Steph Reid from Tranmere Alliance has passed this email along to TRACE and other local resident groups.
from ...
Maxine Joynson Area Co-ordinator
Tel: 0151 691 8266 Fax: 0151 691 8159
Are you interested in changes to parking in Birkenhead? Wirral Council’s Streetscene and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be listening to your views on the proposed Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Birkenhead.
If you’d like to hear what petitions have been made come along on Wednesday, October 4 at 6 pm. The meeting, held at Wallasey Town Hall, will hear public speakers presenting their petitions about the introduction of parking meters in the current disc zones in Birkenhead.
David Green, Director of Technical Services said,
“We are pleased that people are providing their views on this proposed change to parking in Birkenhead. If you are interested in this issue or just want to come and see how these meetings are held, please come along and listen.”
Unfortunately although this meeting is open to the public, it is not a public meeting where impromptu questions can be asked on the night.
The committee will then make a decision having considered these petitions and the report from the Director of Technical Services.
For more information on the scheme please call Streetscene on 0151 606 2004 or on the way meetings are held call Legal and Member Services on 0151 691 8491.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Seymour Street Hazard update
More information about the health hazard noted in the blog below.
Paul Bratley from the Environmental Health department has spoken to TRACE. He had visited the property previously after the issue had been raised by Together (see below). Seeing scaffolding outside the property at that time, he had assumed that work was being done to fix the problems which had been reported.
After the recent complaint from TRACE (last week) he has visited again, taken photographs and now is aware that far from improving, the situation has got worse. Although there are clearly problems with the roof space being open and pigeon infestation the approach in such situations is first of all to try to get the support of the home owner to fix the problems themselves without the need for action by the Council.
He has told TRACE that he has checked the ownership through the Land Registry and will be contacting the owners within the next few days. After discussions with TRACE he is aware of the HMRI and that there are opportunities for owners to get help from the local authority to make necessary improve to their homes.
If this contact from Paul Bratley deals with the problem then local residents will be happy. However if despite the intervention from the local authority the owner does not take prompt action but continues to allow the property to deteriorate then TRACE will expect the Environmental Health Department to refer the matter to Wirral's Planning team. This team has the necessary powers under the Town and Country Planning Act to require the owner to make the improvements failing which the improvements could be made by the local authority themselves who would then be able to charge the owner the full cost of the necessary improvement works.
Of course it may be that the reported serious illness to the owner has so far prevented intervention to improve the property but this has now gone on for a very long time. It is surely right for support to be offered in the first instance but if the offer of support does not lead to a prompt response - then enforcement action may be necessary before what is already a health hazard becomes an even more serious threat to local health and quality of life.
TRACE will continue to monitor and report on the situation.
Paul Bratley from the Environmental Health department has spoken to TRACE. He had visited the property previously after the issue had been raised by Together (see below). Seeing scaffolding outside the property at that time, he had assumed that work was being done to fix the problems which had been reported.
After the recent complaint from TRACE (last week) he has visited again, taken photographs and now is aware that far from improving, the situation has got worse. Although there are clearly problems with the roof space being open and pigeon infestation the approach in such situations is first of all to try to get the support of the home owner to fix the problems themselves without the need for action by the Council.
He has told TRACE that he has checked the ownership through the Land Registry and will be contacting the owners within the next few days. After discussions with TRACE he is aware of the HMRI and that there are opportunities for owners to get help from the local authority to make necessary improve to their homes.
If this contact from Paul Bratley deals with the problem then local residents will be happy. However if despite the intervention from the local authority the owner does not take prompt action but continues to allow the property to deteriorate then TRACE will expect the Environmental Health Department to refer the matter to Wirral's Planning team. This team has the necessary powers under the Town and Country Planning Act to require the owner to make the improvements failing which the improvements could be made by the local authority themselves who would then be able to charge the owner the full cost of the necessary improvement works.
Of course it may be that the reported serious illness to the owner has so far prevented intervention to improve the property but this has now gone on for a very long time. It is surely right for support to be offered in the first instance but if the offer of support does not lead to a prompt response - then enforcement action may be necessary before what is already a health hazard becomes an even more serious threat to local health and quality of life.
TRACE will continue to monitor and report on the situation.
Seymour Street Health Hazard
Residents in Seymour Street have been demanding action on a local property which has beome a source of local health problems. The roof of No 22 Seymour Street is open and infested with pigeons which are causing health hazards. It has been the subject of a complaint to the Environmental Health Department and has also been raised at a Residents Together partnership meeting.
A copy of the complaint to the Environmental Health department is given below and further updates on this matter will posted as they happen. Let us know by sending in a comment to this blog if you know any more about this property.
The following email was sent to the Environmental Health department last week.
I have been spoken to by local residents and have myself observed a health hazard from a property on Seymour Street. No 22 Seymour Street is a large semi-detached house in a very poor state of repair and in particular the roof is in a very bad state. There are visible openings into the roof void and there are pigeons flying in and out of and possibly nesting in the roof void. I don't know who owns the property but it is not being adequately maintained to prevent this developing hazard.
I have observed pigeons flying from inside the roof void and then settling on the local houses including my own and then causing fouling hazards from their droppings. On occasions we have had to bring in washing from the washing lines to avoid soiling by these pigeons. Children locally have also told me that they have seen rats running along the side of this property. First can I ask if you are aware of this problem and secondly is there anything that you can do to encourage the owner to take a more responsible approach to managing the property so that it is not a source of both nuisance and health hazard? You can contact me at the address below or by phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
James Kay Chair - TRACE
A copy of the complaint to the Environmental Health department is given below and further updates on this matter will posted as they happen. Let us know by sending in a comment to this blog if you know any more about this property.
The following email was sent to the Environmental Health department last week.
I have been spoken to by local residents and have myself observed a health hazard from a property on Seymour Street. No 22 Seymour Street is a large semi-detached house in a very poor state of repair and in particular the roof is in a very bad state. There are visible openings into the roof void and there are pigeons flying in and out of and possibly nesting in the roof void. I don't know who owns the property but it is not being adequately maintained to prevent this developing hazard.
I have observed pigeons flying from inside the roof void and then settling on the local houses including my own and then causing fouling hazards from their droppings. On occasions we have had to bring in washing from the washing lines to avoid soiling by these pigeons. Children locally have also told me that they have seen rats running along the side of this property. First can I ask if you are aware of this problem and secondly is there anything that you can do to encourage the owner to take a more responsible approach to managing the property so that it is not a source of both nuisance and health hazard? You can contact me at the address below or by phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
James Kay Chair - TRACE
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Trouble about hanging baskets
There have been some complaints about hanging baskets which were supposed to be given out to residents living in the HMRI area. The idea it seems is that these baskets would brighten up the area and make it more cheerful for those of us having to put up with the mess and the grime of the demolition and house clearing.
Leaving aside for a moment the fact that some of us would rather see the money spent on employing more street cleaners and cleaning up the widespread grafitti - it seems the distribution of these baskets was bungled.
I have had reports from several people that there were youngsters seen carrying off baskets down Church Street to who knows where - whilst those of us on Seymour Street and some other local streets knew nothing at all about the availability of free hanging baskets.
Did you know? Have you got one? Have we got it wrong? Was this a great idea carried out properly or a big cock up?
Leave a comment.
Leaving aside for a moment the fact that some of us would rather see the money spent on employing more street cleaners and cleaning up the widespread grafitti - it seems the distribution of these baskets was bungled.
I have had reports from several people that there were youngsters seen carrying off baskets down Church Street to who knows where - whilst those of us on Seymour Street and some other local streets knew nothing at all about the availability of free hanging baskets.
