Agenda and minutes

Venue: Liscard Primary School, Withens Lane, Wallasey, CH45 7NG

Contact: Andrew Mossop 

Note: Members of the public are invited to a ‘Have Your Say’ meeting one hour before the Committee meeting, at 5.00pm at which various Council services and partner agencies will be present 

Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

The Committee will be invited to appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair for the current municipal year.

Minutes:

The Head of Legal and Member Services invited nominations for the Chair.

 

It was moved by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Hayes -

 

“That Councillor S Williams be appointed Chair for the current municipal year.”

 

It was moved by Councillor Mooney and seconded by Councillor Williamson -

 

“That Councillor R Gregson be appointed Chair for the current municipal year.”

 

The motion of Councillor Blakeley was put and lost (5:10).

 

The motion of Councillor Mooney was put and carried (10:5).

 

Resolved (10:5) – That Councillor R Gregson be appointed Chair of this Constituency Committee for the current municipal year.

 

The Chair then invited nominations for the appointment of Vice-Chair.

 

On a motion by Councillor Williamson seconded by Councillor Salter it was –

 

Resolved (10:5) – That Councillor B Mooney be appointed Vice-Chair of this Constituency Committee for the current municipal year.

2.

Members' Code of Conduct - Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

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.

 

No such declarations were made.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 93 KB

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February, 2014.

Minutes:

Resolved – That the minutes of the Wallasey Constituency Committee held on 19 February, 2014, be approved.

4.

Order of business

Minutes:

The Chair, having welcomed everybody to the meeting, suggested and it was agreed that item 9 on the agenda, ‘Individual Electoral Registration Scrutiny Review Report’ be considered next, followed by item 8, ‘Update on Pavement and Grass Verge Parking’.

5.

Individual Electoral Registration Scrutiny Review Report pdf icon PDF 68 KB

This report to the Coordinating Committee on 15 January, 2014 (minute 30 refers) was considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 13 March, 2014 (minute 161 refers), at which, one of the three resolutions was, ‘That the four Constituency Managers be alerted to recommendation (3) (a request to Chairs of Constituency Committees to include IER on agendas as a topic for discussion)’.

 

The covering report and scrutiny review are attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Following a request from Cabinet (15/3/14 – minute 161 refers) Kate Robinson, Principal Electoral Services Officer, gave an update to the Committee on the transfer to Individual Electoral Registration (‘IER’). The online registration had already been a success with people being able to register online from 10 June, 2014. It was anticipated that 80/90 per cent of the electorate would receive a letter confirming that they were registered under IER and did not need to do anything else. The focus would be on ensuring the remaining 10/20 per cent of the electorate would be registered in time for the General Election next year.

 

A Member asked how the Council would be reaching hard to reach groups and those who might not have online access.

 

The Principal Electoral Services Officer responded that a national campaign by the Cabinet Office and the Electoral Commission would be undertaken on both radio and television during July and August and local publicity would focus on areas of with low match rates. The Council’s Electoral Services would be employing staff to assist nursing home residents to register online and face to face assistance would be given to vulnerable people.

 

On a suggestion by Councillor Blakeley it was –

 

Resolved – That the Principal Electoral Services Officer be thanked for her update and she be invited to the next meeting of the Committee to report on the progress of Individual Electoral Registration.

6.

Update on Pavement and Grass Verge Parking

A verbal update will be given.

Minutes:

David Rees, Group Leader – Road Safety, gave an update to the Committee on grass verge parking. He reported that there were limitations as to what the Council could do but they were working hard with police colleagues who could take action on obstructive parking. He circulated a leaflet which had been produced, ‘Pavement Parking Is Not Fine’ which was put onto windscreens in particular problem areas. It didn’t necessarily stop the problem but the Council could only take action if it could prove that somebody was damaging their property.

 

Action could be taken with specific traffic regulation orders as had happened at nine sites in Wirral but these required funds to implement.

