Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

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 24 February, 2010

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 February, 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director

Further to Minute No.113 of the meeting of Cabinet Member – Regeneration held on 17 March 2010, the Cabinet Member considered the joint report of the Planning and Economic Development Director and the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director that explained the requirement on the local authority to secure additional pitch provision for gypsies and travellers; sought approval for the methodology for site appraisal and selection; explained the process and likely timescale for site appraisal and submission of an application for gypsy and traveller site grant; and sought delegated authority for the relevant Directors to make and submit an application for site grant should a suitable site (or sites) be identified, subject to subsequent endorsement by Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member expressed her concern at the possibility of additional pitch provision being identified in Green Belt land.

Attached as an annexe to the report was a Scoring Framework / Methodology for the appraisal and selection of potential Gypsy and Traveller sites in Sefton.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the report and the need to secure additional pitch provision (transit and permanent) for Gypsies and Travellers be noted;

(2)      the Cabinet be recommended to approve the methodology for site appraisal and selection as detailed within the report and its annexe;

(3)      the Cabinet be recommended to authorise the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director, in consultation with the Planning and Economic Development Director, to make minor changes to the scoring framework if early consultations with key partners/stakeholders show that this is necessary; and

(4)      the Planning and Economic Development Director and the Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director be requested to draft a further report regarding potential sites and taking into account the view of the Cabinet Member that no additional pitch provision should be identified in the Green Belt.

Report of the Head of Community Safety

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Head of Community Safety that sought approval of proposed anti-social behaviour minimum standards that have been developed in conjunction with Merseyside Police and the Sefton’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that any consultation with the local community would have to go through the appropriate channels, namely the Sefton Borough Partnership’s Public Engagement and Consultation Framework.

Attached as annexe to the report was a copy of the Anti-Social Behaviour Victims Charter.

RESOLVED:

That the service standards, detailed within the report and its annexe, be approved.

Report of the Sefton Equalities Partnership Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Sefton Equalities Partnership Director that provided information of the work and activities undertaken for Hate Crime Week in Sefton 2010.

Members commented that the Hate Crime conference was extremely informative and successful. Members gave their sincere thanks to all staff involved that contributed to the events of Hate Crime Week and wished to convey a special message of appreciation to the conference’s Chair, Barry Morgan.

RESOLVED:

That the Hate Crime Week 8-12 of February 2010 report be noted.

Joint Report of the Legal Director and the Assistant Director Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes

Further to Minute Nos.52 and 67 of the meetings held on 4 November and 27 January respectively the Cabinet Member considered the joint report of the Legal Director and the Assistant Director – Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes that outlined the proposed mechanisms for encouraging greater engagement in Area Committees. The report sought approval to progress the work with Councillors and Area Committees to explore the best approaches for their area.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the proposed mechanisms contained within the report be approved with greater clarity;

(2)      further work be progressed with the Area Committees around their development in relation to their engagement with residents; and

(3)      the Legal Director (Head of Corporate Legal Services from 1 April, 2010) and the Assistant Director – Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes be requested to provide regular progress reports on the public participation in Area Committees

The Cabinet Member considered the Minutes of the below Area Committees:-

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the above Area Committee be noted.