Some time ago I complained on behalf of TRACE about the collapse of the 'Box it' recycling scheme which as you will know is a complete mess. I called the Council offices, emailed the Council Offices, emailed again and all without the courtesy of a reply. Eventually I complained to Phil Davies our local Councillor about the scheme and also about the lack of a reply to my complaints. Phil told me that he had raised it with the head of the section concerned and he has now received an email back which he has passed on to me and I have reprinted below. You should know that BIFFA have taken over the waste managemenmt and recycling contract from the previous provider of these services. There will be other changes to the services in future which we will return to in the blog shortly. Watch this space.
Dear Councillor Davies
Please accept our apologies for not responding sooner to your enquiry about the quality of recycling collections in Seamore St.
Biffa have devised a quality monitoring procedure, where addresses and locations that have been repeatedly missed under the old Onyx contract will be monitored by Biffa supervisors. The system has been introduced only this week. Crews have to report back and sign completion sheets for list of properties on their daily round sheet which have experienced poor service. They do this for a period of 4 consecutive collections. If any further problems occur they are brought in for interview by the supervisor, and they must continue to report back on that property for an additional 13 collections.
I have asked that Seamore St be added to the monitoring list for the Tranmere Box Scheme.
I have every confidence that services will improve, but Biffa do need time to work on these crews to ensure they learn to perform to higher standards.
With regards to the leafleting - although I think the suggestion by Mr Kay is a very good one, in practice it is not always possible to leaflet the missed streets as resources may not be available.
Please inform Mr Kay that, under the terms of the new contract, if his whole street is reported missed on the scheduled collection day, then it should be emptied the following day. Failure to do so would result in the contractor facing default penalties.
Regards
Tara
Tara Dumas
Environment and Waste Services Manager
Technical Services
Wirral BC
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Tranmere Rovers Fan's Blog
I found this blog today. Although not myself a Tranmere fan I thought it migfht be interesting to TRACE blog readers living locally.
http://tranmererovers.blogspot.com/
http://tranmererovers.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Tranmere Alliance Fundraiser!
Tranmere Alliance Fundraiser!
November 2nd 7.30 till Midnight - Tickets from 644 1100
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Audit Commission visit to Tranmere
The Audit Commission recently visited the area to look at the Housing Market Renewal Initiative and have now produced a draft report. It runs to 28 pages and is still in draft form but if you wanted to have a look - email James Kay on jameslkay@ntlworld.com and he will send you copy. A couple of items caught the eye.
One was in the introduction and describes the area's economics. There have been reports in the past health trusts and from the local authority which have looked at the local economics and demographics of Tranmere.Multiple but this is fairly stark.
1 Tranmere exhibits a number of the classic characteristics of multiple deprivation. In the 2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation the super output area within which Church Road is located was ranked 101 out of 32,482 most deprived. In other words it was in the top 1% most deprived in the country. Nearly 60% of households do not own a car.
2 The population is mainly white with 96% of local people classing themselves as such. Household sizes are around the national average at 2.3 people. Rented housing accounts for over half of all housing with 20% being privately rented. Average household incomes are 68% of the overall figure for Wirral although it should be noted that Wirral as a whole contains some significantly affluent communities which will distort this comparison. Long term housing vacancies at less than 4% are low.
Another item from the draft report was the note on how much has already been spent in the area (which includes also the Fiveways development). Here is what it said.
1 Cumulative achievements on the ground in Tranmere since the start of the HMR programme in 2003-4 have been good. Since that time there has been a substantial public and private sector investment of over £30m in Tranmere. During the period up to June 2006 there had been £10.6m of HMR spent in the area. This had been matched with an estimated £11m of other public sector investment with the two largest individual contributions having been from Wirral Borough Council's housing capital programme and the Housing Corporation at £5m and £3.5m respectively. It had also been matched by an estimated £9.6m of private sector investment of which nearly 90% or £8.6m was housing association private finance.
2 Put simply, for every £1 of HMR invested in the area a further £1.03 of other public and 90 pence of private investment had been secured.
3 This investment had resulted in significant levels of housing market renewal activity over the same period since 2003-4. Nearly 160 properties had been acquired. Approximately 400 properties had been improved to Decent Homes Standard with a further 140 having been demolished. Just over 120 new properties had been built although only 10% of those are private sector, the vast bulk, approximately 110, being housing association properties.
4 The balance of activity contradicts a commonly held view of HMR as primarily being about demolition since in the case of Tranmere for every ten properties which have been demolished eight have been replaced and nearly thirty other properties improved to Decent Homes Standard.
5 On the ground there are a number of new housing developments either completed or underway. These include 12 flats for older people on Well Lane, 57 shared ownership properties on Green Lane and local private sector developer Roberts Estates' development of 70 units on Old Chester Road.
If you have any comments on these issues please use the comments box here.
