Meeting documents
Area Forum (Heswall and Pensby & Thingwall)
Monday, 19th June 2006
Present
Chairman
Councillor Mrs J McKelvie
Ward Councillors
MG Redfern, SL Rowlands
Community Representatives
Steve Beal (Youth representative), J Birch (Pensby and Thingwall Community Representative), A Garrett (Heswall Community Representative)
Lead Officer
Chris Batman (Head of Branch, Planning and Resources, Children and Young People's Department)
Street Scene Manager
Phil Miner (Street Scene Area Manager)
Area Service Co-ordinator
Janet Triggs
Bebington & West Wirral PCT
Geraldine Murphy-Walkden
Merseyside Police
Inspector Kate Cunningham
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service
Myles Platt
Council Officers
Lindsay Davidson (Deputy Head of Youth Service: Policy Development), Jim Thompson (Community Safety Team)
Apologies
Cllr Andrew Hodson, Councillor PSC Johnson, Cllr Ian Mackenzie , Stephen Maddox (Chief Executive)
Index to Minutes
- Minute 1 - Welcome and Introductions - Annual Review of Area Forums
- Minute 2 - Election of Area Forum Chairman
- Minute 3 - Minutes of last meeting and matters arising
- Minute 4 - Area co-ordinators Report, including Area Plan and Community Initiative Fund Updates.
- Minute 5 - Streetscene Update
- Minute 6 - Transport Capital Monitoring, Integrated Transport Block 2007/08
- Minute 7 - Presentation - Youth Participation at Area Forums
- Minute 8 - Primary Care Trust Update
- Minute 9 - Public question time
- Minute 10 - Partner Updates - Fire and Rescue Service - Police - Community Safety
- Minute 11 - Any other business
- Minute 12 - Dates of Future Meetings / Presentations
Minute 1 - Welcome and Introductions - Annual Review of Area Forums
Minute Text :
The meeting was opened by Chris Batman, who welcomed 24 Member of the public to the meeting and invited members of the forum to introduce themselves. Chris also introduced, Mrs Mary Johnson, (wife of Cllr P. Johnson, who was minute taker for the meeting). Chris advised those present that there was a hearing loop had been fitted in the building, and hearing aids should be to ‘T’ setting.
Annual Review of Area Forums
Chris reported that Steve Maddox was extremely sorry to have missed the meeting, but he was delayed returning from London. He takes the Forums very seriously, and reports annually to members on how they are going. Any one wishing to do so can report to him on how effective they are, and forward any suggestions on how they could be more effective.
Minute 2 - Election of Area Forum Chairman
Minute Text :
Chris Batman reported that following the local elections, Cllr Adam was no longer a Ward Councillor and was therefore no longer able to chair the Forum meeting. Cllr. Jacquie McKelvie had been selected to take over. It was agreed that this was acceptable to the meeting, and Cllr. McKelvie assumed the chair.
Minute 3 - Minutes of last meeting and matters arising
Minute Text :
Cllr Mckelvie advised the meeting that there was a correction to the minutes. The cemetery referred to by Mr Kinlan was the one in Irby Road and not Frankby Road as stated.
Matters Arising from the minutes –
a) A question was raised about the increase in housing over the Borough, and whether this should be reflected in a reduction of Council rates. Cllr. McKelvie said that it is true that there are areas in the Borough which have increased, but in others there is a decrease, and this balances out on the whole. The income from Council Tax represents 13% of what the Council has to spend, so the contribution of new properties is very small, but the Director of Finance takes this into account, and is considered by members when they set the value of the property. Mr. Kinlan mentioned the fact that where one house is demolished and there are blocks of flats put up, he felt that this should have an effect.
b) Mr. Garrett, Heswall Community representative reported that the 175 bus contract is let out until 2010 for a small 25 seater Monday to Friday.
c) The former cashier’s office in the library which was closed – it is now proposed to return this space to the library to create a meeting area for groups, which is what it was previously. No time given.