Did you know? Have you got one? Have we got it wrong? Was this a great idea carried out properly or a big cock up?
Leave a comment.
Rumours about the Co-op closing not true
There have been rumours recently that the Co-op on Church Road is to close at the end of March 2007 - before the replacement is built on the new site near what used to be Abakan.
These rumours are wrong. There are no plans to close the Co-op until the new shop is ready. I know this because I have today (21st of September) spoken to the Manager and she was very clear that there are no such plans. As far as she is aware the discussions between the Co-op and the Council are continuing and the Co-op want to be part of the new development. She is also clear that this is a successful shop which has a lot of good customers and makes a profit.
Please tell your friends that this rumour is untrue.
These rumours are wrong. There are no plans to close the Co-op until the new shop is ready. I know this because I have today (21st of September) spoken to the Manager and she was very clear that there are no such plans. As far as she is aware the discussions between the Co-op and the Council are continuing and the Co-op want to be part of the new development. She is also clear that this is a successful shop which has a lot of good customers and makes a profit.
Please tell your friends that this rumour is untrue.
Meetings notes 6th September
These are the minutes of the Church Road Residents Consultation Planning Meeting held at Royal Standard House on Wednesday 6th September 2006. They have been circulated by Caroline Hemingway of the HMRI Policy Team who is on 0151 691 8249 or email at carolinehemingway@wirral.gov.uk
Carol emailed these minutes to the people present and I have posted them straight into the blog without comment. The only difference from these and those circulated is that the originals have been presented in a table with item numbers which the blog does not cope with as well so I have cut out the numbers but the wording is exactly the same.
I made some notes a week ago straight after coming back from the meeting and you can find them further down the blog.
=================================================
Present:
Hazel Roberts UCG / Together - Chair
James Kay TRACE
Ann Keggin Tranmere Community Project
Rob Walsh Together
Bruce Lister Lovell
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance
James Hurley Wirral MBC
Apologies
John Steele Together
Graham Williamson Together
Chris Bowen Wirral MBC
Emma Foley Wirral MBC
Matters Arising
AK circulated a leaflet detailing the Tranmere Community Project programmes as promised at the last meeting.
RW informed the meeting that Together would be leading on a consultation exercise into the subject of community facilities. This was to start next month. RW to provide an update at the next meeting.
Project Update
JH outlined progress and informed the meeting of the news that Lovell’s retail partner, Atmore, have now committed to engaging with the retailers on Church Road. This is a significant step towards establishing who will eventually occupy the new retail development.
BL confirmed that discussions were still ongoing with regard to the Financial Agreement with the Council but that good progress is being made. This is a very complex and time-consuming process but it is essential for programme delivery that both parties are satisfied with the outcome. In the meantime BL assured the meeting that development work was proceeding as quickly as possible and that these discussions have not delayed preparations.
With regard to the involvement of Atmore, BL confirmed that it was necessary to agree the best way forward. An introductory session could be arranged although it is acknowledged that some retailers would prefer private one to one meetings. This issue will be discussed at a HMRI partnership meeting on Friday.
HR reported that there was serious concern locally about the loss of profits and the continued problem of the collapsed building and associated traffic lights on Church Road. The example of the charity shop was given. JH explained the difficulties regarding the discussions with the two neighbouring owners and their respective solicitors, insurance companies and loss adjusters. This has proven to be very complex but the over-riding consideration is to ensure public safety. The Council are working hard to resolve the issue and to have the traffic lights removed at the earliest opportunity. JK inquired whether businesses could be given business rate relief in recognition and part compensation for the loss of trade. JH to raise the question with the Finance Department.
HR added that there remains a perception that locally that the Council was seeking to get rid of local traders in favour of businesses from outside the area. Both JH and BL refuted this claim stating that Atmore will be seeking to retain as many of the local businesses as possible. Obviously these businesses will have to be viable and able to take advantage of the new opportunities and improved facilities.
JH took this opportunity to inform the meeting of his discussions with retailers. A summary table was circulated. Following the last meeting JH either telephoned or met in person each commercial freeholder and business tenant to discuss his or her concerns. Each contact was subsequently followed up with individual letters. A range of views were expressed but it was made clear to everyone that there was no policy of ignoring people and that if anyone had concerns they were very much encouraged to raise these with the Council at the earliest possible opportunity.
In terms of progress BL added that CABE have now provided feedback on the Masterplan scheme and this will be discussed amongst partners on Friday. BL circulated copies of CABE’s letter and highlighted the car parking strategy issue and the different approach taken towards residential and commercial parking. This is such a fundamental issue that serious consideration will have to be given to the response of the partnership. JK initial response was that of surprise, having knowledge of this concept and the approach of Urban Splash in Manchester. He also expressed concern, if for example; public car parking was to be located to the rear of the retail development due to the impact on surrounding residential area. HR’s view was that time was needed to digest the contents and perhaps it was more appropriate to discuss this in more depth at the next meeting. This was agreed.
BL reported that given the CABE issue the submission of the planning permission has been delayed by about a month. He is now aiming to submit the application in October.
30 – 32 Seymour Street
JK requested an update on the plans for 30-32 Seymour Street at the next meeting. HR reported that the garden was still untidy. It was agreed to add this to the agenda for the next meeting.
Youth Provision
The TCP leaflet circulated by AK was discussed. HR added that there was a need to clarify what nights would be available for local people and groups to use. RW suggested a separate meeting to discuss this further. RW to contact AK to arrange and report back progress to the next meeting.
AOB
HR raised the issue of project naming and branding. Many people were very angry with the Birkenhead History Society suggestion of “Holt Hill.” Many people would prefer the name “Higher Tranmere”. It was agreed that this issue needs much more thought and proper consultation.
HR referred to a meeting about a new apartment development on Holt Hill. There was concern that the residents group was not consulted particularly as there is likely to be impact on the Church Road proposals. JH to investigate as a matter of urgency and seek to set up a meeting with the relevant Planning Officer. HR to co-ordinate once JH has made inquiries and established the current application status. As a supplementary comment JK suggested the group be informed of any other similar developments.
JK asked about progress with issuing letters concerning the 50/50 renovation grant. This was referred to at the last meeting. JH to raise with CB/EF.
RW suggested that thought is given to the membership of the meeting and that this should be an agenda item at the next meeting. RW pointed to the need to have a representative from Whitfield Street present and possibly Councillor representation.
Date of Next Meeting
2.00pm Wednesday 4th October 2006 - Royal Standard House
Carol emailed these minutes to the people present and I have posted them straight into the blog without comment. The only difference from these and those circulated is that the originals have been presented in a table with item numbers which the blog does not cope with as well so I have cut out the numbers but the wording is exactly the same.
I made some notes a week ago straight after coming back from the meeting and you can find them further down the blog.
=================================================
Present:
Hazel Roberts UCG / Together - Chair
James Kay TRACE
Ann Keggin Tranmere Community Project
Rob Walsh Together
Bruce Lister Lovell
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance
James Hurley Wirral MBC
Apologies
John Steele Together
Graham Williamson Together
Chris Bowen Wirral MBC
Emma Foley Wirral MBC
Matters Arising
AK circulated a leaflet detailing the Tranmere Community Project programmes as promised at the last meeting.
RW informed the meeting that Together would be leading on a consultation exercise into the subject of community facilities. This was to start next month. RW to provide an update at the next meeting.
Project Update
JH outlined progress and informed the meeting of the news that Lovell’s retail partner, Atmore, have now committed to engaging with the retailers on Church Road. This is a significant step towards establishing who will eventually occupy the new retail development.
