Meeting documents
Area Forum (Heswall and Pensby & Thingwall)
Wednesday, 19th October 2005
Present
Chair
O W Adam
Councillors
AC Hodson, PSC Johnson, IJ Mackenzie, Mrs J McKelvie
Community Representatives
J Birch (Pensby and Thingwall Community Representative), P Duffy (Heswall Community Representative), A Garrett (Heswall Community Representative)
Lead Officer
Chris Batman (Head of Branch, Planning and Resources, Children and Young People's Department)
Area Service Co-ordinator
Janet Triggs
Bebington & West Wirral PCT
Geraldine Murphy-Walkden
Merseyside Police
Inspector Howard Fazakerley, Sergeant Chris Hitchell
Council Officers
Ian Ramsden (Senior Group Leader, Technical Services)
In attendance:
Carl Rainbird (Merseyside Fire Service)
Apologies
Cllr Les Rowlands
Index to Minutes
- Minute 1 - Welcome and Introductions
- Minute 2 - Area Co-ordinators Report (incorporating an update on Community Initiative Fund and Area Plans)
- Minute 3 - Public question time
- Minute 4 - Presentation: Community Fire Safety
- Minute 5 - Primary Care Trust update
- Minute 6 - Presentation: Working together for Wirral's Children & Young People
- Minute 7 - Dates of future meetings / presentations
- Minute 8 - Any other business
Minute 1 - Welcome and Introductions
Minute Text :
Councillor Oliver Adam welcomed 30 members of the public to the meeting and introduced the Forum members.
Minute 2 - Area Co-ordinators Report (incorporating an update on Community Initiative Fund and Area Plans)
Minute Text :
Janet Triggs stated that everyone should have a copy of her report, and that all should sign in, and pass any questions to her prior to public question time. There were several items she wished to draw attention to, as follows:
i. Section Two, Page 13 contains several updates, particularly Page 20 concerning the rights of way network within the Borough. Janet suggested that a member of the Forum or a member of the public joins the Merseyside Local Access Forum and reports back.
ii. Section Three. The Community Initiatives Panel agreed these recommendations, and cheques have been sent out. All funds have been allocated.
iii. Section Four. The draft plan has been circulated, but the first meeting on 14th October was postponed.
Janet returned to the matters arising from the previous Minutes:
There are plans to install CCTV where the children cross near The Glegg Arms, and this will be monitored by the Traffic Division during school drop off times.
The footpath in Heswall Mount causing concern is scheduled for total reconstruction, subject to funding availability, for 2005/2006.
Janet asked Councillor Andrew Hodson to report on the three items he had dealt with, as follows:
i. The Caravan Park. Mrs McGurk who had raised the issue was not present, but Councillor Hodson reported that he had spoken to the caravan park owners and he showed plans of the proposals, which showed 26 new caravans on a hard standing, proper roadway and landscaping. All the old caravans will be removed, and each new caravan will be connected to the mains Electricity and sewage system. The number of caravans proposed is less than the existing. Tony Garrett asked whether there was a time limit on this; Councillor Hodson replied that it will go to the Planning Committee fairly soon.
ii. The Boys Camp, Broad Lane. Councillor Hodson reported that a letter went out from Lockwoods Construction, based in Liverpool, informing residents that work will commence in the next two months. There will be fee-paying residents who required drug rehabilitation, and it is anticipated that they will remain on site during their treatment. Councillor Hodson showed the plans, and concern was voiced that it was considerably larger than that which had received Planning permission. Councillors' Hodson and Johnson stated that these were the plans that had been approved in 1993 and that an application for a further extension had been refused. The question was raised about vandalism on the site, but it was stated that the owners of the site were responsible not the Council. The question was also raised about the security on the site, but this is also the responsibility of the owners.
iii. A gentleman not affiliated to the Boatyard runs the Heswall slipway, and the mud being removed from the slipway is being dumped on the shore and this, together with anchors etc. is beginning to make the whole area an eyesore. There will be a meeting on Monday next, with an official from the Council, English Nature and Councillor Hodson and all involved to sort this out. It was reported that cars are still driven along the shore, and it took months to remove an abandoned vehicle, and this will also be discussed on Monday.
