Merseyside Police:    A written report on Upton and Prenton had been incorporated into the Area Co-ordinator’s report.  Inspector Brian Griffiths reported that since the report had been written, the Police boundaries across Merseyside have been changed.  Upton Police Station is now responsible for policing the geographical areas of Greasby and Frankby.

A substantial amount of work has been carried out on young people and alcohol.  Unfortunately a small minority of young people can give the majority of young people a bad name with alcohol and with anti social behaviour.  In this area forum, twelve young people are currently subject to Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and six young people are subject to ASBOs.  Police Officers and PCSO staff have been actively involved in creating diversionary activities for young people to divert them away from anti social activities.  One young person has been given a Volunteer of the Year award.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. Copies of a written report were circulated at the meeting.  Sarah Patterson commented on aspects of the report under the headings –

Smoke detectors.    Fire Officers had visited almost 6,000 homes in Wirral in the last quarter to complete Home Fire Safety checks and provide free smoke detectors where necessary. .

A successful campaign in schools in early summer and close links during the holiday period had seen a 65% decrease in reported anti-social behaviour.

The successful Bonfire Strategy introduced in 2007 will be repeated this year.  Presentations on bonfire safety have been given at a number of secondary schools.  A Bonfire Poster Campaign is being organised in schools with the aim of educating and informing the children of the dangers of fireworks.  The children involved will have an opportunity to win an IPod.

Sarah Patterson thanked the Area Forum for the funding the Fire Service has received from the CIF initiative. 

Wirral PCT:  An update on Wirral Primary Care Trust had been included in the Area Forum Coordinator’s report [pages 26/27]. 

Wirral University Teaching Hospital. The Area Co-ordinator’s report contained an update on Wirral University Teaching Hospital [pages 27/29.

Pat Higginson reported that the Trust is consulting local people on its Draft Public Health Strategy.  Although the main focus is on hospital care, the Trust is committed to doing all it can to promote good health, for the staff, as well as the patients in hospital and their carers.  The Trust has introduced many measures to encourage people not to smoke on hospital sites.

The number of Public Governors continues to grow, and it would be particularly useful for more young people to become Public Governors.  Application forms were available at the meeting

Community News: John Smith drew attention to the report on page 33 of the Area Co-ordinator’s report.  He invited contributions to the next edition of Greasby Messenger by the closing date of 15 November.  Bulb planning in the centre of Greasby will take place on Saturday, 18 October from 9.30 am.  Offers of help would be welcome and donations of bulbs can be left at Greasby Library.

Coffee Morning in Greasby: Ron Green invited all residents of Greasby to attend a Coffee Morning in the Library between 10 and 12 am, on Saturday. 18 October.  The objective is to give local residents the opportunity to state what they want to see in Greasby connected with the outdoors, eg. benches, notice board etc.  Funding opportunities will be explored to provide what people want.

The GOAL group has just received a grant in excess of £32,000 for a games area, which will be sited alongside the pavilion in Coronation Park.  The pavilion has been refurbished in the past two/three years and restoration work has been completed following fire damage.  A CIF grant has been used to upgrade the electrical heaters and sockets. 

In conjunction with the CSO, and funded by GOAL, a group of young people have been taken on a trip to Alton Towers, as a diversionary activity.  The reported incidents in and around Coronation Park have reduced.  Outreach youth workers visit Greasby on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and invite young people to go into the pavilion.  The Bonus Ball competition in Greasby Post Office continues to be successful, and raises a small amount of funding to support local activities.

Overchurch Residents’ Association.  Jean Robinson reported on activities in the Community Shop.  There will be a free event for children between the ages 7 to 13 on 1 November from 9.30 am.  Daryl Parker is one of the young people who instigated the event and have made all the posters.  Daryl and other young people have been asked to do a disco.  An event for younger children will be organised in the next couple of months.

Jean Roberts thanked Daryl and the other young people for freely giving their time to support the project.

Minute decision: Resolved:  To thank representatives for their reports and updates.