Agenda item

QUESTIONS

To deal with questions from Council members and from members of the public, in accordance with Standing Order 11.

Minutes:

(a) Mr Norman Haslehurst, 3 Hillam Road, Wallasey, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“As a member of the public, I wish to put the following question to the relevant Cabinet Member:

If the proposal to close Guinea Gap and Woodchurch Centres is approved, apart from the many activities involved, I estimate that approximately 800 school children participate in the curriculum lessons each week and a further 900 children undertake private lessons each week.

Where will all these activities be catered for?”

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

Clearly Guinea Gap is used for primary school swimming. This year the pattern of use has changed in that schools have two week blocks where they have a 30 minute session every day for those two weeks each term. Each school decides which year group(s) to take. This concentrated pattern of allocation to schools is meant to be more effective at getting non-swimmers started than the previously weekly sessions.

There are 16 primary schools and two special schools using the pool this term, some local and some from quite a distance e.g. Bidston Avenue and Oxton St Saviour’s.

If Guinea Gap was not available then school swimming could be re-located to other pools. This would be likely to include some additional transport costs for the small number of schools who currently walk to the pool. There would also probably need to be a reduction in public swimming times at the remaining pools if the current pattern of school swimming was to be maintained.

(b) Mr Peter Dickinson, Chair of West Wallasey Village Residents Group, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“Has the Council in its deliberations actually assessed by cost/benefit analysis precisely what the Wallasey Village branch library provides to the Wallasey Village area, in terms of either:

its role as a social lifeline across the whole spectrum of the community, embracing all age groups from very young infants to the elderly population, making it in effect a community centre in its own right;

the wide range of services it provides, such as pre-school age toddlers attending story-time classes, primary school children borrowing books and using computers and older citizens not only borrowing books but also engaging in enjoyable and much anticipated social activities organised and provided by the pro-active and innovative library staff; or

its accessibility to those residents with health/mobility problems who would find negotiating the journey to Earlston Road library or the proposed Liscard new library site, a major, if not insurmountable problem?”

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

The council is grateful for all views expressed in response to consultation on the strategic asset review. These will be considered in finalising the way forward.

The asset review recognises the diverse nature of the council’s estate and the age of many of its properties. Since properties such as Wallasey Village library were built service provision has changed and the costs and economics of service delivery have become far more complex. The asset review is intended to match the estate to modern service needs.

The council is aware of the services and benefits provided through all its libraries. It intends to develop and enhance these services through fewer but better facilities, and to protect those services by ensuring they are sustainable.

Libraries are one element in a network of facilities within local communities from which activities are provided. Not all of these facilities are owned or need to be owned by the council. Pre-school children will access `story time’ type activities through playgroups, nurseries, children’s centres and other similar places. All local primary schools have computers to support learning. Activities for adults will also be provided through a range of other facilities which may be owned by the council, its partners, the voluntary sector, clubs and societies and the private sector.

Whilst Wallasey Village residents would have to travel further to a library the distances involved are reasonable (1.04 miles from Wallasey Village library to Earlston Road or approximately 1.03 miles to central Liscard). At its meeting on 27^th November 2008 the council’s Cabinet agreed that the provision of a mobile library/one stop shop be agreed in principle and subjected to consultation. Such provision may assist residents with health/mobility problems.

Mr Dickinson asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Bob Moon responded accordingly.

(c) Eric G Johnson (Chair of Friends of Leasowe Lighthouse), having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“Our overall high-speed assessment of the paper under discussion is that it is a mix of common-sense and necessity.

The concerns of 'The Friends of Leasowe Lighthouse' are over the future of heritage assets - and ours is just one - which have hardly been touched upon - only a mention of the Priory in Birkenhead.

Given the implication from the paper that the Community Fund could not sustain such buildings and the groups who promote them, then these heritage assets all face demolition, which cannot be right.

Is this the reality, or is there more 'thinking' to be done?”

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

I welcome your positive comments concerning the Strategic Asset Review. Officers are working with the Wirral History and Heritage Association and other organisations to identify options for the future management of the heritage assets included in the review. A key part of the implementation of the review will be transitional arrangements to ensure proposals can be fully developed.

Mr Johnson asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Bob Moon responded accordingly.

(d) Heather Butler, 5 Shortfield Way, Upton (Upton Library Users Group), having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“Appendix 1 of the Assessment of Current Library Services in Wirral described Upton Library as ‘average and stable’. Why is this building threatened with closure given that:

it is an outstanding example of 1930’s Art Deco architecture;

it has served the community for over 70 years;

Upton Library is the soul of a growing community and is a place for READING;

the Birkenhead Advertiser in September 1936 described the building as ‘…. an addition to the architectural assets of Upton and the district generally’?”

