Annual Meeting (Part 1), Council (Wirral Council) 14th May 2012

Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Wirral 2012/2013. Appointments to Merseyside Police Authority.

Here is a brief update on the meeting.

1. Declarations of Interest 00:00 to 01:30

The Mayor asked people to please sit down. She welcomed people to Wallasey Town Hall and pointed out that it is a formal meeting with an agenda. She asked the councillors for any declarations of interest. None was made.

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2. Mayor’s Communications 01:30

She asked for any apologies for absence. A number of apologies for absence were made.

She then made a speech thanking people and talking about her year as Mayor and other matters. 01:30 to 08:50

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Wirral’s Young Poet Laureate then read a poem entitled “I am the Wirral”.

*note video of poem not available due to copyright not obtained on performance*

08:58 to  10:48

There was applause for her poem.

3. Election of Mayor 2012/13 11:00

The Mayor asked for nominations for Mayor. 11:00 to 11:15

Cllr Jeff Green nominated Cllr Gerry Ellis. 11:15 to 15:11.

There was applause. The Mayor asked for it to be seconded.

Cllr Phil Davies seconded the nomination. 15:27 to 17:00.

There was applause. The Mayor invited Cllr Harney to speak.

Cllr Harney spoke. 17:12 to 18:06.

There was more applause.

The Mayor thanked Cllr Harney and asked for any other nominations.  18:14 to 18:18

None was made.

The Mayor declared Cllr Gerry Ellis the Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. 18:20 to 18:30.

There was applause.

The Mayor and others left the room. 18:55

The Mayor’s return was announced. 28:38

The Mayor returned. 28:38.

I couldn’t see much as to what happened next as I had to sit down due to the standing making my broken arm bones worse.

Bill Norman invited Gerry Ellis to make his declaration of acceptance of office. 32:35 to 32:40

Cllr Gerry Ellis read out the declaration. 32:40 to 33:10

He invited the Mayor’s Chaplain to speak.

The Mayor’s Chaplain read a prayer. 33:40 to 36:24

The Mayor asked people to sit down.

The Mayor addressed people present with a witty speech. He was provided with an extra microphone during it. 36:21 to 57:01

There was applause. 57:01 to 57:20

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4. Deputy Mayor 2012/13

Bill Norman announced item 4. 57:20 to 57:26

The Mayor asked for nominations. 57:26 to 57:31

Cllr Tom Harney asked if he could nominate Cllr Dave Mitchell. 57:34 to 57:44

The Mayor asked for it to be seconded.

Cllr Pat Williams seconded the nomination. 57:46 to 57:49

The Mayor declared Cllr Dave Mitchell as Deputy Mayor.

There was applause. End of tape 1.

Cllr Dave Mitchell was presented with the chain of office. 00:00 to 00:16

Bill Norman invited Cllr Dave Mitchell to make his declaration of acceptance of office. 00:17 to 00:22

Cllr Dave Mitchell made his declaration of acceptance of office. 00:24 to 00:46

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5 Appointments to Outside Bodies – Merseyside Police Authority Appointments Committee

(2 Labour, 1 Conservative)

Bill Norman announced item 5. 1:08 to 1:28

People were proposed and seconded by councillors.

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6. Adjournment

The Mayor asked for agreement to adjourn the meeting to 6.15pm on Monday 21st May 2012. The meeting was adjourned. 01:47 to 02:01

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Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all this blog’s readers. Apart from very sporadic updates, this blog will resume in the New Year (2012) as I’m in need of a holiday! Leonora will deal with matters in my absence.

I hope everyone enjoys the festive season.

Last week I played carols with people from St. James at two local residential/nursing homes, Oakdene in Tollemache Road (where one of our neighbours works) and Birkenhead Grange in Challis Street.

Since Rev Mansfield came to St. James Church, it’s become a bit of an annual tradition, but it’s time for me to spend time with family and enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation. One thing about playing at such places, is it makes you count your blessings. Religion is an unusual topic on this blog, but an important part of life in this country.

I should really write about it more often and put into use what I learned when I was a student on its effect on culture and behaviour.  There’s a part of me in politics that tends to do things partly based on my Catholic background and beliefs, which of course in politics where Catholics are in a minority gets me into trouble. Yet I have a foot in both denominations as my father is an Anglican.

There should be more harmony and respect between the two denominations Catholic and Church of England in this country though and less antipathy. Religious divides locally may not be as severe as in nearby Northern Ireland, but certain things sadden me when they work locally against ecumenism.

