Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Brennan.

No declarations of interest were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 17 January, 2013

These items are for general discussion.  Anybody attending the meeting is welcome to speak (subject to the Chair’s discretion)

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

During the public forum the following matters were raised:

(a)  Mr.M.McGrady expressed his concern at the untidy state of Bootle Cemetery.

RESOLVED:

That the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator be requested to investigate Mr.McGrady’s concerns and liaise with officers to provide a response.

(b)  Ms.M.Williams expressed her concern at the expansion of the docks with the likely consequences of increased traffic congestion and pollution. She went on to ask whether the Committee shared her concerns.

The Committee replied that they were aware of proposals to expand the docks; at the minute they remained only a package of proposals, which contained a variety of options. An expansion of tonnage through the docks would have the likely effect of increasing traffic around the dock area including Dunningsbridge Road. An increase in the volume of traffic in this area would be a concern to the Committee. However, to be clear, at this moment, none of the expansion proposals were definitely going to happen as they remained only proposals. The Committee would monitor the situation as the proposals developed.

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

Update on crime statistics and area interventions since the last meeting.

Update on area management issues resolved since the last meeting

These items are for consultation or information of interest to the local community.  Anybody attending the meeting is welcome to speak (subject to the Chair’s discretion).

There are no items in Part B.

These are formal decisions to be taken by the Members of the Council.  Only in exceptional cases will the Chair allow contributions from the public (Advisory Group Members may speak but not vote).

Inspector Atherton reported that, in Netherton and Orrell Ward, compared to the same period last year: overall crime was down 36 incidents; robbery was up by 4 incidents; burglary from the home was down by 6 incidents; theft of a motor vehicle was up by 3 incidents; theft from a motor vehicle was down by 21 incidents; criminal damage was up by 5 incidents; and anti-social behaviour (without Hoax) was down 9 incidents.

In St.Oswald Ward, compared to the same period last year: overall crime was up 45 incidents; robbery was up by 5 incidents; burglary from the home was down by 2 incidents; theft of a motor vehicle was up by 1 incident; theft from a motor vehicle was up by 10 incidents; criminal damage was up by 9 incidents; and anti-social behaviour (without Hoax) was up 37 incidents.

Inspector Atherton commented on the recent gun discharge in Marion Square, Netherton. The incident was a shock to the community. Five people were arrested on the night in relation to the incident. The firearm has not been recovered. Investigations were continuing. However, despite the two incidents of gun discharge in Sefton, incidents of gun discharge across Merseyside were down.

A Councillor commented that the Police and Council were working together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The Cabinet Member – Communities and Environment had recently authorised the release of CCTV to assist Police investigations into gun crime. Partnership working was the way forward, successful initiatives taken in the Pendle Estate and Bowland Drive could be rolled out other areas of the borough.

RESOLVED:

That the Police be thanked for their presentation.

Ms Paula Simm, Community Safety Manager, One Vision Housing to give an update in relation to issues at Bowland Drive and the Pendle Estate.

The Committee received a verbal update from Paula Simm, Community Safety Manager, One Vision Housing (OVH) regarding the issues at Bowland Drive and Pendle Estate.

Ms.Simm highlighted the:  reduction in anti-social behaviour in the area;  demise of boiler thefts; and  displacement of some anti-social behaviour.

The Committee expressed their concern at the attitude of certain individuals, which was incredibly selfish and was to the detriment of the entire community.

RESOLVED:

That Ms. Simm, One Vision Housing, be thanked for her presentation.

Presentation from Rob Pritchard, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service regarding work undertaken during the Mischief Night and Bonfire Night period.

Ms. Jen Strype, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MF&RS), gave a presentation regarding work undertaken during the Mischief Night and Bonfire Night period. Her presentation highlighted that during the period:

Rubbish Removal

·       2 Vehicles were provided by Sefton Cleansing Department to remove rubbish

·       Probation/Payback provided 9 staff to remove rubbish from 15 October – 7 November 2012

·       Riverside wardens provided a truck and staff for bonfire removal in south Sefton

·       Kings  Construction provided grab truck and driver for 3, 4 and 6 November to help remove any bonfire materials and rubbish

·       16 skips were funded by One Vision Housing and placed in specific areas

This joint partnership of rubbish removal resulted in 54.16 tonnes of rubbish being removed across Sefton which, compared to 2011, contributed to a 23.4% decrease in deliberate secondary fires and bonfires in Sefton

Leaflet Distribution

·       Leaflets with details of skip provisions were delivered by local fire crews to known hot spot areas

·       Hard copies were placed in local community and children’s centres, Health Centres and supermarkets

·       500 leaflets were delivered to hotspot areas to raise awareness

Diversionary Tactics

·       Outreach workers from Sefton Youth Services were deployed to hotspot areas to engage with local youths.

·       Residential trip to Lancashire arranged by youth workers for local youths in a bid to reduce ASB and nuisance bonfires over the period.

