Cllr. Rowlands welcomed everyone to the meeting, and reported that there was one apology from Mark Johnston, Community Representative.

• Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

Mr. Garrett referred to Page 5 and the condition of Dee View Road.  The pot holes were filled in after a fashion, but due to the extremely heavy traffic on one side of this road, because of residents’ parking, it needs to be done again. This is extremely dangerous for motor cyclists and cyclists and urgently needs attention.  Cllr. Hodson said that he drives up this road every  day, and he has spoken to the Director, who said that it will be looked into in  the next few weeks, and that something will be done.

-1-

Graham Ashdown – Page 7 second paragraph. There has been no difference in the wagons delivering to Aldi.  It is still as bad as ever.  Why have they not been banned on these roads coming through Wirral and why cannot they come off the Motorway and along the A.540? Tracey Smith reported that there is a response from Technical Services on Page 11 of the Minutes of the last meeting.

Mrs. Alison Jones asked what has been done about the request for a crossing on Telegraph Road, also the reduction from 40mph to 30 mph.  A petition has been given in with 108 names on it. Cllr. Hodson replied that this will be handed to the Council at the meeting on 22nd October.  Mrs. Jones said that she cannot over emphasize how dangerous this road is for children crossing, and that parents will not now walk their children to school, but take them by car,  and this is just as difficult, trying to get out on to Telegraph Road.  She said that the Councillors had been asked to come one morning and see for themselves just what the conditions are like, but no-one had come. If something is not done soon, there will be a very serious accident.

Cllr. Bob Wilkins pointed out that Page 9, paragraph 3, in connection with the proposed “supermarket” on Pensby Road should read 32 objections, not 3.

Tracey Smith stated that she had revised the form of the Reports somewhat to make them more easily understood, and drew attention to the fact that there is still funding available - £12,303.59. for Community Initiative Funding and £4,570.00. in the Primary Care Trust Fund.  Tracey asked that anyone who wished to apply should give their name and address at the end of the meeting.

Cllr. Rowlands reported the Council have given an additional £20,000.00 to each Forum, to be spent on services in their area, and 212 people had returned the form for the Heswall, Pensby Thingwall area. The top three choices were sport and youth activity, cleanliness and education in relation to library books, DVD's, CD's and foreign language books. The £20,000 was allocated as follows

·  £12,00.00  for Sport and Youth Activity

·  £5,000.00 for litter bins (10 litter bins)

·  £3,000.00 for Library Books etc

Other Forums have received very similar results, and the priorities are along the same lines.  It would be very remiss of us is we did not take the views of the public and use the money in the ways suggested. 

Mrs. Alison Jones said that she thought it was not easy to be specific in the Questionnaire, and that very few people knew anything about it.

Tracey Smith replied that it was a pilot scheme, and it is hoped that next year it will be more clear, and also that there will be more money in the scheme. Tracey also asked that people should contact her to say where they feel that the additional litter bins should be placed.

Mr. Garrett asked whether the Chairman of the Residents’ Association for Banks Road and The Moorings was at the meeting, but he was not, and Mr. Garrett explained that letters had been sent to each councillor regarding the Sheldrakes Restaurant, who have been making life very difficult over the past five years with regard to loud music played very late, and repeated planning applications. There seems to be no control by Officers on Planning Restrictions. Cllr. Hodson said that he is Chairman of Licensing, but cannot chair when these problems are raised. He reported that Sheldrakes have, at this moment, gone to appeal over the veranda, and there is an Enforcement Order in place. Cllr. Hodson has written to Sheldrakes about the playing of loud music at all hours, and he offered to go and talk to the Residents’ Committee about the problem.

Inspector Cunningham reported that the Police had been called on several occasions, but they have not found the music and noise to be excessive when they have arrived there, except perhaps people when they are going to their cars.

Dave Steel asked whether there was any feedback from the patients of the Heswall and Pensby Practice over the consultation for the new Centre to be built opposite Tesco, and the closure of the Pensby Road surgery.

