CABINET

FRIDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2016

(9.00 a.m. - 9.25 a.m.)

PRESENT: Councillor Ann O'Byrne Deputy Mayor of , Chair Councillor Wendy Simon Assistant Mayor of Liverpool & Cabinet Member - Culture, Tourism & Events Councillor Nick Small Assistant Mayor of Liverpool & Cabinet Member - Education, Employment & Skills Councillor Paul Brant Cabinet Member – Health & Adult Social Care Councillor Frank Hont Cabinet Member - Housing Councillor Barry Kushner Cabinet Member – Children's Services Councillor Jane Corbett Cabinet Member – Social Inclusion, Fairness & Equalities Councillor Malcolm Kennedy Deputy Lord Mayor & Cabinet Member - Regeneration, Transport & Climate Change

Officers Ged Fitzgerald Chief Executive Dr Sandra Davies Director of Public Health Ron Odunaiya Director – Community Services Colette O'Brien Director – Children & Young People's Services Nick Kavanagh Director – Regeneration & Employment Services Jeanette McLoughlin City Solicitor Tim Povall Head of Finance – Regeneration, Communities & Capital Programme

Apologies for absence were received from Mayor Anderson OBE and Councillors Steve Munby and Alan Dean together with Becky Hellard and Samih Kalakeche.

55. Declarations of Interest

None were submitted.

56. Minutes of Last Meeting

Resolved that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 November 2016 be approved.

57. Mayoral Recommendations

(a) Ward Wellington Rooms – Urgent Works and Update on Feasibility Study into Re-use (RTC/29)

Cabinet considered a recommendation that –

(i) authority be granted for the Director for Regeneration and Employment Services to accept grant totalling c.£60,500 over 2016/17 and 2017/8, subject to the receipt of an offer letter from Historic . This funding will contribute towards 50% of the cost of urgent works to the Wellington Rooms. The City Council will thereby accept responsibility for the funding and ensure the grant is administered appropriately;

(ii) authority be granted for the City Council to contribute the remaining 50% of the cost of urgent works by allocating c.£60,500 from the Capital Programme for spend during 2016/17 and 2017/18;

(iii) the Assistant Director of Housing, Development and Planning be appointed as the nominated officer for monitoring compliance with the terms and conditions of the grants. This includes maintaining a constant review of the risk of grant being clawed back under grant rules and regulations and making budgetary provision to cover any requirement to repay grant in the financial year in which the liability arises

(iv) authority be given to commit the expenditure in 2016/17 and 2017/18;

(v) authority be granted to undertake a procurement exercise to appoint a suitable contractor to complete the urgent works. (In accordance with the City Council’s Contract Standing Orders the appointment will be subject to delegated authority); and

(vi) the Director for Regeneration & Employment Services be authorised to continue to work in partnership with key

stakeholders to develop and refine proposals for the sustainable re-use of the Wellington Rooms. _____

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Cabinet Member – Regeneration, Transport & Climate Change highlighted the importance of the proposed investment which would stabilise and secure this key heritage asset and enable its long term future to be protected and secured through work which was currently progressing well for a sustainable future use and restoration. The wider achievements and strong heritage record of the City Council in protecting and bringing heritage assets back into use were also highlighted, with the recent news of a grant award from Historic England for the Carnegie Library.

Councillor Nick Small, Assistant Mayor of Liverpool and Cabinet Member – Education, Employment & Skills welcomed the news, highlighting how as Local Ward Councillor he and colleagues had been campaigning for the restoration of and to bring the building back into use for the last 12 years, noting the fantastic work done to date and looking forward to its future restoration and return to active use.

Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet Member – Children’s Services highlighted how the building was a fantastic heritage asset for the city and welcomed the progress which continued to be made.

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool highlighted how this proposal was yet further evidence of how the City Council had an excellent record in protecting and preserving historic buildings and the heritage assets of the city, striking a careful balance between preservation and ensuring future viability. The strength of this success was seen in the relative percentage of heritage assets at risk – for Liverpool this was now down to 10% as compared to the national figure of 40%. The City Council would continue its excellent work to date and remained committed to securing restoration and sustainable future uses for other historic buildings. _____

Resolved that the recommendation be approved. _____

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool advised that in respect of the following item Minute No. 57 (b) relating to ‘Former Glendale Depot Site, Country Park (RTC/28)‘ that certain Appendices to this recommendation remained Exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person(s) or business(es)(including the authority holding the information)) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