One was in the introduction and describes the area's economics. There have been reports in the past health trusts and from the local authority which have looked at the local economics and demographics of Tranmere.Multiple but this is fairly stark.
1 Tranmere exhibits a number of the classic characteristics of multiple deprivation. In the 2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation the super output area within which Church Road is located was ranked 101 out of 32,482 most deprived. In other words it was in the top 1% most deprived in the country. Nearly 60% of households do not own a car.
2 The population is mainly white with 96% of local people classing themselves as such. Household sizes are around the national average at 2.3 people. Rented housing accounts for over half of all housing with 20% being privately rented. Average household incomes are 68% of the overall figure for Wirral although it should be noted that Wirral as a whole contains some significantly affluent communities which will distort this comparison. Long term housing vacancies at less than 4% are low.
Another item from the draft report was the note on how much has already been spent in the area (which includes also the Fiveways development). Here is what it said.
1 Cumulative achievements on the ground in Tranmere since the start of the HMR programme in 2003-4 have been good. Since that time there has been a substantial public and private sector investment of over £30m in Tranmere. During the period up to June 2006 there had been £10.6m of HMR spent in the area. This had been matched with an estimated £11m of other public sector investment with the two largest individual contributions having been from Wirral Borough Council's housing capital programme and the Housing Corporation at £5m and £3.5m respectively. It had also been matched by an estimated £9.6m of private sector investment of which nearly 90% or £8.6m was housing association private finance.
2 Put simply, for every £1 of HMR invested in the area a further £1.03 of other public and 90 pence of private investment had been secured.
3 This investment had resulted in significant levels of housing market renewal activity over the same period since 2003-4. Nearly 160 properties had been acquired. Approximately 400 properties had been improved to Decent Homes Standard with a further 140 having been demolished. Just over 120 new properties had been built although only 10% of those are private sector, the vast bulk, approximately 110, being housing association properties.
4 The balance of activity contradicts a commonly held view of HMR as primarily being about demolition since in the case of Tranmere for every ten properties which have been demolished eight have been replaced and nearly thirty other properties improved to Decent Homes Standard.
5 On the ground there are a number of new housing developments either completed or underway. These include 12 flats for older people on Well Lane, 57 shared ownership properties on Green Lane and local private sector developer Roberts Estates' development of 70 units on Old Chester Road.
If you have any comments on these issues please use the comments box here.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Changes to parking in Birkenhead
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Notes from Church Road Consultation July 06
These are the minutes from the latest consultation meeting about the Church Road Development. It was held on the Tuesday 11th July 2006
Present were:
Hazel Roberts UCG / Together
John Steele Together
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance
James Kay TRACE
Ann Keggin Tranmere Community Project
Rob Walsh Together
Chris Bowen Wirral MBC
James Hurley Wirral MBC
Caroline Platt Wirral MBC
Emma Foley Wirral MBC
Bruce Lister Lovell
HMRI Update
CB advised that the Financial Agreement which has taken a long time to be negotiated will be signed shortly. The Council has agreed to fund the programme in the meantime and there is no threat to the programme.
The recent press coverage concerning the retail units on Church Road was discussed. The Council has been assisting the retailers described in the article in the Echo. They are also looking into the possibility of providing financial assistance to Businesses and providing more of a comprehensive ‘Homemovers’ type service to businesses in the area.
Lovell are now keen to bring Atmore in to talk to businesses in detail about the new development.
The Council have now agreed their Financial Assistance Policy which includes:
Art Loans for households in clearance areas, where they are recommended by an independent financial advisor, up to a value of £35,000 or £45,000 in exceptional circumstances. This loan will be placed as a charge on the property and no re-payments will be due until the householder sells the property.
Financial Assistance for renovation comprising of a 50% Grant and 50% Equity Renewal Loan which will not be means tested but will be limited to households within the original NRA boundary. As with the Art Loan, a charge will be placed against the property if households are unable to raise 50% of the cost of works themselves, therefore no re-payments will be due until the property is sold. The Council’s Home Improvement Team will be sending out letters to all eligible households in the next couple of months.
Development Programme
BL tabled a revised programme. He said that Lovell were still on track for an April 07 start on Church Road, despite a four week delay with the planning application due to the need to submit the scheme to the CABE Design Review Panel at the end of July.
Lovell Study Tour
BL gave a summary of the recent study tour on June 9th which invited local residents to look round a number of their recent developments. Schemes visited included an estate of family houses in Netherlee in Liverpool, Knightsbridge Park in Stockport, and The Way in Beswick, Manchester. The first two schemes were fairly traditional while The Way, close to the centre of Manchester has a much more contemporary feel and used modern methods of construction.
