THE “CALL IN” PERIOD FOR THIS SET OF MINUTES ENDS AT 12 NOON ON WEDNESDAY 3 OCTOBER 2012. MINUTE NOS 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 AND 33 ARE NOT SUBJECT TO “CALL-IN”.

FORMBY AREA COMMITTEE

MEETING HELD AT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, ROAD, FORMBY ON THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, 2012

PRESENT: Councillor Cuthbertson (in the Chair) Councillors Dutton, Killen, Maguire, McIvor, Page (Vice Chair) and Parish Councillor Gaskin.

ALSO PRESENT: Inspector Jim Atherton, Police and 16 members of the public.

20. HILLSBOROUGH

The Chair indicated that Parish Councillor Gaskin had suggested that further to yesterday’s release of the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, the Committee might wish to formally remember the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster of 15 April 1989 prior to commencement of the meeting.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

That the Committee formally commemorate the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster.

Accordingly, everyone present at the meeting stood for one minute’s silence in remembrance of the 96 victims who had lost their lives at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.

21. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors Jenkins and Starkey and Mr P Thornton, Advisory Group Member.

22. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were received.

23. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2012, be confirmed as a correct record.

24. PUBLIC FORUM

13 FORMBY AREA COMMITTEE- THURSDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2012

The following items had been submitted for consideration during the Public Forum:

Item Subject / details Action / taken by submitted by

1. Alison James Request to help save the Committee Administrator Formby Cumfy Bus to write to (1) Cumfy Bus service. thanking them and their Cllr Maguire indiated that drivers for a first rate he and Ms James had service over past years; been to present a petition and (2) Mrs James, the of 350 signatures to questioner. Merseytravel to save the Cumfy Bus Service, but unfortunately the tender for the service had already been granted to another bus company.

The Chair advised that 4 questions had also been submitted in relation to Agenda Item 8 – Receipt of Objections to proposed Traffic Regulation Orders – Birch Green, Squirrel Green, Gorse Way, Proctor Road and Larkhill Lane, Formby and it was therefore:

RESOLVED:

That Open Forum Questions (2), (3), (4) and (5) submitted by Mr Henderson, Ms Carroll, Professor Ridings and Mr Scott respectively, be considered under Agenda Item 8, relating to Squirrel Green and surrounding areas.

25. POLICE ISSUES

Referring to the crime statistics indicated below, Inspector Atherton provided an update on crime and policing in the Formby area during July and August 2012, comparing current crime figures with the same period in 2010 and 2011.

July July July Aug Aug Aug 2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012

All crime 64 91 49 54 87 46

Violent 13 8 6 7 13 5 crime

Robbery 0 1 0 2 0 0

Burglary 6 10 6 2 8 3 dwelling

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Theft of 0 4 1 0 0 0 motor vehicle

Theft 5 23 6 2 8 3 from motor vehicle

Criminal 8 6 8 7 6 7 damage

Inspector Atherton provided an update and answered questions on the following matters:

1. Staffing

• There had been no changes in Neighbourhood staffing • The Olympics had not affected local staffing • The Patrol Section had now been backfilled • Constable Jason Keating was recovering from knee and arm surgery and carrying out recuperative duties

2. Good News

• The dedicated team had just been informed that they had won Sefton’s Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year and would now go forward to the Force Awards on 8 November 2012 – which unfortunately clashed with the date of the next Area Committee meeting. Notwithstanding this, the outcome of this Award would be notified to the Committee in due course.

3. Operation Beachsafe

• The additional officers recruited for beachsafe had now resumed their core duties in Sefton • A lot of people still visited the area and the vast majority were law abiding and respectful of the community • There had been lower crime figures this year – possibly as the result of a mixture of beachsafe patrols and the poor summer weather – a final analysis of the statistics was being compiled. • 974 units of alcohol had been seized • Parking had presented the biggest problem this year • Planning for Beachsafe 2013 had already begun in partnership with local Councillors, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal National Lifeboard Institution,

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Sefton Council’s Coast and Countryside Department and the National Trust, etc.

4. Crime Statistics

• There had been welcome reductions in all of the crime figures, nonetheless, most of the crimes committed would leave a victim and as such, victim support and crime prevention was an essential aspect to policing. • 19 of all of the crime figures for July 2011 and also for August 2011, respectively, had been for Possession of a Controlled Drug (POCD), whereas there had only been 9 POCDs in July and August 2012.