This was resolved. _____

(b) City Former Glendale Depot Site, Croxteth Country Park (RTC/28)

Cabinet considered a recommendation that in order to facilitate the construction of a new £3.0m education facility in Croxteth Country Park –

(i) authority be given for the grant of a new 99-year lease of the former Glendale site at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, as shown on the attached plan to Myerscough College at an initial discounted rent, which will result in the transaction detailed in the report at below best consideration; and

(ii) delegated authority be granted for the Head of Property & Asset Management, in consultation with the City Solicitor to finalise the terms for the lease. _____

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Cabinet Member – Regeneration, Transport & Climate Change welcomed the recommendation as great news for the city, highlighting how this would result in new high quality facilities accessible to all ages and abilities and would also maintain an income stream for the City Council whilst enabling Myerscough College to grow and continue its work.

Councillor Nick Small, Assistant Mayor of Liverpool and Cabinet Member – Education, Employment & Skills highlighted and welcomed the work and services provided by Myerscough College in the agricultural sector, welcoming the support for the proposal through the Skills Capital Fund of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and how this would deliver excellent new facilities.

Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet Member – Fairness, Social Inclusion & Equalities echoed the comments of Cabinet Member colleagues and highlighted the work and range of activities undertaken by the College. _____

Resolved that the recommendation be approved.

58. Motion referred from City Council, Select Committees or Officer Delegated Decisions

Cabinet considered the terms of the following Motion –

(a) Motion Referred by Audit & Governance Select Committee 22 September 2016 - Human Rights Act 1998

Cabinet considered the following Motion, submitted by Councillors Sarah Jennings, Lawrence Brown, Tom Crone and Anna Key and referred by Audit & Governance Select Committee for consideration by Cabinet –

“Council notes with alarm the Government's stated aim of repealing the Human Rights Act 1998. The Human Rights Act sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone in the UK is entitled to.

Council therefore expresses support for the Human Rights Act and the positive impact it has had on rights protections of individuals in the UK; welcomes the guidance the Human Rights Act provides for public authorities in ensuring policies are developed in line with international human rights standards; and calls on the Government to retain the Human Rights Act, the protections within it, and the UK's international obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.” _____

Resolved that the Motion be supported.

59. Minutes

(a) Highways & Public Spaces Representation Committee – Minutes 15 November 2016 ( Ward)

Cabinet considered the Minutes and resolution of Highways & Public Spaces Representation Committee held on 15 November 2016 –

Minute Extract –

Public Space Protection Order for Devonfield Gardens, , Liverpool 9 (Warbreck Ward)

“The Committee considered representations and objections to proposals for the public park known as Devonfield Gardens in Orrell Park, Liverpool, 9 to become the subject of a Public Spaces Protection Order restricting the exercising of dogs under the Anti- Social behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The proposal had been made following a public consultation exercise for the proposals which ended on 21st March 2016.

_____

Officers addressed the Committee and summarised the basis for proposals.

During the course of consideration of the proposals, the Committee was advised that a Petition of in excess of 50 signatories had been received and was available for inspection. Which was against the making of the proposed Order. _____

A number of local residents addressed the Committee in support of the proposals, highlighting issues affecting the public park in relation to nuisance caused by dog fouling and excessive numbers of dogs being walked both on and off lead and without appropriate supervision which was causing a significant nuisance and was intimidating for other park users. The nature of the local area was such that this was the only green space and the effect of the nuisance was restricting access and enjoyment for the wider community. _____

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Ward Councillor – Warbreck Ward addressed the Committee in support of the proposals, echoed the comments of local residents and highlighted the issues being seen, noting that whilst measures had been taken to address these issues an additional response was required to ensure the park remained accessible for the benefit of the local community. _____

A number of local residents addressed the Committee objecting to the proposals, advising that any issues were only of a limited nature and had already been addressed through the provision of dog waste bins and signage and that the majority of dog owners and walkers were responsible and walked their dogs safely as well as collecting any mess. _____

The Committee thanked those present for making representations in relation to the proposals, noting that the proposals needed to be considered in light of balancing competing needs from various users of the park and the wider local community. _____

Resolved that the objections be overruled and the City Council proceed with the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order in Devonfield Gardens, Orrell Park (Warbreck Ward). _____

Resolved that the decisions of the Highways & Public Spaces

Representation Committee of 15 November 2016 be endorsed and that the associated minute and resolution be posted within the minutes of this meeting.

