Agenda and minutes

To appoint the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the 2012/13 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)            Councillor Booth be appointed Chair of the Area Committee for 2012/13; and

(2)            Councillor M. Fearn be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for 2012/13.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lord Fearn, Hands, Hartill and Shaw.

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 March 2012

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2012 be confirmed as a correct record; and

(2)       further to Minute No. 96 (Determination of a Permanent Name for the Southport Cultural Centre), it be noted that the Cabinet had approved “The Atkinson” as the permanent name for the Southport Cultural Centre.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Update on Area Committee budget resources available

Further to Minute No. 85 of 25 January 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that the balance of the budget available for allocation during 2012/13, 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 £168,740.64 of the budget available for further allocation for the rest of the year be noted;

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

(3)       in the light of the delays to the provision of vehicle actuated signs on the Coast Road, the Traffic Services Manager be requested to inform the Committee of the status of the Council’s duty to comply with requests made by the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service for environmental impact assessments to be undertaken in respect of such schemes; and

(4)       the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to explain the apparently disproportionate costs of Duke Street road signs for which £1,980 was allocated from the Dukes Ward budget in 2010/11.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 103(6) of the meeting held on 28 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment that advised of the legal position of traffic restrictions in the vicinity of level crossings.

The report indicated that generally, all markings, signs and equipment between the two STOP lines, i.e. across the rail tracks, fell under the Railway Inspectorate, whilst anything beyond the STOP lines was covered by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002, and was the responsibility of the Highway Authority; identified the six level crossings in Southport and the traffic regulations associated with each crossing; and the powers available to both the Police and Civil Enforcement Officers to enforce breaches of the traffic regulations.

The report concluded that if Members had issues with specific level crossings, then officers from the Traffic Services Unit would carry out an assessment of the crossings to gauge whether changes or additions to the road markings were required.

Further to Minute No. 103(7) of the meeting held on 28 March 2012, Sergeant Steve Lawman, British Transport Police (BTP), made a short presentation on how BTP and Network Rail improved the operational safety of level crossings.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the report on the legal position of traffic restrictions in the vicinity of level crossings be noted;

(2)            Members submit any concerns they have concerning level crossings to the Traffic Services Manager to enable him to undertake an assessment of such concerns;

(3)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to arrange for a representative of Network Rail to attend a future meeting to explain issues relating to level crossings, particularly at Birkdale Station; and

(4)            Sergeant Lawman be thanked for his presentation.

Report of the Head of Business Intelligence and Performance

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Business Intelligence and Performance that advised of the progress regarding recruitment to the Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel and the development of the Sefton Youth e-Panel.

The report indicated that Sefton Council was committed to engaging and consulting with residents and other stakeholders to improve the services it provided; that as part of this commitment, Sefton had reorganised the need for regular consultation on a variety of subjects; and that this had been undertaken on the Council’s behalf by an external company.

The Council had now established an online Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel, that was open to people aged 16 and over who lived, worked or studied in or visited Sefton, who would be asked to respond to several surveys per year; and that similarly, a Youth e-Panel aimed at 13-19 year olds in education or training was being developed.  It was acknowledged that there would be some cross over between the main e-Panel and the Youth e-Panel but that this was considered necessary as the Youth e-Panel may address different issues that would be relevant for 16-19 year olds.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the report on the recruitment to the Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel and the development of the Sefton Youth e-Panel be noted;

(2)            Members of the Area Committee be requested to encourage local residents to join the Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel; and

(3)       the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to update the Committee on the progress of the Local Advisory Group recruitment process.

Report of the Director of Street Scene

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Street Scene seeking approval for the location and provision of outdoor gyms within the Southport area.

The report indicated that the gyms would be fully funded by Sefton Primary Care Trust; that it was now proposed to install new equipment at the six sites referred to below:

·        Dunes/Kings Gardens, Southport – District (8 items of equipment)

·        Botanic Gardens, Southport – Neighbourhood (5 items of equipment)

·        Ainsdale Village Park, Ainsdale – Neighbourhood (5 items of       equipment)

·        Crossens Community Park, Southport (3 items of equipment)

·        Meols Park, Southport (3 items of equipment)

·        Sandbrook Road Park, Ainsdale (3 items of equipment);

and that the site selection process had included consultation with Friends of Parks Groups where available.

