Banned video on Lyndale School restored to Youtube; Wirral Council still prevents filming at 2 public meetings

Banned video on Lyndale School restored to Youtube; Wirral Council still prevents filming at 2 public meetings

Banned video on Lyndale School restored to Youtube; Wirral Council still prevents filming at 2 public meetings

                                                

Councillor Tony Smith at the Special Cabinet Meeting of 4th September 2014 to discuss Lyndale School L to R Cllr Stuart Whittingham, Cllr Tony Smith, Cllr Bernie Mooney, Lyndzay Roberts
Councillor Tony Smith at the Special Cabinet Meeting of 4th September 2014 to discuss Lyndale School L to R Cllr Stuart Whittingham, Cllr Tony Smith, Cllr Bernie Mooney, Lyndzay Roberts that Sony prevented being watch on Youtube until now.

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Ed – Updated 11:58 14/11/2014 to include additional information.

Well the above Youtube video of the Cabinet meeting of the 4th September 2014 (previously blocked by Youtube in Germany and unavailable for anyone to view for the last fortnight because of Sony) can now be viewed.

Sony Music Entertainment haven’t sued me, so the video has to go back. My arcane knowledge of the counter notification provision to a DMCA takedown notice in the American Digital Millenium Copyright Act paid off.

The issue was to do with the use of the music track “We bought a Zoo” [2011] by Icelandic musician Jónsi.

It means the 15 minute restriction on videos, restrictions on live broadcasts is no lifted on the main Youtube channel I use. Also the account is returned to good standing.

However in future at a public meeting, even though I can justify fair use on the grounds of news reporting, to prevent the making of false allegations of copyright infringement and this happening again, I have decided not to film videos shown during public meetings (obviously there may be exceptions to this general rule).

With regards to the Lyndale School video, the fact that Jónsi is blind adds another interesting element to the Lyndale story.

It’s not however just Sony Music Entertainment that have tried to prevent footage of Wirral Council’s public meetings being shown. Wirral Council tried it at a call in earlier this year in February (about Lyndale).

Also at a recent meeting of the Youth and Play Service Advisory Committee on the 28th October and the Youth Parliament on 11th November Wirral Council were adamant that for child protection reasons these public meetings couldn’t be filmed.

This was because at the meeting on the 28th there was a 16-year-old present and at the meeting on the 11th November, there were 11-18 year olds present in addition to councillors.

Strangely enough on that very topic the Youth Parliament, the BBC are filming (and showing on BBC Parliament today) from 11.10am-12.40pm and 1.40pm onwards the Youth Parliament debating in the House of Commons.

In fact here is a quote from one UK Youth Parliament member Ciara Brodie from Liverpool (who will be leading a debate):

“Friday 14th November will be an incredible day, not only for those sitting in the chamber, but for young people across the country. This is the day when hundreds of Members of Youth Parliament will take to the green benches of the House of Commons and debate on the issues that are most important to us. These five issues have been decided by a nationwide ballot taken part in by over 865,000 11-18 year olds. This day will be symbolic, because young people often feel excluded from politics, and like their voices are neither acknowledged nor represented in Parliament. This sitting is an incredible opportunity to engage young people from across the UK in political debate, just months before a General Election. With educational reform a hot topic and 16 and 17 year olds voting in the Scottish Referendum, there has never been a more important time to listen to young people. It is one thing to be given a voice but hopefully, as a result of this debate, young people will also be listened to. This is our chance to make our mark in the heart of Westminster.”

Here is what a Youth Parliament document states about the filming today:

Television coverage

The debates will all be filmed. BBC Parliament will be broadcasting the debates live with a five minute time delay.
The debates will also be streamed “live” with a time delay directly to the newsrooms of the BBC, Sky, etc – so that broadcasters may use the footage that day if they want to.

It is very important that during the debates MYPs don’t say anything that is factually incorrect (i.e. slanderous), don’t swear and are careful not to damage the reputation of Parliament (e.g. call MPs liars!). We will be taking legal advice on anything that could be considered slanderous and any such statements will have to be removed.
The microphones and cameras will be on in the Chamber at all times.”

Coverage of the morning session will be broadcast on the BBC Parliament channel today (14th November 2014) starting at 8.20pm.
Coverage of the afternoon session will be broadcast on the BBC Parliament channel today (14th November 2014) starting at 9.50pm.

Coverage of the morning session will be available on BBC Iplayer at this link (1h30m).
Coverage of the afternoon session will be available on BBC Iplayer at this link (2h10m) .

That’s a total of 3h40m of footage.

The problem however is despite the House of Commons changing the law at Wirral Council, the officer/councillor requests to ban filming the public meeting of Wirral Council of the Youth Parliament earlier this week, especially as the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 meant that from August 6th 2014 Wirral Council could no longer ban any filming at its public meetings, just looks somewhat slightly silly now, old-fashioned, possibly unlawful when the BBC are filming the Youth Parliament in the House of Commons at a public meeting to a much wider audience?

Maybe Wirral Council’s child protection policy will prevent its UK Youth Parliament members (aged between 11-18) actually being involved at all in London at the House of Commons today (which if it does that’s a shame). Mind you under their “child protection policy” the public & press have been told in the past aren’t even allowed to know even the names of who from Wirral represents the views of young people on the Youth Parliament!

