Town Hall, St.Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1HP Telephone: (Tony McKinnon, Support Officer) Parr Ward Committee Public Meeting.

Transcription

1 St. Helens Council Town Hall, St.Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1HP Telephone: (Tony McKinnon, Support Officer) Parr Ward Committee Public Meeting Date: 23rd May 2007 Time: 7.00 p.m. Venue: Salvation Army Hall Membership: Agenda Councillors: Co-opted Members: Pinder, Roberts, Shields Simon Skidmore (Community Empowerment Network) Nora Wade (Helena Housing) Chief Inspector Shaun Holland (Merseyside Police) Bernadette Lynch (Tenants and Residents Association) Bette Travis (Tenants and Residents Association) Pam Gravener (Tenants and Residents Association) Eddie McConville (Tenants and Residents Association) Billy Burke (Tenants and Residents Association) Ken Liptrot (Tenants and Residents Association) 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting 1 3. Declaration of Interests from Members 4. Matters Arising from the Previous Meeting 5. Public Question Time 6. Local Issues a) March Issues b) Environmental Project Fund - Update 5 7. Update on Environmental Protection Planned Schemes 7 8. Environmental Fund New Proposals 9. Community Safety Update St. Helens Youth Provision for 2007/08 Update Recycle for St. Helens Date of the Next Meeting 24 th July 2007

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3 Item 2: Minutes of the Previous Meeting Parr Ward Committee At a meeting of this Committee held on 14 th March 2007, 7pm At Salvation Army Hall, Tickle Avenue, Parr (Present) (Not present) (Also present) Councillor Terry Shields Councillor Ken Pinder Councillor Keith Roberts Bernadette Lynch (Tickle Ave TRA) Pam Gravenor (GAMB TRA) Eddie McConville (Mount Pleasant TRA) Janet Coy (Broad Oak TRA) Simon Skidmore (CEN) Nora Wade (Helena Housing) Chief Inspector Shaun Holland (Merseyside Police) PC Mark Winstanley (Merseyside Police) William Burke (Broad Oak TRA) Betty Travis (The Avenues TRA) Tracey Thomson (St. Helens Together) Tony McKinnon (St. Helens Together) 31. Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from William Burke and Betty Travis. 32. Minutes of the previous meeting Resolved that the minutes be agreed as an accurate record 33. Declarations of Interest from Members None declared 34. Matters arising from previous minutes 34.1 Environmental Project Fund update Tracey Thompson provided an update confirming that the four items previously supported by the Committee were awaiting signature by the Council Leader and Chief Executive. Councillor Pinder raised a concern that these matters had been discussed at several Ward Committees and there was 1

4 frustration that matters had not progressed to enable works to start on site. 35. Public Question Time The following questions and issues were raised by members of the public. Issue Raised by Response Condition of area around and to the rear of the Cooperative store on Parr Stocks Road. Mr J Wilson This area had already come to the notice of the re:newparr Team. Tony McKinnon to contact the Area Manager to discuss potential options for improving the aesthetics of the Condition of area to the rear of the units on Moorfoot Road, Parr. Garage Site on Mendip Grove now sold by the Council at auction, but leaseholders not been contacted by new owners Lack of pedestrian crossing on Broad Oak Road and speeding traffic. Damage to Bus Shelter on Broad Oak Rd Mr J Wilson Mr J Wilson Mr J Wilson Mr J Wilson area. Re:newparr Neighbourhood Environmental Wardens to visit the site to assess options for improvement. Tony McKinnon to contact the Council s Estates Division for an update. Tony McKinnon confirmed that this had previously been raised with the Council s Highways Division and would obtain an update and response. PC Mark Winstanley to visit the area at peak times and to consider undertaking an anti-speeding campaign. Bus Shelter recently repaired following vandalism, but subject to repeated damage. Gangs of youths hanging around the area on Friday and Saturday evenings. PC Mark Winstanley explained that a Section 30 Order has been applied for and that this areas will be given greater attention. To be considered for location of the mobile CCTV camera. Tony McKinnon to liaise with the Neighbourhood Action Team at Merseyside Police 2

