To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Brightmore, M Hornby, G Watt, S Whittingham and Community Representatives Jackie Hall MBE and Elise Wong.

Members are asked to consider whether they have 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 asked to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any items on the agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Councillor L Reecejones declared a personal interest in item 7 – Wirral West Community Fund (see minute 30 post) in respect of Greasby, Frankby and Irby Ward by virtue of being a Trustee of the Local Carers Network.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the Constituency Committee meeting held on 16 October 2014.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2014 be approved.

To receive a presentation from Mark Camborne, the Council’s lead officer for the Open Golf, on the impact of the 2014 championship at Hoylake.

15 minutes will be allocated for this item of business.

Mr Mark Camborne, Senior Manager, Health, Safety and Resilience, gave a presentation in respect of the Open Golf Championship which was held in 2014.

He reported that 202,000 visitors had attended the event and provided some statistics from which he advised that over 94% of the visitors said they had enjoyed the event, 83% had advised they were likely to return to the Wirral and 92% thought that the public transport was very good. He reported that 944 jobs had been created and provided details of the roles undertaken. Mr Camborne reported upon the benefits to the community and informed Members that the financial benefit to the North West region of the last three Open Championships held at Royal Lytham, Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool was £400 million. The 2014 Men’s Open at Hoylake was estimated to be worth £76 million.

Mr Camborne advised that agencies and communities had worked together to ensure the success of the event.

The Chair thanked the staff who had been involved in The Open and invited questions from members of the public.

A member of the public advised that he worked in the golf industry and endorsed the positivity of The Open. He believed there had been a missed opportunity in respect of the Women’s Golf and thought this should be reciprocated.

Mr Camborne advised that there were a number of contributing factors affecting the Women’s Open in 2012 at Hoylake which included the poor weather and the fact that the tournament was held in September, instead of August as was intended. This was as a result of the Olympics held in the summer of 2012. Being held in September meant that it was also in school term time and this therefore had a major impact on the crowd numbers.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment echoed the comments of Mr Camborne and advised that despite having learned a lot from the event, the points raised in respect of the Women’s Open had been taken on board.

Another member of the public asked how many people had been interviewed to produce the percentages stated in the statistics.

Mr Camborne advised that about 2,500-3,000 people had been interviewed and the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment advised that the statistics had been produced by the University of Sheffield.

Resolved – That Mr Camborne be thanked for his presentation.

A verbal update from the Constituency Committee’s community representatives on local issues.

15 minutes will be allocated for this item of business.

The Chair announced that Lynn Collier, Community Representative, had resigned and offered his thanks for her contribution to the Constituency Committee. He invited the Community Representatives in attendance to provide a brief update in relation to local issues.

Greasby, Frankby and Irby Ward

John Smith advised that a major campaign against the fire station site being proposed to be sited in Greasby had resulted in it having been withdrawn.

He raised concerns regarding changes to the library service due to a number of activities held at Greasby Library which take place outside the new opening hours.

He referred to the consultation in respect of the Children’s Centre and noted the importance of all community facilities working together.

The Chair referred to the knitwear that had been on display in trees in Greasby.

Mr Smith reported that a group had been formed who had been knitting for charitable purposes and that this had been displayed in trees in the area.

The Chair wished to pass on his thanks to the people involved.

West Kirby and Thurstaston Ward

David Wade referred to the planters outside the Concourse in West Kirby and advised that these had been worked on by volunteers.

He referred to the youth club and the access being funded by the Council for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

He advised that he had been involved in discussions about road safety and parking in West Kirby as part of the development of the town centre plan and that some good suggestions had been made from members of the public which he hoped would be incorporated. He referred to the barrier that had been erected across the end of the promenade which prevented vehicles from entering, however, he advised that more flood defences were required in West Kirby.

Resolved – That the comments be noted.

A report on progress in relation to the ongoing work programme being undertaken in support of the Wirral West Constituency Committee.

10 minutes will be allocated for this item of business.

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) presented her reported which provided an update on progress in relation to the activities being undertaken by the Wirral West constituency team and matters for noting in respect of local issues/consultations.

The Constituency Manager pointed out that Appendix 3 of the report provided an update on the status of actions raised by Committee Services as a result of previous Constituency Committee meetings.

Stay Safe, Warm and Well Project

It was reported that the constituency team had worked with the Council’s housing team, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Age UK, Magenta Living and Energy Projects Plus on the Stay Safe, Warm and Well Project and that 21 groups had been visited with a total of nearly 300 winter warmth packs distributed. Members were also informed that 182 referrals had already been made to additional services as a result of the project.

