Meeting documents

Area Forum (Bebington and Clatterbridge)
Wednesday, 31st October 2007

Present

Chair

CM Teggin

Ward Councillors

S L Clarke, AT Jennings, WW Smith, K J Williams

Community Representatives

R Johnston

Older People's Parliament Representative

Frank McCoy

Lead Officer

Stephen Rowley (Assistant Director of Finance)

Area Service Co-ordinator

Michelle Gray

Street Scene Manager

Phil Miner

Wirral Primary Care Trust

Glenn Coleman, Kathy Doran (Chief Executive, Wirral PCT)

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Brian Cummings (Public Governor), Michael Monagham (Deputy Chief Nurse)

Merseyside Police

Inspector Andy McKeown

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service

Myles Platt

Council Officers

Jim Thompson (Community Safety Team)

Apologies

M Johnson, Cllr Isabel Moon, H Ridge(Bebington)

Index to Minutes

Minute 1 - Welcome, introductions & apologies

Minute Text :

Councillor Chris Teggin, Chair for this evening’s meeting, welcomed forum members and 18 members of the public to the meeting of the Area Forum in Bebington. Apologies were received Councillor I M Moon, Hazel Ridge and Marla Johnson, Community representatives. The Chair invited Forum members to introduce themselves.

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Minute 2 - Minutes & matters arising from previous June forum

Minute Text :

The minutes of the meeting of the Area Forum on 24 June 2007 had been included in Section 1 of the Area Co-ordinator’s Report.
Matters arising:
Litter Bins: A member of the public had raised the issue of the accumulation of litter in the area of Barlow Avenue/Wellington Road. An extra litter bin has been requested for the area. An extra litter bin had already been requested at the junction of Barlow Road/Bebington Road. The Area Co-ordinator will monitor the situation at both sites and will keep the Area Forum informed of progress.
Condition of Roads in Bebington, detailed responses have been sent directly to the member of the public who had raised issues concerned with the condition of the road surfaces in Bromborough Road at its junction with Quarry Road East to Spital Road, Quarry Avenue, Stanton Road, and the order of repairs to the tower of Pennant House. Information on the responses had been reproduced on page 12 of the Area Co-ordinator’s report.

Minute Decision :

Resolved: That the minutes of the Area Forum meeting of 27 June 2007 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

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Minute 3 - Area co-ordinators report update

Minute Text :

The Area Co-ordinator presented her report. Section 2 contains Local Updates, and information about current services, how they can be accessed and ultimately raise awareness of local Council initiatives. There are features within this section on Alleygates, a warning to residents about bogus callers, tackling underage alcohol sales, newsletter issue 4 from the Older People’s Parliament, and an update from Wirral Youth Service about activities for young people in the local area.
In particular, the Council is reviewing its Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003. As part of a full consultation, the Council would welcome the views of members of the public to assist in reaching a fair and proportionate Licensing Policy that discharges the Licensing Objectives. Further information about the Licensing Policy can be obtained from Margaret O’Donnell, Licensing Officer, on [0151] 691 8606, or via email at margaretodonnell@Wirral.gov.uk.The Council would appreciate comments by no later than 17 November 2007.

Section 3 contains partner updates on Community Safety, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Merseyside Police and Wirral Primary Care Trust. Several members of the Area Forum had visited the Dig It Project at Bromborough Fire Station. They congratulated the Fire Service and South Wirral Young People’s Project on the development of a successful project that provides worthwhile alternative activities for young people.

An update on Transport has been included under Section 4 of the report in response to questions raised at various forums. . This section includes an update on the electrification of the Wrexham/Bidston rail line, and a copy of a report to Cabinet on 28 March 2007 on the Local Transport Plan Programme for 2007/08. Section 5 gives a breakdown of the grants awarded from the Community Initiatives Fund so far in 2007/08, and a progress report on Bebington/Clatterbridge Area Forum funding. Advertisements seeking bids for the remaining balance of funding have been placed in the local Press, in the Area Forum Newsletter and on the Council website. Flyers have been posted in reception areas in Council buildings, in libraries, and doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries. Applications for funding would be welcome from community groups or any individuals involved in community work in the Bebington/Clatterbridge area. The closing date is 2 November 2007.

