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Council (Wirral Council) Monday 16th October 2012

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Monday’s Council meeting, agenda, reports pack and supplementary agenda.

Council (Wirral Council) 16th October 2012 Part 1 of 4

Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 00:01 to 00:16
Please sit down please. Welcome to the Council meeting. The first item is in fact the Mayor’s Chaplain to take prayers. Thank you.
Mayor’s Chaplain 00:24 to 02:28
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 02:38 to 03:02

Agenda Item 1 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 02:40 to 07:58
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 02:40 to 03:02
Cllr Ann McLachlan 03:02 to 3:15
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 3:15 to 3:17
Cllr Denise Realey 3:17 to 3:22
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 3:22 to 3:26
Cllr Denise Roberts 3:26 to 3:39
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 3:39 to 3:41
Cllr Ron Abbey 3:41 to 3:48
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 3:48 to 3:51
Cllr Stuart Whittingham 3:51 to 3:58
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 3:58 to 4:00
Cllr Christina Muspratt 4:00 to 4:11
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 4:11 to 4:13
Cllr Harry Smith 4:13 to 4:23
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 4:23 to 4:24
Cllr Steve Niblock 4:24 to 4:30
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 4:30 to 4:32
Cllr Anita Leech 4:32 to 4:35
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 4:35 to 4:37
Cllr Mike Sullivan 4:37 to 4:48
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 4:48 to 4:49
Cllr Darren Dodd 4:49 to 4:59
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 4:59 to 5:01
Cllr Paul Doughty 5:01 to 5:14
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 5:14 to 5:16
Cllr Tom Harney 5:16 to 5:23
Mayor Cllr Gerrry Ellis 5:23 to 5:28
Cllr Steve Williams 5:28 to 5:42
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 5:42 to 5:44
Cllr Don McCubbin 5:44 to 5:55
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 5:55 to 5:57
Cllr Lesley Rennie 5:57 to 6:25
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 6:25 to 6:26
Cllr Jeff Green 6:26 to 6:41
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 6:41 to 6:43
Cllr Chris Blakeley 6:43 to 6:51
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 6:51 to 6:54
Deputy Mayor Cllr Dave Mitchell 6:54 to 6:59
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 6:59 to 7:00
Cllr Wendy Clements 7:00 to 7:04
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 7:04 to 7:05
Cllr Leah Fraser 7:06 to 7:09
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 7:09 to 7:10
Cllr Moira McLaughlin 7:10 to 7:17
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 7:18 to 7:27
Cllr Geoffrey Watt 7:27 to 7:32
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 7:32 to 7:38
Cllr Mike Hornby 7:38 to 7:47
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 7:47 to 7:58

2. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS 7:58 to 10:45
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 7:58 to 10:26
Cllr Chris Blakeley 10:28 to 10:34
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 10:34 to 10:36
Cllr Bill Davies 10:37 to 10:40
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 10:40 to 10:45

3. PETITIONS 10:45 to 11:37
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 10:45 to 10:52
Cllr Brian Kenny 10:52 to 11:06
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 11:06 to 11:09
Cllr Harry Smith 11:09 to 11:27
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 11:27 to 11:37

4. MINUTES (16th July 2012) 11:37 to 11:53
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 11:37 to 11:53

5. LEADERS ANNOUNCEMENTS 11:53 to 19:17
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 11:53 to 11:57
Cllr Phil Davies 11:57 to 18:40
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 18:40 to 19:17

6. MATTERS REQUIRING APPROVAL BY THE COUNCIL 19:18 to 25:09
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 19:18 to 19:43
Cllr Phil Gilchrist 19:43 to 20:45
Cllr Phil Davies 20:47 to 22:03
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 22:03 to 22:39
Surjit Tour leaves
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 22:50 to 25:09

7. MATTERS FOR NOTING 25:09 to 25:18
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 25:09 to 25:18

8. QUESTIONS 25:18 to 28:34
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 25:18 to 25:29
John Brace 25:32 to 27:04
Question to Cabinet Member for Improvement and Governance (Cllr Ann McLachlan)

Q. Please could you provide a written and/or verbal answer to the following question please.

The introduction of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 which came into force on the 10th September 2012, changed Wirral Council’s legal obligations when it comes to holding public meetings in relation to some committees. The new regulations cover Cabinet, committees of Cabinet and some other committees and also put further duties on officers (and in some cases councillors) to record decisions made, reasons for decisions, other options considered and any conflicts of interest (and any associated notices of dispensation).

