Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor Hubbard and Parish Councillor Courtney

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 *

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 26 January 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 6.15 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

During the Public Forum the following questions/comments/petitions were submitted:

(a)       Aintree Parish Council submitted the following questions:

Would the Area Committee please consider:-

(i)      allocating a grant of £1,700 to the Aintree Village Youth and Community Centre Ltd to defray some of the preliminary costs of establishing the former youth centre as a community centre;

A response had been provided by the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that, subject to the agreement of the Committee, an application for funding would need to be formally drawn up; in conjunction with Aintree Parish Council. More information would be required on the specific details of the preliminary costs indicated.

         Members discussed the proposals and Parish Councillor Baldwin indicated that matched funding would be available from the Parish Council to fund the costs. Members suggested that the Parish Council should submit specific items for funding with costs and the amount of match funding for the Committee to consider.

(ii)     funding Operation Collar' in Aintree Village;

A response had been provided by the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that, subject to the agreement of the Committee, and to resources being identified from Street Scene Team, an application for funding would need to be formally drawn up; in conjunction with Aintree Parish Council.

(iii)    agreeing that part of the central reservation of Ormskirk Road, at its junction with Copy Lane/Aintree Lane, be given over to a fitter lane at the right turn from Ormskirk Road into Aintree Lane to reduce traffic queuing back over the bridge, this as per thevery successful scheme nearby at the left turn from Ormskirk Road into the retail park;

A response had been provided by the Director of Built Environment indicating that the suggestion had a lot of merit, and as demonstrated by the recently introduced left turn lane into the Retail Park, such facilities could drastically reduce congestion on the main highway network. He indicated that no funding was currently available but advised that Local Safety Scheme and Capital programmes were currently in the process of being developed for the 2012/13 financial year and that this suggestion would be considered as part of this process, to identify if such a scheme could be justified and funded

(iv)    providing waste bins in Oriel Drive, Bullbridge Lane, Wango Lane and Altway;

A response had been provided by the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that, there was a moratorium on the provision and installation of new waste bins, however there was a possibility that existing waste bins could be relocated if such bins could be identified. There would be a cost towards the relocation of the bins.

         Members discussed this issue and reference was made to the possible relocation of 1 of 3 litter bins situated outside shops on Altway. Councillor Atkinson indicated that this was already under discussion with the Corporate Commissioning Director.

(v)     agreeing to dropped crossings (kerbs) with tactile pavements near the Altway shops and Aintree Library to assist wheelchair and motability scooter  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

Update on crime statistics and area interventions since the last meeting

Sergeant Muldoon provided a verbal update on the statistics for the Molyneux, Park and Sudell Wards for March 2011 to March 2012 together with comparative figures for March 2010 to March 2011 as follows:-

The report also detailed the yearly crime patterns; the current neighbourhood run initiatives (Operations Handle Smartwater, PUSH II; and Broadley and the following neighbourhood meetings:

Have Your Say meetings:

·        Suddell and Park Wards – Friday 13 April at 1900 hrs at Lydiate Community Centre; and

·        Molyneux Ward – Friday 23 March at 1800 hrs, Melling rate Payers Club, Waddicar Lane, Melling.

Sergeant Muldoon reported on the success of recent activities around burglaries and indicated that two further Police officers had recently been allocated to the Maghull area.

Arising from the discussion reference was made to problems being caused by vehicles parking on the footway at Blundell drive, (Off Ormskirk Road) Maghull, and particular effects on people with disabilities. Sergeant Muldoon agreed to investigate this issue.

Parish Councillor Baldwin expressed thanks for prompt action by the police on a complaint regarding a motor scooter.

Sergeant Leyland of the Merseyside Police armed response team also attended the meeting and gave a short presentation of the work of the team including details of how they would respond to particular incidents should they occur in the Sefton East Parishes Area.

RESOLVED:

That Sergeant Muldoon and Sergeant Leyland be thanked for their attendance and presentation at the meeting.

Report of the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director

Update on area management issues resolved since the last meeting

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning giving an update on area management activities that had taken place in the Sefton East Parishes wards since the last meeting. The Neighbourhood Engagement Coordinator gave a verbal update on further progress which had occurred since the preparation of the report.

Members discussed the issues around parking on Grass verges in the Maghull area and the Neighbourhood Engagement Coordinator reported on consultations being carried out with residents on this issue. Reference was made to the cost involved in replacing grass verges with tarmac and it was requested that Members be provided with an estimate of the costs involved.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the report be noted;

(2)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of this Committee providing an estimate of the costs involved in replacing Grass verges with tarmac surfacing; and

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

Verbal update from Parish Council representative(s)

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)

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)

Aintree:

Parish Councillor Baldwin reported that traffic management schemes in Aintree village had been completed and were making a difference in the area, however, some complaints had been received regarding speed bumps in Melling Road.

Melling:

Parish Councillor Baker reported that the Youth Club was currently operating, providing a weekly service.

RESOLVED:

That the updates be noted.

Report of the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director

Update on Area Committee budget resources available

Further to Minute No. 20 of the meeting held on 15 July 2010, the Committee considered the report of Director of Corporate Commissioning that indicated that the balance available for the allocation of 2011/12 budget was as follows.

For information only – Allocations made during 2011/12:

Molyneux Ward

Sudell Ward

Park Ward

Maghull Area Budget

Sefton Area Budget

Melling Area Budget

Aintree Area Budget

RESOLVED:  That the current financial position and the progress to date on items previously agreed be noted;

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning setting out proposed revised guidelines for use of Area Committee budgets and requesting Members’ the views on possible amendments to how Area Committee budgets operated.

RESOLVED:

That this item be deferred and reconsidered at the next meeting of this Committee.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment seeking approval for the progression of a Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would prohibit parking at any time at the junction of Waddicar Lane and Rock View, Melling. The Order was proposed following complaints received, via a Ward Member, regarding obstructive parking on Waddicar Lane, across the junction with Rock View.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the proposed Traffic Regulation Order restricting waiting at any time at the junction of Waddicar Lane and Rock View, Melling, 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.

Verbal report of the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director.

Further to Minute No. 10 of the meeting held on 27 May 2010, the Neighbourhood Engagement Coordinatorindicated that he had not been made aware of any further progress on the issues surrounding Waddicarr Lane and the Satinwood Estate.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Head of Corporate Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination be requested provide a written update to ward members and Parish Councillors on the up to date progress; and

(2)       this item remain a standing agenda item until identified issues are resolved.

Councillor Howe reported that, as he did not propose to stand in the forthcoming Council elections this would be his last meeting as Chair of the area Committee and thanked members for their Support and contributions.

Members of the Committee paid tribute to Councillor Howe’s long service to the Council and to the Area Committee, expressed their thanks for his work in the area and conveyed their best wishes to him for the future.

RESOLVED:

That the appreciation of this Committee of the excellent services provided by Councillor Geoff Howe to both Sefton Council and the Sefton East Parishes Area Committee be placed on record and best wishes be extended to him for the future.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 21 June 2012, at The Town Hall, Maghull commencing at 6:30pm

In accordance with the agreed schedule of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Thursday, 21 June 2012, at Maghull Town Hall, Hall Lane , Maghull commencing at 6:30pm.