Agenda and minutes
Venue: Melrose Hall, Melrose Avenue, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 3BU
Contact: Tracey Smith Consultation Manager 0151 691 8026
No. | Item |
---|---|
Welcome Introductions and Apologies Minutes: The Chair, Councillor Jeff Green welcomed the Forum members and67 members of the public to the West Wirral Area Forum held at Melrose Hall, Melrose Avenue, Hoylake.
Councillor Jeff Green thanked Jackie Hall for the use of Melrose Hall, which is run voluntary and with contributions
MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
Tracey Smith requested that a representative from the Youth Service to attend this evening, but no-one was available. A representative will attend the next Area Forum.
Parks & Gardens – Allotment Waiting List – There are 750 people on the waiting list.
|
|
Neighbourhood Plan Update on Your Family and Your Economy Minutes: Tracey Smith gave an update and feedback on the Neighbourhood Plans.
The areas in the consultation process included: Your Economy Your Health Your Family YourNeighbourhood
Tracey’s update focused on ‘Your Family’ and ‘Your Economy’. An information handout was available for people to read.
Some of the points raised were:
Services for Children and Young People
What is the Council doing to help?
Services for Older People
What is the Council doing to help?
|
|
Public Question Time Minutes: Q. Did Wirral Council’s planning department have any part in Aldi’s car park plans regarding time limits? A. The application from Aldi was for the whole of the site. There were no conditions regarding parking. Aldi are operating free car parking for customers for up to 90 minutes. People have been abusing this and parking their cars all day and not even shopping at Aldi. Wirral Council have no authorisation over the parking regulations at Aldi. It was proposed for the church to contact management of Aldi to arrange a deal with parking for the church goers.
Q. With the departure of Mary Bagley from Parks and Gardens will it now be poorly maintained? A. The post will be advertised and a new officer will be put in place and hopefully get someone equally as good.
Q. There is the opportunity for Meols to get more allotments and the local allotment association has raised funds to get these allotments. However, now the association has been informed by planning that the football pitches have to be made to a better condition, which could cost up to £6k. Why should we have to pay out more when we have already raised money? A. Kevin Adderley explained that Sports England have made this condition to improve the football pitches. There is funding available for allotments. He will look into this and report back.
Q. Could the Council speak to Sport England and negotiate the price down? A. Sport England have not quoted £6k, they have requested that the football pitches be improved. They will not change their mind. If the football pitches are not improved then the allotments won’t go ahead.
Q. There have been discussions to demolish the toilets on the promenade at Hoylake. The planning permission was to turn it into a café, however these plans have not gone ahead and the toilets are still an eyesore. Would it be possible to demolish these toilets and just have the empty space? A. Kevin Adderley will find out about the plans and report back.
Q. Are the discounts for Council Tax for over 70’s advertised? A. There are discounts available for people aged 70 and over; there is also the option to pay over 12 months instead of 10 to reduce monthly outgoings. Thanks to the Older People’s Parliament this is advertised. The information is also available in the Council Tax packs each year.
Q. An enquiry was made as to why certain Councillors and local officers visited China recently. He expressed his concerns. A. Councillor Jeff Green explained that his visit to China was for opportunities for future investments for Wirral. The International Trade Centre could bring up to 3000 jobs to this area and bring future investment too. It was a successful visit.
Q. With the Open coming to Hoylake again in 2014, has the planning stage started? A. Kevin Adderley explained that in the previous Open, planning started early as it had been 39 years ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |
|
Road Safety Update - 20 Mile Per Hour Zones Minutes: There is a new initiative of introducing 20mph zones in residential areas around Wirral. A map is available to view this evening and there are also cards with the plans on. The cards ask for any comments regarding this.
There is £1.1m funding which was agreed at Cabinet in April 2012. This will be spent over a 2 year process. The area will be split into 132 zones. The traffic department are assessing where the 20mph will be. Signs will be placed at the end of the residential roads. The first stage will be implemented this autumn and the 2nd stage next year.
Q. Is the 20mph legally enforceable? A. Yes – there is a traffic regulation order which will be consulted on before the 1st phase of the process.
Q. Is there a ‘Plan B’ for strengthening this 20mph limit? A. There are going to be over 10k signs put up around the area. The traffic section will be working together to ensure this limit is kept.
Q. What about the visual impact, there are too many signs and they will be ignored? A. Views are appreciated.
Q. Councillor Geoffrey Watt expressed his concerns over too many signs and also some of the boundaries run along semi major roads. A. Any bus routes won’t be included and there is a consultation process to take place before the roads are assigned. If any objections are raised, then these roads will go into phase 2 of the process. Funding has been agreed by Cabinet and it now needs to be put into place. It has been proved that by reducing speed limits stopping distances are reduced, so giving the best possible way for survival in the event of an accident.
Q. Is the road plan on display in the Community Shop in Hoylake? A. It will be on display after this evening.
|
|
Traffic & Travel arrangements for hosting the Ricoh Women's British Open 13+16 September 2012 Minutes: Mark Cambourne, Technical Services explained that the Ricoh Women’s British Open will be taking place in Hoylake from 13 – 16th September 2012 and about the impact it will have on the local area during this event.
Ben Freeman from IMG also spoke about the up and coming British Open in 2014 and how by working together with the communities it will be a successful event.
These events that are taking place in Hoylake over the next few years and continuing are fantastic for the community. The area is viewed on TV all over the world and is such a boost to the area. Congratulations were given to the events and event organisers.
|
|
Partner Updates Minutes: Merseyside Police
Inspector Mick Blease reported on the following:
Fire Service
Sarah Patterson reported on the following:
The Chair, Councillor Jeff Green praised the Fire Service and expressed his appreciation for the hard work that they do.
Western Link
The representative from Western Link introduced himself and briefly explained about the renewable electricity cable which is to be routed through Wirral from Scotland to Wales. There has been a consultation process with residents over the last year discussing the route. A newsletter is available for people to see the route of the cable and plans for the area. These newsletters will be posted out to residents affected by the cable route. Anyone with any questions can speak to him at the end of the meeting Councillor Eddie Boult asked that if there is to be any disruption to roads, then could this disruption not affect the Open Golf Tournament.
|
|
Date of Next Meeting
Minutes: ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Community Representatives – The Forums are advertising for Community Representatives. Applications and Job descriptions are available from each forum. If anyone is interested in applying, complete an application form and return it by 1st August 2012.
Q. What is the role of the Community Representative? Will they help in the decisions of funding? A. A job description is available to view. The role is to represent a group and feed issues to the forums and then report back with the findings. It is a role to interact with the community.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Date: Tuesday 16th October 2012 Venue: West Kirby Concourse – Function Room
|