Minutes for Southport Area Committee meeting, Jul 1 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bigley, Brodie-Browne, Byrom, Dodd, Glover, Pearson, Sumner and Sir Ron Watson and Advisory Group Member Mr. I. Goley.

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 20 May, 2009.

RESOLVED:  

That, subject to the substitution of the words "a crossing" with the words "traffic calming" in the second line of the first resolution to Minute No. 18 (Future Agenda Items), the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May, 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 5 of 20 May, 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director indicating that the balance of the budget available for allocation during 2009/10, including sums set aside for the provision of litter bins, was as follows:

Ward

Available Funds

£

Ainsdale

         11,150

Birkdale

         24,971

Cambridge

         10,745

Dukes

         20,424

Kew

         17,741

Meols

         13,327

Norwood

         23,614

Town-wide provision

           6,912

Total

       128,884

Details of the allocations made by each ward against the general provision in the current year were set out in Annexes A to G of the report.

In addition, the report set out a list of eight suggested priority locations per ward which could benefit from the provision of new street name plates in 2009/10 for which £1,000 per ward had been allocated.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the remaining balance of £128,884 of the budget available for further allocation for the rest of the year be noted;

(2)       the following allocations be approved:

Scheme

Ward

Amount

£

Contribution to CCTV equipment for Marshside Primary School

Cambridge

500

Christmas trees with lights on lamp posts on Liverpool Road, Birkdale

Birkdale

945

Christmas trees with lights on lamp posts near Hillside Road shops, Birkdale

Birkdale

945

"Standard" litter bin in passageway between Essex Road and Guildford Road (Guildford Road end), Birkdale

Birkdale

210

Contribution to ensure "Free and Active" programme of youth diversionary activities run by the Leisure Services Department and Merseyside Police continues throughout the school summer holidays

Ainsdale,

Birkdale,

Cambridge, Dukes, Kew, Meols and Norwood

400

each;

(3)       an allocation of £110 for a "No Ball Games" sign at Abbey Gardens, Birkdale (Birkdale Ward) be approved, in principle, subject to further discussions on the siting of the sign;

(4)            subject to confirmation of the preferred sites by ward Members, the provision of street name plates in Ainsdale, Cambridge, Dukes, Kew, Meols and Norwood wards as set out in Appendix B to the report, using the £1,000 per ward allocation, be approved; and

(5)       the allocation of funding for replacement street name plates in Birkdale ward be increased to £3,000, using the existing delegated budget and the ward Members be requested to notify the Assistant Director - Neighbourhoods of the preferred sites.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the results of extensive consultation with residents on the Kew Estate, in the vicinity of Southport Hospital and Southport Business Park, about the possible implementation of parking restrictions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the results of the public consultation be noted;

(2)       the petition from residents of Crockleford Avenue be noted;

(3)       Traffic Regulation Orders restricting waiting for each individual road as shown on the plan in Annex A to the report, be approved, with the exception of Ardleigh Avenue, Fordham Close, Westwood Avenue and Ovington Drive (west side only), where Orders prohibiting waiting at any time be progressed;

(4)       the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council's intention to implement the Orders, be approved;

(5)       the scheme be funded from within the Southport Area Committee devolved budget; and

(6)            residents be advised via a newsletter of this Committee's decision.

Report of the Legal Director

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director that indicated, as part of the Council's Consultation Process, the requirement to review, in accordance with Part 3 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the Council's governance arrangements and to move to either:

(a)       a directly elected Mayor and Cabinet; or

(b)       a new style Leader and Cabinet.

The report indicated that both models were designed to promote strong, visible leadership; a Mayor would be a directly elected figure with a popular mandate whilst the Leader would have the strength and support of the Full Council; and that before drawing up its proposals, the Council must take reasonable steps to consult the local government electors and other interested persons within the Authority's area.  The change could only be made by a resolution within the permitted resolution period, which for Sefton must be before 31 December, 2009.  The intention would be to allow any changes to be introduced immediately after the May Elections in 2010.

The report detailed the consultation process and timetable; how each of the two models would operate; and concluded that it was the Government's view that Councils needed governance models that readily delivered strategic leadership, sharp accountability and effective and efficient decision taking; that the Government recognised that the directly elected Mayoral Model could readily deliver this and that it also recognised that governance models, where there was an indirectly elected Council Leader, could equally deliver these outcomes; and that this should be a choice that the local community could make.

RESOLVED:  

That the report be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director indicating that, as part of a larger scale project to clean the Lord Street Phase 2 Project area, the Town Hall Gardens, Princess Diana Gardens and Bandstand Gardens, there was an opportunity to cost-effectively clean other designated areas of Southport town centre, using the Committee's delegated budget funds.

