Cllr. Bob Wilkins welcomed everyone to the meeting, and introduced himself, as he had been Chairman last year.  He stated that the first item on the Agenda was the election of a new Chairman for this municipal year.

Cllr. Peter Johnson proposed Councillor Don McCubbin to be Chair, and Cllr. Mark Johnston seconded the proposal.  A vote was taken, and all were in favour, and Cllr. McCubbin took the chair.  Cllr. McCubbin asked whether it was possible to elect a Chair to represent the residents, but it was agreed that this was not the responsibility of this meeting, as each area should select their own. 

The Chair then asked those members of the panel to introduce themselves.  He added that he felt as though he had been thrown in at the deep end.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were available for everyone to take a copy, and it was agreed that they were a true record. 

Cllr. McCubbin asked that if there were any questions, would people please ask later.  The Chair also asked if there were any matters arising, and the answer was that, so far, there were none.

It was noted that in a Yellow Paper from the Integrated Transport Block Fund, £18,200. had been earmarked for dropped kerbs, cycle stands etc. and £5,000. for grit bins for this area – Heswall, Pensby, Thingwall, Barnston.  There is a map showing the roads which will be gritted, and where the grit bins are in Wirral, and it has a key on it. 

It shows also where dropped kerbs have been requested, and you are asked to fill in the form and hand it back tonight, or take it home for discussion and post it back to the Council.

The Chair introduced David Armstrong, who said he is one of three Managers in the Children’s’ Department, but all of them must volunteer to come to the Area Forums to support Tracey and her other colleagues at the Forums, and help her if she requires it.  

They are also responsible for the finance and looking after buildings in the Children’s’  Department.  He reported that £20,000. is to be spent locally and we have to decide where the money will go. 

We will decide here tonight from the list, and because the forms cost a great deal to produce, we think it will be fairer to decide here tonight.  For the past nine years now it has been about £20,000. for a Junior School and considerably more for a Senior School. 

You will see a whole range of options to choose from, and we have to choose from this list –

Community Safety Activities.

a)  Alley gates

b)  Household security

c)  Temporary use of CCTV.

Re-deployment of youth

Adult learning course will be put on for older people.

Sporting youth activities.

Addition opportunities for young people, additional to the items already provided.  We have recently created four new Hopes – Birkenhead, Wallasey, Eastham all linked up  with the Fire Service.

Additional benches, litter bins, additional trees.  Benches in the street, benches in the park.

Notice boards, Parking needs signs.

Community support development.  Separate Development Officer to try and provide more Encouragement with the community

Tracey Smith reported that for the last three years, the Area Forum has been given £3,000. to spend, and we had questionnaires.

Cllr. McCubbin said that this year you have your chance to choose the five most important items you think are needed in your area from the list on the yellow forms we have produced.

Tracey Smith said that the Project Officers of the Council sat in a group.  If there is anything on the questionnaire in the region of £18,000. to £20,000. that you think should be spent, then you should fill it in on the form.  This is £20,000. for extra services in your area.

David Armstrong said that this is the third year – the first two years it was done by distributing forms and people filling them in, and the majority were filled in by young people, and this is good, because it shows their interest, but it was not very fair across the community.  The bulk of the spend went to young people.  In year 2 there was a very poor response.  The Council then decided to try this way, as people of all ages come to the Forums.  If you think that some are wrong, then take it back to your community and come back to us.  Many of the needs on this list have been requested by people in this area, but it is a starting point.

?  I thought this was a fresh start, but this is the same thing with a list provided.

Tracey  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

PART 2

Cllr. McCubbin asked that the meeting continue as the Agenda, and Item 4 Public Question Time is probably what most people came for, and please remember to state your name very clearly.

Ian ?  On Page 13 of the Minutes, Sandy Cameron representing the Older Peoples’ Parliament said that, in Lancashire, people with bus passes were able to use them before 9.30 a.m. and Alistair Bradley was going to check on this and report back.

Tracey Smith regretted that she had not received a reply, but would chase it up and if he would leave an e-mail after the meeting, she would endeavour to get a reply to him.

-3-

Greg Vogiatzis, Pensby Ward, asked whether the Community Representatives should be on the Area Forum, as he understands that one of the area representatives has gone on to the local Council.

Sue Roberts from Barnston said she did not know what a Community Representative was, and she has lived her for 23 years.

Cllr. Mark Johnston said that he did not feel that he had a massive input into this meeting, but it had been made clear to him that the Area Forum meetings are not political.

Cllr. McCubbin said that Community Representatives represent people in the community as well as having a political belief, but here we are trying to improve communities in all ways, without a political agenda.

June Chadwick, speaking on behalf of the Older Peoples’ Parliament and the Transport Users said that this was the case with all the Forums.??

John Hayes asked is the £18,500. will be split between all Wards.

Marilyn Castleton asked what are Vehicle Activity Signs with a solar panel?

Cllr. D.McCubbin asked whether it lights up when you approach it, and explained that they register your speed, or that a car is approaching, and you should slow down, as they are usually near a corner, or a crossing.

Marilyn Castleton asked whether the road deaths notices are to be taken down, as she does not think they fulfil a function.

Inspector Cunningham replied that they would be replaced soon.  She said it is extremely difficult to say that they have reduced the number of accidents, but they do make people think, and hopefully reduce their speed.

Paul Sutton – with regard to what has just been said about the solar activity signs at Barnston Dale in the dip, has it been activity calibrated?

Inspector Cunningham – yes it has, and I have a vehicle activity sign, and it will activate at any speed.

John Pyke, Heswall Society asked are we not in danger of getting far too many signs, which clutter the road?  They are not attractive and there are so many of them.

Inspector Cunningham – I am always dealing with motorists who say there was no sign, and I know there was.  It is really difficult – we get criticized for not doing enough to reduce a really serious problem.  There is a theoretical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Thursday 7^th October 2010

Tracey thanked everyone for taking part, and these will be published on the website for everyone to see.

Cllr. McCubbin also thanked everyone, and said that he hoped that this would prove a fruitful evening, and the Area Forum Representatives will become involved, and the process can move forward.

Tracey Smith reported that Sandy Cameron (Older Peoples’ Parliament) had sent a Report, and copies were available for anyone who wished to read it.

Keith ? – asked whether there will be two Community Representatives for each Ward.

There was discussion, and it was suggested that a Community Representative should represent a Group or a Road, and they will be responsible for reporting back to their Groups in their Area on what has happened at the Forum.

Tracey Smith said there are eleven Area Forums, which cover the whole of Wirral.  They began about ten years ago this October, and it is to try and get the Community to be involved in organising public services.  They meet three times a year, and presentations can be organised (through Tracey).  We have money, £15,000. for small projects (events for you), voluntary and community groups.  £4,000. for community health.

Other groups are welcome to come along and challenge the decisions, and we are always open to discussion.

Cllr. McCubbin thanked everyone for coming, and said that the next meeting is scheduled for OCTOBER 7^TH 2010 at Heswall.  Venue will be notified.