Meeting documents
Area Forum (Oxton and Prenton)
Wednesday, 13th February 2008
Present
Chair
FM Doyle
Ward Councillors
A Bridson, SA Holbrook, SE Kelly, PM Southwood, Mrs P M Williams
Community Representatives
Robbie Bell (Devonshire Park Resident's Association), Alan Dollery (Prenton Tenants & Residents Assoc.), Sarah Goulding (Friends of the Arno and Oxton Fields), Patrick Toosey (Oxton Society)
Older People's Parliament Representative
Jack Cuffe
Lead Officer
Bob Beresford (Deputy Director of Housing & Environmental Protection)
Street Scene Manager
Gary Cummings
Area Service Co-ordinator
Louise Harland-Davies
Wirral Primary Care Trust
Jo Harvey, J South (Director Primary Care and Modernization)
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Lorna Quigley
Merseyside Police
Inspector Brian Griffiths, Inspector Paul Harrison
Council Officers
Mike Walker (Community Safety Officer), Sue Weldon (Corporate Services)
Apologies
Neil Scales (Chief Executive, Merseytravel), Alan Stennard (Director of Regeneration)
Index to Minutes
- Minute 1 - Welcome, introductions and apologies
- Minute 2 - Minutes and matters arising from previous forum
- Minute 3 - Area Co-ordinator’s Report
- Minute 4 - Sustainable Communities Strategy
- Minute 5 - Public Question Time
- Minute 6 - Partner Information
- Minute 7 - Any other business
- Minute 8 - Future meetings: To be confirmed
Minute 1 - Welcome, introductions and apologies
Minute Text :
Cllr Doyle welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced members of the Forum. As Neil Scales was unable to attend, there would be no presentation from Merseytravel.
He thanked Alan Dollery and Patrick Toosey for remaining on the forum and welcomed newly elected members, Sarah Goulding from Friends of the Arno and Oxton Fields and Robbie Bell from Devonshire Park Resident’s Association. He also thanked June Foster for all her work on the forum in the past.
Minute 2 - Minutes and matters arising from previous forum
Minute Text :
Louise Harland-Davies introduced herself, together with her contact details. She reminded everyone that area forums exist for members of the public to have their say and invited any ideas which people may have for future presentations.
During the last forum, the issue of parking in Northwood Road was discussed. Inspector Griffiths has been to see the manager of the garage in question, however, in the meantime Sainsbury’s have introduced parking charges which have subsequently caused further parking problems along the road. Cllr Bridson reported that further work regarding this issue is under way. A member of the public pointed out that Osmaston Road is also suffering problems; there is now a clamping system operating in Sainsbury’s car park and the surrounding roads are becoming totally blocked, citing a recent example of an ambulance being unable to get down the road.
The proposed application for a nursing home in Glenavon Road has been rejected.
Louise reported that correspondence from Richard Neale has been received and been responded to. She also wished to promote the new Children’s Centre at Prenton Primary School for children aged 0-5 years; anyone requiring contact details should speak to her after the meeting.
Minute 3 - Area Co-ordinator’s Report
Minute Text :
Louise briefly highlighted certain aspects of her report, as follows:
Page 14 The Anti Social Behaviour Team are inviting residents on board the new Respect Bus –contact number at the foot of the page
Page 15 WIRED –contact details of the Carers Counselling Service
Page 16 Updates on current projects in the area for children and young people
Page 21 Partnership Updates
Page 32 Report by Patrick Toosey from the Oxton Society
Page 35 Update from Streetscene
Page 39 Local Transport Plan, pedestrian facilities, safety schemes
Page 43 Equality and Diversity Policy
Page 47 Information on how small community groups can apply for funding
Cllr Doyle added that if there were any comments which anyone would like to make, Page 4 contains a list of telephone numbers of various community representatives and local councillors.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Louise be thanked for her report.
Minute 4 - Sustainable Communities Strategy
Minute Text :
There then followed a presentation by Sue Weldon on the Sustainable Communities Strategy, the aim of which is to enhance the quality of life in local communities. Areas covered were its background, what the strategy is all about, highlighting the differences in the area of Wirral, its main problems, solutions and the action plan. Also covered were the problems in the deprived areas of the Wirral, health inequality, the ageing population and differences in education, crime and unemployment together with plans on ways these problems can be tackled. She explained that for the themes and topics which are most important to Wirral, each will have an action plan for the short term which will contribute to the longer term aim of meeting the strategy’s vision. She highlighted examples of projects which have been funded through the Community Initiative Fund which fit in with the strategy. Sue explained the there will be a public consultation and information will be available on the Internet. There will also be a questionnaire to gauge public opinion. It is also to be widely advertised in public places and council buildings, e.g. One Stop Shops.