iv. Cars being parked on the highway marked For Sale, particularly in Greasby. It was reported that the Council now have new powers to remove them. A request was made for a telephone number to be made available, because the practice is spreading, especially in Pensby Road near the Doctors surgery. The question was asked ‘Why can't there be a limit on parking time’ and then the Police can take action. Ian Ramsden replied that this is possible, but the problem is that so many are requested and these have to be prioritised. The Environment and Transport Committee considered a report on 18th October regarding cars for sale on the highway. Cabinet and the Licensing Committee will now consider this and subject to their approval it should lead to action being able to be taken in the near future. Alan Dyer said that this was surely the Police responsibility, but their responsibility is to deal with wilful obstruction of the highway and no licence or tax. It was felt that these sales were unreasonable use of the highway.
Minute 3 - Public question time
Minute Text :
Mrs Valerie Pritchard raised the question of the dangers faced by people living in Downham Road South. She has lived there for thirty-eight years and over that time the road surface has been improved, but because of this it is now used as a racetrack with cars travelling at great speed. There was a mirror on the very bad corner near the entry to Whitfield Common, which did help to detect that there was an oncoming vehicle. Could this be replaced or a 20 mph speed limit or road humps?
Maxine Joynson, Community Planning reported that they have sent out a request for people to report roads in their area that need repairing or reconstructing.
Mrs. J. Skillihorn requested that she be allowed to present a petition. The Chairman agreed as it relates to the traffic conditions in Downham Road South. Mrs Skillihorn stated that she was speaking for the majority of householders in the road and many parents of children at Heswall Primary School. Over a period of several years since 1994, she has details of five individual log numbers from Heswall Police, of accidents reported. She asked to present a petition with a covering letter to the Council. Even the children of Heswall Primary School have submitted their own poster because they cannot sign a petition, this was attached to the petition. Mrs Skillihorn stressed that both young and old have great fears for safety along this road and everyone is at risk. She made a plea that a 20-mph speed limit, traffic calming humps and /or a one-way system be installed.
Ian Ramsden stated that a petition had been received last year and it was reported to the Committee and the road had not been prioritised. There are many roads throughout the Borough where the safety of children has become a major concern. He will take the petition away and it will be split into two elements. The first element will be traffic calming ideas, but this year’s budget has been set but he will try and see if something can be done before then. Secondly, as a result of the petition, the lead petitioner will be contacted and met and possible measure such as signing and lining will be considered in advance of next years traffic calming programme. Mr Ramsden has the Police records for this road with the history of traffic and personal injury accidents. Mrs Skillihorn had a letter from the Director of Technical Services suggesting improvements to the lights and she had photographs showing where a car had hit the wall of a house and damaged the owner’s car. One actually caught an old lady’s handbag as she walked on to the pavement, she is now in need of constant care.
There was total support for the petition and Mrs Skillihorn’s impassioned plea.
Mrs Pritchard did say that she hoped the bus that passes down and around Heswall would be retained, but the double deckers down this road is ridiculous. Mrs Fielding gave her total backing to the request and said that something must be done before there is a fatal accident. Mr Garrett did point out that he was sympathetic but that if speed ramps were put in the bus service will cease. Mrs Skillihorn said that it was agreed that an eight-seater bus only must be used in this road. Mrs Pritchard said that this service (175) was very valuable to the local community and that it required a larger vehicle. Councillor McKelvie stated that the service, which was deemed no longer commercially viable by the operator, was now operated under subsidy from M.P.T.E. and was contracted to continue until April 2006.
Mr Kinlan asked why the gates of Irby Road cemetery in are left wide open, many youngsters congregate at the entrance and leave cans and litter. Twelve months ago there was a great deal of damage done to over 100 gravestones. Inspector Fazakerley will hold meetings with local residents and Councillors over the next three months to discuss the area and to assess what and where steps need to be taken and which are required urgently. He will also request the Neighbourhood Action Group to give their views. The community should advise him where the problems are as they do move to different locations. It was also stated that more police are needed in the area.
