Joe Blott | A blog about Wirral Council, Wirral Council's councillors & officers

Incredible: FOI reveals “the Council are seeking to draw a line under matters in relation to Mr Morton”

Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee Wirral Council 3rd November 2014 L to R Legal adviser who was missing Cllr Moira McLaughlin (Chair), Clare Fish and Graham Hodkinson

“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations” (George Orwell)

There are many areas of journalism the public sector wished I hadn’t written about. For example claiming an email from Graham Burgess inviting some councillors to the Open Golf Championship was fraudulent, then 5 minutes later executing a screeching U-turn.

Or as Mr. Tour put it before the U-turn, “This is clearly a serious matter and I formally request that you immediately remove the email and the associated commentary concerning this subject matter from your blog.” Yes it seems even Mr. Tour can get quite cross!

The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service press office repeatedly phoned asking me to remove this multi-million pound PFI contract. Merseytravel’s press office were horrified at my reporting of their Head of Internal Audit stating at a public meeting that some whistleblowing was “Mickey Mouse” & “complete nonsense”.

And of course after the story INCREDIBLE: £2,877.35 spent by Wirral Council last year in previously hidden payments on taxis for Labour councillors! Wirral Council decided to just downright ignore my FOI requests.

This is the public sector, I’m writing news that falls within the George Orwell quote above, news that from a public relations perspective “they” don’t want the public to know.

I think if I could be paid off with a generous pension and a large six-figure redundancy payment and a confidentiality agreement, they’d have tried it by now!

So it’s time for some more public interest journalism. Something that falls within the George Orwell quote above.

This is an email which sums Wirral Council up, but I’d better explain. Emma Degg was the head of the press office, Surjit refers to Surjit Tour (Monitoring Officer/Head of their Legal Department), Joe Blott has responsibility for industrial relations and is Surjit Tour’s line manager, Graham Burgess was Chief Executive and Joe Blott’s line manager.

Graham Hodkinson is in charge of Adult Social Services (you can read the war of words between him and Cllr Blakleley over Girtrell Court elsewhere in the press) and Rob Vickers, well I don’t like to spoil the surprise (but he’s not the famous rugby player of the same name).

This response to a FOI request was made through whatdotheyknow.com, but Wirral Council felt the information was so embarrassing that they didn’t want it published there.

So here it is, it falls within the George Orwell quote above, it’s something that someone else does not want printed here. Enjoy! Strangely Mr. Hodkinson doesn’t take on board Emma Degg’s advice about oversight and scrutiny, but have a read for yourself. You can read the Anna Klonowski Associates report on Wirral Council’s website and the appendices to the AKA report on this blog (they were never published by Wirral Council). However in order to understand the report please also read the key which shows that Service Provider 3 (referred to below) was Salisbury Independent Living (SIL) who sued Wirral Council for £3 million.

From: Vickers, Rob
Sent: 18 June 2013 08:09
To: Hodkinson, Graham R.
Subject: FW: Financial Liability

Hi Graham, I have now discussed this matter with Emma Degg, still no response from Surjit, Emma has advised that we should respond to Mr Morton as we would respond to anyone else and that our reply should be concise and cover the following – thank him for his Email, note his continuing oversight and scrutiny of the matters referenced and reinforce that the matter is subject to due process. The response should be in letter form and we should share letter with Joe Blott and Graham Burgess, due to wider matters relating to Mr Morton – the Council are seeking to draw a line under matters in relation to Mr Morton. Given the advice the letter would be as follows –

Dear Mr Morton

I write to acknowledge receipt of your Email dated 5^th June 2013 and note your continued oversight and scrutiny of the matters you referenced allied to the AKA Report and specifically Service Provider 3. I can confirm that these matters are subject to due process and that we are seeking to bring matters to a conclusion.

Yours Sincerely

Robert Vickers

Graham, such a response is blunt but captures the advice provided, what do you think.

Rob

From: Hodkinson, Graham R.
Sent: 18 June 2013 12:52
To: Vickers, Rob
Subject: RE: Financial Liability

I would refer to continued interest as a citizen rather than scrutiny/oversight as below :

Dear Mr Morton

I write to acknowledge receipt of your Email dated 5^th June 2013. Thank you for taking the time to write, setting out your views in relation to matters relating to a former care provider. I note your continued interest as a concerned citizen into the matters you referenced allied to the AKA Report and specifically Service Provider 3. I can confirm at this stage that these matters are subject to due process and that we are seeking to bring matters to a conclusion.

Yours Sincerely

Robert Vickers

Graham Hodkinson
Director of Adult Social Services
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What is a Pensions Board and can it exclude the press and public from its meetings?

Pensions Board meeting 13th October 2015 Foreground L to R Unknown, Patrick Moloney, Mike Hornby, Paul Wiggins, John Raisin (Chair), Anne Beauchamp Background L to R Unknown, Peter Wallach (Head of Pension Fund), Joe Blott (Strategic Director for Transformation and Resources)

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Video of the Local Pensions Board (Merseyside Pension Fund) meeting on the 12th October 2015

I attended my first meeting of Wirral Council’s Pensions Board today (although this is the second meeting of the Pensions Board). Wirral Council are the Administering Authority for the Merseyside Pension Fund.

Although the venue was listed as: Merseyside Pension Fund, 7th Floor, Castle Chambers, Liverpool L2 9SH, it was in fact held in a board room on the 4th floor at the same address.

This page on the Merseyside Pension Fund’s website states who make up the Pensions Board.

Mike Hornby (a former Wirral Council councillor for Greasby, Frankby & Irby ward) was there as a member of the the Pensions Board. He is one of the employer representatives representing Wirral Council.

Paul Wiggins (one of the Member (meaning Member of the Merseyside Pension Fund) representatives) was there to represent the pensioner members in the Merseyside Pension Fund. Also there was the Independent Chair John Raisin.

The full list of nine people that make up the Pension Board can be found on the Merseyside Pension Fund website, although not all nine were present for the meeting and I haven’t listed everyone who was at the meeting above.

However what does a Pensions Board actually do? Well it’s a relatively recent legal requirement to have one that only started in April 2015. As Wirral Council administer the Merseyside Pension Fund they’re therefore required to have one. The role of the Pensions Board is to help ensure the Merseyside Pension Fund complies with governance and administration requirements.

The terms of reference state its function as follows.

2.1 The purpose of the Board is to assist the Administering Authority in its role as a scheme manager of the Scheme. Such assistance is to:

a. secure compliance with the Regulations, any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the Scheme and requirements imposed by the Pension Regulator in relation to the Scheme and;

b. ensure the effective and efficient governance and administration of Merseyside Pension Fund.

c. provide the Scheme Manager with such information as it requires ensuring that any member of the Pension Board or person to be appointed to the Board does not have a conflict of interest.

It’s now where we get to a rather strange problem. Agenda item 8 of the meeting, as you can read for yourself on Wirral Council’s website attempts to exclude any members of the press and public present for items 9, 9a and 10 which refers to the Local Government Act 1972, s.100A.

Before the meeting started I would’ve liked a chance to point out verbally to someone what I’m going to write about now, but a Wirral Council officer insisted we wait in the kitchen next door instead, oh well.

There is power to exclude the press and public from a public meeting. It comes from the Local Government Act 1972, s.100A(4) and applies to meeting of a principal council and because of Local Government Act 1972, s.100E also committees and subcommittees (as well as joint committees).

