Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That

(1)      Councillor Hardy be appointed Chair of the Area Committee for the Municipal Year 2010/11; and

(2)      Councillor K.Cluskey be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

RESOLVED:  

That Councillor Moncur be thanked for the manner in which he has chaired meetings of the Committee and he be wished every success for his forthcoming year in his new post as the Cabinet Member – Children’s Services.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor K.Cluskey.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following Declaration of Interest was received:

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 March, 2010

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

(If a response to a question is required which cannot be provided at the meeting or if the question is not reached within the 45 minute period, the Chair will either refer the matter to the appropriate Service Department for a written answer or to the appropriate Cabinet Member for further consideration).

Part “A”

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

During the Open Forum the following questions / issues were submitted:

(a)      Ms.S.Willis, proprietor of Sandra’s Store Ltd., commented that she had made a corporate complaint regarding the cleansing of Kirkstone Road North Shopping Parade. She had made numerous telephone calls over the last few months to rectify the problem, but with no satisfaction. Ms.Willis added that as the owner of a business in Kirkstone Road North the she was experiencing a loss of revenue, dust pollution resulting in damage to stock, general inconvenience, dirty windows and damage to new signage due to the lack of cleanliness. Also, she had to clean and tidy the area outside her shop several times a day.

          RESOLVED:

          That the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director be requested to liaise with the Cleansing Services Department and One Vision Housing with regard to Ms.Willis’s complaint.

(b)      Mr.R.Willis, proprietor of the Bacon Joint, complained that due to the lack of cleanliness of Kirkstone Road North Shopping Parade he had experienced a loss of revenue due to the frontage of the shop being blocked. He had to frequently clean equipment and the floor of his premises; also the rugs in the shop were being damaged. Shutters to the shop had been damaged as they had become clogged up with dust and debris, which meant that they would not open properly. The windows to the shop were perpetually dirty and he had clean the shop frontage several times a day. Additionally, the back storage area of the shop was unusable due to the mess left by the previous unit occupier. Keppi Massey, agent for the unit’s owner, responded to complaints about the tidiness of the unit by rejecting any responsibility for the cleanliness of the property and stated that as the current occupier Mr.Willis was now responsible for the unit’s cleanliness. However, Mr.Willis contested their response stating that it was Keppi Massey’s duty to enforce the terms of the lease with regard the good working order of the premises.

          RESOLVED:

          That the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director be requested to liaise with the Cleansing Services Department and One Vision Housing with regard to Mr.Willis’s complaint.

(c)      Mr.D.Coles, proprietor of the Hot Spot, complained that due to the lack of cleanliness of Kirkstone Road North Shopping Parade he had experienced a loss of revenue, damage to signage and carpets and much inconvenience.

RESOLVED:

          That the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director be requested to liaise with the Cleansing Services Department and One Vision Housing with regard to Mr.Coles’s complaint.

To receive a presentation from Mr. P. Jenner, Development Officer, Sefton Benefits Section, on the work of the Benefits Take-Up Team in promoting Housing/Council Tax Benefit and other benefits in Sefton.

The Committee received a presentation from Mr. P. Jenner, Development Officer, Sefton Benefits Section, on the work of the Benefits Take-Up Team in promoting Housing/Council Tax Benefit and other benefits in Sefton.

Mr. Jenner detailed the Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CBT) take-up in the Litherland and Ford Wards; that there had been increase of 167 HB and 363 CTB awards made for the period April 2009 - December 2009, resulting in a total annual benefit increase of £1,671,135; and that in Litherland Ward, 1848 properties (32.17%) were in receipt of benefit whilst in Ford Ward the figure was 2301 (40.21%).

Mr. Jenner indicated that an Assistant Take-Up Officer had been appointed and that from November 2009 205 visits had been made to vulnerable claimants; detailed campaigns relating to child benefit awareness and low paid workers awareness and the production of a credit crunch leaflet; and concluded that the Take-Up team had recently worked with Shop Direct (Littlewoods) and Ladbrokes following the decision to make staff redundant; had visited Walton Prison for a meeting with NACRO; and had held talks with many groups in Sefton.

