Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, Thursday 30 November 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer via this link: Public Question Form and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.

For more information on how your personal information will be used, please see this link: Document Data Protection Protocol for Public Speakers at Committees | Wirral Council

Please telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your question by the deadline for submission.

Janine Pinion asked a question regarding a marked increase in car stereo noise in her residential area, asking if the chair could provide an update on the progress of the programme and did she agree that the work needs to begin urgently.

The chair responded to say that council only has statutory powers for stationary vehicles or a vehicle on private land. Noise from a moving vehicle is a matter for the police. The chair also noted that the World Health Organisation recognised traffic noise as a health risk.

Janine Pinion then asked a further supplementary question which the chair confirmed would be answered in 10 working days.

Michael Thomas asked a question regarding the netting along Hoylake prom. He noted that, to date by,15th November 2023 the netting has not stopped any sand from reaching the prom. He asked if it most of the whistling, plastic, ineffective, view blocking, netting leaving could be removed, leaving just a section between Trinity Road and the lifeboat station where there is less vegetation currently trapping the wind-blown sand.

The chair responded to say that the Committee had identified two beach management options for development at the meeting on 30th November 2022. In developing those options, the efficiency of the green netting is considered and recommendations made for an appropriate way forward for each management option.

Ken Ferguson asked if the activities of the Anti20 Coalition over the last eight weeks in mounting ‘yellow board’ campaigns throughout Wirral had convinced councillors of the depth of feeling of those taking part. He noted that the Prime Minister had that moves to implement 20 mph zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods should cease. In the light of this, why was this committee not prepared to pause the implementation of the 20 MPH policy in Wirral.

The Chair noted that Committee was considering a report on its agenda this evening to consider objections and comments of support submitted during the statutory traffic regulation order consultation period for Phase 2 of the 20mph speed limit programme. Two options were put forward within the report for Committee to consider, which will be debated fully during consideration of that item. The report to the Committee references current guidance on 20mph limits. The chair noted that the 20mph zones were a road safety implementation.

Ed Lamb queried the issue of pavement parking, asking if highways officers could be instructed to begin work on a Wirral-wide plan to address the problem of pavement parking, and asked if this could be added to the work programme.

The Chair noted that, the government consulted on pavement parking powers enforcement over three years ago, but there had been no enforcement legislation put forward to date. Officers could consider enforcement at problem locations using Traffic Regulation orders, however this would be resource heavy and time consuming. The chair suggested that if the parking strategy be agreed then she would add pavement parking enforcement to the work programme.

Catherine Evans asked a question regarding a report on report from the Together Association, 'Clean’ Air, Dirty Money, Filthy Politics' which shows how big money from a handful of billionaires is driving anti-car and associated Net Zero policies in the UK. Catherine noted that the public must have transparency into funding and influence on Net Zero policies, and a proper cost-benefit analysis of Net Zero. She asked if this Committee pause the 20mph rollout to fully investigate the impact of big money on local policy making and produce a full cost – benefit analysis of 20mph?

The Chair responded to say that, in response to a previous question, the Committee was considering a report on its agenda this evening to consider objections and comments of support submitted during the statutory traffic regulation order consultation period for Phase 2 of the 20mph speed limit programme. Two options were put forward within the report for Members of the Committee to consider, which were to be debated fully during consideration of that item.

Catherine Evans then asked a further supplementary question which the chair confirmed would be answered in 10 working days.

Julien Priest asked a question noting that at the last meeting of this committee he had asked a question regarding the prospect for additional zebra crossings to make it safer for pedestrians crossing roads, in particular Birkenhead Road in Meols and Hoylake. Julien note that the response to his previous question made it pretty clear that budget constraints and the local safety scheme review meant it is highly unlikely that any additional pedestrian crossings will be implemented any time soon. He asked if officers had determined that it is acceptable, considering pedestrian safety, that Birkenhead Road should remain as a 30MPH limit within a wider 20MPH zone from its outer periphery all the way to its junction with Newton Road?

The chair responded to say that Birkenhead Road is a wide “A” class main distributor road with very little on street parking and good forward visibility. The chair also listed the various reasons why Birkenhead Road has not been put forward as a 20mph zone.

Julien Priest then asked a further supplementary question which the chair confirmed would be answered in 10 working days.

The Head of Legal services road out a question of behalf of Keith Randles queried information obtained via the Freedom of information act 2000, within an email Dated 2 February 2021 from the RNLI Head office to Wirral Borough Council in regards to operational difficulties being currently endured at the Hoylake RNLI site. He asked why the Council were putting those RNLI volunteers and the members of the public on whom they are sent to rescue at a greater unnecessary risk.

The Chair responded to say that Council officers had been working closely with the RNLI at local, regional and national level to understand, in detail, their operational requirements so that they can be considered within the two beach management options identified for further development by this Committee in November 2022.