 

Responding to comments from Members, David Rees stated there was a need to educate people regarding alternative modes of transport. TROs could be used but signage was required every so many metres. Some other authorities had carried out an area by area audit. The Council was reacting to the problem areas as they didn’t have the resources to leaflet everywhere.

 

A Member suggested that a leaflet could be sent out with the Council Tax notification letter and parents parking outside schools could also be targeted.

 

In connection with this item, the Chair reported that a question had been received from Ms Limb, a Moreton resident and the response from Dave Rees was as follows:

 

“Verge and pavement parking is a complex issue, and unless there is a specific traffic regulation order (either a yellow line in operation or a separate verge/pavement parking TRO), the Council doesn’t have any specific powers to take action against drivers. The current initiative on pavement parking aims to make drivers more aware of the problems that it can cause, particularly relating to obstructive pavement parking. In these instances we may issue a warning notice to the vehicle and keep details of the registration number, time, location etc. Where we find repeated problems we may pass this information to the police to see if they wish to undertake enforcement (prosecutions).

 

In dealing with such issues, it is important that we operate correctly and within the law. The legislations available to take action are somewhat complex but in essence relate to:

 

·  Wirral Council can take action where we have a traffic regulation order relating to waiting or specifically around footway & verge parking.

·  Wirral Council could take action where we can identify and prove (to a legal standard) that a specific driver (not vehicle) has caused damage to our property.

·  Merseyside Police can take action where they can prove unnecessary obstruction.

·  Merseyside Police can take action where they can prove driving on the footway.

 

Warnings have previously been issued to vehicles parked obstructively on footways in Croft Drive and Grampian Way, Moreton. This will be investigated by the Council’s Road Safety Officer and the matter discussed with the police if required.”

 

The Constituency Manager informed the Committee that eight questions had been received in advance from members of the public and officers had been asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Wallasey Constituency Committee Handbook Including Community Engagement Strategy and Communication Plan pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to minute 19 (19/2/14) and minute 12 (11/12/13), the Constituency Manager, introduced a report which outlined proposed amendments and additions to the operating handbook for Wallasey Constituency Committee, including incorporation of a Community Engagement Strategy and Communication Plan for the constituency.

 

A separate report on the co-option process for Community Representatives was on the agenda (see minute 8 post) and the handbook would be updated to reflect the outcome of that discussion and decision. The ‘Budgets and Spend’ section of the handbook would also be populated following decisions made in relation to the report on the agenda on ‘Priorities and Spend’ (see minute 9 post).

 

The report gave details of proposed changes to replace Task and Finish Groups with a Constituency Committee Working Group, she asked if the Committee would want the Working Group to have decision making powers. The report also gave details of the way in which the public question time section of the Committee meeting would operate. It also contained details of a Community Engagement Strategy and a Communication Plan.

 

Councillor Fraser queried the size of the local Public Service Board and why couldn’t Councillors attend. She also questioned the method of making decisions by email.

 

Emma Degg, Head of Neighbourhoods and Engagement, stated that decisions would only ever be made by email in extraordinary circumstances, these would have to be signed off by the Chair and by herself. All Members of the Committee would be emailed and a report brought to the next meeting. With regard to the local Public Service Board, she explained that there was one for each constituency plus one overarching Board. They were not decision making meetings but rather operational officer meetings. 

 

Councillor Blakeley expressed delight that the Task and Finish Groups were being disbanded but commented that the ‘Terms of Reference’ wording for the Constituency Committee Working Group needed amending to reflect the fact that the Working Group meetings would be open to the public.

 

With regard to the section in the Handbook on Elected Members’ roles and responsibilities, Councillor Blakeley expressed his dissatisfaction with the wording which he thought was patronising to Members.

 

The Chair commented that the handbook was available to Members of the public and enabled them to see the roles and responsibilities of Councillors in their wards, rather than have to find this in the Council’s Constitution.

 

The Chair suggested that the Working Group should have decision making powers and there was a general consensus to this. Although the Group would only be quorate with at least six Elected Members present it was suggested that decisions should only be taken if at least nine Elected Members were present.

