The Chair, Councillor Chris Blakeley welcomed the Forum members and13 members of the public to the Leasowe, Moreton and Saughall Massie held at Foxfield Primary School.

He also welcomed Councillor Leech to her first Forum meeting and gave a huge thank you to Ian Lewis for all his work in the community over the past 4 years.  He is continuing with his community work.

Ian Lewis thanked everyone and particularly thanked Tracey Smith for all her hard work with the Area Forums.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th February 2012 were read and agreed as a true record.

Tracey Smith gave an update and feedback on the Neighbourhood Plans.

The areas in the consultation process included:

Your Economy

Your Health

Your Family

Your Neighbourhood

Tracey’s update focused on ‘Your Family’ and ‘Your Economy’.  A handout with all the information was given out.

Some of the points raised were:

Services for Children and Young People

Services for Older People, and Health Care

Finding Employment, Training and Skills, and Regeneration

The next stage is to work with partners and councillors to create an Action Plan.

This area has neighbourhood funding of £67,027.00.  Out of this money £28,726.00 is for road safety.

Anyone can apply for the funding from the 2^nd July to 17^th August 2012 so long as the applications meet the criteria as follows:

• Improve Community Safety
• Improve Community Life
• Improving Skills
• Regeneration

Tara Dumas gave a presentation on the proposed 20mph zones for this forum area.  Handouts were available giving detailed information and feedback cards could be filled in to give peoples views on the proposed scheme.

The 1^st phase of the scheme will be within this financial year and the 2^nd phase will be over the next 2 financial years.

Q.  Will the speed limit be enforceable?

A.  Yes it will be

Western Link:

The representatives from Western Link were available to discuss at the end of the meeting any questions over the renewable electricity cable which is to be routed through Wirral from Scotland to Wales.  Newsletters were available with details of the route and plans.

Police:

Inspector Kolokotroni reported on the following:

• A Neighbourhood Newsletter for this area was available listing recent activities (including arrests, priorities and Have your Say meeting dates).
• A ‘Have your Say’ Card was also available for anyone to complete with any concerns they may have.
• This year to date, crime is down – ASB is down 30% from last year and Criminal is down 15%.
• There have been some recent dwelling burglaries in the Leasowe Estate area, mainly due to people leaving doors insecure and not locked.  Please ensure doors are secured.
• There has also been recent thefts from cars, again opportunists and cars not being locked and having items on show (Sat Navs and handbags)
• Be aware of £20 notes, there has been an influx of forged notes around Wirral.
• During the Euro Football Tournament there has been a rise in domestic violence incidents and also drunkenness at licensed premises.
• Rampworks are coming to Lingham Park on 23^rd July 2012.  Ages 5 and over.  Consent forms need to be completed.  More details are available on the Rampworks website.
• If anyone has any information, then please pass this onto the police or through Crime stoppers.

Fire Service:

Mike Burrati reported on the following:

• There has been a reduction of 77.7% in ASB fires.  Only 5 in this area this year.

• The Fire Service is committed to maintain standards.
• There is a targeted approach for the vulnerable.
• To date there has been 1300 fire safety checks
• Fire Crews engage with the local communities and regularly attend local events.
• The Fire Service continues to work with partners, including Wirral Council’s Road Safety Team. 
• The Fire Service also is engaging with the local schools.
• Plans have begun in the lead up to Bon Fire Night in November.

Councillor Anne McArdle explained that she had met with the Department of  Adult Social Services trying to look at ways to help elderly people be safe, but enable officers to gain access to their homes in the event of an emergency. 

Community Safety:

Mike Collins explained his role in the Dog Fouling Enforcement Team. 

• There are now 10 officers working around the Wirral. 
• Fixed penalties notices are issued to offenders and if they become in any way violent, then they are taken to court.
• 160+ fixed penalty notices have been issued since April.
• The worst areas are the beaches.
• Please report any regular offenders to the Street Scene telephone number 606 2004 and an officer will be sent to that area.

Street Scene:

Chris Jones explained that if anyone has any complaints or reports on problem areas, for example, overgrown hedges, vandalism; please use the Street Scene telephone number.

If anyone has any specific issues then speak to him  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Q.  There is nothing available for young people on the Whitley Lions Estate.  Would it be possible to get funding for a park/play area and/or a football pitch on the empty field? This would help to improve the area and decrease anti-social behaviour.

A.  The Councillors will check the plans for this area.  It was suggested that they form a residents group.  Tracey Smith will help and advise on how to set one up.

  Ian Platt also advised them to speak to Wirral Partnership Homes as they also recognise residents groups and they will help if they recognise a need.

Q.  Could you give some information on the bids for the empty shops?  An application was submitted but he has not heard anything since.

A.  Will speak to David Ball and find out at what stage the application is at.

Councillor Chris Blakeley thanked everyone for attending

Date of next meeting: Thursday 11^th October 2012, 6.30pm, Venue to be

confirmed