Inspector Michael Barrett

Crime continues to fall in the area, especially around anti social behaviour. There have however been a few issues with burglaries. This is mainly due to people not locking their front doors properly.

Two initiatives have been launched to target open spaces at weekends and light nights.

Q) Dave Hanlon: I attended the Liscard and Seacombe area forum and the police representatives were unaware of an incident of assault in Central Park.

A) Insp Barrett: I am aware of the incident and we are looking into it.

Q) Various residents: A discussion was held over youth behaviour on the Tower Grounds and surrounding streets where youths are accessing the grounds from. This included installing alleygates and the number of reported issues on the grounds.

A) Various contributors: Any incident needs to be called through to the Police as they need to be made aware of the grounds as a hot spot area. If this is done the stats will show that resource needs to be put on to the Tower Grounds. The police are aware of the issues and give attention to the Tower grounds but residents need to call the police whenever there is an issue.

Q) Cllr Hackett: there is a meeting at New Brighton Community Centre on the 21^st July about the Tower Grounds, which will include an estate walkabout to look at the issues. This meeting is open to any resident. Insp Barrett indicated that he will go along on the walkabout.

Q) Cllr Glassman: Has any attention been given to speeding along Fernhill Road?

A) Insp Barrett: Yes, however no one has been caught driving as yet.

Q) Resident: Our property overlooks a flat. People act suspiciously at the property.

A) Insp Barrett: Requested the details at the end of the meeting we will look into it.

Q) Resident: Youths riding scramblers along the roads are causing problems:

A) Insp Barrett: This is a difficult issue to tackle and very rarely will police chase someone on a scrambler as it can be dangerous. The best tactic is to get intelligence on anyone who causing a problem. If anyone knows who the individuals are please contact the police.

Q) Resident: Youths are also causing problems on pedal bikes especially around the Floral Pavilion where some of the walls seem to be damaged.

A) Steve Preston: The Community Patrol Team will monitor the CCTV cameras along there to try and alleviate the problem.

Inspector Kolokotroni

All the statistics for the area are included in the newsletter.  Current resources are being put into truancy sweeps, people cycling on pavements, thefts from motor vehicles and summer activities in Mosslands School.

Chris Jones (Streetscene)

Q) Resident: At the back of the roundabout with the clown statue on a speedbump has been installed but with no markings. This could cause an accident as not many people know about it.

A) Chris Jones: I have seen this speed bump and agreed that the signage should be better. I will speak to the contractor about this issue.

Q) Cllr Wood: The pavements on Northcote Road need repairing. A resident has complained about the quality of work when repairing the road surface, apparently plants are starting to break through the surface.

A) Chris Jones: I will add the repairing of the pavements to the suggestions for the Structural maintenance programme and also encourage people to fill in the form on the signing in desk for further suggestions. In terms of the work undertaken in Northcote Road, this will be taken back to the contractor to investigate.

Q) Resident: Why do Colas sometimes leave the red and white barriers after they have completed road repairs?

A) Chris Jones: This is something that should not be done. Again I will take this back to the contractor, if anyone knows of any particular locations please refer them to me. There are sometimes 3^rd party reasons why barriers are yet, such if a utility company still has work to do at a location.

Q) Pat Glassman: Once the resurfacing of Seabank Road has been done will Rowson St and the streets off Seabank Road by done? Also why were the properties off Seabank Road not given letters advising them of the work?

A) Chris Jones: Yes the tops of the roads will be resurfaced. The contractor is obliged to letter drop the road where the work is taking place. However this does not always apply to adjoining roads. This is something we can look at in the future when carrying out work.

Q) Joe Fish: Who is responsible for the war memorials as the one in Hamilton Square needs cleaning?

A) Chris Jones: I am unaware which department within Technical Services will is responsible for this but I will find out.

Q) Resident: There is a caravan parked around Victoria Road. It was moved from a surrounding road after a notice was put on it.

A) Cllr Taylor: Streetscene are aware of this issue and are looking into it.

Q) Resident: There is a lack of toilets around New Brighton, where are people supposed to go?

A) Cllr Glassman: There will be portaloos on the car park over the summer period.

Q) Resident: The stop line on the temporary traffic lights on Atherton Street is in the wrong place and could cause buses to block the road if they stop at it.

A) Chris Jones: This will be looked into

Q) Cllr Taylor: The CCTV cameras on Seaview Road seem to be pointing out to see. Is there a problem with them?

A) Steve Preston: I will check this location. All the CCTV cameras are working, however there is a problem on some of them with the BT lines. BT are looking into this at the moment.

Q) Resident: If businesses in New Brighton are to thrive again the area needs to look nice. Can the railings around the marine lake be painted as it looks bad at the moment. The trees that have been planted have also died?

A) Various answers from Cllr Glassman, Cllr Taylor, Cllr Hackett and Chris Jones:  The railings will be painted, but it will be one of the last jobs undertaken with the development. The reason for this is that if the railings were painted now they could be damaged by debris and dust etc. Neptune are in dispute with the contractors who planted the trees which will hopefully lead to the issue being resolved.

Tony Mooney (Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service)

Q) Dave Hanlon: Is any work being done to reduce fires on the Dips?

A) Tony Mooney: Yes there a multi-agency approach to reducing fires between the fire service, local authority and police. This has reduced the number of fires but work will continue to go into this area.

Older Peoples Parliament:

Joe Fish informed the forum of a number of OPP initiatives currently being worked on. This included a National Issues Committee which has recently written letters to a number of national figures including the Prime Minister.

Q) Dave Hanlon: How did the Older Peoples Parliament event go at the Floral Pavilion?

A) Joe Fish: The event was a great success and plans are starting now for next years event.

Public Question Time:

Q) Resident: I am on the executive GP Commissioning Board and after watching the recent Panorama Programme about the standard of operating equipment in some UK hospitals I was wondering what procedures where in place at Arrowe Park to ensure all equipment is safe?

A) Andy Ennis: I monitor the number of incident involving safety to staff and patients and we have never had an incident reported due to faulty equipment.  We also have a robust procurement system which would hopefully mean that we never will have any problems with the equipment.

Q) Resident: There are rumours that there will be entry ways from Lakeside Court on to the Tower Grounds, is this true?

A) New Brighton Cllrs: No, this isn’t true and we are not aware of any plans along those lines.

Q) Resident: What is happening with the Old Hotel Victoria. The crane on the site could be dangerous and it was added that people have been seen climbing the crane.

A) Cllr Glassman: The company that own the hotel are not in administration so we are waiting to see what the plans for the hotel are.

Q) Resident: What is happening with Tidal Pool Project that was funded through the Coastal Towns Funding? It was also asked if there can be a update on all the projects funded at the next forum.

A) Andy Brannan will provide a response and make sure there is a update for the next forum.

Q) Cllr Glassman: Has there been an update from the staff consultation at Arrowe Park Hospital?

A) Andy Ennis: A consultation was undertaken which brought up a number of issues. These issues are currently being looked by the board. Andy also gave information on the potential changes to the Vascular Service.