Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Booth, Brennan, Dodd, Friel, Gannon, Hands, McCann, McGinnity, Owens, Thomas, Anne Thompson, Weavers and Webster.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interest were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2018

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 1 March 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Death of Former Councillor Brian Rimmer

The Mayor reported that former Councillor Brian Rimmer had passed away.

Brian Rimmer had served the Norwood Ward from 10 May 1973 until 8 May 2011 and was Mayor of Sefton in 1985 – 1986.

The Council stood for a one minute silence as a mark of respect for Brian Rimmer.

A tribute to Brian Rimmer was made by Councillor Pugh.

Death of Employee David McAllister

The Mayor reported that former employee David McAllister had recently passed away.  It was reported that David McAllister from Waterloo, Crosby served the Council for 40 years cleansing the streets of Sefton who was well thought of by the residents of Sefton and who will be sadly missed.

Death of Jean Kerrigan

The Mayor reported that Jean Kerrigan had recently passed away.  Jean Kerrigan was an active Member of the Crosby branch of the Mayors Charity Fund since its inception until two months before Jean sadly passed away.

The Council stood for a one minute silence as a mark of respect for both David McAllister and Jean Kerrigan.

Resignation of Councillors

The Mayor referred to the recent resignation from Councillor Kevin Cluskey, Councillor for Ford Ward.  It was reported that Kevin Cluskey had served the Council for 32 years representing Litherland Ward and later Ford Ward.  On behalf of the Council he extended the Council’s appreciation for all his hard work as Ward Councillor, Mayor of Sefton and Member of Sefton Council and wished him well for the future.

Councillor Maher, Moncur, Pugh, McKinley, Brodie-Brown, Michael O’Brien, Carragher, Dutton and Bennett paid tribute to Councillor Kevin Cluskey for his service on the Council.

Councillor Linda Cluskey thanked Members for their tributes.

The Mayor informed the Council of the resignation from Councillor Andy Dams.  On behalf of the Council he extended the Council’s appreciation for all his hard work as Ward Councillor for Bludellsands.

Councillors Brodie-Browne, Page, Dan.T.Lewis and Dawson paid tribute for his service on the Council.

Councillors Not Seeking Re-Election

The Mayor reported that this was the last Council meeting before the Council Elections on 3 May 2018 and that the following Councillors would not be seeking re-election:

Councillors McGuire who had served on Sefton Council for 12 years’ since May 2006;

Councillor Preece, who had 8 years’ service on the Council; and

Councillor Robert Owens and David Owens who had 4 years’ service on the Council.

On behalf of the Council, The Mayor expressed thanks to those Members for their dedicated service to the people of Sefton and extended his best wishes to them for the future.

Councillors Keith and Pugh paid tribute to the service given by Councillor McGuire.

Councillor Pugh and Dawson paid tribute to the service given by Councillor Preece.

Mayor of Sefton 2018/19

The Mayor reported to the Council that he had been nominated for the office of the Mayor of Sefton for a further 2018/19.  He reported that the appointment would take place at the Annual Meeting of the Council scheduled  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

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 Paragraphs 36 to 46 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules in Chapter 4 of the Council Constitution.

(Details of any petitions notified or questions submitted by members of the public will be circulated at the meeting).

The Mayor reported that in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme set out in Chapter 12 of the Council’s Constitution, two public petitions had been submitted for consideration at the Council meeting.

Petition in relation to the future of Southport Market

The Council heard representations from Mr. Ray Owen of Haydock St. Helens who was the lead petitioner in relation to a petition submitted and containing 551 signatures which stated:

“We the undersigned believe there should be improved measures undertaken at Southport Market/Market Street for both existing and new tenants on the grounds of improving the local economy and for our local community neighbourhood here.”

Councillor Atkinson confirmed to Mr. Owen that she would meet with Market traders as and when requested to do so.

Members of the Council thanked Mr. Owen for making his representations.

RESOLVED:

That the petition be noted.

Petition in relation to car parking in the area of Oxford Road, York Road and Canterbury Close

The Council heard representations from Mr. Eric Beninson of Birkdale, Southport who was the lead petitioner in relation to a petition submitted and containing 510 signatures which stated:

“We the undersigned believe there should be improved measures undertaken at the Trafalgar Road Area, namely the Smedley Hydropathic Centre for both existing and new neighbours and stakeholders on the grounds of improving and maintaining peaceful and harmonious relations between all members of the local Community.”

Councillor Fairclough responded and confirmed that he would be prepared to meet with Mr Beninson to explore the issues.

Members of the Council thanked Mr. Beninson for making his representations.

RESOLVED:

That the petition be noted.

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 Paragraphs 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:

together with responses given.  Supplementary questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 15 were responded to by the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members for Regeneration and Skills, Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, Communities and Housing and Planning and Building Control.

To access the schedule of questions and answers please follow the link below:

http://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=143&MId=8904&Ver=4 

Report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance

The Council considered the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance which provided an update on changes made in relation to Constitutional and Governance and the Member Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policy.

It was moved by Councillor Roche and seconded by Councillor Linda Cluskey and

RESOLVED: That:

(1)       the Members Code of Conduct be approved as recommended and approved by the Audit and Governance; and

(2)       the updated information regarding the Whistlebowing policy be noted.