The Pensions Board was never set up as a committee (or subcommittee) of Wirral Council though. In fact its terms of reference for the Pensions Board make that extremely clear.

“1.3 The Board is not a committee constituted under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and therefore no general duties, responsibilities or powers assigned to such committees or to any sub-committees or officers under the constitution, standing orders or scheme of delegation of the Administering Authority apply to the Board unless expressly included in this document.”

So let me get this straight, a Pensions Board whose purpose is to “secure compliance with legislation”, assigns itself a power in law to exclude press and public from its meetings that it doesn’t have?

At the meeting itself on the 13th October 2015 the Independent Chair John Raisin proposed this resolution to exclude the press and public, it was seconded and agreed by the Pensions Board.

So who do you complain to about the Pensions Board not complying with the legislation? Why the Pension Board of course as its their role to ensure the Merseyside Pension Fund complies with the legislation!

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Wirral Council planning on green belt fire station "there would be some planning policy issues"

Wirral Council planning on green belt fire station “there would be some planning policy issues”

Dan Stephens (Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service) answers questions at a public consultation meeting in Saughall Massie to discuss proposals for a new fire station (20th April 2015). Kieran Timmins (Deputy Chief Executive) is on the right. — Dan Stephens (Chief Fire Officer) answers questions at a public consultation meeting in Saughall Massie to discuss proposals for a new fire station (20th April 2015)

Continuing from Wednesday’s blog post headlined Wirral Council planning on green belt fire station “inappropriate development” & “potential for significant harm”, I thought people might be interested in more of the emails that went between Wirral Council and the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service about the plans for a fire station in Wirral West as it seems that detailed discussions were going on behind the scenes both at officer level at Wirral Council & Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, as well as discussions with councillors too.

Timmins, Kieran

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 29 April 2014 13:02
To: ‘Ball, David, S.’
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony
Subject: RE: Greasby sites

Very helpful. Thank you all

No need to explore further at present

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

From: Ball, David S
Sent: 29 April 2014 12:58
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony
Subject FW: Greasby sites

Kieran,

Here is the view on this site from my Forward Planning team. It seems that there would be some planning policy issues here but I can explore it further if you want me to.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Entwhistle, John C.
Sent: 29 April 2014 12:56
To: Ball, David S.
Subject: RE: Greasby sites

David – the land on the opposite site of Frankby road to St John the Divine is in the Green Belt so a fire station would be inappropriate development and very special circumstances would have to be demonstrated. However there is potential for significant harm to the Green Belt in this location because of its role in maintaining separation between Greasby and Frankby.

John Entwistle
Principal Forward Planning Officer,
Forward Planning,
Regeneration and Environment,
Wirral Council,
Town Hall, Brighton Street
Wallasey, Merseyside
CH44 8ED
Telephone: 0151 691 8221
email: johnentwistle@wirral.gov.uk
Fax: 0151 691 8273
Visit our website www.wirral.gov.uk
Please save paper and print out only what is necessary.

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 29 April 2014 12:19
To: Entwhistle, John C.
Subject: FW: Greasby sites
Importance: High

John,

Do we know anything about this site?

Would a fire station be an acceptable use?

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Simpson, Tony
Sent: 29 April 2014 10:23
To: Ball, David S; Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David
Subject: RE: Greasby sites

The land is not Council owned.

Tony

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 29 April 2014 09:06
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Simpson, Tony; Armstrong, David
Subject: RE: Greasby sites

Kieran,

I don’t but I have copied this to Tony and David who may know more about it.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Timmins, Kieran [mailto:KieranTimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 29 April 2014 08:54
To: Ball, David S.
Subject: Greasby sites

Hi David

Do you know anything about land sited on Frankby road opposite St John the divine church? Is that a possible fire station site?

Cheers

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the originator of the message.

Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifies and with authority, states them to be the views of the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, (MFRS) .

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
www.clearswift.com

Timmins, Kieran

From: Halpin, Colleen S. on behalf of Armstrong, David
Sent: 07 May 2014 16:49
To: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

Dear Kieran

Did Tony provide you with the contact for the Woodland Trust?

Any outstanding issues re us moving into Birkenhead Fire Station?

Regards

David Armstrong
Head of Universal Services CYPD
And Assistant Chief Executive

Colleen Halpin
PA to Director of Children’s Services
Children and Young People’s Department
Wirral Council
Tel: 0151 666 4288
Fax: 0151 666 4338
E-mail: colleenhalpin@wirral.gov.uk
www.wirral.gov.uk

From: Timmins, Kieran [mailto:KieranTimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 29 April 2014 06:36
To: Armstrong, David
Subject: Greasby Sites

HI David

Can you send me your contact details for the woodland trust (did you have any joy with them?).

Many thanks

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 07 May 2014 17:53
To: Armstrong, David
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

Hi David

Tony hasn’t had a chance to send details yet. Be grateful if you could follow up.

Colin, Can you update us on current position on Birkenhead.

Thanks

Kieran

Timmins, Kieran

From: Halpin, Colleen S. on behalf of Armstrong, David
Sent: 07 May 2014 16:49
To: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

Dear Kieran

Did Tony provide you with the contact for the Woodland Trust?

Any outstanding issues re us moving into Birkenhead Fire Station?

Regards

David Armstrong
Head of Universal Services CYPD
And Assistant Chief Executive

From: Timmins, Kieran [mailto:KieranTimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 29 April 2014 06:36
To: Armstrong, David
Subject: Greasby Sites

HI David

Can you send me your contact details for the woodland trust (did you have any joy with them?).

Many thanks

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

From: Simpson, Tony
Sent: 16 May 2014 11:37
To: Armstrong, David; Schofield, Colin, Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Royle, Jeannette E.
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

DavidSmith@woodlandtrust.org.uk]

Regards

Tony

From:/B> Lloyd, Tina A. On Behalf Of Armstrong, David
Sent: 15 May 2014 15:37
To: ‘Schofield, Colin’; Timmins, Kieran; Armstrong, David
Cc: Simpson, Tony; Royle, Jeannette E.
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

Re Birkenhead – I have now signed off a draft report for Cabinet Member approval ASAP. That should allow the other documents to be completed.

Thanks

Tina Lloyd on behalf of
David Armstrong
Head of Universal Services CYPD
and Assistant Chief Executive
Wirral Council
Tel: 0151 666 4313
Fax: 0151 666 4338
email: tinalloyd@wirral.gov.uk
Visit our website: www.wirral.gov.uk

From: Schofield, Colin [mailto:ColinSchofield@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 07 May 2014 18:02
To: Timmins, Kieran; Armstrong, David
Subject: Re: Greasby Sites

Kieran

Re Birkenhead, draft lease & associated documents are with Dawn to pass to Wirral’s legal team for consideration.
Need to sort out ICT connections but move in date shouldn’t be too far away.

Regards
Col

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 05:53 PM
To: Armstrong, David
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

Hi David

Tony hasn’t had a chance to send details yet. Be grateful if you could follow up.

Colin, Can you update us on current position on Birkenhead.

Thanks

Kieran

From: Halpin, Colleen S. [ColleenHalpin@wirral.gov.uk] on behalf of Armstrong, David [davidarmstrong@wirral.gov.uk]
Sent: 07 May 2014 16:48
To: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

Dear Kieran

Did Tony provide you with the contact for the Woodland Trust?

Any outstanding issues re us moving into Birkenhead Fire Station?

