Members were asked to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Councillor Geoffrey Watt declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Item 3 (Directorate Plan) due to his acting as Trustee to a West Kirby Charity with land interests in the Hoylake area. 

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2015.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February, 2015, be approved.

The Head of Environment and Regulation presented the report of the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment that set out the 10 key projects to be involving or delivered by the directorate as part of the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Head of Regeneration, responding to comments from Members, reported current progress relating to the Wirral Enterprise Zone / Wirral Waters and the golf resort. He detailed the work undertaken with Peel Holdings, and on the Enterprise Zone report recently presented to the Cabinet that included matters such as the recycling of business rates.. Members asked a number of questions in relation to Tourism and the Chair commented that these issues had already been raised with the Strategic Director. Members requested that tourism be made a specific agenda item for the first meeting in the new Municipal Year. 

Officers responded to a series of questions on topics including school grounds maintenance contracts, Wirral ‘brand marketing’, car parking at Fort Perch Rock and an update on proposals for the re-introduction of a hovercraft ferry service at New Brighton.

In response to comments from Members, the Head of Regeneration and Planning gave information on the redevelopment proposals for Birkenehad Town Centre, which had been considered by the last Cabinet, Birkenhead Market Charter and various retail action plans for retail centres across the Borough.

The Head of Regulation responding to comments from Members, reported that good progress had been made with regard to the tendering of contracts for the supply and installation of LED street lighting. Members were apprised that once finalised, the contract and details of the phased implementation would be provided to Members.

The Chair re-iterated the Committee’s request that their comments on the promotion of Wirral tourism be relayed to the Strategic Director.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

During the course of discussion on the item relating to the Golf Resort, Councillor Geoffrey Watt declared a non-pecuniary interest due to his position as Trustee to a West Kirby Charity with land interests in the Hoylake area.   

The Head of Environment and Regulation presented the report of the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in relation to performance of the Regeneration and Environment Department against the delivery of the Directorate Plan 2014/2015 as at 31 January 2015. He commented that performance against 17 outcome measures indicated that 16 were RAG rated ‘green’ and the following was as ‘red’ –

·  Reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in Road Traffic Accidents (KSI)

He outlined the reasons for the ‘red’ rating and indicated that the greater than expected number of pedestrian KSI casualties was an issue across Merseyside. He commented upon a number of ongoing road safety / pedestrian safety campaigns and indicated that officers were working closely with Merseyside Police to investigate this ‘priority’ issue sharing budgets where practicable to reduce the numbers killed or seriously injured on the roads.

Members were apprised of the various factors impacting on the KSI statistics, for example the inclusion of figures relating to accidents on the M53 motorway.

Members commented on the tragic human costs associated with this particular indicator, endorsing the actions being taken to reduce this particular indicator.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The Chair introduced the report of the Acting Section 151 Officer that set out the financial monitoring information for the Regeneration and Environment Policy and Performance Committee.

The report informed of the most recent revenue and capital monitoring reports to Cabinet, summarised into a bespoke report for the Committee. The report included information on changes to the agreed budget, 2014/15 current and projected budget variations, ‘RAGBY’ ratings for each budget area within the Regeneration and Environment directorate, implementation of 2014/15 savings and performance against capital budgets for month 10 (Jan 2015).

No questions were raised by Members in respect of the report.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

A report of the Chair of the Committee updated Members on the current position regarding the Work Programme for the Regeneration and Environment Policy and Performance Committee.

The Chair thanked Members and Officers for the excellent work undertaken over the past 12 months.

Further to Minute No 46, 3 February, the Chair updated the Committee on progress on the two items currently included in the new Work Programme agreed on 3 March 2015:

·  A Task and Finish Review on the Council’s Coastal Strategy – progressing, with initial scoping having already been undertaken, and a detailed scoping exercise to commence on the 25 March 2015.

·  A Task and Finish Review on homelessness within Wirral – initial scoping scheduled to be carried out in the new municipal year.

Resolved – That the Regeneration and Environment Policy and Performance Committee work programme for 2014/15, as detailed in the report appendix, be approved.

Minutes to follow.

Councillor Steve Williams, Chair of the Highways and Traffic Representation Panel presented the minutes of the meetings held on 13 March 2015 and 17 March 2015.

Resolved – That

1)  the recommendations of the Highways and Traffic Representation Panel as detailed in the minutes of the meetings held on 13 March 2015 and 17 March 2015 be endorsed; and

2)  the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation be recommended to take appropriate action in respect of the following:

a)  Approve - Amendment to Limited Waiting Order existing 30 minutes waiting, proposed 60 minutes waiting, Acacia Grove, West Kirby;

b)  Approve - Proposed 20mph Speed Limit in residential areas, Ridgewood Drive Area (various roads), Pensby;

c)  Refuse - Waiting Restrictions Banks Road / Victoria Drive and Dunraven Road, West Kirby;

d)  Approve as modified – Waiting Restrictions (Avalon School) Caldy Road / Mount Road, West Kirby;

e)  Approve – Verge / Footway Parking Restrictions Arrowe Road, Greasby;

f)  Approve – Waiting and Loading Restrictions Birkenhead Market Service Road;

g)  Approve – 20mph Speed Limits, Whitfield Lane / Downham Road South Area, Heswall; and

h)  Approve - Waiting Restrictions Eastham Rake, Eastham.