Kathy Doran advised that the Primary Care Trust had allocated £5,000 for health promoting activity which meets the needs of local people within the Bebington and Clatterbridge area. Voluntary and Community sector groups are invited to submit applications through the current CIF application criteria. The funding must be used to address the health themes: Wirral Taste for Health, Wirral Active, Smoke Free Wirral or Youth Diversionary Activities. Eligible Community Groups or individuals who wish to apply for funding should contact the Council Community Engagement Team on 0151 691 8650 or email: engage@wirral.gov.uk.

Section 6 contains a brief update on the Local Area Forum Plan. Section 7 contains an update from Streetscene on parking zones, traffic safety schemes, recycling, and footway and carriage-way work. Limited resources are available for footway reconstruction and carriageway resurfacing schemes. The Area Forum has been invited to compile shortlists of the roads and pavements within its boundaries that the forum consider appropriate for treatment. Details should be entered on a form available at the meeting and handed to the Area Co-ordinator. Section 8 contains updated information on the Council’s Equalities and Diversity Agenda. The agenda and area co-ordinator’s report can be downloaded from the Internet at www.wirral.go.uk; alternatively a paper version will be sent, on request, to any member of the public who wishes to attend a future meeting.

Minute Decision :

Resolved: That the Area Co-ordinator be thanked for her report.

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Minute 4 - Partner updates - Merseyside Police - Merseyside Fire & Rescue service - Wirral Primary Care Trust - Older Peoples Parliament - Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Minute Text :

Merseyside Police: Inspector Andy McKeown reported that crime rates continue to fall. He held up a visual representation showing crime levels in this area the Bebington/Clatterbridge Area Forum, compared to other areas. Anti-social behaviour has increased slightly and is one of the three highest priorities for tackling crime.

Inspector McKeown responded to questions on whether there is a long term strategy for gangs of youths who are moved on from one area to another and whether the strategy is linked to the Youth Service; reports of windows in Bebington library being broken by drunken youths; the failure by the Police to respond to calls from a resident who had reported that coping stones had been removed from their garden wall in Townfield Lane; a report to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee citing incidents where boys of 9/11 years had been drinking vodka and cider; problems around lighting fires in derelict buildings; the movement of youths from other areas into Bebington; the deployment of youth workers from Bebington to deal with hot spots for anti social behaviour in New Ferry; children congregating outside off licences during the early evening and openly intimidating people; and an apparent lack of communication between agencies – Police, Youth, Community Patrol - who are meant to address issues and trouble spots.

Community Safety: Jim Thompson reinforced the message that Wirral is a safe place to live and work, and that Bebington and Clatterbridge areas are some of the safest areas. Over a period of time, burglary has reduced by nearly 50%, with fewer than 1,400 burglaries last year. Wirral wide, there are three burglaries on average each day - a figure which is well below the national average. This month, the figures are well below the target figures set by the Chief Constable for this area. Last month, the figures were even better. The same principles apply to crime. The one area where the figures have increased is ‘common assault’, ie incidents of ‘shouting’ and ‘pushing’. The targets for serious violence have been surpassed. Anti social behaviour is still an issue, but the number of incidents is falling.

Councillor Williams reported on a meeting with the residents of Parkside Road and Parkside Close. Inspector McKeown had attended the meeting and had dealt with questions magnificently. However, the residents would be very sceptical about the statistics and information presented this evening and their reaction was likely to be that the general statistics simply do not reflect the real problems that people experience in some areas every day.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service – Myles Platt reported that in the last three month period, just over 1,300 residents in Bromborough have been visited and given fire safety advice and their properties have been fitted free with smoke detectors.

In the run up to Bonfire Night, fire crews are working with the anti-social behaviour team and the community safety team on a Community Reparation scheme. Crews are clearing up accumulations of bonfire materials that might cause danger or nuisance to people and properties across Wirral. The operation will continue until mid-November and so far, over forty tonnes of materials have been removed and recycled.

Members of the public who wish to request a fire safety check, or report unsafe bonfire materials, may use the free telephone number 0800 731 5988.

There has been an average of two accidental fires in dwellings in this area, with no serious injuries or deaths arising from those fires. Vehicle fires average 1.2 per thousand head of population and small fires average about six a month. Bromborough Fire Station houses a specialist hazardous materials unit to respond to the risks people in this area are exposed to. The crews are highly trained – a crew is travelling to Washington, USA for further training – and they provide a rapid response to incidents, including terrorism or flooding, that might happen across Merseyside.

Frank McCoy drew attention to a collection of rubbish, including mattresses and bedding, that has accumulated in the Woodhead car park in New Ferry over the past 6/8 weeks.