d) Low bridge signs have been erected at Brimstage Road, and also when you come off the Motorway at Clatterbridge.
e) Refurbishment of Heswall Railway Station - Janet Triggs reported that the response we had received from Mersey travel was as follows “Whilst located in Merseyside, this station is not on the Merseyrail Network, coming under the Arriva Trains Wales franchise. Currently, Merseytravel has no plans to upgrade this station. However, you will be aware that a study has recently been undertaken into electrification of all or part of the Bidston – Wrexham line and if that was to take place, it would be expected that intermediate stations such as Heswall would be upgraded”. Mr. Garrett reported that Heswall is worse than all the stations in Wales, which have been repainted in blue and cream. The station site needs inspecting. It would be good if David Green could put his weight behind this as a site inspection has not taken place between the different parties within the last ten years.
Minute 4 - Area co-ordinators Report, including Area Plan and Community Initiative Fund Updates.
Minute Text :
Janet Triggs asked that everyone sign the attendance list, and explained that question cards were available, for anyone who wished to have a question raised on their behalf. There were also packs of free low energy light bulbs, anyone taking a pack was requested to fill in a form and put it in the collection box. Janet outlined the articles that were contained in her report.
Community Initiative Fund – the Assessment Panel met last week, and forwarded their recommendations to the Executive Board, which will meet on 12th July. Cllr McKelvie added that the panel had allocated nearly all of the total funds available for this year.
The Local Area Plan is being revised, and this will hopefully be published by the end of July.
Mr. Garrett raised an issue regarding the article on pages 12 and 13 - Food and Garden Waste collection coming to the Wirral. He expressed concern about a number of roads in Heswall which are not suitable for large refuse lorries. Mr Garrett was reassured that these roads in Heswall and Wirral are already being served, and that dustbin bags and black bags are collected by a transit van with a wire cage. Heather Jones asked will there be any small brown bins for people who have small green bins? Phil Miner said he will investigate. Frank Byrne reported that in Chester they have put restrictions on the type of food which goes into the waste. No-one was aware of any such restrictions in Wirral.
Minute 5 - Streetscene Update
Minute Text :
The Area Streetscene Manager, Phil Miner, drew attention to the Streetscene update on pages 34 of the Area Co-ordinator's report. He commented on the aesthetic and environmental improvements resulting from the removal of the two footbridges on the New Ferry/Eastham stretch of the A41.
i. Sue Proudlove from Old Wood Road said that the pavements are absolutely appalling for wheelchairs and older people, and that something should be done. She has been trying to get the Highways Department to drop some pavements for about five years, and has been told that they are on the list. Cllr. McKelvie will investigate. Paul Hawthorn stated that local businesses and shops have a legal requirement to provide wheelchair access – surely Wirral Borough Council has the same obligation? Mrs. Proudlove stated that some wheelchair users are actually using the road because the pavements are so bad.
ii. Liz Ashdown asked whether there is any possibility of stopping all the cars parking and speeding in Pensby Road, Crossing near the Pensby Surgery is dreadful, because there are always so many cars parked near there, and the restriction being implemented in Brimstage Road for HGV’s has made it worse. Cllr. McKelvie will take this up and raise the possible use of a refuge. Inspector Kate Cunningham replied that when police officers have been evident on Pensby Road, this has slowed the traffic down
iii. Mrs. Collett reported that the traffic lights at the corner of Gills Lane are ignored by drivers on the main road, and asked whether the Police could do anything. Inspector Cunningham requested that people take a note of the number of the car, and the time they cross red lights, and let her have this information. Mr. Kinlan reported that from Greenbank Drive is very bad, and there will be a major head-on collision any time now. Graham Ashdown lives on Pensby Road, and says that there is a car near him, which is regularly possibly travelling at eighty miles per hour. One of the Police speed machines has been stationed at Fishers Lane, and this seems to have had some effect when it is there.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that -
i. Technical Services to look into issue of dropped kerbs in Heswall
ii. Councillor McKelvie to raise issue of parked / speeding cars in Pensby Road
Minute 6 - Transport Capital Monitoring, Integrated Transport Block 2007/08
Minute Text :
Transport Capital Programme 2007-08/Integrated Transport Block.
