The Chair, Councillor Williams, welcomed area forum members and 16 members of the public to the meeting in Prenton. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Holbrook, Patrick Toosey, Gary Doherty and Jack Cuffe.

On behalf of the Area Forum, the Chair extended congratulations to Patrick Toosey on receiving the Wirral Award for services to the Oxton Society and other charities, and best wishes to Jack Cuffe, who is in hospital. 

Matters arising:

The Area Co-ordinator’s report contained updates on issues raised at the last meeting under the headings –

·  Environmental Improvements on Woodchurch Road

·  Litter in the area of Prenton High School

·  Anti-social behaviour in Slatey Road.

·  Speeding traffic on Mount Road/Storeton Road

Inspector Griffiths commented the Slatey Road area had been flagged up at the last area forum meeting as a ‘hot spot’ for anti-social behaviour and the Police had been asked to do a case study on the area.  There were only two reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in Slatey Road during the period under review. 

Enforcement in the Mount Road/Storeton Road area January 2009 had resulted in the issue of 60 fixed penalty notices, the seizure of one vehicle for no insurance, and a prosecution for being in possession of a radar jammer. 

Inspector Griffiths responded to a comment by Paul Heywood that uniformed police officers defeated the object of the exercise and that more speeding motorists would be caught if the operation was more covert.

The report on Wirral PCT Integrated Care is still being compiled and will be presented at the area forum meeting in June.

Mr Dowling, Oxton, commented that there was no reference in the minutes of ‘the storm waiting to erupt’ in terms of the proposal to close many public buildings.

The Chair replied that the proposals arising from the Council’s Asset Review had been announced after the date of the area forum meeting; therefore the issue had not been discussed at the last meeting.

The Area Co-ordinator drew attention to reports on Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Community Safety and Equality and Diversity.  Colleagues from the Traffic Management Division were present and they would give a presentation on Integrated Transport Funding to Area Forums reported on pages 23/24 of the report.

In the 2007/08 financial year, two of the eleven Area Forums had opted to have a share of the Integrated Transport Block at their disposal to fund local schemes.  The improvements for Heswall/Pensby/Thingwall included the construction of a pedestrian refuge, and for Bromborough/Eastham, a contribution to a traffic calming scheme, direction signing and a lowered kerb crossing.

The Council’s Cabinet had received very positive feedback on the success of the pilot in the two areas and is now inviting each area forum to consider whether it wishes to receive de-centralised funding in 2009/10.  The money can be used to provide lowered kerb crossings, modest local signposting and road lining schemes.  Officer input will be available to all area forums to guide them in the decision-making process. The total budget for the Integrated Transport block is £180,000 which, apportioned across the eleven Area Forums, would equate to around £16,300 per Area Forum.  The alternative would be to administer the funding centrally. 

The report contained a recommendation that –

This Area Forum has been requested to:-

i  note the type of traffic management schemes which can be funded through the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Block allocation.

ii  provide views as to whether or not it wishes to receive a decentralised one-  eleventh share of the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Block   Allocation equating to approximately £16,300 per Area Forum to carry out   scheme(s) of a traffic management/road safety nature in the local area.

Andrew Taylor commented that whilst it would be a good idea to devolve money to local area forums, he had serious reservations about the undemocratic nature of area forums and about representatives who are not elected to the area forum being allowed to spend Council money.  As a member of an area forum in the past, he had refused to be responsible for any decisions that involved spending public money. 

Councillor Kelly agreed that Andrew Taylor had raised some challenging questions.  He explained that area forums already have jurisdiction over two pots of money – one is community initiatives funding and the other is ‘You Decide’ funding.  The area forum makes recommendations to Cabinet on how they wish to spend the money, and the Cabinet has the powers to override any recommendations if it was felt they were inappropriate or not feasible.

The Chair commented that the issue of non-elected area forums is also challenging, and is something that area forums throughout Wirral will want to look at when the constitution of area forums is reviewed.

Considerable discussion developed on democracy, constitutional issues, community representation and voting rights by members of the area forum.

The Chair confirmed that all the comments have been noted but the issue of community representation is a Wirral-wide issue, not something that can be resolved by this area forum in isolation.  Vacancies for community representatives are advertised in the local Press, and anyone interested in become a community representative can complete an application form and submit it to the Council. 

Paula Southwood commented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

John Entwistle, Corporate Services Department, gave a presentation on the Local Development Framework.  The new style Development Plan is a single document that replaces the Unitary Development Plan for Wirral dated February 2000, and will operate alongside the Regional Spatial Strategy.  The framework provides guidance for assessing planning applications and allocating land for new developments for the next 15-20 years. 

The consultation on the core strategy has just begun and Wirral Council will be pleased to receive comments on the various parts of the document.

The next stage will be to translate the objectives into spatial policy options and identify the preferred options.  The draft core strategy will be compiled and submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.  The proposals will be subject to public examination by an independent inspector.  The intention is to adopt the Core Strategy in 2011.