Regards

David Armstrong
Head of Universal Services CYPD
And Assistant Chief Executive

From: Timmins, Kieran [mailto:KieranTimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 29 April 2014 06:36
To: Armstrong, David
Subject: Greasby Sites

HI David

Can you send me your contact details for the woodland trust (did you have any joy with them?).

Many thanks

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Simpson, Tony
Sent: 16 May 2014 11:37
To: Armstrong, David; Schofield, Colin, Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Royle, Jeannette E.
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

DavidSmith@woodlandtrust.org.uk]

Regards

Tony

Re Birkenhead – I have now signed off a draft report for Cabinet Member approval ASAP. That should allow the other documents to be completed.

Thanks

From: Schofield, Colin [mailto:ColinSchofield@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 07 May 2014 18:02
To: Timmins, Kieran; Armstrong, David
Subject: Re: Greasby Sites

Kieran

Re Birkenhead, draft lease & associated documents are with Dawn to pass to Wirral’s legal team for consideration.
Need to sort out ICT connections but move in date shouldn’t be too far away.

Regards
Col

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 05:53 PM
To: Armstrong, David
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Greasby Sites

Hi David

Tony hasn’t had a chance to send details yet. Be grateful if you could follow up.

Colin, Can you update us on current position on Birkenhead.

Thanks

Kieran

Dear Kieran

Did Tony provide you with the contact for the Woodland Trust?

Any outstanding issues re us moving into Birkenhead Fire Station?

Regards

David Armstrong
Head of Universal Services CYPD
And Assistant Chief Executive

From: Timmins, Kieran [mailto:KieranTimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 29 April 2014 06:36
To: Armstrong, David
Subject: Greasby Sites

HI David

Can you send me your contact details for the woodland trust (did you have any joy with them?).

Many thanks

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 16 May 2014 13:27
To: Schofield, Colin
Cc: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: GREASBY

Colin,

This work is in progress and we should have something by next Tuesday.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Schofield, Colin [mailto:ColinSchofield@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 16 May 2014 08:48
To: Ball, David S.
Cc: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: GREASBY

Hi David

Following on from when we spoke last week, I recall you were going to get someone to look at the land at Upton By-pass/Saughall Massie Road to see if there was any potential for us to consider it as a site for the new merged Upton/West Kirby fire station. I think you also suggested that you’d get someone to produce a plan showing any ‘spare land’ in the Greasby area (back to the By-pass) so we can continue to seek out a potential site for the new station.

I was just wondering if you had any news on either of these please?

Regards
Colin

Colin Schofield
Regional Project Director
North West Fire & Rescue Services PFI Project
c/o Merseyside F&RS HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L30 4YD
tel 0151 296 4203
mob 07780 997933
fax 0151 296 4224
email colinschofield@merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 19 May 2014 10:41
To: Schofield, Colin
Cc: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: FW: Potential Fire Station Sites
Attachments: Land Corner Saughall Massie Road 1_2500.pdf; Land North Upton Cricket Club 1_2500.pdf

Colin,

Confidential

Further to our recent conversation and the e-mail exchange last week, please find attached and below some thoughts from my Planning Policy Team about potential sites. Unfortunately, as you will read, there are a number of constraints to these sites but we are having difficulty identifying suitable sites in the Greasby area.

Happy to discuss!

David
DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Austin, Hannah
Sent: 19 May 2014 10:17
To: Ball, David S.
CC: Fraser, Andrew S.
Subject: Potential Fire Station Sites

David,

Further to your discussion with Andrew on Friday, please find attached site plans of two potential sites for the relocation of Upton Fire Station. We examined the whole area and these are the only sites that we consider have potential, in addition to the site already being considered. It should be noted, however, that these are still subject to significant constraints. The land at the corner of Saughall Massie Road is a Council-owned densely wooded site with access constraints. It is likely that there would be significant highways issues at the junction with Upton By-Pass. The land to the north of Upton Cricket Club is also subject to access constraints and is currently used for horse grazing. It has been submitted through the Call for Sites exercise for consideration for housing. Both sites are also less than 1 mile away from the existing station in Upton.

In terms of Green Belt sites, this type of development would be considered inappropriate and very special circumstances would need to be demonstrated to justify development. The capacity to accommodate fire engines on Frankby Road and the western part of Saughall Massie Road may also act as a constraint to development in Greasby/Saughall Massie.

I hope this helps. If you need anything else please let me know.

Kind regards

Hannah Austin
Senior Planning Officer
Wirral Council
Regeneration and Planning Service, North Annexe, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Tel: 0151 691 8192
Email: hannahaustin@wirral.gov.uk
Fax: 0151 691 8188

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David, S.
Sent: 19 May 2014 13:02
To: Schofield, Colin
Cc: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: FW: Potential Fire Station Sites (further info)
Attachments: Land Corner Saughall Massie Road 1_2500.pdf; Land North Upton Cricket Club 1_2500.pdf

Colin,

CONFIDENTIAL

Update on sites!

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Fraser, Andrew S.
Sent: 19 May 2014 11:36
To: Ball, David S.
Subject: FW: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

David.

Just to say that the site at the corner of Saughall Massie Road is a designated Urban Greenspace but although highly visible it does not really function as an accessible public open space and Overchurch Park is within 400m to the north, albeit on the other side of the bypass. The visual landscaping impact alongside the bypass could however be retained without retaining the whole of the rest of the site (although this is still likely to be controversial!). The highways issues are however likely to be overriding.

Thanks

Andrew Fraser, Forward Planning Manager
Regeneration and Planning Service
Tel: 0151 691 8218 Fax: 0151 691 8188

From: Austin, Hannah
Sent: 19 May 2014 10:17
To: Ball, David S.
CC: Fraser, Andrew S.
Subject: Potential Fire Station Sites

David,

I hope this helps. If you need anything else please let me know.

Kind regards

Timmins, Kieran

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 19 May 2014 15:46
To: ‘Ball, David S.’
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites (further info)

Thanks again David

Would be grateful if colleagues able to give any more details on concerns on the highway’s issues. We tend to find that

a) Fire stations are a lot quieter than people imagine and rarely respond under blue lights
b) Quite often appliances respond when they are off site doing home fire safety checks etc

Thanks

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Colin,

CONFIDENTIAL

Update on sites!

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Fraser, Andrew S.
Sent: 19 May 2014 11:36
To: Ball, David S.
Subject: FW: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

David.

Thanks

Andrew Fraser, Forward Planning Manager
Regeneration and Planning Service
Tel: 0151 691 8218 Fax: 0151 691 8188

From: Austin, Hannah
Sent: 19 May 2014 10:17
To: Ball, David S.
CC: Fraser, Andrew S.
Subject: Potential Fire Station Sites

David,

I hope this helps. If you need anything else please let me know.

Kind regards

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 20 May 2014 08:01
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

Kieran,

I will look into the highway issues in more detail.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 19 May 2014 15:46
To: ‘Ball, David S.’
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites (further info)

Thanks again David

Would be grateful if colleagues able to give any more details on concerns on the highway’s issues. We tend to find that

a) Fire stations are a lot quieter than people imagine and rarely respond under blue lights
b) Quite often appliances respond when they are off site doing home fire safety checks etc

Thanks

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Colin,

CONFIDENTIAL

Update on sites!

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Fraser, Andrew S.
Sent: 19 May 2014 11:36
To: Ball, David S.
Subject: FW: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

David.