RESOLVED:

That Mr. Jenner be thanked for his informative presentation.

Part “B”

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

Inspector Thompson referred to:

• The Stronger Communities Team based at Marsh Lane Police station. The work of the Team had had a big impact on the number of reported crimes, which had fallen significantly over the last few months. Feedback from Councillors and the community had been very positive.

• Regarding burglaries, major operations had taken place across Linacre through to Hatton Hill. Over the last couple of months there had been numerous arrests for burglary. Many of the burglaries were aided by residents not locking alleygates or leaving the back door to their houses open. However, through initiatives like ‘Operation Handle’ in which Police Community Support Officers tested the handle of homes to check whether residents had locked their door. Through this initiative home security and general good housekeeping was improving in the area.

• Car crime across Litherland and Ford had fallen. Officers had identified five ‘hotspots’ to focus resources on, which was now being reflected by improved car crime figures.

• Anti-social behaviour continued to be an issue of concern; in particular Hatton Hill continued to have issues with anti-social behaviour. However, when youths were dispersed from Hatton Hill they tended to re-congregate at Orrell Mount. However, some new approaches were proving to be successful, such as free busses to take youths to venues where organised activities were held to steer them away from anti-social activities. Also, dispersing gatherings earlier in the evening (from 17:00) was proving a successful approach.

Over the next few weeks resources would be allocated to tackle anti-social behaviour. The Police were conscious that the combination of warmer weather, the football World Cup and the associated increase in alcohol consumption could see a significant rise in anti-social behaviour if not tackled pre-emptively.

An Advisory Group Member confirmed that Hatton Hill Park continued to be a location that attracted anti-social behaviour. Recently he had been contacted by residents whose properties were adjacent to the Park, they reported that youths were drinking and generally behaving in an anti-social up until 02:00 am and despite reporting the matter, the Police did not respond to the report. The Inspector Thompson agreed to look into the matter.

RESOLVED:

That the Police be thanked for their presentation.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Development Director that advised Members of the receipt of objections to a proposed traffic regulation order, the effect of which would introduce 10 metres of ‘At Any Time’ restrictions on Penrhyn Avenue at its junction with Bridge Road, Litherland.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the objections be over-ruled and the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to introduce 10 metres of ‘At Any Time’ restrictions on both sides of Penrhyn Avenue at its junction with Bridge Road be progressed as originally advertised; and

(2)      the objectors be advised accordingly and that their request for residential parking restrictions will be forwarded to the Traffic Services Department.

Report of the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director

Further to Minute No.84 of the meeting held on 26 March 2010, the Committee considered the report the Planning and Economic Development Director that provided information on available resources for the Committee and progress on those items approved at previous meetings.

A Councillor asked who funded dog waste litter bins, the Neighbourhood Engagement Co-ordinator agreed to find out and report back to the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the current financial position and progress to date on items previously agreed within the report be noted.

Report of the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director

The Committee considered the report Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director that set out comments on matters raised at previous meetings as well as correspondence relating to previous Open Forum questions.

Further to Minute Nos. 50, 71 and 85 of the meetings held on 28 October 2009, 17 February and 26 March 2010 the Committee sought clarification over what was agreed between One Vision Housing and Officers, following the site visit to the void property 30 Bark Road, Litherland.

Further to Minute No.83 of the meeting held on 26 March 2010, the Committee noted that whilst the Highways Agency were not willing to attend a formal meeting of the Area Committee they were willing to meet the Chair of the Committee to discuss highways issues relating to Church Road, Litherland.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the update report be noted;

(2)      the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director be requested to liaise with One Vision Housing to ascertain the agreement for the way forward for 30 Bark Road, Litherland; and

(3)      the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director be requested to liaise with the Highways Agency and Committee Members to organise a mutually convenient time to discuss matters relating to Church Road, Litherland.

In accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 7 July 2010 at Cathy Roberts Memorial Hall, Osbourne Road, Litherland commencing at 18:30.

In accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting of this Area Committee will be held on 7 July 2010, commencing at 18:30 at Cathy Roberts Memorial Hall, Osborne Road, Litherland.