In Wirral of course, with full approval from Wirral Council’s Cabinet, children’s voices are not to be heard outside of meeting rooms at public meetings on political issues. The reason given is because “they’re children” and of course Wirral isn’t known to as the “insular peninsula” for no reason. It’s however really part of a wider cultural attitude against openness and transparency and of trying to control the press.

Wirral will probably also say its for safeguarding reasons, however I would say the effect of broadcasting on national TV, online and through other broadcasters is likely to reach a much wider audience than probably the fifty or sixty views there would have been of the Youth Parliament meeting at Wirral Council.

What have Wirral Council actually got to hide when it comes to teenagers? Do they just so ever conveniently forget at time they get £millions of public money to spend on their education?

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The first 17 pages of Wirral Council's contract with Wirral Schools Services Limited

The first 17 pages of Wirral Council’s contract with Wirral Schools Services Limited

The first 17 pages of Wirral Council’s contract with Wirral Schools Services Limited

                           

Edited 13/11/2014 to correct “Wirral School Services Limited” to “Wirral Schools Services Limited”.

Below is the first 17 A4 pages of Wirral Council’s contract with Wirral Schools Services Limited. I requested it as part of the 2013/14 audit. Sadly it’s so long I’ll probably just have to scan the rest of it in or OCR it.

There are a further 114 pages in this section.

Private & Confidential

Dated 9th September 2004

WIRRAL BOROUGH COUNCIL (1)
WIRRAL SCHOOLS SERVICES LIMITED (2)

===================================================================================================================
DEED OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT relating to Wirral Schools PFI Project
===================================================================================================================

ADDLESHAW GODDARD

Contents
Clause Page

1 Interpretation ......................................... 1
2 Effective Date ......................................... 1
3 Amendment and restatement .............................. 2
4 Confirmation ........................................... 2
5 Variations, amendments and payments .................... 2
6 Release by the Authority ............................... 4
7 Release by Project Co .................................. 4
8 Governing law and dispute resolution ................... 4

Schedule

1. Conditions ............................................ 5
   Part 1 - Conditions to be satisfied by Project Co ..... 5
   Part 2 - Conditions to be satisfied by the Authority .. 6
2 Amendments to the Project Agreement .................... 7
3 Details of Variations referred to in clause 5.1 ........ 8
4 Schedule of Payments referred to in clause 5.2(b) ...... 9
5 Outstanding items ..................................... 10

2-1000834-13

This Deed of Amendment and Restatement is made on the 9th day of September 2004

Between

(1) Wirral Borough Council of Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral, Merseyside CH44 8ED (Authority); and (signature)

(2) Wirral Schools Services Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales with registered number 4115637 whose registered office is at Frogmore Park, Walton-at-Stowe, Hertford SG14 3RU (Project Co).

Whereas

(A) The Authority has appointed Project Co under an agreement dated 27 March 2001 (Project Agreement) to finance, design and construct and to provide certain services in respect of certain schools in Wirral.

(B) The Authority and Project Co have agreed to vary the Project Agreement in the manner hereinafter appearing and to agree certain variations to the Project as hereinafter described.

It is agreed

1 Interpretation

1.1 In this Deed, but save as provided for by clause 1.2, the following expressions shall bear the following meanings:

D&B Deed of Amendment and Restatement means a deed of that name (or about) the same date as this Deed between Project Co and the D&B Contractor amending and restating the D&B Contract

Effective Date means the date upon which the parties confirm to each other in writing pursuant to clause 2.1 that the conditions set out in schedule 1 have been satisfied or waived

Revised Base Case Financial Model means the revision of the Base Case Financial Model as at the Effective Date in the Agreed Form

Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement means:

(a) the D&B Deed of Amendment and Restatement; and
(b) the Support Services Deed of Amendment and Restatement

Support Services Deed of Amendment and Restatement means a deed of that name of (or about) the same date as this Deed between Project Co and the Support Services Manager amending and restating the Support Services Management Agreement

1.2 Unless stated to the contrary in this Deed, words and phrases used in this Deed with initial capital letters but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Project Agreement.

1.3 Unless stated to the contrary, references in this Deed to any clause or schedule or appendix are references to such clause or schedule or appendix of or to this Deed.

1.4 Words importing the single number only include the plural number and vice versa.

2 Effective Date

2.1 The provisions of clauses 3, 5 (save for the acknowledgements set out in clauses 5.2(b) and 5.2(d)), 6 and 7 shall have no effect unless and until:

1

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(a) the Authority shall have confirmed in writing to Project Co that all of the conditions set out in part 1 of schedule 1 shall have been satisfied or waived; and

(b) Project Co shall have confirmed in writing to the Authority that all of the conditions set out in part 2 of schedule 1 shall have been satisfied or waived.

2.2 Each of the Authority and Project Co shall use their respective best endeavours to procure that the conditions set out in clause 2.1 are satisfied as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Deed, provided always that, if the Effective Date has not occurred on or before 31 August 24 September 2004, either party shall be entitled to terminate this Deed at any time thereafter upon giving written notice to the other party. (signature)

2.3 Without prejudice to any antecedent breaches of this Deed, if either party terminates this Deed pursuant to clause 2.2 then the Authority shall be entitled to recover in full from Project Co within 5 Working Days of the date of receipt of any notice served pursuant to clause 2.2 the amounts paid by the Authority to Project Co in connection with this Deed prior to the date of termination as set out in clause 5.2 and neither party shall be entitled to bring any claim against the other party as a result of such termination.

