Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brodie-Browne, McGuire and Welsh.

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

No declarations of interest were received:

Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2011

The Committee considered the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2011.

RESOLVED:

That subject to Minute No. 55 (20mph Speed Limits) being amended by the addition of the words “and Shaw’s Avenue” after the words “up to Shaw’s Road” the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning that advised of the outcome of a statutory review of polling stations; and on the current arrangements for the location of polling places and stations within the seven Southport Wards.

The report indicated that all existing polling places had been inspected to ensure that they complied, as fully as possible, with the criteria specified on accessibility of polling places; that an equality impact assessment and risk assessment was made on all polling places and that any risks had been mitigated as far as possible; and attached as Annex A to the report was a copy of the assessment criteria.

A schedule of current polling places within the seven Southport Wards was also attached to the report.  The schedule included details about the percentage turnout in May 2011 along with the cost per individual vote; and that the cost per vote was based on the overall cost to hire, staff and equip the polling place divided by the number of votes cast on election day.

The report concluded by asking the Area Committee to consider whether the polling places shown in the schedule were in the most suitable locations and if not, to make alternative suggestions to the location and designation of polling places for the future.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the Polling district Review 2011 be noted.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Update on Area Committee budget resources available

Further to Minute No. 46 of 28 September 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:-

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 £125,283.83 of the budget available for further allocation for the rest of the year be noted; and

(2)            allocations from the 2011/12 Ward budgets agreed to date and the ongoing issues from 2010/11 and indicated in paragraph 2.1 of the report, be noted.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Further to Minute No. 44 of the meeting held on 28 September 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning that provided an update on the process of the recruitment of Advisory Group representatives; and seeking nominations to serve on a panel to select Advisory Group representatives for recommendation to the Area Committee.

The report indicated that Advisory Group representation was sought from the following functional areas:

·                    older people

·                    young people

·                    Homewatch

·                    people with disabilities

·                    voluntary, community, faith sector

and that the deadline for the submission of applications was 6 January 2012.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the update report be noted;

(2)       2 Liberal Democrat Councillors, 1 Conservative Councillor and Councillor Pearson be appointed to serve on the Selection Panel to make recommendations to the Area Committee regarding the appointment of Advisory Group representatives; and

(3)       the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups be requested to submit the names of their nominated Members to Ms. C. Jones, Neighbourhood Division.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the results of the recent consultation with local residents on part of the Kew estate regarding the current on-street parking situation; advising on the receipt of petitions from residents from Edenfield Close and Westwood Close; and recommending a way forward.

The report indicated that given the existing waiting restrictions already implemented elsewhere on the Kew estate, it was considered prudent to implement a consistent approach when consulting on any extension of the parking scheme.  As a consequence, residents were asked to consider three options and the consultation was carried out in July, the closing date for receipt of questionnaires was 5 August.  The options for consideration were:

            -           No waiting at any time

            -           Short term waiting restrictions twice daily Monday - Friday 10.00 am - 11.00 am and 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm

            -           No current action.

The overall totals from those who responded favouring each option were as follows:

No waiting at any time                                                                                  14%

Short term waiting restrictions twice daily Monday - Friday

10.00 am - 11.00 am and 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm                                            66%

No current action                                                                                           20%

                                                                                    TOTALS                     100%

The report also detailed the receipt of two petitions relating to the Kew estate proposals.  One from residents of Edenfield Close requesting that if proposals for the introduction of waiting restrictions in Ovington Drive were approved, then Edenfield Close should also be considered for waiting restrictions; and the other from residents of Westwood Close requesting the introduction of short term waiting restrictions in the Close:

As a petition and a question had been submitted as part of the Public Forum in relation to the Edenfield Close issues, the Committee focussed its deliberations on the aspects of the report relating solely to Westwood Close. The Edenfield Close issue was dealt with later in the meeting.  

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the results of the public consultation exercise on part of the Kew estate be noted;

(2)       a Traffic Regulation Order amending the existing waiting restrictions to short term waiting restrictions Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 11.00 and 14.00 to 15.00 on Westwood Close as referred to in paragraph 5.3 (b) of  the report be approved;

(3)       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; 

(4)       the cost of progressing the traffic regulation order at Westwood Close and as referred to in (2) above be funded from the Kew Ward devolved budget; and

(4)       the Traffic Services Manager advise the petitioners of the decision of the Committee.

(See also Minute No. 79)

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 28 of the meeting held on 20 July 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the receipt of an objection to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would restrict parking at all times on the north west side and in the turning head and at certain times on the residential side of Grosvenor Close, Birkdale.

