Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mark Long, Head of Economic Development and Tourism, Stefan Jankowski, Southport Partnership Manager and Superintendent Zoe Thornton, Merseyside Police.

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.

The Chairman advised the meeting that, as Councillor Porter had decided to not seek re-election in May, this would be her last meeting. He paid tribute to her contribution and support for the Partnership.

Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2012

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider any matter arising from the Minutes not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

Mark Catherall advised that in connection with Minute No. 8 – Housing, the application for a housing development in Kew had still not yet been received by the Council.

To receive a presentation from Mark Catherall, Principal Development Officer, Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination

The Partnership received a presentation from Mark Catherall, Principal Development Officer, Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination on the priorities and thematic groups of the Southport Area Partnership.

Mark indicated that the three priorities and thematic groups related to Health and Wellbeing; Jobs, Skills and Prosperity and Housing Needs and Quality; and that the thematic groups would operate on the following basis: that each thematic group would report back on key topics as defined within the agreed Action Plan; that minutes from the thematic groups would be circulated to the Area Partnership; that Area Partnership Members could, and already do, sit on the thematic groups; that this fed intelligence to the Partnership; that the Partnership would monitor the delivery of its Action Plan; that based on intelligence and the Action Plan, the Partnership would work with thematic groups on specific key topics; and that Task and Finish Groups would be resourced and work programmes agreed.

Mark concluded that the way forward was to strengthen the links between thematic groups and the Partnership; for the continuation of the Action Plan being closely monitored by the Partnership; for Task and Finish groups to be established when needed; for the Action Plan and Priorities to be reviewed against Intelligence; and for the willingness for all partners to engage in and question the process.

Following questions and comments from Partnership Members, Mark indicated that:

·                   the Thematic Groups had no direct budgets but that funding may be            obtained via the formation of a public/private partnership

·                   it was not expected that there would be administrative problems in the            interim period following the retirement of the current Partnership            Manager

·                   the positive impact of the taxi marshalling scheme was acknowledged         and that in an effort to secure funding for the continuation of the            scheme, Task and Finish Groups could examine how to resource the            scheme via the promotion of the night time economy

·                   if Task and Finish Groups could externally fund proposals then there            would be no need to obtain Council approval. The problem would arise            if expenditure was committed that would impact on Council resources            not identified in budgets

The Chairman concluded that it would be beneficial if every Partnership Member was allocated to a Thematic Group. Julie Atherton agreed to attend Health and Wellbeing, Steve Dickson and Reverend Rod Garner to attend Jobs, Skills and Prosperity and Rob Pritchard indicated he could attend meetings on request.

To receive a presentation from Nicky Speakman, Brighter Living Partnership  

The Partnership received a short presentation from Mark Catherall, Principal Development Officer, Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination updating on the work of the Health and Wellbeing Thematic Group.

Mark indicted that Nicky Speakman (Brighter Living Partnership) was to establish a small group of members to investigate issues associated with alcohol misuse; and that an update would be submitted to the next meeting of the Partnership detailing a timetable of work to be undertaken.

Councillor Hands indicated that the Council’s Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee was also investigating issues associated with alcohol misuse and may be able to provide useful help.

To receive a presentation from Mark Long, Head of Economic Development and Tourism

The Partnership received a presentation from Tony Corfield, Head of Tourism that updated on the Jobs, Skills and Prosperity Thematic Group.

Tony indicated that the Thematic Group had not yet been formally constituted, but stressed that it would not be a Task and Finish Group but would need to continue to achieve its aims; that Government policy centred on the private sector stimulating economic growth and as a consequence that locally, after discussion with various partners initially from the STBN, it had been agreed to build on the existing public/private partnerships to promote this aim; that helpfully Alison Grady on behalf of STCM had as part of this become a key partner in this process as had Steve Dickson representing the Chamber of Commerce.  The appetite for joint working was strong.

Tony also indicated that whilst the Group was not solely about marketing a recent meeting had led to a call for a TV campaign to increase footfall in the Southport retail area and this was being investigated.   Discussions had been aligned with existing strategy but Partnership Members were encouraged to challenge any of the Group’s findings.   Nationally the private sector was expected to lead the economy out of recession but unlike South Sefton who had a major player like Peel Holdings, Southport unfortunately had no such player which made partnership mechanisms vital to success.  The next meeting would take place on 30 March to determine actions, priorities and the way forward; and that the establishment of some form of formal company mechanism may be required to achieve a sustainable funding structure utilising mechanisms such as BIDS or TBIDS.

