The Chair, Councillor Denise Roberts, welcomed forum members and 12 members of the public to the Bidston & Claughton Area Forum meeting being held at St James Centre, Birkenhead.  A loop system was installed for anyone with a hearing impairment.

The minutes of the Area Forum meeting of 8 October 2009 were agreed as a true record.

Under Item 2 – it was reported back that following Councillor Foulkes raising the query of whether the Allotments Society had made a bid for “Funds for You”, this had been done and the allotments were successful in receiving a grant of £2,457.00.

Under Item 5 – feedback from a meeting with Wirral Partnership Homes around the  Solway Street area.  A number of residents had attended and positive ideas and action were raised.  Thanks extended to Councillor George Davies for the support and commitment to this.

Under Item 5 - noted there had been a Police presence at the meeting on 1^st  December and discussion on the way forward for the area.  A further meeting had been held today (2^nd February), with Police in attendance and talks were meaningful and ongoing for the area to improve community.

A member of the audience handed in a petition at the last meeting in October, note to amend to 160 signatures.

Resolved that:  Minutes of the Forum held on 8 October 2009 be agreed. Michelle Gray to amend minutes from October.

Police – Sergeant Dave Hill

A member of the public raised a complaint from residents around Park Station of vandalism and anti social behaviour, which he said would bring to the Forum’s attention this evening. 

The Police responded that they were aware of it.  They had been liaising with staff at the Housing Association at Beckwith Court and the support bus had been out and about in the Duke Street area.  They had also been trying to target hard core drug use.

Councillor Smith confirmed a number of meetings had been held with different agencies to address these issues.  Councillor McLachlan reported on working closely with residents in the Duke Street area where issues had been mostly resolved.  Incidents had been reported of young people at the weekend and anti social behaviour around the Riverside Centre and measures being put in place to cordon that off.  Ward Councillors would pick up on any recurring problems.

Councillor George Davies raised concern around Laird Street police station and reduction in the number of community officers.  He acknowledged that some were on special assignments at the moment, however wanted to be able to assure people in Wirral that they still had sufficient Police presented.  Sergeant Hill would forward these concerns.

A point was raised about not receiving minutes and agendas for the Neighbourhood Action Group meetings and a case of the wrong date being published.  Sergeant Hill apologised for this oversight and would forward future dates to Michelle Gray who would publish and circulate round all forum members.

A query raised about 2 public houses on the Beechwood area being closed down and what Police were doing specifically around vacant properties being vandalised.

John Davies from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services responded that they had an employee who checked on empty properties to see if they were a risk and not secure.  They would then secure buildings and claim monies back from owners.

Community Safety – Cathy Newman

Cathy Newman highlighted the issue of Hate Crime and the development of a multi agency risk assessment committee. The Community Safety Team worked with the Anti Social Behaviour Team, Police and Community Patrol in helping to keep people safe.

A question was asked about the particular response for this area, or whether it was awareness-raising generally.

Cathy confirmed that they were opening up and working on pathways for hate crime to be recognized and routes into the community.  Data already collected around this, if there was a hot spot identified they would pick up on that.  It was about awareness-raising, getting processes in place and getting communities confident to come forward to report on hate crime.

Noted: The Anti Social Behaviour Team had now moved to Solar Campus, Leasowe within the Children & Young People Department.

A suggestion was made to include an article on hate crime in the neighbourhood newsletters so people know what can be treated as a hate crime and examples of some successes.  Police agreed to this for the future newsletters and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Michelle highlighted how the money has been allocated for the Bidston & Claughton area.  This was the second year of funding, and this year an additional £18,200 had been set aside for road/highway safety projects.  The panel of Ward Councillors and community reps had agreed the fund allocation for:

• Community Sports Development Officer, Positive outdoor Days, Litter Bins, CCTV/Household Security & Safety, Alleygates, Vehicle Activated Signs/Traffic Signs, Road Crossing Island, Road Improvements (slow markings, street lights, dropped kerbs/crossings)

Michelle also highlighted how the “Funds for You” funding had been spent and how many groups it has supported: Over £20,000 and been given out and a total of 16 local groups had received funding further information was available on the display stand at the St James Centre.

A member of the public drew attention to petitions received last year with regard to Worcester/Boundary/Brow Roads.  They read out section of a petition.

Ward Councillors commented that it was inappropriate to make political statements and discuss petitions at Area Forums.  Ward Councillors did respond to and deal with issues of concern brought to their attention.  Action has been taken in response to petitions.

A local resident congratulated the Forum on the alleygate scheme.  He also made a suggestion that cutting back greenery would improve visibility around that bend in the entry in Claughton Village.

Donny made a suggestion of leaving some of the material out for a short period of time to enable local residents who use St James facility to see what the forum has supported.  Michelle would try and leave some and also briefed that the next Forum in June would be an Open Day Roadshow, drop in session which anyone can come along to.  Venue was not confirmed yet, but it would involve promoting the area forums and what funding is available for local groups to access etc.

Further suggestion to promote the area forums was made to approach Tesco and other large stores in order to get more high profile.  Michelle confirmed she had already contacted Asda in the past.  Use of the shop at Arrowe Park Hospital was also suggested.  Councillor Smith commented that the St James Centre had television installed in the corner and that could possibly be used to advertise Forum issues.  Any suggesting please contact Michelle Gray.

Comment from a member of the public about the low attendance at this evening’s Forum.  The Forum acknowledged that other ways of attracting the public to attend Areas Forums had been under discussion for some time.

The Chair closed formal part of the meeting and invited people to go through to the next room for refreshments and to look at the information stands.

• Area Forum display on projects funded in this area
• community safety update
• NHS Wirral
• St James Centre – what’s on

Ø  The next area forum which will be held on Tuesday 8^th June 2010 will be an open day (roadshow) time to be confirmed this will give you an opportunity to “Have Your Say about your area” If you want to be notified of this event please give Michelle Gray your contact details at the end of the meeting – Thank you

The next Area Forum would take place on Tuesday 8^th June 2010.