Meeting documents
Area Forum (Heswall and Pensby & Thingwall)
Thursday, 3rd February 2005
Present
Chair
PSC Johnson
Ward Councillor
IJ Mackenzie, Mrs J McKelvie, SL Rowlands
Community Representatives
Mr M James
Area Service Co-ordinator
Jan Evans (Area Forum Co-ordinator)
Merseyside Police
Inspector Len Gill, Cons. Mark Parry
Council Officers
Malcolm Alexander (Assistant Director - Drainage and Coastal - Technical Services, Chris Batman (Head of Branch, Planning and Resources, Children and Young People's Department) , Phil Black (Technical Services), Phil Miner (Street Scene Area Manager)
In attendance:
Allison Cooke (Chief Executive), Stephen Hesford MP, Ritchie Humphreys (DAAT)
Apologies
O W Adam, A Garrett (Heswall Community Representative), AC Hodson
Index to Minutes
- Minute 1 - Welcome and introductions
- Minute 2 - Minutes of the last meeting
- Minute 3 - Area co-ordinators report
- Minute 4 - Public question time
- Minute 5 - Open discussion on the de-criminalisation of parking
- Minute 6 - Community Safety update
- Minute 7 - Primary Care Trust update
- Minute 8 - Date of next meeting
- Minute 9 - Any other business
Minute 1 - Welcome and introductions
Minute Text :
The Chair opened the meeting and asked members of the panel to introduce themselves. There were 26 members of the public in attendance.
Minute 2 - Minutes of the last meeting
Minute Text :
There was one matter arising from the minutes of the last meeting. The public toilets in Banks Road have now been demolished. There are plans, subject to the funding being available, to install new pay-as-you-enter toilets at locations throughout Wirral.
A member of the public asked if there were plans to install toilets in the bus station at Heswall. It was explained that these premises are the responsibility of Merseytravel and it would be up to them to provide toilets facilities.
Members of the public are able to use toilets in Heswall Hall and Heswall Library. There will also be public toilets available at Heswall Police Station in about a months time once renovation work has been completed.
Minute 3 - Area co-ordinators report
Minute Text :
The area co-ordinator informed the meeting that during 2004/05 there was £12,607 of Community Initiatives Funding (CIF) available to this area forum.
The CIF panel met on 10th January, 2005 to consider the 23 applications received and the panel’s recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet on 16th February, 2005. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application at the end of February.
It is anticipated that a further round of funding will be advertised towards the end of April, 2005.
The area co-ordinator informed the meeting that she would report back at each meeting on any outstanding queries from the last meeting. The updates this meeting included:
Aldi Distribution Centre/HGV movements - public meetings in relation to issues around the Aldi distribution centre were held on 9th December at Heswall Hall and 14th December at 7pm Thornton Hough Parish Church. Both meetings were very well attended.
Following the meetings and taking into account public opinion, at the Council’s Cabinet meeting of 13th January, 2005 it was agreed to implement a Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit articulated vehicles on Barnston Road and Neston Road/Thornton Common Road.
The procedure following this decision is for the Order to be advertised in the local press to allow objections to be registered and for consultation to take place with the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association.
Any objections which cannot be overcome will require a Public Inquiry.
Skateboard Park, Gayton Playing Fields - funding has been secured from the Big Lottery fund to build the skateboard park in Gayton (as well as New Brighton and Moreton). Designers from the Parks and Open Spaces Department have met with the user group (skaters, boarders and bladers) to progress a design. The next stage is to agree a design, which once agreed by all stakeholders will besubmitted to the Planning Committee. The skateboard park is still on course to be built this year, although this is subject to:
design/costs
planning process
tendering process
physical build time
Overgrown trees near Caldy crossroads – after the last area forum work was undertaken to cut back the trees and over the weekend of 22nd January work was undertaken in Caldy to trim some overhanging bushes.
Possible future use of building formerly used as public toilets at Banks Road - the Banks Road toilets were demolished at the end of 2004 . Members of the public are able to use the toilets in Heswall Library and One Stop Shop when in the vicinity of the bus station. In addition members of the public can use the toilets in council buildings where they are in areas that are easily accessible i.e. reception areas.