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

The council is grateful for all views expressed in response to consultation on the strategic asset review. These will be considered in finalising the way forward.

Ms Butler asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Bob Moon responded accordingly.

(e) Jean Taylor, Chairperson, Peninsular Group of Swimming Clubs, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“If the proposed swimming pool closures go ahead, what criteria will be used to divide the available water time at the remaining pools between the various user groups, so that no one loses out?"

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

Wirral has a very good level of provision of swimming facilities and, whilst the proposals will reduce the number of pools run by Wirral Council, we will be working with swimming clubs, schools and others to accommodate as wide a range of users as possible. Priority will be given to ensuring that all schools are accommodated at their nearest pool. Officers have met with the Peninsular Group of Clubs and further meetings will be necessary.

Ms Taylor asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Bob Moon responded accordingly.

(f) David Barke, 9 Dale Hey, Wallasey (Chief Coach of Wallasey Swimming Club), having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“In relation to the proposed closure of Guinea Gap Sports Centre, and bearing in mind that no contact was made with Wallasey Swimming Club as a user group by the Consultants to discuss this matter, can I ask this question, which is in three parts:

Has any costing comparison been undertaken between keeping the current facilities and the building and running costs of providing new ones?

Can you guarantee that all options will be considered, as these facilities provide a very important service in terms of health and social inclusion and, most vitally, are easily accessible to local council tax paying residents?

Where, and how, will the 420 children on swimming lessons at Guinea Gap, the 17 schools involved and the 91.5 hours of public swimming be accommodated?”

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

This is essentially the same answer as that for Mr Haslehurst (the first questioner). Clearly Guinea Gap is used for primary school swimming. This year the pattern of use has changed in that schools have two week blocks where they have a 30 minute session every day for those two weeks each term. Each school decides which year group(s) to take. This concentrated pattern of allocation to schools is meant to be more effective at getting non-swimmers started than the previously weekly sessions.

There are 16 primary schools and two special schools using the pool this term, some local and some from quite a distance e.g. Bidston Avenue and Oxton St Saviour’s.

Mr Barke asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Bob Moon responded accordingly.

(g) Brian Kendall, 30 Claremount Road, Wallasey, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

With reference to council minute 140 (“Mersey tunnel tolls”) of 21 April 2008, what progress has been made on the following sections:

“(2)(iv) asking Council officers to liaise with Merseytravel to investigate the introduction of a discounted scheme (for) residents of Wirral and Liverpool;

(2)(v) asking Wirral’s four Labour MPs to support this Notice of Motion and actively lobby the Government.”

Councillor Jean Quinn responded as follows:

Council notes that the Government's new Transport Bill has now received Royal Assent and an important aspect of the Bill is a requirement for city regions to review governance arrangements in relation to transport with a view to introducing a new city region Integrated Transport Authority or ITA. All Merseyside Leaders are committed to the review of the sub-region's governance arrangements for transport and it is likely that a new city region ITA will be established in the near future.

It is anticipated that key strategic decisions in relation to transport, including policy on tunnel and bridge tolls, will fall under the remit of the new ITA and it is proposed that officers from the Council will work with officers from Merseytravel once the new ITA is established to consider this issue.

The then Acting Monitoring Officer and Proper Officer wrote to Wirral's four MPs individually to draw their attention to this issue. However no written response was received.

Mr Kendall asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Jean Quinn responded accordingly.

(h) Keith Lewis, on behalf of The Warren Golf Club, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“Being aware that the Strategic Area Review is taking up a lot of people’s time within the Council and has produced many issues that need to be addressed, can I highlight two important matters and enquire as to their future:

The proposed disposal of The Grange function facility – it is currently home to The Warren Golf Club, so what is proposed for its future location?

The proposed closure of Guinea Gap baths – what will be the impact on the area and on its community, particularly in terms of the availability of alternative facilities?”

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

In respect of The Grange, adjacent to the Warrens Golf Course, any further discussions on the disposal of properties will include consultation with existing tenants, and the Authority will comply with any landlord obligations. We would be happy to consider any proposals from the clubs who presently occupy the building.

The impact of the proposed closure of Guinea Gap Baths is recognised. However, Wirral has a very good level of provision of swimming facilities and, whilst the proposals will reduce the number of pools run by Wirral Council, the provision will still be comparable to similar local authorities in England and Wales.

Mr Lewis asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Bob Moon responded accordingly.

(i) Allan Malden, Clifton Lodge, Withens Lane, Wallasey, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“With regard to the fact that the Council has decided to remove a number of school crossing patrols, including the patrols at Liscard Primary School, what value does the Council put on a child’s life?”