Can you explain please:-

(a) what specific committees at Wirral Council (and any joint committees or subcommittees) are considered to be “decision-making bodies” as described in the legislation,

(b) how regulation 9 will work in practice at Wirral Council with regards to delegated decisions by Cabinet Members,

(d) when and whether councillors (and co-opted members) will receive training in relation to regulations 16, 17 & 18,

(e) whether Wirral Council will make charges to the press or public for any copies of documents requested under the regulations,

(f) when and how it’ll be explained to officers the implications of regulation 22, which is punishable by a £200 fine and make it a criminal offence to obstruct people or refuse to supply documents to people exercising their rights under the Regulations and

(g) which named officer/s (and their job titles) will be responsible (or even a point of contact for the public) for this area?

Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 27:04 to 27:06
Cllr Ann McLachlan 27:09 to 27:40
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 27:40 to 27:42
John Brace 27:42 to 27:49
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 27:49 to 27:52
Surjit Tour 27:52 to 28:05
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 28:05 to 28:08
Cllr Jeff Green 28:08 to 28:21
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 28:21 to 28:34

9. MATTERS REFERRED FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES 28:34 to 28:41
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 28:34 to 28:41

10. NOTICES OF MOTION 28:41 to 46:43
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 28:41 to 28:50

Cllr Phil Davies 28:50 to 29:20
Cllr Jeff Green 29:20 to 29:22
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 29:22 to 29:35

11. MATTERS FOR DEBATE
5. MOTION: HILLSBOROUGH INDEPENDENT PANEL REPORT

Proposed by Councillor Paul Hayes (7 minutes)
Seconded by Councillor Jeff Green (3 minutes)

(1) This Council remembers the death of the 96 who lost their lives going to a
football match in Sheffield’s Hillsborough stadium on April 15 1989,
including twelve citizens of this borough.

(2) Council welcomes the full and unambiguous apology from the Prime
Minister on behalf of the Government for the length of time it has taken to
discover the truth of how those who should have protected our citizens
actually behaved and commends the tenacity, dignity and courage of the
friends and family of those who lost their lives. They have tirelessly pursued

a campaign for truth and justice whilst the burden of grief lays heavy on their
hearts, their bravery and determination serves as an example to us all.

(3) Council welcomes the publication of the report by the Hillsborough
Independent Panel, and on behalf of the people of Wirral, Council thanks all
members of the Panel for finally succeeding in what previous enquiries have
failed to do: uncovering the truth.

(4) Council believes that after truth justice must follow. Council urges all
prosecuting authorities to consider the findings of the Hillsborough
Independent Panel and asks them to relentlessly pursue those culpable for
the deaths of so many and the subsequent attempt to evade justice by
repeated lies in a concerted attempt to lay the blame with brave survivors
and fans.

(5) Council again repudiates the views of those who have peddled lies about
Liverpool fan’s involvement in this tragedy. We hope those guilty of this
horrendous slander are now silenced by their shame.

(6) Council therefore resolves:

(i). To ask that the Chief Executive, on behalf of the Council, writes to the
Hillsborough Families Support Group, the Hillsborough Justice
Campaign and Hope for Hillsborough to express our continued support
for their campaigns for justice and thanking them for their steadfast
examples of courage and dignity.

(ii). To ask that the Acting Director of Children’s Services, following the
recent example of certain Liverpool Schools, seeks to facilitate a
discussion between the Head Teachers of Wirral’s Schools on how
learning about the Hillsborough Stadium disaster can be incorporated
into their school’s curriculum; ensuring that all future generations know
the truth of what happened on that day.

Right of Reply: Councillor Paul Hayes (7 minutes)

Cllr Phil Davies 29:35 to 29:37
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 29:37 to 29:44
Cllr Paul Hayes 29:44 to 35:53
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 35:53 to 35:58
Cllr Phil Davies 35:58 to 39:08
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 39:08 to 39:09
Deputy Mayor Cllr Dave Mitchell 39:09 to 40:15
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 40:15 to 40:24
Cllr Jeff Green 40:24 to 43:36
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 43:36 to 44:20

VOTE
FOR: 63
AGAINST 0(NIL)
ABSTENTION 0(NIL)

Motion 5 is passed 63:0:0

Surjit Tour 44:20 to 46:00
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 46:00 to 46:09
Cllr Phil Davies 46:09 to 46:28
Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis 46:29 to 46:42

10 MINUTE ADJOURNMENT

Continues at Council Wirral Council 16th October 2012 Part 2 of 4.