Following a question from a Partnership Member, Tony indicated that the last Business Improvement District bid failed due to a large retailer vetoing the proposal. This bid centred on Chapel Street only but any new bid could incorporate Lord Street and a more favourable result may be obtained.

Trevor Condy (Chairman) advised that a private sector grouping had been convened for 19 April 2012; that all Southport’s elected members had been invited to the meeting; urged Councillors Fearn, Hands and Porter to encourage their colleagues to attend the meeting; and that Margaret Carney was the only Sefton officer invited to attend. The meeting would receive a presentation from Alison Grady and would be a great opportunity for colleagues to share their concerns about issues affecting the Town.

Report of Dave Marrin, Traffic Services Manager

The Partnership considered the report of Dave Marrin, Traffic Services Manager that set out the proposals that had arisen from the Parking Task and Finish Group.

The report identified that the key points raised by business leaders at the first meeting were:-

·       Fundamentally, business leaders wished to see the revitalisation of Southport and this could not be addressed by parking alone.

·       Parking was something that was of key concern to local businesses and pricing policies could affect their viability.

·       Southport needed to be able to effectively compete with neighbouring places with an attractive offer.

·       The Council needed to commit to taking a holistic approach to the sustainability of Southport.  This meant that the Council needed to look at a flexible parking policy that may mean loss of income to the Council balanced against loss of trade, jobs and visitor numbers in Southport.

·       The approach to parking policy in Sefton needed to take into account the fact that each area had different needs.

The report also provided information on the length of parking stay in the Red, Yellow and Blue Zones of Southport; the income generated by parking activity; and that overall, 63% of vehicles parked for 1 hour or less, 27% for between 1 and 2 hours and less than 10% for more than 2 hours.

The report concluded by seeking the views of the Partnership on the following 11 options that were outlined in the report relating to:-

1.          Allowing up to 4 hours parking in the Red Zone

2.          Allowing the first hour as free parking

3.          Parking being free before 10 00 a.m./free after 3.00 p.m.

4.          Refunds to be given by retailers

5.       Pay by phone

6.          Replace outdated machines

7.          Increasing the number of Pay and Display places

8.          Corporate advertising

9.          Review of the Zones

10.     Park and Ride promotional scheme for workers

11.     Sefton MBC to undertake more research into a potential loyalty and parking discount card for local residents.

RESOLVED:

That Partnership Members submit their views on the proposed options direct to the Chairman and thereafter the Traffic Services Manager be requested to submit a further report seeking determination of which options should be formally adopted.

To receive a presentation from Alison Grady, Southport Town Centre Management Group

The Partnership received a presentation from Alison Grady, Southport Town Centre Management Group on the Southport Portas Pilot.

Alison indicated that Mary Portas had been commissioned by the Government to undertake anindependent review into the future of our high streets; that this was completed in December 2011 and the review had produced 28 recommendations; that a number of the recommendations related to getting our town centres running like businesses; and in order to test the recommendations, the Government had made funding available and bids were sought from interested towns. However, Southport would be one of 300 anticipated bidders for only 12 awards, so competition would be intense.

Alison also advised that nationally, 1 in 6 shops were vacant but that Southport’s vacany rate was above the national average; and that Southport had to play on its strengths such as the mile long Lord Street boulevard, its coastal location – a “Harrogate by the Sea”, and the strong input from local retailers.

Alison concluded that the Town Centre Management Group had produced the Southport submission; that the bidding deadline was 30 March 2012; that a promotional film was to be published on Youtube; and that the results of the bidding exercise would be released in May 2012.

Steve Dickson indicated that the odds were long to succeed in the bidding process, but that if Southport was unsuccessful, it would not be due to the bid content; and indicated that a positive from the bid was that retailers had now acknowledged the benefits of working together with the public sector.

Mark Catherall advised that feedback from the bid process was that one coastal town would be selected; and that the local community could play a strong role in the bid and therefore the voluntary, community and faith sector should become involved.  

To receive a presentation from Greta Morphet, Light for Life

The Partnership received a presentation from Greta Morphet, Light for Life that updated on the Housing Needs and Quality Thematic Group.