5 Condition of Car Park on Tickle Avenue and lack of lighting. Mrs J Coy Tony McKinnon confirmed that the area is subject to regular clean up by mechanical sweeper from the Council. Will investigate future proposals for the site. Will liaise with the Council concerning the condition of the shrubbery to the site and lack of lighting on the Car Park * Chief Inspector Shaun Holland joined the meeting at this point Firearms incident on Gaskell Street on Monday, 12 th March Problems with Travelling Community in Parr Mr P Gravenor Mr E McConville Chief Inspector provided a brief update on the ongoing investigation and provided reassurance that this appeared to be an isolated incident and a possible case of mistaken identity. Agreed to send a police representative to the GAMB committee meeting which was planned for Thursday, 15 March 2007 Chief Inspector Shaun Holland reassured those present that this issue is being taken very seriously and action is being taken where the law is flouted. Explained that it is vital that the community provides every piece of evidence by reporting it to the Sutton Police Station or Crimestoppers in order that the appropriate action can be taken. 36. Local Issues Pilot Update Tony McKinnon provided an update on progress of the Parr Neighbourhood Management Pilot, explaining that a number of part time Resident Outreach Workers had now been appointed all of who live in Parr. He went onto explain about the creation of the re:newparr Residents Partnership, which is a core group of people who can be consulted on the work being done in parr and by asking them if issues in Parr are improving. This could be done by simply filling in a questionnaire every few months and by regularly asking their views on ideas put forward to the re:newparr Board. 3

6 37. Update on Environmental Protection Planned Schemes Bernie Lynch enquired about the proposed carriageway works with Helena Housing on Rimmer Grove. Nora Wade to obtain further information and feed back. 38. Environmental Fund New Proposals The suggestions for the Tickle Avenue car park will be added as a new proposal for this fund. 39. Community Safety Update Tracey Thomson provided a brief outline of the report, highlighting the Chief Constables Talkback at the Saints Club on 24 April Janet Coy raised the issue of street drinking and underage drinking around the Broad Oak Area, since the licence was granted to the shop on Broad Oak Rd. Chief Inspector Shaun Holland to look into this and report back. He also committed that all future TRA meetings would have a police presence. 40. St. Helens Youth Provision for 2007/08 Tracey Thomson provided an outline of the report highlighting that St. Helens were top of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which is a great achievement. 41. Feedback on Budget Consultation. Report was presented and received no comments. 42. Date of Next Meeting Chair confirmed that the Ward Committee dates had now been set for the next 12 months with dates agreed as follows, with all meetings being held at the Salvation Army Hall, Tickle Avenue, Parr: Wednesday 23rd May 2007 Tuesday 24th July 2007 Tuesday 4th September 2007 Tuesday 30th October 2007 Tuesday 29th January 2008 Tuesday 11th March

7 Item 4b: Matters Arising PARR WARD COMMITTEE ENVIRONMENTAL FUND PROGRESS REPORT MAY 2007 Scheme Rejected Application In Progress Works Programmed/Complete App. No. Scheme Estimated Cost PAR-01 New Fence to the rear of Hargreaves Street Application Form Received Scheme Appraisal in Progress Scheme Appraisal Complete Ward Committee Approved Leader/ Chief Executive Approved Works Programmed 7,000 Works Completed PAR-02 PAR-03 Provision of Hammerhead at the top of Surrey Street Fencing and off-road parking at Pentland Avenue (2-48) 10,000 40,000+ PAR-04 Fencing and off-road parking at Stretton Avenue (10-20) 12,000 plus fencing* PAR-05 PAR-06 PAR-07 PAR-08 PAR-09 Restriction on Access to footpath between O Brien Grove and Seath Avenue Footpath between Sheringham Close and Redgate Drive Gaskell Street Environmental Improvements Bedford Street Environmental Improvements grass strips to either corner of Bedford Street be tarmacked Alleygating in Broad Oak area: More alleygates Repair damaged alleygates 2,000 2,

8 App. No. Scheme Estimated Cost PAR-10 Condition of garage site at Mendip Grove and vacant plots on the site 27,000** Application Form Received Scheme Appraisal in Progress Scheme Appraisal Complete Ward Committee Approved Leader/ Chief Executive Approved Works Programmed Works Completed PAR-11 Parking Bays Pennine Drive 1,000 per car*** PAR-12 Nunn Street Car Park - * Assuming no statutory undertakers diversions ** Provide made up entrances from the adopted passage to the existing garages and to convert the grassed area where there are no garages to macadam. *** Provision of hardstand & dropped crossing and assuming no statutory undertakers diversions 6