Council 9th February 2012 – Youth Parliament – Don’t mention the l word!

On Tuesday evening the Mayor welcomed young people participating in the Youth Parliament event and told everyone that he had started his career in the Council Chamber representing a youth club in New Brighton.

The first motion was calling for more sporting provision for young people on the Wirral. A Youth Parliament member called Leah explained that this was to help people with their self-confidence and team building skills. An opposer to the motion called Jessica called for a more diverse range of youth activities instead such as cooking, arts and foreign languages.

Cllr Walter Smith commented that there were more sporting opportunities now than in his youth and referred to his granddaughter at Upton Hall school. Various young people said the existing sporting provision wasn’t advertised enough. Another called Lauren referred to the Wirral Youth Theatre activities. Dylan suggested they use schools left empty during the holidays for sport.

Cllr Jerry Williams referred to the upcoming marathon and said although he was sixty, he had run thirty-six marathons.

A vote was taken and the motion was lost by 14 votes to 38.

The second motion was that all Wirral parks have either an internet cafe or wi-fi cafe so that young people could meet after school. Courtney said that she believed this would increase the number visiting the parks and would be used throughout the day by others. Hannah said that there were already youth clubs and it was pointless spending lots of money on such things.

Ricky said that more young people had internet access on their phones or at the local library and that they were “already a nation of zombies” so he disagreed with the motion.

George said that many families couldn’t afford internet access. Ffion said they could make money from refreshments but didn’t think it was well thought through. Charlotte opposed it and thought it would lead to conflict between rival groups.

Charlotte spoke saying it was a really good idea but with the cuts she couldn’t see it happening. Another young person said they could get half an hour free at their local library. Another two young people spoke against the idea.

Josh agreed with the motion, but said the youth clubs were safer. Alex thought it wouldn’t be safe and would intensify gang culture. Another young person said the wi-fi at Birkenhead Park pavilion was turned off when the cafe shuts at four.

Dylan thought it was a bad motion and Alan thought that people would just use it for playing games. Cllr Steve Williams spoke about the perception that young people had that the park was not a safe place. Cllr Patricia Glasman asked if young people would allow older people to use the internet cafes?

Josh said that older people could use the internet in work. Rosie said that no one goes to her local library and was interrupted by heckling. At the end of the debate there was a vote. Six were for, 52 were against, so the motion was lost.

The next motion was from Oldershaw school and asked for Wirral Council to guarantee employment opportunities for young people by insisting in contracts that a certain % of employment was local and a certain % apprenticeships.

Charles spoke first and thought that colleges should make the request rather than the local Council. Alex referred to young people going to university, getting into debt and coming out without a job.

Lauren thought that people at a private school received a better education than at a comprehensive. Graham talked about how if more people were in work then they would be less reliant on local government and crime would fall.

Ricky talked about how people worked hard to achieve good grades, but due to circumstances couldn’t go to university because of the expense. George spoke about kids in poverty and how youths should be a priority.

More young people spoke about qualifications. Lauren spoke about one to one sessions in her school in Maths and English. Cllr Adrian Jones said as a governor of Oldershaw how impressed he was by Megan Jones’ speech and how he did agree with the thrust of what she said. He also congratulated Charles Keeth on his speech.

Charlotte referred to how although she was hoping to go to university, she would take work in a coffee shop for eight months.

Another young person said that a young person got good grades at GCSE because of the effort that was put in.

Cllr Bernie Mooney congratulated the young people and said she wishes the adult debaters would take lessons from the discussions. She said that they had a duty that the aspirations of young people were upheld, that they had an excellent education department and she agreed that companies coming to Wirral to make their fortune should share it through an obligation to employ adults and young people as apprentices.

Cllr Cox spoke as a previous apprentice himself, he believed apprenticeships were the future, although he had gone on to university later and studied for a degree. He had done an HNC and been paid at the same time.

Ryan said it was important to give young people jobs especially when their parents didn’t have jobs. The motion went to the vote that Council contracts would guarantee 25% youth jobs. It was passed by 36 votes to 20.

