Minutes for St. Oswald and Netherton and Orrell Area Committee meeting, Jan 8 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brennan and P. Dowd.

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 30 October 2008

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Area Committee held on 30 October 2008 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).

During the Open Forum the following matters were raised:

(1)       Ms. J. Rumsey referred to a Steering Group that had been established to promote the use of Silcocks Community Centre; detailed the work of the Group undertaken previously; and that the Group was committed to Silcocks being utilised to its full potential as a centre for the entire community and not just part-time as a youth club run by Sefton Children’s Services.

            Ms. Rumsey concluded by stating that in order for this aspiration to be viable, then funding was required for a full-time, qualified Manager to run the business and to engage the community to use the Centre’s facilities for uses such as mother and toddler groups, over 50’s Clubs, bowling clubs, football clubs, IT training classes and youth clubs etc.

RESOLVED:

That the Leisure Director be requested to:

(A)            respond in writing to Mrs. Rumsey updating her on the current position regarding the Silcocks Community Centre and the associated Steering Group;

(B)       send a copy of the letter referred to above to the Netherton and Orrell Ward Councillors for information; and

(C)       liaise with the Sefton Youth Service to co-ordinate potential community uses at the Centre

(2)       Mr. G. Owen requested the support of the Area Committee to provide additional litter bins along Park Lane, Netherton at each bus stop and outside the shops at Marina Avenue and Parkfield Avenue/Park Lane and Aintree Station.

            Mr. Owen concluded that at present there were only four bins on the entire length of Park Lane, located outside the main block of shops; and that the provision of the additional bins would help to combat litter problems in the area.

            The Chair advised the meeting that this matter would be dealt with during consideration of the Budget Monitoring report later in the agenda (see Minute No. 66).

(3)            Councillor M. Dowd referred to a request by residents in Marian Way for the introduction of a Gating Order to stop anti-social behaviour occurring in the vicinity of their homes; and reported that he had been advised by the Assistant Director - Transport and Development that it was not possible legally to make such an Order at this location.

RESOLVED:

That the Assistant Director - Transport and Development be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Area Committee detailing the legal issues associated with a Gating Order at Marian Way and to attend the meeting to answer questions thereon.

(4)            Councillor Maher requested the support of the Area Committee for funding from its devolved budget to install a robust litter bin on Dunnings Bridge Road, Netherton, approximately five metres east of its junction with Sandiways Avenue; and indicated that the bin was required to enable dog walkers to put their dog waste in it.

RESOLVED:

That the Area Committee supports the request made for the siting of a litter bin on Dunnings Bridge Road and Councillor Maher be requested to complete a budget request form and submit it to the Finance and Information Services Director.

(5)            Councillor Maher, on behalf of residents in Sandiways Avenue, Netherton, requested that investigations take place concerning the blocking off of Sandiways Avenue, via a physical barrier, to restrict pedestrian access.

RESOLVED:

That the Assistant Director - Transport and Development, be requested to submit a report to the Area Committee on the legal and cost issues associated with the blocking off of Sandiways Avenue to stop pedestrian access.

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 circulated a Newsletter providing information on her policing team in the Area Committee's area.  The Newsletter detailed:

●          when and where neighbourhood surgeries were held together with forthcoming events

●          the local policing priorities in the area and how her Team had tackled issues raised by the public

●          a recent crackdown on underage drinking in the area

●          crime prevention issues relating to victims of violence and in particular to domestic violence

Inspector Jennett also indicated that the use of Smart Water in the area was aimed at reducing burglaries and recovering stolen property; that PCSO's would be used to target dog fouling problems in the Park Lane area; and that measures were now being put in place to focus on seasonal peak issues in the summer such as anti-social behaviour and mini-motorbike usage.

Inspector Jennett answered questions from Members and members of the public on the following issues:

●          dog fouling

●          anti-social behaviour caused by youths at the Old Road Bus Interchange

●          vacant buildings on the former Everton training ground site

●            criminals using the Peerless site to gain access to local residents' garden/property

●          No Ball games in the Lunt Avenue area

RESOLVED:

That Inspector Jennett and PC Kelly be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

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

The Area Committee received a presentation from Mr. R. 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 indicated that of the 10,947 properties in the area, 2699 were OVH; that there were currently 48 void properties in the area; detailed those properties where there was a high turnover of tenants and would be the subject of further consideration; issues relating to garage premises; anti-social behaviour issues and identified the 'hot-spot' areas; proposed environmental works following consultation with residents; and residents associations operating in the area.