Moving back to political matters, what has struck me is how as The Worshipful Moira McLaughlin being Mayor this year that this has meant her chaplain Rev Bernard McConnell addressing Council meetings with prayers and readings. Religion and belief is still a powerful force in today’s society.

Council (Wirral Council) 12/12/2011 Part 2 Agenda Item 1 (Mayor’s Communications)

Present (64):

Cllr Moira McLaughlin Mayor
Cllr Gerry Ellis Deputy Mayor
Cllr Bob Wilkins
Cllr Phil Gilchrist
Cllr John Salter
Cllr Tom Harney
Cllr Mrs Kate Wood
Cllr Sheila Clarke MBE
Cllr Jim Crabtree
Cllr George Davies
Cllr Phil Davies
Cllr Bill Davies
Cllr Mrs Pat Williams
Cllr David M Elderton
Cllr Steve Foulkes
Cllr Tom Anderson
Cllr Jerry Williams
Cllr Jeff Green
Cllr John Hale
Cllr Ann Bridson
Cllr Paul Hayes
Cllr Andrew Hodson
Cllr Ron Abbey
Cllr Peter Johnson
Cllr Geoffrey Watt
Cllr Adrian Jones
Cllr Sue Taylor
Cllr James Keeley
Cllr Stuart Kelly
Cllr Brian Kenny
Cllr Ian Lewis
Cllr Jean Stapleton
Cllr Walter Smith
Cllr Ann McLachlan
Cllr Chris Meaden
Cllr Dave Mitchell
Cllr Simon R Mountney
Cllr Steve Niblock
Cllr Cherry Povall, JP
Cllr Tony Smith
Cllr Lesley Rennie
Cllr Denise Roberts
Cllr Les Rowlands
Cllr Chris Blakeley
Cllr Harry Smith
Cllr Steve Williams
Cllr Irene Williams
Cllr Denise Realey
Cllr Don McCubbin
Cllr Anne McArdle
Cllr Peter Kearney
Cllr Stuart Wittingham
Cllr Mark Johnston
Cllr Alan Brighouse
Cllr Eddie Boult
Cllr Patricia Glasman
Cllr Darren Dodd
Cllr Wendy Clements
Cllr Joe Walsh
Cllr Pat Hackett
Cllr Tony Cox
Cllr Adam Sykes
Cllr Chris Jones
Cllr Paul Doughty
Cllr Bernie Mooney
Cllr Mike Hornby

AGENDA ITEM 1: MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS

Apologies (for not being there) were given by Cllr Chris Blakeley (for Cllr John Hale not being able to attend) and a Labour councillor on behalf of Cllr Steve Niblock. The Mayor relayed the sad news that a former Labour councillor called Peter James McCarthy, who had represented Park Ward in Bebington County Borough Council from 1972-1974 and Bebington ward from 1974 to 1980, had died.

She also informed those present of nominations in the ScottishPower/Trinity Mirror Your Champions award. She said there had been nominations in all five categories (two of whom had won). These nominees were Ryan Hanlon (regional Sports Champion category), Lance Corporal Alan Redford (regional Champion Person of the Year category), Abigail Snowden (Young Person category), Calday Grange Grammar School’s LeJog team (Team category) and Ken McDermott (Volunteer category).  The Mayor also referred to the Military Cross that Lane Corporal Alan Redford had received. The nominees were all invited to a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour. The Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Bernard McConnell led the Council in prayers.

Continues at Council (Wirral Council) 12/12/2011 Part 3 Agenda Item 2 (Declarations of Interest).

Council (Wirral Council) 12/12/2011 Part 1

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Transcript:

>> John Brace There has been much public interest in the (as yet unpublished) AKA (Anna Klonowksi Associates Ltd) report into issues that need to be remedied at Wirral Council.

My personal view is that Wirral Council needs to publish the report, reassure the public what it’s doing differently now and restore its tarnished reputation as a result of the events that led to the report being commissioned.

Please could you answer:

a) what date the report will be published on and whether changes are to be made between the draft version and final version (if so the reasons why) and

b) an update on changes and decisions made since the report, as a result of the report becoming available in draft form, including progress (which includes consultation) already made and how the changes will benefit Wirral Council, its staff, its councillors and the public?

>> Cllr Steve Foulkes [sighs] What a surprise seeing you here John! [laughter]

Well, can I just thank you for your question? And, and this is a genuine genuine answer, errm which will be backed up by a errm official statement which has been circulated to all elected Members and it is a public document so I’m more than happy for you to have a copy of that. If you haven’t got it yet you’ll receive it very, very shortly.