 

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mooney, it was –

 

Resolved (unanimously) – That the Constituency Committee Working Group be established. It shall have decision making powers providing at least nine Elected Members of the Working Group are in attendance but if fewer than nine Elected Members are present and the Group is quorate, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Wallasey Constituency Committee Community Representatives pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Minutes:

Further to minute 17 (19/2/14), the Constituency Manager introduced a report on the co-option of Community Representatives.

 

On 19 February, 2014 Wallasey Constituency Committee requested that the ‘Committee Handbook’ Task and Finish Group consider further the length of the Community Representatives’ term of office and the recruitment process for the young person’s representative. These matters were now being brought back before the Constituency Committee for discussion and decision.

 

A Member suggested that a two year term for a young person could feel like a lifetime and a yearly term was sufficient, however, if they enjoyed their one year term they could re-apply for a further term. She suggested that all Community Representatives should just serve a year. She queried why the original procedure for the recruitment of the Young Person’s Community Representative had not been followed. 

 

The Constituency Manager stated that she had responded to this at a previous meeting and that the method of recruitment had been approved by Elected Members.

 

Other Members suggested that there was a need for consistency and stability and that a two year term would offer this. If a community representative found the term to be too onerous they could always stand down and a recruitment process could take place again.

 

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Hackett, it was –

 

Resolved (10:2) (Two abstentions) – That the term of office of the Community Representatives, including the young person’s representative, be two years.

_____________

 

At this point in the meeting the Chair then moved to the next item of business.

 

There were, however two recommendations remaining which required decisions.

 

Councillor Blakeley then stated that he was not aware during the previous vote that the Committee were voting to continue the current Community Representatives’ terms of office. He stated that he felt he had been misled having cast his vote in the belief that this was for a new recruitment process to begin and he would have voted against had he known that this was not the case.

 

It was then moved by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Williams, that –

 

“The Committee having now moved on to the next item of business the Committee does not return to any unresolved recommendations on Community Representatives.”

 

The motion was put and lost (5:9).

_____________

 

The Constituency Manager informed the Committee that one Community Representative would not be continuing in their role and a recruitment process would need to commence for this position.

 

It was then moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mooney, that –

 

“The Committee instructs the Constituency Manager to commence the recruitment process for the vacant Community Representative position with a view to them being in place for the Constituency Committee on 23 October, 2014. This will include the convening of a Constituency Committee Working Group to select and recommend appointment of the Community Representative to the Wallasey Constituency Committee.”

 

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Blakeley, seconded by Councillor Paul Hayes, that –

 

The Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Constituency Priorities and Spend pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Constituency Manager introduced a report on Constituency Priorities and Spend which set out the funding available to Wallasey Constituency Committee for 2014/15 and the decisions around process that needed to be made.

 

The Constituency Committee had the following funding available for 2014/15:

 

·  £50,000 devolved budget

·  £77,750 Integrated Transport Block Capital Programme Fund

·  £50,000 Your Wirral

 

The Constituency Committee had carried forward from 2013/14 the amounts below into the current financial year (2014/15):

 

·  £5,000 Problem Solving Fund

·  £10,000 devolved budget (for road maintenance and road safety)

·  £4,391 Wallasey Bright Ideas Fund (devolved budget)

·  £8,160 Wallasey Bright Ideas Fund (public health outcomes fund – voluntary sector support fund)

 

For ease of reference, this funding was summarised in Appendix 1, together with any conditions attached.

 

She reported that work had been undertaken through Wallasey Public Service Board with wider services and agencies to collate and review their key priorities. The professional views of colleagues on the Board had been sought as to which of those priorities might be impacted through spend by the Committee. A proposal from the Board was to group the priorities into three themes, personal well being; economic well being and neighbourhood well being.

 

Within each of these priority areas it was proposed to focus on these as follows:

 

·  Reducing health inequalities

·  Raising aspirations of young people

·  Promoting community cohesion

 

The proposed processes for spend was set out in the report for each funding block.