RESOLVED:

That the sites selected for the provision of outdoor gyms in Southport be approved.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 103(4) of the meeting held on 28 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment that advised of the condition of the street seats in the Lord Street, Southport area and the cost of their repair and maintenance.

The report indicated that there was a limited budget of £6500 for urgent and emergency repairs to cover all seats across the borough; that a survey had been undertaken to ascertain the cost of repairs of street seats in the Town Centre; and that the indicative costs were as follows:

• Around the bandstand:            £2037.90
• Outside the Town Hall:            £1951.24
• Along Lord Street:            £5931.91

• Total for all works:            £9921.05

The report concluded that if the Area Committee required all works to be undertaken, it may be possible to negotiate a lower price due to the amount of work and that this information could be provided if requested.

RESOLVED:

That, providing the cost is financed from the Dukes Ward delegated budget, all of the identified repairs be undertaken.

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 on the monitoring of Traffic Regulation Orders be noted.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 103(9) of the meeting held on 28 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment that advised of the potential to revoke the horse drawn hackney carriage ranks in Southport and to replace them with pay and display bays.

The report indicated that evidence showed that there was little demand for horse drawn hackney carriage services in Southport as each of the seven on-street spaces had remained empty and unused for at least 13 months.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of this matter be deferred.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 97 of the meeting held on 28 March 2012, 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 introduce a waiting restriction between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, on a section of Grantham Road, Birkdale.

Consideration of this matter was deferred at the previous meeting to enable further consultations to be undertaken with residents of 75-79 Grantham Road. 

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Order at Grantham Road, 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.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 88 of the meeting held on 25 January 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment advising of the receipt of 10 objections to the introduction of speed cushions on Millar’s Pace, Southport.

The report indicated that whilst it could be considered that the receipt of ten objections was enough for the Area Committee to resolve not to introduce the speed cushions, and to discharge the Planning Condition in relation to the traffic calming features, it was suggested that these objections may not reflect the wishes of the 52 residents living in the vicinity of the pedestrian entrance to the leisure complex which had generated the additional traffic on Millar’s Pace.  Accordingly, it was now suggested that any decision regarding the formal objections to the speed cushions should be deferred until a formal consultation, in the form of hand delivered flyers and questionnaires, had been carried out with residents whose properties fronted or backed onto Millar’s Pace, and the results reported back to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the objections received to the proposal for speed cushions on Millar’s Pace be noted;

(2)       the Traffic Regulation Orders made on 16 May 2012 concerning the introduction of No Waiting at Any Time restrictions – and a 20 m.p.h. speed limit on Millar’s Pace be noted;

(3)       the fact that Ward Members met with residents of Millar’s Pace on 17 May 2012, when residents expressed strong opposition to the introduction of speed cushions in Millar’s Pace be noted;

(4)       this Committee considers that the main issue in Millar’s Pace is parking;

(5)       speed cushions be not introduced in Millar’s Pace;

(6)       a Traffic Regulation Order be approved for the introduction of a further ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restriction on the south-west side of Millar’s Pace, starting from a point approximately 170 metres north-west of the north-west kerbline of Fylde Road and ending at a point approximately 210 metres north-west of the north-west kerbline of Fylde Road, the exact location of which to be decided in consultation with Ward Members; and

(7)       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 (6) above.           

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 79 of 23 November 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the receipt of a petition, containing 12 signatures, and two letters objecting to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to introduce waiting restrictions in Catterick Fold.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the objections to the Traffic Regulation Order be sustained and no further action be taken regarding the introduction of waiting restrictions in Catterick Fold; and

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

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 67 of the meeting held on 23 November 2011, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment:

(I)            advising of the receipt of:-

            (a)       a petition submitted from traders on Rufford Road, Crossens, containing 2166 signatures;

            (b)       a petition from residents of Crossens and Churchtown villages, containing 442 signatures; and

            (c)        an e-petition containing 83 signatures;

requesting the removal of the speed cushions on Rufford Road/ Bankfield Lane, Crossens; and

(II)            addressing residents’ requests to remove two sets of speed cushions in Rufford Road due to concerns of alleged structural damage to properties.