The next motion was that areas of low life expectancy were due to lifestyle choices.

This sparked a debate about the differences between the West and East of Wirral and how where you were brought up affected your views, stereotypes and people’s views of poverty. This motion was lost by 8 votes to 42.

On the last motion, Cllr Watt declared a prejudicial interest and left. This motion was that councillors, MPs and officers should have their expenses cut.

Many young people spoke in favour of this. Councillor Les Rowlands spoke against, saying that he was paid less as a councillor than in his self-employed job and that some chose not to claim expenses. This motion was lost by 11 votes to 22. Cllr Blakeley asked for his abstention to be recorded.

The Mayor quipped that if the motion had passed he would’ve bought bicycle clips and a mayoral bicycle.

The last motion was that police officers should be armed with guns. There were a few speakers (mainly against) and that motion was lost by 10 votes to 40. At the end the Mayor invited the three party leaders to speak.

Cllr Tom Harney said that standards had been extremely high and that each year the standard was getting better, but that if people had any suggestions to let him know.

Cllr Wendy Clements said it had been interesting and exciting and that people had listened to each other, which she commented was rare, she congratulated everyone and on the standard of debate.

Cllr Phil Davies said it had been a fantastic evening and said he had been tempted to join in on the debate on councillor’s allowances. He said that many speeches were well researched and had a good evidence base. He thanks the staff for organising the event and said it had been a long day for those who had been there since the morning.

The Mayor thanked Maureen McDaid and the minutes of last year’s meeting were agreed. The meeting then closed.

Bidston & Claughton Area Forum 3rd October 2012 Part 5

Continued from Part 4.

Donnie said that was an interesting point and that the ten-year life of houses on Bidston Rise had been increased to thirty years. He wondered if there would be arguments for one or two bedroom bungalows.

Cllr Foulkes said that an important point was the ability of the registered social landlords to borrow money as there would be much less money coming in and they would have difficulty collecting the rent, which would terrify the banks. He said that they were a worse bet than they had ever been in history as a developer, but he had been told by some politicians that this change had been popular in the South-East.

A person introducing herself as Jill Smith, a project support officer with the Women’s Centre said that they were a small charity, but women were coming in were in an absolute crisis over fear of what was going on. She said it would have a big impact, that they received no statutory funding, but that the problem was only going to get bigger. Jill Smith said that they worked with women with mental health or emotional problems.

Cllr Foulkes said they were seeing more people in their surgeries.

Cllr Harry Smith referred to the lady who runs the food bank.

Jill Smith said that all charities would be put under pressure.

Reverend Jenny Gillies from St. Oswalds said that they should be creative over letting people know. She said they never used to have people wander off the streets, but there was confusion over Housing Benefit. Jenny said that Area Forums needed to think creatively over inviting the voluntary sector.

Cllr Foulkes said the demand on the third sector, was going to turn into a flood. They were asking people who had the opportunity in the consultation as to what services they should or could provide. However he wasn’t in Paddy’s camp as he didn’t like protests and leading people down cul-de-sacs.

Paddy said they should campaign to educate people to make rational decisions.

Cllr Foulkes withdrew his remark about Paddy.

Paddy accepted the apology.

Cllr Roberts asked for presentations from the partners.

Jim Thompson (Community Safety) said that Wirral was a safe borough, crime was falling, but despite the recession, crime hadn’t shot up due to vigilance. He said that people shouldn’t leave their houses in darkness when they go out or their windows open, he encouraging people to lock their doors and if they got people knocking on doors asking people to give them £200 for insulation, they were to ignore them and ring Trading Standards or the police on 101.

Leonora told the Area Forum of her experience of this.

Jim Thompson said that if it sounds too good to be true, it normally is. He said that nobody comes from Wirral Council and says they’ll take you to the cashpoint, well not yet (he joked) and that if people were concerned to ring the 101 number. They had a multi agency team looking at crime and disorder and information was shared so they could identify hotspots from the calls and prioritise.

A member of the public said they had called 101 when cars had been spray painted and that the police had been helpful and that they had been given the number for crime prevention, but after three days they hadn’t had an answer.

Jim Thompson said that the four crime prevention officers no longer existed, but if she wanted advice to ring 666 5443 and they would find somebody who could answer her query.

The member of the public said that if someone called from the police would the number be withheld?

