Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED:

That June Burns, a Councillor of the Borough, be elected Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year and until the acceptance of office by her successor.

                     Councillor June Burns took the Chair

                               at this point in the meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Byrom, Fairclough, McGinnity, McKee and Tweed.

Members are requested at a meeting where a disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest arises, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests, todeclare any interests that relate to an item on the agenda.

Where a Member discloses a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, he/she must withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest, except where he/she is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of a dispensation.

Where a Member discloses a personal interest he/she must seek advice from the Monitoring Officer or staff member representing the Monitoring Officer to determine whether the Member should withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest or whether the Member can remain in the meeting or remain in the meeting and vote on the relevant decision.

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

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

RESOLVED:

That

Clare Louise Carragher, a Councillor of the Borough, be elected Deputy Chair of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year and until the acceptance of office by her successor.

Minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2024

RESOLVED:

That subject to the following amendment, the Minutes of the Council meeting held on18 April 2024 be approved as a correct record:

·       the inclusion of Councillor. McGinnity’s name to the list of those present who voted for the substantive motion under Minute No. 118 - Motion Submitted by Councillor Carlin - Support for calling for a Ceasefire in Palestine and Israel.

Election of New Councillors

The Mayor congratulated all of the Councillors who were re-elected to office following the Local Government Elections held on 2 May 2024, and extended a warm welcome to the ten new Councillors elected to office, namely:

·       Karen Cavanagh

·       Neil Doolin

·       Sam Hinde

·       Joe Johnson

·       Dominic McNabb

·       Dave Neary

·       Chloe Parker

·       Maria Porter

·       Mike Sammon; and

·       Joanne Williams”

Councillors Not Re-Elected

The Mayor also placed on record, the gratitude of the Council to Paul Cummins and Joe Riley, the two former Councillors, who were not re-elected to office, for their dedicated service to the Borough of Sefton over a period of 28 years for Paul Cummins and a period of 3 years for Joe Riley.

Mayoral Events

The Mayor reported that the total raised at the Mayor’s Charity Ball was £6,310.00 and extended thanks to everyone who attended, as it was an enjoyable evening. The Mayor had three dates for diaries, as set out below, and further details on the events would be released in due course:

Saturday, 19 October 2024 – Charity Cabaret Night at St William of York;

Saturday, 25 January 2025 – Charity Burns Night; and

Saturday, 26 April 2025 – the Mayor’s Gala Ball for 2025 at Formby Hall.

Euro 2024 Charity Sweepstake

The Mayor reported that she had launched the Euro 2024 Charity Sweepstake. The cost was £10.00 per team, with £80.00 for the winner, £30.00 for the runner up, £10.00 for most goals scored (which included penalty shootouts) and £10.00 for most goals conceded.

Office of Mayor 2024/25

The Mayor announced that as a traditional installation ceremony was not being held this year, due to her continuing into another term of office, she wished to take the opportunity to recognise what an honour it was to make history as the only Councillor to be made Mayor of Sefton four times. The Mayor thanked the Leader of the Council for putting her trust in her for another 12 months.

Pride of Sefton Awards

The Mayor reported that the awards were organised jointly between Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport in association with In Demand Radio. At the Awards evening held on 26 April 2024 at the Grand Hotel in Southport, the Mayor was invited to present the Diversity and Inclusion Award, this award being sponsored by Sefton Council. The three finalists for the Award were Councillor Jen Corcoran for the first Pride march in Southport last year; John Doran for enabling disabled children to participate in football (he was the winner); and Victoria Lawton who offered support to men affected by domestic abuse at Sefton Women and Children’s Aid (SWACA), which continued to be the Mayor’s charity.

To receive and note the report of the Chief Executive and Returning Officer on the results of the Council Elections held on 2 May 2024

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Returning Officer on the results of the Council Elections held on 2 May 2024.

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

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To note that in accordance with the provisions in Paragraph 4 of Chapter 5 in the Council Constitution, the Council, at its meeting held on 18 January 2024 appointed Councillor Atkinson as Leader of the Council for the remainder of a period of four years until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting in May 2027, or until such time as her term of office expires.

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

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that in accordance with the provisions in Paragraph 4 of Chapter 5 in the Council Constitution, the Council, at its meeting held on 18 January 2024, appointed Councillor Atkinson as Leader of the Council for the remainder of a period of four years until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting in May 2027, or until such time as her term of office expires.

Report of the Leader of the Council to be published prior to the meeting

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council on the membership of the Cabinet.

