Minutes for St. Oswald and Netherton and Orrell Area Committee meeting, Oct 29 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P.Dowd and the youth representatives.

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.

The following declarations of interest were received:-

Member / Officer

Item

Interest

Action taken

Councillor Brennan

Minute No. 58 -Overview of Youth Provision Across Sefton

Personal – Employee of Sefton CVS  

Stayed in the room, but took no part in consideration of the item and voted thereon

Councillor

M.Dowd

Minute No. 60 – Play Builder Programme 2009/10

Personal – Local Resident

Stayed in the room, but took no part in consideration of the item and voted thereon

Minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2009

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Area Committee held on 1 October 2009.

Members of the public are invited to ask questions, raise matters, or present petitions on issues which are relevant to Sefton Council.  The person asking a question will be allowed one supplementary question.

(If a response to a question is required which cannot be provided at the meeting or if the question is not reached within the 45 minute period, the Chair will either refer the matter to the appropriate Service Department for a written answer or to the appropriate Cabinet Member for further consideration).

Part “A”

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

Miss L Roberts, Committee Administrator, Legal and Admin Department indicated that no questions were received for the Open Forum.

RESOLVED:

That Ms.C.Kelly, Neighbourhoods Division be thanked for her prompt response in relation to previous Open Forum questions.

Minute of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) and report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Further to Minute No. 40 of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children's Services) held on 22 September 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Children's Services, which provided information regarding the provision of youth opportunities for the young people of Sefton by geographical area.  The report outlined the following:

·             Targeted Provision and Partnership Working;

·             Targeted Youth Support and Children and Young People aged 8-19;

·             Family Intervention Project; and

·             Parent Know How Directory.

Appendix 1 to the report set out an overview of Youth Provision Activity across Sefton.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had approved the report and referred it to the Council's Area Committees for discussion.

Members raised concern regarding the lack of provision in the Old Roan area which is much needed to alleviate the anti-social behaviour issues in the area, which they felt stemmed from the Section 30 Dispersal order in place in Aintree, youths were filtering into the Old Roan estate and Members were receiving constant complaints from local residents, they also raised concern regarding the lack of provision in Orrell.

Adele Maddocks, South Area Manager Youth Service indicated that at present there were no plans for static youth provision in Old Roan or in Orrell as there is provision in Netherton and due to budget constraints and 13/19 population it was not possible to provide a static provision in every area.

Members indicated that young people would not travel a mile away to access youth services provision.

Ms Maddocks further indicated that it was hoped that bikes would be purchased within the next financial year and a detached team set up to alleviate the problems in the areas where there as no provision and that activities were undertaken within these areas.

Members asked about the Orrell Mount Pavilion site and possible its usage and indicated that a Steering Group had been established to look at increasing it’s usage for young people, as this was a provision that was not utilised.

Ms. Maddocks stated that the site was currently used 4 nights a week, 1 being for an LDD group and indicated that statistics on its previous use could be provided along with details of where young people were coming from who attended at the site.

Members indicated that the report should be forwarded the Orrell Mount Steering Group making them aware of the statistics detailed within the report and suggested Mr.Clappison from Leisure Services Department who attends this group be asked to comment.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the report on the overview of youth provision across Sefton be noted; and

(2)       Mr.R.Clappison from the Leisure Services Department be requested to provide an update at the next meeting in relation to the Orrell Mount Steering Group and the usage of the site.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director seeking approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Order, the effect of which will extend the existing ‘At Any Time’ restrictions on the north east side of Orrell Road adjacent to St. Robert Ballamine Church by 5 metres in a north west direction and to add an ‘8.00a.m – 6.00p.m’ loading ban to these restrictions; also to add a ‘8.00a.m -6.00p.m ‘loading ban to the existing ‘At Any Time‘ restrictions on the south west side of Orrell Road on the section between the bus stop and the junction with Harris Drive.

Members raised concerns regarding the proposals and indicated that previous requests to re-site the bus stop which was not overly used had been refused. It was felt that to approve this request would have a serious affect local businesses and also local residents who access the shops, club and local church.

Members indicated that as Arriva were a commercial bus services, Merseytravel or the Council had no jurisdiction over them and therefore if they chose to withdraw their service, they were able to do so.

RESOLVED:  

That the Traffic Regulation Orders, as set out on the plans and as detailed in the report, be not approved.

Report of the Leisure Director

The Committee considered the report of the Leisure Director informing of the second phase of the Council’s Play Builder Programme (2009/10) and the proposed works at Deerbarn Park, Netherton.

Mr.H.Patterson, Leisure Services Department indicated that consultation would take place with local residents, Ward Councillors, local schools and Friends of the Park group and clarified that the landscape maintenance would be undertaken by the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed play area as part of the second phase of Play Builder works at Deerbarn Park, Netherton, be noted 

Part “B”

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

The Committee welcomed Inspector Simon Thompson who had been appointed as the new Neighbourhood Inspector.

Inspector Thompson indicated that he had been working within the area putting new structures in place. A mobile police station had been placed in Marion Square to try to encourage the public to give information, it was hoped that an increased police presence would instil confidence in the Police within the local community. He stated that local intelligence was vital to assist in the effective policing in area and setting appropriate priorities, a covert vehicle and the Matrix and Firearms teams had been deployed within the area to help resolve some of the issues and it was felt that this, to date proved successful.

Inspector Thompson stated that it was his intention to improve communication with both local residents and Ward Councillors and hoped to provide a weekly update to Ward Councillors on policing issues.

Officer levels were currently at an acceptable level which enabled a high visibility presence in the area. Officers were patrolling the area and visiting local schools talking to local children about anti-social behaviour, they were also working alongside local agencies such as housing associations and drug teams regarding the removal of residents.

Inspector Thompson indicated that known offenders in the area were door stepped every day, so Officers know where they are at any one time. Officers also worked closely with local Police Community Support Officers within the community to be pro-active and not re-active to residents’ issues. Members were encouraged to forward any problems reported to them to Inspector Thompson.

Members asked for an update on the current situation in relation to Inspector appointments as the area had seen three inspectors in the last 12-18 months. In response, Inspector Thompson indicated that he no plans to move on unless told otherwise, Inspector were expected to be in post at least 3 – 4 years, it was his intention to build up resilience in the neighbourhood team.

Members offered their sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues of PCSO David Kelly who had past away recently.

They also conveyed their best wishes to the Officer who had been involved in accident whilst on duty involving a quad bike.

Councillor Brennan indicated that youths had been hanging round the area dealing drugs from vans and phone boxes, and there had been no police presence around these areas. Inspector Thompson agreed to look at this.

Councillor Maher thanked the two PCSO’s who had assisted him when he had broken down recently.

 RESOLVED:

That Inspector Thompson be thanked for his update.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director which advised that the balance of its budget available to allocate during 2009/10 was £35,182.64 and that the Strategic Director had received no requests for allocation since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:  

That the balance of the Area Committee's budget of £35,182.64 available for allocation during 2009/10 be noted;

In accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Thursday 7 Jan 2010, Netherton Activity Centre, Netherton commencing at 6.30 p.m.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Thursday 7 January 2010 at the Netherton Activity Centre, Netherton commencing at 6.30p.m.