The Constituency Manager will update Members on matters relating to the Wirral West Constituency area - 10 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion.

David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive provided an update on key achievements in respect of recent projects funded by the Constituency Committee that included:

20 community projects funded as part of the Small Grant Big Difference fund (2017-18), 3 projects had been completed so far with a deadline for completion of 24 August 2018:

§  Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom – the funding had helped with the updating of a deteriorated flower bed in Meols Parade Gardens adjacent to the Bowling Green. The Friends were currently looking to improve the bed further by installing a driftwood sculpture.

§  Greasby Community Association, Green and Blooming Greasby – working in partnership with Ness Botanical Gardens, the Gardens had donated 10 trees to Coronation Park that were particularly suited to the conditions of the park. The funding had helped towards mesh protection and wooden supports for the young trees.

§  Pensby Recreation Centre – funding had been used to re-vamp the tired looking land at the entrance to Pensby Recreation Centre. The group had planted trees and plants that will flourish every year.

Mr Armstrong further informed the meeting that the Constituency Engagement Officer had worked hard to support the emptying, cleaning and refilling of Hoylake Boating Lake by United Utilities and Amey. United Utilities had agreed to the improvement works free of charge, following a similar project in New Brighton. The issue had been raised by a number of stakeholders including members of the Wirral West Constituency Committee and Hoylake Model Boat Club. There will be an official Mayoral opening of the lake later in the month.

The Committee noted how the Constituency Engagement Officer liaises between council departments on behalf of local community groups, and that since the last meeting the engagement team had received 32 problems and so far resolved 22, due to complexities the team also worked to resolve on-going issues.

Mr Armstrong informed the Committee of Ward underspend items of note:

Upton:

§  Flourish at Ford Way – local community gardening group Flourish at Ford Way with help from Wirral Met College’s Princes Trust team and support from the Wirral West Constituency Team had worked to bring the 2^nd Memorial Garden on Hoole in Woodchurch back into use after it fell into disrepair many years ago. The gardens were established to provide a place of reflection for people who have lost loved ones on the estate.

West Kirby & Thurstaston and Hoylake & Meols:

§  West Kirby Drop-In – the group had been established to help those with any degree of mental health, providing somewhere to go to be with other people, to be accepted and through interaction with others, be understood. Funding support had been provided to help with running costs for the group.

Members noted that the Constituency Engagement Officer had also worked hard to support the Love Where You Live initiative, with local hubs now having equipment on hand for use by litter picking groups. The West Kirby group The High Tidiers were going from strength to strength and were working closely with the Council to shape future approaches, e.g. around reducing single use plastics.

Resolved – that the Constituency Manager’s report be noted.