To receive the Constituency Managers update report and receive presentations from associated groups in relation to the ‘In Bloom’ Competition 2017.

The Birkenhead Constituency Committee Manager presented her report that provided an update on progress in relation to agreed schemes of work from the budget devolved to the Constituency Committee to date.  The report also provided details of other Birkenhead Constituency Committee neighbourhood projects.

The Constituency Manager introduced Emma Wilkies from Beaconsfield Centre who gave an update on the work undertaken in relation to the “in Bloom” competition.

Emma indicated that work on “Beaconsfield in Bloom” had continued from the hard work undertaken on last year’s entry. Work has been undertaken on the outdoor space and the area had been cleaned and areas cleared and planted with the assistance of the Environment and Street Cleansing teams and with the help of the local community.

She reported that an area in Rock Ferry had been adopted to make improvements to its appearance and made a request to Members for a notice board and benches for the area.

Neighbourhood Engagement Officer updated Members on the gardening project undertaken at the HIVE. Mr Brannan indicated that work had been undertaken to transform land between the fire station and the HIVE. Help had been received from officers from the Fire Authority, Council, Birkenhead Constituency and Ward Councillors. The project was almost complete and ready for the young people to use.

The Constituency Manager provided a verbal summary and update on progress for each item of report that included:

·  Birkenhead In Boom – Proposed projects to be undertaken for the 2017 Competition. All groups had been invited to the North West in Bloom Awards in Southport on 3^rd November 2017.

·  Community Partnership Days – Proved very successful, working in partnership with the Police, Fire and other partners. Areas have now seen a significant improvement. No flytipping had been reported in Beaconsfield and the skip tonnage had seen a reduction.  

·  The ‘Community Pay Back’ Team - A programme of alleyway week clearing and cleansing for Birkenhead had been delivered by the Community Pay Back team in particular in the Rock Ferry area.  Wirral Ways to Recovery had assisted in the clear up work in Water Street. A clean-up day was planned for Larch Grove.

·  Birkenhead in Bloom 2017 - 16 awards had been won at the RHS North West in Bloom competition last year with Oxton winning the cup.  There were a number of proposed projects planned and the aim was to submit more applications and build on current projects.

·  Rock Ferry Food Hub – Neo at The  Beaconsfield Centre – An update was provided in respect of, Neo at The  Beaconsfield Centre. A number of projects had been successfully delivered during school holidays, before or after school. There was growing demand in need and the centre was getting more volunteers and requests from people wanting to help. Representatives had attended two National Conferences highlighting work undertaken. The Asset Transfer Plan would be completed by November 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the progress and updates set out in the Constituency Manager’s report be noted.