Paul Murphy, Merseyside Fire and Rescue:  Dan Stephens is the new Chief Fire Officer.  Each district on Merseyside is to have a community safety plan.  The plans and an integrated risk management plan are on the website.  As group manager for six fire stations on Wirral, I have developed a Wirral plan and will submit it to the Fire Authority to show what we are doing to prevent fire and to protect people and property from fire for the next twelve months.  Because we are a public sector body, and there are budget cuts, the budget will not be set until December this year.

In the past ten months, the number of accidental dwelling fires in Bromborough and Eastham reduced from 19 to 13.  Almost 1,700 home safety checks have been undertaken in the two areas, where we have fitted smoke alarms and carried out risk assessments.  Bromborough Fire Station is developing its own community safety plan for the two wards.

Bonfire Night was a lot quieter this year which is mainly down to the partnership work around the table where all partners work together to address some of the issues where there were problems before.  There’s been a 36% reduction in deliberate secondary fires and a small rise in primary fires and children congregating and starting fires.  Serious road traffic incidents have reduced in the two wards from 14 to 8.

steve preston Community Safety:  On the matter of CCTV in parks, there has to be a fine line between cameras and people’s privacy.  Although cameras cannot be put up in the parks, we have officers who will be recording under-age drinking and anything that is worrying.

Four wardens are based Wirral-wide and they are dealing with issues such as dog fouling and can issue a £70 fine.  So far, everyone has paid up.  New Ferry Park is a problem and we will target that.  The public can 1) go to the Police, 2) elected members who will contact us and we will contact the parks.  All agencies worked together on bonfire night and there was a massive reduction across Wirral.

Portable water extinguishers can be used to extinguish a small bin fire.  This saves calling out the fire brigade.  To report a bin fire ring 666 5265, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Merseyside Police:   Parks and Anti-social behaviour, and problems from children in the school holidays, and youths involved in causing the problems. We are working with colleagues in the Youth Service on schemes and educating young people around alcohol abuse and lighting fires, and they get a certificate at the end of it. 

There will be cuts, but we understand the neighbourhood police team in Bromborough is being maintained at present levels. Bromborough Police Station is no longer available to the public.  The enquiry office is closed and the only ones available are in Birkenhead and Wallasey, or go on the Police website.  Only two Police Stations in Wirral are open for 24 hours.  A public phone will be available at Bromborough.  For non-urgent enquiries, the public should phone the national number 101, explain what the problem is, and the call will be re-directed to the nearest available Police station.

Older People’s Parliament:  Brian Christian, Wirral Co-ordinator, gave a brief history of Wirral Older People’s Parliament, which was formed in January 2007 with the objective of becoming the voice of older people on Wirral.  Wirral residents aged 50 and over have an opportunity to have their voices heard by becoming associate members and attending Parliament meetings which in 2012 will be held at Wallasey Town Hall at 11 am on 2 March, 1 June, 7 September  and 7 December.  An event, Well-Being of Wirral, will held in Hulme Hall, on 23/2 May 2012.  Copies of the Parliament’s Newsletter were available at the meeting, along with an application form for associate membership, which is free.

?Wirral Council – Consultations

Libraries:  Wirral Council is working on a long term vision for its libraries.  The draft libraries strategy sets out how the service will be delivered in future.

By completing a questionnaire, Wirral residents are invited to tell the Council what they think of the strategy and to say if there is anything else residents would like to see in their local library.

The strategy is on the Council’s website at www.wirral.gov.uk/librarystrategy.  The survey can be completed using a paper version of the questionnaire, or can be completed on line.  The closing date is Wednesday, 29 February 2012.

Parks, Beaches and Open Spaces:  Wirral Council has issued a questionnaire asking residents what their local parks, beaches and open spaces should be like.  The results of the questionnaire will ensure that the Council’s long term plan for Wirral’s open spaces meets the needs of local people. 

Parks, beaches and open spaces includes parks, beaches, gardens, natural and semi-natural green spaces, outdoor sports facilities, urban green space, children and young people’s play areas, skate parks and caged games areas.  Allotments, cemeteries and churchyards are not included at this time.

The survey can be completed using a paper version of the questionnaire, or on line at www.wirral.gov.uk/parksurvey.  The closing date is 12 March 2012.

?Funding Opportunities

Third Sector Development Fund.  Grants up to £10,000 are available to community, voluntary and faith groups, registered charities and social enterprises.  The fund is being administered by VCAW (Voluntary and Community Action for Wirral.  Applications are available online at www.vcawirral.org.uk, and will be accepted until 24 February 2012.

European Social Fund [ESF]:  Community Learning Grants up to £12,000 are available to help voluntary and community organisations support some of the hardest to reach communities and individuals.  The fund will help people further learning or training that could lead to employment.

VCAW is running free ‘Meet the Funder’ briefing sessions on 23 February 2012.  Sessions can be booked online at www.vcawirral.org.uk. 

Radio City Cash for Kids:  Radio City is sponsoring Cash for Kids – funding for charities with projects that can help or benefit children under the age of 18 years.  VCA Wirral is running free ‘Meet the Funder’ briefing sessions.  Sessions can be booked online at www.vcawirral.org.uk.  Applications for ‘Cash for Kids’ are available on line and will be accepted up to 31 March 2012.

Queen’s Golden Jubilee:  This area forum has been awarded the sum of £200 for community groups or individual/s to organise suitable events in the area to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in June.  Application forms are available from the Community Engagement Officer. 

New Ferry Shopping Area:  Mark Craig referred to Government funding to improve shopping centres.  Working with the local MP, a bid has been put together which, if successful, would see investment of £100,000 to improve New Ferry shopping centre.  The bid has to be submitted to Cabinet for approval before it goes to central Government. 

Cllr. Niblock gave information on funding streams that will be available over four years for community groups from 1 April. (Community Firsts)  Any group will be able to apply but they have to have 50% match-funding.  Voluntary hours at £11 per hour can be counted as part of the match funding contribution.