Report by the Constituency Manager (Wirral South) is attached.

A report by the Constituency Manager set out the progress on the Committee’s priorities for 2014/15 and beyond.  The Committee’s three priorities were as set out in Minute No. 31 above.  Each priority had been allocated £15,000 which left a core budget of £5,000 to support various engagement initiatives. Appended to the report were:

·  Appendix 1 - ‘Parks Priority Task and Finish Group’ 11 Dec, 2014

·  Appendix 2 - Projected Spend Against Parks Priority (as of Jan 2015)

·  Appendix 3 - Update Spend Re. Gaps In Youth Provision

·  Appendix 4 - Dementia Friendly Communities

In respect of the Improved Open Space priority the Committee was informed that the Parks Priority Task and Finish Group had met on two occasions to consider where to focus its efforts during 2015/16.  The Committee noted that progress in Mayer Park included the following:

·  A brand new entrance sign erected.

·  Lines of sight improved by reducing height of existing hedges.

·  New flower beds dug and planted up.

·  Dead trees removed.

·  New litter bins throughout.

·  Work carried out on offending vegetation in roof of Mayer Hall/Pennant House.

·  Stonework repaired on Mayer Hall/Pennant House Stumps removed.

·  A fence at Ellen’s lane.

·  Replacement of rose bed in Ormerod Gardens.

·  Edging of all paths throughout.

·  Disabled access swing installed.

The Committee was reminded that the Parks Priority Task and Finish Group had been given delegated authority to “…ensure budgetary spend can be agreed and improvements made as expediently as possible, thus maximising the potential for applying for the Green Flag Award within 2014/15” (Minute No. 21 refers).  Consequently, the Task and Finish Group had been presented with the following two main improvement options for Mayer Park:

·  the refurbishment of decorative gates and railings (at a cost of £5,400); and

·  the installation of a  round top, metal fence along the (currently open) grassed area on Ellen’s Lane (at a cost of £3,700).

Following responses from a clarification question (relating to guarantee of work on gates and railings) the Task and Finish Group had approved both options.

It was reported that the Group had also considered the possible geographical location of focus for the Committee in 2015/16. This discussion not only considered the existing distribution of Green Flag Awards throughout Wirral South per ward but also the level of involvement of community/friends groups in relation to their local park. Based on this discussion it had been proposed that Dawstone Park in Heswall be recommended as the area of focus for 2015/16

Appendix 1 to the report detailed the current projected spend against the Parks Priority for 2014/15. The Committee noted that if it agreed the recommendations set out in the report there would be £2496.10 remaining to spend in 2014/15. It was recommended that the Parks Priority Task and Finish Group should consider the views of both Parks’ staff and the existing “Friends” Group for Mayer Park and expedite the spend of the remaining budget where necessary.

In respect of Gaps in Youth Provision the Committee was reminded of the proposals presented to it at its last meeting. (Minute No. 21 refers.)  It noted that further work would be carried out with Youth Services to develop recommendations for the remaining budgetary spend and they would be presented to the Committee at its next meeting on 16 April 2015.

In respect of Social Isolation the Committee was informed that the Public Service Board had met on 4 September 2014 to discuss the opportunity of setting up “Dementia Friendly Communities” in Wirral South. Utilising existing evidence from the Wirral South Profile (produced by Public Health) and with support from the Alzheimer’s Society, it had been agreed at the last meeting of the Committee on 16 October 2014 that Heswall be recommended as a pilot location for this initiative.

Consequently, an open meeting had been held in Heswall Library on 27 November 2014. This open meeting (entitled “Making Heswall a Dementia Friendly Community”) had been well attended by a variety of community and partnering organisations.  Initial pledges had been made by many organisations in attendance and a plan for action in 2015 was being developed.  The Committee noted that a second meeting was scheduled to be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd (188 Telegraph Road, Heswall), at 6pm on 29 January 2015.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the progress made by the Committee’s Parks Priority Task and Finish Group be noted;

(2)  Dawstone Park in Heswall be agreed as the location of focus in relation to the parks priority for 2015/16; 

(3)  the progress made in relation to the Youth Priority and that  previously identified gaps in youth provision in Wirral South are now being addressed be noted; and

(4)  the progress made in relation to the “Dementia Friendly Communities” project in Heswall be noted.