BL confirmed that discussions were still ongoing with regard to the Financial Agreement with the Council but that good progress is being made. This is a very complex and time-consuming process but it is essential for programme delivery that both parties are satisfied with the outcome. In the meantime BL assured the meeting that development work was proceeding as quickly as possible and that these discussions have not delayed preparations.
With regard to the involvement of Atmore, BL confirmed that it was necessary to agree the best way forward. An introductory session could be arranged although it is acknowledged that some retailers would prefer private one to one meetings. This issue will be discussed at a HMRI partnership meeting on Friday.
HR reported that there was serious concern locally about the loss of profits and the continued problem of the collapsed building and associated traffic lights on Church Road. The example of the charity shop was given. JH explained the difficulties regarding the discussions with the two neighbouring owners and their respective solicitors, insurance companies and loss adjusters. This has proven to be very complex but the over-riding consideration is to ensure public safety. The Council are working hard to resolve the issue and to have the traffic lights removed at the earliest opportunity. JK inquired whether businesses could be given business rate relief in recognition and part compensation for the loss of trade. JH to raise the question with the Finance Department.
HR added that there remains a perception that locally that the Council was seeking to get rid of local traders in favour of businesses from outside the area. Both JH and BL refuted this claim stating that Atmore will be seeking to retain as many of the local businesses as possible. Obviously these businesses will have to be viable and able to take advantage of the new opportunities and improved facilities.
JH took this opportunity to inform the meeting of his discussions with retailers. A summary table was circulated. Following the last meeting JH either telephoned or met in person each commercial freeholder and business tenant to discuss his or her concerns. Each contact was subsequently followed up with individual letters. A range of views were expressed but it was made clear to everyone that there was no policy of ignoring people and that if anyone had concerns they were very much encouraged to raise these with the Council at the earliest possible opportunity.
In terms of progress BL added that CABE have now provided feedback on the Masterplan scheme and this will be discussed amongst partners on Friday. BL circulated copies of CABE’s letter and highlighted the car parking strategy issue and the different approach taken towards residential and commercial parking. This is such a fundamental issue that serious consideration will have to be given to the response of the partnership. JK initial response was that of surprise, having knowledge of this concept and the approach of Urban Splash in Manchester. He also expressed concern, if for example; public car parking was to be located to the rear of the retail development due to the impact on surrounding residential area. HR’s view was that time was needed to digest the contents and perhaps it was more appropriate to discuss this in more depth at the next meeting. This was agreed.
BL reported that given the CABE issue the submission of the planning permission has been delayed by about a month. He is now aiming to submit the application in October.
30 – 32 Seymour Street
JK requested an update on the plans for 30-32 Seymour Street at the next meeting. HR reported that the garden was still untidy. It was agreed to add this to the agenda for the next meeting.
Youth Provision
The TCP leaflet circulated by AK was discussed. HR added that there was a need to clarify what nights would be available for local people and groups to use. RW suggested a separate meeting to discuss this further. RW to contact AK to arrange and report back progress to the next meeting.
AOB
HR raised the issue of project naming and branding. Many people were very angry with the Birkenhead History Society suggestion of “Holt Hill.” Many people would prefer the name “Higher Tranmere”. It was agreed that this issue needs much more thought and proper consultation.
HR referred to a meeting about a new apartment development on Holt Hill. There was concern that the residents group was not consulted particularly as there is likely to be impact on the Church Road proposals. JH to investigate as a matter of urgency and seek to set up a meeting with the relevant Planning Officer. HR to co-ordinate once JH has made inquiries and established the current application status. As a supplementary comment JK suggested the group be informed of any other similar developments.
JK asked about progress with issuing letters concerning the 50/50 renovation grant. This was referred to at the last meeting. JH to raise with CB/EF.
RW suggested that thought is given to the membership of the meeting and that this should be an agenda item at the next meeting. RW pointed to the need to have a representative from Whitfield Street present and possibly Councillor representation.
Date of Next Meeting
2.00pm Wednesday 4th October 2006 - Royal Standard House
Monday, September 18, 2006
Audit Commission and Church Road Masterplan
The Audit Commission are visiting Wirral to have a look at how the HMRI programme is being managed. They are an independent public body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently, and effectively in the areas of local government, housing, health, criminal justice and fire and rescue services.
Here is what they describe as their Mission
Our mission is to be a driving force in the improvement of public services. We promote good practice and help those responsible for public services to achieve better outcomes for citizens, with a focus on those people who need public services most.
This is from their web page - to see more go to:
http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/
A series of meetings have been held - at one of which TRACE was represented. Wirral Council prepared some papers for the those meetings one of which was on community consultation. It has been copied in below. It described from Wirral Council's perspective, the community consultation that has taken place. There are two papers to read. The first answers the question:
How are the key stakeholders including local communities being engaged?
Neighbourhood Renewal assessment (NRA)
· A Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment of 119 properties was carried out by the Council which ran concurrently with the Masterplan.
· The NRA indicated that on average, the cost per dwelling of renovation work to bring the properties up to Decent Homes Standard was £29,140.
· In the current market the repairs were unlikely to significantly increase the rental/capital value of the properties.
· Also it was uncertain whether landlords and/or owner occupiers who did not qualify for grant assistance would carry out any repairs to their properties above the minimum required.
Church Road Masterplan
· As part of the Church Road Masterplan the Council has conducted extensive community consultation:
· 1st Resident Consultation Event, 4th November 2004, Tranmere Methodist Hall. The purpose of this event was to find out people's opinions about their area in order to formulate a range of options for restructuring the housing, retail and commercial markets in the area.
· At this first event, 77 questionnaires were completed by local residents. Of these, 70% stated that the quality of the existing housing was not sufficient to attract new households into the area.
· Owner-occupiers completed 81% of the questionnaires.
· 2nd Resident Consultation Event, 2nd December 2004, Tranmere Methodist Hall presented a range of options to people showing different levels of intervention through clearance and rebuilding of housing, retail and commercial businesses.
· Option 1 presented the option of building only on vacant sites
· Option 2 presented the option of some selective clearance and rebuilding on these and the existing vacant sites.
· Option 3 presented the largest scale of clearance and rebuilding.
· At this second event, 55 questionnaires were completed by local residents, of these 73% were in favour of Option 3.
· Owner-occupiers completed 63% of the questionnaires.
· Further dialogue with residents through TRACE (Tranmere Residents Association - Church Road East) and home visits were carried out with people living within the Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment area.
· Of the people affected by the proposals who were visited, 21 residents were fully supportive of the plans while 9 residents were supportive with some reservation. A further 9 residents opposed the plans.
· As a result of further consultation, a ‘Preferred Option’ was developed which was a refined version of the Option3 involving a scaling back of proposals to reflect community views.
· 3rd Consultation Event, 14th July 2005, Tranmere Methodist Hall.
· 318 people attended the event and 291 voted on whether they agreed with or opposed the revised proposals. The results of this vote were:
190 Yes, in favour of the proposals
74 - Yes, with some reservations
26 - no, opposed proposals
1 unable to say at this time
· 35 votes were received from residents whose homes were in the proposed clearance area of which 16 were in favour, 14 were in favour with some reservations and 5 opposed proposals.
Of the, 19 traders who voted, 11 voted in favour, 4 voted in favour with some reservations and 4 voted against.
· Following on from this event, the Masterplan was approved by the Council's Cabinet on 8th September 2005.
· Letters also were also sent to all households in and around the Church Road area following the approval of the Masterplan and a public meeting was held on 30th September 2005 at Tranmere Methodist Hall. This meeting was attended by 59 people:
- 26 from within the proposed clearance area comprising 22 owner-occupiers, 2 tenants and business owners
- 21 from the wider Church Road area
- 2 from outside of Tranmere
- 5 from the Council or other organisation
- 5 who did not give their address
· Community consultation continued through requested meetings with TRACE. It was established that the meetings needed to be opened to the rest of the Church Road community, as a result general monthly meetings with residents commenced in early 2006.