Jim Thompson said the police and Council did call from withheld numbers and suggested that people don’t leave their house in darkness. He said the burglary rate was now less than twenty per a thousand whereas when he’d started it was forty-five.

Steve Preston said that 80% of burglaries were opportunistic, but this was no consolation for the 20% that weren’t.

Jim Thompson said that if it looks occupied they’d just walk past.

Paul Murphy, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said they were looking at a £9.2 million cut, but that the Chair was on the Fire Authority. Their target of 13,000 Home Fire Safety Checks (which would still be free) and he was asking if people knew of any vulnerable households to tell them, but that they were working with the Safeguarding Adults Board to identify people.

From the 22nd October they would be removing debris in the lead up to Bonfire Night, he gave out statistics on accidental dwelling fires, last year there had been eleven, so far this year there had been five. They had completed 622 Home Fire Safety Checks since the start of the year. On deliberate secondary fires there had been 222 last year and 74 so far this year. He referred to the tragic road traffic fatality in Claughton, but that road traffic collisions were low compared to other Merseyside authorities. He gave the phone number of 0800 731 5958 which could be used for Home Fire Safety Checks or from 22nd October to report rubbish that needed to be cleared. He said that Birkenhead Fire Station was due for completion in 2013.

Cllr Harry Smith asked if they would be based with the ambulance station?

Paul Murphy answered that in Croxteth they shared the same building. Cllr Roberts said there were no plans to merge.

Donnie asked a question about the ring fenced road safety funding for Area Forums?

Cllr Roberts asked if he was referring to road traffic accidents?

Donnie said he was referring to the bus hitting the car and the tragic fatality, but also the 20mph zones?

Cllr Foulkes said that the money allocated locally was a small fraction of the Highways Department budget, but that money would be put sadly where there had already been accidents.

Cllr Harry Smith referred to hotspots.

Cllr Foulkes said that after a major accident or fatality there was an investigation to see if it could have been prevented, such as the lights being purposely staggered slower but that he wouldn’t preempt the investigation.

George Thomas said he was frustrated by the cuts and drew attention to November 15th when it would be voting day for a Police Commissioner. He said it was “Tory ideology” and costing £100 million to create the position. He said the Chief Constable would be paid £155,000 and the Commissioner £85,000 but that independents couldn’t afford to run as they needed a deposit of £5,000.

Cllr Roberts said yes, yes.

Cllr George Davies said it was a waste of money.

Cllr Foulkes said he believed in democracy and pleaded with people to get out and vote.

Cllr Harry Smith said he wanted people to vote for the Labour candidate.

Jim Thompson said that Home Office funds, currently £122,000 were given to the local authority, as well as £150,000 to £160,000 from the Area Based Grant, however from April 2013 this would be given to the Police and Crime Commissioner instead.

Cllr George Davies disagreed with Jim Thompson over the change. He said he objection was that the change to a Police and Crime Commissioner was that it was one person compared to seventeen on the police authority.

Anna said they had a positive event to report as a person was coming to the library to talk about Viking remains.

A member of the public commented on the road conditions and said they were pleased that in the last four months it had been seen to.

Cllr Roberts said as there were no further questions, she would close the formal part of the meeting, the next one would be Tuesday 5th February 2013 in the Bidston ward.

Michelle Gray said she would advertise the venue and write to people.

Bidston & Claughton Area Forum 3rd October 2012 Part 4 Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit

Continued from Part 3.

Cllr Foulkes said that the tactic of government was to save money to pay off the deficit and that they had to save £3.2 million or find it elsewhere. He said that he didn’t invent the figure, but if they believed in Council Tax Benefit for certain groups it would be implemented.

Paddy said that just because people had mortgages and things were tight didn’t stop them eating and that the changes could cripple people. He said it could be done over a longer period of time and that the deficit was going up.

Cllr Foulkes said it didn’t support it and agreed [with Paddy]. He said he was a Labour councillor and that the way to get out of the depression was to stimulate the economy.

Cllr Harry Smith said that as well as the possible cuts to Council Tax benefit and the issue of spare bedrooms affecting Housing Benefit, that service charges were going to be removed from Housing Benefit and that the current Wirral Partnership Homes service charge for sheltered accommodation was about £13/week. He said that this would affect the poorest in society.