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources that advised of the current forecast revenue outturn position for the Council for 2017/18 as at the end of January 2018 and that this forecast would be informed by the latest analysis of expenditure and income due to the Council, in addition to the progress in delivering approved savings; the current forecast on Council Tax and Business Rates collection for 2017/18; and the current position of the Capital Programme with a request to include a number of schemes, as detailed in the report.

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

RESOLVED:

That additional capital schemes, as detailed in section 7, to the Capital Programme, be approved.

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

RESOLVED:

That no changes to Memberships of Committees were made.

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council setting out the details of an urgent matter dealt with in accordance with Rule 46 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules in Chapter 6 of the Council Constitution.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider the Motion submitted by Councillor Byrom.

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

 Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

This Council recognises the excellent work undertaken by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in delivering community safety and prevention initiatives to residents and businesses across Sefton and Merseyside.

The Council, appreciates that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has to deal with a wide range of incidents, and therefore requires the resources to respond as speedily and effectively as possible under difficult financial circumstances.

MFRS through its support to National Resilience, is also required to respond to activities regionally, nationally and internationally;  such as response to a potential terrorist threat, severe weather and any incident that may have an impact on critical infrastructure.

MFRS also delivers interventions to the wide ranging needs of our communities, which includes proactive prevention activities in undertaking ‘Safe and Well’ visits, which targets our most vulnerable residents.   These visits go deeper to identify and address the wider health and or lifestyle issues which may, further down the line, lead to an emergency incident or acute intervention from the NHS, Social Services, safeguarding and other wider public services.

MFRS has continued to evolve and reform, working in collaboration with our other emergency services, Health organisations, and local Authority partners, whilst maintaining its commitment to the delivery of our community safety plan.

The Government should recognise the Fire and Rescue Service is a unique public body that plans for risk not demand and therefore should be funded accordingly.

MFRS has experienced the worst budget reductions in the country, which has had a detrimental impact on both front line and support service staff and seen a reduction in the number of fire stations and appliances available to attend emergency calls. 

As MFRS budgets and physical firefighting resources continue to be cut, it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet local needs and address risk in the communities, the service is at breaking point and has sought to implement a programme of transformation to ensure the risk based needs of local communities are met, supporting the most vulnerable first.

The stark impact of the cuts to MFRS are as follows:

*Assumed financial projected cuts until 2020

 This Council therefore calls on the Government to;

1.     Cease any further cuts to the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority budget

2.     Undertake a full risk assessment of the impact of the cuts to date and the degradation of the remaining service

3.     Allow MFRA the flexibility to increase Council Tax above the cap without the need for a County wide referendum.

4.     Allow more freedom for Fire and Rescue services to explore Income  generation without conditions

5.     Support a fair increase to Firefighters and support staff pay rates

6.    Accept that MFRA has no free capital available to transfer to revenue expenditure

Finally, This Council on behalf of the citizens of Sefton and Merseyside wish to place on record its full hearted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

To consider the Motion submitted by Councillor Moncur.

It was moved by Councillor Moncur, seconded by Lappin and unanimously:

RESOLVED:

Support for National Action to tackle obesity

The Council notes that obesity is a major public health concern with the majority of adults in England being overweight or obese and a more than a third of our 10 to 11 years old being overweight or obese.

It is estimated that obesity is responsible for more than 30,000 deaths each year. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of a wide range of diseases including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and many cancers. It also negatively affects quality of life and mental wellbeing.

No one is ‘immune’ to obesity, but some people are more likely to become overweight or obese than others. Factors of income, social deprivation and ethnicity all have an important impact on the likelihood of person becoming obese. Data from the National Child Measurement Programme shows that obesity levels in the most deprived 10% of children is approximately double that of the least deprived 10%.

Obesity places a huge strain on health and social care as well has having a broader impact on economic development. The estimated annual cost of obesity in England is around £32.5billion and if no action is taken these costs will increase.

We recognise that the causes of obesity are complex. Environmental, physiological and behavioural factors all interrelate and play their part in influencing the prevalence of obesity. This is why at a local level Sefton has a wide range of activities to tackle obesity. This includes signing up to a Healthy Weight Declaration, providing an integrated healthy lifestyle and wellness programme, having health promoting planning policies and through Active Sefton and our 0 to 19 service working with schools to be health promoting.

However, we feel more needs to be done by national government to support the efforts of local areas and we call upon the Government to lead on three areas of action:

Firstly Implement the Food Revolution actions.

This is a campaign led by the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and its Australian partners at the Good Foundation. It is committed to inspiring real, meaningful, positive change in the way children access, consume and understand food. 

Working with medical experts and professionals Food Revolution has created a six-point plan for action which they believe governments across the world should be working towards as a priority.

We welcome that the UK government has implemented the first action, which is the introduction of a sugary drink tax, but strongly advocate that the government also acts upon the other 5 actions. These are; 

1. The introduction of sugar reformulation targets to reduce excessive sugar in all products and have penalties for non-compliance,
2. Introduce fair marketing which would include a ban on food advertising targeted at children and cutting promotion of sugary products,
3. Making clearer labelling mandatory with clear on-pack sugar information, such as traffic light labelling and having restrictions on portion sizes for confectionary and sugary drinks,
4. Improving access to healthy food  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.