RESOLVED:  

That the cleansing and removal of chewing gum along Chapel Street, Cambridge Arcade and Corporation Street, at a cost of £8,054, be approved and the cost be allocated as follows:

Ward/Town-wide Provision

£

Town-wide

            2,000

Dukes

            3,054

Ainsdale, Birkdale, Cambridge, Kew, Meols

  and Norwood

               500 each

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 147 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 30 October, 2008 and Minute No. 14 of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 May, 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services seeking its views on the partial lifting of the current moratorium on the siting of mobile phone masts on Sefton Council land.

The report indicated that the Council established the initial protocol and standard agreements, relating to Telecommunication Masts in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the set-up of mobile phone networks was in full flow; that the Council was currently giving consideration to the possibility of modifying and/or removing the present moratorium in order to permit development of base-stations and transmitter masts on Council property away from residential neighbourhoods as it could allay the concerns of residents living near to a mast; and that a main issue for consideration was the fact that Service Providers and Operators had powers under the Telecommunications Codes to install equipment within the public highway.  As a consequence, where a Council-owned site was first choice, and with no viable alternative, the majority of network requirements had been fulfilled through highway-based transmitters (usually in the form of street furniture style micro-transmitters).  The reality of the situation was that there may well no longer be a huge demand for further installations on Council property, nor would there be much hope of a substantial increase in revenue income.

The report also indicated that the most appropriate and effective way to determine the likely level of continued demand and hence the relevance of reconsidering the moratorium, would be to approach those mobile phone company agents and contacts acting on behalf of the service providers directly in order to establish any remaining gaps in cell structure and suitability of Council property in those locations.  The only practical way of assessing the suitability of Council-owned sites would be on a case-by-case basis as applications were made, as the Council would be reliant on the telecoms companies to identify any potential locations that they considered to be suitable operationally.

The report concluded by recommending that the Cabinet should be recommended to issue formal instructions to Capita Symonds, acting on behalf of the Council, to enter into discussions with all Mast Telecommunications Service Providers to ascertain any outstanding or continued requirements for mast locations within the Borough of Sefton and that a suitable fee basis be agreed for the undertaking of this work, together with the tasks set out below:

(i)         in the event that such a demand exists, Capita Symonds be formally instructed to appraise, evaluate and negotiate suitable terms and conditions, on a case-by-case basis, for the use and/or relocation of telecommunications masts and equipment on Council-owned land and property;

(ii)        Capita Symonds be formally instructed to implement an appropriate protocol in processing such applications, to include consultation with Parish and Area Committees on a case-by-case basis as appropriate;

(iii)       Capita Symonds be formally instructed to manage existing and future installations, including any applications to alter/add/vary or renew telecommunications equipment on Council land and property including potential site sharing; and

(iv)       Capita Symonds be formally instructed to carry out an audit of all telecommunication installations on Sefton Council land and property.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet be recommended to lift the "blanket" moratorium and to agree that applications and approaches for the possible use of Council land for telecommunications masts should be determined by the Planning Committee on a case-by-case basis subject to the Cabinet's formal agreement, as landlord.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 109 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Technical Services held on 28 January, 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director seeking the views of the Area Committee on funding additional winter service over and above the current policy.

The report indicated that every elected Member had been provided with a copy of the Department's Winter Service Policy and Operational Plan; that the winter season 2008/09 was particularly difficult, with unprecedented pressures on the budget due to extreme weather conditions; that during the winter season a number of requests were received from elected Members for enhancements to the service; that Officers were not able to accede to such requests due to both the already excessive strains on the budget and also the specific nature of the Council policy, which clearly indicated the extent of the service; and that in light of this, the Cabinet Member had resolved to seek the views of every Area Committee.

The Area Committee was requested to consider any desirable enhancements to the winter service that it would like to be included in a revised policy document; and indicated that it was likely that the most suitable enhancement would be the provision of additional grit bins, although the Committee might also wish to consider additional gritting.  Should the latter be requested, officers would need to analyse the proposals to ensure that they would be feasible, that the locations would be suitable for a gritting vehicle to access and that the addition would not undermine the provision of the existing policy.

The report concluded that funding of any enhancements to the existing policy would need to be carefully considered with financial assistance from Area Committee budgets likely to be required.

Members referred to the possible need to explore the responsibilities of school caretakers in relation to the gritting of school grounds, the possibility of enhancing the number of gritting bins and the possibility of extending the gritting operations to certain "B" roads in Southport.

RESOLVED:  

That Members be requested to forward their detailed comments to Mr. J. McConkey, Network Manager, with a view to a further report being considered at the next meeting.

Report of the Head of Tourism

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Tourism on the possibility of providing funding towards the cost of Southport's Christmas lights and parade for 2009 for which the overall budget was £29,400.

RESOLVED:  

That the £4,900 shortfall in the budget be funded from the Committee's delegated budget (£2,100 from the town-wide provision and £400 from each of the seven wards).

