·  Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

The Area Co-ordinator presented her report containing the minutes of the meeting on 16 February 2009, and local updates on Community Safety Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Equality and Diversity, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral Primary Care Trust, Wired, Youth, Transport and Wirral’s Older People’s Parliament.

Gary Evans pointed out that during the discussion on the proposed hotel and the Sail, people had made reference to ‘the sailing club’.  The minutes should be amended to made it clear that at all times people are referring to the ‘sailing school’.

The Area Co-ordinator gave a brief update on ‘You Decide’.  In 2008, people filled in the ‘You Decide’ survey to say on which services they wanted to spend the grant of £20,000 awarded to the area forum for additional services.  The people in this area had chosen to spend the funding on additional litter bins and sports facilities for young people.  The Area Co-ordinator introduced Joanne Harland, who has been appointed Community sports development worker to develop sporting activities in the community.  Four additional litter bins will be placed in West Kirby.

A further £20,000 is available in 2009.  Members of the community are invited to take part in the You Decide Survey 2009, by indicating which five of the Council services listed they would most like the £20,000 to be spent on.

In addition, there is an additional sum of £18,200 for each area forum to spend on Council highway and road safety schemes.  Members of the community are invited to indicate which three services listed on page 4 of the You Decide survey they would like the allocation to be spent on this year.  The You Decide survey is available on line on the Council’s website.

In response to a query, Caroline Laing explained that the Respect Bus referred to on page 2 of the You Decide survey is a resource which is used by the Anti-Social Behaviour team.  The bus is taken into the community and used by the Police and youth workers to work with young people.  The service offered in You Decide is in relation to Enforcement Officers using the bus in areas of anti-social behaviour.

The closing date for the receipt of completed You Decide surveys is 28 August 2009.  Members of the area forum with then meet to assess the responses and draw up a priority list, based on the feedback received.

The questions under About You on pages 5/6 of the survey are to ensure that the questionnaire has reached all sections of Wirral’s communities, that they have the opportunity to become involved in the decision making process and can access council services.  Completion of this section is not compulsory, but it does help with quality and diversity and compliance with the Council’s quality mark.  The Area Co-ordinator gave an assurance that the information given in this section will be treated in total confidence.

Resolved:  That –

i  the minutes of the February meeting of the Area Forum be confirmed;

ii  the Area Co-ordinator be thanked for her report.