Bollards and anchors on Heswall shore giving the impression they have been dumped there - the anchors and bollards were placed there about a year ago following discussions with the owners of the boat yard. They wanted to reopen a slipway access which required the removal of materials from the foreshore. This was discussed with the local councillor, some local residents and English Nature. An agreement was reached and permission was given (WBC own the foreshore ) for the works. The boat yard also asked permission to place the anchors and bollards at strategic points and this was agreed
Potential sale of land which is in Council ownership to use for hospital parking - details of agreement have yet to be finalised, but in outline the measures include:
·The lifting of a council restriction currently preventing car-parking charges on land owned by the Trust at Arrowe Park
·The restriction remaining on council - owned land leased to the Trust at Arrowe Park
·The introduction of a staff "permit to park" scheme
·A residents parking scheme on roads adjacent to Arrowe Park hospital to deter hospital users from parking in the local neighbourhood
· Subject to planning approval, redesigning car parks at Arrowe Park to make the best possible use of space available
· The council will consider plans to expand the existing car parks at APH
Closure of wards at VCH - Proposals to modernise and improve services for older people in Wirral have been the subject of a 12- week public consultation exercise led by Birkenhead and Wallasey PCT and Bebington and West Wirral PCT from 18 October 2004 to 14 January 2005.
The consultation sought views on the proposed improvements, the future of the two elderly care wards at Victoria Central Hospital, Wallasey and the changes to the way in which the Total Care and Relief of Carers teams deliver their services.
The exercise completed on Friday 14th January 2005. Birkenhead and Wallasey PCT and Bebington and West Wirral PCT will be provided with all the responses to the consultation. This will enable the PCT Boards to discuss the responses and to make a decision on the proposals outlined in the consultation document.
Birkenhead and Wallasey PCT board met on Thursday 27th January 2005 and Bebington and West Wirral board met on 1st February 2005.
Request for minutes and papers for meetings to be available in local libraries in Heswall and Pensby - local libraries have been contacted and will ensure this is done.
The area co-ordinator was thanked for her report.
Minute 4 - Public question time
Minute Text :
Several members of the public commented on the general lack of public toilets and felt this was at odds with the image promoted of Wirral as the ‘leisure peninsular’. The point was made that now Banks Rd toilets have been demolished there are no toilets the length of the Wirral Way except in the visitor centre. It was felt that a leisure peninsular should have facilities for people at leisure.
A member of the public raised the issue of cars parked on a long term basis in a local lay by. The cars have ‘for sale’ advertisments attached to them and have previously been reported to the council but nothing appears to have been resolved and the cars are still there.
The Street Scene manager reported that the Technical Services department are aware of the situation and have been out to the location and posted notices on the vehicles asking the owners to refrain from leaving the vehicles there. However, the vehicles are swapped about and the phone numbers on them changed on a regular basis. As the cars are parked in a lay by and not on the highway the action that can be taken is limited. It was acknowledged that a Suzuki car is one of the main vehicles in question and the Street Scene manager agreed that someone would visit the location again.
Stephen Hesford MP commented that cars for sale in roads and on lay-bys is a significant issue in Wirral. The Clean Neighbourhood Bill mentioned in the Queen’s speech is a new law being introduced to deal with situation. It is currently going through the Commons and if passed should close the loophole.
Councillor Johnson asked who would be responsible for enforcing it and Stephen Hesford MP confirmed that it would be the Council.
The Street Scene manager confirmed that they only become involved if the vehicle is untaxed or causing an environmental health problem.
It was agreed that further clarity would be given at the next meeting about the powers relating to the new law.
A member of the public raised the issue of cars being able to get through a gap onto the basketball court at Fishers Lane play area.
Councillor McKelvie reported that the designated play area is officially at the other side of the centre. There are plans to re-develop the centre and move the basketball area to the other side where cars would not be able to access it.
Poor lighting at Pensby shops was raised as it an area where large groups of youths gather and it has a cash machine which people do not feel safe using. Cllr McKelvie undertook to look into this and get in touch with the member of public who raised the matter.
