Kevin Adderley gave a statement over the future of the Area Forums.

The plans are to abolish the 11 Areas Forums and have 4 Neighbourhood Teams in Wirral. 

The new teams will be involved in allocating resources and budget planning.  The plan is to reduce costs and will result in better services working together with partners.

The plan will be going to the next Cabinet meeting for approval.

Councillor Jeff Green expressed his disappointment in the new plans.  The West Wirral Area Forum has proved to be a successful forum and since 2003 a great deal of work has been achieved:

·  Influenced Road Safety

·  Influenced Road Maintenance

·  Opening of the Help Shop in Hoylake

·  Support and assistance for the local Community Centres

·  Save the libraries campaign

·  Aldi Development in West Kirby

·  Hoylake Market Street development

·  Hoylake Lifeboat

·  Friends of parks and gardens

·  Hoylake Christmas lights

·  New allotments

·  2006 Open Golf – supported plans

·  Hotel Development

·  Amongst much more

All of the above have all gone through the forum and the Area Forum has taken them forward.  Councillor Jeff Green has been committed to local issues and the community well being

He expressed is thanks to Tracey Smith for all her hard work and effort with this Forum. He also expressed how much he has enjoyed his time working with everyone involved with this West Wirral Forum

If the plan for the new format of the forums is agreed at the Cabinet Meeting, then this will be the very last West Wirral Forum and the new format will commence in May 2013.

Councillor Jeff Green also thanked Jim Wilkie, Dave Green and Howard Mortimer and he will be writing to thank them for all their hard work over the years as Council Officers who frequently attended the Forums.

Q.  Why didn’t the members get printed copies of the statement of the proposals?

A.  The report outlining the proposals went to Cabinet and is available on the Council website.  A copy of the statement read out can be sent out to anyone who requests a copy.

Q.  Does this now mean that this group will be unable to meet anymore?

A.  You will be able to attend the new meetings when they have been worked out.  .

It was expressed that the future meetings may be further away; less people may be able to attend from the local communities.  There is concern that what we have now will disappear and local issues won’t be listened too.  There is a fear of losing the community voice and having little opportunity to discuss local community issues.

It was suggested that as West Wirral, the members should make themselves known and that they are a neighbourhood and should work together to influence the future.

Q.  Is there a future? Could it be looked at to possibly meet with our local Councillors here in Hoylake and West Kirby to continue the community work?

A.  Councillor Jeff Green agreed that this could be an opportunity and will look how it could be worked out.

Q.  Jackie Hall expressed her annoyance for the new plans.  However, she has spoken to the vicar at St Johns and he has agreed use of the hall for meetings, and Melrose Hall is also available.