Question/Comment:  [Representative Hoylake Businesses]:  Anti-social behaviour in Market Street.

Response [Merseyside Police]:  Information is needed on specific incidents.  Details will be taken at the end of the meeting and will be investigated. Reported incidents of anti-social behaviour have fallen from 94 in 2006, to 69 in 2009, and to 32 this year.  The Police hold regular ‘Have your Say’ meetings, Police surgeries are held regularly where people can raise concerns.  Recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in and around Market Street have been addressed. A change to the winter shift pattern at the end of October will see patrols concentrating more on the night-time economy in Hoylake and West Kirby.  Officers  check compliance with licensing conditions and planning regulations The number of assaults through drunkenness is falling.

Question/Comment:  [Representative Hoylake businesses:] There has been an improvement and thanks are due to the Police Officers, but the problem cannot be totally eradicated. There was a lot of noise which started early on Friday evening and lasted until the early hours.  Does that constitute anti-social behaviour?  To be fair to the residents and everyone who tries to work here, there has to be a balance and when the night time economy stops and people are entitled to enjoy their property.

Response:  Merseyside Police:  I can reassure people that we will be look more closely at the night time economy and particularly the comments about the time licences finish.  Holiday Express Inn are applying for a licence until 3 am, and that is a concern if granted, especially as other clubs will want to follow suit.

Response:  [Director of Technical Services]:  The Council has received funding as part of Aldi’s planning application.  There are plans for a puffin and a zebra crossing.  If details are provided, the Traffic Manager will make contact and talk about the details.

Question/Comment:  Letters to attend area forum meetings are now personally addressed to the recipient.  This prevents letters being placed on notice boards and shop windows etc.  A return to the old system could save money.

Response.   [Councillor Green]  Thank you for the suggestion.  It would be worth checking how many such personal invitations are sent out by other Departments.  There could be a saving there.

Question/Comment.  [Councillor Watt]:  The work undertaken by the Council last year to remove spartina grass from the shore was followed up volunteers who continued the work.  Something needs to be done year on year, otherwise the grass will continue to grow.  Is anything planned this year?

Response:  [Director of Technical Services:  The PACSPE contract includes a beach management plan agreed with local residents.