Minutes for South Liverpool District Committee meeting, Feb 17 2009, 6.00PM official page

To provide an opportunity for members, officers and partners to declare a personal or prejudicial interest in any item on the agenda.  

An opportunity was provided for members, officers and partners to declare a personal or prejudicial interest in any item on the agenda. 

• Councillor Janet Kent declared a personal interest in the Neighbourhood Delivery Report as a board member of Lee Valley Housing

• Councillor Claire Wilner declared a personal interest in the Neighbourhood Delivery Report as a board member of Lee Valley Housing

• Councillor Doreen Knight declared a personal interest in the Neighbourhood Delivery Report as a member of South Liverpool Housing and her involvement in the local youth provision

• Councillor Colin Strickland declared a personal interest in the Neighbourhood Delivery Report as a member of South Liverpool Housing and her involvement in the local youth provision

• Councillor Flo Clucas declared a personal interest in the Neighbourhood Delivery Report so far as her involvement in the distribution of European Grant funding is concerned

• Councillor Mary Rasmussen declared a personal interest in the Neighbourhood Delivery Report as a representative on Parklands school

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 30 October.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 30 October and received the following feedback –

• Minute 8 - So far as the request for information from Liverpool Direct Ltd is concerned, arrangements are being made for this information to be provided on a quarterly basis

• Minute 9 – Officers are currently considering proposals on a way forward for the regeneration of the next phase of the wider Garston area

• Minute 9 – the site visit to properties in St Mary’s Road has taken place

Discussion took place in relation to the role of the Physical Regeneration Sub-Group and the scope for the group to address regeneration issues across the neighbourhood.

Agreed that -

a)     The minutes be approved and the feedback be noted;

b)     Dates for meetings of the Neighbourhood Partnership Working Groups be circulated to all members of the committee and made available on the intranet;

c)      Councillors Peter Millea, Janet Kent, Colin Strickland, Barbara Mace, John Clucas and Tina Gould be nominated to serve on the Physical Regeneration Sub-Group; and

d)     A copy of the minutes of previous meetings of the Regeneration Sub-Group be circulated to the nominated councillors.

To consider the South Liverpool Neighbourhood Delivery Report and supporting appendices.

The Committee considered the South Liverpool Neighbourhood Delivery Report and supporting appendices.

The Chair made some introductory remarks on the progress which has been made during the year and the committee considered each section of the report in turn.

Christine Peach (Neighbourhood Manager) introduced the section of the report which relates to the work of the Neighbourhood Management Team and highlighted the key elements.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised –

• The likely impact of the recession on local building projects and the number of dwellings which will become vacant

• The effectiveness of the Hill mini Respect week of action held in Mossley Hill

• The continuing problem of dog fouling and the associated health problems, and the need to rigorously pursue offenders

• The recent changes to the arrangements for Environmental Enforcement

• The collation of information from the Confirm system to support applications for alleygates

• The powers which are available to enforce the use of existing alleygates

• The activities of the Vehicle Crime Group

So far as the consideration of the activities of the Neighbourhood Partnership Working Groups (NPWG) is concerned, the individual Chairs were invited to provide comments in addition to the commentary included in the report and the minutes of the meetings.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised –

• Incidence of non-attendance at school

• The recent arrangements between Parklands and Bluecoat schools

• The consideration of cross cutting issues

• Concern at the reportedly high level of binge drinking in the area

• The future consideration of the availability and health implications of counterfeit tobacco 

So far as Performance Management is concerned, Mike Burchnall (Assistant Executive Director) introduced the report and made reference to the role which NPWG’s will carry out in identifying local indicators.

During the discussion which took place, the following issues were raised –

• The need for further, detailed discussion of the proposed strategic role for District Committees in the future in relation to performance and resource management

• The importance of highlighting issues of concern realistically to support applications for the allocation of resources

Agreed that –

a)     The contents of the report be noted,   

b)     Further information in relation to the revised arrangements for environmental enforcement be circulated to members prior to the next meeting;

c)      Action continues to be taken to address the ongoing problem of dog fouling in the area;

d)     Further information be provided in relation to the dog training course which is being provided;

e)     In future, ward councillors be provided with advance notice of any surveys of local residents which are planned in the area;

f)        An update on the activities of the Vehicle Crime Group be included in the next Delivery Report;

g)     Information in relation to key issues, which are not included in the key priorities approved by the NPWG, for example the recent arrangements between Parklands and Bluecoat schools, be included in the Delivery Report in future;

h)      Meetings of the Chairs of the individual NPWG continue to be held to consider cross cutting issues; and

i)        The thanks of the committee be extended to Eileen Deakin and all the officers and members who have contributed to the successful allocation of funds to projects.

To consider a report prepared by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services on the outcome of the Your Community Matters events which took place during November 2008.

The Committee considered –

a)     A draft report prepared by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) on the outcome of the Your Community Matters events which took place during November 2008; and

b)     A general report by LVCS on the Your Community Matters events across the city and detailing community engagement which is planned in the coming months.

Discussion took place in relation to the format and arrangements for the events with particular reference to concerns which ward councillors had raised previously with LCVS. The main issues were –

• Requests for alternative events and formats e.g. the use of the local shopping centre in Belle Vale, have been refused

• Poor attendance at some events by members of the public

• Ward councillors should have more input into the format, venue, invitees and timing of the events

• The arrangements for the events are inflexible

• Ward councillors need to be available to attend the events to respond to issues and to provide up to date information for members of the public

• The events should be a facility for everyone who attends and not be perceived as an opportunity for point scoring between all providers 

• The present format assumes a certain level of literacy by members of the public who attend. Alternative methods of consulting and engaging with people should be explored to ensure that the events are more inclusive

• The overall cost of holding the events, including the provision of a buffet

Agreed that –

a)     The concerns expressed by members be noted and taken into consideration; and

b)     This Committee requests the Executive Member for Safer, Stronger Communities to review the arrangements for Your Community Matters events before the annual meeting of the City Council, to ensure that all partners’ views, including those of ward councillors, are respected when determining future arrangements.

To provide an opportunity to review the operation of the District Committee  during 2008/09, and to put forward any suggestions for consideration in the next municipal year.

An opportunity was provided to review the operation of the District Committee during 2008/09, and to put forward any suggestions for consideration in the next municipal year.

Agreed that arrangements be made for a development meeting of the committee to be held during April to discuss the strategic role of the committee including how the demands placed upon it in respect of performance management can be met and suggestions for the future operation of the committee

A copy of the Neighbourhood Working Update Report, which was submitted to the Sustainable Communities Select Committee, is circulated for the information of the committee.

A copy of the Neighbourhood Working Update Report, which was submitted to the Sustainable Communities Select Committee, was circulated for the information of the committee.