Meeting documents
Area Forum (Oxton and Prenton)
Tuesday, 17th October 2006
Present
Chair
FM Doyle
Ward Councillors
A Bridson, SA Holbrook, Mrs P M Williams
Community Representatives
Alan Dollery (Prenton Tenants & Residents Assoc.)
Lead Officer
Bob Beresford (Deputy Director of Housing & Environmental Protection)
Area Service Co-ordinator
Tracey Smith
Primary Care Trust
Dr Howard, Katy Kidd (Exec. Board Member)
Merseyside Police
Inspector Graham Bell
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service
Sara Lawton
Council Officers
Tara Dumas (Recycling Officer), Russ Glennon (Head of Corporate Policy), Steve McGilvray (Community Safety Team), Mike Walker (Community Safety Officer)
Apologies
June Foster (Wirral Fed. of Tenants & Residents Assocs.), Maxine Joynson , Cllr SE Kelly, Reverend Wayne Lautenbach, Councillor PM Southwood, Alan Stennard (Director of Regeneration), Patrick Toosey (Oxton Society)
Index to Minutes
- Minute 1 - Welcome
- Minute 2 - Public question time
- Minute 3 - Introductions / apologies
- Minute 5 - Correspondence
- Minute 6 - Area co-ordinators report
- Minute 7 - Primary Care Trust Update - Townfield Health Centre, Woodchurch Road
- Minute 8 - Partner updates (Community Safety Initiatives) - Fire Service - Police - Community Safety
- Minute 9 - Recycling Presentation
- Minute 10 - Older People's Parliament
- Minute 11 - Future meetings / Presentations
- Minute 12 - Any other business
Minute 1 - Welcome
Minute Text :
The Chair, Councillor Doyle, opened the meeting at 7.00 p.m., welcomed 36 members of the public to the meeting. He apologised for the confusion over the entrance for the meeting, and confirmed that the adverts for the next meeting would identify clearly which road the entrance to the Belmont Suite was actually in. He explained that correspondence and public question time (agenda items 5 and 2) would be brought forward. Correspondence and written questions received in advance of the meeting would be discussed first, followed by general questions form the audience.
Minute 2 - Public question time
Minute Text :
The Chair asked if there were any matters to be raised from members of the public present.
Q. - Mr Vidler, raised issue regarding the traffic lights on Mountwood Road, installed at the request of the bus companies. Local residents have found that these lights have led to drivers taking a shortcut through Mountwood and Pine Walks (to avoid these lights) and are being used as a “rat-run” at weekends. Local residents have been informed that no action will be taken, as there have not been any accidents. However there have been problems (skid marks, burnt-out cars and cars crashing into private garden fences) and would like the local councillors to do something about this situation, as he believes there will be a fatal accident if nothing is done.
A. - The Chair, informed the forum that he has already attended a meeting on this issue. However whilst he fully sympathised with the residents there are many roads in the Borough where people feel there are problems and, unfortunately, priority has to be given to roads where a number of accidents have occurred, therefore this road does not meet the criteria.
Q. - Ms. Jones, raised concern about the Merseyside Pension Fund investing in arms companies. She has sent two letters to Wirral Borough Council about this but has not received an acknowledgement, and would like to receive a response on this.
A. – The Chair, informed the forum that he is on the relevant Committee (Pensions) and apologised that her letters had not been replied to. He explained that the Fund invests lots of peoples’ money, some of whom may not necessarily hold the same views on this. He offered to discuss this in more detail after the meeting and agreed to ensure that she receives a comprehensive response to her letters.
Q. - Mr Tony Garrett (Transport Users Association) raised concern over the survey currently being conducted by Merseytravel, and feels that this may lead to some services being withdrawn, leaving bus-users without a service. He also raised concern that the decisions affecting the future of these services will be made without consulting transport users, and he would like the people who use the bus services to be more involved.
A. - Councillor Holbrook, none of the Councillors at this Forum are members of Merseytravel, but recognise the difficulties under which Merseytravel operate. He explained that since the mid-1980s there has been a steady decline in bus services, but that there are campaigns for revisions to the legislation under which buses operate. Unfortunately this is an ongoing problem, but the Councillors will endeavour to do all they can to retain as many services as possible. However, because of the financial constraints under which Merseytravel operates, there can be no guarantees on which services will be retained.
Mr Garrett pointed out that the concern is over the contracted bus services and not the commercial bus services. Councillor Holbrook confirmed that he was aware that it is the public services element that needs to be protected.