·       Police confirmed ASB reported incidents were down by a third compared to 2011.

·       Street based games delivered by Positive Futures in hotspot areas

·       Street games organised by Park Rangers in the vicinity of Crosby Marina

·       Operation Staysafe (Police) – 2 x buses staffed by police and youth workers on the key dates to work and interact with local youths who were vulnerable and transport them to a place of safety

Education

·       30 schools across Sefton had firework/ bonfire safety presentations delivered to them by MF&RS and Police personnel

·       MF&RS Advocates visited Brunswick and St.Leonards youth clubs to engage with local youths and advise them of firework safety and local diversionary activities

District Staff Engagement Activity

·       MF&RS Advocates worked until 22:00 on key dates with the accompaniment of 2 local PCSOs to cover bonfire clearance and hate crime response

·       17 Hate Crime Fire Risk Assessments completed by Advocates across the period. 11 of these visits were linked to firework missuse

Operation Crews Engagement

·       Ops crews visited hotspot areas for bonfires daily to inspect and report back any issues

·       Daily risk assessments completed at firework displays and environmental impact assessments completed

·       Fire Crews assisted in the “6th sweep” on 6 November to dampen down any bonfires that were at risk of being ignited again. This resulted in an 85.7% decrease in calls when compared to the same peiod in 2011

Fire Incidents in Sefton

·       Fire incidents reported in Seton from 19 October–7 November for the three consecutive years.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment, which sought approval to progress the revocation of a redundant section of waiting restriction on Bridle Way, Netherton.

RESOLVED: That

(1)            the existing ‘No Waiting at any time’ waiting restriction on the south-westerly side of the south-west leg of Bridle Way, from a point 69 metres south-east of the south-easterly kerb line of Bridle Road to a point 94 metres south-east of the south-easterly kerb line of Bridle Road, and from a point 104 metres south-east of the south-easterly kerb line of Bridle Road to a point 129 metres south-east of the south-easterly kerb line of Bridle Road be revoked;

(2)            the existing Traffic Regulation Order for Bridle Way, and remaking of a new Traffic Regulation Order, as described in paragraph 2.3 of the report be revoked; and

(3)            the Director of Built Environment be authorised to undertake the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council's intention to implement the Orders.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) at its meeting held on 20 November 2012 (Minute No. 22(3) refers) considered the attached report of the Director of Young People and Families and referred the report to all of the Council’s Area Committees for information.

Further to Minute No.22 of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) held on 20 November 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Young People and Families in relation to the Troubled Families Programme.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) considered the report at its meeting and resolved to refer the report to all of the Council’s Area Commitees for information.

The report set out the background to the programme; how troubled families were defined; and recent progress made within Sefton with its partners.

The report also outlined the nationally determined criteria being used, namely:-

• Crime and/or Antisocial Behaviour;
• Education and truancy or exclusion from school;
• Unemployment; and
• the Local Discretion which had been agreed as domestic violence and alcohol misuse.

RESOLVED:

That the report and early programme progress be noted.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning which sought views on the future number of Area Committees and the frequency of meetings.

As part of the Council’s budget options the Cabinet had asked for consultation to take place on the following alternatives:-

(i)              to reduce the number of Area Committees from 7 to 3;

(ii)             to reduce the frequency of meetings of Area Committees from the existing cycle of meetings to 4 meetings per year. 

The Council’s Calendar of Meetings for the forthcoming Municipal Year was approved by the Council each year and included the schedule for Area Committee meetings, responses were required to be submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet on 28 March 2013 in order that the new Calender could be finalised.

Members discussed the proposals in detail.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Report to follow

Further to Minute No.22 of the meeting of 20 Spetember 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Dircetor of Corporate Comissioning, which provided an update on the Big Local Project within a specific area of the St.Oswald ward.

RESOLVED: That

(1)            the work undertaken so far in relation to the Big Local project be noted; and

(2)            ongoing work in relation to the Big Local Project be noted.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Further to Minute No.46 of the meeting held on 17 January 2013, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning on the area management activities that had taken place in St.Oswald and Netherton and Orrell Wards since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Further to Minute No.36 of the meeting held on held on 17 January 2013, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning that provided information on available resources for the Committee and progress on those items approved at previous meetings.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 28 March 2013 will recommend to Council (at its meeting to be held) on 18 April the adoption of a programme of meetings for the 2013/14 Municipal Year. This programme will include dates/times for meetings of the Area Committee. Therefore, at the time of the publication of the agenda it is not possible to identify the date/time of the next meeting.

The Democratic Services Officer advised that the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 28 March 2013 would recommend to Council (at its meeting to be held) on 18 April the adoption of a programme of meetings for the 2013/14 Municipal Year; this programme would include dates and times for meetings of the Area Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Democratic Services Officer be requested to notify all Members/Local Advisory Group Members of the programme of meetings for the Area Committee for 2013/14 once approved by Council.