The report indicated that in response to the request for the removal of the two sets of speed cushions in Rufford Road, removal of the speed cushions at this location was likely to lead to increased vehicle speeds close to the shops and in an area where pedestrian movements were at their highest; that research had shown that vehicles passing over the cushions would not cause structural damage to properties; that all of the speed cushions along the route had been checked and had been found to be within specification  (Annex B to the report showed the dimensions of all 23 sets of speed cushions); and that in conclusion, it was recommended that the two sets of speed cushions outside the properties should remain in place.

In connection with the receipt of the petitions, the report provided data showing results of the speed and volume of traffic outside 207 Rufford Road.  The data was obtained from surveys undertaken in May 2010 and one week and two weeks after the introduction of the speed cushions in March 2012.  The traffic counts showed a reduction in vehicle speeds of 5 mph and a reduction in the average daily traffic volume of 2373 vehicles per day.

The report also detailed responses to points raised in a letter submitted to the Chief Executive from the Chair of the local Trader Group.

The report concluded by recommending that the Speed Management Scheme be retained in its current form; and that tourism signage for Churchtown Village be introduced.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the petition submitted by Crossens traders and others, containing over 2,600 signatures, be noted;

(2)       the Cabinet Member – Transportation be requested to approve the following recommendations:-

            (a)       the speed cushions from the junction of Drewitt Crescent / Rufford Road up to the junction of North Road / Rufford Road be removed (6 speed cushions);

            (b)       the remaining speed cushions be reduced to a height no greater than 63mm;

            (c)        in order to reduce pressure on Preston New Road, improved signage be installed on the north eastern approaches to Southport, directing through traffic along the Coastal Road,

            (d)       Churchtown Village signage be introduced to encourage more visitors and tourists to the area; and

(3)       the petitioners be informed of this Committee’s decisions.

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

Update on crime statistics and area interventions since the last meeting

Inspectors Jim Atherton, Gary Fairbrother and Keith Kellett updated the Area Committee on policing issues and in particular referred to:

·        the continuing success of Operation Dragonfly, with 688 local residents now registered via the recently re-vamped website, with stickers for house display available for those who had registered

·        an ‘incident’ on 11 May 2012 when parts of a dismantled metal greenhouse were being stolen; leading to the seizure of a vehicle and the arrest and conviction of two male offenders

·        the charging of a suspect from Langdale Gardens on drugs offences

·        a number of arrests for possession of controlled drugs

·        the early commencement of Operation Nemesis as a result of the impending European football championships, which would target the offence of driving vehicles whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs and the danger of still being over the legal alcohol limit when driving a vehicle the morning after consuming alcohol

·        arrangements for Police surgeries between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Café 563, Liverpool Road, Ainsdale on the first Wednesday of each month and at Birkdale Library on the last Wednesday of each month; and “Have Your Say” sessions between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Ainsdale Police Station on the last Thursday of each month and at Birkdale Library on the last Wednesday of each month

·        continuing work with the Council’s Park Rangers to counteract anti-social behaviour in parks and open spaces as well as patrolling other “historic hotspots” and sites at Hesketh Park, Sandbrook Road, Hartley Road and the doctors’ surgery in Lincoln Road, which had been given attention recently

