The Chair invited members of the public to ask questions.

Question 1 – Philip Barton

I am unclear how the proposals the Cabinet Member had agreed to improve the local environmental quality of terraced housing areas by tackling alleyway dumping in a particular way sits with the ERIC Service, bulky item collection?

A Member referred to the £400,000 that the Council had put back into the budget to ensure monthly cleaning of entries.  The Group from the third sector would only look after Birkenhead.

Members informed that the ERIC Service could not be free and the £400,000 was earmarked to deal with fly tipping in alley ways.  The ERIC Service was there to take away bulky goods and the Cabinet Member’s initiative did not replace that Service.

The Chair considered that the Council should tie down its contractors to take away goods that had been dumped, as dumping was a very real problem.

Question 2 – Bob Giles

Referring to the Better Food Wirral Event which was very interesting, vending machines and the excessive consumption of fizzy drinks, were there any moves to make people aware of the excessive consumption?

A Member informed that the Council was in the process of restructuring its Leisure Centres and was removing all the vending machines and replacing them with Juice Bars which would provide healthy juices and smoothie drinks.

Mr Giles made the point that fruit juices did have high sugar content.

It was noted that water was also available in all of the Council’s Leisure Centres.

The Constituency Manager informed that a Constituency Plan in relation to food was being developed for Birkenhead – What’s Best for Birkenhead?

Question 3 – Lynn Evans

The Council’s review of contract management was welcome.  What was it doing in the background to ensure improvement and that we get what we pay for?

The Chair asked what resources did the Council put into letting its contracts.

The Strategic Director – Transformation and Resources informed that there was an internal Commissioning and Procurement Board which met regularly and was concerned with early intervention, domiciliary support services and looking at integration.

A Member informed that the Director of Adult Social Services was in the process of discussing low level support services and that Luncheon Clubs needed to be reviewed.

The Constituency Manager reported that there had been a lot of change and Members would discuss this at a half day session.  A Member enquired whether there was a Schedule or Plan that the Committee could look at and the Constituency Manager undertook to find out and circulate relevant information.

The Chair informed that he and a Member had visited the Cavendish Centre which ran day services.  He asked who had been awarded the contract and what it provided.  He also asked to what extent were these points of contact to be devolved down, he considered that it was a question for the Chief Executive to respond to and requested that it be included in the Minutes of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26

During the Public Question and answer session the following questions/comments were raised;

(1)  Is the Wirral Youth Zone still going ahead?

In response, It was reported that the Council had committed two million pound to the project and had identified a site near to the Fire station in Birkenhead, it hoped that a further four million could be sourced. It was envisaged that work on the project would start by the end of 2105 and operating from early 2016.

Ms Tolcher indicated that the she was currently working with a group of young people to design the logo and branding for the youth zone, and update on this would brought back to the next Committee meeting.

A Member suggested that a visit to other Youth Zones could help with the development of this project.

In response to concerns raised regarding transport issues, It was reported that officers were in discussion with Merseytravel on this to ensure there was adequate transportation links to the site.

(2)  Mrs Brace indicated that despite having a disabled bay outside of her property her vehicle had been damaged by passing traffic and she was having to park on the pavement and asked what could be done about this?

In response it was reported that the issue of parking on pavements was discussed at a recent Regeneration and Environment Policy and Performance Committee and a report would be brought back to the Committee in due course.

(1)  Could we have an update on the Neptune’s Master Plan?

In response, A Member indicated that it was hoped that information on this would be received in the next few months.

(2)  Where there plans to hold weddings in Birkenhead Town Hall?

In response, Mr Joe Blott, Strategic Director of Transformation and Resources indicated that although there is a licence to hold ceremonies in the Town Hall there were no catering facilities, however the Council was looking at incorporating the whole of the Hamilton Square area to enhance the service provision.

(3)  What are the plans for the Williamson?

In response, it was reiterated that the Council do not want to close the Williamson; plans for which were contained on the budget options listed which had been previously considered by Council. There was a draft plan and this would be discussed at a meeting to be held shortly.

It is proposed that for Wirral South’s future Constituency Committees this section of the agenda deals with pre-notified questions only. In the absence of an agreed process questions will be taken on the night via the Chair.

The members of the public in attendance raised the following questions/ comments.

Question 1

In relation to war memorials, does the Council have a designated officer dealing with these, as the War Memorial Trust had funding available for memorials in the Borough?

In response, Mr Adams indicated that the Council did have a designated Officer and agreed to forward the information to the member of the public

Question 2

In relation to the reduction of “Have Your Say” meetings why not have them 1 hour per week than attending the Area Committee every three months?

In response, Inspector Meredith indicated that the Police nationally had introduced this change, he was now looking at redesigning the “Have your say” meeting to meet the needs of the Community, he further commented that it was his intention to retain the informal “meet your local bobby” surgeries within the area.

Question 3

What is the role of the Community Representatives?

In response, Mr Adams indicated that the role descriptions were set out within the ABCD document appended to Item 4 of the agenda, which had yet to be formally launched. The Community Representatives would form part of the Committee but would also be expected to attend other meetings outside of the Committee cycle.

Question 4

In relation to the Wallasey-based Save Energy Advice Service, this was not an advice service as we are not able to contact them.

In response, Mr Adams indicated that this was a service used and recommended by the Housing Strategy team, but agreed to look into this issue and respond

Question 5

The “have your say” are important; if you have these as part of the Committee you will disengage the public who want to report their issues.

Question 6

In relation to the procedure for the member of the public raising questions, it was unacceptable to ask for these in writing prior to the meeting and urged Members to re-look at this.

In response, the Chair indicated that as well as questions in advance, public questions could be asked on the night, subject to the discretion of the Chair.

Question 7

We can’t really have an impact on fuel poverty, however, Lyndale Special School was under the threat of closure this was a more pressing health and wellbeing issue. Also, twenty minutes allocated for public questions was not long enough.

 In response, the Chair advised and encouraged members of the public to contact their Ward Councillors if they had any specific issues/questions they wished to raise prior the Constituency Committees meetings.

Question 8

Under the new format we feel we can’t engage or participate.

Ms L. Harland-Davies, Neighbourhood Engagement Officer (Wirral South) indicated that she was responsible for community engagement for Wirral South and suggested that residents may wish to form a community forum of their own, this was something which had been done in Eastham area with her help .

Question 9

Would there be a possibility of having a youth representative as part of the Committee?  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14