2.4 The Authority shall, within 10 Working Days after the Effective Date, deliver to Project Co a duly executed certificate issued pursuant to the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 in relation to this Deed.

2.5 Project Co shall procure the delivery by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (UK) Limited, within 10 Working Days after the Effective Date, of written confirmation of its consent to the D&B Deed of Amendment and Restatement and that the D&B Performance Bond and Retention Bond (in each case, as defined in the D&B Contract) remain effective.

3 Amendment and restatement

With effect from the Effective Date the Project Agreement shall be amended and restated so as to give effect to the amendments set out in schedule 2. The parties agree that the amendments to the Project Agreement and Schedules set out in schedule 2 constitute the only pages of the Project Agreement and Schedules where changes to the text have been agreed between the parties.

4 Confirmation

The parties confirm that the Project Agreement remains in full force and effect save as amended by this Deed.

5 Variations, amendments and payments

5.1 The parties agree that:

(a) as a result of the matters contained in or referred to in this Deed, namely the carrying out of works by Project Co (whether before or after the Effective Date):

(i) required to be undertaken for the removal of Asbestos at the Facilities within the period prior to the last Actual Date of Completion to occur; and

(ii) as a result of Variations instructed and/or requested in writing by the Authority pursuant to Clause 32 of the Project Agreement up to and including 7 June 2004,

the Design and Build Periods in respect of the Sites have been extended as set out in Part 3 of Schedule 3 to the Project Agreement (as amended and restated in accordance with this Deed); and

(b) without prejudice to the Authority’s entitlement to request Variations pursuant to the Project Agreement, Project Co shall carry out such variations to the Works as are nominated by the Authority in its discretion up to (but not exceeding) the value of

2

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£115,000 (unindexed) which variations Project Co shall carry out and complete at no cost to the Authority; and

(c) Project Co shall shall carry out and complete the Variations set out in schedule 3 to this Deed by the respective dates set out against each such Variation in schedule 3 (and, to avoid doubt, such Variations shall be carried out and completed at no additional cost to the Authority),

provided always that:

(i) the Authority shall be fully responsible for any planning or judicial review risk associated with the carrying out of any Variation referred to in this clause 5.1(c); and

(ii) the Authority shall be entitled to deduct liquidated and ascertained damages (LADs) from the Services Contract Payment at a rate of £55 per Variation for each day in excess of the relevant Completion Date for which any Variation as referred to in this clause 5.1(c) is not complete.

5.2

(a) The parties acknowledge and agree that there is a difference between the Services Contract Payment set out in Part 4 of Schedule 5 to the Project Agreement and the Services Contract Payment set out in the Base Case Financial Model. In order to rectify this difference and by way of full and final settlement of the costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by Project Co as a result of the implementation of variation works including the change in building design at Leasowe Primary and the implementation (whether before or after the Effective Date) of works to deal with Asbestos discovered in the Facilities within the period prior to the last Actual Date of Completion to occur (in accordance with Clause 16.4 of and Schedule 15 to the Project Agreement), the Authority has agreed to:

(i) change the Expiry Date to 31 July 2031 in order to enable Project Co to raise additional finance (provided always that the amount of principal taken into account in calculating Senior Debt (as shown in the Revised Base Case Financial Model) shall not increase by more than £3,000,000.00, compared with the amount of principal shown for the same date in the Base Case Financial Model, by reason of the raising of such additional finance); and

(ii) pay to Project Co the sum of £3,340,000.00, such sum to be paid in accordance with the remainder of this clause 5.2.

(b) The parties acknowledge that, of the sum referred to in clause 5.2(a)(ii), the sum of £1,800,000.00 has been paid by the Authority to Project Co (and Project Co acknowledges that it has received such amount from the Authority). The remaining sum of £1,540,000.00 shall be due and payable by the Authority to Project Co in the sums and on the dates set out in schedule 4.

(c) Project Co shall submit a valid VAT invoice to the Authority in respect of each of the amounts referred to in clause 5.2(b).

(d) Project Co acknowledges that it has received a payment of £1,186,618.10 (inclusive of VAT) from the Authority in relation to certain costs incurred by Project Co in removing Asbestos. The parties agree that a further sum of £35,000 (which represents the VAT element outstanding on a £200,000 payment on account made by the Authority) remains to be paid by the Authority to Project Co and that the Authority shall pay such amount to Project Co within 30 days of receipt of a valid VAT invoice in respect of the same.

(e) The parties agree to procure that Schedule 4 to the Project Agreement shall, not later than the last Actual Date of Completion to occur, be revised to reflect any changes to the drawings or accommodation schedules as may be necessary, whether arising

3

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pursuant to this Deed or otherwise, but provided always that any such revision shall not result in any increase to the Services Contract Payment as set out in the Base Case Financial Model.

(f) and (g) – please see continuation sheet overleaf (signature)

Outstanding items

5.3 In consideration of receipt of the amounts referred to in clause 5.2, Project Co shall carry out and complete the works set out in schedule 5 (“Outstanding Items“) and, to avoid doubt, Project Co shall not be entitled to any additional payment in respect of such works.