Myles Platt replied that the Fire Service has no authority to remove the rubbish if it is on private property. Phil Miner, Streetscene Manager, stated that the Council cannot remove rubbish from private property, but he would investigate the matter.

Older People’s Parliament - Frank McCoy reported that topics discussed at OPP committees included – the possibility of Wirral making a contribution to the Capital of Culture; Care Homes, and a way of giving star ratings; the electrification of the Wrexham to Bidston rail line; whether railway stations across Wirral are accessible to older or disabled people; disabled parking at hospitals and a warning system that the cars of unauthorised people who use disabled parking bays will be clamped on the second occasion, and on seven additional car parking places at Arrowe Park Hospital.

A new Committee for Education has been formed which will campaign for educational provision to be made available during the day to avoid older people going out at night.

A full meeting of the Parliament will be held in December, when the Chief Constable of Merseyside will give an address. The Annual General Meeting will take place in March 2008. Consideration is being given to finding a way of holding democratic elections for representatives to serve on the Parliament

Wirral Primary Care Trust - Kathy Doran reported that the PCT would welcome people’s views on two levels – Firstly, on the development of the PCT Trust Commissioning Strategy for the next three years. The PCT want to know what patients think of the services they have received from, for example, they GP, dentist, Optician, Pharmacist or community based service such as district nursing, and whether they have any ideas for improving those services. Secondly, on the development of the PCT’s Involvement Strategy for the five years from 2007 to 2010. The objective is to identify a set of priorities based on the services that people say they want to see developed to improve health over the next five years. The PTC is looking for input from the public on the development of the priorities that might include, for example, preventing people from hospital admissions whenever possible, improving mental health services, improving services for older people’s health, reducing the scale of alcohol misuse, improving health services for children and young people, and modernising services to ensure that people get the best service possible.

Further information will be published in November and this would be followed by a three-month consultation period when people will be invited to give their views. The feedback received will be key to community planning for the future.

In response to a query on the distribution of the kits for home bowl cancer tests, Kathy Doran explained that the kits are being sent on a rolling programme, with an explanatory letter, to everyone in the age group 60 to 70. The samples should be sent in the envelope provided to a testing centre for analysis. Where problems are identified, the person involved will be contacted and invited to see a nurse initially.

Kathy Doran undertook to find out whether kits are being sent out alphabetically by surname, or another method of distribution is being used.

The Chair commented that reference is frequently made to the fact that people do not report the condition because the symptoms are so embarrassing, but various campaigns in the media and on national TV do now highlight what those embarrassing symptoms are.

Kathy Doran replied that, basically, the main symptoms are blood in faeces or a change in bowl habit.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust – Michael Monaghan drew attention to the literature available at the Area Forum meeting about Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust. In a second annual health check, the Healthcare Commission had rated the Trust as ‘good’, an improvement on the ‘fair’ rating awarded last year. The rating assesses basic standards such as safety, patient focus, care environment and amenities as well as compliance with national NHS targets.

The Trust is not complacent about its achievements and it is particularly keen to build on its infection control policies in relation to MRSA. Overall MRSA infection rates remain one of the lowest in the region and in the surgical unit at Clatterbridge Hospital and the Women’s Services Unit at Arrowe Park Hospital there have been no reported cases of MRSA bloodstream infection for a number of years.

In response to questions, Michael Monaghan stated –

The Trust has the lowest infection rates in the region for MRSA in the two hospitals and in the children’s parts of the hospital, that the situation is constantly reviewed, and that the vast majority of infections are community acquired.

A Task Team undertakes a continuous programme of deep cleaning and steam cleaning in the hospitals.
Michael Monaghan undertook to investigate the possibility of reducing the £2 parking charge for women who park outside Elm House for very short periods when attending for a mammogram check.

Brian Cummings reported that the Assembly of Governors came into being on 1 September 2007. He introduced himself as one of 37 representatives elected to serve as Public Governors from 3 October. The Trust is seeking to boost the numbers of Public Members. Anyone who is interested in influencing services and developments at local hospitals are invited to sign up as a Public Member by completing a simple application form.

Minute Decision :

Resolved: That the Partners be thanked for their updates

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Minute 5 - Public open forum/Public Question Time

Minute Text :

“On the way here tonight from the direction of Bebington Station, I had to ‘go through’ at least 30 youths, and the gang was growing – youths coming from different areas and in Bebington Road by the off licence by Parkside and Barlow Avenue. They are frightening. [To the Police]. How do you deal with that”?