Inspector Gill said there had not been any incidents at that location but agreed that the area would benefit from better lighting. The Police are aware of the local situation in relation to youths congregating and do pay attention to the area.
A member of the public raised the issue of poor parking at the Tesco store in Heswall which in turn causes problems in Poll Hill. The Council have no jurisdiction over this and it was suggested that the matter be taken up with the store.
Councillor Johnson reported that car parking facilities were being taken into consideration when looking at planning applications for further stores in the Heswall area.
A member of the public commented that during the re-surfacing of Gills Lane the white lines in the centre of the road had been eliminated. The road itself is busy, narrow, not well lit and there seems to be speeding traffic. There have been several traffic accidents recently.
The Street Scene manager said that the traffic division would collect data about the incidents. This will be looked into and reported back at the next meeting.
A member of the public asked whether there is going to be a greater effort to prosecute people for using their mobile phones whilst driving.
Insp Gill said that only the Police have powers to stop vehicles. The amount of resources available means they are more focussed on anti social behaviour and crime. However, there have been several prosecutions and many warning letters have been sent out.
The Police are currently seeking volunteers as part of the Road Watch scheme. They are trained to use speed cameras and whilst undertaking these duties they can also spot other things like mobile phone use and warning letters can then be issued. Thornton Hough has 9 volunteers. The scheme is about eighteen months old, posters have been distributed to advertise it and it has had local newspaper coverage. Anyone interested should contact Insp Howard Fazackerly at Heswall Police Station.
Minute 5 - Open discussion on the de-criminalisation of parking
Minute Text :
Phil Black from the Technical Services Department gave a presentation on the de-criminalisation of parking covering the following points:-
Enforcement service managed by Parking Services Team - Technical Services Dept
DPE is bringing parking enforcement under local authority control
Uses civil rather than criminal law
Allows Police to concentrate on other priorities
Benefits for Council
Better able to deliver policies on transport and road safety
Better outcomes from schemes
Fewer complaints from the public
Flexible and responsive enforcement to meet local needs
Benefits for Wirral residents
Reduced congestion on busy routes
Better access for disabled drivers
Less inconsiderate parking in residents parking zones and outside schools
Improved access for emergency service vehicles, delivery vehicles, refuse wagons etc
More reliable public transport
A Penalty Charge Notice issued if contravening parking regulations
Operation of DPE in Wirral
Five year contract with National Car Parks Ltd
Council in-house team to manage contract and process Penalty Charge Notices and appeals
Sophisticated IT system to keep track of the penalty notices, photographs, payments and appeals
Payments facilities at all One Stop Shops, by telephone and through the internet
What motorists can expect:
Only affects motorists who contravene parking regulations
A greater presence of parking attendants
Regular foot patrols in busy areas
Mobile patrols in other areas
A consistent, firm but fair approach to enforcement
Policies set by Council
Quality driven contract not based upon targets
Smartly dressed Parking Attendants trained to national standards
Enforcement powers under DPE
Included -
Yellow lines, limited waiting/ parking places and loading restrictions
Pay and Display car parks and other off-street car parks with orders
School zig-zag marking (with orders)
Disabled persons parking bays (with orders)
Residents only parking schemes
Not included -
Footway/verge parking (unless adjacent to yellow lines)
Pedestrian crossing zig-zags
Obstruction offences
All moving traffic offences
Removal of abandoned vehicles
Common Myths
Parking Attendants/NCP receive a bonus for each notice issued – not true
Attendants have daily or weekly targets etc – not true
Parking attendant could cancel a notice if they wanted to – not true
Value added benefits
Parking Attendants an extra pair of eyes on the street
Primary function is parking enforcement
Assist and direct public
School crossing patrol relief duties
Streetscene - reporting of defects, dangers to the public and crime
Reporting of untaxed vehicles - assist in the fight against abandoned vehicles
Future possibilities of combining with other enforcement activities ie. litter, dog fouling, unlit skips etc
Phil Black was thanked for his presentation.