6 Release by the Authority

6.1 On and with effect from the Effective Date:

(a) the Authority irrevocably waives and releases to Project Co any claim or Losses it may have or which may have arisen consequent upon any breach or alleged breach of any obligation of Project Co contained in the Project Agreement arising prior to the Effective Date in connection with the matters referred to in clause 5.1(a) including without limitation in relation to the issue of any Non-Completion Certificate; and

(b) the Authority irrevocably and unconditionally provides its consent, insofar as such consent may be necessary or required to be given under the Project Agreement, to any matters contained in or referred to in this Deed.

7 Release by Project Co

7.1 On and with effect from the Effective Date Project Co irrevocably waives and releases to the Authority any claim or Losses it may have or which may have arisen consequent upon any breach or alleged breach of any obligation of the Authority contained in the Project Agreement arising prior to the Effective Date in connection with the matters referred to in clause 5.1(a) including without limitation to the issue of any Non-Completion Certificate. Without prejudice to the foregoing, Project Co acknowledges that:

(a) the amendment to the Expiry Date referred to in clause 5.2(a)(i);

(b) the payment of the financial amounts shown in clause 5.2; and

(c) the amendments made to the Schedule of Key Dates referred to in clause 5.1(a),

shall constitute Project Co’s sole compensation in respect of the matters contained within this Deed, including without limitation any claim against the Authority under Clause 16.4 of the Project Agreement or otherwise for costs, expenses, losses, prolongation or disruption expenses or loss of profit arising from any works (whether such works are carried out before or after the Effective Date) required to deal with Asbestos discovered at the Facilities within the period prior to the last Actual Date of Completion to occur.

8 Governing law and dispute resolution

8.1 The law of this Deed is English law.

8.2 Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Deed shall be resolved in accordance with the procedure set out in Clause 49 (Dispute Resolution Procedure) of the Project Agreement. Subject as aforesaid, the parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and settle any action, suit, proceeding or dispute in connection with this Deed and irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of those courts.

In Witness the parties have caused this Deed to be duly executed on the date set out above.

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(f) The parties acknowledge that the extension to the Contract Term hereby agreed (the “Contract Extension“) will enable Project co to raise additional funding to facilitate Project Co’s performance of its obligations under the Project Agreement and this Deed, and the Authority agrees that on the occasion of the first financing of the Contract Extension (whether or not the Contract Extension is financed for the first time as part of a Refinancing (as that term is defined in clause 4.1 of the Project Agreement) or otherwise) all sums thereby raised up to (but not exceeding) the sum of three million pounds (£3,000,000.00) and arising solely out of the Contract Extension shall accrue solely to Project Co provided that (for the avoidance of doubt) that parties hereto agree that on any Refinancing (as that term is defined in clause 4.1 of the Project Agreement) taking place after the first financing of the Contract Extension as aforesaid the provisions of clause 4.1 of and Schedule 2 Part 8 (Rules for Refinancing) to the Project Agreement shall apply in full to the Contract Term as hereby extended.

(g) For the purposes of clause 4.1 of the Project Agreement, the Authority hereby grants its consent to the first financing of the Contract Extension (but not further or otherwise). (signature)

2-1076380-1

Schedule 1
Conditions
Part 1 – Conditions to be satisfied by Project Co

Delivery by Project Co to the Authority of the documents listed below in form and substance satisfactory to the Authority. Where listed as a duly certified copy, the document must be certified by a director or the secretary of Project Co as being a true copy:

1. A copy, duly certified, of minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of Project Co evidencing:

(a) consideration by the directors of:

(i) a final draft of this Deed and the Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement;

(ii) Project Co’s rights and obligations under this Deed and the Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement; and

(iii) any limit or restriction on any of Project Co’s powers or any limit or restriction on the rights or ability of the directors to exercise any of Project Co’s powers; and

(b) a resolution of the board of directors approving the execution, delivery and performance by Project Co of this Deed and the Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement and authorising a specific person or persons to execute and deliver this Deed and the Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement and sign and despatch all notices and other communications required or permitted to be given by Project Co under this Deed and the Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement.

2. A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by Project Co to execute this Deed and the Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement and to sign and despatch all notices and other communications required or permitted to be given by Project Co thereunder.

3. A copy, duly certified, of each of this Deed and the Subcontract Deeds of Amendment and Restatement.

4. The Revised Base Case Financial Model.

5

2-10000834-13

Part 2 – Conditions to be satisfied by the Authority

Delivery by the Authority to Project Co of the documents listed below all in form and substance satisfactory to Project Co:

1. Copies of such (if any) of the Direct Agreements as may be required by the Lenders to be executed by the Authority, executed by the Authority (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, the other parties to the Direct Agreements); and

2. Certified copies of the appropriate minute of the Authority which evidences the delegated authority of the officer signing this Deed.

