50 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

Prior to consideration of Community Questions, the Chair informed that a request had been made from Ms Susan Brown of the Wirral Arts Society to address the Constituency Committee in order to promote a project where Wirral Libraries were joining forces with Wirral Festival of Firsts this summer to launch the borough’s first ever ‘Troll Trail’ featuring trolls created by residents, families and individuals. Its aim - to increase footfall at Wirral Libraries and promote the excellent work and services provided.

Ms Brown informed that once created, the handmade trolls may be taken to any Wirral library between 15 February and 1 June 2018, to be displayed as part of a Wirral Troll Trail from between 30 June and 14 July 2018, to coincide with workshops and talks about trolls, Vikings and Norse mythology. The project also aimed to help highlight libraries as valuable community assets, and by encouraging visitors, to also raise awareness of volunteering opportunities, opening hours and access to computer equipment (currently available at two thirds on Wirral Libraries). Leaflets providing information on the Troll Trail were distributed.

The Chair thanked Ms Brown for her contribution, and then invited questions from members of the public upon other matters that were relevant to the Wirral West Constituency.

The Chair informed that a large number of written questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting, but given the restricted time available, priority would be given to questions from members of the public in attendance. She informed that many of the questions submitted related to the Hoylake Golf Resort, and that a document ‘Common questions relating to the Hoylake Golf Resort’ had been prepared and published on the Council Website, and that a printed copy had also been circulated at this meeting of the Constituency Committee. Information may be found on the Council website here:

https://www.wirral.gov.uk/planning-and-building/local-plans-and-planning-policy/hoylake-golf-resort/common-questions-about

A resident of Heron Road, Meols re-asserted an earlier request presented to the Constituency Committee that road safety improvements be made to Heron Road, namely the introduction of a speed camera halfway along the road, introduction of a sight mirror opposite Acres Road, Meols and installation of a ‘No Entry’ sign at the Birkenhead Road junction roundabout.

Mr David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive informed that the road safety officer had been unable to attend this evening’s meeting, but he was aware that discussions had taken place with the police and that the locating of a fixed speed camera would not work at this location. He added that mobile traffic enforcement was a possible option and that road markings had been repainted at the Birkenhead Road Junction, but that the request for road signage would cost in the region of £3-4k and there was no funding available in the Constituency Committee’s budget.

The Constituency Committee was informed by the questioner that there had been 2 accidents on Heron Road in the past 2 weeks and 7 road closures in the last year.

A resident commented on the subject if Hoylake Golf Course and the building of Band H properties and stated that it seemed that Members were being prevented from talking on the subjects. Councillor Matthew Patrick informed that Councillors were not ‘gagged’ and that the document ‘Common questions relating to the Hoylake Golf Resort’ would help.

Another resident commented that Councillor Matthew Patrick had refused to meet with their ‘Defend the Greenbelt’ group, and stated the claim that the Council would be borrowing £26m to re-lend to the developer. Councillor Patrick stated that he had not refused any direct requests for meetings, and had answered questions on the topic and engaged with residents at many meetings. 

A question was directed to the Committee regarding whether the 160 properties would be developed before the Golf Course was built, and could residents have a guarantee that this was not the case.

A number of Councillors replied, explaining that the Planning Committee would be the final decision maker in respect of the development, to either approve (with conditions) or to refuse basing its decision purely on planning grounds and planning law. If refused and appealed, the decision would fall to the Secretary of State. Members also commented that those Councillors who sat on the Planning Committee could not express an opinion on the proposed development until the application was before them, with all the facts, and to do so could give claim to pre-determination and give cause for challenge in law.

A resident of Heron Road raised the matter of a local market gardener who regularly burnt rubbish at their site. Although challenged, it was clear that claims that timber only was being burnt, this was not the case and photographic evidence was circulated to the Constituency Committee showing domestic rubbish (carpets/soft furnishings/plastic) was being disposed of. Councillor Gerry Ellis informed that a visit from the Council’s Environmental Health Team had been arranged for the following week.

A West Kirby resident raised the issue of the ‘temporary’ closure of West Kirby rail bridge two years ago. He requested that some action be taken to arrange for the bridge to be re-opened to two-way traffic, with a weight restriction to expedite access for local residents. Mr David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive informed that he would take the matter to Officers to see if a solution could be found. It was noted that the bridge was under the management of Network Rail, and options may be limited. 

A resident raised a further point regarding the earlier question about the proposed Holylake Golf Resort and the lack of definitive answers. Mr David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive responded stating that a number of copies of the Cabinet decision report had been provided for the public at this meeting, and in response to questions at the last meeting of the Constituency Committee a copy of plans for link road was also available for inspection. A Member re-iterated the earlier point that some Councillors may not publicly express an opinion in support of, or against, the proposed development by virtue of their membership of the Planning Committee. Mr David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive added that in response to earlier comments the housing development would take place after the establishment of the golf course.

A resident expressed a number of views regarding the suitability of the Joint Venture Partner, the need for first-time buyer properties and prioritising of brownfield sites for development on Wirral. Mr David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive informed that a number of new dwelling developments had just been announced, on brownfield sites, former school sites in addition to specialist dementia care provision and a variety of bridge and infrastructure projects many of which had been supported by inward investment grants.

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A copy of the document ‘Common questions relating to the Hoylake Golf Resort’ referred to above is appended to the meeting minutes.