Decisions

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Returning Officer on the results of the Council Elections held on 4 May 2023.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the report be noted.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

That it be noted that the Council meetings scheduled to be held during the Municipal Year 2023/24 are as follows:

 

·       13 July 2023

·       14 September 2023

·       16 November 2023

·       18 January 2024

·       29 February 2024 (Budget Meeting)

·       18 April 2024

The Council considered a schedule of the proposed representation on the Merseyside Joint Authority Bodies for 2023/24.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the following Members be appointed to serve on the following Joint Authority Bodies in 2023/24:

 

Joint Authority	Representatives
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority	Leader of the Council (Councillor Maher) Substitute Member – Deputy Leader of the Council (Councillor Fairclough)
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee	Councillors Desmond (Lab), Hart (Lab) and Howard (Lab) (Scrutiny Link)
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee	Councillors Carragher (Lab), Dodd (LD&AP), Halsall (Lab) and Hansen (Lab)
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority	Councillors Byrom (Lab), Grace (Lab), Lynne Thompson (LD&AP) and Tweed (Lab)
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority	Councillors Carlin (Lab) and Catie Page (Lab)
Merseyside Police and Crime Panel (Nominations only – The appointments are agreed on a Pan-Merseyside basis)	Councillors Corcoran  (Lab) and Harvey (Lab)

 

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

 

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

 

RESOLVED: That

 

 

(1)              it be noted that Councillor Fairclough has been appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council for a four-year term of office until the Adjourned Annual Council meeting in May 2027 or until such time as his term of office expires; and

 

(2)              it be noted that the Cabinet comprising of the Members indicated below will hold office until the Leaders 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 (10)

 

Portfolio	Member
Leader of the Council	Councillor Ian Maher
Cabinet Member - Adult Social Care	Councillor Cummins
Cabinet Member - Children’s Social Care	Councillor Doyle
Cabinet Member - Communities and Housing	Councillor Hardy
Cabinet Member - Education	Councillor Roscoe
Cabinet Member - Health and Wellbeing	Councillor Moncur
Cabinet Member - Locality Services (and Deputy Leader)	Councillor Fairclough
Cabinet Member - Planning and Building Control	Councillor Veidman
Cabinet Member - Regeneration and Skills	Councillor Atkinson
Cabinet Member - Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services	Councillor Lappin

 

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Councillor Ian Maher be appointed as the Leader of the Council for a four-year term of office until the Adjourned Annual Council Meeting in May 2027 or until such time as his term of office expires.

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 2023/24. The report also sought approval to the terms of reference for Committees and Sub-Committees set out in Chapters 6 and 7 of the Council’s Constitution.

 

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough 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 2024, subject to any changes political groups may make to memberships of Committees at meetings of the Council.

 

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

 

(Plus 2 Associate Members)

 

(Lab 8 / LD&PA 1 / Con 1)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. Thomas	Cllr. Richards
2.	Vice-Chair: Cllr. Myers	Cllr. Roche
3.	Cllr. Brodie-Browne	Cllr. Pugh
4.	Cllr. Brough	Cllr. Sir Ron Watson
5.	Cllr. Cluskey	Cllr. McKee
6.	Cllr. Halsall	Cllr. Sonya Kelly
7.	Cllr. Hart	Cllr. Webster
8.	Cllr. John Joseph Kelly	Cllr. Tweed
9.	Cllr. Lunn-Bates	Cllr. Desmond
10.	Cllr. Robinson	Cllr. Chris Page

 

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 / LD&PA 1 / Con 1)

 

	Member		Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. Hardman		Cllr. Harvey
2.	Vice-Chair: Cllr. Carlin		Cllr. Tweed
3.	Cllr. Danny Burns		Cllr. Myers
4.	Cllr. Carragher		Cllr. Corcoran
5.	Cllr. Evans		Cllr. Lloyd-Johnson
6	Cllr. Howard		Cllr. Hart
7.	Cllr. Prendergast		Cllr. Brough
8.	Cllr. Chris Page		Cllr. John Joseph Kelly
9.	Cllr. Richards		Cllr. McGinnity
10.	Cllr. Spring		Cllr. John Kelly
Education Added Members: (Voting Co-opted Members)		Church Diocesan Representatives: Ms. Joan McCarthy (Archdiocesan Representative) and Mr. Stuart Harrison (Diocesan Representative) Parent Governor Representatives: Ms. Cheryl Swainbank and vacancy - 2-year appointments until May 2024