9 Item 7: Update on Environmental Protection Planned Schemes Ward Location Scheme Works to be undertaken May 2007 Jun 2007 Parr Highway Maintenance Schemes Rimmer Grove Carriageway Resurfacing - with Helena Housing * Traffic Schemes Waring Avenue/Fleet Lane/Berrys Lane Traffic calming measures on Waring Avenue and Berrys Lane/pedestrian refuges, lining and signing enhancements on Fleet Lane Derbyshire Hill Road Variable Message Sign to reduce vehicle speeds at School Crossing Patrol Civic Pride & Community Spaces Gaskell Park Refurbish Childrens Play Area Carriageway Resurfacing Scheme In a carriageway resurfacing scheme the top layers of the road surface will be removed. Manhole covers and gully grates and frames will be set to new levels. The road surface will be regulated if required, and a new surface course will be laid. Road markings will be replaced on completion of the works. Carriageway resurfacing is undertaken when the road surface has become cracked, rutted or has started to break up. The new surface protects the underlying layers from water penetration, strengthens the road construction and gives an improved ride for vehicles. * Deferred until 2007/08 following completion of Helena Housing works. 7

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11 Item 9: Community Safety Update TACKLING CRIME AND DISORDER IN ST.HELENS WARD UPDATE PARR 2006/07 has been a successful year for the St.Helens Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership with significant reductions being seen in recorded crime. British Crime Survey Comparator Crimes have fallen by 12.3% to 11,231 offences and Total Recorded Crime has reduced by 12.1% 18,149 offences. Across the Borough, Acquisitive Crime fell by 9.2%, Criminal Damage fell by 10.1% and Violent Crime by 25%. The table below shows the Total Crimes and BCS Crimes for the Borough along with information for a selected number of crime types for the Ward. It should be noted that when Borough crime data is disaggregated down to a Ward level there would be some areas where increases will occur. 2005/ /07 +/- % Borough Wide Profile British Crime Survey Comparator Crimes 12,806 11, Total Recorded Crime 20,659 18, Ward Profile British Crime Survey Comparator Crimes 1,210 1, Total Recorded Crime 1,871 1, Theft of a Vehicle Theft from a Vehicle Domestic Burglary Theft from a Person Criminal Damage and Arson Drug Offences Anti-Social Behaviour calls to the Police Rowdy Behaviour Nuisance Vehicles Street Drinking Substance Misuse 1 2 Note: Changes to the way Anti-Social Behaviour is recorded by the Police was changed in April 2006 and a number of sub categories of ASB, not previously included in the main types listed in the table, have now been included. This means that direct comparison between the two years cannot be made. Merseyside Police - Your Neighbourhood Inspector is Claire Richards and your Neighbourhood Sergeant is Ken Foulkes 9

12 Ward Initiatives Parr has become the latest area in St Helens to introduce a 'designated area that came into force from Friday, 13 April 2007 and will run until October. The designated areas are just one tool used to rid local communities of anti social behaviour. The powers under the Anti Social Behaviour Act mean that police officers can use the new powers to allow officers to move youths on and make arrests on those who return within 24 hours. The zone will cover all areas within the boundary of Ashtons Green Drive, Broad Oak Road, Newton Road, and Derbyshire Hill Road. In addition, Fleet Lane, Waterland Lane, Berrys Lane, Moss Lane, Moss Greenway and Brookland Lane are covered. The order will operate each day between 5.00 pm until midnight. Tackling Vehicle Crime Whilst on patrol in Ramford Street, Parr on 15 March, Officers from the Neighbourhood Action Team arrested a 14 year old youth from Parr for failing to stop whilst riding a mini-motorbike. He was subsequently charged with failing to stop, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He will appear at St Helens Youth Court later this month. Borough-Wide Initiatives Help us beat the burglar Merseyside Police and St Helens Council have teamed up to launch an extensive advertising campaign to remind people to secure their homes properly with the imminent arrival of the warmer weather. The latest campaign (attached) will be seen over the coming months on an ad van touring the area and buses urging residents to help us beat the burglar by ringing Crimestoppers, anonymously, on with any information about those responsible for committing burglary in their area Police are also reminding residents to lock their doors properly and close all windows when they leave the house. In addition, if you are out gardening in the warmer weather, remember to lock your front/back door. 10

