1.  Is it possible to have an out of hours service from 5 pm, on Friday to Monday morning to deal with the anti social behaviour that is going on?

2.  [Mr Exley].  I am concerned about the number of signs indicating the number of incidents in an area, which cause distractions when driving, and waste money etc.  Who makes the decisions on siting, is there consultation involved?  How many of the hundreds of accidents on the A41 occurred on the Wirral? Why is it necessary to have a sign every couple of hundred yards? How much does it cost to produce each one, and what is the total cost?

There is an obsession about placing signs. For example in Kings Lane, where there are grass verges there are new signs every 20 yards or so.  People are not allowed to park on the verges.  There are 50 in Kings Lane alone.  Is anyone accountable for those decisions?

A  Ian Lowrie, Community Safety Team offered to speak personally to Mr Exley after the meeting, and to take the questions forward.  He would speak to the Anti-Social Behaviour Manager about the anti-social behaviour at weekends.

The Streetscene Manager stated that Streetscene receives repeated complaints about parking on the grass verges in Kings Lane.  People complain that parked cars obstruct their sight line when they are leaving their properties.  Signs have to be spaced a certain distance apart to be enforceable.  Some of the issues raised are the responsibility of the Traffic Department.  He would take the questions away and ask an Officer to make contact.

Q  What is happening to Byrne Avenue Baths?

A  [David Ball]:  Byrne Avenue Baths were in the possession of and managed by a Community Trust.  When the Trust encountered various difficulties the Council had taken back the building to make sure it is kept in a safe condition.  A number of interested parties are looking how they can use the facility in the future.  A report was presented to the last Cabinet meeting and to the Council at the end of May.  The Council has given time for proposals to be put together and when more information is available, a decision will be made on whether the plans are feasible and can be taken forward.  A process of evaluation will follow this. 

Q  The land in Whitfield Street, where Whitfield Court used to be.  The land has been grassed over, but there are many problems with children playing football.  Residents are concerned about rumours about a five-a-side pitch on the site.  This would create a ‘nightmare’ for the elderly people from the bungalows and people in Victoria Road. A resident has approached Councillor Davies on the issue.

A  [David Ball].  As far as I am aware, there are no proposals for a five-a-side facility in that area.  It is likely that the site will be one of the Housing Development sites through the housing programme that will be developed by Lovells, the preferred contractor.  It is unlikely that the development will take place as quickly as might be expected due to the economic downturn.  The area will be made secure to prevent illegal access.

Q  Rock Ferry Promenade:  When will work be completed on the promenade?  Nothing has happened for five years and it is rotting and decaying.

A  [David Ball]:  The esplanade is in a poor condition, it is deteriorating and some areas are in danger of collapse.  A number of meetings have taken place with the owners of the esplanade to discuss how it can be improved.  To repair would need a considerable amount of money;  money the Council does not have at the moment.  Talks are taking place with English Heritage, the NW Development Agency and others to secure funding not only for repairs but to open it up again for public access.  As it is in private ownership, there would need to be a transfer of land.  Meanwhile, the owners have a legal responsibility to maintain the esplanade.  The Council has written recently to the owners reminding them of that obligation, but it appears the owners do not have the money to repair and maintain the esplanade. 

The member of the public stated that there are situations where the Council has to act in the interests of the public, and if the owners cannot repair it, the Council should do so.  There have been five years of discussion.  The discussion has to stop and action needs to be taken as soon as possible.

David Ball added that the Council has no legal duty to fund and undertake the repairs.  That responsibility rests with the owners.  The Council is committed to working hard to try and regenerate that area of Rock Ferry but an added difficulty is that there are funding issues at the moment at Central Government level.  The amount of money available for regeneration has reduced and it is a competitive situation.  The Council will continue to try to attract funding for the esplanade and other improvements in the Borough. 

Councillor McLaughlin stated that the Councillors have to make difficult choices for services and things that are needed.  A major scheme like this could cost £4 million.  The officers have been looking for money from external sources.  The Chair added that each £1 million spent adds 1% to Council Tax bills.