Q. - Mr Murray Richards (resident of Moss Lane, Prenton) raised issues faced by local residents:
1. Daily problems caused by youths and nuisance-drinkers (which has extended into the un-adopted lane leading off Moss Lane). This has been reported to the Police, but the response to these problems has been slow. He requested that a sign be placed in the area indicating that it is an alcohol-free zone, and that local shopkeepers be contacted and asked to refrain from selling alcohol to under-age children
2. Burglaries are a problem in the area, and most of the residents want to join the Alleygate Scheme (although there are a couple of people who are not interested).
3. The uprooting of sapling trees at the top of Moss Lane. He asked if it was possible to plant bigger trees on Moss Lane (rather than the small saplings).
1. Sergeant Graham Bell confirmed that many areas in Wirral are subject to an order banning the drinking of alcohol in public and offered to contact the Licensing Department with a view to erecting a sign outside the local off-licence. He stated there is general political pressure to ban the drinking of alcohol in public and the enforcement of this.
2. Mike Walker confirmed that the installation of alleygates had been objected to, therefore a satisfactory conclusion to this problem cannot be guaranteed. However, he offered to telephone Mr Richards on this subject.
3. The Chair promised that the local Councillors would look at the issue of the trees.
Q. - Member of the Public, brought up issue, previously raised by Mr Vidler, regarding the traffic lights in Mountwood Road and the subsequent use of local roads as a short cut.
A. - Councillor Holbrook, traffic calming measures could be introduced in the area, and suggested that it may deter car drivers from using this as a rat-run if the Police could occasionally monitor the Road. Sergeant Graham Bell agreed to monitor this.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that:
(i) Councillor Doyle to respond directly to Ms Jones re: Merseyside Pension Fund
(ii) Sgt Bell to look into the possibility of erecting a alcohol-free zone sign in the Moss Lane area, and monitor traffic at Mountwood Road and report back on these at the next meeting
(iii) Mike Walker to contact Mr Richards re: Alleygate Scheme for Moss Lane
(iv) Local Councillors to look at issue of trees at the top of Moss Lane
Minute 3 - Introductions / apologies
Minute Text :
Apologies were received from Councillor Paula Southwood, Councillor Stuart Kelly, Patrick Toosey, Rev. Wayne Lautenbach, Maxine Joynson, June Foster and Alan Stennard
Minute 5 - Correspondence
Minute Text :
Q. - Mr. Andrew Taylor, what is the criteria for obtaining CCTV cameras and the procedures for obtaining them? The Local Residents Association are interested in obtaining cameras to monitor a couple of known trouble hotspots in the area and asked how they should apply.
A. - Mike Walker, Community Safety, there are two types of camera in use, one for crime and disorder issues and the other for monitoring traffic and motorways. Each CCTV camera has a connection back to the Central Control Room and cost in the region of £28,000. Mike advised Mr Taylor to put in a petition stating where feel that the cameras should go and to contact the Local Councillors.
The Chair informed the forum that grants of up to £2000 are available to help the community fight crime, further details are included on page 26 of the Area Co-ordinators Report. Steve McGilvray, Community Safety, confirmed that the Council has made £34,000 available for community groups to apply for funding for projects aimed at fighting crime and tackling anti-social behaviour. This is a one-off allocation of money, and applications for funding should be made to the Community Safety Team.
Q. - Mr Andrew Taylor, which parts of Prenton and Oxton are included in the alcohol-exclusion zone?
A. - Councillor Holbrook, confirmed that the whole of the Prenton ward is an exclusion zone, but that it is difficult to implement. Notices should be put up on the streets to inform people but this would be impractical. Councillor Holbrook is in contact with Council Officers and other agencies, to identify the areas where there are particular problems and erect signs there. He expressed gratitude to Mr Taylor for bringing this issue to the attention of the Area Forum.
Q. - Mr Alan Dollery, how far away from the signs are people not allowed to drink alcohol?
A. Councillor Holbrook, the further away from the notice people are the more difficult it would be to enforce.
Q. The Chair (on behalf of Mr Geoff Irlam), there is a problem with parents parking illegally around St. Saviour’s School, Oxton when dropping off their children. He feels that the number of people doing the school run, parking on single and double yellow lines, parking on pavements has increased. This makes it difficult for people to walk on the pavements, and asked if anything is being done to address this problem.
Q. – The Chair (on behalf of Mr Richard Neale) raised concern over parking around the Waterpark Road area on Tranmere Rovers match days.