13 Want to take drugs off our streets? It s your call Over 730 arrests, 83 drugs raids and more than 270 calls to Crimestoppers and the drugs hotline Merseyside Police in St Helens is asking Want to get drugs off our streets? It s your call. The Tackling Drugs campaign has been running in St Helens for almost 18 months and Merseyside Police with St Helens Council is ensuring its continued success with an innovative new marketing campaign. Motorists and pedestrians across St Helens will be seeing huge billboards, buses, ad vans, taxis and bus shelters advertising the work done to tackle drugs over the coming months. The latest artwork uses the banner 'Want to get drugs off our streets? It s your call and encourages the public to ring the dedicated hotline ( ) or Crimestoppers ( ) with information about drug activity in their area. Forthcoming Events St Helens Festival 7-8 July 2007 at Sherdley Park, St Helens Useful Contacts NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER (general enquiries, speak to Neighbourhood Officers) 999 EMERGENCY CRIMESTOPPERS (providing information about crime in your area anonymously) Further information can be found by logging on to our website St Helens Council Tel: contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk 11

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15 Item 10: St. Helens Youth Provision 2007/8 Introduction Ward Committee May 2007 St.Helens Council Youth Service This briefing note has been produced to update Ward Committees on the on-going development of services for young people. It highlights a number of recent developments and improvements introduced by the Council and its partners to increase opportunities for Young People to participate in constructive activities. The agreement to re-structure the Youth Service was made in April and appointments have been made at an operational level. Work has commenced on re-configuration of the service to reflect the findings of the Best Value Review and the wishes of young people expressed during consultation. The move to a predominately weekend delivery, introduction of new activities and expanding the age range to include a younger age group is being implemented. The move from 30 sessions per week to a target of over 80 has begun and by the end of May there will be 43 sessions operating. In addition 16 sessions for the 8 13 year old age group will commence in the 3 existing youth centres with a wider roll out being planned. Set out below are some of the developments that have been put into place and as the year progresses more developments will be introduced. The Ward Committees will be given regular updates on progress. Summer Programme Following on the success of last years programme the Council has worked with its partners to further develop services for young people over the six weeks of the summer. This year will see a significant number of improvements on last years offer: The brochure will be distributed to every household in the borough in June, four weeks earlier than last year s publication allowing parents and young people greater time to plan their holiday activities. The number of activities within the programme has increased considerably from 200 in 2006 to over 500 in There has been an increase the number of voluntary sector groups who will benefit from promoting their activities within the brochure Evening Youth Club sessions for year olds have increased from delivery at four sites to a comprehensive programme at 12 sites with hopefully more new venues to be announced shortly. The afternoon youth sessions in parks and community centres has been broadened to include music projects and a number of new sites The programme will also see the return of the B&G Activity Card that will allow youngsters to access free swimming as well giving free access to the Council s Sports Centres and the Golf Course. Last year over 1500 young people benefited from the card accessing hundreds of hours of free sports activity. Further information on the summer programme can be obtained from: Terry Bates, Sports Development Manager (01744) or terrybates@sthelens.gov.uk 13