Thanks

Andrew Fraser, Forward Planning Manager
Regeneration and Planning Service
Tel: 0151 691 8218 Fax: 0151 691 8188

From: Austin, Hannah
Sent: 19 May 2014 10:17
To: Ball, David S.
CC: Fraser, Andrew S.
Subject: Potential Fire Station Sites

David,

I hope this helps. If you need anything else please let me know.

Kind regards

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 25 June 2014 08:11
To: Schofield, Colin
Cc: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

Colin,

Apologies for the delay in replying as things have been very busy of late.

On an initial look and taking into account your comments in your e-mail of 19 may, I think we could look at this positively subject to detailed design.

I hope this helps.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Schofield, Colin [mailto:ColinSchofield@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 25 June 2014 07:55
To: Ball, David S.
Cc: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]
Importance: High

Hi David

Do you have any further update on this please?

I understand that Dan Stephens is meeting Councillor Phil Davies on Tuesday & I need to update him before that meeting.

Regards
Colin

From: Schofield, Colin
Sent: 04 June 2014 07:58
To: ‘Ball, David S.’
Cc: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

David

Is there any further news on the highways issues please?

Regards
Colin

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 20 May 2014 08:01
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

Kieran,

I will look into the highway issues in more detail.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 19 May 2014 15:46
To: ‘Ball, David S.’
Cc: Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Potential Fire Station Sites (further info)

Thanks again David

Would be grateful if colleagues able to give any more details on concerns on the highway’s issues. We tend to find that

a) Fire stations are a lot quieter than people imagine and rarely respond under blue lights
b) Quite often appliances respond when they are off site doing home fire safety checks etc

Thanks

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Colin,

CONFIDENTIAL

Update on sites!

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Fraser, Andrew S.
Sent: 19 May 2014 11:36
To: Ball, David S.
Subject: FW: Potential Fire Station Sites [further info]

David.

Thanks

Andrew Fraser, Forward Planning Manager
Regeneration and Planning Service
Tel: 0151 691 8218 Fax: 0151 691 8188

From: Austin, Hannah
Sent: 19 May 2014 10:17
To: Ball, David S.
CC: Fraser, Andrew S.
Subject: Potential Fire Station Sites

David,

I hope this helps. If you need anything else please let me know.

Kind regards

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 July 2014 08:06
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony; Blott, Joe R.
Subject: Potential fire station sites in Wirral

Kieran,

Joe Blott, one of our Strategic Directors has asked me to contact you following the recent meeting that Dan Stevens had with the leader of the Council. I understand that one of the discussion points was the various sites that we have been discussing over the past few months for a potential new fire station.

I understand that there may be a need to consolidate all the correspondence and to come to a view if any of these sites are possible locations and if there is a preferred site fro the Council to let you know whether it is available (if we own it) and what the planning considerations may be. I know that we (Asset Management and me from a planning perspective) have discussed a number of sites but would it be useful to meet to come to a considered position on this matter?

Please can you let me know what would be best?

Thanks,

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

Timmins, Kieran

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 09 July 2014 17:02
To: ‘Ball, David S.’
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony; Blott, Joe R; ColinSchofield@merseyfire.gov.uk;NyreeCollinson@merseyfire.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Potential fire station sites in Wirral

Hi David

That’s very timely as I was just discussing with Colin holding a meeting to review the site options and it would make a lot of sense to do that jointly with your input. I’ll get a meeting set up with Colin Schofield, myself and (is it just) you from the Wirral side?

Under separate cover I’ll send a copy of a short note I did for Dan trying to summarise where we are up to which might be useful for all

Best wishes

Kieran

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 July 2014 08:06
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony; Blott, Joe R.
Subject: Potential fire station sites in Wirral

Kieran,

Please can you let me know what would be best?

Thanks,

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

Timmins, Kieran

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 09 July 2014 17:07
To: ‘Ball, David S.’
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony; Blott, Joe R; ColinSchofield@merseyfire.gov.uk;NyreeCollinson@merseyfire.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Potential fire station sites in Wirral
Attachments: summary of greasby sites update june 25.xlsx

Hi David,
Further to previous email see notes below and attachment which were provided for Chief Exec’s meeting

a) Sites discounted early
Two sites were considered at an early stage and discounted. One was a junior school on Mill Lane – there were concerns about access and no indications that school was willing to give up land. The second was a farm site on Arrowe road – No indications if land was for sale

b) Sites considered in more detail
Since then 6 sites have been considered in more detail. They have been identified by a mix of estates team detective work, suggestions by colleagues and suggestions by Wirral officers. The sites are analysed in more detail in the attached appendix. As it stands there are two “runners” left:-

Saughall Massie Road/Upton By Pass. This is owned by Wirral and looks quite positive based on recent correspondence despite being urban greenspace. It may be a little father from Greasby than planned but access good
The Library/Community hall site in middle of Greasby. However this site not suitable for ambulance services and we would have to deal with multiple partners. Locality is a political hot potato with large public outcry about supermarket development.

c) Latest Developments

Estates team have been liaising with various professional advisers to see if they had any information. We have heard rumours of one potential larger development being put together near Greasby. We are awaiting more details and location

Have also formally instructed Hardie Brack to look for sites and their report is awaited. We believe they may have identified three or four potential plots which we understand all to be farmland that might be for sale.

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 July 2014 08:06
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony; Blott, Joe R.
Subject: Potential fire station sites in Wirral

Kieran,

Please can you let me know what would be best?

Thanks,

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 July 2014 17:31
To: Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David; Simpson, Tony, Blott, Joe R; Schofield, Colin; Collinson, Nyree
Subject: RE: Potential fire station sites in Wirral

Kieran

I suggest me on the planning side and David and/or Tony on the assets side.

David

Sent from my HTC

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 25 July 2014 14:10
To: Timmins, Kieran; Schofield, Colin
Subject: Fire Station -CONFIDENTIAL

Kieran and Colin,

It was good to see you this morning.

I have had the opportunity to speak with colleagues at officer level regarding the thoughts for the centre of Greasby and they are all supportive of the principle. I am now pulling together relevant space details and there are a number of options here which will be helpful. I will forward these as soon as I have them.

I will speak to David Armstrong on Monday about the land issues and will begin to sound out Cabinet Members around the middle of next week,

I will keep you advised.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

Timmins, Kieran

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 25 July 2014 22:01
To: Ball, David S.; Schofield, Colin
Cc: Garrigan, Phil; Stephens, Dan
Subject: RE: Fire Station – CONFIDENTIAL

Hi David

Thank you very much for your efforts and pragmatic advice. This seems a really exciting development and one the whole management team are really keen on.

We look forward to working with you to deliver …… Operation Reading by Firelight begins!

Thanks

Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 25 July 2014 14:09
To: Timmins, Kieran; Schofield, Colin
Subject: Fire Station -CONFIDENTIAL

Kieran and Colin,

It was good to see you this morning.

I will speak to David Armstrong on Monday about the land issues and will begin to sound out Cabinet Members around the middle of next week,

I will keep you advised.

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 25 July 2014 22:06
To: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: Re: Fire Station -CONFIDENTIAL

Kieran

You are welcome.

Let’s hope we succeed.

David

Sent from my HTC

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 04 August 2014 14:28
To: Timmins, Kieran
Subject: RE: Update on station proposals for Upton and West Kirby

Kieran,

Thanks!