Report of the Leisure Director

The Committee considered the report of the Leisure Director on proposals for improvements to the grounds of Birkdale Library.  The cost of the highest priority works would be £7,500.

RESOLVED:  

That the proposals be approved and a contribution of £3,500 be made from the Birkdale Ward allocation of the delegated budget.

Report of the Leisure Director

The Committee considered the report of the Leisure Director on proposals to fund the above repairs, at a cost of £4,031.34, which would extend the use of the pavilion for one more football season, prior to the planned provision of purpose-built changing room facilities.

RESOLVED:  

That the proposals be approved and a contribution of £1,500 each be made from the Kew and Norwood Ward allocations of the delegated budget.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services on proposed amendments to the proposed Seafront Cycle Route which was part of the Southport Cycling Town project.  The amendments involved widening the "splitter island" on the roundabout adjacent to the Esplanade Park and Ride site, to provide a safe crossing facility for cyclists.

RESOLVED:  

That the proposed widening of the "splitter island" on Esplanade to facilitate a crossing facility on the "Seafront Loop" as shown in Annex A to the report be approved, subject to the confirmation of the Capital Programme.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services on the proposed implementation of a Local Safety Scheme (Route Action) along the length of Scarisbrick New Road, which the Cabinet Member - Technical Services had approved for the current financial year.  The purpose of the scheme was to improve safety and reduce the likelihood of traffic-related casualties.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the detailed design of the proposed casualty-reduction measures for Scarisbrick New Road, as set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report, be approved; and

(2)       the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services be requested to undertake appropriate consultation with residents whose homes directly front the proposed pedestrian refuges and to report the results back to a future meeting of this Committee.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 146 of 1 April, 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on an objection received to the above Order.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to extend the "At Any Time" restrictions on the north-west side of Sandringham Road to a point 15 metres north-east of the junction with Hatfield Road and to introduce 15 metres of "At Any Time" restrictions for junction protection at the junctions with Belvedere Road and Hatfield Road, be progressed as originally advertised; and

(2)       the objector be advised accordingly.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 18(1) of 20 May, 2009, as amended by Minute No. 22 above, the Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services on a request received for consideration to be given to possible traffic calming measures at the junction of Trafalgar Road and Grosvenor Road, Birkdale.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       no action be taken at the present time regarding introducing traffic calming measures at the junction of Trafalgar Road and Grosvenor Road, Birkdale;

(2)       the request be taken into consideration when future priorities for the Local Transport Plan Traffic Calming Programmes are being developed as indicated in the report; and

(3)       an assessment of the existing signage and lining at the junction be carried out to see if any improvement can be made.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 6(2) of 7 June, 2006, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director setting out details of current Traffic Regulation Orders in the Southport area which had been approved for implementation.

RESOLVED:  

That the report be noted.

Report of Councillor Sir Ron Watson

Further to Minute No. 117 of 19 April, 2006, the Committee considered the report of Councillor Sir Ron Watson submitted in accordance with Rule 25.3 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules on the above matter.  The report set out suggested wording to be displayed on signs to be provided by Merseytravel on Birkdale Railway Station platforms.

RESOLVED:  

That Merseytravel be requested to proceed with the provision of information signs at Birkdale Station with the wording "The Village - A Classic Shopping Experience".

Inspector Fairbrother reported the following progress in relation to an issue previously raised:

·             The graffiti vandals referred to at recent meetings had been dealt with by the Youth Offending Team.  (Local Advisory Group Member Mr. J. Fairhurst referred to more graffiti which had recently appeared in the passageway off Lord Street between the "East" and "Jaeger" shops and he added that there were other recent examples in the town centre.  Inspector Fairbrother agreed to refer this issue to the Council's graffiti squad).

Members of the public/Councillors also raised the following issues:

·             Operation Beachsafe - the Police representatives indicated that this scheme was in operation this year although there had been very few incidents on the beach lately.  A small number of thefts and car break-ins had occurred.  The Police had seized alcohol and a number of vehicles.  They were prepared for a busier time during the school summer holidays.

·             enforcement of advance traffic lines

·             the continuing operation of Police quad bikes on beaches and in parks and the need to replace some of them soon

·             the extensive deployment of Special Constables in the town

·             vehicles abusing bus/taxi lanes on Lord Street

·             motorcycles being ridden on the former sandwinning site in Marshside.  (Inspector Fairbrother stated that the Police could not act in this instance because the site was still controlled by Rainfords Limited)

·             the success of the Police scheme based in Bedford Park, Southport whereby 20/30 youngsters were designing a garden for display in this year's Southport Flower Show, prior to it being reinstated back in Bedford Park.  (These activities appeared to have contributed to a fall in incidents of vandalism in the area and Inspector McLoughlin indicated that the Chief Constable had been invited to inspect the scheme.)

