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 item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

By virtue of his being a Board Member of Magenta Living, Councillor Jeff Green declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7 – ‘Your Wirral Funding Allocation’ (see Minute No 20 post).

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2015.

Councillor Mathew Patrick asked that reference Minute No 10(1) on page 7 of the agenda the minute be amended to read “….recommendations about the use of the Committee’s budget, and that the £15,000 ASB funding be split - £10,000 to Upton ward and the remaining £5,000 being split between the other four wards and that it is used to augment services not replace them.”

Resolved – That subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2015 be approved.

5 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) presented her report on:

• Progress in relation to activities which are being delivered using the Committee’s budget for 2015-16;
• Progress in relation to other activities being undertaken by the Wirral West constituency team;
• Items for noting in respect of local issues / consultations.

The report also set out the status of outstanding actions raised by Committee Services as a result of previous Constituency Committee meetings.

The Constituency Manager provided specific information on progress made on the Committee’s 2015-16 budget allocations, and further informed the Committee that following its July meeting of the Committee, a request for representation on the ASB Panel had been actioned and membership had been agreed as follows:

• West Kirby and Thurstaston – Cllr Green (Chair);
• Hoylake and Meols Ward – Cllr Boult;
• Greasby, Frankby and Irby Ward – Cllr Burgess-Joyce;
• Pensby and Thingwall Ward – Cllr Brightmore;
• Upton Ward – Cllr Patrick.

Members were informed that a detailed report on this expenditure, e.g. the development of a Neighbourhood Watch campaign to increase the number of new schemes and reinvigorate existing ones, was scheduled for the February 2016 meeting of the Committee.

Referring to a minor correction to the report, the Constituency Manager confirmed the proposed timetable for the Community Fund grants programme as follows:

• Community Fund opens for applications – Monday 11January 2016;
• Deadline for applications – Friday 26 February 2016;
• Networking event(s) and community voting – March 2016;
• Consideration by the Committee – Thursday 21 April 2016.

The Committee were also apprised of the following key point of note, and that:

·  Plans are now in place for the use of the remaining carried forward Public Health Grants Programme funds to secure further equipment for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service for allocation to vulnerable residents in the constituency and to deliver additional engagement activities in partnership with other agencies.

·  The Big Picnic event had taken place in July 2015 (funded by 2014-15 Love Wirral allocation) and had been warmly received by the schools and community groups who attended.

·  The Special Places Project aimed at celebrating places that are special to local people via the installation of benches was now being launched – utilising the remaining £5,000 of the Love Wirral Fund.

The Chair thanked the Officer for her report, and commented that the Wirral West Constituency Committee had demonstrated a maturity in respect of discussions about local devolution of powers and that this had been recognised. The Chair also commented that he hoped and believed that the 2020 Wirral Plan would provide further opportunities to take forward the desires, willingness and enthusiasm of the Committee in respect of devolution.

Resolved – That the progress and updates set out in the report be noted.

Verbal Report - 5 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) provided a short verbal update on the latest position regarding the developing business case as previously reported to the Committee (Minute No 11, 16 July 2015 refers).

Members were informed that the West Wirral Business Case document was now progressing through consideration by the Council’s new Chief Executive, the Strategic Leadership Team and Cabinet in respect of the approach to developing the constituency working model i.e.

• Use of devolved budgets to deliver improved outcomes for local people set out in a Constituency Plan, with a focus on increasing the role played by communities in delivering the outcomes.
• Devolving aspects of decision-making where this affects the constituency area, which would, though the development of a 3 year Constituency Plan, allow Members to set priorities and identify activities of relevance to the area.
• Influencing the day-to-day delivery of services at the neighbourhood level to solve problems and targeting resources as effectively as possible.

The Constituency Manager further informed that an update on progression of the business case would be presented to the next Constituency Committee meeting.

The Chair thanked the Officer for her report, and commented that the Wirral West Constituency Committee had been seen to be a trail blazer in respect of the devolution of powers, and hoped that the 2020 Wirral Plan would further bolster the desires, willingness and enthusiasm of the Committee and Constituency Manager Team to take on the responsibilities afforded through greater devolution.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

Verbal Report / Presentation. 20 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

The Constituency Committee received a presentation on the subject of the work being undertaken by faith groups to reduce social isolation and loneliness via utilising Places of Welcome and efforts to address the issue of poverty and life expectancy through Church Pairing.