5. Policing Updates

• The next Have your Say Meeting would take place from 7-8 pm on Thursday 27 September 2012, at Formby Pool. • A travelling criminals bulletin was circulated to all those who used the rail network. • Police patrols by the Neighbourhood Team and Special Constables had been focused around Duke Street Park to address reports of anti-social behaviour and youths gathering • Traffic Police were undertaking enforcement along Formby Bypass as part of routine duties. • The Neighbourhood Team had recently been undertaking speedwatch duties which had resulted in a number of motorists having received warnings for speeding. Inspector Atherton indicated that members of the public who wished to become a community volunteer to help with local policing and in particular, speedwatch, should check the Police website at http://www.do- it.org.uk/search/opportunities/1583250/Formby_Speedwatch _Operative • A planned rave at Warren House Farm had been cancelled following a recent multi agency meeting and advice given by Police to the organizers regarding the licensing of temporary events. • Plans were being made in conjunction with the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and local youth agencies for Halloween and Bonfire Nights – Operation Banger. This included an interesting event being planned for the woods involving a ghoul fun run and ‘Scarewood Forest Halloween’. Visits were being made to local schools to advertise these events and to warn about the dangers of bonfire night, etc.

6. Crime Prevention

• Operation Dragonfly - Inspector Atherton thanked the Area Committee for supporting Operation Dragonfly indicating that

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there had been 974 registrations to date. He indicated that the signage had now been installed and Smartwater kits were being purchased for the knock down price of £10 each. Persons/households with special hardship and / or vulnerability were being given the kits for free. There had already been over 90 Smartwater deployments as part of the initiative.

7. Good Police Work

• Inspector Atherton concluded his update by informing the Committee of recent arrests and ongoing criminal investigations including:

Ø the arrest of a male in respect of a burglary in Moss Side, Formby Ø apprehension of a male who had stolen a push bike Ø burglary and theft of a BMW car Ø possession of 8 bags of cannabis by a male from Formby Ø theft of a motor vehicle by a male who had been disqualified from driving, had no insurance, had failed to stop for a police officer and was using a mobile phone whilst driving. The male had eventually been detained by a police dog.

RESOLVED: That

(1) Inspector Atherton be thanked for his informative and interesting update and that he and his Team be thanked for their continued professionalism and dedication in carrying out their policing duties in the Formby Area; and

(2) a letter be sent to Chief Constable Jon Murphy, commending the Formby Neighbourhood Team on their achievement of the Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year Award.

26. AREA MANAGEMENT UPDATE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning on the area management activities that had taken place in Formby since the last meeting.

The report indicated that the Neighbourhoods Division provided a co- ordination role for dealing with area issues. Queries were forwarded to the Neighbourhoods Division in a number of ways, via a number of different sources; and in order for Members to be aware of progress made on these issues the area management report had been compiled.

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The role of partner agencies would also be included in this report in the future to update Members as to how other agencies were working on area issues.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the Area Management update report be noted; and

(2) Members or residents be requested to contact the Neighbourhoods Division with any further area issues.

27. FORMBY WOODLAND MONITORING GROUP

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning on the Woodland Monitoring Group, specifically to consider the quarterly report of the Monitoring Group and an application from a Formby resident wishing to join the Group.

Mr David Adams, Chair of the Monitoring Group presented the report attached as Annex 1 and answered questions thereon.

Mr Adams drew the Committee’s attention to the Group’s concern at the future wellbeing of the frontal woodlands as referred to in paragraphs 5-8 of the report, that there had been no maintenance of the frontal woodlands for some years, and that this, by implication left doubt as to the future plans for the frontal woodland. He expressed concern at the potential for increased sand blow arising from the loss of the frontal woodlands.

Also, in respect of the removal of diseased trees from Formby Village and surrounding areas, it was felt that the Council tended to be ‘over zealous in matters relating to felling’ and ‘was motivated more by risk assessment than actual accurate diagnosis of disease’.

The Committee also considered an application from Mrs Lunt, a Formby resident wishing to join the Woodland Monitoring Group, which if approved would take the membership of the Group up to 11 of a possible 12 members.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the quarterly report of the Formby Woodland Monitoring Group be noted;

(2) Mr Adams, Chair, and the other members of the Woodland Monitoring Group be thanked for their continued hard work and tenacity in working closely with the local community for the preservation of the Formby woodlands;

(3) in response to the Group’s concerns, the Area Co-ordinator be requested to liaise with the Head of Coast and Countryside for the

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provision of specific information about the objectives of the Sefton Coast Woodland Plan in relation to the Formby frontal woodlands;

(4) the Area Co-ordinator be requested to provide information to a future meeting on the Council’s policy / criteria for the removal of diseased trees from residential areas;

(5) Mrs Lunt’s application to join the Formby Woodland Monitoring Group be approved; and

(6) the Committee Administrator be requested to write to Mrs Lunt informing her of the Committee’s approval of her application.

28. RECEIPT OF OBJECTIONS TO PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS - BIRCH GREEN, SQUIRREL GREEN, GORSE WAY, PROCTOR ROAD AND LARKHILL LANE, FORMBY

Further to Minute No. 7 of 21 June 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment reporting on the receipt of objections to the Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders in Birch Green, Squirrel Green, Gorse Way, Proctor Road and Larkhill Lane, Formby to restrict parking at all times on various sections of the affected roads and to recommend the manner in which this matter is to be dealt. Also, to consider the introduction of restrictions on Road and Argarmeols Road.