The Environment and Transportation Select Committee had supported a suggestion that Area Forums should become involved in drawing up programmes within the Integrated Transport Block element of the Transport Capital Programme.
Area Forums were being consulted on whether -
i) from 2007/08, each Area Forum should be given an equal share of the Integrated Transport Block to allocate as they wish; or
ii) whether the status quo should be maintained with the total amount being managed centrally and allocated against the Council's criteria; or
iii) the money continues to be managed centrally and allocated on a Wirral-wide basis, with the views of the Forums being fed into the decision-making process.
The amount available to each Area Forum [£16,300 for 2005/06] would be insufficient to fund a speed reduction scheme, but would allow a very modest road programme comprising some elements of parking schemes, dropped crossings, refuges and sign posting.
Cllr. Rowlands said it is very difficult for Councillors to get anything done, and that he would prefer the money to come into the community, and it was agreed that this is what Pensby/Thingwall will ask for. Peter Buckley asked whether there was a system of priority as to where the dropped pavements are installed. Derwent Derbyshire stated that they have discussed with WIRED, who have indicated that they should be concentrated in the areas of shops etc.
In summarising the views expressed by the area forum, the Chairman stated that the consensus view appeared to be that this area forum would prefer to have a share of the budget to allocate locally.
Derwent Derbyshire thanked the Area Forum for their views which would be conveyed to the Select Committee.
Minute 7 - Presentation - Youth Participation at Area Forums
Minute Text :
Lindsay Davidson, Deputy Head of Youth Services explained that this is about children being able to take their place as citizens in our community and how we can build on young peoples’ participation and input into the Forums etc. There are currently four Youth Forums – West Wirral, South Wirral, Wallasey and Birkenhead. There are also Connect Uz groups, and youth participation is being taken up by all schools and with the Police and the Fire Services as this is a growing agenda.
Previous consultation has shown that young people want to have a say and want to have a thought about what their life is about, about the street scene etc. What has also been found it that children and young people do make a difference; the young people have been fully involved when they have been writing strategic and development plans, so they have been taken on board by the Council. The participation and the consultation have been meaningful, but they want to know what difference has been made.
What we have achieved to date – We have established a level of participation strategy and a Charter, which has been agreed to by the local Council and several others, which was signed at the end of October 2005. We hope that nationally other Councils will be coming and asking us for advice. Nationally, this is growing agenda and it is expected that through Government Policy regarding Youth Matters and Older People Matter, people of all ages will be consulted about what affects their lives. The new Charter of Participation which is adopted in Wirral will affect Wirral and the young people. We have a Youth Parliament on the 16th October where the young people can interconnect with elected members.
Youth Forums will be the basis of consultation with young people and children, so we can establish better links with School Councils and the Youth Forums will be where we can find out what children want and the services required. They are going to establish the new Youth Executive Board - where young people will have equal weight in the decision making process. The Youth Forums will have a key role for two new pots of money- The Youth Trade Fund and the Youth Capital Fund. These will be worth £300,000 this year, and the same next year. Young people will have a say where they will spend the money. Consultation is underway at the moment to enable us to develop a process by September, for the allocation of the money.
NYW (Neighbourhood Youth Workers) will establish more formal links between the Youth Forums and the adult Forums.
It was proposed to hold the youth Forum and the Area Forum meetings on the same night, one after the other. There will be discussions with the young people about how best to feed information back. The next Youth Forum in the area will be held at the Kylemore Youth Centre in Pensby.
There is a NYW who covers this area on the Wirral (employed by the Council) doing street work.
