The Chair, Councillor Gerry Ellis, opened the meeting and welcomed approximately 70 members of the public to the meeting in West Kirby. He invited members of the forum to introduce themselves. He informed the forum that the meeting was scheduled to finish around 8pm as there had been a drop in session from 2pm, and apologised if the posters advertising this were confusing.

The Chair welcomed two young people, Sophie and Chloe, from the Year 6 School Council of West Kirby Primary School to the meeting, to raise the pupil’s concerns and request information, as detailed below, over the proposed Aldi development at the bottom of Bridge Road.

• The school has 300 pupils, resulting in 500 people, including parents, using this busy junction, along with additional traffic created by the new store.
• Was a zebra crossing planned for the junction of Bridge Road and Orrysdale Road and if not, why not?
• How much traffic uses the junction at present and what impact will the Aldi development have on this?
• Was there a need for another supermarket in the area?

They added that many visitors avoid using this junction, such as families in Westbourne Road walking up to Darmand’s Green. They confirmed that these issues had been outlined in a letter to David Green and that they were still waiting for a reply.

The Chairman thanked Sophie and Chloe and asked David Green to respond. The forum and audience gave Sophie and Chloe a round of applause.

David Green thanked Sophie and Chloe for taking the time to come along to the meeting and admired their bravery at coming along and standing up at the meeting. He added that he had not responded to the letter as he knew that they would be raising the issue at this meeting. He confirmed that he was aware of the problems around the junction, and that there had been six accidents in three years up to 1997. Measures were put in place and since then there had been no further accidents, and last year yellow lines were put in to slow traffic down. David agreed to arrange for traffic engineers to carry out counts of children / parents / cars in the area, as the placing of crossings are based on number of vehicles / people using an area. This would be followed up with a meeting at the school to discuss the issues, possible solutions and places for crossings to be sited, probably in about one month. He also agreed to revisit the area after the Aldi has opened to monitor traffic levels and the need for possible need for new measures.

The Chairman added that there had been many calls re: why work had been stopped on the Aldi development.

Jim Wilkie confirmed that there had been a minor issue over the ownership of a small piece of the land, but that he was aiming to get all of the parties together to resolve this.

Minute decision

Resolved:  That –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

• Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

The Area Co-ordinator, Tracey Smith, presented her report containing the minutes of the meeting on 14 October 2009, and local updates, and asked if there were any amendments or matters arising. None were raised. She added that the report included partner updates and asked the partners if they had anything to add to these updates. The partners confirmed that there was nothing further to add to these.

The Chairman asked the public if they had any comments for the partners,

Minute decision

Resolved:  That –

i.  the minutes of the October meeting of the Area Forum be confirmed.

ii.  the Area Co-ordinator be thanked for her report.

The Chairman invited Ian Brand to give an update on the Strategic Asset Review in relation to West Kirby and Hoylake.

Ian confirmed that details of the asset transfer programme for Westbourne and Hoylake Community Centres had been included at the last forum meeting, and that the programme was following Council policy and a consistent approach. A meeting was held on 22^nd October 2009 at the Deputy Chief Executive’s Office, with thee chairs of Joint Management Committees (JMC) of these community centres, along with the chair of the JMC from Greasby Community Centre, to look at how things could be moved on. Ian confirmed that this was a positive meeting and progress was being made.

Hoylake Community Centre – building condition surveys were carried out on the centre and these were being used as a basis to take forward issues re: work required prior to asset transfer. There was also a need to develop a business plan, so consultants have been introduced to assist with this.

Westbourne Hall – a meeting was held with the JMC following the building condition survey to look at addressing issues re: heating, structure, damp and roof. Further inspections will take place following the agreed works being carried out. Consultants have also been introduced to assist with the development of a business plan.

The Chairman thanked Ian Brand for his update and the following questions / issues were raised:

1. Vaughan Williams, Chair of the Hoylake Community Centre JMC thanked the Councillors and Officers (in particular Jim Wilkie and Ian Brand) for their assistance in moving the asset transfer forward and confirmed that there was a strong urge to take this forward.

