This week, the Cheshire West and Chester council held several meetings, with the most significant being the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee on Thursday, 13 June 2024. The other meetings included the Constitution and Standards Committee on Monday, 10 June 2024, the Wirral Schools Forum on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, the Policy and Resources Committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, and the Licensing Panel on Friday, 14 June 2024. Unfortunately, the Constitution and Standards Committee, Wirral Schools Forum, Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, and Policy and Resources Committee meetings were either cancelled or postponed, and we do not yet have a summary for the Licensing Panel meeting.

Regulatory and General Purposes Committee

The Regulatory and General Purposes Committee meeting on Thursday, 13 June 2024, was particularly impactful, addressing key issues such as the honorary freedom of the borough and changes to taxi licensing criteria.

Honorary Freedom of the Borough

The committee discussed granting the honorary freedom of the borough to David Armstrong. This honor, under the Local Government Act 1972, is awarded to individuals who have rendered eminent service to the borough. David Armstrong, who has served the council in various capacities for 34 years, including acting as Chief Executive during challenging times, was deemed a deserving recipient. The committee unanimously supported the recommendation, highlighting Armstrong's exceptional contribution to the Wirral community.

Changes to Taxi Licensing Criteria

The committee also approved significant amendments to the criteria for licensing Hackney carriage and private hire vehicles. These changes aim to align with the Department for Transport's best practice guidance and improve the safety and quality of taxi services in the borough.

Key decisions included:

• Emission Standards: New Hackney carriage vehicles must comply with Euro 5 emission standards, and private hire vehicles must comply with Euro 6 standards at the date of first registration.
• MOT Testing: Hackney carriage vehicles over 11 years old and private hire vehicles over 8 years old will require MOT and compliance tests every six months.
• Tinted Windows: The committee updated the requirements for tinted windows to ensure safety and compliance with factory specifications.
• Additional Steps: Vehicles with high entrance steps must have a fitted or portable step to aid passenger access, with specific safety requirements for these steps.

These changes reflect the council's commitment to maintaining high standards for public transport and ensuring passenger safety.

Implications and Themes

The decisions made in the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee meeting highlight the council's ongoing efforts to recognize outstanding public service and enhance local transport services. The honorary freedom of the borough for David Armstrong underscores the importance of acknowledging long-term dedication and service to the community. Meanwhile, the updates to taxi licensing criteria demonstrate a proactive approach to aligning local policies with national best practices, ensuring both environmental standards and passenger safety are prioritized.

These themes of recognition, safety, and alignment with best practices are consistent with the council's broader objectives, as seen in previous meetings and decisions. The council continues to focus on improving community services and infrastructure, reflecting a commitment to both honoring past contributions and enhancing future service delivery.

This week, the Cheshire West and Chester council held a Council meeting on Wednesday, 22 May 2024. The meeting addressed several significant issues, including protester behavior, the adoption of a revised council constitution, and the appointment of committee chairs and vice chairs.

Protester Behavior

The council expressed serious concerns about the aggressive behavior of protesters. Instances of verbal abuse and threats directed at council members, particularly female members, were reported. The council condemned this behavior, emphasizing the need for a safe and respectful environment for elected representatives. The Leader of the Council stated, We are here as elected representatives and as leaders in our communities, we should not be endorsing or encouraging that kind of behavior.

Adoption of Revised Council Constitution

The council adopted a revised constitution for the 2024-2025 municipal year. Councillor Tony Cox moved the recommendations, which included minor amendments proposed by the monitoring officer. The Green Group proposed an amendment to ensure fairness and proportionality in the allocation of committee chairs and vice chairs, but this amendment was not passed. The original motion to adopt the revised constitution was carried.

Appointment of Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs

The council appointed chairs and vice chairs for various committees. The Green Group proposed several amendments to ensure fair representation, including nominating their members for specific chair and vice chair positions. These amendments were debated but ultimately not passed. The original motion to appoint the proposed chairs and vice chairs was carried.

Appointment to Outside Bodies and Organizations

The council discussed the appointment of members to outside bodies and organizations, including the Liverpool City Region Transport Committee. The Green Group proposed an amendment to ensure proportional representation on this committee, arguing that they should have one of the four seats allocated to Wirral members. This amendment was also debated but not passed. The original motion for appointments was carried.

Key Decisions

• The council condemned the aggressive behavior of protesters and emphasized the need for a safe environment for council members.
• The revised council constitution for the 2024-2025 municipal year was adopted.
• The proposed chairs and vice chairs for various committees were appointed.
• The appointments to outside bodies and organizations, including the Liverpool City Region Transport Committee, were confirmed.