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) introduced the presentation, informing the Committee regarding Places of Welcome, a network of small community organisations, including faith communities, who offer an unconditional welcome to local people for at least a few hours a week.

She informed that Places of Welcome developed out of the Birmingham Social Inclusion process ‘Giving Hope Changing Lives’, as a response to the question - Is Birmingham a welcoming city? Members were told that whilst Places of Welcome began in Birmingham, it was now developing further afield, as people responded to the challenge to make cities and neighbourhoods more welcoming.

The Committee was told that the network had developed a set of guiding principles, key elements of a Place of Welcome which were known as the 5P's, ultimately sharing experiences, resources and training via:

·  Place: An accessible and hospitable building, open at the same time every week.

·  People: Open to everyone regardless of their circumstances or situation, and staffed by volunteers.

·  Presence: A place where people actively listen to one another.

·  Provision: Offering free refreshments (at least a cup of tea and a biscuit) and basic local information.

·  Participation: Recognising that every person coming to a Place of Welcome will bring talents, experiences and skills that they might be willing to share locally.

The presentation continued, led by Wendy Robertson, Project Co-ordinator Life Expectancy Wirral,  who informed that the project had been developed by the Church of England Diocese of Chester in response to the fact that people living on the Dee side of the Wirral live, on average, nearly 12 years longer than those living on the Mersey side.

She informed that in 2009 the pilot brought together church communities from the two sides of the Wirral; Christ the King in Birkenhead and Church of the Good Shepherd in Heswall. This and other groups had been guided by a facilitator through a five stage programme in which issues of poverty and life expectancy were examined. As a result, the Churches had developed 8 key pledges to help address the issue of poverty, i.e.

·  Make prayer central to all work in tackling poverty

·  Share resources in a way that benefits the local community

·  Be outward focused in a way that improves health, wellbeing and quality of life within communities

·  Work together with other churches, creating opportunities to share with and encourage each other

·  Keep poverty, health and inequality in heart and mind

·  Engage with the political process and policy makers to promote God’s justice and righteousness

·  Work together with the Local Authority, NHS and community partners to develop mutual trust to better support communities

·  Celebrate success

A Member questioned how individual organisations could register as a Place of Welcome. The Constituency Manager asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

10 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

The Head of Regeneration and Planning provided an update on the action plan work undertaken within four retail areas within the Wirral West constituency - Hoylake, Irby, Upton and West Kirby.

He informed that the action plans addressed a wide range of issues pertinent to each area’s individual circumstances and included matters such as; traffic management and parking, potential environmental improvements and options for local marketing of retail centres. He explained that the work had been led by a team of officers within the Council drawing on expertise in retail planning, transport and regeneration who had met with Members and local businesses to identify priorities. In addition to the action planning, a trader’s online toolkit was developed, providing practical advice on how traders can support their local retail centre.

The Head of Regeneration and Planning advised that a further six retail areas within the constituency boundary were still work in progress, and that Members had identified other areas that might benefit from the action plan process. He pointed out that the plan template was available for use in further locations, finance permitting.

A Member informed that locations such as Greasby and Irby were already thriving, but suffered from parking problems as a result.

The Chair commented on the success of the project work, stating that people were keen to see the roll out in other areas. He thanked the officer for his report, and offered his help in promoting the activity.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

10 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

By virtue of his being a Board Member of Magenta Living, Councillor Jeff Green declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7 – ‘Your Wirral Funding Allocation’

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) introduced her report that presented recommendations to the Committee in respect of the Constituency Committee’s Your Wirral funding allocation for 2015-16.

Further to her report to the Committee on the 16 July 2015 (Minute No 10 refers), the Constituency Manager informed that the Wirral West Constituency Committee had been allocated £40,000 to award Your Wirral grants up to a maximum of £2,500 to individual local voluntary and community sector (not for profit) groups. Members were informed that 36 applications for a Your Wirral grant from the Wirral West funding allocation were received by the deadline of 14 September 2015. Applications were shared in full with members of the Your Wirral Panel who met on Friday 9 October for consideration. Details of the

The Constituency Committee we advised that, taking into account the quality and diversity of the remaining applications received, the Panel had recommended that all eligible applications were at least part funded - equating to 32 of the 36 applications received (3 were deemed ineligible and 1 application was withdrawn).

