The Chair, Councillor Adrian Jones, welcomed forum members and 20 members of the public.  Apologies were received from, Cllr John Salter, Ken Harrison and Inspector Mike Barrett.  Cllr Adrian Jones also thanked the Allendale for hosting the area forum.

·  Previous meeting in February 2011

The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a true and accurate record. 

Q: Parks and Countryside have changed as far as papers tell us – are we going to have an update at this meeting? What is happening?

A: Cllr Adrian Jones reminded the meeting that we do not ask the Council’s professional officers to comment on anything political.  He said it would be premature to comment immediately.

Update: Tenders are due in end of June 2011. Until get tenders are received Cabinet cannot comment. Do we need to update in these minutes that the PACSPE is now being delivered in-house and an action plan on delivering the new services has been presented to council and is actively being worked on?

• Since this meeting the position has changed significantly and PACSPE is now being delivered ‘in-house’ by Council staff.  There will be a further report for the next meeting. 
• Meanwhile an action plan on delivering the new services has been presented to council and is actively being worked on.

·  Development of plans for the local area

Lucy Beed gave an update on Neighbourhood Plans – a vision for your community.

• 11 area forum meetings for Wirral
• Established in 2001
• Engage with local residents
• Since 2003 forums have distributed over £1,470,707 funds to local community and voluntary groups through initiatives such as Funds for You and Big Lunch
• Next few months each area forum will develop a neighbourhood plan
  • Reflect the real challenges for the area based on engagement and consultation with local communities
  • Set the vision for the community
  • Identify local priorities
  • Influence the way the Council invests resources and delivers services
  • Determine the future distribution of forum funding
• Community Consultation will be at the core of developing the neighbourhood plans
• We will engage with local residents and community groups in a number of ways:
  • Community Events
  • Community and residents group meetings
  • One Stop Shops
  • Libraries
  • Leisure Centres
• Timescales
  • Launch of neighbourhood plan consultation   June 2011
  • Programme of community consultation events  July/Oct 2011
  • Findings to be collated  October
  • Findings reported to area forums and local

action plans  Oct/Nov 2011

• • Local Plans in place  December
• Funding Available for Forums
  • Empty Shops Fund £17,500
  • Funds for You £15,500
  • Public Health Fund £4,577
  • Community Energy Efficiency Fund (£110,000 across Wirral)
• Advertisement
  • 1^st July to 9^th September 2011
• Other funding available
  • You Decide £20,00 for additional council services
  • Improving Road Safety & Promoting Active Travel and Health £20,000
• How YOU can get involved
  • Let us know of any community events and meetings we can attend
  • Register your interest
    • email: engage@wirral.gov.uk
    • tel: 0151 691 8391
    • website: wwww.wirral.gov.uk/area forums

Q: any Wirral core strategy on such matters is second fiddle. Only national strategy can overrule one cap does not always fit all. 

A: Cllr A Jones – concerned of dilution

A: Lucy Beed – we are working closely with Richard Lewis.  Core strategy will not impinge.

Q: John Drew – shops fund concerns me.  £17k is to cover that many empty shops, I don’t think it will do anything. 

A: Cllr James Keeley I had questions like you and I met an Officer in King Street perhaps looking at window dressings etc.

Update: Cllr Steve Foulkes informed the forum that he was going to attend as many area forums as possible to introduce himself, promote the neighbourhood plans and to hear the views of those attending. He informed forum members that he was ‘here to help’ and is very ‘approachable’.  He gives his backing to the neighbourhood plans and how they are about evolving power and resources, to re-invigorate and to get the community involved with the area forums and for residents to play a huge part in developing our neighbourhood plans.  Steve also explained that the objective is to have plans approved by December 2011. These plans will also influence our budget thinking.

Comment: Cllr Chris Jones – Brighton Street and King Street, 6 or 7 years ago were planned to be demolished.  We are wasting money as the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

·  Partner organisations to give local updates on what has been happening in the area

Community Safety – Jim Thompson:

Crime overall has fallen by 63% since 2008 and continues to stay at these levels. However, recently we have seen a slow increase in burglary in people’s homes and thefts from their motor vehicles. With burglary the main method of entry is through an unlocked front door or an open window, please remember, if you have a plastic or aluminum coated door to lift the handle and turn the key otherwise it will not be secure. With the recent warm weather we have all been opening windows, remember to shut them before you go out, it is surprising how large a person can get through a small transom window. A lot of our burglaries are an attempt to get hold of car keys, don’t leave them in the hall, keep them safe. With your cars make sure you don not leave anything on show, if you have a sat nav remove the holder as well as the sat nav. The thief doesn’t know you have taken the sat nav and will not care what damage they cause just to see if it’s in the car, if it is on show it will go is the message to remember.