As long as I’ve been Leader, I’ve been pressing both Anna Klonowski and the officers [inaudible] of the long awaited report. It’s not in this Council’s interests [inaudible] drag out any longer.

But it is in the Council’s interests is that procedure is done properly and within err natural justice and err you know protection for the Council’s future err prospects and liabilities. Currently err Miss Klonowski and her independent solicitors are conducting a Right to Reply process. The purpose of this and its current state of progress is fully explained in the Director of Law’s advice note which has been circulated to all councillors. Like I just said a copy is on its way to you immediately.

I cannot you know give a specific date for publication of the final report but I give you my assurance that I will do all I can to make this soon and as and as reasonably possible. It’s not in this Council’s best interests to drag on. We want the department to move forward. We want the Council to move forward.

What we have done though in terms of of what reports are available. We’ve insisted that the corporate governance issues are up and running, and they are believed to be at the stem of some of the issues in the other report. I can’t say any further than that.

So I can’t you know. It would be wrong to me to tell you lies, or or or to pretend I’m, but at this point of time I cannot given that the Director’s advice note. I believe we’ll say it’s inappropriate to publish that report.

If we are true to our word that you know whistleblowers should be protected and are important within our Council’s processes, then therefore anyone involved in the whistleblower process should have the same rights as the whistleblower. My view is that individuals have the Right to Reply, have the right for natural justice.

I don’t believe that we should hurry justice just for the sake of of of of err public you know clamour. If the report is correct, and final replies then we in public cannot in full conscience cannot act upon it. It’s not at that state yet and that’s not through any fault or mine.

>>The Worshipful the Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and Rock Ferry Councillor Moira McLaughlin OK, Mr. Brace, content with that?

>>John Brace Just one small supplementary.

>>The Worshipful the Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and Rock Ferry Councillor Moira McLaughlin Supplementary [inaudible] understand that.

>>John Brace Yes, err can you give an approximate timescale, in the Spring of next year or you know something like that?

>> The Worshipful the Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and Rock Ferry Councillor Moira McLaughlin I think he has answered that Mr. Brace to be fair.

>> Cllr Steve Foulkes I would would hope, I would hope it’s as soon as possible.

I’ve not been given an exact date.

But I have been informed, and as we’ve all been informed, that progress has been made on the Right to Reply. Err, there are some late Right to Reply issues come in come into the system as [inaudible]ed in Bill’s report. Everything around this issue is within the report of the Director of Law and I think that once you will read that you will understand [inaudible] difficult position he got in this type of report.

As I say it’s not in the Council’s interests, or my interests or anybody’s interest for that report to be delayed any longer than it need be. Because quite frankly people need to move on, the Authority needs to move on and rights need to err err wrongs need to be put right, and I’m interested in that happening. But, I can’t give you an exact date. I’m not going to give out [inaudible].

>> John Brace Ok, thank you.

>> The Worshipful the Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and Rock Ferry Councillor Moira McLaughlin Thanks.

>> Cllr Jeff Green Supplementary to that conversation.

Visit to Wallasey Town Hall (Wednesday afternoon)

I spent an enjoyable afternoon with the Wirral History and Heritage Association at Wallasey Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Joy gave an excellent lecture about Wirral’s history and how Wallasey Town Hall came into existence (and what has happened in it since) and a really in-depth look at the history of the Borough.

The Mayor showed us around the Mayor’s parlour (where she kindly offered us all a cup of tea or coffee), the Council Chamber, Round Room, Civic Hall and unfortunately at this point in the tour I had to go (missing the tour of one of the Committee Rooms). Pictures are below if you’re interested. As usual you can click on the thumbnails for a larger version.





Wallasey Town Hall
This is in the lobby and describes how the building was used during WWI.


Wallasey Town Hall
Every year Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm pays a pinecone as rent to Wirral Council. This is a few years of pinecone rents in the Mayor’s parlour.


Wallasey Town Hall
Wirral Council’s mace.


Wallasey Town Hall
Wirral Council’s mace.


Wallasey Town Hall
Wirral Council’s mace.


Wallasey Town Hall
Wirral Council’s mace.


Wallasey Town Hall
Clock and statues in the Mayor’s parlour.


Wallasey Town Hall
This is the seat the Mayor sits in at Council meetings.


Wallasey Town Hall
The Round Room (each picture is a former Mayor).


Wallasey Town Hall
The Round Room (each picture is a former Mayor).


Wallasey Town Hall
The Civic Hall


Wallasey Town Hall
Roof of the Civic Hall


Wallasey Town Hall
Roof of the Civil Hall


Wallasey Town Hall
The Civic Hall from the balcony.