Public Meeting
· In March 2006 a Public Meeting was held at the request of residents. The meeting was attended by Frank Field MP and Senior Council Staff and sought to address issues and concerns of local residents and traders. Some issues were predominantly of an individual nature and have subsequently been addressed through one to one discussion. Other more general issues are being addressed through the monthly residents meetings.
Community Planning Event
· On the 12th April 2006 A Community Planning Event was held at Tranmere Methodist Church Hall. This was an opportunity for residents to comment on the developing plans and comment on the proposed shopping area, mix of housing types, public open spaces and parking. The event was attended by approximately 100 people, with around 71 completing questionnaires. Feedback was subsequently given via the newsletter and residents were given further opportunities to contribute via surgeries, the Tranmere Show and questionnaires distributed at a number of community buildings.
· Overall the response was good with only two people rating the proposals as very poor/poor and the majority rating them as good.
· Further one to one consultation has been undertaken with residents in Caerwys Grove and Hampden Grove where plans for the site backing onto their properties have subsequently been amended. Residents are now happy with revised proposals.
Monthly drop in surgeries
· Surgeries offer an opportunity for residents to express any concerns or ask questions regarding the developments in the area. While they have not seen huge attendance they are another form of consultation which suit some people and the Council is keen to continue providing them on a regular basis.
Newsletters
· Transform is a quarterly publication distributed to over 1000 households, local agencies and community organisations.
· The newsletter provides updates on progress, feedback on consultation and surveys and aims to address issues raised by residents. It also provides details of future consultation and the contact details for relevant officers.
Exhibitions at Tranmere and Wirral Shows, Summer 2006
· Both shows were used as a means of consulting on plans with a wider audience.
Show Case visits
· Residents from the area were given the opportunity to visit previous Lovell developments in the NorthWest. Residents were taken on a study tour to view these developments to give an idea of what Church Road could look like.
Home Ownership Advisory Officers
· These officers provide home visits, one to one point of contact for residents. Each resident was allocated an officer to help them through the relocation process.
· This includes property valuation, accessing independent financial advice, finding alternative accommodation.
Community Regeneration Training
· The Council set out to comprise a structured training course to deliver a three session “Introduction to Regeneration” course.
· The aim of the course was to provide information and insight to a group of young people residing in the regeneration area.
· The aim was to help them understand the problems faced when dealing with regeneration issues whilst also helping to develop personal skills such as group work, presentation skills and basic problem solving.
· The group we worked with were a group of ten teenagers of working age who were currently attending an access to employment course at Church Road Methodist Church in Tranmere.
· The group was fairly evenly split between boys and girls and the Introduction to Regeneration Course was to be included as part of the access to employment programme.
Art Regeneration Project
· TiC Consultants, in partnership with Wirral Borough Council; Newheartlands and Maritime Housing Association have appointed a team of two artists to work on the second phase of the Solid Futures project with local residents in the Church Road area in Tranmere. Solid Futures uses creative approaches to explore complex and sometimes controversial issues.
· Artists will work in a participatory setting to support people living through change due to Housing Market Renewal (HMR) and ideas, designs or artwork developed will reflect the neighbourhood identity, cultural diversity and local history of Tranmere.
· Phase one of the project took place in Summer/Autumn 2005 and used local groups from the Tranmere area to produce artwork. Three themes, Tranmere, past, present and future, were used by various groups to develop artwork which was displayed on banners along Old Chester Road.
· Phase two of Solid Futures will strongly focus on the process of involving local residents in reminiscence of their lives and their neighbourhoods, and will then encourage them to focus on the future of their neighbourhood.
· The project will start in September 2006 and finish at the end of December 2006.
School Art Competition
· In conjunction with the Solid Futures art project we invited local schools to the exhibition of artwork produced in the first phase. As part of this exhibition children were then asked to produce artwork with the theme “A Christmas wish for Tranmere” Children’s wishes included Zoo’s, Leisure Centres and Youth Clubs and the winning entries were shown in the Newsletter.
Front Line Staff Briefings
· Regular briefings are held for front line staff including One-Stop Shops and Wardens.
· This service is soon to be extended to the PCT to widen the understanding of front-line staff from the PCT in the area about the delivery of HMRI.
Looking Ahead – Plans for future engagement
Wirral will continue to engage residents through the various mechanisms already mentioned and will continue to strive to ensure that consultation is as inclusive as possible.
As delivery steps up a pace over the next six months, there will be a need for more of a regular presence in Church Road of Council and Developer representatives, and the use of the Together Office as a base for weekly drop in sessions is being planned with Together.
As plans are developed later in the autumn / winter, residents will have a key role in determining the detail design of the scheme through further Community Planning Events
In addition, the following areas have been identified for development:
Improvement of Website and links to other Websites
Wirral are conscious of the need to improve the accessibility of a wide range of information via the website. This will be one of the priorities over the next few months.
Radio City and Wirral Globe
Wirral have recruited a dedicated Marketing and Communication Manager who will work closely with Radio City and the Wirral Globe to ensure information is up to date and relevant. Additional projects with these partners include:
Front page wrap in Wirral Globe and negotiation of circulation of the Wirral Globe in Tranmere
Street / Shopping Centre Naming Competition
Press release schedule
‘Live Merseyside’ Roadshow – Summer 2007
Tranmere Show – June 2007
Ongoing quartery newsletters
Church Road fact sheet
Feasibility of a Regeneration Notice Board on Church Road
Signage on development sites
------------------------------------------------------------
The second paper is based on an Audit Commission series of questions with somne suggestions from the council officers.
Briefing Note for Audit Commission Visit, 18th September 2006
The Audit Commission has given Wirral Council an outline of the areas which they would like to explore. The following questions represent an idea of what may come up during the discussion and the responses are meant as an aide memoir.
- What challenges have been faced & how have these been overcome?
Community unease/ opposition to Masterplan has been overcome with further debate and consultation using an options based approach. The Church Road Masterplan has seen further refinement/scaling down of proposals in response to resident concerns to ensure there was a large mandate for the agreed ‘Preferred Option’ of the Masterplan.
Further issues have arisen as the Council has started to deliver the Masterplan, particularly regarding the following issues which are addressed through ongoing discussion and consultation:
§ Security of areas
§ Environmental impact of clearance and empty properties
§ Perception of low valuations
§ Aspendale Rd CPO
§ CABE
§ Relocating businesses and financial assistance
§ Bridging gaps
§ Social housing shortage
§ Improvement Grants
Some of the issues relate to individual circumstances and are being addressed through negotiation and discussion with nominated officers introduced to improve day to day liaison with the residents and businesses.
A number of concerns are ongoing, particularly concerns relating to the relocation of the businesses. Although as individuals they have all been contacted, delays with the legal agreements have prevented the Commercial Developer Atmore from entering into negotiations with retailers
- How are key stakeholders including local communities being engaged?
§ NRA’s
§ Masterplans
§ Newsletters
§ Public Meetings
§ Monthly Residents Meetings
§ Surgeries
§ Community Planning Days
§ Briefing Sessions
§ HOAOs
§ Study Trips
- Is there clear accountability to partners & local communities?
Monthly residents meetings attended by Chairs of local residents groups including Chair of United Communities Group, Vice Chair of Together Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder, Chair of TRACE, representatives from the Tranmere Community Project, Neighbourhood Wardens and Methodist Church.
