Agenda and minutes

To appoint the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the 2011/12 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            Councillor Hands be appointed Chair of the Area Committee for 2011/12; and

(2)            Councillor M. Fearn be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for 2011/12.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Booth and Brodie-Browne.

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 declarations of interest were received:

The Area Committee was advised that:

(1)          Farnborough Road Junior School Football A Team, representing Liverpool F.C. after winning a local tournament, became the national Premier League Champions at the Reebok Stadium on 24 May, 2011; and

(2)      Sefton under 11s Girls Football Team won the Merseyside Under 11s League and were runners up in the Everton Trophy.

RESOLVED:

That the achievement of the Farnborough Road Junior Football Team and the Sefton Under 11s Girls Football Team be applauded and the Committee Administrator be requested to send a letter to the Teams on behalf of the Area Committee congratulating them on their successes.

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2011

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Update on Area Committee budget resources available

Further to Minute No. 136 of 16 February 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that the balance of the budget available for allocation during 2011/12, including sums set aside for the provision of litterbins and street signs, was as follows:-

Ward                                                                           Available Funds

                                                                                                £

Ainsdale                                                                     14,366.41

Birkdale                                                                      27,295.47

Cambridge                                                                15,564.41

Dukes                                                                         21,981.69

Kew                                                                            17,335.37

Meols                                                                          16,353.83

Norwood                                                                    28,708.92

Town-wide                                                                 19,841.25

Details of the allocations made by each Ward against the general provision in the previous year were set out in the report.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       the remaining balance of £161,447.35 of the budget available for further allocation for the rest of the year be noted;

(2)            allocations from the 2010/11 Ward budgets agreed to date and indicated in paragraph 2.1 of the report, be noted; and

(3)       the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to provide information in the next Budget Monitoring report on the guidance and criteria used for allocating funds from the Area Committee's devolved budget.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning that detailed the “Street Games” approach adopted to tackle ongoing issues relating to reports of anti-social behaviour by young people in the Canning Road/Bispham Road area, Southport.

The report indicated that “Street Games” was a national charity to promote sport for young people living in the most disadvantaged communities; identified the partnership approach adopted to “Street Games” between the former Leisure Services’ Positive Futures, the Youth Service, Merseyside Police and Safer, Stronger Communities; and also identified the project background, the target group, the programme content and the results of the scheme.

The report concluded that the jointly delivered “Street Games” project clearly demonstrated that the intervention to tackle young person related nuisance behaviour could benefit the community as a whole; and the Area Committee was thanked for its financial contribution to develop the project.

RESOLVED:

That the activities and the results obtained from the Canning Road Street Games project be noted.

Report of the Director of Street Scene

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Street Scene that updated on the Stage 2 funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to restore and refurbish Kings Gardens, Southport; and reviewed the associated recent consultation and community participation events, awareness raising, development of detailed designs and the overall project timetable for the scheme.

The report concluded that the Area Committee and local community would be updated on the development of the King’s Gardens proposals; and that the Stage 2 bid must be submitted to HLF in December 2011.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       the progress being made with the King’s Gardens refurbishment project be noted;

(2)            Members be requested to promote and publicise the refurbishment project via their respective networks and community contacts and relay all feedback and suggestions to the Director of Street Scene; and

(3)       the Committee Administrator be requested to provide all Members of the Area Committee with a copy of the resolution approving the allocation of Section 106 funds for the Kings Gardens scheme.

Report of the Strategic Director - Place

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Place on proposed Traffic Regulation Orders, the effect of which would introduce Hackney Carriage Stands on:

            (i)            Liverpool Road, Birkdale

            (ii)            Thornton Road, Southport

            (iii)            Hill Street, Southport

It was proposed to introduce individual Orders for the roads incorporating all the existing restrictions.

The report also recommended that the request for the introduction of a rank on West Street should be refused for the reasons identified in paragraph 4.2 of the report.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Orders for the introduction of hackney carriage stands at Liverpool Road, Birkdale and Thornton Road, Southport, as shown on the annexes and as detailed in the report be approved;

(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 Orders;

(3)       the progression of the Traffic Regulation Order for the introduction of a hackney carriage stands in West Street and Hill Street, Southport be not approved; and

(4)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to the Area Committee detailing the locations and their usage of hackney carriage ranks within the Area Committee's boundary.

Report of the Strategic Director - Place

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Place on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would restrict waiting at all times at the junction of Bury Road/Matlock Road, Birkdale.

It was proposed to introduce individual Orders for the roads incorporating all the existing restrictions.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Orders as shown on the plan in Annex A and as set out in the Schedule in Annex B of 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 Orders.

Report of the Strategic Director - Place

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Place setting out details of the current Traffic Regulation Orders in the Southport area which had been approved for implementation.

RESOLVED:          That

(1)      the report be noted; and

(2)      the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to the Area Committee on signage issues in West Street, Southport.

Report of the Strategic Director - Place

Further to Minute No. 102 of 5 January, 2011 the Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Place that advised of the receipt of an objection to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would extend the existing “at Any Time” parking restrictions at the junction of Arundel Road/Woodstock Drive, Birkdale.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to extend the existing “At Any Time” parking restrictions at the junction of Arundel Road/Woodstock Drive, Birkdale be progressed as shown on Annex B of the report; and

(2)       the objector be advised accordingly.

Report of the Strategic Director - Place

Further to Minute No. 138(2)(ii) of 16 February, 2011 the Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Place that reviewed the road traffic collisions on the Coastal Road, Southport.