Cllr Foulkes said that rents were no longer going to be paid directly to landlords and that landlords would have to collect the rent, which would be a massive change.

A member of the public asked a question about Council Tax Benefit/Housing Benefit and the means testing system.

The officer said that they wouldn’t get more money next year for new claims, but they would try and divide it as best they can, these decisions were being consulted on as to whether people wanted Council Tax to go up or the debt to fall on the most vulnerable people.

Cllr Foulkes asked if they would still administer Housing Benefit?

The officer said that they would, but there would be changes to reductions for excess rooms, one room would result in 14% less, two rooms 25% less.

A member of the public asked about a family of four who needed this income who were on tax credits and how it couldn’t be looked at in isolation.

The officer said there would be a discretionary fund.

Cllr Foulkes said that people were “blissfully ignorant” and they had “not got a clue” what was coming round. He suggested that they ask all Area Forums to have an expert give a demonstration to tell people what was coming round the corner. He suggested there was a knowledge gap and that an expert making a presentation explaining what it meant for certain families would be useful.

Donnie said that Wirral Partnership Homes had done that with a mailing about the bedroom tax, which had a four page breakdown about what it meant to people.

Cllr George Davies said that pensioners were exempt from the changes, but referred also to the change to Universal Credit.

An officer said they could give six or seven worked examples.

Donnie said that people were not understanding the changes.

Cllr Foulkes said that it was different for tenants with organisations with resources such as Wirral Partnership Homes, but private tenants, community groups and church groups were up a creek and needed to have a semblance of understanding to mitigate the impact of the changes. He also said the appeal and claim process would be made more difficult and if the benefit was lost it would take “ages and ages” to appeal.

Paddy said it was important people had enough “bread and two potatoes” to eat, but what are people going to do? He said it was life and death with people starving and that “we are the plebs”, whereas government ministers were more concerned with what they have with their Beaujolais. He again referred to the crisis loans.

Cllr Harry Smith referred to people having to downsize because of the bedroom situation, but that Wirral Partnership Homes didn’t have enough one-bedroom homes.

Continued at Part 5.

Bidston & Claughton Area Forum 3rd October 2012 Part 3 Council Tax Benefit Consultation and Rampworx

Continued from Part 2.

Donnie said that the document said there was £200 million left and asked to the layperson what did that mean, as most people don’t talk in those figures? He said he had come along to try to get an understanding of the mechanics. Normally there would be presentations from the grass-roots about bids, but they had received a letter from the new Chief Executive saying the funding had been suspended which he was disappointed about. He said that funding at that level was important and he didn’t understand what caused a £17 million overspend unless people just “can’t add up”. He asked a question about the Rampworx project and how Wirral Council had offered match funding, but that the site had archaeological significance and contamination issues and how they had looked at a plan B which was the back field to the Bidston Rise estate. He asked whether this had been put on hold or they’d switched to plan B?

Cllr Foulkes said that he hadn’t got the Cabinet decision which was about non-essential spending and why it fell foul was that it wasn’t life or death. He said that it should be a priority as it would create jobs and youth opportunities and sounded like good value for money, however they had to fight for investment.

Donnie said that the land in question belonged to Wirral Partnership Homes and had been transferred by mistake with the housing stock, so it was designated as building land due to the need for affordable housing. He was hoping at the Strategic Housing Partnership meeting that he would find out more.

Cllr Foulkes asked Ian Brand to answer.

Ian Brand said if they had entered a legal contract then the money wouldn’t be frozen, he said he would talk to Donnie separately after the meeting.

Cllr Roberts said although this fund was frozen, that there was another pot of money called Community First that it was possible to apply to and that Anna Wallace the person responsible for Bidston could help. She said as there were no further questions, they would move to the consultation on Council Tax support and benefits.

The officer said they were proposing changes from the 1st April 2013 and that there were 40,000 people in receipt of Council Tax Benefit. There were a few rules, pensioners were protected so they would be no worse off and there was a suggestion that they should protect vulnerable groups. There was another consultation about the changes and they were now seeking people’s views. They currently received £32 million for Council Tax Benefit, which would be reduced by £3.2 million next year, so they were looking at options, one of which was not backdating claims and whether there should be a discretionary fund for hardship. If they didn’t agree on a scheme, then the default scheme would be the same as the one they had now. The consultation was running from the 1st September [2012] to the 31st October [2012].

Continued at Part 4.

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