6

2-10000834-13

Schedule 2
Amendments to the Project Agreement

7

2-10000834-13

CONFORMED COPY

DATED       27 March 2001

(1) WIRRAL BOROUGH COUNCIL

(2) WIRRAL SCHO OLSSCHOOLS SERVICES LIMITED

(signature)

===================================================================================================================

PROJECT AGREEMENT

Amended and Restated pursuant to a Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated 9th September 2004

===================================================================================================================

ROWE & MAW
20 Black Friars Lane
London EC4V 6HD

Tel: 020 7248 4282
Fax: 020 7248 2009

Ref: 617/343/476/27909.1

CONTENTS

CLAUSE SUBJECT MATTER PAGE

1. Definitions and Interpretation 2
2. Conditions Precedent 4344
3. Ancillary Documents 4647
4. Funding Arrangements, Direct Agreements, Guarantees and Prohibition on Diversification 4748
5. Term 5051
6. Planning 5051
7. Works 5657
8. Project Programme and Extensions of Time 5961
9. Design Development 6264
10. Standards of Design and Workmanship 6364
11. D & B Contract 6365
12. Decant Programme 6465
13. Care of the Sites and Reinstatement 6466
14. Inspection and Completion 6567
15. CDM Regulations 6870
16. Defects 6971
17. Fossils and Antiquities 7072
18. Services and Phase-in 7274
19. Maintenance 7678
20. Utility Services and Catering 8284
21. Value for Money Testing and Best Value 8587
22. Equipment and Materials 8789
23. Payments to Project Co 9395
24. Performance Regime 98100
25. Provisions Relating to Land 101103
26. Authority Access 103105
27. Site Licences and Leases 104106
28. Obligations of Project Co in Respect of the Sites and the Authority’s Obligations in Respect of Land 107109
29. Rates, Taxes and Outgoings 109111
30. Quality Assurance 110112
31. Reports and Records 112114
32. Variations 117119
33. Change in Law 130132
34. Indemnity and Liability Limitation 132134
35. Environmental Liability 138140
36. Insurance 139141
37. Events of Default and Termination 146148
38. Compensation on Termination 151153
39. Consequential Arrangements on Termination 155157
40. Representatives 159161
41. Sub-Contracting 161163

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42. Assignment 162164
43. Change of Control 163165
44. Force Majeure 164166
45. Warranties and Disclaimers 166168
46. Employees 161171
47. Intellectual Property and Data 179181
48. Confidentiality and Publicity 181183
49. Disputes 185187
50. Agency 185187
51. Personal Data 186188
52. Corrupt Gifts and Payments of Compensation 188190
53. Health and Safety, Site Rules and Occupiers Liability 190192
54. Miscellaneous 192194
55. Governing Law and Jurisdiction 196198

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INDEX OF SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE HEADING
SCHEDULE 1 LAND
Part 1 Bebington Headlease
Part 2 Hilbre Headlease
Part 3 Park High Headlease
Part 4 Prenton High Headlease
Part 5 South Wirral High Headlease
Part 6 Wallasey Headlease
Part 7 Not used
Part 8 Weatherhead Headlease
Part 9 Wirral Girls Headlease
Part 10 Bebington Underlease
Part 11 Hilbre Underlease
Part 12 Park High Underlease
Part 13 Prenton High Underlease
Part 14 South Wirral High Underlease
Part 15 Wallasey Underlease
Part 16 Not used
Part 17 Weatherhead Underlease
Part 18 Wirral Girls Underlease
Part 19 Plans

SCHEDULE 2 FINANCIAL MATTERS
Part 1 Lenders’ Direct Agreement
Part 2 The Council’s Design and Building Contract Direct Agreement
Part 3 The Council’s Support Services Management Direct Agreement
Part 4 Design and Building Contract Performance Guarantee
Part 5 Support Services Management Agreement Performance Guarantee
Part 6 Initial Senior Funding Agreements
Part 7 Other Initial Funding Agreements
Part 8 Rules for Refinancing

SCHEDULE 3 WORKS

Part 1 Design Development Procedure
Part 2 Prohibited Materials

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Part 3 Schedule of Key Dates
Part 4 Outline Design Documents
Part 5 The Completion Standards
Part 6 Decant Programme Methodology
Appendix 1 Decant Programme: Park High
Appendix 2 Decant: Further Obligations
Part 7 Handback Requirements
Part 8 Project Programme
Part 9 Construction Site Rules
Part 10 Handback Survey
SCHEDULE 4 PAYMENTS
Part 1 Definitions
Part 2 Services Contract Payment
Part 3 Performance Deduction Look-up Table
Part 4 Table of Service Units per School
Part 5 Monitoring
Part 6 Utility Services
Part 7 Third Part Use
Part 7A Catering
Part 8 Value for Money Testing
Appendix 1 Form of Performance and Payment Report
SCHEDULE 5 ACCOMMODATION SERVICES OUTPUT SPECIFICATION
SCHEDULE 6 SUPPORT SERVICES OUTPUT SPECIFICATION
Part 1 Building and Asset Maintenance Output Specification
Part 2 Support Service Requirements and Performance Tables
Part 3 Service Level Agreements
Part 4 Service Level Agreements Alteration Procedure
SCHEDULE 7 REPORTS AND RECORDS
Part 1 Reports
Part 2 Records
SCHEDULE 8 VARIATION
Variation Notice
SCHEDULE 9 INSURANCE
Part 1 The Part I Insurance Period

