Agenda and minutes

An aology for absence was received from Councillor Murphy.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interest were received.

The Committee considered the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2012.

Further to discussions at the previous meeting a Member requested clarification as to Parish Councillor representatives speaking on items at the meeting. The Chair replied and indicated that contributions from Parish Councillors were welcome.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2012, be confirmed as a correct record.

No written questions were submitted:

Parish Councillor McKeating referred to problems of fly-tipping which regularly occurred on Back Lane, Lunt. The tipping was reported on a regular basis and the Council responded promptly, however once the area was cleared further tipping then took place and she felt that a long term solution was required to prevent vehicles accessing the site. She also expressed concern that recent incidents where asbestos had been tipped on the site meant that this was not just a nuisance issue but a serious health hazard.

It was reported that the Director of Built Environment had indicated that it was was intended to take action in the form of road closures but that this would not take place until the outcome of the Public Inquiry into the Thornton Switch Island Link Road had been concluded.

Parish Councillor McKeating suggested that surveilance cameras could be used to identify the persons responsible and to take action. Other members indicated that they were also aware of the problem and had spoken to officers regarding the possibility of covert surveilance.

The Leader of the Council commented that he was aware of the problem, that the closure of the access was the ultimate solution and that this would take place as part of the Thornton Switch Island Link Road scheme, however in the meantime some form of covert surveilance would be helpful.

RESOLVED:

That the question be noted and the Director of Built Environment be requested to investigate the possibility of covert surveilance taking place at Back Lane, Lunt.

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

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)

Inspector Sergeant Murray attended the meeting and provided an update on the statistics for the Molyneux, Park and Sudell Wards for October 2012 to January 2013 together with comparative figures for October 2011 to January 2012 as follows:-

The report also detailed the yearly crime patterns; the current neighbourhood run initiatives (Operation Valiant, Operation Handle, Anti Social Behaviour Operation and Smartwater); and the following neighbourhood meetings:

Have Your Say meetings:

• Suddell, Park & Molyneux wards – Maghull Town Hall – Friday 22^nd March 2013 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Sergeant Murray reported that “smartwater” had been an enormous success and had been greatly received by victims who were visited following a burglary and issued with the kit.  Since the introduction of “smartwater” there had not been any reports of premises being subject to a repeat burglary, as was sometimes the case.  A Smartwater application for further funding had been submitted to the Area Committee for approval.

Reference was made to a recent spate of cars being broken into in the Melling area and Sergeant Murray reported that the Police were aware of the incidents and were carrying out investigations.

Reference was also made to three recent incidents of firerms discharges in the Maghull area, Sergeant Murray reported on action being taken by the Police in investigating the incidents and in carrying out community reassurance measures in the area.

RESOLVED:

That Sergeant Murray be thanked for his attendance and presentation at the meeting.

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.

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) had considered the report at its meeting held on 20 November 2012 (Minute No. 22 refers) and had referred 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.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning giving an update on area management activities that had taken place in the Sefton East Parishes wards since the last meeting.

A Member referred to the request for cleansing in the area of Sandown Park Road, Aintree which was still ongoing and the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicated that he would pursue the request.

A Member referred to works to provide barriers preventing access to the Cheshire lines and the Director of Corporate Commissioning reported on the progress of the works which had not yet been completed. It was anticipated that the issue referred to would be resolved once the works were completed.

Members referred to problems of flooding on School Lane, Maghull and the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicated that this had been reported to Capita Symonds and a site meeting was proposed to investigate the issues in detail. It was suggested that Councillor Gatherer and the Team Leader Traffic Management and Road Safety be invited to attend the site meeting.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       The report be noted; and

(2)       Members or residents be requested to contact the Neighbourhoods Division with any further area issues they wish to raise.

Verbal update from Parish Council representative(s)

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)

Aintree

Parish Councillor Gill reported that a special meeting of Aintree Village Parish Council had been called that evening to discuss issues surrounding the level of settlement. Members discussed the issue and referred to a report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which had been submitted to the Cabinet on 31 January 2013 (Minute No. 95 refers) which detailedthe amount calculated by Sefton Council as the council tax base for Sefton and for each Parish Area for 2013-14 and also payments to Parish Councils in 2013-14 to compensate them for the cost of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Melling

Parish Councillor Baker expressed thanks to the Area Committee and the Director of Street Scene Services following the introduction of outdoor Gym equipment in Rainbow Park. He also reported that further progress would be reported regarding the Parish Council’s wish to implement a by-law regarding dog fouling once a meeting with the Head of Corporate Legal  Services had taken place.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment seeking approval for the implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders, the effect of which would prohibit parking at all times at the junction of Wheeler Drive and Peach Grove, Melling.

RESOLVED: That

(1)          the progression of new Traffic Regulation Orders, the effect of which will be to restrict waiting at all times at the junction of Wheeler Drive and Peach Grove be approved; and

(2)          the Director of Built Environment be authorised to carry out the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Orders.

Report of the Director of  Corporate Commissioning

Further to Minute No. 20 of the meeting held on 15 July 2010, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that the balance available for the allocation of 2010/11 budget was as follows.

The following set out the 2012/13 budget and amounts available to each ward to spend as per current arrangements. 

*Balance Brought Forward as at 27 September 2012 and Commitments made after 27 September 2012

The 2012/13 budget was based on consolidated budgets agreed by SEPAC on 27 September 2012.  Balances brought forward were inclusive of 2012/13 commitments agreed by SEPAC prior to27 September 2012. 

For information only – Allocations made during 2012/13 (after 27 September 2012):

Molyneux Ward

Park Ward

Sudell Ward

For information only – Allocations made during 2012/13 (prior to the 27 September 2012):

Molyneux Ward

Park Ward

Sudell Ward

Payment status for works completed in 2011/12

Molyneux Ward

Verbal update of the Director of Corporate Commissioning.

Further to Minute No. 10 of the meeting held on 27 May 2010, the Director of Corporate Commissioning gave an update to Members with regard to progress on the issues surrounding Waddcar Lane and the Satinwood Estate.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the update be noted; and

(2)       this item remain a standing agenda item until identified issues are resolved.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 21 March 2013, at Lydiate Primary School, Lambshear Lane, Lydiate, Liverpool, Merseyside, L31 2JZ commencing at 6:30pm.

In accordance with the agreed schedule of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Thursday, 21 March 2013, at Lydiate Primary School, Lambshear Lane, Lydiate, Liverpool, Merseyside, L31 2JZ commencing at 6:30pm.