Mr. Birch asked what the youngsters would see from the formation of these associations. Lindsay replied that it makes them more responsible as young citizens. She quoted the skateboard park in Wallasey, and the one in New Brighton which have been the focus of many young people trying to obtain some facilities. Chris Batman raised the point about the School Councils, and the fact that it is now becoming quite popular for young people to be involved with the interviewing of new members of staff. The young people have put forward the good standard of dress and the standard of work.
Sam Hawthorne asked when the money would be available.
Zoe Putman asked how young people get involved.
Lindsay replied that they are producing posters which will be going to 84 organisations across Wirral, and that will also go into schools.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Lyndsey be thanked for her presentation.
Minute 8 - Primary Care Trust Update
Minute Text :
Geraldine Murphy-Walkden reminded us about the desire to change the size of the P.C.T. The Government has decided that we will have one P.C.T. covering Wirral. This should be a great improvement, as it will mean that plans can be approved more quickly, and this should be in place by 1st October this year, and senior members of the new P.C.T. are being appointed.
The two new areas of responsibility are to look after you when you are ill, and to prevent you becoming ill, examples of this are courses for people with coronary diseases and diabetes to encourage people to stop smoking and eat more sensibly. Obesity is a growing problem for everyone, so there are many weekly walks, and all these details are available across the Borough. Ongoing initiatives – the other big policy is if you go to see your GP and you need hospital care, there is now a choice of hospitals, together with a choice of date and time. The new system is electrically referred, and you choose a time and date to suit your needs.
There is a desire to develop new premises within West Wirral, and discussions are being held with the Council to see where this could go. A report will be presented to the next Council Cabinet meeting.
Keith Allsop referred to Page 9 of the last Minutes, as to whether the Warrens Nursery was the site proposed for the new centre. Cllr. McKelvie replied that it is ongoing, we will know more following the next Cabinet Meeting.
Minute 9 - Public question time
Minute Text :
I. Mr Kinlan, the Arrowe Park roundabout. He has seen that equipment is being left on the island all night. Has spoken to the Agent, but he was told that they had to put it there because it was being vandalised, but he does not think they have the right to put it there. He went with photographs to the company, who said they were not worried – it was being hired. Mr Kinlan had raised the matter with Street Scene and told them he would be bringing photographs to the Forum because he is concerned about the Council getting more flack.
Phil Miner stated that the contractors on site have been informed that they must stop parking there and blocking the vision. Mr Kinlan said someone could have been killed. Cllr. Rowlands said that it is the policy of the Council not to have plant parked on site, and as a Councillor he would like the Contractors to adhere to the correct procedure.
II. Sam Hawthorne said that plastic recycling services should have been started in April, Cllr. McKelvie announced that the 22nd August is now the proposed start date for the new contract. Derwent Derbyshire stated that the cost of segregating plastic, because of the volume and variety, are prohibitive.
III. A member of the public asked whether anyone knew how many articulated lorries have been stopped going down Barnston Road. Inspector Cunningham reported that one or two have been stopped and told that they will be fined if they go down there again.
IV. Steve Beal requested information about the progress of the Skateboard Park. Cllr Rowlands reported that the contractor has been agreed, but the weather has been so wet, it has delayed work. He understands a special road has been put in so that the contractors can start. Sam Hawthorne asked what research had been done to show that it was a good idea for it to be put in Gayton. Steve Beal stated that the children themselves had played a large part in it originally, but that most of them are now too old, or have moved. Cllr Rowlands stated that he had guided it through Council and obtained funding, and it had been decided that Gayton Park would be the best place. It was agreed that futher information be obtained regarding the progress of the park.
V. A gentleman from Fishers Lane asked what happens about the dog mess in the area and the graffiti. It was suggested that it was the owners who must be apprehended when they are seen to ignore a mess made by their dog. It was suggested that the Council should issue a Bye-Law stating that a dog owner should carry a bag or receptacle while in a public place with a dog.