Despite the slight increase in these crimes Wirral remains a very safe place to live and to keep it that way we all just need to play our small part by being a little careful and thoughtful about our property.

One issue we face in the summer are fires in our open land, we have worked with our colleagues in MFRS and now Community Patrol and the Ranger service have Pack Gliders with them to allow them to put fires out when they are still small. These fires can be started deliberately or by accident, sunlight through a discarded bottle will be enough in the present dry conditions to start a major fire. So please be careful with your litter and for the smokers among us your cigarettes. If you find a fire no matter how small call the MFRS.

With the Police, Fire Service, Youth Services and colleagues in the voluntary and community sector we have put in place plans to address ASB this summer with a broad range of enforcement and diversion operations in place. We are also already planning for bonfire night.

Merseyside Police – Sergeant Justin Diggins:

Reiterated what Jim Thompson had said.  He also added that his priority at the moment is addressing issues such as serious crime, robbery and burglary.  Has had 27 fewer reports this year however still a long way to go, there is now an increased police presence at Central Park. 

Q: There is a new law re: uninsured drivers.  What are you doing to make sure they are not driving?

A: We have strong powers and can seize vehicles there and then, it is an ongoing process. 

Q: We know your Officers have quite a lot of pressure from central park CCTV not being set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

·  Opportunity for resident to raise issues and speak to forum members & partners from other organisations

Plaques: There was bomb damage in Lancaster Avenue, Liscard on 12.03.1941 and over 30 people were involved and I would like to get a plaque.

Cllr A Jones - the death of a Wallasey Police officer in 1943 due to him rescuing someone in the Mersey.  Perhaps could have this on agenda for next time.

Q: how are the two boys that got attacked in Central Park?

A: Sgt Justin Diggins – I don’t know; I would have to get back to you.

Suggestion: Cllr A Jones – can I also suggest that the Forum write a letter to the paper that is doing the story on the previous issue (plaque for Lancaster avenue) and applaud them for what they are doing.

Wirral Veterans Contact Centre: Mark Camborne – I have been heavily involved with Simon Johnston, ex soldier suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  It would be useful for veterans to have a contact centre.  Wirral Veterans Contact Centre is going live this week and the launch is this Friday at Cheshire Lines Building then it will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am – 2pm.

Comment: Cllr Bernie Mooney – they have the same project with the British Legion through the CAB. Mark Camborne – they are part of it, for families as well.

Suggestion: To invite someone from the veterans to come along to one of our meetings with presentation on their work and services.

Thank you: Joseph Lee explained this was his last forum as a community representative and thanked Michelle Gray and Mark Camborne who have done a fantastic job.  Cllr A Jones applauded Joseph Lee for his service over the years and also thanked Diane Ledder and Carole Thomas for doing an excellent job.

Casino: Father Leon Ostaszewski – re: Casino to be opened in New Brighton.  Contacted Rev Rob Nelson and Rev Arnold Dixon and they are concerned.  Spoke to Margaret O’Dowd Licensing Officer and Security Officer David Eccles and licence was granted in Central Birkenhead and is now in New Brighton but was not in original plan.  We ask measures to be taken to avoid misery and checks to made to check that people are in a position to gamble.  Open 22 hours and they have an alcohol beverage licence for 24 hours.  They claim this is random gambling.  We are having a meeting with Margaret O’Dowd tomorrow and we will be observing this area.  Also Asda will not close in Seaview Road. 

Cllr A Jones – said although casino gambling was widely regarded as “personal choice” it also attracted gullible people who were led into changing large sums of money they and their families could not afford.  He emphasised that his view was entirely personal but that he was opposed to encouraging such businesses.  However, he was not particularly optimistic as all decisions have already been made.

The Chair Cllr Adrian Jones thanked all who attended and closed the meeting.  The next area forum would take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.