Members considered the recommended grant awards at Appendix 1 to the report. The Chair noted that in terms of successful bids, all wards had been represented. A Member requested that for future reports the Ward be identified along with a short description and reference to the Council Plan priorities.

The Committee recorded their approval, noting that the entire funding allocation for 2015-16 would now be spent.

Resolved - That the award Your Wirral grants to local organisations as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be agreed.

10 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) introduced her report that presented recommendations to the Committee in respect of the process for the allocation of the Constituency Committee’s 2015-16 Integrated Transport Block (road safety) budget allocation (including 2014-15 underspend).

The report informed that the Integrated Transport Block Capital Programme for 2014/15 agreed by Cabinet on 13th March 2014 provided an allocation of £77,750 for each Constituency Committee to be distributed in relation to Improving Road Safety and Promoting Active Travel and Health.

Members noted the progress and expenditure in relation to the schemes approved for funding in October 2014 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Based on the information, the Committee noted the budget position relating to its road safety allocation of £77,750 for 2014-15 as follows:

It was proposed that the Committee’s Road Safety Panel reconvene, to identify how the funding available might be allocated to local schemes taking into account the Committee’s previous resolutions and any variations between the estimated and actual cost of the schemes agreed in October 2014 - ensuring that the funding continued to be allocated equitably over the five wards in Wirral West. It was proposed that the Panel again be supported by the Constituency Manager and Road Safety Manager.

Resolved – That

1)  the Committee’s Road Safety Panel reconvene to identify how the funding available might be allocated to local schemes taking into account the Committee’s previous resolutions; and

2)  decision making in respect of the budget be delegated to the Road Safety Panel in conjunction with the Chair of the Committee.

Verbal Report(s). 10 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

The Chair invited the Community Representatives in attendance to provide a brief update in relation to local issues.

Hoylake and Meols Ward

Jackie Hall MBE informed that a ‘Hoylake Forum’ had been, with in the region of seventy residents in attendance at its first meeting. She informed that the Forum was meeting every three months, and due to the popularity wished to continue in its current format. The Constituency Committee was appraised of the Hoylake’s success in welcoming new business and the development of the Hoylake Action Plan as reported in an earlier Agenda item (Minute No 20 refers). In addition to this work, the Committee was informed of recent local events that including the well-attended meetings / drop in sessions relating to plans for the Hoylake Golf Resort and the consultation on a Neighbourhood Plan for the area.

The Chair acknowledged and confirmed that the community forum concept was popular, mentioning that it was good to hear of the ongoing support from residents for this particular forum. He also stated his pleasure in respect of the positive feedback with regards to the Hoylake Golf Resort.

Greasby, Frankby and Irby Ward

John Smith referred to the development of of a Community Action Group and the Community Association following the local response to the fire station proposals.

Mr Smith informed the Constituency Committee about a number of successes and issues in the Ward, specifically regarding local businesses, Christmas lighting and support for the library. He further informed Members of the success of ‘Celebrate Greasby Day’ where he estimated that half the community had attended, supporting the Greasby Centre. Mention was made of local worries regarding the future of the Children’s Centre.

Resolved – That the comments be noted.

45 minutes will be allocated for this item.

The Chair invited questions from members of the public upon matters that were relevant to the Wirral West Constituency. No questions had been received in advance of the meeting –

• A resident, referring to an earlier item on the Agenda, commented that in relation to the future of the Irby Retail Area there appeared to be no mention within the parking proposals of facilities for delivery vehicles (a cause of congestion) and the introduction of time restricted parking (now 2 hours) which seemed to be an excessive amount of time, given that the restriction was introduced to stop business owners and employees taking up spaces for long periods of time. He stated that given the amount of space in the village, surely there was an opportunity to re-configure the parking completely.

• A resident commented that sadly the biggest project impacting on the area had not been included on the agenda, namely Hoylake Golf Resort.

Councillor Mike Sullivan entered the meeting, having earlier sent his apologies for his late arrival.

• A resident presented a complaint regarding the imposition of double yellow line parking restrictions at Upton Meadow. She stated that parking in the area concerned had not caused obstruction in the past, and with the imposition of the current restrictions, no public parking existed at the Meadow.

• A resident presented a complaint and information regarding the creation of off-street parking to the frontage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The next meeting of the Wirral West Constituency Committee is scheduled for 19:00hrs on Thursday 11 February 2016. Venue to be confirmed.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday 11 February 2016, at Hilbre High School, West Kirby.