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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

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