Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, Thursday 28 November to the Council’s Monitoring Officer via this link: Public Question Form and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.

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

The Chair reported that 7 public questions had been received.

Karl Hunter attended the Committee and asked a question on the rise in the use of log burners and what the Council could do to discourage their use. The Chair responded that it was an offence to emit smoke from a chimney, within a smoke control area.  On receipt of a completed log, a letter was sent to the relevant party, giving advice on burning practices and complying with the legislation.  If smoke emissions continued, enforcement action would be taken in line with the relevant enforcement policy, to prevent further emissions.

Peter Healey submitted a question about the West Kirby boardwalk and why it had been left in a state of disrepair. The Chair advised that an inspection of the West Kirby boardwalk would be undertaken on 5th December 2024. Any defects would be recorded, and an instruction would be issued to the Term Maintenance Contractor to undertake any necessary repairs.

Dawn Wormell attended the Committee and asked a question on the evidence that supported the Traffic Regulation Orders and whether there was a need for additional paid parking on South Parade. The Chair reported that the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders would help manage the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic, including pedestrians, having regard to factors including the maintenance of local amenities and the need to maintain reasonable access to premises and the provision of suitable and adequate parking facilities on and off the highway.

A supplementary question was submitted on what criteria had been met to show that additional paid parking was needed, and the Chair advised that a written response would be provided.

Iona Horsburgh asked a question about the consultation on proposed parking charges and whether it was worthwhile if the Committee and Council dismissed the objections from residents and business owners. The Chair responded that officers and the Committee had taken note of Appendix 2 which detailed the consultation responses and representations as well as the detailed responses to objections in Appendix 3. The Chair advised that there was considerable research and evidence that demonstrated carefully coordinated pricing charges did not negatively impact businesses.

Ken Ferguson asked a question about the 20mph scheme. The Chair advised that the overwhelming priority in rolling out 20mph had always been reduction of road danger for all road users. Road users are 5 times less likely to be killed if hit by a car traveling at 20 mph compared with 30mph. Collisions are also less likely to occur in the first place because stopping distances are reduced significantly when speed comes down. Whilst slower speeds may encourage walking, cycling and other activities as well as reducing noise pollution and other environmental impacts, reduction of road danger was the primary reason for 20mph and still is.

Kathryn Morgan asked a question about the data collected to support the parking scheme, noting it was collected in 2019 and 2021. The Chair advised that it was normal practice for research data to take several years to be published. The data referenced in the approved Wirral Parking Strategy had been used to support the policy aims of The Strategy. Therefore, it seemed sensible to refer to the data and the approved strategy when bringing forward the proposed parking schemes for consideration to deliver on those policy aims.

Gary Price submitted a question whether RNLI personnel would be exempt from parking charges when undertaking RNLI duties. The Chair responded that existing arrangement with the RNLI would continue to be honoured.