Future meetings will also be attended by local Members
The HMRI Manager, Church Road Project Manager, Principal Implementation Manager also regularly attends these meetings with the Developer to provide updates and respond to issues raised by the local community.
- To what extent are local authorities providing effective leadership within their own local areas?
Members support? Senior Management Support?
The Church Road intervention area has a dedicated Project Manager, Implementation Officer responsible for liaising with the business interests, Urban Renewal Officer responsible for the day to day management of the housing acquisitions.
- How are the Pathfinder/ local authority encouraging innovation?
§ Empty Homes
§ Licensing
§ Home Swap
§ Hillside Court
§ HOAO’s
Here is what they describe as their Mission
Our mission is to be a driving force in the improvement of public services. We promote good practice and help those responsible for public services to achieve better outcomes for citizens, with a focus on those people who need public services most.
This is from their web page - to see more go to:
http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/
A series of meetings have been held - at one of which TRACE was represented. Wirral Council prepared some papers for the those meetings one of which was on community consultation. It has been copied in below. It described from Wirral Council's perspective, the community consultation that has taken place. There are two papers to read. The first answers the question:
How are the key stakeholders including local communities being engaged?
Neighbourhood Renewal assessment (NRA)
· A Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment of 119 properties was carried out by the Council which ran concurrently with the Masterplan.
· The NRA indicated that on average, the cost per dwelling of renovation work to bring the properties up to Decent Homes Standard was £29,140.
· In the current market the repairs were unlikely to significantly increase the rental/capital value of the properties.
· Also it was uncertain whether landlords and/or owner occupiers who did not qualify for grant assistance would carry out any repairs to their properties above the minimum required.
Church Road Masterplan
· As part of the Church Road Masterplan the Council has conducted extensive community consultation:
· 1st Resident Consultation Event, 4th November 2004, Tranmere Methodist Hall. The purpose of this event was to find out people's opinions about their area in order to formulate a range of options for restructuring the housing, retail and commercial markets in the area.
· At this first event, 77 questionnaires were completed by local residents. Of these, 70% stated that the quality of the existing housing was not sufficient to attract new households into the area.
· Owner-occupiers completed 81% of the questionnaires.
· 2nd Resident Consultation Event, 2nd December 2004, Tranmere Methodist Hall presented a range of options to people showing different levels of intervention through clearance and rebuilding of housing, retail and commercial businesses.
· Option 1 presented the option of building only on vacant sites
· Option 2 presented the option of some selective clearance and rebuilding on these and the existing vacant sites.
· Option 3 presented the largest scale of clearance and rebuilding.
· At this second event, 55 questionnaires were completed by local residents, of these 73% were in favour of Option 3.
· Owner-occupiers completed 63% of the questionnaires.
· Further dialogue with residents through TRACE (Tranmere Residents Association - Church Road East) and home visits were carried out with people living within the Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment area.
· Of the people affected by the proposals who were visited, 21 residents were fully supportive of the plans while 9 residents were supportive with some reservation. A further 9 residents opposed the plans.
· As a result of further consultation, a ‘Preferred Option’ was developed which was a refined version of the Option3 involving a scaling back of proposals to reflect community views.
· 3rd Consultation Event, 14th July 2005, Tranmere Methodist Hall.
· 318 people attended the event and 291 voted on whether they agreed with or opposed the revised proposals. The results of this vote were:
190 Yes, in favour of the proposals
74 - Yes, with some reservations
26 - no, opposed proposals
1 unable to say at this time
· 35 votes were received from residents whose homes were in the proposed clearance area of which 16 were in favour, 14 were in favour with some reservations and 5 opposed proposals.
Of the, 19 traders who voted, 11 voted in favour, 4 voted in favour with some reservations and 4 voted against.
· Following on from this event, the Masterplan was approved by the Council's Cabinet on 8th September 2005.
· Letters also were also sent to all households in and around the Church Road area following the approval of the Masterplan and a public meeting was held on 30th September 2005 at Tranmere Methodist Hall. This meeting was attended by 59 people:
- 26 from within the proposed clearance area comprising 22 owner-occupiers, 2 tenants and business owners
- 21 from the wider Church Road area
- 2 from outside of Tranmere
- 5 from the Council or other organisation
- 5 who did not give their address
· Community consultation continued through requested meetings with TRACE. It was established that the meetings needed to be opened to the rest of the Church Road community, as a result general monthly meetings with residents commenced in early 2006.
Public Meeting
· In March 2006 a Public Meeting was held at the request of residents. The meeting was attended by Frank Field MP and Senior Council Staff and sought to address issues and concerns of local residents and traders. Some issues were predominantly of an individual nature and have subsequently been addressed through one to one discussion. Other more general issues are being addressed through the monthly residents meetings.
Community Planning Event
· On the 12th April 2006 A Community Planning Event was held at Tranmere Methodist Church Hall. This was an opportunity for residents to comment on the developing plans and comment on the proposed shopping area, mix of housing types, public open spaces and parking. The event was attended by approximately 100 people, with around 71 completing questionnaires. Feedback was subsequently given via the newsletter and residents were given further opportunities to contribute via surgeries, the Tranmere Show and questionnaires distributed at a number of community buildings.
· Overall the response was good with only two people rating the proposals as very poor/poor and the majority rating them as good.
· Further one to one consultation has been undertaken with residents in Caerwys Grove and Hampden Grove where plans for the site backing onto their properties have subsequently been amended. Residents are now happy with revised proposals.
Monthly drop in surgeries
· Surgeries offer an opportunity for residents to express any concerns or ask questions regarding the developments in the area. While they have not seen huge attendance they are another form of consultation which suit some people and the Council is keen to continue providing them on a regular basis.
Newsletters
· Transform is a quarterly publication distributed to over 1000 households, local agencies and community organisations.
· The newsletter provides updates on progress, feedback on consultation and surveys and aims to address issues raised by residents. It also provides details of future consultation and the contact details for relevant officers.
Exhibitions at Tranmere and Wirral Shows, Summer 2006
· Both shows were used as a means of consulting on plans with a wider audience.
Show Case visits
· Residents from the area were given the opportunity to visit previous Lovell developments in the NorthWest. Residents were taken on a study tour to view these developments to give an idea of what Church Road could look like.
Home Ownership Advisory Officers
· These officers provide home visits, one to one point of contact for residents. Each resident was allocated an officer to help them through the relocation process.
· This includes property valuation, accessing independent financial advice, finding alternative accommodation.
Community Regeneration Training
· The Council set out to comprise a structured training course to deliver a three session “Introduction to Regeneration” course.
· The aim of the course was to provide information and insight to a group of young people residing in the regeneration area.
· The aim was to help them understand the problems faced when dealing with regeneration issues whilst also helping to develop personal skills such as group work, presentation skills and basic problem solving.
· The group we worked with were a group of ten teenagers of working age who were currently attending an access to employment course at Church Road Methodist Church in Tranmere.
· The group was fairly evenly split between boys and girls and the Introduction to Regeneration Course was to be included as part of the access to employment programme.
Art Regeneration Project
· TiC Consultants, in partnership with Wirral Borough Council; Newheartlands and Maritime Housing Association have appointed a team of two artists to work on the second phase of the Solid Futures project with local residents in the Church Road area in Tranmere. Solid Futures uses creative approaches to explore complex and sometimes controversial issues.
· Artists will work in a participatory setting to support people living through change due to Housing Market Renewal (HMR) and ideas, designs or artwork developed will reflect the neighbourhood identity, cultural diversity and local history of Tranmere.