Police: We know that is a hot spot, and that is where we get the majority of our anti social behaviour. We tend to move problems around. We cannot solve the problems of young people having nothing to do. Unfortunately we move them around and chase the problem. We successfully removed gangs from the Oval and now they are in Meyer Park. We had a corporate agreement if they are in the park and not causing problems, to leave them alone. That does not always work, an area gets a reputation as somewhere where people can congregate, and bring in alcohol. 60% from outside areas and 40% locally. We have been policing the area for 3-4 weeks, but not as much as we would like because the resources I have in the area are finite. We need to have extra but certainly in the last couple of weeks been policing vigorously. I went out myself, on and off, from 5 pm onwards and did not see anything at the time. We do police and put the resources in but if we get calls elsewhere we have to deal with those. We are doing an operation with Trading Standards and the Licensing Department to cut off the supply of alcohol. We do what we can with what we have.

“I am at the end of it. Looking out the window, it is always going on. I have lost coping stones and have windows broken and all the rubbish. My son was in the Police for 30 years and his main bone of contention was moving them on. Where do we move them to? They only go somewhere else, but there is nowhere else for them to go.

Police: If we start issuing anti social behaviour orders, that is not the answer. The Order has become ludicrous. Children want that as a badge of honour. We have a Police Order, which doesn’t give a great deal more legislation to deal with that per se. I would like to see a piece of legislation that gives us something we can do with all these issues.

“It is not just coping stones. It is wheelie bins and fire works.”

Cllr. Smith: We have a Youth Parliament, young people come and sit at the Council meeting and talk about things the Council should be doing for young people. If people say there is nothing for children to do. I am not convinced that we as a Council that our Youth Service provides the facilities that young people want to use. They don’t want youth clubs. I was in Upton a few weeks ago, and I saw The Bank Outdoor Pursuits project for young people. It was open in the daytime, people playing pool, a coffee bar etc., and computers. All very casual and well used, and is apparently very successful. I mentioned at the Youth Parliament. It seems to me that is the type of facility the youngsters want. The feedback received from the youngsters indicated that is the sort of facility they want and not the traditional youth clubs operated by the Youth Service
“It is possible to have someone from the Transport to attend the next meeting? People are being encouraged to use public transport instead of cars, but they are taking the buses away.

The Area Co-ordinator replied that MerseyTravel have been invited to area forum meetings in the past. She would extend a further invitation to MerseyTravel or one of the private bus companies but she could not guarantee for them to send a representative. Michelle said she will raise this with Julie Barnes who is the Councils representative and keep the forum informed.

The Older People’s Parliament. I have no knowledge of a meeting that the general public can attend just to see what is going on. This is something that needs to be taken on for the general public to become involved. .

Frank McCoy offered to refer the interest back to the Parliament. Meanwhile, he was able to advise that the next meeting would be on 7 December. He was confident that people who wish to attend would be accommodated.

The meeting needs to be held in a place that is accessible to residents of Bebington who do not have their own transport.

Frank McCoy suggested that consideration may be given to moving the venue for meetings around the Wirral.

The lack of facilities for young people. The Scout Hall in Cross Lane is well used, but it has closed down and will be demolished to make way for a block of flats to be built there.

Councillor Sheila Clarke: The scout hut was falling down, and it is being demolished. The scouts will be re-accommodated and given £1,000 compensation. I am facilitating a meeting between the Scouts Commission, the scoutmaster, the project manager and the Headteacher of Bebington High School. The whole of the land is governed by specific rules laid down by the Department for Children, Families and Schools, and there are strict guidelines on what they can do with the money. The original idea had been to give them a building, but they cannot do that, but they have been given the opportunity to use part of the school building, possibly the hall or whatever the activities demand. The discussions are still ongoing.

[To the Police] What is happening about the policing of these youths? Can’t they be talked to and made to go home? My sons were brought up properly and there were no problems. Why are they in gangs? The parents are responsible for them.

Police: The parents are allowing their kids to do what they like. They are not all bad kids, probably a hard core that are. No matter what you offer they will not comply. The vast majority are OK kids and some are just on the periphery of this bad group. If we could contact them via the Youth Service, could divert to other activities that are available, but we have to reach them. Every time we speak to someone who is a child, in accordance with the Children Act, those parents are sent a letter. The only way we can get to them is if we give the parents an £80 fine on the spot, but it doesn’t happen all the time. The hard core groups we try to get to.