Cllr Doyle thanked Sue for her presentation and reminded the forum of how they can access the strategy on the web. He then invited questions from the floor:
Alan Dollery enquired about people joining and helping out, he feels that one of the organisations he represents (Wirral Federation of Tenants and Resident’s Association) has had very little communication with Wirral Borough Council and asked if some arrangements could be made with regard to better communication. Sue replied that she is collating lists and would take details from him following the meeting.
A member of the public asked how much money will be available to implement this strategy. Cllr Holbrook reported that Central Government has recently announced its three year funding strategy for local councils; however, it is below the level of inflation so councils are getting less each year therefore
councils are expected to deliver services in a more cost-efficient manner. Wirral Borough Council is working with partners by combining resources to solve some of the common problems and by spending money in areas where other organisations have got an influence. The strategy will look at areas where services overlap to avoid duplication of services. Government wants councils to work together and spend money a little more efficiently especially where services overlap Organisations spending money on the same issues need to communicate better to avoid duplication of services whilst at the same time not leaving gaps in the service.
A member of the public asked if any grants are available. Cllr Holbrook replied that in previous years, the Government has given money with “strings attached”; however, this year the Government has given money without strings attached, allowing more freedom in spending decisions. This means that by working together with the other public sector bodies, Wirral council can explore the areas to spend money according to priorities rather than the Government dictating how they should spend money. John Davies from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, cited an example of childhood obesity and how the Fire Service are running children’s fitness schemes through schools, with the advantage that they are engaging with young people and addressing the problem of anti-social behaviour.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Sue be thanked for her presentation.
Minute 5 - Public Question Time
Minute Text :
Cllr Doyle reported that there had been no written questions received in advance of the meeting and invited questions from the floor.
A member of the public, Paul Hayward, stated that he had been asked to speak on behalf of the residents of Osmaston and Bryanston Roads regarding parking issues. In recent weeks, local supermarkets Aldi, Home Bargain and Sainsbury’s have implemented a parking regime which only allows 2-3 hours parking, after which there is a wheel clamping scheme in operation. In addition, he suspects that a large number of the staff from these supermarkets are now parking their cars in these roads. He asked the forum to explore the possibilities of a timed parking scheme as cars parked there all day are becoming a problem.
Cllr Bridson replied that this is a difficult problem to address and as n the roads in question, people have got parking facilities on their properties; the argument for restriction is therefore weaker. At this stage Cllr Bridson could not see what traffic regulations could be imposed. She also cited the case of Northwood Road where cars are parked within the legal limit of the junction but which frequently reverse into Woodchurch Road, increasing the risk of an accident.
Paul Hayward reported that an ambulance was recently unable to gain access to Osmaston Road. He would like the local councillors to speak to the
management at Sainsbury’s regarding their parking restrictions. Cllr Holbrook commented on the problem of their staff and Liverpool commuters parking in surrounding roads and felt that a three hour time limit could be helpful in reducing this problem; he said he would be happy to take this proposal to the Council and would get back to Mr Hayward in due course.
Andrew Taylor felt that if the Council give permission for supermarkets to be built, they have a responsibility to provide proper parking facilities, and felt it should be made illegal for people to park outside private houses all day.
A member of the public, Kay Crook, raised the problem of parking at Tranmere Rovers on match nights. Cllr Holbrook replied that if cars are parked illegally then it is a matter for the Police to deal with. Inspector Griffiths added that on match nights most of his officers are engaged on inside duties but promised to raise the issue with their match planning to see if arrangements can be made for more officers to be available to tackle this problem.
A member of the public, John Morgan, reported that he has recently spoken to Sainsbury’s management regarding the large number of cars queuing for petrol. He also wished to congratulate those councillors who voted against the tunnel increases. Cllr Doyle confirmed that Sainsbury’s petrol station is shortly to be moving to the overflow carpark.
Member of the public, Heather Jones, stated that she has an allotment and approximately twelve months ago asked for funding for repairs to the allotments; however, this has never been done. She also requested if Streetscene could supply another litter bin near the premises of Rightway as one is not enough. Cllr Holbrook agreed that the amount of money given to allotments is inadequate; however, the Council’s budget is due shortly and resources may be available to do something positive with regards to allotments. He also stated that the PCT are looking to support allotments as they are promoting them as part of their healthy eating campaign. He promised to find out why the repair work referred to was never carried out..
A member of the public, Alison Buckley, raised the problem of children and youths congregating and playing football outside her house in Balfour Road. She referred to the football pitches near ASDA in Wallasey and wonders if similar facilities could be provided in this area.
She reported that she has suffered damage to her car and is worried about the problem increasing when the evenings become lighter. Cllr Kelly replied that he is aware of this problem and Mrs Buckley said she has been visited by Community Enforcement Officers.
Cllr Kelly has raised the problem with the Youth Service with the aim of them engaging with young people in the Slatey Road area. He added that the future of the Congregational Church in Balls Road appears to be moving forward and the new owners have said they may include community use. Inspector Harrison agreed to take her details following the meeting with a view to taking
this matter further with her. Mike Walker added that this issue was becoming an ever increasing problem. Cllr Doyle reported on the good work being undertaken by the Youth Outreach Workers, which he has recently witnessed first hand at Moreton Youth Club.
A member of the public from Birch Road, Oxton, voiced his concerns over pavement parking, particularly around the school and vet’s clinic in his area. He has suffered abuse when he has challenged drivers regarding this and feels that nothing is being done about this problem. Cllr Southwood said she has discussed this issue in the past but cars can only be given a ticket if parked on yellow lines. The Police do not give this problem priority and it may even restrict the emergency services if cars did not park on the pavement. Cllr Southwood suggested that the areas around schools should be targeted.
Inspector Griffiths reported that PCSO’s are trained with speed cameras and have been asked to concentrate on school areas. He has found from experience that targeting particular areas makes little difference and that the only effective solution is to issue tickets. A member of the public commented that this problem also exists by the school in Townfield Lane and Inspector Harrison promised to take his details with a view to looking at that particular issue.
Cllr Williams reported that enforcement action is planned for Holm Lane regarding pavement parking, as well as drivers parking on the grass verges. She feels that pavement parking should not be allowed when it causes obstruction to pedestrians and that the sooner action is taken, the better. She is currently seeking the views of residents of Holm Lane.
A member of the public asked what enforcement action is being taken and Andrew Taylor asked for clarification of ticket issue – is it the police or council’s responsibility? Inspector Griffiths confirmed that the police do not issue tickets to cars parked on double yellow lines however traffic wardens can for unnecessary obstruction. The police can issue tickets for pavement parking. He then stated that he will be expecting his PCSOs to identify vehicles and take photographs of vehicles parked in this way. Andrew Taylor commented that he would like to see a representative of the council’s traffic management attend the forums and asked if this could happen; Cllr Doyle replied that he would look into this for the next meeting.
Alan Dollery questioned if Streetscene or Technical Services are introducing a policy of fining people who park four wheels on pavements. Cllr Holbrook said he was right, there was a package of different offences put forward for enforcement although he could not recall all of them exactly however, it would include drivers parking too far away from the pavement. He suggested it might be useful to make these available in a simple form so that everybody could understand them. Louise suggested she include this information in her next report.
Sarah Goulding, Community representative for Oxton commented that cars parking in Holm Lane is due to school traffic at particular times however the
vandalism on the grass verges is due to residents who park there although they have space to park on their driveways. A member of the public asked who actually owns the grass verges and was told that it is in fact the Council.
This concluded public question time.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that:
(i) Cllr Holbrook to liaise with Technical Services regarding parking restrictions in the Osmaston Road area.
(ii) Inspector Griffiths to raise parking issues at Tranmere Rovers with the match planning team.
(iii) Cllr Holbrook to look into issue of funding at Ormond allotments.
(iv) Inspector Griffiths to monitor parking situation at Townfield Lane Primary School.
(v) Louise to include frequently asked questions surrounding parking issues in her next area co-ordinator’s report.
(vi) Councillor Doyle to request a representative from traffic management to attend the next forum meeting.
Minute 6 - Partner Information
Minute Text :
PCT Presentation
Jo Harvey from the Primary Care Trust then presented the Five Year Commission Plan which involves public consultation entitled “Health For All”.
All Wirral residents who are registered with a doctor’s surgery should have received a copy of the “Health for all” by post. Jo described how the PCT intend to spend money on health services over the next five years, working together with partnerships and people who have an interest in healthcare, and exploring new ways of providing services. She covered various demographic changes, for example, the increase in the ageing population and its associated healthcare requirements which the PCT need to start planning for now, together with the issue of social deprivation on the Wirral leading to health inequalities and life expectancy.
Jo then gave an overview of the areas for investment over the next five years which included preventative measures and modernisation of services. The PCT are aware of lots of activities throughout the community are getting into as many locations as possible to ensure community groups and local organisations are consulted. They are targeting specific groups with specific health needs and using the local media, as well as their own staff who are in a position to voice their own views as well as the views of their patients.
Jo then gave out contact details of how people can have their say, informing that they are consulting with other organisations, the local authority, the voluntary and private sectors and area forums. Following this listening exercise, they intend to look at people’s comments and any common themes
which may arise from them and the results of the consultation will be fed back to the people of Wirral. Jo then invited questions from the floor.
June Foster raised the issue of the relocation of the doctor’s surgery in Prenton and services for the elderly. The reply being that the cramped conditions of this surgery make it unfit for purpose and it was suggested she talk to the doctors directly about the proposed relocation. June also questioned what is meant by quality services for pensioners. John South directed her to the consultation document but highlighted the main strategy will mean that services will be delivered locally in the community. June followed with a query about childrens services and why assessments for very young children have been stopped; John South was unable to answer this query but informed that he would get back to her with an answer.
Cllr Holbrook confirmed that consultations have been held regarding the relocation of the Prenton surgery and that public transport to the new location is an issue which needs to be addressed. He has spoken to Merseytravel on numerous occasions and they are aware of the problem. Cllr Kelly confirmed that he also feels that the current premises are unsuitable, that the proposed relocation is a much better proposal and it is hoped that Merseytravel will rectify the problem of poor bus links to and from these premises.
A member of the public questioned the financing of the five year plan and in particular the £7m set aside for modernisation. Jo Harvey explained that this is additional funding and that modernisation will actually cover numerous public services. She informed the forum that she would be feeding back all comments made during the meeting.
Mr Dowling queried whether the £7m for modernisation included the relocation of the doctor’s surgery to Townfield Lane. He also queried the proportion of “bureaucrats” who make up the 1300 staff employed by the PCT. He was informed that of the 1300 staff, only a very small element are managers and that the majority of these staff work directly with patients. Of all the local PCTs, Wirral had the lowest percentage of office based staff. Mr Dowling also asked for clarification regarding who will fund the new Townfield Lane surgery to which John South replied that the PCT funds the rent for these premises to the private finance company.
A member of the public queried the cost of the public consultation; John South replied that he was unable to supply an exact figure but that it was a case of “damned if we do and damned if we don’t” – however, they have tried to do it in the most cost efficient way and that it is a relatively small amount.
Cllr Doyle then asked if there were any issues which anyone around the table would like to raise. Alan Dollery asked for a review of traffic calming measures around Prenton Dell but Cllr Doyle replied that traffic calming is based on the number of recorded accidents which is a measure used borough-wide. He did, however, offer to try to get a representative from Road Safety to come along to the next Forum meeting. Cllr Holbrook confirmed that the Council will be running various pilot schemes in the next financial year across the
Borough to introduce 20 mph zones through signage with a view to rolling it out on a wider basis; the number of people killed and injured on the roads is higher on the Wirral than it is nationally and in other parts of the North West. Reducing this figure is one of the priorities of the Sustainable Communities Strategy which means we can apply for some additional resources.. Andrew Taylor added that he felt that the 20 mph by signage is a good idea but wondered if there will be consideration in deciding who gets it; Cllr Holbrook was unable to answer this query as it may depend on the outcome of the pilot schemes. Cllr Doyle suggested asking a representative from that part of the Council to do a short presentation.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Jo Harvey be thanked for the presentation and John South for answering public’s questions
Minute 7 - Any other business
Minute Text :
Mr Dowling had submitted a written request for a short presentation on the organisation of local government in Wirral since the inception of the Scrutiny Committee system. Councillor Doyle confirmed the forum would consider how best to address the issue raised.
There was no other business and the meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.
Minute 8 - Future meetings: To be confirmed
Minute Text :
Date of next meeting: Tranmere Rovers Football Club Tuesday 17th June 2008.
(Minutes Published: 12 March 2008)