· Phase one of the project took place in Summer/Autumn 2005 and used local groups from the Tranmere area to produce artwork. Three themes, Tranmere, past, present and future, were used by various groups to develop artwork which was displayed on banners along Old Chester Road.
· Phase two of Solid Futures will strongly focus on the process of involving local residents in reminiscence of their lives and their neighbourhoods, and will then encourage them to focus on the future of their neighbourhood.
· The project will start in September 2006 and finish at the end of December 2006.
School Art Competition
· In conjunction with the Solid Futures art project we invited local schools to the exhibition of artwork produced in the first phase. As part of this exhibition children were then asked to produce artwork with the theme “A Christmas wish for Tranmere” Children’s wishes included Zoo’s, Leisure Centres and Youth Clubs and the winning entries were shown in the Newsletter.
Front Line Staff Briefings
· Regular briefings are held for front line staff including One-Stop Shops and Wardens.
· This service is soon to be extended to the PCT to widen the understanding of front-line staff from the PCT in the area about the delivery of HMRI.
Looking Ahead – Plans for future engagement
Wirral will continue to engage residents through the various mechanisms already mentioned and will continue to strive to ensure that consultation is as inclusive as possible.
As delivery steps up a pace over the next six months, there will be a need for more of a regular presence in Church Road of Council and Developer representatives, and the use of the Together Office as a base for weekly drop in sessions is being planned with Together.
As plans are developed later in the autumn / winter, residents will have a key role in determining the detail design of the scheme through further Community Planning Events
In addition, the following areas have been identified for development:
Improvement of Website and links to other Websites
Wirral are conscious of the need to improve the accessibility of a wide range of information via the website. This will be one of the priorities over the next few months.
Radio City and Wirral Globe
Wirral have recruited a dedicated Marketing and Communication Manager who will work closely with Radio City and the Wirral Globe to ensure information is up to date and relevant. Additional projects with these partners include:
Front page wrap in Wirral Globe and negotiation of circulation of the Wirral Globe in Tranmere
Street / Shopping Centre Naming Competition
Press release schedule
‘Live Merseyside’ Roadshow – Summer 2007
Tranmere Show – June 2007
Ongoing quartery newsletters
Church Road fact sheet
Feasibility of a Regeneration Notice Board on Church Road
Signage on development sites
------------------------------------------------------------
The second paper is based on an Audit Commission series of questions with somne suggestions from the council officers.
Briefing Note for Audit Commission Visit, 18th September 2006
The Audit Commission has given Wirral Council an outline of the areas which they would like to explore. The following questions represent an idea of what may come up during the discussion and the responses are meant as an aide memoir.
- What challenges have been faced & how have these been overcome?
Community unease/ opposition to Masterplan has been overcome with further debate and consultation using an options based approach. The Church Road Masterplan has seen further refinement/scaling down of proposals in response to resident concerns to ensure there was a large mandate for the agreed ‘Preferred Option’ of the Masterplan.
Further issues have arisen as the Council has started to deliver the Masterplan, particularly regarding the following issues which are addressed through ongoing discussion and consultation:
§ Security of areas
§ Environmental impact of clearance and empty properties
§ Perception of low valuations
§ Aspendale Rd CPO
§ CABE
§ Relocating businesses and financial assistance
§ Bridging gaps
§ Social housing shortage
§ Improvement Grants
Some of the issues relate to individual circumstances and are being addressed through negotiation and discussion with nominated officers introduced to improve day to day liaison with the residents and businesses.
A number of concerns are ongoing, particularly concerns relating to the relocation of the businesses. Although as individuals they have all been contacted, delays with the legal agreements have prevented the Commercial Developer Atmore from entering into negotiations with retailers
- How are key stakeholders including local communities being engaged?
§ NRA’s
§ Masterplans
§ Newsletters
§ Public Meetings
§ Monthly Residents Meetings
§ Surgeries
§ Community Planning Days
§ Briefing Sessions
§ HOAOs
§ Study Trips
- Is there clear accountability to partners & local communities?
Monthly residents meetings attended by Chairs of local residents groups including Chair of United Communities Group, Vice Chair of Together Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder, Chair of TRACE, representatives from the Tranmere Community Project, Neighbourhood Wardens and Methodist Church.
Future meetings will also be attended by local Members
The HMRI Manager, Church Road Project Manager, Principal Implementation Manager also regularly attends these meetings with the Developer to provide updates and respond to issues raised by the local community.
- To what extent are local authorities providing effective leadership within their own local areas?
Members support? Senior Management Support?
The Church Road intervention area has a dedicated Project Manager, Implementation Officer responsible for liaising with the business interests, Urban Renewal Officer responsible for the day to day management of the housing acquisitions.
- How are the Pathfinder/ local authority encouraging innovation?
§ Empty Homes
§ Licensing
§ Home Swap
§ Hillside Court
§ HOAO’s
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Minutes: Together Environment Group July
These are the minutes of one of the three Together theme groups. They are written for those who attend the meetings as a record of the decisions taken - so they don't always spell out much background on each of the programmes to which they refer but they still provide some useful information about things happening 'behind the scenes'.
If you want to know more about any of these issues contact James Kay at jameslkay@ntlworld.com and I will try to get more details for you. I will post minutes of these as they arrive from now on.
TOGETHER
Living Environment Thematic Group Meeting
Royal Standard House 18.7.06
Present Alex Butler Kate Thomas Emma Foley Steve Eaves Jan Colgan
Angela Don Steph Reid Keith Farrell Lesley Gibbons Hugh Owen John Ford
Apologies Steve Jackson Simon Petris Tara Dumas, Fergus Adams
Actions/minutes
Wardens report/Resident issues
LG gave information to the group about forthcoming Health Walks in the pathfinder area. AB stated that walks should be advertised elsewhere. Group agreed. Publicity to be extended beyond pathfinder.
Wardens had recently completed a graffiti audit detailing 73 graffiti instances in the area.
Action – JF to approach HMRI team and streetscene to discuss possibility of Graffiti clean up blitz. JF to also discuss Wirral MBC graffiti target (local area agreement)
Wardens were to shortly begin involvement with the youth federation programme.
Other issues raised:
Rodney Street - action had begun re addressing environmental and ASB problems.
Meadow close – action started to deal with safety problems associated with grassed hill.
Action - Wardens to report to next meeting on progress.
Parks development:
JF informed the group that David Ball and Jim Lester had agreed a multi agency approach to enhance the existing parks strategies. JF was to arrange first meeting shortly
It was suggested that Martin McCoy should be involved in the parks group.
Action – JF to update the group on terms of reference and scope of the work of the parks group
ACTION PLAN
NET
JF briefed the group on progress of the NET. JF will be meeting Include NM organisation this afternoon to seek agreement to employ/manage the team with the LE Group providing steer.
The group discussed the environmental element of the NET approach. It was thought that the best way to approach this was to combine the NET educational element with Gardens for school programme, the junior wardens’ scheme and any environmental projects. This involves Beanbag, Groundwork, NET, Margaret Caldwell (Youth coordinator) and schools.
Action – JF to compile a project brief and draft scope for next meeting
TENANCY REFERENCE SCHEME
JC briefed the group on progress – little take up to date by landlords
Action - JC to compile article advertising credit rating checks for landlords – in order to provide incentive - to be returned to Rob Walsh at Together by thurs 27th. JC to consider additional incentives for landlords.
Action – Emma to Liaise with Jan and inform group of progress against TRS.
HMRI
Action – EF to invite JF to attend clearance steering group.
ACCESS TO SERVICES
HO informed the group that Housing would be the first service to investigate/review public access issues. The first meeting to progress will take place on Friday (19th July).