A. - Sergeant Graham Bell, Merseyside Police, agreed that parking is a major problem, but that the Local Authority are responsible for issuing parking tickets on cars parked on yellow lines. The Police would only take action if people park in a way that causes obstruction, but he did agree to look at the problem of parking on the pavements. He also felt that the schools should be more involved in dealing with this issue.
The Chair agreed to contact David Green, Director of Technical Services, and request a report on parking problems, particularly in the St Saviour’s School and Waterpark Road areas.
Councillor Williams also mentioned the regular gridlock situation in Holm Lane. Efforts are being made to work with local schools, who feel that it is not their responsibility but do send out regular letters to parents. She agreed to continue to monitor this situation.
Q. - Mr Bird, what is the procedure for electing members on to the Hospital Trust Board and will the Forum be involved in the elections?
A. - Dr Katy Kidd, Primary Care Trust, would need to check this with Wirral Hospital Trust, and agreed to look into this and respond directly.
Q. - Mr Tony Garrett (Transport Users Association), what progress has been made regarding the Bidston to Wrexham Line.
A. - Whilst this is desirable and is in the Local Transport Plan 2, it may be another ten years before the work is done.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that:
(i) Councillor Holbrook to update the forum at the next meeting on the identification of problem areas in Prenton re: alcohol exclusion zone
(ii) Sergeant Graham Bell to look at the problem of parking on the pavements
(iii) Councillor Doyle to liaise with David Green, Director of Technical Services re: parking issues, particularly around St Saviours School and Waterpark Road areas
(iv) Councillor Williams to continue to monitor gridlock problems at Holm Lane
(v) Dr Kidd to respond directly to Mr. Bird re: procedures of electing members onto the Hospital Trust Board
Minute 6 - Area co-ordinators report
Minute Text :
Tracey Smith presented the Area Co-Ordinator’s report, drawing attention to the local updates, set out in four categories as follows:
- Safer and Stronger Communities
- Healthier Communities and Older People
- Children and Young People
- Economic Development and Enterprise
She briefly ran through the report, highlighting areas of particular relevance and interest to the Forum, including:
- Forum Funding, there is a balance of £10,678 of funding available (page 49). She encouraged Community Groups to apply for this funding (closing date 8th November 2006).
- The Local Area Plan
- Youth Update
- Streetscene Update
Tracey invited questions from the floor but there were none.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Tracey Smith be thanked for the Area Co-ordinators report.
Minute 7 - Primary Care Trust Update - Townfield Health Centre, Woodchurch Road
Minute Text :
Dr Katie Kidd explained that the Birkenhead & Wallasey and Bebington & West Wirral Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have now combined to form the new Wirral Primary Care Trust. This will not affect the service to the public or clinical services, as has only involved organisational, management services and staff changes. The PCT Headquarters is in St. Catherine’s Hospital. Under the new structure, the following three areas - Birkenhead, Wallasey, and Bebington & West Wirral will have their own Clinical Directorates.
Dr Kidd introduced Dr. Howard to the Forum to talk about a change of address for the Woodchurch Road G.P. Surgery.
Dr. Howard explained that the surgery’s current premises at 270 Woodchurch Road, Prenton (consisting of two semi-detached houses) has no disabled access, poor parking facilities and is generally not very practical. An alternative and more suitable site for the surgery has been looked at and it is hoped that it will be moved into a new purpose-built health centre in Townfield Close by the year 2008. The new centre, approximately two miles from the present surgery, will also include a clinic and a pharmacy. It is hoped that this will offer a much better service, and that the patients and the public will support this move. There is a good bus service that runs to and from the surgery, and we have been promised this service will continue and be improved.
Councillor Holbrook asked that if patients were to find it more convenient to locate to another surgery, due to travel difficulties, would this be accommodated?
Dr. Howard assured the forum that she was certain that other G.P.s in the area would be able to accommodate this, although most of the patients travel to the surgery by car. It may lead to some changes to patient lists, but it is anticipated that patient numbers will remain fairly static for all the G.P. surgeries in that area.
Dr Kidd confirmed that she has ascertained that there will be no difficulties for patients wishing to change their G.P. due to this move.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Dr Kidd and Dr Howard be thanked for their updates.
Minute 8 - Partner updates (Community Safety Initiatives) - Fire Service - Police - Community Safety
Minute Text :
Fire & Rescue Service
Ms Sara Lawton, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, informed the Forum that that there has been a change to the management structure of the Service in Wirral. Human resources and performance issues are now dealt with by non-uniformed staff, and operational issues are dealt with by a team of Fire Officers. Non-uniformed staff will be attending Area Forums. She invited questions from the public but there were none.
Community Safety
Mike Walker (Community safety Team) informed the forum that an information leaflet and a questionnaire (giving people an opportunity to give their views on current community safety issues) were available at the meeting and invited people to take copies of these.
Police
Sergeant Graham Bell informed the Forum that Borough Road and the surrounding area is to be subject to a Section 30 Dispersal Order within the next few weeks, to reduce problems with youth disorder. Multi-agency working has been unable to find an acceptable solution to this problem and this has led to the Section 30 Order. The Order will stop groups of youths (more than two) from gathering in the area. The public will be made aware of this through the local press shortly, leaflet drops and copies of a map showing the area affected by this Order.
The Community Mobile Police Station has recently been sited on Johnson’s the Cleaners car park on Borough Road. It will be there for the next two months, staffed by various agencies and will be open every evening for use as a drop-in centre. The introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour Teams across Merseyside will free up resources of Police Officers and enable them to deal with offenders.
Mr Andrew Taylor commented that there is a forthcoming meeting, being held at the Shaftesbury Boys Club, to discuss what is happening regarding the issue of the pavilion on the Council playing field. Questions on the Section 30 Order will be asked at this meeting, so he feels residents must be able to see the geographical areas affected by the Order. He would also like the mobile Police Station to be brought further up and acknowledged that it is difficult to police such a large area.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Sara Lawton, Mike Walker and Sergeant Bell be thanked for their updates.
Minute 9 - Recycling Presentation
Minute Text :
Cllr Doyle introduced Ms Tara Dumas, Waste and Environment Manager, to give a verbal presentation on recycling.
Ms Dumas covered the five most frequently-asked questions on the new recycling scheme. This covered the changes, the reasons for the changes, how the public can play their part and what happens to recycled waste.
Ms Dumas invited questions from the floor:
Q. - Mr George Bowland, asked for clarification concerning an article in The Daily Post regarding garden and kitchen waste still going to landfill
A. - Ms Dumas explained that the recycling of kitchen waste has to meet certain standards and refining this process can take up to two years.
This was followed by numerous questions from the public concerning what could or could not be disposed of in the brown and grey bins. Mr Alan Dollery also raised concern over the safety of bins being left out on pavements where there are overgrown hedges, presenting a danger to blind people and children.
Tara Dumas answered each of these questions raised and agreed that no-one should leave more than one bin out at a time. Notice can be served on householders that repeatedly leave bins out for more than is necessary.
The Chair thanked Ms Dumas for her update and highlighted the interest which people have shown in the recycling scheme.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Tara Dumas be thanked for her presentation.
Minute 10 - Older People's Parliament
Minute Text :
Mr Jack Cuffe (Senior Citizens Forum) explained that Wirral Council had put in place procedures to set up an Older Persons Parliament. This is because there is an increasing rise in the over 60s age group and after discussion, it appears there is great enthusiasm for a group to represent the interests of older people.
It has been decided to approach the Area Forum to nominate two people from each ward for the Parliament. If there are more than four nominees, there will be an electoral process.
The Older Peoples Parliament will meet four times a year, have their own officers and secretarial support. Anyone that is interested in this should contact Tracey Smith on 0151 691 8026.
The Chair thanked Mr Cuffe and informed the Forum that nomination forms were available at the meeting.
Councillor Bridson asked about the minimum age requirements and the Area Co-ordinator confirmed that it was 50.
A Member of the Public expressed his concern that this was just another layer of bureaucracy that would lead to confusion as to who the public should contact (e.g. their M.P., Councillor or Older Persons Parliament representative). Mr Cuffe replied that there are a lot of older people who can share their knowledge and work with local Councillors i.e. act as representatives for the older population of Wirral.
Minute Decision :
Resolved that Mr Cuffe be thanked for this information.
Minute 11 - Future meetings / Presentations
Minute Text :
The Chair informed the forum that the next meeting will be held at 7.00 p.m., Wednesday, 21st February 2007 at The Belmont Suite, Tranmere Rovers F.C., Borough Road, Birkenhead. Hopefully there will be a presentation from the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, as well as updates on Recycling and the Integrated Transport Block
Minute 12 - Any other business
Minute Text :
There was no other business and the Chair closed the meeting at 8.45pm.
(Minutes Published: 14 November 2006)