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Part 2 The Part 2 Insurance Period
Appendix 1 Endorsements
Appendix 2 Broker’s Letter of Undertaking
Appendix 3 Business Interruption Insurance – the Authority’s Obligations as Insurer
Appendix 4 Schedule of Insured Parties
SCHEDULE 10 LIAISON COMMITTEE
SCHEDULE 11 COMPENSATION ON TERMINATION
Part 1 Definitions
Part 2 Project Co Default
Part 3 Authority Default
Part 4 Notice by the Authority
Part 5 Force Majeure, Uninsurability and Planning Challenge
Part 6 Corrupt Gifts
SCHEDULE 12 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
SCHEDULE 13 SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES
SCHEDULE 14 COMPENSATION EVENTS
SCHEDULE 15 METHODOLOGY FOR ASBESTOS
Appendix 1 MB Wirral Policy
Appendix 2 Asbestos Survey Risk Assessment
SCHEDULE 16 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
SCHEDULE 17 QUALITY SYSTEMS
Part 1 Design and Build Period Quality System
Part 2 Operational Period Quality System
Appendix A Quality Policy
Appendix B Certificate of Approval
Appendix C Proposed QA Implementation Plan
Appendix D Contact Directory
Appendix E Local Procedures
SCHEDULE 18 EMPLOYEES
Part 1 Employee Information
Part 2 Terms and Conditions of Employment
SCHEDULE 19 ADMISSION AGREEMENTS AND BONDS
Part 1 Jarvis Workspace FM Limited
Part 2 Compass Group PLC

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Part 3 MTL Commercial Limited
SCHEDULE 20 STAFF SECURITY PROTOCOL
SCHEDULE 21 OPERATIONAL SITE RULES
SCHEDULE 22 DRAFT TRANSITIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE 23 CITY LEARNING CENTRE
SCHEDULE 24 NEW MOVEABLE EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE OF RATES

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Continues at 6 more pages of the Wirral Schools Services Limited contract with Wirral Council.

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Marvin the Martian returns to talk about closure consultations involving Lyndale, fire stations (2) and libraries

Marvin the Martian returns to talk about closure consultations involving Lyndale, fire stations (2) and libraries

Marvin the Martian returns to talk about closure consultations involving Lyndale, fire stations (2) and libraries

                                                  

Marvin the Martian from Disney's Looney Tunes
Marvin the Martian from Disney’s Looney Tunes

The below is a fictional interview with Marvin the Martian about Lyndale School. Marvin the Martian is trademarked to Warner Brothers Entertainment. Our legal team point out their trademark doesn’t actually cover its use on blogs but in case they try to argue this blog is an “entertainment service”, it isn’t, so no laughing! Yes I mean it, not even a smile! We also point out it’s not an infringing use of class 9 of this trademark as that refers to its use on goods rather than virtually.

We rely on s.30 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and class this as “fair dealing” due to the acknowledgement above. As the The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Quotation and Parody) Regulations 2014 came into force earlier this month, we’ll rely on this too and the new section 30A on parody.

If you are reading this from the UKIP party and are planning to leave a comment questioning the immigration status of Marvin the Martian or disagreeing that he should have any say whatsoever about British politics, we humbly point out that although is not British, he is a fictional character and figments to people’s imagination do not have to have permission to come here.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: The Martian High Command have asked me to survey the Wirral to try to understand its people and politics and write a report back but I find it all very confusing.

JOHN BRACE: Good luck with that! Even I don’t fully understand the Wirral people and its politics.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Well we have a few areas we are unsure of. Let’s start with Greasby.

JOHN BRACE: Yes, Greasby, I know where that is.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Well, we are very confused. We hear reports on your media of a consultation meeting in Greasby about fire stations, but people turned up but weren’t allowed to go to it? What sort of consultation on closure is that?

JOHN BRACE: I wasn’t there, I was covering a public meeting of Wirral Council at the time. Had I turned up I wouldn’t have been allowed in either as the place has to be able to be safely evacuated in case of a fire so has a set capacity. There is however a little irony there as it’s the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service who are doing the consultation. However the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have informed the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority before that not many people at all turn up to their other fire station closure consultation meetings. So maybe they’re not used to large numbers of people turning up to public meetings?

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Well don’t Wirral Council own the land in Greasby that has the library, the Children’s Centre and other well-loved buildings on? Haven’t they offered (subject to the outcome of the consultation, a further decision and planning permission) a lease?

JOHN BRACE: Yes it does and that’s the Chief Fire Officer’s currently preferred site for the new fire station if Upton & West Kirby close. Yes, they have offered them a lease (subject to the outcome of the consultation, a further decision and planning permission).

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: So why do the people of Greasby have a problem with their library closing?

JOHN BRACE: It’s historical, see your historical files on Earth. The Labour government minister at the time requested a public inquiry into library closures in 2009 so Labour councillors and the Lib Dems councillors were forced into a U-turn. Wirral people seem to still remember that and libraries for a number of years after libraries became a sacred cow of Wirral politics. However Cllr Foulkes said in the recent past that libraries shouldn’t be spared from the cuts and scrutiny.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: And what else is happening on libraries and children centres?

JOHN BRACE: Well on libraries there’s a proposal to reduce opening hours at certain libraries. The decision to consult on the closure of children’s centres has been “called in”, the committee met to consider the “call in” then got adjourned. The committee is planning to meet again on the 12th November 2014 at 6.00pm. However its Labour Chair Cllr Moira McLaughlin was cheered up by some news.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: What news would that be, a U-turn on closing the children’s centres?

