Minutes of January HMRI meeting

These are the minutes from the latest meeting of the HMRI consultation meeting held in the Together offices on the 10th January 2007. The most disappointing part of these mintes - see highlights below - is that there are again delays. This means that the earliest projected date for starting building on the Abakan site is now September 07 and it could well be later than that.

In the minutes below I have deleted the numbering from the original minutes but left the text intact. Where I have added a comment I have highlighted my comment in bold - like this.

Present

Hazel Roberts Together
James Kay TRACE
John Steele Together
Bruce Lister Lovell
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance
Lesley Gibbons Together
Cllr Phil Davies Wirral Council
James Hurley Wirral Council
Emma Foley Wirral Council


Apologies

Chris Bowen Wirral Council
Jill Quayle TCP
Anne Keggin TCP


Minutes of Last Meeting

Agreed. There were no matters arising.


HMRI Programme Update

JH advised that due to additional funding received by the North West Development Agency (NWDA), further acquisitions on Church Road have been able to be agreed including the gym and SRT Motorcycles premises.


Development Update

BL reported on the development timetable. It is hoped that the outline planning application will be submitted next week. This has been delayed from just before Christmas due to the need for further clarification from the planning department about the procedure for making working amendments to the application once it has been submitted. It has also been delayed to continue negotiations with local property owners.

JK asked how long it would take to make a decision once the application has gone in. JH said that 13 weeks is the usual timescale for applications of this scale. Cllr. Davies suggested speaking to the Planning Department to see if it was possible to fast-track the application. EF commented that the amount of documentation supporting the application is considerably higher than for most planning applications, and would consequently take longer to process.

JK was keen to influence the time frame and asked if there was any other ways of speeding up the process. BL said that once the outline application has been submitted, if early feedback is positive, then it may be possible to start work on the detailed design for the scheme – even before a formal decision has been reached on the outline planning application. BL said the revised start date was now looking like September. (Highlighted in this blog only)


Project Update

JH said there have been a number of meetings on 15th November 2006, with surveyors from Legat Owen acting on behalf of Atmore, with Hursts, the Chemist, Hairdresser and Post Office. Further meetings would be beneficial with a couple of other retailers.

It was agreed that Atmore appeared to be cautious in their approach to the Co-op and it was difficult to open negotiations at this early stage in the development process. JK said that if it is likely to take 6 months to negotiate an agreement, we should be opening negotiations now.

JS said that he and HR were planning to visit a convenience store in the Beechwood Estate which he believed to be considerably cheaper than the Co-op.

JH reported that at the meeting on 15th November all the retailers in attendance seemed to indicate that the rental figures suggested were reasonable.

JK asked when the Waterloo Bathrooms building would be coming down. JH confirmed that their lease was due to expire on 31st March, but they may move sooner, subject to fitting out their new premises. EF said that service disconnections couldn’t be organised until we have vacant possession of the building, [JK comment - So we could be looking at May/June before the buildings are demolished. [this blog added the comment]

EF reported that demolition contractor is currently on site in Thompson Street and that the vacant properties would be coming down over the next 4 weeks.

It was reported that some old furniture had been dumped in the front of a property in Seymour Street. EF said that the Environmental Warden Scheme has been set up to provide a fast response to such issues in the Church Road area; while their number has been widely published it would be useful to remind residents. Their phone number is 638 5888 and residents are urged to use the service. If problems persist EF will invite Dave Morrell, the Wardens Manager, to the next meeting.

JS said he had seen pigeons flying into 30/32 Seymour Street. EF said she would follow it up with the Empty Property Team.

EF said that letters had been sent out to all eligible properties who were eligible for a 50/50 improvement grant. Out of almost 50 properties, 30 possible responses have been received. Dave Newman will be visiting people in their homes over the coming weeks to get a more accurate picture of the likely grant take-up for budget planning purposes.

It was agreed by all that site signage would improve local morale and confidence in the scheme and needed to be actioned as a priority. Cllr. Davies suggested a target to get them erected before the next meeting. EF will do everything possible to organise this.


A.O.B

HR asked EF to find out in time for the next meeting what has happened to the CCTV which used to be on the Post Office.

EF mentioned the Strictly Regeneration Awards for successful regeneration projects, and asked if anyone would like to be on the Judging Panel to represent Wirral, to let her know.

The Art Regeneration Project has been a great success with over 400 local residents getting involved. An Exhibition to view the work will be held at 35-37 Church Road from 1st-3rd February, but all present were invited to a private viewing on Thursday 25th January, 6:15-8pm.

Cllr. Davies asked if progress had been made finding alternative premises for AJ Motors. HR said there have been problems with AJ Motors causing a nuisance to adjacent residents for years. All residents present agreed that the proximity of a garage business to houses and shops must not be replicated in the new scheme, especially not the Abakhan Site where the new retail units and bungalows are to be sited. JH said that the Council would be undertaking an Options Appraisal process to try to resolve the issue of relocating AJ Motors as soon as possible.


Date and Time of Next Meeting

Wednesday 7th March at 2pm.