MERSEYSIDE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE: Lisa Hogan highlighted that MFRS 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.

There has been a 77.7% reduction in anti-social behavior secondary fires on Wirral which can be attributed to our excellent partnership working.  MFRS hosted a Safeguarding Conference at Acre Lane, Bromborough, in conjunction with Wirral Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board to highlight our work with the most vulnerable members of the community and to improve our relationship with the Care Homes.

Planning for this year’s bonfire period is underway with our first meeting with partners being held on the 19 June 2012.  Within our Wirral Community Prevention Plan 2012/13 we have several community initiatives that are relevant to Prenton and Oxton Ward:

The prevention team are currently working in conjunction with operation crews from Birkenhead to embed 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 into medium or long term accommodation we can complete a HFSC and implement any risk reduction interventions.  Wirral Prevention team are currently developing a Home Fire Safety Check referral pathway with the probation service.  We have recently taught a group of women to cook by delivering Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food Cookery Course.  The course was delivered by advocates to teach healthy and safe cooking practices over an 8 week period.

MERSEYSIDE POLICE: Inspector McGregor explained there has been a reduction in crime generally.  Overall good picture for this area.  The YMCA gave Police use of a canal barge not just for rehabilitation use, but took out a group OAPs and some young people on the barge, this was a positive day for all.

Neighbourhood Newsletter was available at the meeting and a summary of crime statistical information for Crime & ASB April to June 2012.

COMMUNITY SAFETY: Steve Preston advised residents about neighbourhood watch schemes and how successful they are, anyone interested to contact community safety team.  The appointment of dog fouling officers is working well and work across Wirral and target hotspot areas

GOOD NEWS STORY Alison Bailey Smith: The "Welly Road Gets the Boot in!" project was an idea I had to provide a community focus for Wellington Road (Oxton, Wirral). Neighbours, businesses and local organisations joined in creating planters from donated recycled Wellington Boots to go outside local businesses and individual houses on the street to beautify Wellington Road and integrate all aspects of the neighbourhood. In the end 500 wellies were planted and since then there has been very little damage to the wellies and none to the stands.

We were lucky enough to get grants from Your Wirral and from the Merseyside Police Protection Fund. Flowers were donated by Cross' Nursery in Leasowe and we purchased plants from them and Bromborough Pool Garden Centre ( a wonderful enterprise for people with autism). The stands were created from pallets by Cornerstone Vocational Training in Birkenhead (another wonderful enterprise for young people who have difficulties in following conventional education plan).

Initially, the idea was to beautify the street and unify the neighbours and have it done by Secret Gardens of Oxton but really the project has been ongoing and is ready for a slight tidy up. We have money left over and are planning to buy another municipal planter to locate on the street.

I love the joy it has brought to so many people, I see them walking down the road smiling and kids counting wellies...I also see the penny drop in many peoples eyes when they realise why wellies - what else would you plant on Wellington Road?

Lot of images on Flickr through my Abscraft page http://wellyroad.blogspot.co.uk/ and  facebook group https://www.facebook.com/WellyRd  supplied by Alison Bailey Smith