JOHN BRACE: No, the news that Cllr Chris Blakeley (Conservative spokesperson) has left the call in committee and been replaced by a different Conservative councillor.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Why would she be pleased?

JOHN BRACE: They have a history of, well how do I put it as diplomatically as possible without taking sides, arguing passionately with each other in public?

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: So let me get this straight, they had a public inquiry into Wirral’s library closures which had been driven through by the then Leader of the Council Cllr Steve Foulkes at the Floral Pavilion chaired by Sue Charteris?

JOHN BRACE: Yes.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Then a few years later Wirral Council made Cllr Foulkes Mayor in exactly the same room Mayor, also at the Floral Pavilion?

JOHN BRACE: Yes.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Wow. This Cllr Foulkes guy sounds interesting. However back to Greasby. Which political party has the three local councillors in Greasby, Frankby and Irby?

JOHN BRACE: The Conservatives.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: And the MP in Wirral West?

JOHN BRACE: The Conservatives.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: And political control of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority is in which party’s hands?

JOHN BRACE: Labour.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Ha, ha, ha. So Labour want to close a few fire stations in Wirral West to cause trouble?

JOHN BRACE: Labour will say they blame the Conservative/Lib Dem government or alternatively they’ll let the unions say roughly the same thing. However the unions have already gone on strike.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: I thought politicians weren’t allowed to be “party political”, however isn’t Esther McVey some type of government minister too?

JOHN BRACE: Yes. She’s currently the Minister for Employment so you can imagine how the public sector unions such as the Fire Brigades Union and other unions feel about that.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Isn’t she facing a General Election in about six months time in what is a marginal seat?

JOHN BRACE: Yes, the unions/Labour Party are already trying their best to replace her with the Labour candidate. See fracking and other issues.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: That’s enough about Greasby, libraries, children’s centres and Esther McVey though, what’s happening in Birkenhead?

JOHN BRACE: The Rt Hon Frank Field MP is telling people that antisocial behaviour is a bad idea.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Really, is he referring to Cllr Phil Davies and his plan (currently out to consultation again) to close Lyndale School?

JOHN BRACE: Don’t be silly! He’s doesn’t mean it like that! He doesn’t mean his own Labour Party! By the language used in press articles he’s referring to young people.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Ahh so the Rt Hon Frank Field MP isn’t picking on the disabled but he’s picking on young people, why do politicians always scapegoat young people? Isn’t Alison McGovern MP, MP for Wirral South in fact younger than you are?

JOHN BRACE: Now you’re making me feel old! Yes she is. Politicians scapegoat young people to play to their base. Politicians of all parties do it. Political parties have a history of having major political disagreements with their own party’s youth wing. See Lib Dems and tuition fees as a recent example of that. However the youth wing of political parties also represents the future of that party, so annoying them can be very short-term thinking.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: And Alison McGovern is the MP where Lyndale School is?

JOHN BRACE: Yes. She’s MP for Wirral South, another marginal seat.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: And as a Labour MP, if the Labour Cabinet decide to close Lyndale School before the election in May 2015 does that harm her chances of reelection next May?

JOHN BRACE: It would make it look (to some voters) if that happened like she had little influence over her own political party’s decision-making process (which isn’t entirely true but that would probably be how it would be spun in the press by her opponents).

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Ahh, but I thought officially the Labour Cabinet on Wirral Council had an “open mind” on the subject of closing Lyndale School?

JOHN BRACE: Please don’t get me started on that topic. There is a second consultation on it now, but I doubt Wirral Council would accept consultation responses from fictional characters.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: So to sum up, there’s an election coming where everyone that can vote will get two votes, one for councillor, one for MP?

JOHN BRACE: Yes, “vote early and vote often (but no more than twice)” I could write if I was being slightly flippant!

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: And in the lead up to elections you get election promises, vote for me and I’ll do this (or my party will do this)?

JOHN BRACE: Yes, even promises they know they can’t possibly keep after the election.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Are you implying party political candidates would deliberately lie about themselves and their own political party?

JOHN BRACE: I’d probably get sued or face an injunction if I answered that honestly! However you can’t libel a political party or a local council. Elections at their heart are a popularity contest and a battle for hearts and minds, so political parties will tell people what they think they want to hear.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: Oh dear. So after the election a lot of people will be disappointed?

JOHN BRACE: They always are, before, during and after. Some of them have even given up on voting or being engaged in the political process.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN: That’s sad really. Well I’ll put all this in my report to the Martian High Command. Thanks for the interview!

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1 invoice and 1 letter about the secret Court application I’m not allowed to write about that cost Wirral Council £535.20

1 invoice and 1 letter about the secret Court application I’m not allowed to write about that cost Wirral Council £535.20

1 invoice and 1 letter about the secret Court application I’m not allowed to write about that cost Wirral Council £535.20

                                  

I’m going to write a story now to show you how difficult it is to do investigative journalism in this country due to the legal framework here, as there are details I know about this story which is would be unlawful for me to publish.

