Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brennan, Carr, Cummins, Hands, Moncur, Spencer, Anne Thompson, Tweed and Webster.

Members are requested to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary or personal interest.

An advice note on declarations of interests is attached.

Councillor Pugh declared a personal interest in relation to Agenda Item 6, Questions raised by Members of the Council, Question 5 in relation to Applications to St. Teresa’s Primary School, family members attend the School.  Councillor Pugh remained in the meeting and took part in the debate.

No other declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2019.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 19 September 2019 be approved as a correct record.

Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor reflected on the recent Remembrance Sunday events that took place, she extended her appreciation to all of the Members of the Council, Officers, Royal British Legion, Ex Service Organisations and members of the public who attended the various Remembrance Sunday events held throughout the Borough, which were all extremely well attended.

Mayors Charity Night

The Mayor reported on the Motown Charity Night that she had hosted on 15 November 2019 and reported that £813.00 was raised for the Mayors Charity, she thanked everybody who attended. 

The Mayor reminded the Council that she would be hosting a Burns Themed Night in Bootle Town Hall on Saturday 25 January 2020.  Tickets are £20.00 which includes a buffet and live entertainment.  The Mayor reported that any Member wishing to purchase a ticket should contact Shaun Pimblett the Civic and Mayoral Officer.

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 47 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 49 to 51 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:

1.       Question submitted by Councillor Watson to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

2.       Question submitted by Councillor Watson to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

3.       Question submitted by Councillor Irving to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

 4.      Question submitted by Councillor Watson to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

5.       Question submitted by Councillor Pugh to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Safeguarding (Councillor John Joseph Kelly)

6.       Question submitted by Councillor Pugh to the Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services (Councillor Lappin)

7.       Question submitted by Councillor Pugh to the Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services (Councillor Lappin)

8.       Question submitted by Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services (Councillor Lappin)

9.       Question submitted by Councillor Dawson to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

10.      Question submitted by Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills (Councillor Atkinson)

11.      Question submitted by Councillor Dawson to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

12.      Question submitted by Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member for Locality Services (Councillor Fairclough)

23.      Question submitted by Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member for Locality Services (Councillor Fairclough)

14.      Question submitted by Councillor Brough to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills (Councillor Atkinson)

15.      Question submitted by Councillor Bennett to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher)

together with the responses given. Supplementary questions to questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10 and 14 were responded to by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Members for Children’s, Schools and Safeguarding, Locality Services, Regeneration and Skills and Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer

The Council considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer in relation to the making of the Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan.

The report set out the procedures followed in relation to the making of a neighbourhood plan and the outcome of the referendum that took place on 10 October 2019.

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

RESOLVED:

That the Council approved the “making” of the Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan in order that it becomes a part of the Development Plan for Sefton.

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

Further to Minute No. 97 of the meeting held on 25 April 2019, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources which requested the Council to approve and authorise the absence of Councillor Richard Hands from attendance at Council and Committee Meetings pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

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

RESOLVED:     That:

(1)           the current absence from all Council and Committee Meetings of Councillor Richard Hands due to ill-health be authorised and approved for the period until the 8 May 2020, pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972: and

(2)      the Council sends its best wishes to Councillor Hands.

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

The Mayor reported the following changes to memberships of Committees, representation on Joint Authorities and Outside Bodies:

Councillor Dowd to replace Councillor Murphy as the Scrutiny Link on the Liverpool City Region Scrutiny Committee;

Councillor Brough to replace Councillor Morris on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regulation, Compliance and Corporate Services); and

Councillor Morris to replace Councillor Brough as the Council representative for the Mersey Port Health Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the changes to the various Committees, representation on Joint Authorities and Outside Bodies as set out above be approved.

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council in relation to a matter that was dealt with in accordance with Rule 46 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Council Constitution, whereby “call in” was waived.

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

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

It was moved by Councillor Pugh, seconded by Councillor Evans:

Video-Streaming Council Meetings

The council agrees in principle to the video-streaming of Full Council, Cabinet and Planning meetings in accordance with the drive towards more open and transparent government with recordings to be archived and made available on the Council's website. 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Halsall, seconded by Councillor J. J. Kelly that the Motion be amended as follows:

After the words “in principle” add the words “subject to cost and having regard to current budget restraints”.

Replace the words “Full Council, Cabinet and Planning meetings” with “Council meetings”.

After the words “towards more open” add the word “inclusive”.

An additional last paragraph be added “Furthermore we should explore the possibility of making available sign language and subtitles so we can be as accessible to as wide a range of our residents with their additional needs as possible”.

On the show of hands, the Mayor declared the amendment was carried unanimously and due to the financial implications would be referred to the Cabinet for consideration, it was:

RESOLVED:

Video-Streaming Council Meetings

The council agrees, in principle, subject to cost and having regard to current budget restraints, to the video-streaming of council meetings in accordance with the drive towards more open *inclusive* and transparent government with recordings to be archived and made available on the Council's website 

Furthermore we should explore the possibility of making available sign language and subtitles so we can be as accessible to as wide a range of our residents with their additional needs as possible.

It was moved by Councillor Pugh, seconded by Councillor Dodd:

Flooding In Sefton

This council:

(1)    recognises the serious problems of flooding across Sefton exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

(2)    notes that there is a significant problem in some areas with surface water severely overwhelming old and inadequate drainage systems.

(3)   notes to the reluctance of the Water Utility companies and suppliers to prioritise perennial trouble spots despite residents paying for surface drainage.

(4)    agrees to support and promote residents' applications for significant water rates reductions where there is clear evidence of persistent failure in the surface drainage system and to inform the utility companies accordingly.  

An amendment was moved by Councillor McKinley, seconded by Councillor John Sayers that the Motion be amended as follows:

That paragraph (4) be deleted.

That the following paragraphs be added:

“The Environment Agency have identified surface water flooding as an issue that will worsen with the impact of climate change, however, their ability to influence investment decisions to deal with surface water and fluvial flooding and the updating of ageing infrastructure is hampered by insufficient government funding and the business model of privatised water companies who prioritise shareholder profit at the expense of investment to protect households and businesses”.

“We commend the proactive measures taken by Sefton Council and the Merseyside Strategic Flood Risk Partnership who are at the forefront of initiatives in the North West in raising issues and proposing solutions to address the risks associated with surface water and fluvial flooding, who are also constrained by insufficient funding from central government and the impact of draconian cuts as a result of austerity”.

“This Council calls on the next government to adopt measures to end the scandal of pillaging our national strategic assets through prioritising shareholder profits instead of investing any surplus funds in measures to address the risks associated with climate change, including flooding”.

Following debate, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried by 34 votes to 21 votes with 1 Abstention.

Thereafter, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried by 34 votes to 21 votes with 1 Abstention.

FLOODING IN SEFTON

This council:

(1)        recognises the serious problems of flooding across Sefton exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

(2)        notes that there is a significant problem in some areas with surface water severely overwhelming old and inadequate drainage systems.

(3)        notes to the reluctance of the Water Utility companies and suppliers to prioritise perennial trouble spots despite residents paying for surface drainage.

The Environment Agency have identified surface water flooding as an issue that will worsen with the impact of climate change, however, their ability to influence investment decisions to deal with surface water and fluvial flooding and the updating of ageing infrastructure is hampered by insufficient government funding and the business model of privatised water companies who prioritise shareholder profit at the expense of investment to protect households and businesses.

We commend the proactive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

The Mayor indicated that Councillor Dawson had expanded his Motion by including a paragraph 3 and an addendum was circulated in that respect.

It was moved by Councillor Dawson, seconded by Councillor Pugh and following debate, it was unanimously:

RESOLVED:

NHS Services in the North-West

This Council:

1)    Notes that plans to restructure the provision of NHS services, particularly the siting of acute services throughout the North West Region, has been continuing for some time, with the process largely proceeding in secret and not involving either patients or the wider communities involved.

2)           Commits itself to working with local communities to ensure that profound   changes which significantly affect the manner in which the NHS is delivered and received in this area are not introduced into hospitals and clinics serving local communities, without the fullest genuine involvement of local residents and their elected representatives in any such decisions.

3)         Following the Clinical Senate Review of the Transformation of Acute Services in Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust (2019), this Council wishes to make clear, in the context of that report, that the Council faced with the alternative of consolidated hot site in Southport or Ormskirk, has a clear preference for Southport.

It was moved by Councillor Dawson, seconded by Councillor Pugh and

RESOLVED:

That the Motion in relation to “Supporting the Retail Environment in Sefton” be withdrawn from the Agenda.