Mr. Williams also updated on the OVH Decent Homes Programme in the following areas:

●        Marian Way/Old Roan/Sefton/Fleetwoods Lane/Peterborough Drive

●        Vaux Crescent/Sterrix Lane/Marie Curie estates

●          Captains Lane/Hereford Drive/Southport Road/Pendle Drive estates

Mr. Williams concluded by providing a summary of all proposed works and that OVH expenditure to date in the area amounted to £11,118,792

Mr. Williams answered questions from Members and members of the public on the following issues:

●          garages on the Sefton estate

●        car parking in 'squares' in front of residents homes

●        vacant garages in Homestead Avenue

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the Chief Executive of One Vision Housing be requested to:

          (a)          liaise with the Assistant Director - Transport and Development on the progression of a policy relating to residents parking their vehicles in 'squares' in front of their homes; and

          (b)          report to the Area Committee on the results of the survey undertaken regarding the shop premises in Homestead Avenue; and

(2)      Mr. Williams be thanked for his informative presentation and he be           requested to make another presentation in six months.

Report of the Leisure Director

The Area Committee considered the report of the Leisure Director advising of the first phase of the Council’s Play Builder Programme 2008/09 (the Programme) and in particular about proposed works at Marian Gardens, Netherton.

The report indicated that following a successful application to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) for Fair Play ‘Play builder’ status, Children’s Services, working with the Leisure Department, submitted a Play builder Project Plan to the DCSF in July 2008; that the plan set out how Sefton would provide innovative and stimulating play equipment and landscaping, which would facilitate physically active play opportunities for all children, but with a particular focus on 8-13 year olds; that the Plan was approved, and the Council was awarded a grant of £1,117,442 over the three year Play Builder programme; and that Marian Gardens had been selected as one of six sites across the Borough as part of the Programme.

The report detailed the design aspects of the proposed scheme at Marian Gardens and sought the views of Members thereon; and concluded that the main work at the park should be completed by March 2009 and that following a “settling-in” period, an official opening ceremony would be organised.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed play area works designed for Marian Gardens, Netherton, as detailed in the report be approved.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 56(2) of 30 October 2008, the Area Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services advising of the Gating Order costs associated with the installation of gates at Cumberland Gate, Netherton; and seeking approval to proceed with the formal Gating Order process.

The report indicated that the cost of the Gating Order was £2000 and that the cost of the installation of the gates was £2609.

RESOLVED:    That

(1)       the legal, technical and administration costs of £2,000 (no vat), to process a Gating Order application pursuant to s129a of the Highways Act 1980 at Cumberland Gate, Netherton, be approved;

(2)       the proposed installation of gates at Cumberland Gate, as shown upon plan number DC0290 attached to the report, at a cost of £2609 be approved;

(3)       the Legal Director and the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services, be authorised to advertise the Council’s intention to install gates at Cumberland Gate, the effect of which would restrict access to the highway, as detailed within the report;

(4)            subject to there being no objections during the statutory advertising period the Legal Director be authorised to confirm the respective Order; and it be noted that where an objection is raised, a report will be prepared to the Area Committee, unless the objection is raised by the emergency services in which case, the matter would be referred to a Public Enquiry; and

(5)       it be noted that the total cost of the works (£4609) would be funded by the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director.

Report of the Finance and Information Services Director

The Area Committee considered the report of the Finance and Information Services Director which advised that the balance of its budget available to allocate during 2008/09 was £41,349.29 and that the Strategic Director had received the following request for allocation since the last meeting:

Requested By

Description of Project

Amount Requested

Councillor Brennan

Robust litterbins at Parkfield Avenue and Marina Crescent

£760

It was indicated that a litter bin had recently been installed at the Parkfield Avenue/Park Lane junction and therefore, there was no longer a requirement to fund the provision of a further bin at the location.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the balance of the Area Committee’s budget of £41,349.29 available for allocation during 2008/09, be noted;

(2)      the request for an allocation from the Area Committee’s devolved budget from Councillor Brennan as referred to above be approved only insofar as it relates to the provision of a litter bin at the junction of Park Lane/Marina Crescent at a total cost of £380; and

(3)      the Finance and Information Services Director be advised of the expenditure referred to in (2) above.

Copies of correspondence relating to questions which have been answered since the last meeting are attached for information only

The Area Committee considered correspondence relating to previous questions/issues raised in the Open Forum.

Members made reference to the correspondence from the Head Teacher of Bootle High School concerning fencing on the school boundary at Albert Schweitzer Avenue.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the correspondence be noted; and

(2)(a)  the Capita Symonds Building Services Manager be requested to liaise with the Head Teacher of Bootle High School and thereafter submit a report on the costings to repair/renew the fencing at the school at its boundary with Albert Schweitzer Avenue; and

    (b)          approval in principle be given to fund the works referred to in (a) above from the Area Committee's devolved budget.

In accordance with the agreed programme of meetings for this Area Committee, the next meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 February 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 12 February 2009 at the Netherton Activity Centre, Glovers Lane, Netherton, commencing at 6.30 p.m.