The group were very keen to progress the review of services as quickly as possible to planning and environmental services. HO agreed that they were priority services but that three large RSL’s going under scrutiny first would provide a positive example to others.
WCVS are currently looking at access to services
Action - Steph Reid to contact WCVS to inform group re scope and progress to date
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
The next meeting would look at the status of chosen LE indicators and targets to evaluate any work/changes required to establish firm baselines and also to identify how data collection will take place throughout the term of the action plan.
Action - JF to expand the PM table to show current status re indicators/targets.
AOB
Steven Eaves gave an introduction into the work of the Empty Property Team and to the UGLI programme.
Ongoing maintenance of identified land would be an issue for future consideration with potential for involvement of the NET.(UGLI)
Action AD to forward potential ugly locations identified by Environmental wardens in Birkenhead to JF who will combine with NW’s locations and forward to SE.
Several members of the group identified potential benefits of linking the UGLI scheme with the NET, Groundwork, Beanbag and the Schools gardening programme in a strategic approach to use of resources for improving/using open land and linking this to schools engagement as a positive approach to environmental education (NET) and project involvement for schools.
Action – JF to talk to interested groups re scoping this approach
Date of next meeting 18th Sept 10am Royal Standard House
If you want to know more about any of these issues contact James Kay at jameslkay@ntlworld.com and I will try to get more details for you. I will post minutes of these as they arrive from now on.
TOGETHER
Living Environment Thematic Group Meeting
Royal Standard House 18.7.06
Present Alex Butler Kate Thomas Emma Foley Steve Eaves Jan Colgan
Angela Don Steph Reid Keith Farrell Lesley Gibbons Hugh Owen John Ford
Apologies Steve Jackson Simon Petris Tara Dumas, Fergus Adams
Actions/minutes
Wardens report/Resident issues
LG gave information to the group about forthcoming Health Walks in the pathfinder area. AB stated that walks should be advertised elsewhere. Group agreed. Publicity to be extended beyond pathfinder.
Wardens had recently completed a graffiti audit detailing 73 graffiti instances in the area.
Action – JF to approach HMRI team and streetscene to discuss possibility of Graffiti clean up blitz. JF to also discuss Wirral MBC graffiti target (local area agreement)
Wardens were to shortly begin involvement with the youth federation programme.
Other issues raised:
Rodney Street - action had begun re addressing environmental and ASB problems.
Meadow close – action started to deal with safety problems associated with grassed hill.
Action - Wardens to report to next meeting on progress.
Parks development:
JF informed the group that David Ball and Jim Lester had agreed a multi agency approach to enhance the existing parks strategies. JF was to arrange first meeting shortly
It was suggested that Martin McCoy should be involved in the parks group.
Action – JF to update the group on terms of reference and scope of the work of the parks group
ACTION PLAN
NET
JF briefed the group on progress of the NET. JF will be meeting Include NM organisation this afternoon to seek agreement to employ/manage the team with the LE Group providing steer.
The group discussed the environmental element of the NET approach. It was thought that the best way to approach this was to combine the NET educational element with Gardens for school programme, the junior wardens’ scheme and any environmental projects. This involves Beanbag, Groundwork, NET, Margaret Caldwell (Youth coordinator) and schools.
Action – JF to compile a project brief and draft scope for next meeting
TENANCY REFERENCE SCHEME
JC briefed the group on progress – little take up to date by landlords
Action - JC to compile article advertising credit rating checks for landlords – in order to provide incentive - to be returned to Rob Walsh at Together by thurs 27th. JC to consider additional incentives for landlords.
Action – Emma to Liaise with Jan and inform group of progress against TRS.
HMRI
Action – EF to invite JF to attend clearance steering group.
ACCESS TO SERVICES
HO informed the group that Housing would be the first service to investigate/review public access issues. The first meeting to progress will take place on Friday (19th July).
The group were very keen to progress the review of services as quickly as possible to planning and environmental services. HO agreed that they were priority services but that three large RSL’s going under scrutiny first would provide a positive example to others.
WCVS are currently looking at access to services
Action - Steph Reid to contact WCVS to inform group re scope and progress to date
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
The next meeting would look at the status of chosen LE indicators and targets to evaluate any work/changes required to establish firm baselines and also to identify how data collection will take place throughout the term of the action plan.
Action - JF to expand the PM table to show current status re indicators/targets.
AOB
Steven Eaves gave an introduction into the work of the Empty Property Team and to the UGLI programme.
Ongoing maintenance of identified land would be an issue for future consideration with potential for involvement of the NET.(UGLI)
Action AD to forward potential ugly locations identified by Environmental wardens in Birkenhead to JF who will combine with NW’s locations and forward to SE.
Several members of the group identified potential benefits of linking the UGLI scheme with the NET, Groundwork, Beanbag and the Schools gardening programme in a strategic approach to use of resources for improving/using open land and linking this to schools engagement as a positive approach to environmental education (NET) and project involvement for schools.
Action – JF to talk to interested groups re scoping this approach
Date of next meeting 18th Sept 10am Royal Standard House
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Trouble on Thompson St
We have had some feedback on an incident on Thompson Street.
It seems that on the 11th of September the police went to an empty property on Thompson Street and there was a bit of a commotion - sirens going etc. as they arrested someone trying to steal the copper piping out of 34 Thompson Street.
A number of residents including some in Thompson Street have said that they now want the empty properties in Thompson Street ‘tinning up’. The Council have tried to avoid doing this as it looks very stark for those residents who remain in the area, so they are planning just tinning up 4 properties for now, 28-34 Thompson Street as they are the ones causing most of the problems at present. They have previously agreed not to use this approach to security unless really necessary, but unfortunately they now believe that the level of break-ins in these properties has escalated to an extent that there is no other option.
Emma Foley tells me that they will shortly be issuing the tender documents so that they can bring these properties down by the end of the year and will keep us informed of progress in this area.
It seems that on the 11th of September the police went to an empty property on Thompson Street and there was a bit of a commotion - sirens going etc. as they arrested someone trying to steal the copper piping out of 34 Thompson Street.
A number of residents including some in Thompson Street have said that they now want the empty properties in Thompson Street ‘tinning up’. The Council have tried to avoid doing this as it looks very stark for those residents who remain in the area, so they are planning just tinning up 4 properties for now, 28-34 Thompson Street as they are the ones causing most of the problems at present. They have previously agreed not to use this approach to security unless really necessary, but unfortunately they now believe that the level of break-ins in these properties has escalated to an extent that there is no other option.
Emma Foley tells me that they will shortly be issuing the tender documents so that they can bring these properties down by the end of the year and will keep us informed of progress in this area.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Notes from Church Road consultation September 06
I (James Kay) attended a consultation meeting on the Church Road master plan a couple of days ago. When the minutes for the meeting are posted around I will paste them into the blog but meanwhile here are some of the issues raised or reported upon.
At the meeting were Hazel Roberts from the United Communities Group, Steph Reid from Tranmere Alliance (http://www.tranmerealliance.org.uk/) , Ann Keggin from the Tranmere Community Project (http://www.tcp.org.uk/) Bruce Lister from Lovell and Rob Walsh from Together.
CABE report
The development proposal from Lovell for the Church Road area had been submitted to CABE http://www.cabe.org.uk/ as part of the requirement to consult with them for an application for HMRI funding support. The proposal had been submitted in writing but no one from Lovell had been invitedto attend the CABE meeting in London and no-one from CABE seems to have visited the area. Although CABE were generally supportive they made some specific criticisms of the proposed development. In particular they wanted car parking for residents on Church Road to be brought onto the roadside and out from the rear parking arrangements which had been proposed by Lovell. They took the opposite position when it came to the retail area and wanted the shops to front straight onto the street with public parking at the back together with service parking.