Notable Quotes

• We are here as elected representatives and as leaders in our communities, we should not be endorsing or encouraging that kind of behavior. - Leader of the Council
• This amendment reflects the Green Party's commitment to fairness, respect, and mutual cooperation. - Councillor Cleary
• It's not about working together, it's not about fairness. If it was about fairness, you would listen to people in Little West who voted overwhelmingly in the consultation to have a compromise on the beach. - Councillor Stewart

Conclusion

The meeting highlighted significant issues related to protester behavior, the adoption of a revised council constitution, and the appointment of committee chairs and vice chairs. Despite the Green Group's efforts to ensure fair representation, their proposed amendments were not passed. The council proceeded with the original motions, emphasizing the need for a safe and respectful environment for all members.

This week, the Cheshire West and Chester council held two meetings. The most significant was the Council meeting on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. The other was the Licensing Act Sub Committee on Friday, 17 May 2024, for which we do not yet have a summary.

Annual Council Meeting

The annual council meeting focused on the transition of the mayoral office from Councillor Jevy Williams to Councillor Cherry Povell. This event is crucial as it sets the tone for the upcoming municipal year and highlights the council's priorities.

Election of New Mayor

Councillor Cherry Povell was elected as the new Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral for the 2024-25 municipal year. Councillor Geoff Green nominated her, emphasizing her extensive public service, including her work as a magistrate and her dedication to children's welfare. Councillor Paul Stewart seconded the nomination, expressing gratitude to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Jevy Williams, and his wife Irene for their service over the past year.

Outgoing Mayor's Reflections

Councillor Jevy Williams reflected on his year in office, mentioning significant events such as the opening of the Landican Memorial Gardens and visits from the Peruvian Embassy. He thanked his wife Irene, the Deputy Mayor Sherry, and Councillor Sheila for their support. He also expressed gratitude to the Wirral Council team for their efforts in hosting the Open Golf event and other civic events like the Christmas tea dance and the Liverpool Santa Dash.

Incoming Mayor's Vision

Councillor Cherry Povell outlined her vision for Wirral, emphasizing the importance of community and volunteer work. She mentioned upcoming projects funded by the government's leveling up fund, including the transformation of Birkenhead, the development of Wirral Waters, and improvements to Liscard. Povell announced her main charities for the year: Incubabies and the Blind Sailing School, both volunteer-led organizations.

Other Appointments and Ceremonial Activities

Councillor Brian Kenney was appointed as the Deputy Mayor. He accepted the office and pledged to fulfill his duties faithfully. The meeting featured performances by the Wirral Singers Choir and the presentation of commemorative medals to the Royal Air Force 1123 Hooton Park Easton Air Cadets. The outgoing Mayor and Mayoress were presented with badges of office, and the new Mayor and Mayoress were formally invested with their robes and chains.

The meeting concluded with the announcement that the second part of the annual council meeting would take place on May 22nd.

Implications and Themes

The transition of mayoral office and the outlined projects under Councillor Cherry Povell's leadership signal a continued focus on community development and volunteerism. The emphasis on projects funded by the leveling up fund aligns with broader themes we've discussed before, such as community wealth building and leveraging government funds for local improvements. The selection of charities like Incubabies and the Blind Sailing School highlights the council's commitment to supporting vulnerable groups through volunteer-led initiatives.

The ceremonial aspects of the meeting, including performances and presentations, underscore the council's effort to foster community spirit and recognize contributions from various local groups. This focus on community engagement and recognition is a recurring theme in council activities, reflecting an ongoing commitment to building a cohesive and supportive community environment.

This week, the Cheshire West and Chester council convened for several key meetings, with the most significant being the Wirral Place Based Partnership Board on Tuesday, 07 May 2024. The discussions spanned financial performance, community wealth building, and updates on health and care programs, all of which bear significant implications for the community.

Financial Performance and Forecasting

The council reviewed its financial status, noting a substantial deviation from the planned deficit, primarily due to increased costs from industrial actions and prescribing. The board is now faced with the challenge of formulating stringent financial recovery plans. The necessity to reevaluate budget allocations was a central theme, as the council aims to manage the deficit effectively. This is a continuation of the financial themes we've seen in public sector management, where balancing budgets against rising costs remains a persistent challenge.

Community Wealth Building

A notable discussion focused on enhancing community involvement in wealth building. The council emphasized maximizing community assets and integrating them with NHS services to ensure investments are community-focused. This approach is expected to improve social outcomes by fostering local engagement and leveraging community resources for broader economic benefits.

Health and Care Plan Updates

The board provided updates on various health and care programs, including urgent care, mental health, and children's services. There was a consensus on the importance of these programs and the need for robust improvement plans. The council discussed addressing long wait times in emergency services and enhancing mental health service delivery, highlighting the ongoing efforts to balance quality service provision with financial constraints.

Quality and Performance in Health Services

The council is actively monitoring and aiming to improve the quality and performance across health services. Special attention is being given to issues like healthcare-acquired infections. Enhancing service delivery through better governance and data use was discussed, reflecting the council's commitment to high-quality healthcare amidst financial and operational pressures.

This meeting underscores the complex pressures facing public sector management, particularly in balancing urgent financial constraints with the need to maintain and improve health service quality. The decisions made and the strategies implemented here will likely have long-lasting impacts on the community's health and economic well-being.