Greta advised that the key issue was the lack of affordable housing and public housing in Southport; that two representatives of Landlord Associations had been invited to attend the next Group meeting; that work was ongoing with the Planning Department regarding housing development control issues; that problems associated with bedsit land needed addressing and again, it was hoped that help could be forthcoming from the Planning Department; and that it was estimated that 12 people were rough sleeping in Southport (figures for November 2011) – this was the highest number in the borough.

Andrew Booth indicated that there was a higher number of residential care homes in Southport than in the rest of the borough; that vacancies tended to become available in the Woodvale (and Bootle) area; that the Kew development would help the situation but may take 2/3 years to fruition; and detailed problems affecting older people relating to them being displaced by landlords from bedsit land as they could obtain higher rental levels from young people, cuts to supporting people budgets that may cause more evictions and changes to the benefit system that may prohibit young, vulnerable people getting accommodation.

Councillor Porter indicated that as people lived longer, their accommodation may become unsuitable for them; and that if they needed to move home, they couldn’t always remain in their location. Greta indicated that this too was a problem for any vulnerable group who wanted to remain in their area.

Councillor Hands asked whether OVH could be requested to provide a presence in Southport, one day per week, to deal with housing issues for vulnerable groups.    

To receive a presentation from Clare Taylor, Housing Standards Team Manager and Elizabeth McCloskey, Technical Officer

The Partnership received a presentation from Clare Taylor, Housing Standards Team Manager and Elizabeth McCloskey, Technical Officer on the Empty Homes Southport Leasing Scheme.

Clare indicated that there were 3306 long term vacant properties in Sefton with the highest number being in Southport (1180); detailed the vacant homes by Southport Wards which highlighted that the highest vacancies were in Dukes followed by Cambridge; that Southport was identified as an area which needed intervention due to the high number of vacant properties, had the greatest demand and shortage of affordable homes and that research showed an average of 100 bids per vacancy; advised of the “purchase and repair” and “repair and lease” schemes of the Homes and Communities Agency’s “Bringing Empty Homes back into Use” initiative; and that Registered Social Landlords had made 15 successful bids for Sefton as part of the scheme.

Clare also detailed the extensive consultation exercise undertaken, via 2 mail drops, as part of the Southport Leasing Scheme; and that the headline figures were that in total 122 empty homeowners responded to the mail drop (a 27% response); that 43% of those who responded agreed in principle to lease their property to a housing association; and the result was that 52 long term empty homes had in principle been agreed to be leased to a housing scheme, 33 of which had been vacant for over 2 years.

Clare concluded by reporting the reasons why properties remained vacant, the main reason being the inability to sell the property; and the next steps of the Leasing Scheme that included the housing associations commencing work on the development of their leasing schemes and the maintaining of contact with owners who were interested in leasing their properties.

Andrew Booth indicated that he would be happy to liaise with Clare and Elizabeth to discuss the potential for older people in long-term residential care to lease out their homes as part of the Leasing Scheme.

RESOLVED:

That Ms. Taylor be thanked for her informative presentation.   

1. Landlord’s Forum

     Greta Morphet advised that John Pugh M.P. would be attending a      Landlord’s Forum on 29 March 2012 and would be speaking on the      issue of the Government’s Welfare Reform proposals.

2. Partnership Membership

     The Partnership had a brief discussion on the issue of the selection of new members to serve on the Partnership. It was agreed to form a      small steering group who would report back to the next Partnership      meeting.

3. Admission of Press and Public to Partnership Meetings

It was agreed that the following governance arrangements be applied to meetings of the Partnership:-

·       The agenda to be published on the Sefton Council website

·       Meetings of the Partnership to be not open to the press and public and this to be specified on the agenda/website. However, if there are any matters that the public wish to raise with the Partnership this can be done by contacting the Chairman direct

·       The Minutes to not be published on the Council website until they have been approved by the next meeting of the Partnership

The next meeting will be held on Monday 21 May 2012 in the Upstairs Conference Room, Southport College, Mornington Road, Southport commencing at 5.00 p.m.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for the Partnership the next meeting will be held on Monday 21 May 2012 in the Upstairs Conference Room, Southport College, Mornington Road, Southport commencing at 5.00 p.m.