2. Sandra Wall – what was happening with Birkenhead Town Hall, as this great asset was not being used?

Ian Brand – this was one of the assets identified as surplus to requirement, and for disposal. The Hamilton Partnership had been chosen, from a short-list of bidders, as the preferred bidder and work was being undertaken with this group to explore a proposed use for the building and bring this to fruition.  The Partnership has been given six months to work up a detailed plan.

3. Margaret Campbell – what was the situation re: community asset transfer of allotments?

Ian Brand – confirmed that there was potential for allotments to go through this process. There were two parties interested in the allotments and the Council was looking to explore terms on these.

4. Rosemary Chandler, Secretary of Sandringham Drive allotments – was there any timescale for allotment transfers?

Ian Brand – the sites being considered were at West Kirby and at Hoylake, but that there were no definite dates / timescales set at present.

5. John Brace – are the community centres to be brought up to standard before being transferred?

Ian Brand – confirmed that the centres would be brought up to the standard agreed with the JMCs and in-line with the Council’s approved asset transfer policy. The structural surveys highlighted areas requiring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Chairman informed the forum that there was a written update from Howard Mortimer available at the meeting and thanked him for the report. He added that the following events / developments were good news for the area:

• Return of the Open in 2014
• Women’s Open in 2012
• Development of 8 Meols Drive Hotel and spa - Some details of neighbour's concerns where presently being discussed
• Sail/Hotel project - Carpenters (the developers) we had invited to attend the meeting but they declined the invitation
• Kings Gap Court Hotel – new plan submitted for Holiday Inn Express and Marco Pierre White restaurant

Howard informed the forum that his written update was a resume of progress on the regeneration of Hoylake and West Kirby, covering the following:

·  Hoylake Station Gateway Project – This £1.2 Million proposal concerns high quality Public Realm improvements of the sort already in evidence in Market Street. The site in-between the station frontage and the Quadrant will require the support of a number of partners including Mersey Travel. Providing the necessary funding can be identified – and this cannot be guaranteed – it is hoped that Wirral’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the project for implementation before the return of The Open Championships in 2014. A public exhibition regarding the project will be arranged should it prove deliverable.

·  Hoylake and Meols Promenade – The Council continues to seek funding in support of appropriate investment in the Hoylake & Meols Promenade. Following the disappointment of our unsuccessful bid to the CABE Seachange Programme, which targeted a £1M grant towards a phase 1 Hoylake Promenade project, the Council is looking at prospects for an initial ‘start-up’ project close to Meols Parade Gardens and the Lifeboat Station. This possible action will be informed by Public comment and a special meeting called for this purpose in the spring.

·  The Sail – In September 2009 Council’s Cabinet agreed that the Council should engage with the developers (Carpenters) and their legal advisors to draw up a development agreement and identify a clear proposal covering precise plans re: parking and a clear stakeholder and public engagement plan.

·  Public Realm Improvements – Following a study 3 years ago by consultants W. S. Atkins examining the prospects for high quality Public Realm improvements in central West Kirby, the Council has been pursuing possible external regeneration funding to help facilitate a initial programme of improvements. If the necessary financial resources can be assembled the first phase of work to be targeted could be Dee Lane / Banks Road. Such improvements would concern surfaces, lighting, street furniture, planting and signage.

·  Wirral Country Park – Some public funding has already been expended on improving pathways and cycle ways in the Country Park. In respect of a proposed new Visitors Centre at Thurstaston – replacing the existing building – about half the costs of the project have been secured from Wirral Council subject to the achievement of the balance from external sources. Unfortunately, so far, Council Officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

• Wednesday 2^nd June 2010

The Chairman asked for views on the drop-in session prior to the meeting and whether this should be held at a future meeting, within the Hoylake area.

Brigitta Muller – thought it was a good idea, but felt that there should have been more representation from Council departments - e.g. the Youth Service.

The Chairman agreed to ask Officers to look into this and invite more departments along to the next open event. He confirmed that the next area forum would be held on 2^nd June 2010, thanked the minute taker and everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.30pm.