 

It was moved by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Williams, that –

 

Delete all the recommendations and replace with –

 

This Committee agrees that the six wards within the constituency be given a fair and equitable sum of money so that each ward is given equality of spend and so that every resident who is served by this Committee is treated fairly and equitably.”

 

The motion was put and lost (5:9) (Councillor Blakeley voting in favour).

 

The Chair then agreed that each recommendation in paragraph 14 of the report be taken in turn.

 

In respect of recommendation 14.1, on a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mooney, it was –

 

(1)  Resolved (9:5) – That this Committee agrees its three priorities and areas of focus for 2014/15 as:

 

·  Personal wellbeing (focus: Reducing health inequalities)

·  Economic wellbeing (focus: Raising aspirations of young people)

·  Neighbourhood wellbeing (focus: Promoting community cohesion).

 

In respect of recommendation 14.2, on a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mooney, it was –

 

(2)  Resolved (9:5) - That the Constituency Manager produces a 3-year Constituency Plan to be brought back to a future Committee.

 

In respect of recommendation 14.3, it was moved by the Chair and seconded by Councillor Mooney, that –

 

“The Committee allocates an amount from its £50,000 devolved budget to its Constituency Options Fund and agrees the proposed process for spend set out in paragraphs 4.1.4 – 4.1.6 of the report.”

 

It was then moved as amendment by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Williams, that –

 

“An amount of £8,000 be allocated to each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Marine Point, New Brighton (Request for Allocation of Problem Solving Funding) pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Minutes:

The Constituency Manager introduced a report on a request for allocation of monies from the problem solving fund in respect of issues at Marine Point, New Brighton, and the surrounding area, resulting from increased visitors and tourism.

 

A number of initiatives had been highlighted by the voluntary community group, the New Brighteners that they wished to explore. Through the Problem Solving Meeting a number of proposals were being put forward to the Committee as pilot initiatives and projects at a cost of £4,050 for which funding was being sought.

 

A Member commented that the cleansing of the Borough’s towns and streets was the responsibility of the Council through its contract with BIFFA.

 

Other Members expressed the view that the Council should look at all avenues to keep the area clean. BIFFA had increased its cleansing activity in the area and extra bins had also been provided. The New Brighteners and New Brighton Shore Volunteers were offering to help and this should be welcomed.

 

Another member commented that it would be useful if local Members were invited to meetings with voluntary and community groups and that the beach area did extend to Wallasey and Moreton wards too.

 

The Chair suggested that a member of the New Brighteners could be invited along to the next meeting when a further report was brought back.

 

It was moved by the Chair and seconded by Councillor Mooney, that –

 

“The Committee agrees an allocation of Problem Solving Funding of £4,050 for the initiatives outlined in paragraph 2.2 of the report.”

 

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Williams, that –

 

“This Committee recognises the great value that Community Groups and Volunteers have, however, cleansing is the responsibility of the Council through its contract with BIFFA.”

 

The amendment was put and lost (5:9) (Councillor Blakeley voting in favour).

 

The motion was put and carried (11:2) (One abstention).

 

(1)  Resolved (11:2) (One abstention) – That this Committee agrees an allocation of Problem Solving Funding of £4,050 for the initiatives outlined in paragraph 2.2 of the report.

 

On a further motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mooney, it was –

 

(2)  Resolved (14:0) - That a further report be brought back to the Committee on the work of the (Marine Point) Problem Solving Meeting and the impact of the pilot initiatives outlined and that a member of the New Brighteners be invited along to the next meeting.

11.

Update from 'Have your Say' Meeting

Minutes:

The Chair invited Inspector Kolokotroni to update the Committee on issues raised at the earlier ‘Have Your Say’ meeting.

 

Inspector Kolokotroni informed the meeting of the following matters being raised and that he would report back to the Committee in October:

 

·  Anti-Social Behaviour – Ashville Road, Seacombe

·  Shoplifting offences caused by an influx of people from outside the area – Liscard Cherry Tree Shopping Centre

·  Off road cycling and scrambling – Leasowe Estate and Sandbrook Estate

·  Anti-Social Behaviour and shoplifting – Tower Grounds and Marine Point, New Brighton.