 

Associate Members: (Non-voting Co-opted Members)

Mrs. Sandra Cain Ms. Karen Christie and Maurice Byrne (Nominated by Healthwatch, Sefton)

 

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

 

(Lab 8 / LD&PA 1 / Con 1)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. Dowd	Cllr. Killen
2.	Vice-Chair: Cllr. Howard	Cllr. O’Brien
3.	Cllr. Corcoran	Cllr. Halsall
4.	Cllr. Harvey	Cllr. Waterfield
5.	Cllr. Lloyd-Jonson	Cllr. Dodd
6.	Cllr. Christine Maher	Cllr. Grace
7.	Cllr. McKee	Cllr. Richards
8.	Cllr. Catie Page	Cllr. Thomas
9.	Cllr. Sir Ron Watson	Cllr. Prendergast
10.	Cllr. Webster	Cllr. Anne Thompson

 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (REGULATORY, COMPLIANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES) (10)

 

(Lab 7 / LD&PA 2 / Con 1)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. Bradshaw	Cllr. Harrison
2.	Vice-Chair: Cllr. Byrom	Cllr. Carragher
3.	Cllr. D’Albuquerque	Cllr. Shaw
4.	Cllr. Evans	Cllr. Shaw
5.	Cllr. Grace	Cllr. Catie Page
6.	Cllr. Killen	Cllr. Myers
7.	Cllr. McGinnity	Cllr. Thomas
8.	Cllr. McKee	Cllr. Roche
9.	Cllr. Murphy	Cllr. Christine Maher
10.	Cllr. Sir Ron Watson	Cllr. Prendergast

 

(B)      REGULATORY AND OTHER COMMITTEES

 

APPEALS COMMITTEE

 

Members of the Council (other than Cabinet Members) to form a Panel from which 3 Members are selected to form a politically balanced Committee.  (Lab 2 / LD&PA 1 /Con 0)

 

AUDIT AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE (10)

 

(Lab 8 / LD&PA 2 / Con 0)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. Robinson	Cllr. Bradshaw
2.	Vice-Chair: Cllr. Roche	Cllr. Murphy
3.	Cllr John Joseph Kelly	Cllr. Howard
4.	Cllr. Catie Page	Cllr. Lunn-Bates
5.	Cllr. Pugh	Cllr. Brodie-Browne
6.	Cllr. Shaw	Cllr. Lloyd-Johnson
7.	Cllr. Spring	Cllr. Halsall
8.	Cllr. Thomas	Cllr. Hansen
9.	Cllr. Anne Thompson	Cllr. Spencer
10.	Cllr. Webster	Cllr. Hardman

 

Independent Non-Voting Member – Ms Rachel Oakes

 

HEARINGS SUB-COMMITTEE OF AUDIT & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

All Members of the Audit and Governance Committee will form a Panel from which 3 Members will be selected to form a Sub-Committee.

 

INITIAL ASSESSMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF AUDIT & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

All Members of the Audit and Governance Committee will form a Panel from which 3 Members will be selected to form a Sub-Committee.

 

REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE OF AUDIT & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

All Members of the Audit and Governance Committee to form a Panel from which 3 Members will be selected to form a Sub-Committee.

 

Co-opted Voting Members of Audit and Governance Standards Sub-Committees

If any complaints are submitted in respect of the conduct of any Parish Councillor in the Borough, one of the Parish Councillors from the nominated panel, will be selected to form part of the 3 Member Panel on the Sub-Committees set out above.

 

Details of the nominated panel of Parish Councillors to be confirmed.

 

INDEPENDENT PERSONS (STANDARDS ISSUES)

(4 members)

 

Ed Davies, Joanne Hadley, Isobel McDonald-Davies and Andrew Pearson (2-year term to May 2024)

 

EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURE COMMITTEE

 

Members of the Council to form a panel from which a minimum of 3 Members are selected to form a politically balanced Committee (Lab 2 / LD&PA 1 /Con 0). At least one Member of the Cabinet to be included on the Committee.

 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD

 

Members appointed by the Leader of the Council	Councillor Moncur (Chair) Cabinet Member – Health and Wellbeing
	Councillor Cummins Cabinet Member – Adult Social Care
	Councillor Doyle Cabinet Member – Children’s Social Care
Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health and Place Director	Deborah Butcher
Director of Public Health	Margaret Jones
Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education	To be confirmed
Representative of the Council’s Adult Social Care Service.	Sara Alldis
Place Clinical Director	Dr Rob Caudwell
Representative of Healthwatch, Sefton	John Turner
Representatives of the NHS Acute Provider Sector	Anne-Marie Stretch Neil Holland
Representative from the Every Child Matters Forum	Janine Hyland
Representative from the Health and Social Care Forum	Andrew Booth
Representative from Merseyside Police	Superintendent Dawn McNally
Representative from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service	Mark Thomas
Representative from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust	Adrian Hughes
Representative from the Voluntary Community Faith Sector (representative to be agreed through Sefton CVS as the umbrella organisation for the voluntary community and faith sector	Angela White
Independent Chair of the Programme Delivery Group (part of the Sefton Partnership Governance)	Anita Marsland

 

The Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013 made under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 provide that the Board shall be a committee of the Council. The requirement for political balance does not apply to the Board and the Act requires that the Councillor Membership is nominated by the Executive Leader (Leader of the Council).

 

LICENSING AND REGULATORY COMMITTEE (15)

 

(Lab 12 / LD&PA 2 / Con 1)

 

	Member
1.	Chair: Cllr. John Kelly
2.	Vice-Chair Cllr. Waterfield
3.	Cllr. Bradshaw
4.	Cllr. Carragher
5.	Cllr. Corcoran
6.	Cllr. Hardman
7.	Cllr. Harrison
8.	Cllr. Sonya Kelly
9.	Cllr. Lloyd-Johnson
10.	Cllr. Morris
11.	Cllr. O’Brien
12.	Cllr. Spencer
13.	Cllr. Thomas
14.	Cllr. Anne Thompson
15.	Cllr. Lynne Thompson

 

LICENSING AND REGULATORY (URGENT REFERRALS) COMMITTEE (3)

 

(Lab 2 / LD&PA 1 /Con 0)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. John Kelly	Cllr. Bradshaw
2.	Cllr. Lynne Thomson	Cllr. Lloyd-Johnson
3.	Cllr. Waterfield	Cllr. Sonya Kelly

 

LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE

 

Members of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee to form a Panel from which 3 Members are selected to form a Sub-Committee.

 

LICENSING (SEXUAL ENTERTAINMENT VENUES) SUB-COMMITTEE

 

Members of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee to form a Panel from which 3 Members are selected to form a Sub-Committee.

 

PAY AND GRADING COMMITTEE (7)

 

(Lab 5 / LD&PA 1 / Con 1) – Including Cabinet Member – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services

 

	Member
1.	Chair: Cllr. Lappin
2.	Vice-Chair: Cllr. Spring
3.	Cllr. Lunn-Bates
4.	Cllr. Prendergast
5.	Cllr. Shaw
6.	Cllr. Anne Thompson
7.	Cllr. Tweed

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE (15)

 

(Lab 12 / LD&PA 2 /Con 1)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. Viedman	Cllr. Byrom
2.	Vice-Chair: Cllr. O’Brien	Cllr. Grace
3.	Cllr. Desmond	Cllr. Anne Thompson
4.	Cllr. Dodd	Cllr. D’Albuquerque
5.	Cllr. Hansen	Cllr. Lunn-Bates
6.	Cllr. John Kelly	Cllr. Bradshaw
7.	Cllr. Sonya Kelly	Cllr. Robinson
8.	Cllr. McGinnity	Cllr. McKee
9.	Cllr. Richards	Cllr. Cluskey
10.	Cllr. Riley	Cllr. Morris
11.	Cllr. Roche	Cllr. Dowd
12.	Cllr. Spencer	Cllr. Danny Burns
13.	Cllr. Lynne Thompson	Cllr. D’Albuquerque
14.	Cllr. Tweed	Cllr. Harrison
15.	Cllr. Waterfield	Cllr. Spring

 

PLANNING (URGENT REFERRALS) COMMITTEE (3)

 

(Lab 2 / LD&PA 1 /Con 0)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cllr. Viedman	Cllr. Tweed
2.	Cllr. John Kelly	Cllr. Roche
3.	Cllr. Lynne Thompson	Cllr. Dodd

 

PLANNING VISITING PANEL (15)

 

The Panel comprises of the Members of the Planning Committee.

 

(C)      CONSULTATIVE BODIES

 

INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL

(6 members)

 

Ed Davies, Joanne Hadley, Tony Hussey, Susan Lowe, Isobel McDonald-Davies and Susan Murphy (2-year term to May 2024)

 

(To advise and make recommendations to the Authority about the allowances to be paid to Elected Members).

 

JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR TEACHING STAFFS

 

(9 Council Members plus 9 Teacher representatives)

 

(Lab 7 / LD&PA 1 / Con 1)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Cllr. Bradshaw	Cllr. O’Brien
2.	Cllr. Brodie-Browne	Cllr. Pugh
3.	Cllr. Corcoran	Cllr. Dowd
4.	Cllr. Harrison	Cllr. Robinson
5.	Cllr. Howard	Cllr. Sonya Kelly
6.	Cllr. John Joseph Kelly	Cllr. Lunn-Bates
7.	Cllr. Richards	Cllr. Danny Burns
8.	Cllr. Waterfield	Cllr. McGinnity
9.	Cllr. Sir Ron Watson	Cllr. Prendergast

 

LOCAL JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

 

(12 Council Members plus 12 Trade Union Representatives)

 

(Lab 9 / LD&PA 2 / Con 1)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Cllr. Bradshaw	Cllr. Christine Maher
2.	Cllr. Brodie-Browne	Cllr. Shaw
3.	Cllr. Carlin	Cllr. Hart
4.	Cllr. Halsall	Cllr. Harvey
5.	Cllr. Lappin	Cllr. Cluskey
6.	Cllr. Murphy	Cllr. Chris Page
7.	Cllr. O’Brien	Cllr. Desmond
8.	Cllr. Catie Page	Cllr. Corcoran
9.	Cllr. Pugh	Cllr. Shaw
10.	Cllr. Riley	Cllr. Sir Ron Watson
11.	Cllr. Spencer	Cllr. Killen
12.	Cllr. Webster	Cllr. Hansen

 

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION PANEL (4)

 

(Lab 3 / LD&PA 1 /Con 0)

 

	Member	Substitute
1.	Chair: Cabinet Member (Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services) - Cllr. Lappin	Cllr. John Kelly
2.	Cllr. Byrom	Cllr. Myers
3.	Cllr. Dowd	Cllr. Murphy
4.	Cllr. Shaw	Cllr. Brodie-Browne

 

Member Development Steering Group (6)

 

(Lab 4 / LD&PA 1 /Con 1)

 

	Member
1.	Chair: (Cabinet Member – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services) - Cllr. Lappin
2.	Cllr. Brough
3.	Cllr. Carlin
4.	Cllr. Corcoran
5.	Cllr. Dowd
6.	Cllr. Lloyd-Johnson

 

Election of New Councillors

 

The Mayor congratulated all of the Councillors who were re-elected to office following the Local Government Elections held on 4 May 2023, and extended a warm welcome to the six new Councillors elected to office, namely:

 

·       Mike Desmond;

·       Janet Harrison

·       Phil Hart;

·       Peter Harvey;

·       Lauren Keith; and

·       Christopher Page.

 

Councillors Not Re-Elected

 

The Mayor also placed on record, the gratitude of the Council to the four former Councillors who were not re-elected to office and thanked them for their dedicated service to the people of Sefton, namely: :

 

·       Maria Bennett who served for 5 years;

·       David Irving who served for 5 years;

·       Patrick McKinley who served for 12 years; and

·       John Sayers who served for 8 years.

 

Annual Council and Installation Dinner

 

The Mayor thanked all the Councillors who had attended her Installation Ceremony and Reception on 16 May 2023, and expressed the hope that had all enjoyed themselves.

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

 

RESOLVED

 

That the meeting be adjourned and the Council re-convene on Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 6.30 pm at Bootle Town Hall. 

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

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)      the Council do hereby place on record its appreciation of the ability, courtesy and impartiality, shown by Councillor Clare Louise Carragher in her capacity as Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the meetings of the Council, during the Municipal Years 2021/22 and 2022/23, and for her attendance at many civic and public functions, both inside and outside of the Borough;

 

(2)      the Council also desires to extend its thanks to both Mrs Audrey Stanson and Mr Jason Carragher for their support and encouragement given to the Mayor;

 

(3)      the Council wishes to record its appreciation of the excellent effort and involvement by Councillor Carragher and both Mrs Audrey Stanson and Mr Jason Carragher, in connection with the Mayor of Sefton's Charity Fund;

 

(4)      the Council further desires to extend its sincere thanks to Councillor Carragher and both Mrs Stanson and Mr Carragher for the hospitality extended to Royal Visits, Overseas Visitors and Civic Dignitaries hosted by this Borough; and

 

(5)      a copy of these Resolutions be passed under the Corporate Seal and presented to Councillor Carragher.

 

Councillor Carragher was then presented with a framed copy of the Vote of Thanks as a token of the Council’s appreciation of the manner in which she and both Mrs Stanson and Mr Carragher had undertaken their duties in the Office of Mayor during the past twenty-four months.

 

Councillor Carragher responded to the Vote of Thanks and expressed her appreciation to her Mayoress, Mrs Stanson, Consort, Mr Carragher, the various organisations she had visited and the members of the public she had met and the Council officers who had supported her during her Term of Office. Councillor Carragher also referred to some of the highlights of her Term of Office which included meeting the then Princess of Wales and now Queen Camilla and the Princess Royal, the late Queen’s Platinum Anniversary Celebrations, reading the Proclamations following the succession of King Charles III, the Freedom of the Borough events and attending the Eurovision Song Contest Final.

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

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

It was moved by Councillor Hansen, seconded by Councillor Spencer 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.

 

 

To seek approval for the suggested amendments to the Property Pool Plus (PPP) policy; a break in some elements of PPP scheme activity for a period of a month and a 2-week suspension for new property adverts in the lead up to the launch of the revised scheme, and to note the associated work undertaken to introduce a new IT system that will allow for the delivery of the new PPP Policy.

 

Cabinet Member approves both the amendments to the new PPP Policy and break in elements of the PPP scheme activity for a month in the lead up to the launch of the revised scheme.

 

Reasons for the decision:

There is a need to ensure that the existing data currently held within the IT system is as accurate and up to date as possible in relation to housing register applications, property adverts and associated shortlists, before the launch of the revised scheme to assist with a smooth transition.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: (including any Risk Implications)

Without such a pause there will be new applications being submitted under the existing rules, using the existing application form up until the day before the transition. These applicants would subsequently need to be contacted to collect additional data to allow their cases to be assessed under the revised scheme. Mitigations have been included in this report for those exceptional cases/circumstances.

 

The Mayor reported that this item had been withdrawn from consideration at the meeting due to the attendance of Councillor Irving at the meeting, and she extended a warm welcome to Councillor Irving upon his return to the Council Chamber following his major surgery earlier this year.

 

Councillor Irving thanked Members of the Council for the cards, letters and telephone calls he had received from them during his stay in hospital and following his return home after his operation.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive which provided details of how the Council and partners have involved children and young people in the decision making to improve services, shape their communities for cared for children and care experienced young people on issues that affect their lives.

 

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

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)      the Council reaffirms its commitment to listening to the voices of children, young people and their families in the development of Council and partnership strategies; and

 

(2)      members of SYMBOL be invited to attend and speak at a future Council meeting on a subject that is important to them.