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Timmins, Kieran [mailto:KieranTimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 04 August 2014 14:23
To: Ball, David S.
Subject: FW: Update on station proposals for Upton and West Kirby.

Hi David…… see Dan’s correspondence with Ester Mcvey below…..

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

From: Stephens, Dan
Sent: 04 August 2014 14:17
To: Strategic Management Group
Subject: FW: Update on station proposals for Upton and West Kirby.

Colleagues,

For your information.

Regards,

Dan Stephens,
Chief Fire Officer,
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service,
Bridle Road,
Bootle,
Merseyside,
L30 4YD

0151 296 4102
07967371690

dan.stephens@mfrs.cjsm.net

From: Stephens, Dan
Sent: 04 August 2014 14:16
To: ‘RIMMER, Andrew’
Cc: Wainwright, Sandra
Subject: RE: Update on station proposals for Upton and West Kirby.

Andrew,

We are, in conjunction with Wirral, exploring the possibility of a joint development on the site of the existing Library and Community Centre situated in between the Red Cat and Medical Centre on Frankby Road.

This would be an ideal location from an operational response perspective. The joint development may consist of a fire station, library and community facilities in an integrated building. It is possible North West Ambulance Service may also be interested in the development but that is by no means certain and would be subject to confirmation.

This proposal is at a relatively early stage and not all potential partners have yet been approached. Whilst I have a degree of confidence that such a development is deliverable I would ask that any response to constituents over this issue is heavily caveated to that effect.

My suggestion would be to respond along the lines of ‘Considerations are now focused on a site in the centre of Greasby in Wirral ownership. Whilst discussions are at a very early stage, the debate has been around delivering a shared public services facility that would add significant value to the community’.

Thanks,

Dan Stephens,
Chief Fire Officer,
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service,
Bridle Road,
Bootle,
Merseyside,
L30 4YD

0151 296 4102
07967371690

dan.stephens@mfrs.cjsm.net

From: RIMMER, Andrew [mailto:andrew.rimmer@parliament.uk]
Sent: 04 August 2014 10:52
To: Stephens, Dan
Cc: Wainwright, Sandrea
Subject: RE: Update on station proposals for Upton and West Kirby.
Importance: High

Sent on behalf of Esther McVey MP

Dear Dan

Further to your telephone call with Esther and email correspondence below regarding Fire Station proposals in Wirral West, would it be possible to update us on consideration of a site in Greasby so we have the latest information. It was one of the issues raised on Friday at the Over 60s Fair MFRS attended at Hoylake Community Centre.

Many thanks for your help.

Kind regards

Andrew

Andrew Rimmer
Office of Esther McVey MP

From:“Stephens,Dan”
Date:8 May 2014 19:35:53 BST
To:“MCVEY, Esther (2nd Mailbox)”
Subject: RE: Update on station proposals for Upton and West Kirby.

Dear Esther,

For ease of reply I have inserted responses to your questions in the body of the e-mail below.

If it assists I can meet with you or give you a call when it is convenient for you to update you on progress?

Thanks,

Dan Stephens,
Chief Fire Officer,
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service,
Bridle Road,
Bootle,
Merseyside,
L30 4YD

0151 296 4102
07967371690

dan.stephens@mfrs.cjsm.net

From: MCVEY, Esther (2nd Mailbox) [mailto:officeofesthermcveymp@parliament.uk]
Sent: 08 May 2014 14:14
To: Stephens, Dan
Subject: FW: Update on station proposals for Upton and West Kirby

Dear Dan

Please could I ask for a quick update on decisions over stations in Wirral West following contact from constituents. Specifically

Have MFS identified land as yet in Greasby? – Not as yet. We are exploring the possibility of acquiring a site on the Greasby Frankby border and also a site at the junction of the Upton Bypass and Saughall Massie Road. As you are probably aware there are very few available plots of land in the area which would be appropriate for a fire (and possibly ambulance) station
If so when will any consultation process commence? – If we are able to acquire a site we will report this to the next scheduled Authority meeting and request approval to undertake a 12 week public consultation process immediately thereafter. I can send you the process we are utilising for the proposed merger in Knowsley (Huyton with Whiston) which was approved at the Authority meeting on 6^th May if that would assist?
If not, what would the likely timescale be to implement alternative proposals and when would any consultation start? – If it becomes obvious that we will not be able to acquire a suitable site for a merger then we will report back to the Authority and advise them of the alternative options to a merger which on the Wirral would be the outright closure of West Kirby. Subject to Authority approval we would then undertake a 12 week consultation process immediately thereafter. Clearly this is the very last outcome we would want so we will explore every land option possible even if that requires consideration of alternative sites (hence the Upton Bypass and Saughall Massie Road reference above)

Many thanks in advance for an update on this matter.

With my best wishes

Esther McVey MP
officeofesthermcveymp@parliament.uk
The Parade, Hoylake Community Centre
Hoyle Road, Hoylake
Wirral
CH47 3AG

UK Parliament Disclaimer:
This e-mail is confidential to the intended recipient. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and delete it from your system. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, or copying is not permitted. This e-mail has been checked for viruses, but no liability is accepted for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

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Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

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Timmins, Kieran
From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 September 2014 09:25
To: Stephens, Dan; Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

Dan and Kieran,

I saw Lesley Rennie last Friday and she did mention to me the meeting was taking place.

I was in meetings yesterday afternoon so only picked up the e-mail last night. Thanks for the update. I shall wait and see if Lesley can change their minds about this location or not. In the meantime I will not look at this any further until I have some view from the Councillors. I hope there is a positive outcome.

I have copied David Armstrong into this e-mail so he is aware of the latest situation.

Regards,

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Stephens, Dan [mailto:DanStephens@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 08 September 2014 18:57
To: Timmins, Kieran; Ball, David S.
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

Thanks Kieran,

David – to confirm Tom and Wendy were very clear that they would oppose the proposal. I will however speak to Lesley Rennie to establish how likely they would be to change their position given the alternative.

Regards,

Dan Stephens,
Chief Fire Officer,
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service,
Bridle Road,
Bootle,
Merseyside,
L30 4YD

0151 296 4102
07967371690

dan.stephens@mfrs.cjsm.net

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 08 September 2014 18:07
To: davidball@wiral.gov.uk
Cc: Stephens, Dan
Subject: Greasby Councillors

HI David

Not sure if you got the message earlier – Tried to catch you on the phone before you went to council meeting.

Dan met Greasby councillors today – Wendy Clements and Tom Anderson (I think). This as at request of Lesley rennie. They do not appear to like the idea of a fire station in Greasby and their initial thought is to oppose the plan based on the conversation today. Dan explained that the alternative option was the closure of West Kirby outright which was also not platable and may cause them to reconsider. However it appeared that their initial view is to oppose.

Can you give me a buzz on 07855 207571 if you want to discuss

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 09 September 2014 09:28
To: ‘Ball, David S.’; Stephens, Dan
Cc: Armstrong, David; Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

HI David

I think we would like to initiate discussions with the community hall in any case. The issue we have is that as firefighters retire we can’t staff all the appliances and with two years to deliver a new station its important we don’t lose any time.

Unless that causes any major problems would you be agreeable to proceed. If nothing else at least we can work up properly what is proposed as a joint service hub that may help win hearts and minds!

What do you think?

Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 September 2014 09:25
To: Stephens, Dan; Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

Dan and Kieran,

I saw Lesley Rennie last Friday and she did mention to me the meeting was taking place.

