Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor M. Fearn.

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:

Minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2012

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director - People

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director – People seeking determination of a permanent name for the Southport Cultural Centre.

The report indicated that the following suggestions had been made from members of the public:-

·                 (Royal) Cambridge Halls

·                 Atkinson Cultural Centre

·                 Atkinson Centre

·                 Southport Heritage Centre

·                 The Atkinson

·                 Atkinson Civic Centre

·                 Cambridge Cultural Centre

and recommended that due to the generous contribution by the original benefactor William Atkinson to Southport’s cultural facilities, that were still enjoyed today, he be recognised in the ‘brand’ name of ‘The Atkinson’ being applied to the whole complex.

The Committee also considered a suggestion submitted as part of the Public Forum that the applied name be either the Atkinson Art Gallery or the Atkinson Library at the Cambridge Cultural Centre (Minute No. 105 (a) refers).

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet be recommended to name the Southport Cultural Centre “The Atkinson”.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 55 of 28 September 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment that detailed the results of a consultation exercise regarding the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit within the Grantham Road area of Birkdale; and indicating that 83% of the 330 respondents were in favour of the proposal.

RESOLVED:          That

(1)      the Traffic Regulation Order to introduce a 20 mph speed limit within the Grantham Road area of Birkdale and as set out in the report, be approved;

(2)          consideration of the implementation of the Traffic Regulation Order to restrict parking on a section of Grantham Road between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm, and as detailed in the report, be deferred to enable further consultations to be undertaken; 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 referred to in (i) above.

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 a “No Waiting 8.00 am – 6.00 pm” restriction on the southwest side of Sussex Road, from a point 21 metres north-west of the north-west kerb line of St. Luke’s Road to a point 8 metres south-east of the south-east kerb line of Windsor Road.

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 on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would introduce a “No Waiting At Any Time” restriction on the three access roads into Merefield/Shoreside Schools.

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 authorisation for the provision of dedicated disabled parking bays outside 53 Links Avenue and 24 Cambridge Gardens, Southport and the removal of the disabled parking bay on Jane’s Brook Road, Southport.

The report indicated that all new Traffic Regulation Orders 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 the existing restrictions.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Orders providing numbered permits, as set out in the plans at Annex A and detailed in the report and the removal of the disabled parking bay at Jane’s Brook Road, 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 on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which would improve on-street parking availability for residents and their visitors in Shakespeare Street, Southport by introducing the following amendments:-

            (i) reducing the existing waiting restrictions effective times from Monday to Saturday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, to Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm;

            (ii) reducing the existing waiting restrictions outside No. 146 by approximately 5 metres to provide on additional parking space; and

            (iii) reducing the existing waiting restrictions outside No. 152 by approximately 10 metres to provide two additional parking spaces.

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 B 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 setting out details of the current Traffic Regulation Orders in the Southport area which had been approved for implementation.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the Head of Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination invite representatives of the Southport Cultural Forum to the Area Committee to explain their role in the arts in Southport;

(2)      Minute No. 89 (1) of 25 January 2012, be rescinded and the Director of           Built Environment be requested to submit a report to the next meeting           of the Area Committee on the costings associated with installing a        further art installation at the Marine Drive roundabout, such art           installation to be funded from the Ward’s devolved budget;

(3)      the Head of Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination make           arrangements for representatives of Capita Symonds to attend a           meeting of the Community Safety Area Partnership to discuss recent           projects;

(4)      the Head of Investment Programmes and Infrastructure submit a report to the Area Committee on the costs associated with refurbishment of the sponsored memorial benches in Southport Town Centre;

(5)      further to Minute No. 37 of the meeting held on 20 July 2011, the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to the Area Committee on the costs to upgrade Princess Diana/Town Hall Gardens, Southport;

(6)      the Head of Investment Programmes and Infrastructure submit a report           to the Area Committee on the legal position of traffic restrictions in the

          vicinity of level crossings;

(7)      the Head of Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination contact           British Transport Police and Network Rail to ascertain how they           improve  safety in the operation of level crossings in Southport;

(8)      the Head of Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination be           requested to commence the process for the recruitment of Local           Advisory Group Members as soon as possible; and

(9)      the Head of Investment Programmes and Infrastructure be requested           to submit a report  to the Area Committee on the potential to revoke the           horse drawn hackney carriage ranks on the Promenade and to replace           them with pay and display bays.