16 Junior Youth Clubs Community research has highlighted a lack of activity available for young people aged between 8 and 13 yrs. It is many young people within this age group who have been identified as being the source of much of the anti social behaviour within our communities. As recommended by the Best Value Review of the Youth Service, there is to be an increase in organised sessions at the existing Youth Centres in Derbyshire Hill, Grange Valley and Windle. 16 sessions are starting during week commencing the 14 th May and further sessions are planned to open after the summer holiday period. These junior sessions will provide the same opportunities for young people to access accredited training opportunities, receive advice and support and also give young people a place to socialise. For information on these sessions contact: Parr Craig Westwell, Operational Manager (01744) or craigwestwell@sthelens.gov.uk Haydock Karl Schofield Operational Manager (01744) or karlschofield@sthelens.gov.uk Windle - Ann Roby Operational Manager (01744) or annroby@sthelens.gov.uk Expansion of Youth Club Provision Following the increased investment in services for young people the Council will be opening a number of new youth activities for year olds across the borough. The new sessions will largely target Friday evenings and the weekend, the time identified by young people as a priority. The Council is working in partnership with a number of voluntary sector groups in Parr, Sutton, Blackbrook, Earlestown, Thatto Heath and West Park to support and sustain their work. The planned sessions include football, trampolining, food/nutrition, movie nights and extension to the Motor vehicle project at Parr Stocks Fire Station. Some existing voluntary sector youth clubs are to be extended with support from the Youth Service. This partnership work will not only secure sessions but also allow for further expansion in provision. A new Youth Provision schedule will be published at the end of May providing details of all existing and new sessions and full details will also be available on the Council s website. For information on these sessions in wards contact: Parr, Town Centre, Thatto Heath, West Park, Sutton Craig Westwell, Operational Manager (01744) or craigwestwell@sthelens.gov.uk Haydock, Newton, Earlestown, Blackbrook, Billinge and Seneley Green Karl Schofield Operational Manager (01744) or karlschofield@sthelens.gov.uk Windle, Rainford, Eccleston, Rainhill, Sutton, Moss Bank Ann Roby Operational Manager (01744) or annroby@sthelens.gov.uk Youth Volunteering Programme In 2005/6 the Council, in Partnership with The Council for Voluntary Service, Connexions, The District Sports Council, Helena Housing and Youth Matters established a Youth Volunteering Project to encourage and support young people (11-18 yrs) to access voluntary activities. The projects second celebration event to recognise the achievements of Young Volunteers took place in April. At this event 130 young people received awards for their volunteering activity ranging from 25 hours to 250 hours. In total over 10,000 hours volunteering activity was logged in the first 9 months of the scheme. Activities supported included Junior Sports Clubs, Children s After School Play provision, Uniformed Organisations, Environmental Projects and a range of other Cultural Activities. Further information on the Y4V programme can be obtained from: Helen McCabe, Volunteering Officer (01744) or helenmccabe@sthelens.gov.uk 14

17 Item 11: Recycle for St. Helens European legislation has placed tough targets on Local Authorities to divert waste from landfill. Each Authority has been set a maximum amount that can be sent to landfill and these quantities reduce each year. Councils face high penalties (possibly 150 per tonne) if more is sent to landfill than allowed. To put this into perspective, each household in St Helens produces about 1 tonne of waste each year. At our current recycling rate of 20% this means that 80%. Admittedly, this is a worst case scenario and we have a few years before it gets to this stage but we need to build on our existing recycling rate now. We know from a recent Merseyside analysis of household waste that recyclable items are still going through the brown bin to landfill and we could easily get another 10 to 20% added to our recycling percentage. This is why St. Helens Council is launching a recycling marketing campaign to boost its recycling percentage and make the best use of its existing services. The campaign will last for approx. 12 months and is due to start in June The campaign will have an information segment to make people aware of exactly what can and can t be recycled and in which containers they should place their waste for recycling. It will also promote motivational messages to encourage residents to make best use of the existing recycling services and so increase our recycling percentage. The marketing campaign will include: A monthly advert in both the St. Helens Star newspaper and the Reporter. An advert in each St. Helens First magazine for the next 12 months, along with fridge magnets to tell residents what can be recycled in each receptacle. The production of green bin stickers, which will encourage residents to put more than just green waste in their bin. New services include: cardboard, brown paper, fruit/veg peelings, tea bags and coffee grounds. A radio advertising package, which will promote the current recycling services on offer to all residents in the borough. Recycling messages on billboards across the borough. Library recycling forums, across all libraries in St. Helens This will promote general awareness of recycling and is an opportunity for residents to ask questions. Officer attendance at many local events where you can have your questions answered. Why not come along to the World Aware Event on Sunday 1 st July at Victoria Park and have some fun! More information will be tabled at the next ward committee in July where people who attend may be able to see the new campaign images before anyone else. The campaign also includes appointment of an external consultant to carry out an in-depth public consultation. They will identify the main issues and barriers that St Helens residents consider prevents them from recycling (so that we can adapt our services to make it easier for residents.) If you have any questions or queries prior to this, please telephone the Contact Centre (01744) or cutwaste@sthelens.gov.uk 15

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