Russell Favager replied that the consultation does not end until the 27^th October, and of the 700 or so responses, the majority are in favour of the project.  It is the G.P’s who wish to have this building, and the Pensby surgery is no longer suitable. 

Val Curtis said that she understood that the BMA are against the provision of these huge facilities or “Polyclinics”, and that people were not all in favour of the closure of local facilities, and these mini-hospitals. Representatives from the PCT, including the Chief Executive Kathy Doran, replied that the preferences were not for Polyclinics which were very much larger – but for modernised premises which could offer a range of services, thus avoiding the need for many patients to travel beyond their local surgery for treatment etc. There was some heated discussion. The Chairman requested that order be maintained, and Kathy Doran continued in response that the PCT have to try to respond to the requirements of three hundred and thirty thousand people, and this is very difficult sometimes. There are clinics in London which serve 50,000, In Wirral that could be the equivalent of 6 surgeries whereas we currently have over 60. In Liscard, three Practices are coming into one building providing all types of medical facilities, and the people are happy.

In Heswall there is a plot to be developed, and the consultation has not yet finished. If people say that is what they want, then we will go ahead, but we do have to recognize that there has to be a balance over everyone’s views.

Mr. Tripp asked why do we need two hospitals.  Mrs. Doran replied that we will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

• Merseyside Police/Community Safety
• Fire Service
• NHS Foundation Trust
• Primary Care Trust
• Older Peoples Parliament

John Davies of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service reported an update on Page 18 of the last Minutes.  There has been an increase in fires caused by electric blankets, particularly in an elderly community.  Please take care.

He wished to draw attention to Page 19 – if you take your electric blanket to various places, they will check it, and if it is not in working order, you will get a new one.

Brian Smith – Technical Services – Street Scene.  No report.

Police – Inspector Kate Cunningham.

Neighbourhood Action Group held on 2nd September with representatives from the community and the Council.  Discussed the fact that there was an improvement in anti-social behaviour – 12% down this year on last year. There was one incident in Heswall in September where 21 cars were damaged in one night.  There has been an increase in drug detections and crime overall, which is good.  All information is available on the website.  On this year, we   are improving on last year in the area.  We no longer cover Greasby and Frankby. At the above mentioned meeting, two of the priorities related to Greasby and Frankby and one to Clatterbridge.  One for this area was the gathering of young people in the area of Fishers Lane, Pensby.  The number of Support Officers in that area has been increased, and linked in with Youth Service.

There is an influx of people coming into the area from West Kirby and Woodchurch areas.  They are being encouraged to behave in a reasonable manner, and it is a great help when we know the people who may cause problems.  Neighbourhood Team took 60 young people for football training, and held a tournament and certificates were given out.  They also trained 50 young people in cycle training, who also received certificates. An increase at the moment in auto-crime, not a high level, more in Pensby rather than Heswall in the theft of number plates.  If you can get Anti-Tamper number plates.

Mrs. Tripp said that she would like to thank the Police for their help to-day in removing a car which was blocking their driveway.

Russell Favager, Wirral Primary Care Trust.  The consultation period of a draft UK- wide constitution setting out NHS values finishes on 17th October and will be available soon after.  All four of our main units received excellent reports from the Health Authority.

Sandy Cameron, Older Peoples’ Parliament.  There are now more people over 60 than under 16.  We work closely with hospitals, Police, Fire Brigade and will deal with problems right across the board when requested.

Pippa Roberts, Wirral PCT Pharmacy.  They are really keen for members of the public to become members of the Trust, and you can fill in a form. Public Health Strategy is in a leaflet with external assessments.

.    Councillors’ Report.

Councillor Hodson said that all Councillors would like to thank the PCSO’s and the Police, who are doing an excellent job, especially with the work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

• 12 February 2009

Thursday, 12^th February 2009.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting.