Minutes for St. Oswald and Netherton and Orrell Area Committee meeting, Jul 2 2009, 6.30PM official page

RESOLVED:

That in the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, Councillor P. Dowd be appointed Chair for this meeting of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brennan, M. Dowd and Mahon.

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 21 May 2009

RESOLVED:  

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Area Committee held on 21 May 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

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).

No matters were raised during the Open Forum,

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).

Inspector K. Jennett:

(i)            advised that further to Minute No. 7(i) of 21 May 2009 (anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the Old Roan bus station) a meeting had taken place with representatives of the Youth Service and that further meetings would be held to pursue a long term solution to the problems being experienced;

(ii)            referred to the current hot weather spell and urged residents to be vigilant and ensure doors and windows were kept locked.  This would make it more difficult for opportunistic thieves to gain entry to people’s homes; and

(iii)            indicated that this would be the last Area Committee she would be attending prior to taking up a new position with the Police Service in Sefton.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)            Inspector Jennett and P.C. S. Kelly be thanked for their attendance at the meeting; and

(2)            Inspector Jennett be thanked for her work and commitment to the St. Oswald and Netherton and Orrell Wards and that she be wished every success in her new role within Merseyside Police.

To receive a presentation from Roy Williams, Chief Executive of One Vision Housing

The Committee received a presentation from Roy Williams, Chief Executive of One Vision Housing (OVH), on the progress, priorities and opportunities of OVH within the St. Oswald and Netherton and Orrell Wards.

Mr. Williams provided details on:

(i)       the decent homes works programme so far relating to kitchen, bathroom, central heating and window installations, electrical rewires and upgrades and new front and rear doors; that separate programmes of general external repair works had been completed on the following estates, Marian Way, Old Roan, Sefton, Fleetwoods Lane, Peterborough Drive and Vaux Crescent; and that total expenditure to date was £16,378,282;

(ii)      works in progress including:

·                 internal and external works on the Sterrix Lane and Marie Curie estates;

·                 further programmes of general external works at Vaux Crescent, Sterrix Lane and Marie Curie estates; and

·                 internal and external decent homes works to be completed on Hereford Drive, Captains Lane, Southport Road and Pendle Drive;

(iii)          environmental works including the removal of rubbish/fly tipping, minor gardening and environmental work and investment in graffiti removal equipment;

(iv)      anti-social behaviour (asb) including funding for a PCSO in the Marian Square to combat youth problems, regular estate patrols, neighbourhood asset management plans and working with Police and other agencies to target main asb offenders; and

(v)      future proposed decent homes works with a total anticipated expenditure of £18,625,585.

RESOLVED:  

That Mr. Williams be thanked for his informative presentation and he be requested to make another presentation to the meeting on 7 January 2010.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

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; 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 the above, 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 they 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, however, the Committee may 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.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the Area Committee considers that a grit bin should be sited at Watts Lane near to St. Robert Bellarmine Church and that Northfield Road (the end by the Liverpool/Sefton boundary) should be included on the gritting route; and

(2)            Members be requested to submit any other suggestions regarding the siting of grit bins (by 15 September 2009) and roads for gritting (by the end of July 2009) direct to Mr. McConkey, Network Manager.

That

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 101 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Technical Services held on 14 January 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director seeking approval for the implementation of a Local Safety Scheme (Route Action) along the length of Southport Road/Bailey Drive, Bootle.

The report indicated that during the latest three year study period, a total of 31 collisions occurred along the length of Southport Road and Bailey Drive; and that these resulted in 2 serious injuries and 54 slight injuries; that in at least 10 of the 31 collisions, the Police reports suggested that speed was a contributory factor.  A further 10 involved vehicles shunting into the rear of other vehicles, which also suggested that vehicles were travelling too fast for the road/traffic conditions; and that speed counts on Southport Road had been undertaken and showed that large numbers of vehicles travelled over the 30 mph speed limit.

The report concluded that in order to highlight the correct speed limit for this route and to warn drivers who were exceeding it, it was proposed to position a series of Vehicle Activated Signs at key locations on the central reservations along the route.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the progression of the proposed Route Action Local Safety Scheme on Southport Road/Bailey Drive Bootle, as detailed in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.5 of the report be approved;

(2)       works commence on site as soon as possible; and

(3)       the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be requested to:

            (i)         investigate the inclusion of Netherton Way as part of the local safety scheme referred to above; and

            (ii)        contact the Highways Agency and request that the vehicle activated signs sited on the A5036 Church Road be repaired as they have not been working for some time.

Report of the Legal Director

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director that informed that as part of the Council's Consultation Process of 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 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 on the proposed changes to executive arrangements in Sefton and the proposals for consultations be noted.

Report of the Leisure Director

The Committee considered the report of the Leisure Director highlighting the condition of pathways, railings and walls in Bootle Cemetery. 

The report indicated that all of the Council's Cemeteries were regularly inspected to establish the condition of paths, railings and walls and that this led to a three year programme being drawn up to target the areas of greatest concern; that the inspection records showed that in Bootle Cemetery alone, over 1200 m2 of paths were still in need of repair, with a similar amount in each of the Council's other four sites and which was estimated would cost in the region of £40,000 at current rates; and that given the current financial pressures and limited budgets, the service had a budget of approximately £6,000 for each site for scheduled repairs, and that this work would be carried out in a prioritised order as and when resources permitted.