As resolved in Minute No. 23 above, the Committee also considered the following Open Forum Questions submitted in relation to this matter:

Item Submitted By Subject / details

(2) Mr D Henderson Objecting to the proposal for double yellow lines stating that ‘this is a total over reaction to a problem that occurs 4/5 weekends each year’ and suggesting ‘a compromise of yellow lines on one side only or indeed, a single yellow line’.

(3) Ms A Carroll Have any additional options been considered to the three outlined in the report? ‘If so, what are they and what proportion of respondents would ultimately be regarded as a majority view’?

(4) Prof K Ridings Reiterating previous concerns raised about the ‘dangerous and obstructive unrestricted parking that frequently occurs at the junction of Road and into Squirrel Green’ which ‘has resulted in the Police issuing fixed penalty notices to a significant number of vehicles on various occasions and most recently on the afternoon of Sunday 9 September

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2012’. Requesting the ‘….immediate implementation of double yellow lines on the north and south kerb lines of Harington road and into Squirrel Green’.

(5) Mr A Scott Asking ‘Why have additional roads been included in the original application of Squirrel Green / Gorse Way? Only three objections were received to the original application – None for Gorse Way and only 3 out of 19 properties in Squirrel Green. ‘Double yellow lines should go ahead in accordance with the original request’.

Mr David Marrin, Traffic Services Manager and Committee Members responded to the Open Forum questions above and other questions arising from consideration of the item.

In relation to issues raised in respect of the National Trust Nature Reserve relating to parking, congestion and other matters, affecting local residents the Area Co-ordinator advised that the Site Manager, Mr Brockbank had been invited to attend a future meeting to address the Committee and answer questions about such matters.

Following long consideration of the matter and in response to public concerns, the Committee agreed that the report resolution be amended as put forward by Mr Marrin and it was therefore,

RESOLVED: That

(1) the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders restricting waiting at any time on Birch Green, Gorse Way, Proctor Road, Larkhill Lane and the majority of Squirrel Green not be implemented;

(2) the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders for Harington Road and for Squirrel Green for a distance of 10m from its junction with Harington Road be implemented as advertised;

(3) all affected residents in the above roads be consulted on their views of the current parking situation and potential measures to restrict parking. The consultation to en-capture an area inclusive of Harington Road (between its junction with Victoria Road and Dunes Drive) and Dunes Drive;

(4) officers to seek the views of residents of Victoria Road (between Road and Gores Lane) and Argarmeols Road on the current parking situation and potential measures to restrict parking;

(5) the objectors be advised accordingly; and

(6) the Area Co-ordinator be requested to invite Mr Brockbank, the

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Formby National Trust Site Manager to the next meeting.

29. PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER FRESHFIELD ROAD, FORMBY

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which sought approval for the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order, as indicated on the Plan at Annex A to the report, the effect of which would restrict waiting at all times in the vicinity of Hillary Court, Freshfield Road, Formby.

It was proposed to introduce an individual order for the road incorporating all existing restrictions.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the Traffic Regulation Order to restrict waiting at all times in vicinity of Hillary Court, Freshfield Road, be approved as indicated in the report and shown on the Plan at Annex A; and

(2) the Traffic Services Manager be authorised to undertake the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Order.

30. PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER FOR A SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION IN CARR HOUSE LANE,

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the report of the Director of Built Environment on the proposal to extend the 30 mph speed restriction along Carr House Lane, Ince Blundell, be deferred until the next meeting to enable further discussion between Council Officers and Ward Councillors on the matter.

31. PROPOSED DISABLED PERSONS PARKING PLACE - WILLOW GROVE, FORMBY

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which sought approval for the progression of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), the effect of which would provide a disabled person with a parking place outside their place of residence in Willow Grove, Formby.

The report indicated that all new TROs for Disabled Parking Permits allowed for the provision of a numbered permit which restricted the use of the bay to the applicant only.

It was proposed to introduce an individual order for the road incorporating all existing restrictions.

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RESOLVED: That

(1) the Traffic Regulation Order as set out in the plan at Annex A and as detailed in the report, be approved; and

(2) the Traffic Services Manager be authorised to undertake the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Order.

32. REGIONAL CYCLE ROUTE 81 -FORMBY TO HIGHTOWN

Further to Minute No. 52 of 12 January 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which informed Members of a deed of amendment to the concessionary Agreement with North West of and Isle of Man Reserve Forces, to secure an alternative alignment of the route of the proposed Cycle Track from Formby to Hightown.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

33. BUDGET MONITORING

Further to Minute No. 16 of 21 June 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that the balance of the budget available for allocation during 2012/13, including sums set aside for the provision of litterbins and street signs, was £31,669.79 and setting out details of the progress of schemes for which funding had previously been approved.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the Ward Budgets for 2012/13 be noted; and

(2) the ongoing schemes for which funding was provided in 2011/12 be noted.

34. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting be held at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday 8 November 2012, at the Formby Professional Development Centre, Park Road, Formby.

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