60. Mayoral Announcements

Budget Simulator

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool noted that –

 almost 3,500 people had visited the City Council’s online budget simulator during the first week. So far around 500 people had managed balance the books and around half would be willing to vote in favour of a 10 percent rise in council tax to help protect children’s and adults services for the most vulnerable;

 it was recognised by all concerned that it was somewhat perverse to be considering asking some of the poorest residents in the country to pay more, but the scale of the Government cuts over the last six years means that the City Council had nowhere to go and was left with little option other than to cut into essential front line services beyond the unprecedented cuts already made over the last few years all directly due to Government funding cuts;

 a decision would be made on whether to hold a referendum in the new year depending on the outcome of various consultation measures including the online Budget Simulator, but a Referendum would only be held if the City Council was confident it would be supported, because of the cost of holding the ballot.

Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet Member – Fairness, Social Inclusion & Equalities highlighted the impact of cuts already seen since 2010 and how these were already directly affecting services and the most vulnerable across the city. The impact of the cuts was felt in terms of removing key support and it was only through the hard work of the City Council and partners that the impacts of cuts to date had been mitigated to a degree – the ability of the City Council to do this though was no longer there.

Councillor Wendy Simon, Assistant Mayor & Cabinet Member – Culture, Tourism & Events encouraged residents to try the Budget Simulator as it included important information showing how the City Council was actually funded as well as the sheer scale of the challenge now faced in trying to set a budget. Despite the unprecedented cuts seen over the last six years due to Government funding cuts, fantastic work continued to be done to support services but with the level of challenge now faced some extremely difficult decisions were now faced which would inevitably impact on all services.

Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet Member – Children’s Services commented on the absence of any measures in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s

Autumn Statement to support social care – there seemed to be a lack of realisation, recognition or care as to the scale of pressures being seen across the country. In the context of Children’s Services and by way of example, during the last year 160 more children had been fostered or take into care, costing an extra £4 million which had this year been met from reserves but for the future there reserves were no longer there to do this.

Councillor Frank Hont, Cabinet Member – Housing echoed the comments of fellow Cabinet Members, highlighting the scale of pressures faced in Adult Social Care and Children’s Services as well as the scale of pressures and complexity within local government funding. The lack of any Government recognition of the scale of social demands was noted as creating huge pressures for the city. _____

Future of Community Health Services in Liverpool

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool advised that –

 yesterday it had been announced that the City Council and Bridgewater NHS Trust had been successful in bidding to take over community health services in Liverpool;

 this was really big news as it would enable greater joined up health and social care to make more care available in communities near people’s homes and would mean Community Care Teams on the ground around the city, bringing together GPs, district nurses, mental health workers and social workers; and

 this would make a big difference to patients – stripping out bureaucracy, giving them access to more services with the aim of preventing them from ending up in hospital and that it was absolutely vital we make a success of it if we are to stand any chance of dealing with the growing demand for services in the face of Government cuts.

Councillor Paul Brant, Cabinet Member – Health & Adult Social Care indicated that this was very positive news, which would ensure the future provision of good quality healthcare.

Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet Member – Children’s Services echoed the comments of fellow Cabinet Members in welcoming the announcement and highlighting how this gave real opportunities for better synergy and close working between City Council and health sector colleagues. _____

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool highlighted that today marked the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, advising that the Town Hall and Cunard Buildings would both be lit

up this evening as part of a United Nations campaign on ending violence against women, supported by Liverpool’s CitySafe Partnership and which would be led by Councillor Emily Spurrell as Chair of CitySafe.

Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet Member – Children’s Services highlighted the impacts domestic abuse of all forms had in terms of childrens social care.

Councillor Wendy Simon, Assistant Mayor of Liverpool & Cabinet Member – Culture, Tourism & Events stated that it was important to highlight the issue and the public attitudes to this issue needed to be addressed.

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool acknowledged the excellent working being delivered in Liverpool such as the ‘Its Not Okay’ Campaign. _____

Re-opening of St Johns Market

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Cabinet Member – Regeneration, Transport & Climate Change highlighted that the official re-opening of St Johns Market following refurbishment would take place at 11:00 a.m. today with Ken Dodd presiding. _____

Christmas Market Opening

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool highlighted that the city’s Christmas Market opened this weekend. _____