A copy of the letter of objection to the proposal was attached as Annex A to the report.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the objection be not sustained and the Traffic Regulation Order be made as originally advertised;

(2)       it be noted that it is the view of the Area Committee that there is no requirement for a full review of the existing parking restrictions in the vicinity of Smedley Hydro to be undertaken; and

(3)       the Traffic Services Manager advise the objector accordingly.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 50 of 28 September 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment advising of the receipt of a local resident’s objection to the proposed traffic calming scheme for Bankfield Lane and Rufford Road, Crossens.

The objector had concerns that the proposed speed cushions would cause structural damage through vibrations to his property due to poor ground conditions; and suggested the use of speed cameras as an alternative to speed cushions.

The report concluded by responding to the points raised by the objector and recommending that in order to reduce the number of accidents and the traffic speed along Bankfield Lane and Rufford Road, the traffic calming scheme be introduced.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the objection be not sustained and the proposed traffic calming measures on Bankfield Lane and Rufford Road, Crossens, be introduced as soon as possible; and

(2)       the Traffic Services Manager advise the objector accordingly.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), the effect of which would amend the existing TRO on the Lord Street Service Road, Southport, by introducing a 15 metre goods vehicle loading bay, replacing three existing Pay and Display parking bays.  The loading bay would be in force in line with the adjacent Pay and Display parking from 8.00 until 18.00 hours and thereafter the loading bay would form a free parking space.

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

RESOLVED: That

(1)       subject to the length of loading bay being reduced from 15 metres to 10 metres, the Traffic Regulation Order, as amended and as shown on the plan and as set out 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

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment advising of the receipt of a petition, containing the signatures of 48 local residents, that requested the introduction of either a Residents’ Privileged Parking Scheme (RPPS) or “No Waiting At Any Time” waiting restriction in Andreas Close, Birkdale.

The report referred to the decision of the Cabinet Member - Transportation on 8 July 2011 that no new RPPS’s would be introduced in the Borough unless they were funded from ‘other resources’; i.e. paid for by new developments; but that bearing in mind the comments received from the Cleansing Service regarding access problems experienced by refuse service crews into Andreas Close, it was recommended that waiting restrictions be introduced on both sides of Andreas Close.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the recommendation for a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce a Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm waiting restriction on both sides of Andreas Close, Birkdale and as set out on the plan and in the schedule attached to the report, be not approved;

(2)       a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce “No Waiting At Any Time” waiting restrictions on both sides of Andreas Close, Birkdale, be  approved;

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

(4)       the Traffic Services Manager advise the lead petitioner of the decision of the Area Committee.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the receipt of a petition, signed by local residents, objecting to the amount and speed of traffic on Fairhaven Road, Southport since the traffic management arrangements were altered by the introduction of a roundabout on Preston New Road; and indicating that the current situation was both a danger to the public and a major disruption to local residents.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the petition from the residents of Fairhaven Road be noted;

(2)       the petition be taken into consideration when future priorities for the Local Transport Plan Traffic Calming Programmes are being developed, as indicated in the report;

(3)            Fairhaven Road, Southport be included as part of the next Local Transport Plan, Urban Safety Management Local Safety Schemes Review and 20 mph Zone Review, to assess priority schemes for inclusion in future Works Programmes;

(4)            additional signage be provided at the junctions of Marshside Road and Preston New Road with Fylde Road; and

(5)       the petitioners be advised accordingly.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would introduce “No Waiting At Any Time” restrictions at the junction of Crowland Street with Wennington Road, Southport.

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 at Annex A and as set out 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 Orders.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment seeking approval for a Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would introduce a Loading Bay and associated waiting restrictions in the vicinity of 609-617 Liverpool Road, Ainsdale.

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

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Order as shown on the plan at Annex A and as set out in the report be approved, subject to the Traffic Services Manager  discussing the hours of operation of the Loading Bay with both the applicant and the Ainsdale Ward Councillors ; 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 following the further discussions referred to in (1) above.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment that sought approval to modify the existing Disabled Persons’ Parking Places in West Street, Southport by the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would remove all reference to Blue Badges on the road signs; to remove the word “Disabled” from the carriageway; revoke the existing bays completely and replace with “Permit Holders Only” bays.

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

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the revocation of the existing Disabled Person’s Parking Places in West Street, Southport, be approved;

(2)       the introduction of ‘Permit Holders Only’ parking places in place of the existing Disabled Parking Places in West Street, Southport, be approved; and

(3)       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

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), the effect of which would amend the TRO on the north west side of Wesley Street, Southport from a loading bay operating from 08.00 to 18.00 hours to a prohibition of waiting between 08.00 to 18.00 hours.