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

Update on crime statistics and area interventions since the last meeting

Inspector Keith Kellet commenced by taking the opportunity, on behalf of Merseyside Police, to offer condolences to the families and friends of the two elderly ladies murdered in Southport at the end of February 2011; and stated that Merseyside Police were working tirelessly to address this situation and  reassured everyone that Southport remained a safe place. A male had been arrested and charged in relation to the two murders in Birch Street and Lonsdale Road and this had been widely reported in the media. As a consequence, there had been an increased Police presence throughout Southport to provide visible reassurance of Police activity and he and his colleagues had been working to reassure the elderly in particular, by visiting members of the community and speaking at meetings to answer questions and provide advice. The Police were also working with the Sefton Community Volunteer Service who were offering assistance to the elderly with the fitting of door chains and other support. Inspector Kellett concluded by once again reassuring everyone that Southport was a safe place to live and do business;and that Merseyside Police and the Neighbourhood team were committed to doing everything possible to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

Inspectors Jim Atherton, Gary Fairbrother and Keith Kellett then updated the Area Committee on crime statistics and in particular referred to:

• the recent incident outside the Bold Hotel where the victim, a young male, had also passed away. This was an ongoing investigation with numerous witnesses and one person assisting with the investigation.
• On a more positive note, there had been a substantial reduction in offences of burglary recently. There had been significant arrests with two key individuals now in custody. This had had a positive impact on crime in general within Southport
• In the last month a significant Cannabis factory had been located and dismantled, on Lathom Road in Southport. This had taken a substantial quantity of illegal drugs off the streets and was a good result
• the program to promote registration of property on the Immobilise.com web site with Operation Dragonfly was continuing as a valuable means of crime prevention and to assist in the return of property. At this time of year and with the nice weather currently being experienced, residents were reminded of the need for basic for security measures. It was all too easy to think it’s ok to leave the car window open, or not to lock the front door, but these were often the opportunities that thieves were looking for. We were also now approaching what was the peak time last year for the opportunistic theft of pedal cycles and the Police were determined to reduce this type of offence which had been the driving force behind Operation Dragonfly. Residents were urged to take a few minutes to visit the website and register their bicycles, together with their IPODS, mobile phones and so on. Since the start of the operation, 550 local people had registered direct on immobilise.com and 1000’s of items in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

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)      Ms. F. Barker-Baskerville, who was not present at the meeting, suggested that the Southport Cultural Centre be named either “The Atkinson Art Gallery” or “The Atkinson Library” “at the Cambridge Cultural Centre”.

The Chair advised that the suggestion made by Ms. Barker-Baskerville was considered earlier in the meeting in conjunction with the report elsewhere on the agenda – Determination of a permanent name for the Southport Cultural Centre (Minute No. 96 refers).

(b)      Mr. E. Jones, who was not present at the meeting, asked whether more grids could be installed or the grids in situ could be lowered, at the Woodvale Road/Liverpool Road junction to stop pools of water forming when it rained heavily.

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

(c)(i)   an epetition submitted by Mr. J. Baguley, containing 12 signatures, requesting the Council to introduce a new 3 car taxi rank where Chapel Street meets London Street; and

(ii)             an epetition submitted by Mr. Alty, who was not present at the meeting, containing 2 signatures, requesting that the Council says no to the request for a taxi rank in Chapel Street, Southport.

Mr. S. Johnston, Team Leader (Traffic Management and Road Safety) had responded in writing to Mr. Baguley and Mr. Alty.

          Mr. Baguley asked as a supplementary question whether other           locations in the Chapel Street are could be used for a hackney carriage           rank.

          Mr. D. Marrin, Traffic Services Manager indicated that the Council           would respond to any suggestions made by the hackney carriage           trade. 

(d)      Mr. J. Carter requested a detailed breakdown of the cost of the recently implemented Bankfield Lane and Rufford Road traffic calming scheme.