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 and, provided the questioner is present or represented, any interested members of the public will be permitted to ask supplementary questions, provided the total time on each issue does not exceed five minutes.

(If the questioner does not attend the meeting or nominate a representative to attend (at the discretion of the Chair), the question will not be read out, but a written response will be forwarded to the questioner.  If a response to a question is required which cannot be provided at the meeting or if the question is not reached within the 1 hour 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).

During the Open Forum the following questions/comments/petitions were submitted:

(a)       Mrs. J. Glover asked why “Pleasureland” had been erased on the heritage sign posts situated outside Southport.  She added that the current concessionaires of Pleasureland were trying their hardest to make a go of the business and had undertaken many improvements, but the business must have been affected by the lack of advertising to motorists.  It was agreed that the Traffic Services Manager be requested to forward a written response to Mrs. Glover.

(b)       Mr. P. King indicated that he had been asked by members of the public, business people and operators of public transport why the Council had allowed roadworks to take place on approach roads to Southport’s attractions in mid-Summer.  He felt that the inconvenience caused loss of income, late buses and missed connections and confusion for pedestrians.  He asked if this work could be carried out in October/November or from mid-January prior to the busy start of the year.  He also felt that the matter was a public relations disaster for United Utilities.

            Members explained that utility companies had a statutory right to undertake these works, subject to advance warning being given.  The Network Manager had forwarded a written response on this matter to Mr. King.

(c)        Local Advisory Group Member Mrs. M. Pointon indicated that the buildings and clock tower that used to front the bus station on Lord Street were in quite a state of disrepair.  There was no glass in the verandahs, which were rusting with broken down spouts and there was graffiti on the boarded up windows and doors and weeds in the drains.  She was sure it was not what visitors expected from a Classic Resort when they entered the town from that end.  She asked what was happening to the proposed hotel that was going ahead and if Vermont Holdings could be requested/forced to clean the site up.

            It was agreed that the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services be requested to forward a written response to Mrs. Pointon.

(d)       Mrs. D. Pennington asked what arrangements had been made for the re-instatement of the paving in the town centre which had been ruined by contractors having to lift the paving stones, leaving them chipped around the edges and in some cases cracked into two pieces.  She asked if the contractors themselves were responsible for “making good“ and she felt that the actual quality of the paving in Lord Street, Hoghton Street and London Street left a lot to be desired.  There were edges which were prominent in many cases; the worst being in Hoghton Street and the north end of Lord Street.  She added that the relatively recently-laid flags in front of the Mint Casino, the new flats and Farm Foods had been broken when work on the Lord Street pavement and the new gardens and fountain were being undertaken.  A few were replaced, but the majority were still cracked and uneven.

            It was agreed that the Traffic Services Manager would request Capita Symonds Limited to forward a written response to Mrs. Pennington.

(e)       Mr. M. Swift stated that the Council often led and encouraged debate on environmental matters especially the climate change agenda.  With many public bodies and private sector businesses now actively considering carbon mitigation ahead of the impending “cap and trade” legislation, he asked if the Council could tell him what was the carbon foot print of this meeting of the Committee.

            The Chair indicated that Members were not in a position to give Mr. Swift this information.  Mr. Swift indicated that the Council would soon have to calculate its carbon footprint and determine whatever appropriate mitigation measures to put in place.

(f)         Mr. B. Lynch referred to a garage which he owned in Westwood Close, Kew.  He stated that he had to drive his car over the pavement to reach the garage.  He asked if this could be investigated and if he could be advised of a solution to the problem.

            It was agreed that the Head of Regeneration and Technical Services be requested to forward a written response to Mr. Lynch.

(g)       Mrs. Middleton asked when the Kew Estate was going to have weeds treated and its grass verges cut.  She felt that the whole area was very untidy and neglected.

            It was agreed that the Head of Regeneration and Technical Services be requested to forward a written response to Mrs. Middleton.

The Committee considered correspondence relating to the above.

RESOLVED:

That the correspondence be noted.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Leisure Director and the Head of Regeneration and Technical Services be requested to submit a report on the respective departmental responsibilities for maintaining hanging baskets and decorative floral planters funded by this Committee;  and

(2)       the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be requested to submit an update report to the next meeting on planned major new housing in Kew.

The Chair indicated that this would be the last Area Committee meeting attended by its designated Strategic Director, Mr. Bryn Marsh.  She thanked him on behalf of the Committee for his very helpful and knowledgeable contribution to the work of the Committee and to the Council in general.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee’s thanks and best wishes for a very long, happy and healthy retirement be conveyed to Mr. Marsh.

In accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 2 September, 2009 at the Town Hall, Lord Street, Southport, commencing at 6.30p.m.

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting be held on Wednesday, 2 September, 2009 at Southport Town Hall, Lord Street, Southport, commencing at 6.30 p.m.