There are six of us from the Stanton Road Estate and Stanton Road Residents Association and we go every month to listen to the reports that come from something like 52 of these associations in Wirral. We sit through all the complaints, listen to what is being done etc. It is the devil personified and nothing is being done to deal with it. One of the biggest issues is anti-social behaviour and the shear volume of young people gathering in large gangs, drinking etc. We feel that this major issue is not being dealt with by partner organisations.

Chair: I sit on the Licensing Panel on some days. We took a licence away for a short time following a test purchase in conjunction with the Licensing Officers and the Police. It was admitted in Court and a fine had been imposed. It is happening, especially where children are put in the way of harm. It is more important to persuade youngsters that they do not need it.

I worked in Prenton for many years. There is a council estate and a private estate and for ten years there was a youth centre. When they started they were bad, but no-one went out bad. They were shown how to live life and how to behave and the youth workers gave everything. The youth workers would sit down and explain why they couldn’t do that. I have to say I was the devil incarnate, but I know now how to live and respect people in the community. The Council will not fund the youth centre, so there is no youth centre. There was an off licence, which has been shut down because the residents objected to 9/10 year olds being served. There is no youth worker on the estate, and we need to have a youth worker.

Chair: Prenton is not in this area forum.

There has been an anti-smoking campaign. Why not have one on drinking? It’s just as bad and is getting worse.
Kathy Doran replied that an alcohol strategy for Wirral has been launched today, with the aim of encouraging all the partners to work together to address the issue. There are three strategic objectives and one is to try and get the message across to people that alcohol misuse is not good for their long-term health and that they need to think about. This is a particularly difficult message to get over to young people who think they are immortal. The message has been reinforced in the Press and Media today that even small amounts of alcohol can cause untold damage to people’s organs. Merseyside is one of the highest areas in the country in terms of hospital admissions for alcohol. There is a need for more local publicity about the issue.

A member of the public commented that much of the problem is caused by big businesses, particularly the brewing industry. Whenever big business finds a weakness in the human system they will exploit it for all it’s worth.

I live in Stanton Road and there are a lot of trees and we have a lot of problems with the leaves. In previous years it has been a struggle to keep the footpath clear but now there is a cycle path workers have been out twice with blowers, and they blow the leaves off the cycle path into people’s gardens, on to the grassed area, or on to the road. They bring lawn mowers but they cannot see to cut the grass because it is covered with leaves. Also the grass has not yet recovered from the installation work on the cycle path. Can the leaves be cleared properly?

Phil Miner explained that the leaves should be blown on to the carriageway to be picked up by the sweeper. He would visit the area tomorrow to look at the problem.

At the bottom of Stanton Road by the bus stop, by the footpath, last year they repaired the pavement by tarmacing over and they tarmac’d over the drainage grid, which has left ponding. It fills up with rainwater, leaves and mud and ices over in the cold weather, which could cause someone to have an accident.

Phil Miner explained that the problem had been caused by a leaking value, and has been resolved. He would pass the comments on to the Inspector responsible.

Teehey Close was tarmac’d a few weeks ago. The quality of the tarmac is appalling. The company used are cowboys, in my opinion.

Phil Miner commented that the company had worked on many roads in Wirral and their work has always been of a high standard, with good quality workmanship.

The road at the top of Quarry Avenue and Mere Avenue to Cross Lane is an access road only. Drivers are is using Mere Avenue and the top of Quarry Avenue as a rat run to avoid the road humps in Stanton Road. I have raised the issue many times at this area forum and have been told it will be monitored, but nothing is done about it.

Police: I will send someone to look at it again.

Why are heavy vehicles allowed to park on grass verges? In Queenswood Avenue in particular.
Phil Miner This particular query is already being dealt with by Planning Officers, so I am not able to comment at this stage.
No dates are given for the reports in the Area Co-ordinator’s report. When were the works completed that are listed in the Streetscene report?

The Area Co-ordinator replied that Press reports are issued four weeks before the report. The Streetscene report is updated three weeks before the report goes out.

I am still puzzled. The information is out of date. Can you put dates on in the future when particular roads are re-surfaced etc?
Area Co-ordinator. I will do as much as I can to update the information, in liaison with Phil Miner, a few days before it is sent out.

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Minute 6 - Suggestions for future presentations

Minute Text :

- Transport Merseytravel
- Conservation Area for Bebington

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Minute 7 - Date of next meeting will be 25th February 2008

Minute Text :

Resolved that the next meeting of the Area Forum be held on Monday, 25 February 2008 at Bebington Civic Centre.

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(Minutes Published: 13 December 2007)