There was some discussion in the meeting about this and I argued that residents in Seymour Street had previously said that they would be happier with the public parking being in front of the shop rather than backing onto our homes. Lovell were meeting with local planners to discuss their response. It is not clear whether a planning application will fail unless it conforms to CABE views or whether this might introduce considerable further delays.
Holt Hill development
Hazel and I said that we were surprised that the Holt Hill development seemed to be going through ‘on the nod’ whilst the HMRI proposal required a lengthy consultation process. We asked for a meeting with the planning department to discuss how they were to ensure that this development is in sympathy with the HMRI development to which it will a gateway. A summary from the planning department is below together with some graphics from the planners.
Location: 111-113 Holt Hill, Tranmere, Wirral, CH41 9DU
Proposal: Erection of 32 x 2 bed apartments and 4 x 3 bed town houses with associated car parking
Date Received: 18/August/2006
At Stage: with planning officer
Validation/Registration Date: 18/August/2006
Comments wanted by: 5/October/2006
Start of Public Consultation: 30/August/2006
End of Public Consultation: 5/October/2006
Application Type: Full Planning Permission
Target Committee: 5/October/2006
Development Type: Redevelopment
Contact: Nightingale Associates The Observatory, Old Haymarket, Liverpool, L1 6LA
Decision: No decision
Officer: Mr N Culkin
Decision Date: No data
Tel Num: 0151 606 2182
Timetable from now on
Bruce Lister explained that there had been some slippage and that the proposed April 07 start date on the retail development on the old Abakan site would probably have to drop back by one or two months.
Rebranding Tranmere as ‘Holt Hill Village’
This proposal had been floated in the Transform regeneration newsletter and had provoked quite a lot of opposition. Many people had contact James and Hazel to complain and they wanted to know what was wrong with the ‘Higher Tranmere’ name. There was specific criticism that the Birkenhead Historical Society who have very few members in the area, had been asked to propose a name whilst local residents had not been asked for their opinion. Emma Foley (691 8155) at Wirral MBC had asked in the newsletter for other ideas on this and during the meeting sticking with the traditional name of Higher Tranmere was proposed. It was also suggested that the issue be raised with other groups locally for feedback – names matter a lot!
Local ‘Surgeries’ on the HMRI plan
We were reminded that there are further surgeries for all householders on the 26th of October at 46 Church Road between 4pm and 7 pm and for retailers between 4pm and 6.30pm on the 28th of September.
Traffic lights losing business for local traders
It was reported that local traders are losing business both because of the long drawn out HMRI but also because of the impact of the temporary traffic lights on Church Road - after the structural damage caused by arson and vandalism. Some local business have reported losing amounts of sales varying between £30 and £100 a day since the traffic lights were installed. Others have been less affected by the traffic lights but are having their businesses eroded on a day to day basis as individual properties are boarded up and people move away. This makes the timetable delays even more worrying.
Together to lead a survey on services for youth in the area
Rob explained that the Council have asked Together to lead an investigation into the need for services for young people in the area and they will be setting up consultations. Contact Rob at 644 4836 or email rob.walsh@riverside.org.uk
This blog is for you - re4sidents of Higher Tranmere. If you want to post to here either click on the comments button or email your thoughts to me - James Kay - at jameslkay@ntlworld.com and I will post them into the blog. If you want to know when there are updates to blog let me know I will put you on an update list or just keep checking the blog address.
At the meeting were Hazel Roberts from the United Communities Group, Steph Reid from Tranmere Alliance (http://www.tranmerealliance.org.uk/) , Ann Keggin from the Tranmere Community Project (http://www.tcp.org.uk/) Bruce Lister from Lovell and Rob Walsh from Together.
CABE report
The development proposal from Lovell for the Church Road area had been submitted to CABE http://www.cabe.org.uk/ as part of the requirement to consult with them for an application for HMRI funding support. The proposal had been submitted in writing but no one from Lovell had been invitedto attend the CABE meeting in London and no-one from CABE seems to have visited the area. Although CABE were generally supportive they made some specific criticisms of the proposed development. In particular they wanted car parking for residents on Church Road to be brought onto the roadside and out from the rear parking arrangements which had been proposed by Lovell. They took the opposite position when it came to the retail area and wanted the shops to front straight onto the street with public parking at the back together with service parking.
There was some discussion in the meeting about this and I argued that residents in Seymour Street had previously said that they would be happier with the public parking being in front of the shop rather than backing onto our homes. Lovell were meeting with local planners to discuss their response. It is not clear whether a planning application will fail unless it conforms to CABE views or whether this might introduce considerable further delays.
Holt Hill development
Hazel and I said that we were surprised that the Holt Hill development seemed to be going through ‘on the nod’ whilst the HMRI proposal required a lengthy consultation process. We asked for a meeting with the planning department to discuss how they were to ensure that this development is in sympathy with the HMRI development to which it will a gateway. A summary from the planning department is below together with some graphics from the planners.
Location: 111-113 Holt Hill, Tranmere, Wirral, CH41 9DU
Proposal: Erection of 32 x 2 bed apartments and 4 x 3 bed town houses with associated car parking
Date Received: 18/August/2006
At Stage: with planning officer
Validation/Registration Date: 18/August/2006
Comments wanted by: 5/October/2006
Start of Public Consultation: 30/August/2006
End of Public Consultation: 5/October/2006
Application Type: Full Planning Permission
Target Committee: 5/October/2006
Development Type: Redevelopment
Contact: Nightingale Associates The Observatory, Old Haymarket, Liverpool, L1 6LA
Decision: No decision
Officer: Mr N Culkin
Decision Date: No data
Tel Num: 0151 606 2182
Timetable from now on
Bruce Lister explained that there had been some slippage and that the proposed April 07 start date on the retail development on the old Abakan site would probably have to drop back by one or two months.
Rebranding Tranmere as ‘Holt Hill Village’
This proposal had been floated in the Transform regeneration newsletter and had provoked quite a lot of opposition. Many people had contact James and Hazel to complain and they wanted to know what was wrong with the ‘Higher Tranmere’ name. There was specific criticism that the Birkenhead Historical Society who have very few members in the area, had been asked to propose a name whilst local residents had not been asked for their opinion. Emma Foley (691 8155) at Wirral MBC had asked in the newsletter for other ideas on this and during the meeting sticking with the traditional name of Higher Tranmere was proposed. It was also suggested that the issue be raised with other groups locally for feedback – names matter a lot!
Local ‘Surgeries’ on the HMRI plan
We were reminded that there are further surgeries for all householders on the 26th of October at 46 Church Road between 4pm and 7 pm and for retailers between 4pm and 6.30pm on the 28th of September.
Traffic lights losing business for local traders
It was reported that local traders are losing business both because of the long drawn out HMRI but also because of the impact of the temporary traffic lights on Church Road - after the structural damage caused by arson and vandalism. Some local business have reported losing amounts of sales varying between £30 and £100 a day since the traffic lights were installed. Others have been less affected by the traffic lights but are having their businesses eroded on a day to day basis as individual properties are boarded up and people move away. This makes the timetable delays even more worrying.
Together to lead a survey on services for youth in the area
Rob explained that the Council have asked Together to lead an investigation into the need for services for young people in the area and they will be setting up consultations. Contact Rob at 644 4836 or email rob.walsh@riverside.org.uk
This blog is for you - re4sidents of Higher Tranmere. If you want to post to here either click on the comments button or email your thoughts to me - James Kay - at jameslkay@ntlworld.com and I will post them into the blog. If you want to know when there are updates to blog let me know I will put you on an update list or just keep checking the blog address.
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