The Constituency Manager advised that the outcomes of this work had yet to be fully assessed and the findings would be presented at an evaluation event on 20 March 2015.

Resolved –

(1)  That the work undertaken to deliver the Stay Safe, Warm and Well project be noted and that a full report on the outcomes be presented at a future meeting of this Committee.

(2)  That any remaining funding from the project be used to sustain the project into 2015-16.

Constituency Road Safety Budget 2014-15

The Constituency Manager reported that further to its meeting in October 2014, the Committee resolved to fund a series of local schemes costing an estimated £68,850 and to use the remaining £8,900 and any slippage from the local schemes agreed for dropped kerbs in the constituency.

It was reported that any required statutory consultations had been taking place since the list of schemes had been approved by the Committee and implementation of the schemes which had not been subject to statutory consultation, or which received no objections as a result of statutory consultation, were underway.

Resolved - That the progress in relation to the implementation of the local road safety schemes approved by the Committee in October be noted and that a further report on progress be submitted to a future meeting of this Committee.

Neighbourhood Working Business Case

The Constituency Manager reported upon a proposed business case that would seek to establish whether there was significant scope for Constituency Committees to influence functions and budgets leading to more localised delivery of Council services. The proposed approach was set out within the report and reflected the need to undertake detailed analysis and consultation with stakeholders.

Resolved – That the proposed approach to developing the business case be noted and that updates be submitted to future meetings of this Committee.

Constituency Conference Proposal

The Constituency Manager reported that it had been proposed that the constituency team co-ordinate a constituency conference and campaign in June 2015 to bring together the Constituency Committee, public service partners and the community, to gather views about how the constituency approach to involving local people in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

A report and presentation on the outcomes of the Community Fund public voting process and recommendations as to the allocation of Community Fund grants.

15 minutes will be allocated for this item of business.

Councillor L Reecejones declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a Trustee of the Local Carers Network (minute 25 refers).

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) gave a presentation in respect of the application and voting process which had been undertaken with regards to the Wirral West Community Fund since the last meeting of this Committee in October 2014.

The outcomes of the public vote and the Committee’s subsequent recommendations regarding the allocation of funding to local projects were presented at the meeting.

The Chair gave thanks to those who had voted.

Resolved – That the recommendations in relation to the funding allocation for local projects in each ward as set out in the Constituency Manager’s presentation be approved, i.e:

Fund the following 6 Greasby, Frankby and Irby projects at a cost of £5,464.00 and reserve underspend to be accessed in future by local groups and/or for ward improvements:

·  WWCF41 The Local Carers Network £1,000.00

·  WWCF23 Greasby Community Association working with Blooming Greasby £2,080.00

·  WWCF13 Greasby Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association (GAHGA) £966.00

·  WWCF32 Greasby Community Association – Messenger £1,000.00

·  WWCF15 Greasby Ladies Bowling Club £400.00

Fund the following 13 Hoylake and Meols projects at a cost of £14,579.45 utilising the £10,000 ward budget available for 2014-15 / underspend from 2013-14 and reserve remaining underspend to be accessed in future by local groups and/or for ward improvements:

·  WWCF28 Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom – Hoylake’s Queens Park Gates Restoration £1,200.00

·  WWCF29 Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom – Parade Gardens Sensory Wall Restoration £2,360.00

·  WWCF38 St Hildeburgh’s Parish Church in Hoylake – Lunch Club £1,000,00

·  WWCF27 St John the Baptist in Great Meols £825.00

·  WWCF2 Hoylake Parade Community Centre £1,000.00

·  WWCF5 The Festival of Firsts – Giant Queens £1,000.00

·  WWCF39 St Hildeburgh’s Parish Church in Hoylake – Drop-in £1,000.00

·  WWCF3 The Festival of Firsts – Festi-Velo Bike Parade £1,000.00

·  WWCF12 HAWK Bowling Club £1,950.00

·  WWCF1 The Hoylake Marine Bowling Club £1,000.00

·  WWCF7 KH2 Community Link Services CIC £744.45

·  WW Hoylake Lifeboat Museum £500.00

·  WWCF25 Hoylake Model Boat Club £1,000.00

Fund the following 8 Pensby and Thingwall projects at a cost of £7,347.50 and reserve underspend to be accessed in future by local groups and/or for ward improvements:

·  WWCF17 Carers Get Together £788.40

·  WWCF37 Pensby Library Friends Group – Purchase of books £1,000.00

·  WWCF36 Pensby Library Friends Group – Seating and tables £987.10

·  WWCF14 St Michael & All Angels Church £1,000.00

·  WWCF6 Barnstondale Centre £1,000.00

·  WWCF42 Pioneer People Wirral – Equipment and resources for the annual Pensby Summer Fair £1,000.00

·  WWCF43 Pioneer People Wirral – Celebration event, community heroes £572.00

·  WWCF44 Pioneer People Wirral – Bouncy castle for use at community events £1,000.00

Fund the following 4 Upton and Woodchurch projects at a cost of £4,000.00 and reserve underspend to be accessed in future by local groups and/or for ward improvements:

·  WWCF26 Upton Regeneration £1,000.00

·  WWCF4 Holy Cross Church, Woodchurch £1,000.00

·  WWCF18 HYPE £1,000.00

·  WWCF19 Upton Cricket Club £1,000.00

Fund the following 11 West Kirby  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

A report and recommendations relating to the use of the Constituency Committee’s Love Wirral budget allocation (£10,000).

10 minutes will be allocated for this item of business.

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) presented the recommendations in respect of the Constituency Committee’s Love Wirral funding allocation for 2014-15.

It was reported that Wirral West had recently opened up an opportunity for local groups through the Community Fund to apply for funding or projects with criteria which broadly duplicated the aims of the Love Wirral campaign.  It was therefore proposed that the £10,000 budget allocation was used to fund two constituency initiatives developed and delivered in partnership by the constituency team and other areas of the Council including the eco schools team and Parks and Countryside service. The proposed projects were The Wirral West Big Picnic Project and The Wirral West Special Places Project. The proposals for each project were outlined within the report.

Resolved – That the Committee’s Love Wirral budget be used to fund The Wirral West Big Picnic Project and The Wirral West Special Places Project.

Members of the public are invited to raise questions or issues, either at the meeting or in advance, to the Wirral West Constituency Manager, (janemorgan@wirral.gov.uk)

45 minutes will be allocated for this item of business.

The Chair invited questions from members of the public upon matters that were relevant to the Wirral West Constituency –

·  A resident from Woodchurch requested a copy of the Constitution for this Committee. He also asked if there were any plans to stop Woodchurch Centre being developed on and referred to suggestions of a Wirral Youth Zone.

o  The Constituency Manager responded and advised that she had provided the local resident with Article 10 of the Constitution that relates to Constituency Committees.

o  Councillor T Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services confirmed that Exmouth Street had been offered as the site for the Wirral Youth hub by the Fire and Rescue Service. It was believed this was a prime location for the hub and was accessible to all. He advised that this would be a £6m facility expected to open at the end of 2016 and would offer a wide range of activities for children aged 8-18 with a cost of 50p per visit. He reported that a planning application was scheduled to be submitted in March and that there would also be a stakeholder meeting shortly at which all would be welcome to find out more about the development.

The Chair thanked Councillor T Smith.

·  A resident referred to the cost implications to develop a new site and questioned the need for a new building to be developed. She suggested an existing building could be used that would be more central to the whole of the Wirral.

o  In response Councillor Smith advised that ongoing discussions were taking place with Merseyside Travel and that it was felt the facility was in the best location.

·  A resident asked whether Woodchurch Leisure Centre would be turned into a brown site.

o  The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment confirmed that it was a greenfield site and there were no plans for it to be developed.

·  A resident referred to the flooding that had occurred in December 2014 2013 (amended by the Committee on 15 July, 2015 (minute 4 refers)) in Meols, Hoylake and West Kirby and asked if there were any plans for barriers to be constructed to prevent flooding. He raised particular concern in respect of Coronation Gardens. He also referred to a barrier that had been erected.

o  The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment acknowledged that the flooding had impacted upon West Kirby and advised that those who were affected had been written to in order that they were made aware of the Repair and Renew Grant.  He advised that flood protection schemes would hopefully be commenced in 2016 and that the barrier that had been erected was in order to prevent traffic. Councillor J Hale advised that he was due to attend a meeting in respect of flood protection and would express the interests of Wirral West constituents.

·  A resident from Woodchurch raised concerns that Meadowside may close.

o  Councillor T Smith confirmed that Meadowside would not be closing.

·  A resident asked about the position  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday 2 July 2015 at Holy Cross Church Centre, Woodchurch.

The Chair concluded the meeting by noting that the date of the next meeting was in the new municipal year and therefore thanked the Constituency Manager and her team for their excellent work over the past 12 months.  He also gave thanks to officers and community representatives and, on behalf of the Constituency Committee, thanked the members of public who were in attendance.