I have copied David Armstrong into this e-mail so he is aware of the latest situation.

Regards,

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From:; Stephens, Dan [mailto:DanStephens@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 08 September 2014 18:57
To: Timmins, Kieran; Ball, David S.
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

Thanks Kieran,

Regards,

Dan Stephens,
Chief Fire Officer,
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service,
Bridle Road,
Bootle,
Merseyside,
L30 4YD

0151 296 4102
07967371690

dan.stephens@mfrs.cjsm.net

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 08 September 2014 18:07
To: davidball@wiral.gov.uk
Cc: Stephens, Dan
Subject: Greasby Councillors

HI David

Not sure if you got the message earlier – Tried to catch you on the phone before you went to council meeting.

Can you give me a buzz on 07855 207571 if you want to discuss

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 September 2014 10:30
To: Stephens, Dan; Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David; Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

Dan,

I have just e-mailed Graham Burgess and David Armstrong on this matter and await their comments.

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Stephens, Dan [mailto:DanStephens@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 09 September 2014 09:50
To: Timmins, Keran; Ball, David S.
Cc: Armstrong, David; Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

David,

Can I suggest we have a meeting to discuss our options and possibly include Graham, Phil Davies and even Jeff Green please?

The alternative to a merger of West Kirby and Upton fire stations in an outright closure of West Kirby which we would move to public consultation on imminently. That will undoubtedly result in a degree of political impact and I would want us all to be on the same page in terms of a collective position.

Thanks,

Dan Stephens,
Chief Fire Officer,
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service,
Bridle Road,
Bootle,
Merseyside,
L30 4YD

0151 296 4102
07967371690

dan.stephens@mfrs.cjsm.net

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 09 September 2014 09:28
To: ‘Ball, David S.’; Stephens, Dan
Cc: Armstrong, David; Schofield, Colin
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

HI David

Unless that causes any major problems would you be agreeable to proceed. If nothing else at least we can work up properly what is proposed as a joint service hub that may help win hearts and minds!

What do you think?

Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 09 September 2014 09:25
To: Stephens, Dan; Timmins, Kieran
Cc: Armstrong, David
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

Dan and Kieran,

I saw Lesley Rennie last Friday and she did mention to me the meeting was taking place.

I have copied David Armstrong into this e-mail so he is aware of the latest situation.

Regards,

David

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

From: Stephens, Dan [mailto:DanStephens@merseyfire.gov.uk]
Sent: 08 September 2014 18:57
To: Timmins, Kieran; Ball, David S.
Subject: RE: Greasby Councillors

Thanks Kieran,

Regards,

Dan Stephens,
Chief Fire Officer,
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service,
Bridle Road,
Bootle,
Merseyside,
L30 4YD

0151 296 4102
07967371690

dan.stephens@mfrs.cjsm.net

From: Timmins, Kieran
Sent: 08 September 2014 18:07
To: davidball@wiral.gov.uk
Cc: Stephens, Dan
Subject: Greasby Councillors

HI David

Not sure if you got the message earlier – Tried to catch you on the phone before you went to council meeting.

Can you give me a buzz on 07855 207571 if you want to discuss

Kieran Timmins
Deputy Chief Executive
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Service HQ
Bridle Road
Bootle
L30 4YD

Tel: 0151 296 4202
Fax: 0151 296 4224

kierantimmins@merseyfire.gov.uk

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

Incoming and outgoing emails may be monitored in line with current legislation.

Steps have been taken to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus. In keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free.

http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/

Timmins, Kieran

From: Ball, David S.
Sent: 10 September 2014 13:54
To: Stephens, Dan; Timmins, Kieran
Subject: Meeting on friday re greasby and west Kirby

Dan/Kieran,

Just to confirm that David Armstrong and I will be attending the meeting at 4pm on Friday afternoon.

DAVID BALL
Head of Regeneration and Planning
Regeneration and Environment Department
Wirral Council

Tel: 0151 691 8395
Fax: 0151 691 8191
Email: davidball@wirral.gov.uk

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EXCLUSIVE: Wirral Council admit disclosure of NI numbers, dates of birth & names of nearly 200 staff was a mistake

Surjit Tour (left) at a recent meeting of Wirral Council's Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee — Surjit Tour (left) at a recent meeting of Wirral Council’s Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee

The background to this story is that last year Wirral Council accidentally divulged to me around two hundred people’s names, dates of birth, national insurance numbers, job titles and whether they were in the Merseyside Pension Fund (that Wirral Council administers) or not.

This is my response to Wirral Council (and ICO on this matter).

Dear Surjit Tour, Caroline Flint (ICO) and others,

Thank you Mr. Tour for your letter of 28th April 2015 (your reference ST/CG) and the email from ICO’s Caroline Flint dated 30th April 2015 (ICO case reference number RFA0568370). As both communications cover the same topic I am writing this joint response in reply.

I will deal first with an error in the response in the email from ICO. The first sentence in that email states “Thank you for raising your concern with us about Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council’s (Wirral MBC’s) handling of your personal data.”

None of the personal data that this matter relates to is about myself.

Moving to Mr. Tour’s letter of the 28th April 2015, paragraph 2 correctly states that I requested “eight lengthy contracts/leases” (one of which is the PFI contract with Wirral Schools Services Limited that this matter relates to).

Although not implicitly stated, it is implied that I was provided with eight lengthy contracts/leases and that this request “did impose a considerable strain on the officers”.

However four were not provided (the BAM Nuttall contract came into effect during the 2014/15 financial year, the development agreement (dated 9/1/2008) and bond (dated 6/10/2008) with Pochin Land and Development Limited (relating to the Birkenhead ASDA Compulsory Purchase Order) was refused and so was Wirral Council’s agreement with Neptune Developments with regards to the Birkenhead Masterplan proposals).

Two leases were provided (I would estimate each at being around 200 pages long). Two contracts were also provided (including the PFI contract) which are each around 500-1000 pages long. In the case of one of the leases (the New Brighton Marine Point lease) two entire copies of the lease were provided (when I only asked for one). As one of the two copies provided of that lease has a Land Registry official copy stamp on it (so presumably the copying was done by Land Registry) I would respectfully point out that the “considerable strain on the officers” referred to in your letter in making a second copy of that lease (then providing a second copy of that lease to myself with the Land Registry copy) was unnecessary.

In the last sentence of your letter you refer to Regulation 9 of the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2011 which requires the documents to be made available for public inspection twenty working days before the date appointed by the auditor for local government electors to exercise their rights to either ask questions or make an objection.

For the 2013/14 audit, this date was the 18th August 2014. Therefore in order to comply with the regulations the documents should have been made available in the twenty working days leading up to the 18th August 2014 (which was the 21st July 2014 to the 15th August 2014).

As specified in your letter the PFI contract was available for inspection by myself on the 12th September 2014 (a month later than the timescale in the legislation you refer to). The copy of the PFI contract I was given on the 12th September 2014 was incomplete and it was the following month before I received the missing pages of the contract (which was after the accounts for that year had been closed by the auditor).

There were similar problems with the member expense forms as those given to me in September 2014 were also incomplete (or related to the wrong financial year) with the rest given to me in October 2014.

Therefore as the information was provided a month (or in some cases two months) later than the legislation specified I dispute your assertion that “The difficulties were compounded by the short timescales permitted by Regulation 9 of the Accounts and Audit (England) 2011 to produce the documents you had requested that related to the accounts of the Council”.

