Agenda and minutes

The Chair indicated that Parish Councillor Gaskin had suggested that further to yesterday’s release of the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, the Committee might wish to formally remember the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster of 15 April 1989 prior to commencement of the meeting.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

That the Committee formally commemorate the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster.

Accordingly, everyone present at the meeting stood for one minute’s silence in remembrance of the 96 victims who had lost their lives at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors Jenkins and Starkey and Mr P Thornton, Advisory Group Member.

Members are requested to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct, before leaving the meeting room during the discussion on that particular item.

No declarations of interest were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2012

These items are for general discussion.  Anybody attending the meeting is welcome to speak (subject to the Chair’s discretion)

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2012, be confirmed as a correct record.

A period of 20 minutes (or longer at the discretion of the Chair) will be set aside for a Public Forum.

Members of the public can ask questions, raise matters, or present petitions on issues that are relevant to Sefton Council.  The person asking a question will be allowed one supplementary question.

A question form indicating the person’s name and address must be completed and submitted to the Committee Administrator as soon as possible and by no later than 15 minutes before the meeting starts i.e. before 6.45 p.m. or by 3.00 p.m. for faxed (0151 934 2034) or on-line submissions http://forms.sefton.gov.uk/openforumquestion/

Question forms can be obtained from the Committee Administrator prior to the meeting.

(If the questioner does not attend the meeting or nominate a representative to attend (at the discretion of the Chair), the question will not be read out, but a written response will be forwarded to the questioner).

If a response to a question cannot be provided at the meeting, the Neighbourhoods Division will contact the relevant department for a formal response and the resident will be contacted directly in writing

The following items had been submitted for consideration during the Public Forum:

The Chair advised that 4 questions had also been submitted in relation to Agenda Item 8 – Receipt of Objections to proposed Traffic Regulation Orders – Birch Green, Squirrel Green, Gorse Way, Proctor Road and Larkhill Lane, Formby and it was therefore:

RESOLVED:

That Open Forum Questions (2), (3), (4) and (5) submitted by Mr Henderson, Ms Carroll, Professor Ridings and Mr Scott respectively, be considered under Agenda Item 8, relating to Squirrel Green and surrounding areas.

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

Update on crime statistics and area interventions since the last meeting

Referring to the crime statistics indicated below, Inspector Atherton provided an update on crime and policing in the Formby area during July and August 2012, comparing current crime figures with the same period in 2010 and 2011.

Inspector Atherton provided an update and answered questions on the following matters:

1. Staffing

2. Good News

3. Operation Beachsafe

4. Crime Statistics

5. Policing Updates

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Mr Mark Catherall, Area Co-ordinator, to provide an update on area management issues

These items are for consultation or information of interest to the local community.  Anybody attending the meeting is welcome to speak (subject to the Chair’s discretion)

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning on the area management activities that had taken place in Formby since the last meeting.

The report indicated that the Neighbourhoods Division provided a co-ordination role for dealing with area issues.  Queries were forwarded to the Neighbourhoods Division in a number of ways, via a number of different sources; and in order for Members to be aware of progress made on these issues the area management report had been compiled.

The role of partner agencies would also be included in this report in the future to update Members as to how other agencies were working on area issues.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Area Management update report be noted; and

(2)       Members or residents be requested to contact the Neighbourhoods Division with any further area issues.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

To consider the Quarterly report of the Woodland Monitoring Group, presented by Mr David Adams Chair and an application submitted by a Formby resident wishing to become a member of the group.

These are formal decisions to be taken by the Members of the Council.  Only in exceptional cases will the Chair allow contributions from the public (Advisory Group Members may speak but not vote)

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning on the Woodland Monitoring Group, specifically to consider the quarterly report of the Monitoring Group and an application from a Formby resident wishing to join the Group.

Mr David Adams, Chair of the Monitoring Group presented the report attached as Annex 1 and answered questions thereon.

Mr Adams drew the Committee’s attention to the Group’s concern at the future wellbeing of the frontal woodlands as referred to in paragraphs 5-8 of the report, that there had been no maintenance of the frontal woodlands for some years, and that this, by implication left doubt as to the future plans for the frontal woodland.  He expressed concern at the potential for increased sand blow arising from the loss of the frontal woodlands.

Also, in respect of the removal of diseased trees from Formby Village and surrounding areas, it was felt that the Council tended to be ‘over zealous in matters relating to felling’ and ‘was motivated more by risk assessment than actual accurate diagnosis of disease’.

The Committee also considered an application from Mrs Lunt, a Formby resident wishing to join the Woodland Monitoring Group, which if approved would take the membership of the Group up to 11 of a possible 12 members.

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 7 of 21 June 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment reporting on the receipt of objections to the Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders in Birch Green, Squirrel Green, Gorse Way, Proctor Road and Larkhill Lane, Formby to restrict parking at all times on various sections of the affected roads and to recommend the manner in which this matter is to be dealt.  Also, to consider the introduction of restrictions on Victoria Road and Argarmeols Road.

As resolved in Minute No. 23 above, the Committee also considered the following Open Forum Questions submitted in relation to this matter:

Mr David Marrin, Traffic Services Manager and Committee Members responded to the Open Forum questions above and other questions arising from consideration of the item.

In relation to issues raised in respect of the National Trust Nature Reserve relating to parking, congestion and other matters, affecting local residents the Area Co-ordinator advised that the Site Manager, Mr Brockbank had been invited to attend a future meeting to address the Committee and answer questions about such matters.

Following long consideration of the matter and in response to public concerns, the Committee agreed that the report resolution be amended as put forward by Mr Marrin and it was therefore,

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which sought approval for the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order, as indicated on the Plan at Annex A to the report, the effect of which would restrict waiting at all times in the vicinity of Hillary Court, Freshfield Road, Formby.

It was proposed to introduce an individual order for the road incorporating all existing restrictions.

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Director of Built Environment

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the report of the Director of Built Environment on the proposal to extend the 30 mph speed restriction along Carr House Lane, Ince Blundell, be deferred until the next meeting to enable further discussion between Council Officers and Ward Councillors on the matter.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which sought approval for the progression of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), the effect of which would provide a disabled person with a parking place outside their place of residence in Willow Grove, Formby.

The report indicated that all new TROs for Disabled Parking Permits allowed for the provision of a numbered permit which restricted the use of the bay to the applicant only. 

It was proposed to introduce an individual order for the road incorporating all existing restrictions.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Order as set out in the plan at Annex A and as detailed in the report, be approved; and

(2)       the Traffic Services Manager be authorised to undertake the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Order.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 52 of 12 January 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which informed Members of a deed of amendment to the concessionary Agreement with North West of England and Isle of Man Reserve Forces, to secure an alternative alignment of the route of the proposed Cycle Track from Formby to Hightown.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Update on Area Committee budget resources available

Further to Minute No. 16 of 21 June 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that the balance of the budget available for allocation during 2012/13, including sums set aside for the provision of litterbins and street signs, was £31,669.79 and setting out details of the progress of schemes for which funding had previously been approved.

RESOLVED: That

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 8 November 2012, at the Formby Professional Development Centre, Park Road, Formby commencing at 7:00pm

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting be held at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday 8 November 2012, at the Formby Professional Development Centre, Park Road, Formby.