• the relatively low criminal activity in the town centre area, apart from a slight increase in shop lifting
• a computer problem whereby crimes were assigned to incorrect street addresses has been dealt with
• all town centre commercial premises were being visited over the course of several months for the purpose of marking property
• thefts of metal war memorials had occurred and the Police would welcome information about the location of any war memorials in the area, as their records were incomplete
• cycling on pavements was a continuing problem with some serious injuries resulting, so with effect from next month, offenders would be offered a training course placement as an alternative to prosecution
• two arrest which had followed the discovery of a large amount of cocaine and cannabis in Pilling Close
• an arrest for breach of the terms of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order had resulted in a 16 weeks prison term for the offender
• burglaries were still an issue, especially with windows and doors being left unlocked in the recent warm weather and residents were urged to mark their property and use immobilisers and Smartwater products
• a staff member had recently returned to full duties following an extended period of restricted duties following an injury
• operations to monitor speeding vehicles had been undertaken in Crossens
• a property-marking event had been organised for 8 June outside the Matalan store near the Marine Parade
• officers would be focussing on reducing the number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

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. L. Gunn-Russo complained about the siting of the litter bin outside Harpers’ fish and chip shop on Eastbank Street; indicating that it caused an obstruction for pedestrians and that it should be moved to opposite the Harpers’ shop door.

            Mr. G. Berwick, Cleansing Services Manager had responded in writing to Ms. Gunn-Rosso.

(b)       Mr. P. Scanlan complained about broken paving slabs in Ericson Drive prior to its adoption and asked what the Council would do to resolve the problem.

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

(c)        Mr. J. Skelhorn indicated that the railings round Meols Park had been partially replaced and requested that the work be completed along Scarisbrick New Road.

            Mr. P. Esseen, Head of Landscape Development and Management had responded in writing to Mr. Skelhorn.

(d)       Mrs. J. Saxon requested that the “dip” in the road near to 66/68 Forest Road, Southport be repaired.

            The Area Co-Ordinator be requested to arrange for a response to be submitted to Mrs. Saxon.

(e)       Mr. T. Weddick complained about the increase in traffic and car parking since the opening of the Pharmacy at the Doctor’s surgery at 58 Scarisbrick New Road; and requested the introduction of parking restrictions to alleviate the problems being caused.

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

(f)         Mr. J. Price indicated that the entrance to the car park at the Cemetery Road corner of Banastre Road was very close to the traffic lights; and asked whether the car park entrance could be relocated to near the shop/post office.

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

(g)       Mr. J. Rawlings asked whether Forest Road, Southport could be included in the 20 mph zones as traffic in the area was very busy and travelled too fast.

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

(h)        Mr D Pullin indicated that the Virginia Street foot bridge was in a deplorable state and since Network Rail had indicated that the bridge was the responsibility of the Council, he asked when the Council was going to repair the bridge and make it safe.

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

(i)         Mrs J Hardman, who was not present at the meeting, asked the Committee, when considering opposition to the speed cushions on Rufford Road and Bankfield Lane elsewhere on the Agenda to take into account the fact that there had been no further accidents since the speed cushions were introduced and an overall reduction in the speed of traffic in the area.

(j)         Mr T Durrance asked, at this time of the Council making economy cuts, whether it was not appropriate to review the work contracted out by the Council.  As a supplementary question, he also queried why the landscaping contract was supposed to include work along Rotten Row, much  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to arrange for a senior officer of the appropriate train operator to attend a future meeting to comment on the

problem of overcrowded trains;

(2)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on requests for the introduction of a 20 m.p.h. speed limit on the whole of the Kew estate;

(3)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to arrange for the Town Team Steering Group to attend a future meeting;

(4)       the Director of Street Scene be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on beach management;

(5)       the Director of Built Environment be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on possible sources of funding to facilitate the external re-decoration of Southport Town Hall, possibly in association with the opening of the The Atkinson;

(6)       the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on the proportional allocation of delegated budget funds to the wards and the town-wide provision;

(7)       the Chief Executive be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on the speed of response by officers to enquiries made by Councillors;

(8)       the Director of Street Scene be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on the complaints being received by users of Southport Municipal Golf Course about a deterioration in maintenance of the course;

(9)       the Director of Street Scene be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on recent problems with the dumping of large amounts of rubbish, including broken bottles, on Ainsdale beach; and

(10)     the Director of Corporate Support Services be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on a system of rewarding apprentices when they complete their courses with the Council.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 18 July 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, 18 July 2012, at the Town Hall, Southport, commencing at 6.30 pm.