Had the documents been open for inspection and I had received copies prior to the 18th August 2014 (in compliance with the regulation you refer to) I would agree with you, however they were not.

Moving to the points made in page three of your letter, I was unaware (until I read your letter) of the existing right of inspection to admission agreements under schedule 2 Part 3 paragraph 11 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013.

I refer you to one of the admission agreements in the PFI contract specifically Schedule 19, Part 3, page 4/5 of the PFI Contract:

“3 (i) The Administering Authority shall from the date referred to in paragraph (ii) of this clause admit to participate in the benefits of the Scheme every employee of the Transferee Admission Body –

(a) whose name appears in the List annexed to this Agreement where he is identified as being a member of the Scheme by virtue of being an employee of the Administering Authority (hereinafter referred to as “the List”) or

(b) whom, by notice in writing given to the Administering Authority, the Transferee Admission Body may from time to time nominate provided that any person so nominated must be eligible to become a member of the Scheme.”

The Administering Authority referred to is Wirral Council. Therefore the list of names, dates of birth, job descriptions, NI numbers is of former Wirral Council staff whose employer was changed from Wirral Council to that of the PFI contractor.

You state in the second paragraph on page 3 “The amount of any such deficit would be determined by such factors as salary and age of the employee”. However the list does not include salary details of employees. Therefore as this information does not form part of the admission agreement or annexed list I dispute your statement that “That information would therefore be relevant to any assessment of the financial risk to the Council brought about by the PFI Contract.”

I might also point out that the admission agreement refers to a bond or indemnity with an insurer (Schedule 18 Parts 3 pages 14-17) to cover this sort of situation which reduces the risk of such liabilities falling on Wirral Council. Unfortunately the name of the insurer is not provided on the copy of the contract I have but the admission agreement states this insurance is to a limit of £67,000 (for that admission agreement which is one of three in the contract).

As I am publishing this response to ICO and Mr. Tour, I am also publishing the email from ICO that it refers to and the letter from Mr. Tour.

I have made a determination as data controller (see s.32 of the Data Protection Act 1998) that having regard to the special importance of the public interest in freedom of expression, the fact that I’m publishing my response (which could lead to confusion unless the email from ICO and letter from Wirral Council is also published at the same time), ICO’s view that Wirral Council breached the Data Protection Act 1998 as well as other reasons, that it is in the public interest for these documents to be published.

Finally, although I appreciate your point about whether s.34 of the Data Protection Act 1998 applies to the list is a matter for Wirral Council and ICO to come to a view on, at the very least there appears (from my perspective) to have been maladministration on the part of Wirral Council.

Providing documents requested during the audit outside the timescales you referred to in your letter and indeed in some cases after the accounts were closed prevented me from exercising my right to object to the auditor or to ask questions of the auditor before the accounts were closed at the end of September 2014.

As you are Monitoring Officer for Wirral Council, I draw your attention to section 5A of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the duty of a Monitoring Officer to write a report (circulated to all councillors, the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer) and for this report to be considered at a future Cabinet meeting within a set time period if there has either been a contravention of any enactment or rule of law by the authority or maladministration. I therefore await your response as to whether you will be writing such a report.

Yours sincerely,

John Brace

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

from: casework@ico.org.uk
to: john.brace@gmail.com
date: 30 April 2015 at 15:42
subject: Data Protection Concern: RFA0568370[Ref. RFA0568370]

30 April 2015

Case Reference Number RFA0568370

Dear Mr Brace

Thank you for raising your concern with us about Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council’s (Wirral MBC’s) handling of your personal data.

We want to know how organisations are doing when they are handling information rights issues. We also want to improve the way they deal with the personal information they are responsible for. Reporting your concerns to us will help us do that.

Our role is not to investigate or adjudicate on individual concerns but we will consider whether there is an opportunity to improve the practice of the organisations we regulate. We do this by taking an overview of all concerns that are raised about an organisation with a view to improving their compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).

From the information provided to us it does appear that Wirral Council has breached the DPA as it has acknowledged disclosing third party data in error. Wirral MBC has stated they have recovered the information disclosed inappropriately. They have also specified that requests made under the Audit Act in the future should not include any personal information which would enable particular individuals to be identified unless the requester can demonstrate that the disclosure is in the public interest to the extent that it should override the individual’s right to privacy.

It is now Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council’s responsibility to explain to us how it intends to improve its information rights practices in relation to reducing the possibility of such inappropriate disclosures in the future. Although we do not intend to write to you again, we will keep the concerns raised on file. This will help us over time to build up a picture of Wirral MBC’s information rights practices.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received, or would like to provide us with feedback of any kind, please let me know. Further information can also be found on our website by following the following link https://ico.org.uk/concerns/complaints-and-compliments-about-us/complain-about-us/

Yours sincerely

Caroline Flint
Case Officer
01625 545 258

The ICO’s mission is to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

If you are not the intended recipient of this email (and any attachment), please inform the sender by return email and destroy all copies. Unauthorised access, use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted.
Communication by internet email is not secure as messages can be intercepted and read by someone else. Therefore we strongly advise you not to email any information, which if disclosed to unrelated third parties would be likely to cause you distress. If you have an enquiry of this nature please provide a postal address to allow us to communicate with you in a more secure way. If you want us to respond by email you must realise that there can be no guarantee of privacy.
Any email including its content may be monitored and used by the Information Commissioner’s Office for reasons of security and for monitoring internal compliance with the office policy on staff use. Email monitoring or blocking software may also be used. Please be aware that you have a responsibility to ensure that any email you write or forward is within the bounds of the law.
The Information Commissioner’s Office cannot guarantee that this message or any attachment is virus free or has not been intercepted and amended. You should perform your own virus checks.

Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113 Fax: 01625 524 510 Web: www.ico.org.uk

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

Department of Transformation
and Resources
Joe Blott
Strategic Director for Transformation
and Resources
Town Hall, Brighton Street
Wallasey, Wirral
Merseyside, CH44 8ED
DX 708630 Seacombe
Website: www.wirral.gov.uk

date 28 April 2015

to John Brace
Jenmaleo
134 Boundary Road
Bidston
Wirral
CH43 7PH
my ref ST/CG
service Legal and Member Services
tel 0151 691 8569
fax 0151 691 8482
email surjittour@wirral.gov.uk

Dear Mr Brace

DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION IN ADMISSION AGREEMENT FORMING PART OF THE COUNCIL’S PFI CONTRACT

I refer to your letter of 19 January and to our subsequent meeting which culminated in your return of the personal information which was inadvertently disclosed to you when a copy of the PFI Contract was provided to you on 12 September 2014.

You will recall that in a written request dated 25 July 2014 you had exercised your right under Section 15 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 (“ACA”) to inspect and receive copies of over 300 invoices, eight lengthy contracts/leases and all member expense forms for 2013 and 2014. These documents related to the Council’s accounts for 2013/14.

The request for those documents did impose a considerable strain on the officers who were required to locate and copy those contracts after redacting commercially sensitive and personal information from those documents in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 8, as you may know, requires a public authority to show respect for a persons private life and not to interfere with that right except as is in accordance with the law and is necessary (amongst other things) in the interests of the economic wellbeing of the country or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

I should emphasise that the non-redaction of the personal pension information was not intentional. The information was overlooked amongst the thousands of pages of the documentation which you had requested under Section 15 of the ACA. The difficulties were compounded by the short timescales permitted by Regulation 9 of

www.wirral.gov.uk (LGC logo) Awards 2015 Winner Most Improved Council

the Accounts and Audit (England) 2011 to produce the documents you had requested that related to the accounts of the Council also by the sickness absence of one of the Council’s officers who was dealing with your request.