There are two documents associated with this story so first I have to explain the background as to what they are and why I got them. The first is an invoice dated 13th January 2014 to Wirral Council from Lees Solicitors to Wirral Council for the sum of £535.20. This is for:

36 minutes preparation for a hearing at £160/hour 36 minutes which is £96 (+ VAT of £19.20) = £115.20

Counsel’s fee £350 (+VAT of £70) = £420

Grand total: £535.20

Due to legal restrictions *(*don’t you just love this country sometimes and their restrictions on the press?) although I know the names of the parties (such as the Applicant and Respondent) in this case, I’m not allowed to publish either of them on this blog. I cannot tell you who (although I know) the Applicant or Respondent are. In fact I’d better not tell you the date of the hearing, just in case you use that to somehow figure out who the Applicant and Respondent are. As far as I can tell (maybe I’m wrong) I’m not allowed to get a copy of or publish the Court Order (if there is one) that resulted from the hearing to consider the application.

This is openness and transparency in the local courts British style.

So why are Wirral Council paying £535.20 to Lees Solicitors for the legal work outlined in the invoice below? I think I’ve gone as far as I can do in answering that question as the rest would be educated guesswork.

Ironically I get more openness and transparency from Laura Quarry of the Family Court at Birkenhead than I get from Wirral Council in this matter in her letter to me dated 27th October 2014 (also below that the Wirral Council invoice). Mind you it is not hard to be more open and transparent than Wirral Council is it?

Laura Quarry states “Thank you for your letter dated 24th October 2014. This case is a Private Law Family matter. Therefore as you are not a party to this application, we cannot provide you with the documents you have requested. The documents you have requested refer to a civil matter and the case number you have provided is not a civil case number.

If you can provide us with a civil case number we can process your request. Please find enclosed your fee.”

If anyone would like to translate exactly what that means by leaving a comment, please do! I think I understand what she means although I may be wrong!

So which department is involved at Wirral Council in Family Court matters that the press aren’t allowed to write about? Why the Children and Young Peoples Department at Wirral Council of course! Who else?

In a recent change a few years ago, the press can be present at court hearings in the Family Court, however we’re still not allowed to report the details. The Family Court run to a different set of rules to the rest of the court system you see.

redacted invoice Wirral Council £535.20
redacted invoice Wirral Council £535.20
Letter from Birkenhead County Court dated 27th October 2014
Letter from Birkenhead County Court dated 27th October 2014

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The day democracy and freedom of the press died at Wirral Council: 28th October 2014 (part 2)

The day democracy and freedom of the press died at Wirral Council: 28th October 2014 (part 2)

The day democracy and freedom of the press died at Wirral Council: 28th October 2014 (part 2)

                                      

Councillor Tony Smith (Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services) at a public meeting earlier this year L to R Cllr Stuart Whittingham, Cllr Tony Smith, Cllr Bernie Mooney and Lyndzay Roberts
Councillor Tony Smith (Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services) at a public meeting earlier this year L to R Cllr Stuart Whittingham, Cllr Tony Smith (Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services), Cllr Bernie Mooney and Lyndzay Roberts

There’s been a lot of readers of yesterday’s blog post titled The day democracy and freedom of the press died at Wirral Council: 28th October 2014.

There was one A4 page handed out to those present at the meeting which was about the Youth Voice Conference 2014. Obviously it would have been interesting to have on video politicians, officers and a young person’s response to these issues raised at the Youth Voice Conference, but considering the politically sensitive nature of some of these issues one can fully understand why there was an effort before the meeting began not to have it filmed, audio taped or photographed.

As one section of it mentions the media, I had better declare an interest in this as a member of the media. As well as politics I also write about video games, so I’d better declare that too. Below is the text of the 1 A4 page handout circulated to the committee, councillors, officers and others present at the public meeting.

Copies of what is below were handed out during the meeting itself by Cllr Tony Smith (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services), as the Youth and Play Service Advisory Committee, unlike many other public meetings of politicians at Wirral Council doesn’t have Wirral Council officers from Legal and Member Services assigned to it to deal with such matters. It’s “served” by officers from Wirral Council’s Children and Young People’s Department (or whatever it’s called these days) instead who take a different view on some matters to that of Legal and Member Services.

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Youth Voice Conference 2014

HOT SEAT PANEL QUESTIONS & ISSUES RAISED BY YOUNG PEOPLE

Understanding Autism

  • If you cut resources how will young people on the autistic spectrum be supported in education and employment as currently only 1 in 6 people with autism end up in full-time employment?
  • How can we all work together on the Wirral to have a better understanding of Autism, allowing us to help and support our peers who are on the autistic spectrum?

Dealing with homophobia

  • More help and support is needed on understanding homophobia.
  • More adverts in schools about organisations that can help LGBT young people are needed.
  • A young peoples training group needs to be established to deliver training is schools and other organisations.
  • Accessible and gender neutral toilets are needed in schools and youth units.
  • How do we deal with hate crimes committed by young people?
  • More LGBT safe spaces are needed.

Media literacy

Proposal

  • Wirral Borough Council only uses real people or images in any of their adverts or publications and should promote natural beauty.

Other questions –

  • What regulations exist to address the sexualisation of young people and the impact/pressure resulting in eating disorders?
  • Why are there no limits on the amount of photoshop imaging that is used in the media?

Dealing with loss and Change

  • How will young people with emotional health and well-being issues receive support following the proposed cuts to services?

Social Isolation – caused by social media and Gaming

  • How do the police moderate social media and the propaganda targeted at young people?
    Does Public Health have a strategy regarding social media and the negative effects it has on young people’s health and well-being?

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