The report concluded by seeking the views of the Area Committee on whether it could assist the Cemeteries and Crematorium Service with a capital payment, spread over three years, in order to accelerate the programme of works at Bootle Cemetery.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       it be noted that:

            (i)         the Cemeteries and Crematoria Service carry out regular inspections of pathways and have a programme of improvement works, which targets Health and Safety issues in Sefton's Cemeteries, with the work carried out in a prioritised order based on the associated risk; and

            (ii)        due to limited budgets and financial pressures, work is carried out as and when resources permit;

(2)       it be noted that the Area Committee makes an in principle commitment to fund a programme of works at Bootle Cemetery;

(3)       the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services be requested to investigate, as a matter of urgency, long term funding for the repair and maintenance of the footpaths, walls and chapel at Bootle Cemetery;

(4)       the Cabinet Member - Leisure and Tourism be requested to consider prioritising works at Bootle Cemetery to improve the pathways; and

(5)       the report and resolution be referred to both Linacre and Derby and Litherland and Ford Area Committees to seek a commitment to contribute towards a programme of works at Bootle Cemetery.

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, 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 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 will 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 Cabinet 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:

(1)       in the event that such a demand exists, that Capital 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;

(2)       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;

(3)       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

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

RESOLVED:

That the report seeking the views of the Area Committee on the partial lifting of the current moratorium on the siting of mobile phone masts on Sefton Council land be noted.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive (Safer and Stronger Communities)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Safer and Stronger Communities) that updated on the development, design and priorities of the Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership's (SSCP) Strategic Intelligence Assessments (SIAs) and the commitment of SSCP partners to work collaboratively to address the priorities contained within the SIAs over the next twelve months.

The report indicated that the production of an SIA was based on a robust business model reflective of the broader principles of the National Intelligence Model used by the Police; and that to comply with this requirement, data was analysed from the following sources:

·           British Crime Survey Comparator Crime (BCS-crime)

·           Anti-Social Behaviour Incident data

·           Mayrise and Flare Environmental data

·           Substance Misuse data (a subset of recorded crime)

·           Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service data

The report concluded that the SIAs would define the Safer and Strategic Communities Partnership's key priorities for a three month period; and Appendix 5 to the report set out the following SIA priorities for the St. Oswald and Netherton and Orrell Wards:

3 Month Priorities:

·           youth related anti-social behaviour

·           theft from motor vehicle

·           fly tipping

·           graffiti

Long Term Priority:

·           increase the perception that residents feel well informed.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the Strategic Intelligence Assessment priorities, as detailed within the report, be noted; and

(2)       it be noted that the Strategic Intelligence Assessment priorities complement the developing localism agenda.

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 £49,589.29 and that the Strategic Director had received the following requests for allocation since the last meeting.

Requested By

Description of Project

Amount Requested

Councillor Maher

Installation of Robust litterbins at (1) Homestead Avenue, Old Roan (outside the chip shop); and (2) adjacent to the bus stop (next to the sub-station) opposite the shops on Park Lane, Netherton

£760

Councillor M. Dowd

Erection of an extension to the recently installed pedestrian handrail at Harrops Croft, Netherton

£420

Ms. E. Herbert (Lyndale Morris Dancers)

Contribution towards the cost of new costumes and the cost of musical equipment for practices

£1000

The report also indicated that to ensure that the £1,000 street name plate budget per Ward could be stretched as far as possible, it was proposed that a contract for the entire £22,000 was let for Sefton; that Members identified the priorities in their Wards worthy of support; and that by operating in this manner, the economies of scale would allow seven name plates per Ward rather than two or three.

Appendix B detailed the 16 streets requiring nameplates which could be contained within the £1,000 Ward budget.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the balance of the Area Committee's budget of £46,589.29 available for allocation during 2009/10 be noted;

(2)       the requests for an allocation from the Area Committee's devolved budget from Councillors M. Dowd and Maher and Ms. E. Herbert, as referred to above, be approved;

(3)       the replacement of street name plates, as set out in Appendix B of the report, be approved; and

(4)       two additional street name plates at Heysham Road, Netherton and one at Northfield Road, Bootle be approved and funded from the Area Committee’s devolved budget.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that proposed a mechanism to recruit new Advisory Group representatives to the Area Committee; and outlining a package of support for new and existing members of the Advisory Group to allow them to participate fully in any new or emerging agendas for the Area Committee.

The report detailed the suggested recruitment approach and induction package and that new and existing Advisory Group Members would be subject to six monthly reviews to look at their attendance and participation; that work was currently being undertaken to find out the best way to attract young people to Area Committees and to serve as young person representatives; and that it was proposed that new Advisory Group Members would be in place by 27 August 2009.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       it be agreed to retain the existing Advisory Group Member, based upon consistent attendance record and positive participation as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report;

(2)       the proposed mechanism for recruitment of new Advisory Group representatives as set out in paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 of the report be approved;

(3)       a place for a young person representative as set out in paragraph 5.2 of the report be reserved; and

(4)       the timescales for implementation as set out in paragraph 6.1 of the report be approved.

In accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Thursday, 27 August 2009 at the Netherton Activity Centre, Glovers Lane, 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, 27 August 2009 at Netherton Activity Centre, Glovers Lane, Netherton, commencing at 6.30 p.m.