The Council recognises:

•         That the concerns and worries of the residents must be met and homes must be made safe.

•         That many residents who live in our nations tower blocks rely on social housing, many of which are on low incomes and are some of most vulnerable in society.

•         That, if the cost of re-cladding tower blocks are to be met by their owners (Councils, housing associations or private landlords) then these costs are likely to be passed on to residents or will mean cutting of other services.

•         That the passing on of costs or cutting services adversely affect the poorer and most vulnerable more.

•         That landlords, through the lack of resources or an inability to raise resources, may do nothing and thus leave residents living in potentially dangerous homes.

•         That the government’s own figures estimate the number of tall residential buildings which potentially have similar cladding as Grenfell Tower to be around 600.

·                 The Council acknowledges that it has neither the financial or human resources to respond to this issue. 

Therefore this Council:

•         Instructs the Chief Executive to write on the Council’s behalf to the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary, with a copy to local MPs constituencies within the Borough, expressing that the government should consider this as a civil emergency and express the Councils wish that where housing within a local authority area proves to be of concern and where there are no immediate funds to rectify the issues are available, that the Government (the SoS for Communities and Local Government) sets aside sufficient funding for capital works and also for local authorities to access to deal with any homelessness issues that may arise.”

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

Add the following words:

“That, should it happen, the passing on of costs or cutting services adversely affect the poorer and most vulnerable more.”

And after “Therefore this Council:” add:

·       “This Council congratulates the fast response of Sefton Council Officers, Elected Members, Merseyside Fire Brigade and OVH Officers in inspecting clad tower blocks in Sefton, speaking to residents to allay their concerns and arranging for cladding to be removed.

·       Their coordinated and informative response was in stark contrast to the delayed uncommunicative reaction of Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council.”

In accordance with Paragraph 71 in Chapter 4 of the Council Constitution, Councillor Pullin indicated that he accepted the amendment as a ‘friendly amendment’ to his Motion.

Following debate on the Substantive Motion, it was unanimously

RESOLVED:

Following the tragedy of Grenfell Tower and the discovery of many of the nation’s high-rise homes being covered in non-fire resistant cladding, The Council recognises:

•         That the concerns and worries of the residents must be met and homes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.