Agenda and minutes

            In the absence of the Mayor and the Deputy Chairperson of the Council, nominations were sought for the appointment of a Chairperson for the meeting.

            It was MOVED by Councillor A Moorhead and SECONDED by Councillor M Murphy and:-

            RESOLVED – That Councillor Mrs M Harvey be appointed Chairperson for the meeting.

Councillor Mrs M Harvey

(In the Chair)

To receive as a correct record the following minutes:-

The minutes of the following meetings were received as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson:-

(a)        Ordinary Meeting of the Council – 24 January 2018; and

(b)        Special (Budget) Meeting of the Council – 7 March 2018.

The Chief Executive’s representative reported that no declarations of interest had been submitted by Members.

A copy of the Mayoral Engagements is attached.

The Chairperson drew the Council’s attention to the list of communications which had been circulated for the information of Members.

Members of the Public will be given the opportunity to ask questions which have been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 10.  A period of 30 minutes will be allocated for this item. Copies of valid questions will be circulated at the meeting.

            Members of the public were given the opportunity to ask questions which had been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 10.

            It was noted that one question had been submitted but, as the questioner was not present, (and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 10.7) the Chairperson ruled that the question not be asked.

            (NB The questioner subsequently arrived later in the meeting and the Chairperson indicated that a written response to his question would be provided following the meeting.)

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

            The Council considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out the outcome of a recent Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge. It was advised that the outcome, which was set out in full at Appendix A to the report, had been positive and had highlighted the major improvements the Council had made in high risk areas such as Adult Social Care and Children’s Services. The Peer Challenge had also confirmed that the Council had clear and effective plans with regard to housing, employment and business growth, and also had very strong financial management in place.

            A number of recommendations had been made by the Peer Challenge team for the Council to consider and an action plan had subsequently been developed in response to the report. This action plan, which Council was now being requested to consider and agree, allocated responsibility for addressing specific recommendations by named senior officers within given timescales.

            In particular, Councillor Cashman welcomed the review, but he considered that it had reflected that the Council was too directed by officers. He stated that Councillors needed to be allowed to be empowered to lead on behalf of the residents they represented and he asked whether the Leader agreed in this respect; whether there would be any change; and how such change would impact upon Members and residents.

            The Leader commenced his response by thanking everybody who had been interviewed or had taken part in a focus group as part of the Peer Challenge review process. He highlighted that this had been a voluntary review and the report had confirmed what a great job the Council was doing.  It recognised and confirmed the massive improvements which had been made in recent years. This was a huge achievement given the impact of Government cuts. 

In particular, the Leader stated that the report commented how well regarded the Council was amongst its neighbours, who clearly had respect for what was described as “political and managerial leadership”.

After receiving this report and a number of other pieces of feedback over the previous year, the Leader considered that the Council could justifiably claim to be one of the best local authorities in the North West of the country, if not the whole country, and he wanted to pay tribute to the work of the Labour Group and also to the Council’s excellent officer team.  The Leader stated that a lot of time was spent focusing on the Council’s difficulties and challenges, but this report was an opportunity to take a breath and say with confidence that the Council was getting it right.

The Leader referred to the process recommendations in the report, one of which was to re-focus the way performance and risks were reported.  As a result, the Leader had recommended at the recent budget meeting that there should be a quarterly Cabinet report to set out a clearer picture of the things the Council was doing well and the things which may be cause for concern.  The Leader highlighted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

(NB This year’s Public Health Annual Report is a film on the topic of mental health and wellbeing in young people, which will be shown at the meeting.)

            Councillor Mrs S Powell, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Wellbeing and Customer Services, advised that the Director of Public Health was required to produce a report each year highlighting key health issues in the Borough and the work that was ongoing to address them. She reported that this year’s report had been produced as a short film which explored the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, and the services and resources which were available to support them. The film, which was shown for all Members to view at the meeting, recognised the importance of building resilience and promoting good mental health and wellbeing enabling children and young people to live healthier, happier lives long into adulthood.

            RESOLVED – That the Public Health Annual Report be received.

In accordance with Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985, Members of the Council are able to ask questions on the discharge of the functions of the Joint Authorities which have been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11.

In addition, Council Procedure Rule No. 11 enables Members of the Council to ask questions on the discharge of the functions of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, including that Authority’s Transport Committee.

Copies of the Minutes of the Joint Authorities received have been circulated to all Members of the Council and the appropriate Members will answer questions appertaining to the Authorities indicated:-

(a)       Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority - Councillor Ms D Allen;

(b)       Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority – Councillor G J Morgan;

(c)       Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – Councillor A Moorhead; and

(d)       Transport Committee of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – Councillor K McGlashan.

In accordance with Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985 and Council Procedure Rule No. 11, Members of the Council were given the opportunity to raise questions in relation to the discharge of the functions of the following joint authorities, the minutes of which had been circulated previously:-

(1)        Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority

            No questions received.

(2)        Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority

            No questions received.

In addition, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11, Members of the Council were given the opportunity to raise questions in relation to the discharge of the functions of the following bodies:-

(3)        Combined Authority

            No questions received.

(4)        Merseytravel Committee

            No questions received.

Members of the Council will be given the opportunity to ask questions which have been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11.  A time limit of 2 minutes will apply to the asking of any question.  A limit of 5 minutes will apply to the response.  A copy of questions submitted will be available at the meeting.

Members of the Council were given the opportunity to ask questions which had been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11.

(1)        Land Valuation

Councillor Cashman directed the following question to the Leader of the Council:-

“Does the leader recognise the unfair difference in land valuation, particularly in relation to Liverpool Football Club’s purchase of land in Kirkby compared to the Council valuation of Browns Field?”