Members of the public can become involved in the consultation by asking for a copy of the Plan, by adding their names to the contact database, or by submitting comments by letter, email or fax.  The deadline for comments is 5 pm, on 27 March 2009.  The contact details are: Strategic Development, Corporate Services, Town Hall, Wallasey. CH44 8ED.  Email hazeledwards@wirral.gov.uk, phone: 691 8225 or fax 691 8188.

In response to a comment by Paul Heywood, John Entwistle acknowledged that the letter sent to people on the database did not include a link to the website.  He hoped that people would be able to access the documents directly through an on-line consultation system in future stages of the consultation, but it was not possible to provide that facility at present.

Robbie Bell stated that residents’ associations are directly involved with planning issues and it was important for all residents’ groups as well as individuals to contribute to the consultation process.

Councillor Bridson asked for information on the number of people on the database.  She stated that it would be interesting to know at the end of the process how many people have shown an interest in the plan.

John Entwistle replied that a report will be presented to Cabinet that summaries all the comments received and will explain how those comments have been taken into account for the next stage.  There no restrictions or limitations whatsoever in terms of the people who want to become involved and put forward suggestions.  At the end of the process, the document will go to full Council for final approval and adoption.

The Chair advised that the consultation has been placed on the Council’s website, and the expectation is that the local Press will pick up the issue and publicise it.

Sarah Goulding asked if account had been taken of the fact that priorities have shifted due to the downturn in the economy.  Whilst the planning system plays an important role in protecting the environment, it is equally important to facilitate and take advantage of economic regeneration when opportunities come forward.

The Chair thanked John Entwistle for the presentation.

The Area Co-ordinator read out an email submitted by Mr David Bird about Osmaston Road, and the reply received from Technical Services Department on the issues raised.

The Area Co-ordinator would be speaking to Mr Bird in person.

A member of the public agreed with everything in the email.  The problem is also about the condition of the road and the pavements.  The pavements are particularly dangerous for elderly and infirm people.  Three requests have been made for an inspector to come out and look at the area.

Councillor Doyle commented that people cause blockages by using the road for all-day parking.  Both he and Councillor Holbrook would support a proposal for parking to be restricted in some way. 

Local residents who were present stated that they do not want a parking scheme to be introduced in the area. 

The Chair suggested the need for a meeting with the Ward Councillors to find a way forward.

The Chair continued that she is receiving an increasing number of complaints from residents about the hazards caused by parking.  People who live in West Knowe have great difficulty in egressing their properties due to cars parked near and outside St Saviour’s Church, and from residents in Storeton Road leading up to the Maitland Church and beyond.  She has brought the attention of Streetscene to the problems on a number of occasions and the Police and CSOs have taken action to deal with the situation.

Inspector Harrison replied that he is aware of the parking issues and two colleagues spend a lot of time trying to resolve them  There has been a suggestion that some of the congregation of St Saviour’s Church park their cars outside West Knowe, but most people park in nearby side streets, or in and near the Carnarvon Castle car park, rather than in front of West Knowe.  Stretches of Bidston Road near the Catholic Church and the Birkenhead School, are affected by parking.

During a general discussion on parking, Ben Ryder explained the problems faced by emergency vehicles in gaining access to properties and to responding to road traffic accidents, particularly when there is a concentration of parked cars on narrow roads. 

The Chair raised the issue of the school patrol crossing in Holm Lane and that she had been unaware of the issue until after the decision was made. She had made representations to the Council that there needs to be a full risk assessment before a crossing is removed from any school.  The Council had agreed and full risk assessments will take place. 

Councillor Bridson reported on a very positive meeting with Biffa contractors last week.  Due to their size, bin lorries can easily skid in bad weather and cause damage to parked cars.  The company is working with the gritters in terms of trying to avoid accidents and has taken steps to ensure a safer collection of the bins.

Ian Patterson stated that he is a resident of St George’s Avenue,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

• Merseyside Police/Community Safety
• Fire Service
• Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• NHS Wirral
• Older Peoples Parliament

The Chair stated that it was necessary to curtail the agenda due to time constraints.  Reports from various agencies and partners are available to read outside the meeting.  If anyone has an issue they wish to raise they should speak to one of the representatives present, or contact the area co-ordinator.

Date and venue to be confirmed

TUESDAY, 16 June in the Oxton Ward. Venue to be confirmed.

A member of the public stated that the Cabinet has approved a plan to close Rock Ferry High School and Park High School and to create an academy.  A total of ten potential sites for the academy are being looked at - one is Ingleborough fields.

Councillor Doyle replied that he would raise the issue when he meets with the Director of Children’s Services on 11 February, and a response would be passed on.

A member of the public thanked the Chair for chairing a stormy meeting.

The Chair thanked everyone and closed the meeting at 9.15 pm.