• Merseyside police/Community Safety
• Fire Service
• NHS Foundation Trust
• Primary Care Trust
• Older Peoples Parliament

Police: 

Inspector Peter Kolokotroni, Neighbourhood Inspector for Moreton and West Wallasey, reported that figures to the end of September 2008, compared with the same period last year, show a reduction of 257 offences. There has been a slight increase of one offence to nine offences. Theft from parked unattended vehicles increased slightly in the Moreton East and Leasowe ward.  Contributory factors were vehicles left insecure overnight and vehicles with personal property and Sat. Navs. left on display.  In August, three males were arrested for robbery from business premises and a male was arrested and charged with an offence of threatening people with a blank pistol near Moreton Shore.  Last night, a male was arrested in Hoylake after entering a property carrying an axe and demanding money.  The modus operandi was similar to that used in a previous incident.  Two males are being held in custody and they will be interviewed concerning both incidents.

Wirral’s performance is judged against 15 similar areas in the country.  Wirral has come out top for reducing all crime, and fourth for reducing incidents of robbery.  Anti social behaviour is the lowest in Wirral in the past four years.

There have been several successful drug seizures over recent months as a result of information received from the public.  Three cannabis factories were discovered in the Moreton and Leasowe area.  Several people have been arrested and a further person has been arrested at an address in Moreton. 

The Police have responded to reports from residents of youths causing annoyance and under age drinking in the Moreton West and Saughall Massie areas.

Acting on information received from members of the public, and working with local councillors and partner agencies, an operation was set up on licensed premises in Pasture Road.  The outcome had been that the licence had been revoked.

PCO’s have been involved in truancy sweeps with the LA, which have resulted in a number of young people being returned to their schools.  The PCO’s are also involved in providing diversionary activities for young people in the area, and that will continue. 

Inspector Kolokotroni urged members of the public to continue to report information to the Police. The emergency number ‘999’ should be used if there is a threat to life or a crime is in progress.  Information about a crime can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling the Freephone number 0800 555 111.

A member of the public raised a question about dangerous dogs.  He stated that dogs can be quite frightening to people and every dog should be kept on a lead, particularly in busy areas. 

Inspector Kolokotroni replied that the Police work with the RSPCA and take action in instances where it is believed that a prohibited breed of dog is being kept and used for fighting purposes. The Police rely on receiving information about where these dogs are kept.

PCT:

Dr Mantgani reported that in the 2006/07 Healthcare Commission Annual Health Check, Wirral Primary Car Trust and the NHS Foundation Trust both earned the maximum score of ‘excellent’ for quality of services and ‘good’ for use of resources.  Wirral PCT is rated in the top nine out of 152 PCTs across the country; only one PCT scored higher in assessments on almost 100 key health standards. 

The only area where the PCT is not meeting its targets is in relation to pre-bookable appointments.  GP Practices are doing well with telephoned access, appointments and enabling patients to speak to a doctor, but they are not meeting national targets in pre-bookable appointments. The PCT is working with GPs to ensure they reach the targets of 40% of all appointments being pre-bookable, and that patients can get access to a GP within 48 hours.  The PCT is also working with GPs to extend surgery hours in the evening.  Currently, each GP has to offer half-an-hour evening opening for every 1,000 patient population.  The PCT is initiating a scheme that will double that figure so that surgeries will remain open on a increased number of evenings in the week.

The consultation on proposals for St Catherine’s Hospital has ended and a report has been submitted.  The early indications are that there has been overwhelming support for the proposals.

The PCT is working with the Hospital Trust to improve the stroke service so that people can access treatment within four hours, and to provide a local service within Wirral so that people do not have to access services in other areas.

Older People’s Parliament: 

Roger Cliff Thompson, OPP representative for the Liscard area, reported that the Parliament has 44 members.  Associate members are being sought to join the Parliament.  Anyone over the age of 50 is eligible to become an Associate Member.  Copies of a  report on the Parliament’s activities for the period June to October 2008 were available at the area forum.

Mr Thompson described a situation where a person was employed by a school as an invigilator.  When the person reached the age of 70, the school told them that they could not continue because they no longer complied with insurance requirements.  The Parliament had challenged the decision on the grounds of ageism, and the school has reinstated the person. 

Jack Cuffe, the Chair of the Parliament, has written to the Home Office about Pensions, but it appears that the Home Office has lost his letter.

Fire and Rescue Service:

Tony Mooney drew attention to the report on pages 16-18 of the Area Co-ordinator’s report.  He highlighted the initiatives –

Winter Warm Campaign -  The Charity arm of the Fire Service has secured funding to PAT test electric blankets and to replace those that are condemned, free of charge.  Events will take place between 10 am and 2 pm, on Thursday, 16 October at Rock Ferry Library, and on Friday, 17 October, at Wheatland Lane, Seacombe. 

The Bonfire Strategy introduced in 2007 had resulted in a 70% reduction in the number of bonfires requiring attendance by the Fire Service, and a decrease in the illegal sale and storage of fireworks.  The Fire Service is working with its partners in the Police, Trading Standards, the Probation Service and the Community Safety Team to implement the strategy again this year.  Operational fire crews are visiting all the schools and talking to targeted age groups about the dangers of fireworks and inviting them to take part in a poster competition.  An IPod will be offered as a prize for the winning poster and the posters will be used in next year’s campaign.  The crews will also be visiting places where there are reports of an accumulation of combustible materials in the run up to bonfire night, and they will remove materials where there is a danger to life or property.  The crews are also visiting premises that are licensed to sell fireworks to give advice on safe storage. 

Minute decision:
Resolved:  That Inspector Kolokotroni, Dr Mantgani, Roger Cliff Thompson and Tony Mooney be thanked for the updates.