Mr. S. Johnston, Team Leader (Traffic Management and Road Safety) had responded in writing to Mr. Carter.

          Mr. Carter asked as a supplementary question whether Ward Councillors were happy with the current traffic calming scheme.

          Councillor Ashton advised that Ward Councillors were well aware of the situation with the Bankfield Lane and Rufford Road traffic calming scheme. He indicated that the scheme was introduced to address the high vehicle speeds in the area (a recent traffic survey showed that one in six vehicles were travelling at more than 37mph) and to address the large number of accidents in the area. Councillor Ashton concluded that since the scheme had been introduced, Ward Councillors had met with local residents and traders and that an update report had been requested for the next Area Committee meeting.

(e)      Ms. S. Cubells, who was not present at the meeting, stated that since the new pavement and access to the Marshside Health Club had been constructed, patrons of the health club were parking, sometimes double parking, along Millar’s Place to the detriment of local highway safety; and suggested that the introduction of double yellow lines in the area would reduce the problem.

Mr. S. Johnston, Team Leader (Traffic Management and Road Safety) had responded in writing to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 51 of the meeting held on 28 September 2011 and Minute No. 31 of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on 12 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment that responded to Members’ requests for an assessment of all Hackney Carriage Ranks in Southport and for changes to the existing rank outside the former Woolworth store on the Lord Street service road.

The report indicated that the Committee had previously requested the Licensing and Regulatory Committee to commission a survey of the usage of all hackney carriage ranks in Southport (and Sefton) as part of the Council’s unmet demand survey and that any further requests for changes to ranks in Southport be deferred pending the outcome of the survey; that there was insufficient resources available in licensing budgets to fund the £5,000 cost of undertaking the Southport survey; and that the Licensing and Regulatory Committee had resolved that the Area Committee be advised that funds could not be released from the ring fenced Taxi Licensing budgets for a specific Southport traffic management survey and that the use of Taxi Ranks throughout the borough would be considered as part of the programmed Unmet Demand Survey due to commence late 2012.

As a consequence of the above decision, it was now recommended to rescind Minute No. 51(3) of the meeting held on 28 September, 2011.

The report also detailed the results of the consultation exercise undertaken on the amendment to the existing 5 cab rank at the Lord Street service road; and recommended that as a compromise, an option be approved to retain a 24 hour, 2 cab rank at the Lord Street end of the bay, with the other 2 spaces being shared use (Pay & Display during the day and Hackney Carriage Rank during the evening and night).

          The Committee also considered the terms of the petitions and the points raised by both Mr. Hannah and Mr. Wilkinson as part of the Public Forum (Minute No. 105 (g) and (h) refers)

RESOLVED:          That

(1)      Minute No. 51(3) of the meeting held 28 September 2011 be rescinded, namely:-

          “any further requests for changes to any hackney carriage rank in Southport be deferred pending the outcome of the survey”;

(2)      the introduction of a 24 hour Hackney Rank on the southwest side of Lord Street service road (Lord Street to London Street), from a point 7 metres southeast of the southeast kerbline of Lord Street to a point 17 metres southeast of the southeast kerbline of Lord Street (2 Cabs) be approved;

(3)      the introduction of a ‘shared use’ bay (Pay & Display Mon - Sat 8 am – 6 pm and Sun 11 am – 6 pm; Hackney Rank for 2 cabs 6 pm – 8 am) on the southwest side of Lord Street service road (Lord Street to London Street), from a point 17 metres southeast of the southeast kerbline of Lord Street to a point 27 metres southeast  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

Councillor Brodie-Browne referred to the fact that this Area Committee meeting would be the last to be attended by Councillor Porter as she was not seeking re-election in May 2012. Councillor Brodie-Browne praised the hard work and dedication of Councillor Porter for her efforts on the Council and in particular for the Ainsdale and wider Southport area during the last 12 years.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Porter be thanked for her dedicated service on Sefton Council during her three terms of office and in particular, for her work on behalf of the residents of Ainsdale and the wider Southport area; and that she and her family be wished all the best for the future.  

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 30 May 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, 30 May 2012, at the Town Hall, Southport, commencing at 6.30 pm.