 

Inspector Kolokotroni then updated the Committee on issues which had been raised at the last meeting.

 

1.  Moreton Cross area – a group of individuals had been identified, mostly residents in Registered Social Landlord properties and the police had made a number of visits and challenged parents who were made aware that this could impinge on their tenancy agreements, the problems had then disappeared.

2.  Rudgrave Square and King Street, Liscard – visits had been made to off-licences and one particular offender had received a custodial offence. Work was ongoing with the ASB team to gain further evidence.

3.  Liscard and Seacombe – police officers had been on patrol in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles and an individual had been identified and found to be in possession of stolen property.

4.  Ashville Road, Seacombe – a small group of individuals had been identified and a family had been evicted who had been involved in criminal activity. The police had worked closely with the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.

 

The Chair referred to the problem of shoplifting in New Brighton and that a number of offenders from outside the area had had notices served on them and were now under strict bail conditions not to appear in certain areas.

 

The Constituency Manager reported that along with the ‘Have your Say’ meeting, the first ‘market place’ event had been held prior to the meeting with twelve different agencies and Council services in attendance. During this a variety of matters had been raised and discussed, including fire safety advice, a number of highways issues and recruitment of volunteers.

 

Resolved – That the update from Inspector Kolokotroni and the Constituency Manager be noted.

12.

Public Question Time

Minutes:

The Chair informed the meeting that a number of questions had been received in advance of the meeting, and the responses from the appropriate officers to each of these, which were read out at the meeting, were listed below, along with the name of the questioner.

 

1.  Mr Gillett, Wallasey

 

“Public highways in Wirral are inspected on a regular basis to identify areas in need of maintenance work; this is in line with the code of good practice for well maintained highways. All actionable defects are noted and instructions issued for repair. The Highways Inspector for this area will monitor these roads and take action when deemed necessary. Martins Lane and Serpentine Road are included in this year’s programme of work and this will be completed in the near future.”

 

2.  Mrs Wharton, Wallasey

 

“Public highways in Wirral are inspected on a regular basis to identify areas in need of maintenance work; this is in line with the code of good practice for well maintained highways. All actionable defects are noted and instructions issued for repair. The Highways Inspector for this area will visit this location and take action where deemed necessary. 

 

Following the Council’s budget savings programme, cleansing work previously on a weekly basis is now cleansed on a four weekly cycle. This location is next due to be cleaned on Monday 30 June 2014. The pavement of the shops between Percy Road and Wheatland Lane are, however, cleaned every Tuesday and Thursday. 

 

The Council is running a dog fouling campaign this summer targeting up to 120 dog fouling hot spots. This location will be fed into the Waste and Recycling team as a potential area to target.”

 

3.  Ms Jones, Moreton

 

“The land in question [Epsom Road estate both by Epsom Road and Newbury Way] is privately owned and Streetscene are sending a letter to the owner requesting that the land is maintained.

 

With regard to the play area, modifications have been made to the design of the play area to reduce the height and size of some of the equipment, etc, based on feedback from local residents. The play area has now been out to tender and construction is due to start in the next week.”

 

4.  Mr Fayle, Moreton

 

The questioner had asked, ‘Why is there not a path between the bypass between Tesco Bidston and Fender riding school?’ This request had been forwarded to the Council’s Traffic Section for consideration and a response.

 

5.  Mrs Lockley, Wallasey

 

The questioner had asked about the unkempt flower troughs on the side of the road as traffic exits the Wallasey tunnel. She had suggested that it could be a ‘great project for gardening apprentices by teaching them and letting them paint the troughs and plant out some fresher looking horticultural plants. Hence giving the tunnel exits a much more loved look.’

 

The response was that ‘This will be investigated to establish ownership and the proposal suggested will be explored.’

 

6.  Ms Moore, Wallasey

 

The questioner had asked about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.