The report detailed the 3 year collision data and 10 year fatality data for the Liverpool Road to Shore Road and Shore Road to Weld Road sections of the Coastal Road; and concluded by identifying areas where improvements could be made to reduce the overall number of recorded injury collisions along the route.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       the results of the review of traffic collisions on the Coastal Road be noted;

(2)       the provision of additional signage and carriageway markings on the northbound approach to Shore Road roundabout be approved;

(3)       the progression of a 40 mph speed limit between Liverpool Road and 150m northwest of the railway bridge be approved;

(4)       the progression of the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Order(s) referred to in the report be approved; and

(5)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to:

                        (i)         submit a further report to the Area Committee on additional options, with associated costings, to improve road safety on the Coastal Road; and

            (ii)        involve local Ward Councillors in any discussions on such options.

Inspector Fairbrother updated the Area Committee with crime statistics and information relating to shoplifting, thefts from motor vehicles, violent crime and public order offences, anti-social behaviour orders, criminal damage and thefts of metals such as lead and copper; and indicated that from a national perspective, Southport had low crime rates.

Members of the Committee/Local Advisory Group Members/public raised the following issues:

·                    enforcement of 20mph speed limit zones.  Inspector Fairbrother advised that legislation was in place to enforce against speeding offences in such zones and that colleagues undertook such enforcement operations

·                    what was a Restraining Order?  Inspector Fairbrother outlined that a Restraining Order was a Court Order to protect a person from harm or harassment by another person

·                    had any arrests been made in connection with the recent vandalism/break-ins at retail premises in Ainsdale Village.  Acting Inspector Stewart said that a culprit had been apprehended and that Police patrols had been stepped up in the area

·                    speeding traffic in the Station Road area of Ainsdale.  Acting Inspector Stewart indicated that this was a high priority for his Team and that colleagues would patrol this area

·                    heavy goods vehicles were causing problems when being driven into Park Avenue in breach of restrictions in place.  Inspector Fairbrother indicated that he would investigate this matter

·                    crimes/harassment being committed by landlords and tenants against each other.  Inspector Fairbrother indicated he was not aware of any offences

·                    what was the legal implication of the three parallel white lines in the middle of Eastbourne Road.  Mr. D. Marrin, Traffic Services Manager indicated that he would investigate this matter.

RESOLVED:

That Inspector Fairbrother and Acting Inspector Stewart be thanked for their attendance.

During the Public forum, the following questions/comments/petitions were submitted:

(a)      Mr. T. Durrance asked could the Southport Councillors apply pressure, via their political groups, to instil fairness to the Government's efforts to tackle the national deficit by taking action against tax evasion by large companies rather than cutting front line Council services.

          Members of both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups indicated that they would; and reference was made to £900 million being made available by the Government to tackle tax evasion; and reductions in the amount payable into pension schemes to deter tax avoidance.

(b)      Local Advisory Group Member Mr. J. Fairhurst sought clarification on various expenditure by the Council to Cumbria County and Wirral Borough Councils and to BUPA.

          Mr. P. Fraser, Senior Committee Administrator had responded in writing to Mr. Fairhurst.

(c)      Mr. D. Morley, Secretary of the MANLA residents group, who was not present at the meeting, had asked a question concerning the progress of a report on parking issues on the section of Hawkshead Street from Manchester Road to Zetland Street.

          Mr. D. Marrin, Traffic Services Manager had responded in writing to Mr. Morley.

(d)      Mr. A. Morton, who was not present at the meeting, had asked who was responsible for cleaning and restoring the pavement on the Promenade following the demolition of the Kingsway site and indicated that the mess in the vicinity of the site was causing problems for both pedestrians and vehicle users.

          Mr. P. Fraser, Senior Committee Administrator, had responded in writing to Mr. Morton.

(e)      Mr. M. Lewtas, who was not present at the meeting, had asked how much money the Council had in its general balances and whether any of the funds could be used to offset cuts to front line Council services.

          Mr. J. Kenah, Corporate Finance Manager had responded in writing to Mr. Lewtas.

(f)       Mr. D. Jackson asked a question about the Council policy/funding issues relating to street nameplates and whether London Square had been renamed.

          Ms. Christina Jones, Corporate Commissioning Department and Mr. B. Mason, Highways Development Control had responded in writing to Mr. Jackson.

RESOLVED:

That the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to the Area Committee on whether London Square has been renamed.

(g)      Mr. S. Taylor asked about the decision making process in relation to individual Councillors and the Council.

          Mr. P. Fraser, Senior Committee Administrator had responded in writing to Mr. Taylor.

          Various Members made individual responses indicating that comments made in the preamble to Mr. Taylor's question could not be attributed to them.

Report of the Strategic Director - Place

Further to Minute No. 40 of 28 July, 2010 the Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Place that advised of the results of a recent consultation exercise regarding a proposal to introduce a Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. waiting restriction on one side of a section of Hawkshead Street between Hall Street and Zetland Street; and a proposal to extend the existing ‘At Any Time’ restrictions on Zetland Street, Southport.

It was progressed to introduce individual Orders for the roads incorporating all the existing restrictions.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Traffic Regulation Orders to introduce a ‘Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.’ waiting restriction on the south-west side of Hawkshead Street (section between Hall Street and Zetland Street); and the extension of the existing ‘At Any Time’ restrictions on the north-west side of Zetland Street from the north-east kerbline of Hawkshead Street; and on the north-east side of Hawkshead Street from the south-east kerbline of Kestrel Court 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 Orders.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report on parking issues in Cromer Road; and

(2)       the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to submit a report on whether funding from the Area Committee's devolved budget could be allocated to Linaker Links

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 20 July 2010, at the Town Hall, Lord Street, Southport commencing at 6:30pm

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting be held on Wednesday, 20 July 2011, at the Town Hall, Southport, commencing at 6.30 p.m.