VI. Another query was what action is being taken against the use of mobile phones whilst driving. Inspector Cunningham replied that it is an offence to drive whilst on the phone. They do find that when they pull someone up, it is always a very urgent call, and they are not really able to prove it. Jim Thompson reminded us about drink driving, as it is not only the dangers that could happen to the person driving, but the damage to other people. The costs can be horrific where there is an accident and the Fire Service has to be called out, the Ambulance Service and the cost to the National Health Service. This could also apply where an accident occurs while someone is on the mobile phone.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that a progress update be obtained about the development of the Skate Board Park.
Minute 10 - Partner Updates - Fire and Rescue Service - Police - Community Safety
Minute Text :
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.
Myles Platt reported that major refurbishment and structural repairs of the Heswall Fire Station are taking place. This is to update the facilities, but this will not alter the level of cover – they will turn out to a call in 1.9 minutes. The colour for the exterior to be decided – any local ideas would be welcome.
Myles also outlined some of the community work being undertaken by the Community Fire Service volunteers, working with local schools to engage young people and raise awareness of the dangers of starting fires. Jim Thompson of the Community Safety Team said one of the things that the Fire Service was involved in was the climbing wall which the young people can use, but they naturally have to have a Safety Officer on duty and this can be costly.
Myles also explained that there will be a charge in the staffing arrangements at Heswall Fire Station, however, there is firm commitment that twenty four hours per day cover will be maintained. Cllr. McKelvie thanked the Fire Service for their report.
Merseyside Police
Inspector Kate Cunningham reported that a consultation had been carried out to a sample of people in various areas, including Thornton Hough, Frankby, Greasby, Barnston and Gayton. The results from this will be reported to the Neighbourhood Action Group.
The priorities so far see to be youths, people causing annoyance to residents, speeding, under-age drinking on the streets. Plans have been made and are being prosecuted. Speeding is a problem, and Inspector Cunningham is responsible for road management. There is quite a high accident rate on the Wirral, but they now have more cover, particularly in the evening. With regard to the dangerous parking, Inspector Cunningham asked that people let her know, and they will try and relieve the situation, as it is not acceptable. They are also working with the young people through Youth Services, and this will continue throughout the area. Zoe Pateman asked what the Police are actually doing with the young people. Inspector Cunningham replied that they liase with the Youth Service and also try to give the Youth Service space, so that the Police do not always chase them off if the Youth Workers are trying to make them aware that they are behaving an intolerant way. In Greasby the Police have specifically left out Coronation Park and the Youth Centre, and have ensured by working with the Youth Service and having activities in place that Wirral is a very safe place to live.
Some statistics – 140,000 burglaries throughout Wirral, of which 1,511 were within this area, therefore, the risk of being burgled is low. Also, the car crime is very low. This was reduced by 65% in the last twelve months. One area of concern is that violence is on the increase. Violent crime ranges from common assault to actual serious body harm.
Sam Hawthorne asked what happens to all the untaxed cars. Insp. Cunningham reported that they are crushed, although she does hope that some of the better ones will be sold off, and the Police are allocated a little of the money raised. A member of the public asked whether the 10% of money received could be given to charity. Cllr. Rowlands reported that the crime rate is going down locally, and he had been out with the Police overnight, and they are working hard.
Jonathan Birch, Community representative for Pensby and Thingwall.
Jonathan circulated a report outlining the community work of Pioneer People.
They undertake Environmental Projects, they have DIY & Gardening Teams, a Luncheon Club, a Community Youth Club and a Virtual Charity Shop. A member of the public congratulated Jonathan on his excellent report and on the work of Pioneer People. Cllr McKelvie thanked him on behalf of the forum, for his report.
Minute 11 - Any other business
Minute Text :
It was suggested that it would be a good idea to send a letter of congratulation to the Bishop of Birkenhead on his appointment as Bishop of Birmingham, and to thank him for all his work for people of Birkenhead and Wirral.
Minute Decision :
It was resolved that Cllr McKelvie will write to the Bishop on behalf of the Forum.
Minute 12 - Dates of Future Meetings / Presentations
Minute Text :
18th October 2006 at 7pm.
(Minutes Published: 7 August 2006)