Author: John Brace

New media journalist from Birkenhead, England who writes about Wirral Council. Published and promoted by John Brace, 134 Boundary Road, Bidston, CH43 7PH. Printed by UK Webhosting Ltd t/a Tsohost, 113-114 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, England, SL1 4PF.

Council – 18th July – Part 2 – Leaders Statement

After the minutes were accepted, the Leader of Wirral Council Cllr Foulkes stated he wanted to make a statement. Although he said the agenda didn’t have this as an item, due to his “new status as Leader” he wanted councillors to be “up to date” so he would “be brief” as it was “not my … Continue reading “Council – 18th July – Part 2 – Leaders Statement”

After the minutes were accepted, the Leader of Wirral Council Cllr Foulkes stated he wanted to make a statement. Although he said the agenda didn’t have this as an item, due to his “new status as Leader” he wanted councillors to be “up to date” so he would “be brief” as it was “not my style to dominate Council proceedings”.

Once the laughter had died down, Cllr Foulkes started with one of his favourite subjects Eric Pickles. Unfortunately he told councillors, Eric Pickles “can’t make it”. Instead he was going to meet Rt Hon Bob Neill MP on the 6th September in a meeting he “hoped would be fruitful”. There had been “something missing” so he had set up a regular meeting between the Chief Exec, Chris Hyams, himself, Cllr Adrian Jones and senior trade union officials who were now meeting regularly perhaps monthly. He said under the old style anything to do with employment would be dealt with by the Chief Executive. However the “boundaries were more blurred” and “no one could accuse him of not having the full facts”.

He said he “had been asked to clarify regarding Champions” and that there was a “plethora of Champions”. However he saw “politics as a team game” and went on to refer to the fact according to him this was “enshrined in the Constitution”. He had chosen Cllr Jerry Williams as Heritage Champion, which was a change of format from the Leisure & Culture Cabinet Member being Heritage Champion. There were a number of other Champions he would be reviewing. He felt the Overview and Scrutiny Committees should take over the Champions role and it was up to them to select.

Council – 18th July – Part 1 – Interests, petitions, minutes

The Mayor asked for Declarations of Interest. There were so many, so quickly this is only a partial list.

Cllr Blakeley – prejudicial interest (item 12) because of his appointment to Merseytravel
Cllr Clarke – personal interest (item 2) because of her daughter’s employment
Cllr Lewis – personal interest item 13 because of his employment
??? ?????
??? ?????? – prejudicial interest (item 12) because of their appointment to Merseytravel
Cllr Taylor – prejudicial interest in notices of motion 8 and 12
??? ?????? – personal interest (item 2) because of daughter’s employment
Cllr Williams (Steve) – personal interest (item 2) because of his wife
Cllr Brighouse – an interest in item 2 because of his wife
Cllr Johnson – prejudicial interest in item 2
Cllr Harney – item 2 because he’s a Chair of Governors
Cllr Meaden – item 2 because of her daughter
Cllr Salter – item 12 (Merseytravel)
Cllr Abbey – item 12 (Merseytravel)
Cllr Davies – item 2 because of his wife, daughter and daughter in law

The Mayor then asked for petitions.

Cllr Blakeley presented a petition of over three hundred Moreton residents asking Wirral Council to support planning application 00727 of Wirral Partnership Homes regarding the shops.
Cllr Sheila Clarke presented a petition from residents who wanted a road surfaced.
Cllr Lewis presented a petition of 36 further names to the existing 366, who wanted the designation of a green space in Leasowe amended.
Cllr Chris Jones presented a petition of 679 names in addition to the 874 last time regarding security in Central Park.
Cllr Steve Niblock presented a petition of 31 people who wanted alleygates in New Ferry and another petition of 71 names.

An inaccuracy in the minutes of the 16th May was pointed out by Bill Norman. He said the list of people present was incorrect. He asked they be accepted but amended to take this into account.

Council – 18th July – Before it all started.

The pair of Braces walked into the Council Chamber and took their seats. All around was hustle and bustle & councillors were coming and going trying to figure out their new places. Cllr Phil Davies was trying to give some gentle advice to his boss as he saw one half of the Braces get his notebook out.

Cllr Phil Davies said to Cllr Foulkes that they’d have to be careful what they said with those two behind us. Cllr Steve Foulkes, at his usual default volume resembling a foghorn on the River Mersey said “Oh, F!*!”, turned a crimson shade of red, then to the female Cllr Brace, representing the Canupawakpa Dakota Nation said in an equally loud voice, “Pardon my French” before storming off to the corridor to the North. Without Cllr Foulkes absent the noise in the Chamber dropped by a number of decibels. He left with a face like thunder but returned with a big grin on his face.

From the benches afar, two Rhinos, on the “critically endangered” list of councillors stared intently at the two members of the public wondering what they were doing there. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gerry Ellis lightened the mood by cracking a joke that made Cllr Brace smile. Shortly after the meeting began, with the Mayor introducing Bernard McConnell who was there to pray for the councillors.

After the prayers Cllr Foulkes informed those present that Cllr McArdle couldn’t make it as she was in hospital. There were no other apologies.

Wirral Council – Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee 12th July 2011 Part 5

Cllr Cox asked where was the value for money? Chris answered that they had to meet the criteria and have the potential to reach senior management. To access the MBA they had to show how they had put past learning into practice and applied it. The key criteria was that external and internal training must be linked to their job. On value for money there had been lots of feedback. She said she had seen employees and been shown the contribution made which had been enhanced significantly. It was expensive, but about value for money they have contributed more as a result of training. They had taken up projects and dissertations as well as taken up topics. The latest cohort had been providing feedback to the Executive Team which had incorporated learning into how they work.

Cllr Doughty said he was new to the Council, but from feedback he said they should have a “pat on the back”. Although she said employees were motivated, in his view it was quite the opposite. He felt they were deflated, under pressure and de-motivated. Cllr Doughty felt the MBA was beyond the aspiration of most council employees. He had talked to employees who had lost colleagues due to the cutbacks. He disputed the comments made and the “haven’t we done well” report. He said it had been a difficult year but this had been self-imposed which had demotivated staff.

Chris replied that the report highlighted various matters and if it underplayed what happened it was not her intent. She agreed it had been a difficult year, but key strategies were in place.

Wirral Council – Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee 12th July 2011 Part 4

Chris Hyams replied that the policy works for home working with a risk assessment, performance management and that it was not a policy but a strategy in how it works and works in practice. She said she could comment on where the policy allowed service drive change and met personal requirements. Cllr Hale congratulated Chris and her colleagues on a full program. Chris thanked Cllr Hale.

Cllr Brighouse said it was a comprehensive report, with some easy to measure outcomes. However there was also some cultural change and he asked how its effectiveness could be measured?

Chris Hyams said there were some measures regarding outputs, however the measurement was how well motivated and how staff performed. The Employment and Appointments Committee had introduced a performance management culture for employees. This had led to a better dialogue about performance and support. Are people contributing to overall performance and how do they feel? This was assessed through feedback and the employee opinion survey. Feedback was used to learn and shape the strategies going forward.

Cllr Brighouse asked about 180 degree assessments. Chris Hyams said 180 degree and 360 degree just look at performance management, because to look at different methods requires feedback. This was not as systematic but an important consideration in performance management.

Cllr Cox said he was all for employee development, but there was a cost of training. E-learning could keep costs down, but for expensive courses what was the criteria to be funded, such as the MBA as not everyone was a leader?

Privacy Preference Center

Consent Management

privacy-policy

Required
You have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy.

Necessary

Advertising

Analytics

Other