A member of the public asked whether the Council is making a profit out of the scheme. Technical services replied that it is quite expensive to administer but any profit is has to be re-invested in the highways.
A member of the public asked why the charges to park are different throughout the borough. Technical services replied that the system is historical, however the Council is currently reviewing this.
A member of the public asked if NCP makes a loss this will be a burden on council tax payers. Technical services replied that before the transfer to NCP a robust financial model was put in place which had to prove the new system would at least break even, so a loss is not anticipated. The Council audits and monitors this.
A member of the public asked whether it is possible to keep the pavements free of parked cars as this causes an obstruction. The Street Scene manager said that they can only act if there are yellow lines.
A member of the public raised a question about parking in bus stops. The Street Scene manager replied that they can take action if it is clearly marked as a bus stop. He requested that people inform him of problem areas so that they can investigate and take action.
A member of the public asked what powers parking attendants have to ask for ID from disabled badge users. Technical services replied that they do not have the authority to ask for ID however a heavy line has been taken recently to tackle mis-use of the blue badges. There has been an issue about the badges not being displayed properly. Social Services are considering overhauling the system for issuing blue badges.
A member of the public raised the issues of problem parking on the pavements in Ashlea Road, in particular HGVs. Technical Services replied that if the vehicles are HGVs then they can act, however private light goods vehicles are not covered. Also HGVs are allowed to deliver to adjacent properties.
A member of the public asked what could be done about parking on grass verges. The Street Scene manager replied that they have no powers to stop people parking on grass verges, however if they can prove that damage has been caused they can take action. Normally where parking on the grass verges is a problem the owners of the vehicles will be issued with a letter to ask them to stop and householders given information about making access to their property wider.
It was acknowledged that there is a problem with cars parking on the pavement/verges outside a local car showroom and an enforcement officer visited them last summer.
Minute 6 - Community Safety update
Minute Text :
Ritchie Humphreys gave an update on the work of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) which bring partner organisations together to combat drug use. It is part of a 10 year government strategy focussing on stopping young people from taking drugs, reducing supply and treatment..
Prolific offenders all of whom have drug problems are being targeted as they are responsible for a lot of local crime.
Councillor Rowlands congratulated the DAAT on their work and asked Insp Gill if he felt it had made a difference in this area. Insp Gill said that locally the drug use is mostly soft drugs whereas the DAAT focuses on hardened drug users. However, the DAAT has helped to reduce crime ie. burglary, by dealing with the persistent offenders who often target the more affluent areas.
Minute 7 - Primary Care Trust update
Minute Text :
Allison Cooke, the Chief Executive of Bebington and West Wirral Primary Care Trust gave a presentation on the Public Health Annual Report entitled, ‘Keeping Well’. The information in the document is vital to enabling the PCT to plan and enhance its services for the local population based on their health needs. The report is prepared each year by the Director of Public Health whose role it is to protect, maintain and improve the health of people who live in Bebington and West Wirral.
Leaflets on the report were available at the meeting. Copies of the full report are available on the website www.bwwpct.nhs.uk. Paper copies and copies of the statistical appendix which accompanies the report were available from local libraries.
A member of the public asked about podiatry services. It was explained that after consultation new criteria have been set and the service will only deal with ‘treatment’ of foot problems. This has meant that some people who could previously access the service i.e. for toe-nail cutting, can no longer do so.
Minute 8 - Date of next meeting
Minute Text :
The next meeting would be held on Tuesday, 21st June, 2005 at St Peter’s Primary School, Heswall.
Minute 9 - Any other business
Minute Text :
The area co-ordinator drew attention to ‘Merseyfest’, a Christian event taking place week commencing 14th August, 2005 when a significant number of young people will gather in Croxteth Park. As well as the spiritual activities the intention of the initiative , which is being supported by all Merseyside local authorities, is to send groups of these young people out to deliver a number of projects which have been submitted for inclusion in the week’s programme. It is likely that these projects will comprise in the main environmental cleanups and the like. Anyone interested in submitting a project should contact Tom, Abbi or Mike on 0151 282 8054 (www.merseyfest.com).
(Minutes Published: 25 April 2005)