Councillor A Moorhead acknowledged the question and commenced his response by stating that he was sure everyone would accept that it might be difficult to understand why land set aside for one specific purpose was worth a different amount than land which had been identified for a different purpose, particularly for those who did not have access to advice from Council officers or documents.  However, information had been put on the Council’s website which answered this question to ensure Members were in a position to advise their residents.

In terms of the valuation of Browns Field in Prescot, the Leader confirmed that the Council had not decided to sell that land.  Rather, the Council was working on the business case for a new model to protect parks and open spaces, which could involve selling land at Browns Field.  The Leader advised that if the Council sold that land to somebody who wanted to build houses on it, it would be worth in the region of £5 million.

In contrast, the land in Kirkby, which was being sold to Liverpool Football Club, could only ever be used as playing fields. The Club would not be allowed to build on it or sell it on and it could never be used as a housing site.  The Leader advised that there was a specific way of valuing that type of land (set by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), and that method resulted in a value of £160,000.

Therefore, it was not possible to compare both sites directly. However, the Leader advised that the Council’s website also explained that Liverpool Football Club would be investing much more than £160,000 in return for the land in Kirkby, funding the new playing pitches for the community, car parking space, new changing facilities and new landscaping.  The Leader reported that the cost of that scheme had not been finalised yet – simply because the tenders were not back – but he considered that the Council would be getting in the region of ten times the value of the land.  He stated that this was an excellent deal for the people of Kirkby and the people who used those sports facilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11.6, Councillor Cashman was invited to ask a supplementary question. Councillor Cashman asked whether the Council would consider transferring King George V Prescot to the Town Council as the Town Council had requested, particularly as the Town Council maintained the land currently.

In response, the Leader stated that that question had already been answered via an email which had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To consider the following motions, notice of which has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 12:-

(1)       Construction Minimum Standards Charter

Proposed by Councillor A Moorhead and seconded by Councillor G See:-

“This council notes the wide range of construction projects it procures and, in this respect, intends to adopt and promote the following Charter which all organisations tendering for work with the Council will be expected to support:-

Construction Minimum Standards Charter

(1)       Health and Safety

The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous industry and Knowsley Council expects all contractors to ensure that:

·           health and safety standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to; and

·           welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century, including reasonable standards for toilets, mess and drying facilities.

(2)       Employment and Skills

Knowsley Council requires the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that the borough’s aspirations are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come. Knowsley Council is also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the sector and wishes to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled workers for the future. This Council therefore encourages, and will require where appropriate, all contractors to:

·           be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors;

·           comply with the employment and skills requirements set out in our tender documents, promoting and encouraging apprenticeships to an NVQ Level 3 standard wherever possible;

·           prioritise hard to reach under-represented groups in employment and skills initiatives; and

·           work with the Council to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on all construction projects within the borough.

(3)       Pay and Benefits

Knowsley Council is a living wage employer and believes that all workers should be fairly rewarded for their efforts. This Council also expects that all employees, and encourages that all workers, should have access to:

·           paid holiday;

·           a sickness benefit scheme;

·           a pension scheme;

·           accident compensation; and

·           death in service benefits.

(4)       Employment Rights

Knowsley Council expects direct employment by contractors wherever possible. This Council believes that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive worksite and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:

·           employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements;

·           promote the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union;

·           recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in achieving and promoting good industrial relations;

·           ensure that the Trade Union has input into the development of health and safety policy (to ensure Members’ priorities are reflected);

·           actively promote the election of health and safety representatives and support their role in helping to ensure a safe site;

·           provide equality and opportunity for all; and

·           be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting  ...  view the full agenda text for item 74.

(1)        Construction Minimum Standards Charter

The Council considered the following motion, proposed by Councillor A Moorhead and seconded by Councillor See, notice of which had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 12:

“This council notes the wide range of construction projects it procures and, in this respect, intends to adopt and promote the following Charter which all organisations tendering for work with the Council will be expected to support:-

Construction Minimum Standards Charter

(1)     Health and Safety

The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous industry and Knowsley Council expects all contractors to ensure that:

·      health and safety standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to; and

·      welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century, including reasonable standards for toilets, mess and drying facilities.

(2)     Employment and Skills

Knowsley Council requires the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that the borough’s aspirations are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come. Knowsley Council is also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the sector and wishes to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled workers for the future. This Council therefore encourages, and will require where appropriate, all contractors to:

·      be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors;

·      comply with the employment and skills requirements set out in our tender documents, promoting and encouraging apprenticeships to an NVQ Level 3 standard wherever possible;

·      prioritise hard to reach under-represented groups in employment and skills initiatives; and

·      work with the Council to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on all construction projects within the borough.

(3)     Pay and Benefits

Knowsley Council is a living wage employer and believes that all workers should be fairly rewarded for their efforts. This Council also expects that all employees, and encourages that all workers, should have access to:

·      paid holiday;

·      a sickness benefit scheme;

·      a pension scheme;

·      accident compensation; and

·      death in service benefits.

(4)     Employment Rights

Knowsley Council expects direct employment by contractors wherever possible. This Council believes that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive worksite and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:

·      employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements;

·      promote the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union;

·      recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in achieving and promoting good industrial relations;

·      ensure that the Trade Union has input into the development of health and safety policy (to ensure Members’ priorities are reflected);

·      actively promote the election of health and safety representatives and support their role in helping to ensure a safe site;

·      provide equality and opportunity for all; and

·      be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.