Q (Public member) – The vehicle activated sign by the bus stop in Woodchurch Road is not effective.  Cars go past fast and it does not come on!

Chris Jones – They are activated by speed of the traffic.

Public member – These vehicles were speeding.

Chris Jones – I will take your details at the end and look into it.

Q (Public Member) – everytime I ring Streetscene I am not given an incident number.  I mentioned this at the last area forum and I have today brought along evidence of the same.  I only got an incident number when I asked for one.

Chris Jones – I will take that back with me and look into for you.

Public Member – That is what Mark Smith (Head of Service, Streetscene) said!!

Cllr Pat Williams – Mark Smith actually asked if there was any evidence and then he would look into it.

Cllr Stuart Kelly – It is impossible to investigate without evidence of log and reference number as the searches are done by numbers.

Public member – The matter I am raising is that some people were not actually offered this number.

Chris Jones – I appreciate that and the only way we can investigate is to have an evidence trail so we can establish who is was and offer further training.

Public Member – I started actually asking for a reference number as everytime I was ringing they could trace my previous calls.  I just find is strange that public had to gather evidence.  The call centre needs to be told to give a reference number.

Cllr Pat Williams – I expect a report back for the next meeting. 

Public member – Retail organisations have a mystery shopper and I think it would be a good idea for the local authority to have something like this. 

Alan Dollery – In relation to the last meeting and parking on pavements, I contacted Inspector Griffiths and they went around Prenton.  I have been back in touch with Shaun Brady who sent me a letter which states that they are going to make Prenton a test to investigate these vehicles parked on the grass verges. I would like to see further action.

Inspector Brian Griffiths – Shaun Brady, myself and Community Support Officers went around the area.  If there is that sort of parking it would have a traffic calming affect.

Sarah Goulding – When police see obstructions are they obliged to stop and deal with it? There is a van in Woodchurch Road always parking on the pavement causing an obstruction.

Inspector Brian Griffiths – Local officers should it depends what they are deployed to do.  Give me your details at the end

Sarah Goulding – I don’t want to do that.  If I can see the van then surely you can.

Cllr Denise Realey – it is the same on Borough Road, people treat the pavement as if it is a car park. 

Cllr Ann Bridson – Also people driving into their properties when they haven’t had the pavement adapted. 

Chris Jones – It is actually an offence under the Highways Act of unauthorised vehicle access.  We will write to them and offer them an estimate for the work to be done.  There is a policy we follow. 

Cllr Ann Bridson –.  Need to think of the knock on effect of damage to pavements, Two elderly people have had falls

Mike Collins – Community Patrol have service level agreement with Wirral Partnership Homes so they are involved.

Public Member – Where we live the landlord ripped out the hedges and wall and just left the front open and now has three cars parked on the drive.  There is no dropped kerb and there are double yellow lines that people ignore.

Q (Public Member) –  Can we report people who continuously park on pavements.

Chris Jones – Yes it comes under Section 58 of the Highways Act – duty of care to check safety inspection, service ability inspection and street scene inspection.

Public member – Opposite the Co – op on Borough Road some one has knocked a wall down to park 2 cars.  This is taking away public parking spaces.

Chris Jones – This time last year it was ruled that you now have to have planning approval to open up your front.

Cllr Simon Holbrook – The area of land needs to be a minimum area, you get exemption if the surface you put down is porous.

Cllr Alan Brighouse – Some roads have continuous dropped kerbs, can you park there?

Chris Jones – It depends on the structure behind to see whether it can take a back wheel without smashing.

Q (Public Member) – I have asked in Lloyds Bank about changing their access to allow parking.  The Oxton side of the road is about 20 feet wide, do we need it this wide as people cannot park?  If people cannot park then they will eventually stop shopping there – Prenton is dying because of this.

Cllr Pat Williams – There is a great deal of concern here.  We need a report and presentation for the next meeting please.

Louise Harland-Davies – I had an e-mail from Mr. Lennon this morning.  Would you like to expand?

Mr. Lennon (Public Member) – There are certain things that I wished to be placed on the agenda that are not.  How is it decided whether agenda items are allowed?

Rob Beresford – The Area Forum is conducted according to the operating protocols and the constitution.  So everyone is aware, Mr. Lennon feels that he has put issues forward to the forum that have been barred from a hearing.  We have made provision for issues in question time where questions can be asked.  I am happy to have a further discussion with Mr Lennon over his concerns.

Mr. Lennon – People take time and trouble to come here so people should be able to know what is on the agenda.

Cllr Pat Williams – Could youexplain to me what you think has been barred?

Mr. Lennon – The Authority failed to respond in a conventional way of written correspondence.  I have not had any explanation.

Louise Harland-Davies – A response had been sent to address issues you raised ahead of the previous area forum meeting.

Cllr Simon Holbrook – I am not sure what answers you are looking for, we do not understand?

Rob Beresford – Mr. Lennon has a problem with speediness of response to his queries, he has raised another 2 since.  I am happy to talk to Mr. Lennon after the meeting.

Public Member – it needs to be resolved with discussions with Officers.  It is not possible or appropriate to sort at a forum. 

Cllr Pat Williams – I did encourage you to go through the Councils complaints procedure.

Mr. Lennon – I have had no response.

Cllr Pat Williams – As discussed Rob Beresford would be happy to talk to you after the meeting

Q (Public Member) – Is it still possible to find public tennis courts in Prenton and Oxton?

Cllr Pat Williams – I know there are tennis courts in Bidston.

Alan Dollery – there are tennis courts in Birkenhead Park, Arrowe Park and Irby.

Q (Public Member) – with regards to the 20mph scheme, I applied for it on Elm Road North as a pilot scheme!

Chris Jones – It was a considerable amount of money to fund.  These are now being reviewed through our traffic system.

Cllr Simon Holbrook – Cabinet put money in the budget for that so over 4 years they would be put where people wanted them in every non major road. 

Chris Jones – That was the information I have received earlier today. 

Public member – we had a 20mph for 3 or 4 months and it was useless as they are not enforceable they need to be enforced.  I am concerned to hear a senior officer is saying that the money is being withdrawn.  Can we clarify this for the next meeting?

Cllr Pat Williams – Yes.