Minute 4 - Presentation: Community Fire Safety
Minute Text :
Carl Rainbird from the Mersey Fire and Rescue Service gave a very clear insight into the tremendous job the Fire Service is carrying out in the area with their work. They are carrying out more than simply fitting smoke alarms free of charge, and he requested that anyone who knows of a vulnerable person should report to the Fire Service, who will visit and check on their safety and that of their property.
Before 1999 twenty to twenty five people died in accidental fires, and in 2003/04 the figure was nine. The average house fire cost about £25,000. This community policy is to be extended all over the country and the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is the best in the country with a gold award from The Audit Commission, and they are in fact going all over the country to show what they are doing.
Minute 5 - Primary Care Trust update
Minute Text :
Geraldine Murphy-Walkden reported an initiative launched by the Government about the structuring of the NHS bodies. They questioned whether Bebington & West Wirral PCT is big enough, and whether the PCT's cover the same area as the council boundaries, and they do not. There will be public consultation if it is decided that the PCT needs to be bigger, possibly through merging the two Wirral PCT's.
In order to make the service more patient focussed, an initiative called Choosing Booth is being implemented and introduced throughout GP practices. This will allow patients to choose where and when they see a specialist.
Mr. Garrett raised the question of a site for the West Wirral Practice, as the one in Rocky Lane is very difficult for disabled patients to enter. There has been mention of The Warrens Nurseries as a possible site, but he felt that apart from the fact it is in the Green Belt, the entrance and exits could cause a danger to the traffic on an already busy road. A site near Pensall House was mentioned, but this would not be big enough. Paul Duffy raised the question of the site where the James Edwards garage is in Heswall, however this site is already let.
Mr. Hewitt stated that for several years a site has been searched for, and it is the intention of many to present a petition in favour of the site of the Warrens Nurseries. Discussion is needed with the Council and all concerned to resolve this problem. Councillor Adam requested a list of the sites, which had been considered.
Minute 6 - Presentation: Working together for Wirral's Children & Young People
Minute Text :
Chris Batman gave a brief talk on the new Consultation paper for the provision of children’s services in Wirral. He had brought copies of this with him for anyone who might wish to take one. He explained that Parliament felt that the deaths, during the last few years, of vulnerable children were unacceptable. It was believed that different departments did not connect and information was not always available to all those who needed it, and if there was a central pool this might save a child’s life. This led to the Children Act 2004 - Every Child Matters. The Children’s Act 2004 contains five goals –
- That they should be healthy
- They should be safe
- They should enjoy and achieve
- They should be able to make a positive contribution to our society
- They should be able to achieve economic wellbeing.
The core is that every Local Authority has a lead responsibility to create a Children’s Service Department with a Director who will be accountable and responsible for the services in the area. This means that there is one file and one team of people looking at a child, so that all the agencies know what each child needs. We have very good schools here on Wirral, but not every child achieves the best that he or she could. The Government wants to know what are the problems envisaged and how do we in Wirral meet those challenges. It is intended that there will be eleven groups of people in Wirral, covering areas similar to the Area Forums, with key staff able to respond to the needs of children with special needs. Some services will be at Wirral level, but as much as possible will be at a local level for local people.
One member of the public said that Social Services are under funded. This is right across the country and he is worried about how it is going to be financed. Mr Batman replied that Social workers are difficult to retain due to the excessive workloads imposed on them after only being employed for a short time. As a career the terms of employment must be made more attractive to them, as it is at present a stressful occupation. Mr. Batman is hoping these teams working together will make their profession more attractive and stable. The funding is a major problem, and there are occasions when a child has to go outside the Borough to receive the necessary care and education. It costs £3,000. per child in Wirral, but if they have to go outside the Borough it could cost between £50,000 and £100,000.
Minute 7 - Dates of future meetings / presentations
Minute Text :
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th February 2006 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s C. of E. School, Heswall.
Minute 8 - Any other business
Minute Text :
Councillor Adam congratulated Mr Kinlan on having become a Great Grandfather.
(Minutes Published: 13 December 2005)