I have looked carefully into the legal consequences of the inadvertent disclosure of the personal information in the PFI Contract and have indeed taken Counsel’s advice on the matter. My conclusions are set out below.

Section 34 of the Data Protection Act 1998 contains an exemption from the requirement to comply with the non-disclosure provisions of the Act if any personal data consists of information which the Data Controller is obliged to make available to the public under any enactment.

The non-disclosure provisions are defined in Section 27 of the same Act and include the first data protection principle which requires Data Controllers to process personal data both fairly and lawfully.

If however the processing is necessary for compliance with any legal obligation to which the Data Controller is subject, then the requirement to process personal data fairly and lawfully does not apply.

The applicable legal obligation is Section 15 of the ACA which gives a right to any local government elector to inspect all contracts relating to the accounts which are to be audited. There is an exception for information which can identify a particular employee of the Council and also for personal information outside that description ie non-employees of the Council if the information enables a particular individual or individuals “to be identified and the Council’s Auditor considers that it should not be inspected or disclosed”.

In the particular circumstances of the PFI Contract the Auditor had not been requested to authorise non-disclosure. The volume of the documents running into several thousands of pages which you had requested rendered it simply impracticable within the short timescales to seek the Auditor’s opinion on whether the personal information should be disclosed. You must remember the context in which the personal information in the PFI Contract was inadvertently disclosed. It was one of many documents that had to be sifted for personal information and commercially sensitive information.

That however does not end the matter since there is a Judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of Veolia ES Nottinghamshire Limited v Nottinghamshire County Council and Others 2010 EWCA CIV 1214 which decided that Section 15 of the ACA must be interpreted in a manner which is to ensure compliance by the Council with the rights conferred on individuals by the Human Rights Act 1998 and in particular the right to a private life contained in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights to which I refer above.

The advice I have received is that Section 15 of the ACA should be interpreted in such a way that the Auditor’s prior consent to non-disclosure is not required where it would be impracticable to obtain that consent eg because of the volume of documents required to be submitted to him in the short period of time allowed by the Legislation for production of contracts which relate to the Council’s accounts.
It does not of course follow that the Council’s duty not to interfere with Article 8 Rights of the individuals named in the Admission Agreement of the PFI Contract automatically overrides your right as a local government elector to see that information if it formed part of the contract which you were entitled to inspect.

2
There is a public interest that is to be considered which is that the local government elector or indeed a member of the public should normally enjoy full disclosure of information which is relevant to the Council’s true financial position and which would enable them possibly to detect any wrong doing by the Council or its employees.

In this regard I would draw your attention to Schedule 2 Part 3 paragraph 11 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 which imposes an obligation on the Council to make a copy of an Admission Agreement available for public inspection at its offices. Details of the employees of the PFI Contractor who had been transferred to the contractors employment from the Council under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations are relevant to an assessment of the Council’s financial position. Under the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 if a contractor were to default in his obligations to make pension contributions in respect of those employees or were to become insolvent, the Council would have to meet any deficit in the Pension Fund that arose as a result. The amount of any such deficit would be determined by such factors as salary and age of the employee. That information would therefore be relevant to any assessment of the financial risk to the Council brought about by the PFI Contract.

Furthermore such employees of the PFI contractor are only entitled to remain in the Local Government Pension Scheme if they continue to be employed in connection with the provision of the services comprised in the PFI Contract. Members of the public would need to know the identities of the contractors employees who were admitted to the Pension Scheme under the Admission Agreement in order to check whether they were continuing to work on the PFI Contract and therefore still entitled to remain in the Local Government Pension Scheme with the attendant financial risk to the Council and thereby council tax payers if the PFI contractor were to default in payment of pension contributions or become insolvent.

If therefore that personal information had been drawn to my attention l would have had to weigh in the balance the public interest in disclosing information relating to the Council’s financial position and the identity of employees who were only entitled to remain in the Pension Scheme whilst they remain employed on the PFI Contract, against the invasion of those members privacy if their identities, dates of birth, and national insurance numbers were made known to you.

I have to say that if I had been called upon to make that decision I would have redacted the personal information and not disclosed it to you unless you had been able to satisfy me that you required that information in circumstances which related to those aspects of the public interest to which l have referred above.

It is evident from the contents of your letter of 19 January and our subsequent meeting that you yourself do not believe that the public interest in disclosure of the identities of the members of the Pension Scheme in the PFI Contract was more potent than the respect which the Council is required to show for their privacy under Article 8. Your reasons for seeking disclosure of the PFI Contract had nothing to do with your concern over the Council’s financial exposure to potential deficits of PFI contractors in the Local Government Pension Scheme or to any concerns that the PFI employees who had been allowed to retain membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme were abusing that Scheme by retaining their membership when they were no longer working on the PFI Contract. You have acted responsibly by returning that personal information to me because you recognise that it did not serve the purpose you had in inspecting the PFI Contract in relation to the Council’s accounts for 2013/2014.

In future I propose to ensure that future requests to inspect documents under the ACA should not include any personal information which would enable the identity of particular individuals to be ascertained unless you (or any person wishing to inspect the accounts) can demonstrate that the disclosure of that information is in the public interest to the extent that it should override the individuals right to privacy.

Finally I should add that as from 1 April 2015 Section 15 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 has been replaced by Section 26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Under that Act there is no longer a requirement for the Council to seek the prior consent of the Auditor before withholding any personal information in the documents relating to the Council’s accounts which a local government elector is entitled to inspect. It is a recognition by Parliament that the prior involvement of the Auditor is not workable having regard to the short timescale for inspection of the documents and the often voluminous nature of those documents. There are however transitional provisions which mean that the 1998 Act will continue to apply to the inspection of accounts for the year 2014/15.

I am sending a copy of this letter to the Information Commissioner so that he is made fully aware of the Council’s investigation into your complaint and the complicated legal framework within which the Council has to work particularly when it is confronted by a request from the public to inspect a large volume of documents.

Yours sincerely and signed on behalf of
Surjit Tour
Head of Legal and Member Services

(signature of Jane Corrin)

Jane Corrin
Information and Central Service Manager
Transformation and Resources

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11 pages of "secret" documents show the gap between the assets and liabilties of Merseyside Pension Fund is growing

11 pages of “secret” documents show the gap between the assets and liabilties of Merseyside Pension Fund is growing

Councillor Paul Doughty Chair of the Pensions Committee deciding on Monday 23rd March on the advice of officers to keep all this a secret — Councillor Paul Doughty Chair of the Pensions Committee (on the right of the photo) deciding on Monday 23rd March on the advice of officers to keep all this a secret

I will declare at the start that I have a close relative paid a pension from the Merseyside Pension Fund. Below are 11 pages of the minutes of the Investment Monitoring Working Party meeting held on the 5th March 2015. On the advice of officers, councillors on the Pension Committee on Tuesday resolved to keep these minutes out of the public domain on the basis that it was “Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)” and that “in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information”.

I disagree and think there is a public interest in these minutes being in the public domain in the interests of openness and transparency.