Further to Minute No. 150 of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 April 2023, the Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services which indicated that Sefton Council had declared a climate emergency in 2019 and it had a target to achieve net zero carbon by 2030 for Council operations which is set out in the Climate Change Emergency Strategy to achieve that goal.

 

The report indicated that the Council is coming to the end of the Phase 1 delivery (2020 –2023) of the strategy / action plan, and as Phase 2 begins, the strategy highlighted the challenges and opportunities associated with the next stage of implementing this challenging commitment.

 

The Liverpool City Region climate emergency target, to reach net zero by 2040 for all sectors, requires input and collaboration on housing, energy, transport, land use and climate resilience.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

That approval be given to the implementation of Phase 2 of the Climate Change Emergency strategy / action plan and the interim targets and the work required to meet the committed net zero targets over the next three years be noted.

 

This report seeks consideration to approve an award of discretionary top-up rate relief to a non-profit making organisation under the provisions of section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended by section 69 of the Localism Act 2011).

 

Decision(s):

That the application from Cherish (Reach and Connect) for 20% discretionary top-up rate relief for the financial year 2022-2023 amounting to £367.63 and 20% discretionary top-up rate relief for the financial year 2023-2024 amounting to £747.52. The total relief approved is £1,115.15.   The discretionary top-up rate relief applied for is in respect of the premises known as The Cherish Centre, West Park, 65-67 Albert Road, Southport, PR9 9LN.

Reasons for the Decision(s):

 

Cherish (Reach and Connect) is a registered charity, registered with the Charities Commission, Registration number 1200832 and, in line with other registered charities, is entitled to 80% mandatory rate relief in respect of their business rate liability at The Cherish Centre, West Park, 65-67 Albert Road, Southport, PR9 9LN.

 

Cherish (Reach and Connect) only became a registered charity on 27 October 2022 and, from this point, lost their entitlement to 100% Small Business Rate Relief.

 

The organisation has been established since 26 April 2021 with the aim of supporting people aged 50 and over who are lonely or isolated and people living with mental health issues and disabilities.

 

A discretionary top-up rate relief award for the financial years 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 and 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 will go some way to securing the long-term viability of a relatively new organisation and allow it to expand the services provided.

 

Under rate retention, 99% of discretionary relief must be borne by the Council and 1% by the Fire Authority

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: (including any Risk Implications)

 

None. However, Cabinet Member may refuse the application or choose to award a lower level of relief.

 

The Council has received an application from Shy Lowen Horse and Pony Sanctuary to nominate and list land at Buckley Hill Lane L29 1YB as an Asset of Community Value.

 

The Council has an obligation to consider such Nominations under the Localism Act 2011.

Decision(s):

(i)             That the nomination and listing of land at Buckley Hill Lane L29 1YB, as an Asset of Community Value be approved, and   (ii)            That the Chief Legal and Democratic Services Officer register such interest as a land charge on the Council’s title and that it be included on the list of Assets of Community Value on the Council’s website.

 

Reasons for the Decision(s):

 

To enable the land to be listed as an Asset of Community Value and to comply with the procedural requirements of the Localism Act 2011

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: (including any Risk Implications)

 

There are no alternative options available due to the requirement to meet the legislative guidance.

 

A new refuge, provided by One Vision Housing and offering 5 x 1 and 2 bedroom self contained units,  is due for completion in June 2023. The refuge will provide safe, supported accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

 

This report seeks approval from the Cabinet Member to make a direct award, via waiver for the provision of the support services for the refuge.

 

Cabinet Member approval is given for  the direct award, via waiver, of support service for the refuge provision, to Sefton Women and Childrens aid (SWACA) for a 3 year period at a contract value of £178k per year.

 

Reason for the decision:

 

SWACA have a proven track record of refuge provision in Sefton and are best placed to deliver this service in the timescales available.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: (including any Risk Implications)

 

If a full open procurement were to take place then the refuge would be ready for occupation with no provider in place.

 

There are no other providers in Sefton, with local knowledge of Domestic Abuse and experience of delivering refuge provision that could deliver this service at such short notice.