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

RESOLVED:          That

(1)      the Traffic Regulation Order as shown on the plan at Annex A and as set out 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.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)   notwithstanding the decision contained in Minute No. 51 (3) of the meeting of this Committee held on 28 September 2011, the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of this Committee with a view to amending the existing 5 cab hackney carriage rank at the Lord Street service road (outside the former Woolworths premises), so as to convert part or all of the rank to additional Pay and Display parking bays to replace some of those lost in recent years in Southport Town Centre; and           

(2)       the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of this Committee on the potential to improve the condition and appearance of the verandahs/canopies on Lord Street, Southport.

Further to Minute No. 57 (f) of the meeting held on 28 September 2011 (regarding the proposal made during the Public Forum to fly the Lancashire flag above Southport Town Hall for a period of celebration in recognition of Lancashire County Cricket Club winning the Liverpool Victoria County Championship for the first time since 1934), Members were pleased to note that the Lancashire flag was currently being flown at both Bootle and Southport Town Halls; and expressed their appreciation to the local resident who had purchased the flags.

RESOLVED:

That the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to write to the local resident on behalf of the Area Committee expressing its gratitude for the generous provision of the Lancashire flags 

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

Update on crime statistics and area interventions since the last meeting

Inspectors J. Atherton and K. Kellett updated the Area Committee on crime statistics and in particular referred to:

·       the retirement of PC Gary McCabe who gave loyal and dedicated service to the Southport area and in particular, had worked very closely with Southport Homewatch

·       Operation Dragonfly - a crime prevention operation to encourage cycle registration as well as other valuables including phones and laptops on immobilise.com.  Police forces nationally could search the register and if an item was stolen it could be returned to its owner

·       Operation Nemesis – a campaign to target drink/driving

·       The introduction of 101 – the new non-emergency number.  The 101 number was being introduced to every police force in England and Wales to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999 and help the police efficiently and effectively tackle crime and disorder

·       Operation Bangor – a joint operation with the fire service and local authority during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period

·       Operation Nightsafe – an operation to make the streets secure during the Christmas and/New Year period

·       Speeding traffic – a joint operation across all Southport neighbourhoods to curb speeding and enforce the new 40 mph speed limit on the Coastal Road

·       Anti-social behaviour – a multi-agency test purchase operation had been undertaken regarding the sale of alcohol to underage children

·       Democracy Week – Inspector Atherton had taken part in Democracy Week events at both Christ the King and Birkdale High Schools

·       The very successful Street Games initiative at Carr Lane recreation ground

·       Notable arrests and convictions including the arrest of three people in Ainsdale which related in one male being charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply; and the arrests of offenders for burglary offences at Heathfield Road, Lynton Road, Kent Road, Shore Road, Guildford Road and Compton Road.

·       “Have Your Say” meetings – these were held on the last Wednesday of the month at 6.00 p.m. in Birkdale library and 7.30 p.m. at St. John’s Church Hall, Ainsdale Village; and surgeries were held on the first Wednesday of the month between 2.00 and 4.00 p.m. at Cafe 563, Liverpool Road, Ainsdale and at Birkdale library on the last Wednesday of the month between 2.00 and 4.00 p.m.

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

·       the Police and PCSO’s were congratulated for their hard work at the Street Games event at Carr Lane recreation ground.  The relationship between the officers and local youngsters was excellent and the multi-agency approach worked tremendously well

·       a further complaint was made that no response had been received from Inspector Fairbrother concerning heavy goods vehicles being driven into Park Avenue in breach of restrictions.  Inspector Atherton indicated that he would provide a response

·       regarding the new 101 number, was it a local number and did officers know the local area.  Inspector Atherton advised that 101 calls were answered by police call handlers in the control room of the local force; and that calls to 101, whether from a landline  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

A period of up to one hour (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 which are relevant to Sefton Council.  The person asking the question will be allowed one supplementary question and, provided the questioner is present or represented, any interested members of the public will be permitted to ask supplementary questions, provided the total time on each issue does not exceed five minutes.

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 12.00 noon on the day before the meeting.  For the avoidance of doubt, this deadline applies to written, faxed 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)      a question submitted by Mr. J. Halsall regarding the introduction of residents only parking on the planned residential development on property currently owned by the Hospital Trust.

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

(b)      Local Advisory Group Member Mrs. M. Pointon asked that in the light of the recent High Court ruling against the Council, stating that the Council had broken the law when it froze payments covering the cost of the care for elderly people in residential homes, would the Council be reimbursing the people who had to top up care fees using their own resources.

          Mr. D. McCullough, Corporate Legal Services, had responded in writing to Mrs. Pointon.

          Mrs. Pointon asked, as a supplementary question, what was the           council going to do about the differential, not the top up, because the           Council did not increase the fees in line with inflation; therefore, making           it necessary for some people, not all, having to pay a top up fee, which           they did not have to do before.

Councillor Porter, Cabinet Member – Older People and Health advised  that the High Court ruling against the Council related to the consultation process and not the decision to freeze payments. The Council were now complying with the ruling and were in the process of undertaking a fresh consultation when homeowners would have to provide details of their running costs. Top up fees were a separate issue with some homeowners adopting this policy while others did not. The Council would not normally be involved but if families who had committed to such a charge had a change in their circumstances the Council, following an assessment of individual cases, may give support.

(c)      Miss B. Davies, who was not present at the meeting, asked whether the Council could create a car park on wasteland on the Kew estate and that the income from the car park be used to fund the maintenance of the car park and the introduction of a residents only parking scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the Traffic Services Manager be requested to respond in writing to Miss Davies.  

(d)   Ms. W. Heaven asked whether the Area Committee supported a moratorium on fracking (hydraulic fracturing) in the UK and what actions were Sefton Council taking as a neighbouring authority to ensure that the shale gas industry was properly monitored and

          regulated.

          Mr. M. Kundi, Built Environment Department, had responded in writing to Ms. Heaven.

          Ms. Heaven was advised that it was the view of the Area Committee that it currently did not have sufficient information to make an informed decision to support or oppose a moratorium on fracking (hydraulic fracturing).

(e)      Ms. L. Thompson, who was not present at the meeting, asked why there was no directional signage to the Ainsdale Centre for Health and Wellbeing.

          Mr. S. Johnston, Traffic Services Unit and Ms. C. Jones, Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination had responded in writing to Ms.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 65 of this meeting the Committee considered:

(I)         the report of the Director of Built Environment on the results of the recent consultation with local residents on part of the Kew estate regarding the current on-street parking situation; advising on the receipt of petitions from residents from Edenfield Close and Westwood Close; and recommending a way forward.

The report indicated that given the existing waiting restrictions already implemented elsewhere on the Kew estate, it was considered prudent to implement a consistent approach when consulting on any extension of the parking scheme.  As a consequence, residents were asked to consider three options and the consultation was carried out in July, the closing date for receipt of questionnaires was 5 August.  The options for consideration were:

            -           No waiting at any time

            -           Short term waiting restrictions twice daily Monday - Friday 10.00 am - 11.00 am and 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm

            -           No current action.

The overall totals from those who responded favouring each option were as follows:

No waiting at any time                                                                                  14%

Short term waiting restrictions twice daily Monday - Friday

10.00 am - 11.00 am and 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm                                            66%

No current action                                                                                           20%

                                                                                    TOTALS                     100%

The report also detailed the receipt of two petitions relating to the Kew estate proposals.  One from residents of Edenfield Close requesting that if proposals for the introduction of waiting restrictions in Ovington Drive were approved, then Edenfield Close should also be considered for waiting restrictions; and the other from residents of Westwood Close requesting the introduction of short term waiting restrictions in the Close; and

(II)        the following representations submitted as part of the Public Forum:-

            (a)       a petition submitted by Mr. D. Southern, containing 32 signatures of residents of Edenfield Close, Southport, requesting that if any modifications to the current parking restrictions in Ovington Drive were made, then modifications be made to the parking arrangements in Edenfield Close in the following terms:

                        Short term waiting restrictions twice daily Monday to Friday - 10.00 am - 11.00 am and 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm (Single yellow line)

                        Mr. Southern addressed the Committee in support of the terms of the petition; and

            (b)       a question submitted by Mr. C. Gruneklee asking why the recent consultation exercise with residents in Ovington Drive did not extend to neighbouring streets.

                        Mr. Gruneklee’s question was addressed in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.5 of the report of the Director of Built Environment:

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the results of the public consultation exercise on part of the Kew estate be noted;

(2)       a Traffic Regulation Order restricting waiting at Aintree Crescent, Ayr Close, Catterick Fold, Folkestone Road (junction only), Ingleton Road (junction only), Ovington Drive and the commercial area in Ovington Drive as referred to in the report, be approved;

(3)       a Traffic Regulation Order restricting waiting at Edenfield Close between 10.00 to 11.00 and 14.00 to 15.00 hours, be approved;

(4)       the Traffic Services Manager be authorised to undertake the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 25 January 2012, 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, 25 January 2012, at the Town Hall, Southport, commencing at 6.30 p.m.