Councillor Jean Quinn responded as follows:

Good evening Mr Maldon. I realise that you specifically want some details about School Crossing Patrols but as you have asked your question in more general terms I will make some other comments first and come to the school crossing patrols a little later if I may.

“What value does the Council put on a child's life?”

I think we all believe that a child’s life is priceless and those of us who have make decisions on behalf of the whole Borough must have that constantly in our minds. We take our responsibilities for the development, health and safety of children very seriously indeed. We have to make decisions which give the best possible outcomes to as many children as possible from maintaining school crossing patrols where they are most needed to protecting children who are at risk in many other situations.

Since the decision to remove school crossing patrol attendants from 18 schools was been made many people have said to me, “It is only £50,000 is it worth it?” I put a question to you – would it be worth keeping school crossing patrols where they are not needed and then take an extra £50,000 from somewhere else for example Children’s Services –a possible whole social worker at the time when we are all in shock over the baby P case?

Within a finite budget this is the kind of decision that we face. This is complicated even further by the fact that we have a statutory responsibility to provide some servicesfor example Children’s Services, Social Services but provision of school crossing patrols is not our statutory responsibility. Having said that we do provide the service and I value the work of our 113 school crossing patrol staff and the contributionthey make to road safety.

However it is only right that the Council apply objective criteria in determining where school crossing patrols should be provided. Clearly, priority must be given to where significant pupil numbers need to cross hazardous roads. Because of changing patterns in school attendance and falling rolls, the location of some crossing points does need to be addressed.

I know Mr Maldon that you are essentially raising concerns about the removal of a School Crossing Patrol service from 18 schools and in particular from Liscard Primary School.

Bearing this in mind let me explain to you what has happened and where we are at now. The criteria we have been using so far are recommended by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA); these are a combination of the number of children crossing and the number of vehicles. They are recommended guidelines and are used by many Councils across the Country when making decisions about where school crossing patrols should go. In Wirral all 113 crossings were subject to this calculation routinely and 18 fell below the recommended lower limit.

Since the decision was taken schools and staff have been contacted as part of a consultation. In addition many parents have contacted me direct to express their concerns.

As of last Wednesday the position is as follows:

Of the 18 schools:

9 have said they do not feel it necessary to continue with the crossing patrol either because it is redundant or they wish to consider other road safety options.

5 schools have significant problems with the proposal and are organising petitions etc.

One school is considering alternative funding options.

The others have not made a decision yet because governing bodies have not had a chance to discuss the matter.

Of the parents that have contacted me their concerns have mostly not been about the school crossing patrol itself but about other road safety issues e.g. speeding traffic and dangerous or selfish parking.

Some parents have said that the removal of school crossing patrols will encourage more parents to drive their children to school with its obvious health and environmental problems. One of my responses has to be that if fewer parents drove their children to school it would be safer and healthier and the numbers of children crossing might well increase above the threshold for a school crossing patrol.

I have asked for further assessments of the traffic conditions and road layout etc in relation to the 5 schools where concerns have been expressed. This will inform any future decision and may well result in other actions being taken like speeding enforcement and introduction or extension of traffic regulation orders around the schools. I would also like to take this opportunity to reassure parents that the Council is strongly committed to creating safe walking routes to school.

Thus it has been possible to achieve some savings to help with the over stretched Council budget at the same time as potentially putting more appropriate road safety measures into place.

In addition the Council has invested over half a million pounds in puffin crossings and two and a half million pounds in other road safety measures over the past three years across large parts of the Borough. As a result Wirral’s previous poor record has been turned around, road accident statistics have gone down in the last two years and the number of children who are killed or seriously injured on Wirral roads has fallen from 37 in 2005 to 23 in 2007/8.

You will also note that there is an amendment to a motion on this subject going before Council this evening which asks officers to develop a new policy for undertaking a risk assessmentof school crossings and report back to Cabinet in the next six months.

Mr Malden asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Jean Quinn responded accordingly.

(j) Councillor Bill Duffey, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question:

“What is the rational behind the closure of Guinea Gap Baths a facility that works whose activities are not easily transported unlike say those at Solar Campus a facility that is being retained, is well used and provides the learning of a life skill, encourages health and fitness, and gives pleasure and leisure?”

Councillor Bob Moon responded as follows:

The rationale can be found in item 31 of the Cultural Services Development Plan. We have unsustainable net costs, which are aggravated by increasing budgetary pressures, particularly energy. The recommendation is for better but fewer facilities, accessible to the whole community of Wirral, improving the quality of facilities and service delivery. The Solar Campus is retained subject to the Office Accommodation Review and will therefore be included in a future report.

Councillor Duffey asked a supplementary question to which Councillor Bob Moon responded accordingly.