• Minutes are a summary only

The Chair, Councillor Cherry Povall, welcomed forum members and 13 members of the public to the public forum meeting. Apologies received from Walter Smith due to other council business.

Michelle Gray explained that any issues raised were detailed in the minutes with the relevant actions.

MAYER HALL, PENANT HOUSE 65 THE VILLAHE/CLOCK TOWER AND BEBINGTON CIVIC CENTRE: Ian Brand explained that since the last meeting there have been discussions taking place around the future of these buildings.  First meeting was on the 14^th March 2012 in Mayer Hall and this meeting discussed the community perspective, developing the future of these buildings, assets and transfers.  Also the group has been involved in liaising with Heswall Hall who has been successful in an asset transfer. There have been a number of meetings 11^th April 2012 was a site visit for all 3 buildings, 18^th April 2012 2^nd further site meeting, 6^th May 2012 group to met to discuss development ideas, 6^th May 2012 to discuss roles & responsibilities i.e. Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and a lead champion etc: Next meeting is scheduled for August.

UPDATE ON 20MPH ZONES: Jim Lester gave an update on the proposed 20mph speed limits in Residential Areas. Wirral Council is introducing 20mph speed limits on non-major residential routes across Wirral to help make our streets safer for everyone.  This scheme will be implemented in two phases and completed during 2014.  On 1^st March 2012.  £550k was allocated for this project and it is anticipated that a further £275k will be required in each of the years 2013/14 and 2014/15 to complete this initiative.  Any comments on the proposed phasing of the project affecting your area can be made by filling in the postcard or alternatively should you have any further comments please contact Streetscene Telephone: 0151 606 2004 or email Streetscene@wirral.gov.uk.

• Your Economy
• Your Family
• What Next/Future Funding

Michelle Gray gave a presentation on the Your Economy and Your Family aspects of the neighbourhood plan consultation and what people said were a priority under these headings.

• Your Family Priorities: Services for Children and Young People, Health and Social Care and other Community Services.
• Your Economy Priorities: Finding Employment, Training and Skills and Regeneration.

A discussion was held on how the consultation was undertaken and which groups of people contributed to the results in the focus sessions.

NEIGHBOURHOOD FUNDING: Michelle Gray This year, Wirral Council has made more funding than ever available for communities to decide what extra services, projects and activities they would like to see in their local community.

To make sure this funding is used to pay only for what communities really want, we have developed a list of priorities for each Forum area based on the Neighbourhood Plan consultation 2011.

When you are completing your application, you need to ensure that the project you are proposing fits under at least one of those priorities for Bebington & Clatterbridge areas. Applications should demonstrate that they link into:

• Improve Community Safety, Improve Community Life, Improve Training & Skills, Regeneration

Neighbourhood Funding is available for Community, Voluntary and Faith sector groups, as well as businesses, social enterprises and public sector bodies to apply.  Applications are invited from 2nd July and the closing date is 12noon on 17th August 2012. Application forms will be available on our website www.wirral.gov.uk/neighbourhood or by emailing us on engage@wirral.gov.uk or calling us on 0151 691 8210.

In addition to this there is a budget set for Road Safety/Road Maintenance of just over £35,000.  Elected members and Technical Services will be meeting in July to allocate this funding.

Westernlink on behalf of National Grid: Spencer Pepper from Western Link Electricity gave a brief presentation on the renewable electricity cable which is to be routed through Wirral from Scotland to Wales.  There has been a consultation process with residents over the last year discussing the route.  A newsletter is available for people to see the routes of the cable and plans for the local area.  These newsletters will be posted out to residents affected by the cable route.

NHS Wirral: Dr Abhi Mantgani, Designate Accountable Officer, Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group explained the changes occurring within the NHS.  Currently Services are commissioned by the Primary Care Trust, from April 2013, these will no longer exist due to the health bill, which requires GP’s to form into groups to becoming clinical commissioning groups. The reason for this is because GP’s are aware of the needs of their patients and the population that they serve. All 61 GP practices within Wirral have become a member of the Wirral Clinical Commissioning group. Due to the demographics within Wirral they have come together into 3 further groups in order to serve their patient population more effectively.  

Issues: Concern is that 99% of the public don’t know what is going on and not all households are aware of these changes. Tee Hey Lane Surgery was highlighted and there has been no newsletters regarding this issue.

Dr Mantgani:  Each of the CCG's have consulted their practice population through their patient groups, have formed patient councils and some have patient representatives on their board.  One group has produced newsletters and sent to all of our patients, this has happened within my division. At this early stage we have refrained from advertising in the paper as we have limited resources. We also have website which will be running soon to outline the CCG and the divisional activities. We will also be informing all Wirral residents as we progress towards authorisation as a statutory body.

Fire Service: Ian Hardman explained Birkenhead Fire Station is to be demolished next month via PFI private finance initiative.  We are committed to maintaining high standards, despite the current financial restraints being faced. Focusing on a more targeted approach towards the more vulnerable and at risk members of our communities, we will visit a minimum of 13,000 properties in Wirral which have never been visited.

We have seen 7.7% reduction in anti-social behavior secondary fires on Wirral.  Our Planning for this year’s bonfire period is underway with our first meeting with partners being held on the 19 June 2012.

The prevention team are currently working in conjunction with operation crews from Birkenhead to embedded a multi-agency process to increase awareness for operational crews and community safety staff of the localities of rough sleepers in Wirral. Our aim is to work in partnership with relevant agencies, to share information regarding locations of rough sleeping with operational crews. We are also looking to provide a resettlement pathway, when a homeless person moves  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

• Wednesday 17^th October – 6.30 – 8.30pm – Town Lane Primary School, Town Hall, Bebington, Wirral CH63 8LD

Cllr Cherry Povall closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance. 

The next meeting will be Wednesday 17^th October 2012

at Town Lane Primary School, Bebington