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

RESOLVED: That

(1)      it be noted that Councillors Moncur and Lappin have been appointed as the Deputy Leaders of the Council for the remainder of a four-year term of office until the Adjourned Annual Council meeting in May 2027 or until such time as their terms of office expire; and

(2)      it be noted that the Cabinet comprising of the Members indicated below will hold office until the Leader’s term of office expires, unless removed by the Leader or for any of the reasons set out in Paragraph 4 (a) to (c) of Chapter 5 in the Constitution:

Cabinet (9)

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer to be published prior to the meeting

The Council considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer 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 2024/25. The report also sought approval to the terms of reference for Committees and Sub-Committees, as set out in chapters 6 and 7 of the Council’s Constitution.

It was moved by Councillor Atkinson, seconded by Councillor Lappin and

RESOLVED: That:

(1)      the allocation of Committee Places be noted; and

(2)      the Members, Chairs and Vice Chairs for the Committees and Sub-Committees set out below be appointed for a maximum period of twelve months until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting to be held in May 2025, subject to any changes political groups may make to memberships of Committees at meetings of the Council;

(A)      OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES

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

(Plus 2 Associate Members)

(Lab 8 / Lib Dem 2 / Con 0 / Ind 0 / Green Party 0)

Associate Members:

(Non-voting Co-opted Members)         Mr. Brian Clark and Mrs. Diane Blair (Nominated by Healthwatch, Sefton)

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

(Plus 4 Education Added Members and 3 Associate Members)

(Lab 8 / Lib Dem 1 / Con 1 / Ind 0 / Green Party 0)

CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND SAFEGUARDING PARENTS/CARERS SUB-COMMITTEE (5) (newly established)

(Lab 4 / Lib Dem .1 / Con .0 / Ind 0 / Green Party 0)

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (REGENERATION AND SKILLS) (10)

(Lab 8 / Lib Dem 1 / Con 1 / Ind 0 / Green Party 0)

Details of the proposed representation on the Merseyside Joint Authority bodies for 2024/25 to be published prior to the meeting.

The Council considered a schedule of the proposed representation on the Merseyside Joint Authority Bodies for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor Atkinson, seconded by Councillor Moncur and

RESOLVED:

That the following Members be appointed to serve on the following Joint Authority Bodies in 2024/25:

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

The Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services which presented the findings following a review of the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

The main proposals arising from the review were:

·       Revised, streamlined Terms of Reference for the Committee which encompassed the main focus areas for the Committee.

·       A two-year term of office for Co-Opted Members of the Committee, together with attendance conditions of office.

·       The establishment of a Children’s Services and Safeguarding Parents/Carers Sub-Committee.

·       The introduction of a Public Question Time at the commencement of the Committee.

It was moved by Councillor Roscoe, seconded by Councillor Atkinson and

RESOLVED: That

(1)          changes to membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services and Safeguarding) in regard to co-opted members, together with the proposed Terms of Reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services and Safeguarding), as set out at Appendix 2, be approved;

(2)           the proposal to establish a Children’s Services and Safeguarding Parents/Carers Sub-Committee, as set out at Appendix 3, be approved;

(3)          a Public Question Time period for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services and Safeguarding), as set out at Appendix 4, be approved;

(4)          the Council’s Constitution be amended by the inclusion of Appendices 2, 3 and 4 of the report; and

(5)          the proposals be reviewed in twelve months’ time.

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer

The Council considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer requesting approval of the revised protocol for Joint Health Scrutiny Arrangements for Cheshire and Merseyside. The revised Protocol for the Establishment of Joint Health Scrutiny Arrangements in Cheshire and Merseyside was attached to the report.

It was moved by Councillor Moncur, seconded by Councillor Atkinson and

RESOLVED

That the revised Protocol for Joint Health Scrutiny Arrangements for Cheshire and Merseyside, as attached to the report, be approved.

To note that the Council meetings scheduled to be held during the Municipal Year 2024/25 are as follows:

·       11 July 2024

·       12 September 2024

·       14 November 2024

·       16 January 2025

·       27 February 2025 (Budget Meeting)

·       24 April 2025

It was moved by Councillor Atkinson, seconded by Councillor Lappin and

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the Council meetings scheduled to be held during the Municipal Year 2024/25 are as follows:

·       11 July 2024

·       12 September 2024

·       14 November 2024

·       16 January 2025

·       27 February 2025 (Budget Meeting)

·       24 April 2025