A maximum of 50 minutes will be allocated for community questions – these can be raised in advance of the meeting by emailing janemorgan@wirral.gov.uk

The Chair invited questions from members of the public upon matters that were relevant to the Wirral West Constituency. Two questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting.

Question from Mr Bill Montgomery by email:

“I can’t help but notice the great work done by the Hoylake and Meols volunteers but, more noticeable, what appears to be the sad decline of Council input to our roads, pavements, promenade and beaches. The kerb sides and roads are beginning to break with weeds and grasses growing through. Sand is mounting on pavements and the beaches are something of an eyesore. I recognise financial restraints, but sometimes we have to gamble on spending to generate income. We need to embrace tourism as our best bet for income. Can we look at these areas of possible council neglect and upkeep?”

Response - a detailed response has been sent to Mr Montgomery as below:

“We also absolutely value the fantastic work done by local volunteers in Hoylake and Meols and continue to work with them to support the great work they do.

In respect of the kerb sides and roads are beginning to break with weeds and grasses growing through, the Council’s Ground Maintenance Manager has reported that the highways spraying programme takes place in two parts, the first starting in April over about a 3 month period – there was a good start to the spraying season and the team was due to have completed Hoylake and Meols by now but unfortunately the last few weeks of bad weather has delayed progress. The Council completely understands it’s frustrating, however spraying activity is very much weather dependant. The team is working additional hours to try and get back on track.

In respect of the beaches, the Council’s Parks and Countryside Team Leader for West Kirby, Hoylake and Meols has reported that over the past few years the foreshore at Hoylake has been sprayed to get rid of grass in late July or August, and observation of the foreshore appears to show it is successfully controlling the spread of grasses. One of the most important factors for successful spraying, is to get maximum leaf coverage - the majority of the grass is Puccinellia Maritima which under typical conditions grows most vigorously between August and October.  It is good practice to minimise herbicide usage, so for this reason we aim to spray only once per year, in July or August, which can be revisited later with a knapsack sprayer to clear up any parts where the weed control has not taken effectively.  The spraying programme has been researched, agreed with Natural England and appears to be working - there are no plans to change it at present, unless in the future new information comes to light.”

Given his interest in tourism, Mr Montgomery was also sent the link below for his information, relating to work that was happening to increase tourism in Wirral:

http://wirralview.com/news/wirral-s-tourism-businesses-set-huge-boost

Question from Mr Sills by email:

“Yet another year and still no action to pollard the top twenty or so trees in Burlingham Avenue. Still the roots grow to further crack and block our drains. Small branches still falling on the road, pavements and verges. When will we hear the results of the Wirral survey of the 24,000 trees under council responsibility?  Will it take an accident to prompt action?”

Response

Following this issue being raised previously at the Constituency Committee, the Highways Asset Manager was meeting the tree contractor on site week commencing 5th June to discuss future work programme for Burlingham Avenue and surrounding roads and an update is being provided to Mr Sills accordingly.

Question from Mr Barry James, Meols.

There remains an ongoing and dangerous situation at the mini roundabout located at the junction of Heron Road and Birkenhead Road, Meols. Although a meeting had taken place with the local MP, Councillors and 60 residents nothing had been done to address the problem. Residents believed that the installation of a no entry sign to clearly mark the one-way nature of the roundabout would alleviate some of the danger. The junction had been closed at least seven times in the past year, which did not reflect the statistics of the highways department which stated that five accidents had taken place in the past five years. Can something please be done to help?

Response

A number of Councillors responded and agreed that the situation was further exacerbated by the number of HGVs using Heron Road, and that the official statistics do not always reflect the true nature of the problems experienced on a day to day basis. A Councillor suggested that the Constituency Committee should consider inviting the Road Safety Manager to its next meeting to receive information on this and other locations of concern to residents. The Constituency Manager to action. A Member of the Committee further commented that he was aware of action being undertaken with regards to‘No Entry’ signage at the location.

Question – from Mr Andrew Gardiner

Mr Gardiner raised the matter of weeds and weed control, and apparent lack of concern regarding ongoing preventative maintenance as had been raised at the June 2016 meeting of the Constituency Committee held in Pensby.

Response

The Constituency Manager and the Deputy Chief Executive provided further information on the processes involved, staffing and seasonal issues affecting weed control and grass cutting. The Deputy Chief Executive informed that he had been given assurances that the team was adequately staffed to ensure the programme would be delivered. He further confirmed that Mr Gardiner’s comments had been noted and would be fed back to the relevant officers.

The Chair commented that there was obvious tension between what residents were being told, and the actions being undertaken. He informed the Committee that he would investigate the matter and share the response with Members of the Constituency Committee.

Question – from Mr David Bebbington, Woodchurch T.R.U.S.T.

Could the Committee provide an update on the planned Hoylake Golf Course project?

Response

The Chair informed that at present nothing had changed with regard to the Council’s proposals and there was nothing to report. The Deputy Chief Executive advised that the Council was awaiting a submission from the partner/developer.

A Councillor informed that there had obviously been some delays, given that public consultation had been scheduled for Spring 2017. Members of the Committee added that it would be appropriate for the proper officer to provide a factual presentation on the matter to a future meeting of the Constituency Committee. Members who also served on the Council’s Planning Committee advised that there had been no planning application formally submitted at this time. 

Question – from Mr Harry Webster, Irby.

Following up on the earlier presentation regarding ‘Grot Spots’. Could Members please provide information on what was happening to the ‘Heatherland’ site at the end of School Lane, Thurstaston?

Response

A member of the Committee who served on the Planning Committee informed that a planning application for development of the site to provide housing had been submitted and approved. The consent would remain valid for a period of three years, and would be subject to work having been started on site during that period, after which the permission would lapse.

Question – Ms Barbara Moores, Irby.

Further to a point raised in the budget report, Mrs Moores expressed concern that voluntary bodies / organisations that covered the whole of Wirral were restricted from accessing the constituency funds that were ring-fenced to particular areas.

Response

The Constituency Manager informed that, whilst each of the four constituencies had identified their own priorities for funding, and that there was regular discussion within the Council about joining up support for voluntary and community organisations wherever possible. She further informed that she would talk with colleagues about this issue, and that the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund (DONG Energy) might be an alternative source of funding support. Members of the Constituency Committee commented that the work of volunteers and how the Council engages with them and groups was vitally important.

A member of the public, Mr Barry James, suggested that a lottery bid be submitted, commenting on recent success in obtaining funds for the Gilroy Allotments in West Kirby.

The Community Question Time session closed with an update on the Festival First project from Ms Susan Brown with Members of the Public being apprised of a free brochure detailing upcoming events, and the opportunity to register for an Arts Newsletter delivered each month via e-mail.

A Member informed that details of the project would also be appearing in the Council’s publication ‘Wirral View’.

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting.