POLICE: “Wirral – Your neighbourhood Newsletter for October 2012”, was available for residents at the meeting. Overall crime down and it is the safest place to live and work. Shoplifting/Robberies slightly increased mainly with incidents at off licences.

Q: Raised issue about scams & door knocking scams

A: Be aware do not accept these unless you know them also do not give anyone personal information.  It is dangerous to do so.

Sgt Andy Carter informed the forum that they have a very good team with 19 special constables & officers for the local area. Special constables are voluntary and some of these move on to become Police Officers.  Merseyside Police have started internal recruitment of around 120 staff for thenew financial year including PCSO’s.  The next “Have Your Say” meeting will take place on the 24^th October at Melrose Hall.

FIRE SERVICE: Phil Hunt/Sarah Patterson briefed the forum that over 6,000 properties have had completed with home fire safety checks. The Bonfire strategy starts next week with fire service and partner organisations From this week and up to 5 November, the Fire and Rescue Service are urging members of the public to use the free-phone telephone number 0800 731 5989 to report the build up of bonfire materials that are considered to be dangerous, and the fire service will collect the materials and use them for organised events. The same number can be used to report skips left in if the street and they are considered to be a fire risk.  The service will contact the company involved and ask for them to be removed.  The same number should be used to report children or youths with fireworks or on setting fires.  A fire prevention officer will visit shops to check compliance with the rules for the sale of fireworks and will remove the fireworks if there are any unsafe practices. 

Phil also advised the forum that they are visiting every school educating young people on safe driving, around 16 sessions have been organised and sessions also delivered to those who are aged 16-25 on the campaign regarding “drive to arrive”.  This is a very direct training session and highlights the issues around drugs, alcohol, speeding, impressing their mate/s and not wearing a seatbelt. 

The West Wirral sustainable transport team are keen to encourage people to use their bikes! Other schemes include Beachsafe – BBQs, Aware of Tides, promoting Tide Times etc.

COMMUNITY SAFETY: Mike Collins briefed the forum on that his team is responsible for the security of all council buildings, parks and open spaces. Anti-social behaviour and general crime is down in this area.  The community safety team work in partnership with the Police and Fire Service to ensure that this is a safe place to live. Wheelie bins are a major issue at present.  If a bin that has been left out or is put out on a non-collection day is stolen, the occupier is responsible for the cost of the replacement bin.  In some areas of Wirral, wheelie bins are being stolen and used for bonfires.

Q: Jackie Hall raised an on-going issue around the former public toilet at North Parade/Trinity Road.  This was pursued in 2007 and she had been informed that nothing can be done about this until 2015.

Q: With all of the savings that need to be achieved, what is happening with development for the Concourse.

A: Kevin Adderley will look into both of these issues.

Q: It is the year of the Wirral Coast Line.  Beach at Hoylake is in a dreadful state the grass growth of beach is comical to look at.  The spartina grass is getting worse and is spreading more and more. Hoylake Sailing Club volunteered to clean it up yearly but ithas been even more widespread.  It is encouraging more insects and we will have more rodent problems in the future.  It is from the Kings Gap area heading towards Liverpool, also West Kirby beachwas highlighted as an area of concern.

Cllrs John Hale/Geoffrey Watt replied to this issue.  Back in 2000 we were banned by Natural England so had to use specialist equipment/materials. It has been sprayed for 2/3years. It is now being regularly sprayed by the Council’s own workers and some die-back is apparent. Mary Bagley is the officer responsible and is aware of this issue.  Natural England may be more stricter after 2015. 

One  resident was not in favour of the removal of the Spartina  grass.

Q: Road maintenance - Banks road (sinking)) near Church Road.  It has been like this for about 3 months. There are Cones to protect the area.

A: Mark Traynor is look into this.