Dave Green gave an update on the Integrated Transport Block (ITB) Funding (detailed on page 23 of the Area Co-ordinators report).

In Autumn 2006 the forums were consulted on how this funding would be allocated. Nine of the forums requested that the funding remain in a central pot for funding larger schemes. Two of the forums (Heswall/Pensby/Thingwall and Bromborough/Eastham) requested that the funding be allocated by the forums. The success of this initiative piloted in 2007/08 in these two Area Forums, has led to continued de-centralisation of funds for 2008/09 for the two forums and officers being requested to consult with the remaining nine Forums to determine if they wish to receive de-centralised funding (this will be approximately £18,000 per area forum) for allocation on traffic schemes. If the forums decide to opt for this the funding they will be supported by an officer form Technical Services, who will offer guidance, advice, ideas and information on costs, risks, pitfalls etc. The funding would have to be spent within the financial year it is allocated. A report on the forums’ recommendations will be taken to Cabinet on 19^th March 2009, so the decision needs to be made by 20^th February 2009.

Community Speed Watch Areas – there are seven pilot areas currently in place and these are successful. Members of the forum are being requested to put forward suggestions for additional community speed watch areas for consideration as the scheme is being expanded. Suggestions are required by 20^th February 2009.

The Chair thanked Dave Green for his update, the Forum debated this proposal and the following questions / issues were raised:

1.  Member of the public - what is the 20 is plenty scheme?

A.   Seven areas were identified to take part in a pilot voluntary speed reduction scheme aiming to bring accidents down to zero by reducing the speed of traffic in the area using signage rather than traffic calming measures, such as speed humps, by engaging with the areas and carrying out consultation to get motorists to reduce their speed.

The following suggestions were put forward:

• Rowson Street (by Stoneacres)
• Grove Road, Wallasey Village
• Mount Pleasant Road
• St Georges primary school area
• Greenleas primary school area
• Mount primary school area
• Mariners Park / Seabank Road / Manor Road (it is dangerous crossing the road to get to the bus stops)

Councillor Wood added that the primary school areas are to be targeted by the Police from 23^rd February, but could be considered for this scheme.

The Chair mentioned that there had been an accident at Seabank Road / Manor Road recently.

2.  Councillor Pritchard asked if the scheme was aimed at side roads rather than main roads.

A.  All suggestions should be put through, as this is only one aspect of what we can do. The Local Transport Plan (LTP) could be used for putting in a pedestrian refuge or extra lineage. The two schemes are complementary to each other. The 20 is plenty scheme has been successful in changing the behaviour of drivers.

3.  Geoff Gorman – how much do the Police make from motorists?

A.  The Police do not get paid from the revenue raised from tickets.

4.  Dave Hanlon – the problems at Mariners Park were raised at the Liscard and Seacombe area forum, would it be possible to have a zebra crossing there and would the cost of this be covered if this forum linked with that forum?

A.  The cost for a zebra crossing is about £50,000, but officers would advise on this and there may be scope to be creative and link into other funding, such as the central pot.

Members of the public

5.  How much could be achieved with £18,000?

A.  A pedestrian refuge or road signage cost around £4,000. The £18,000 is provided on a recurring basis and is an opportunity for local people to take responsibility on what happens in their local area.

The Chair added that only small schemes could be carried out with this amount of funding and would not be of much benefit for the area, particularly if further issues came up.

6.  What would happen to the funding if the forum decides that it does not wish to allocate this?

A.  It will remain in the central pot.

7.  Are the public being given a choice on how this is allocated?

A. It is for the area forum to make the ultimate decision, but your input is wanted. Once the decision has been delegated it will be up to the forum to decide how it is spent.

8.  The exact cost of schemes would be needed before a decision could be made on this. Councillor Taylor added that more information on the cost of items would be needed to enable the value to the forum area to be determined.

A.  The forum are being asked to decide how to allocate the £18,000 which the Cabinet has decided to split equally between the forums. The mechanics of how to spend the funding and detailed costs of schemes can be provided over the 14 months during which the funding will need to be spent.

Councillor Wood clarified that the £18,000 was separate to the funding for the 20 is plenty scheme.

9.  Are details of how the £6.5m is allocated available, and does the £18,000 come from this pot?

A.  The LTP has a budget of £6.5m a year and a large proportion of this is spent on formal traffic calming measures (such as road humps). The areas are chosen by looking at set criteria, including the areas with the highest accident rates, and are allocated on a borough wide needs basis. The information is a matter of public record. All accidents resulting in people being killed or seriously injured (KSI) are recorded by the police. A prioritised list (showing areas with 4+ KSI over the last four years where engineering measures can improve this) is worked through. The £18,000 comes from this pot and there is discretion on how it can be allocated, as no criteria has to be applied or satisfied, enabling the option of decisions being determined locally.

Councillor Rennie recommended that the allocation should be taken, on the understanding that the forum area won’t be penalised on other schemes we may put forward for allocation form the larger pot. The Chair agreed with this recommendation, he felt that £18,000 was not enough, but that it should be taken and allocated locally.

Councillor Wood added that traffic officers visited a site at Wallasey Village that was subject to a planning application and reported that there were no traffic problems relating to the proposal and it was recommended for approval.

A member of the public added that another application for Harrison Park Nursery to increase its numbers, and bring even more cars into the area, was also approved despite the difficulties of getting into Grove Road at most times of the day.

Dave Green agreed to consider all of the suggestions / points raised.

Resolved that: 

(i)  Dave Green be thanked for his update

(ii)  Dave Green to report the forum recommendation to receive the de-centralised funding to Cabinet and to consider all of the suggestions / points raised re: traffic schemes