A detailed summary of resident’s views was tabled showing favourable reactions to all the schemes, but with a clear preference for the traditional style. BL said that the detail design for the scheme has yet to be developed, but the design for Church Road will be bespoke rather than imitating any of the schemes viewed on the study tour. JK said that many of the people moving in to the new housing will have their own aesthetics and the scheme will have to appeal to them. The scheme design will have to be market driven.
30 – 32 Seymour Street
EF outlined four different options for dealing with these properties, i.e. Refurbishing
them and selling them on, demolishing them and leaving them as an open space, demolishing them and rebuilding a couple of new housing units or converting them into four flats. The costs for all these options was discussed and it was agreed that the properties would be renovated and used as Homeswap properties if any families came forward from the clearance area.
Progress with Acquisitions
The housing acquisitions are moving ahead steadily with only ten properties yet to reach an agreement with the Council.
It was reported that the closure of half of the carriageway on Church Road in front of the fire-damaged shop at 40 Church Road was affecting trade on Church Road. JH said that the facade would be re-built as soon as possible to allow the scaffolding to be taken down and the highway to be reopened. JH is hoping that negotiations to acquire the properties in this block may be accelerated in the circumstances.
HR would like to see more communication with the retailers. It was suggested that JH contacts them all again individually, and a retail specific newsletter of fact sheet could be sent out to them to confirm timescales for the new development.
Demolitions / management of Empty Properties
It was reported that the area could do with another clean-up day as there was fly tipping in the alley behind Seymour Street and many of the gardens of the empty properties were again becoming overgrown. EF to liase with Dave Morrel, manager of the Environmental Wardens to organise a Clean-Up day and ensure effective day to day management is in place.
The demolition contractors are on site in Harland Road demolishing 1-7, which is due to be completed in the next couple of weeks.
Youth Provision
JK said he was grateful for AK attending and said that there had been previous discussions regarding youth provision in the area and there was a need for a mapping exercise to record what activities were being provided by the various organisations in the area. He said that the TCP had a valuable physical resource and the group was keen to find out more about what youth facilities were provided there.
AK said that there is a Youth Club two evenings a week (one for juniors and one for seniors), Women’s Group, daily playgroup, luncheon club and an occasional trampoline club all of which were well attended. HR said she had heard from residents that these facilities were not always open. RW said that the Young peoples Thematic Group which meets monthly would be a better Forum to consider youth issues. It was agreed that a separate meeting could be arranged by RW to look at resources available in Tranmere for the provision of youth services.
AOB
RW suggested that an open meeting should be called for the retailers. It was agreed that businesses will probably prefer to discuss personal issues on an individual basis rather than at an open forum. It was agreed that JH will revisit all of the remaining businesses and a newsletter will be sent out in the next month or so confirming timescales for the new retail development.
Date of Next Meeting
3.00pm on Tuesday 15th August 2006 at Royal Standards House
Present were:
Hazel Roberts UCG / Together
John Steele Together
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance
James Kay TRACE
Ann Keggin Tranmere Community Project
Rob Walsh Together
Chris Bowen Wirral MBC
James Hurley Wirral MBC
Caroline Platt Wirral MBC
Emma Foley Wirral MBC
Bruce Lister Lovell
HMRI Update
CB advised that the Financial Agreement which has taken a long time to be negotiated will be signed shortly. The Council has agreed to fund the programme in the meantime and there is no threat to the programme.
The recent press coverage concerning the retail units on Church Road was discussed. The Council has been assisting the retailers described in the article in the Echo. They are also looking into the possibility of providing financial assistance to Businesses and providing more of a comprehensive ‘Homemovers’ type service to businesses in the area.
Lovell are now keen to bring Atmore in to talk to businesses in detail about the new development.
The Council have now agreed their Financial Assistance Policy which includes:
Art Loans for households in clearance areas, where they are recommended by an independent financial advisor, up to a value of £35,000 or £45,000 in exceptional circumstances. This loan will be placed as a charge on the property and no re-payments will be due until the householder sells the property.
Financial Assistance for renovation comprising of a 50% Grant and 50% Equity Renewal Loan which will not be means tested but will be limited to households within the original NRA boundary. As with the Art Loan, a charge will be placed against the property if households are unable to raise 50% of the cost of works themselves, therefore no re-payments will be due until the property is sold. The Council’s Home Improvement Team will be sending out letters to all eligible households in the next couple of months.
Development Programme
BL tabled a revised programme. He said that Lovell were still on track for an April 07 start on Church Road, despite a four week delay with the planning application due to the need to submit the scheme to the CABE Design Review Panel at the end of July.
Lovell Study Tour
BL gave a summary of the recent study tour on June 9th which invited local residents to look round a number of their recent developments. Schemes visited included an estate of family houses in Netherlee in Liverpool, Knightsbridge Park in Stockport, and The Way in Beswick, Manchester. The first two schemes were fairly traditional while The Way, close to the centre of Manchester has a much more contemporary feel and used modern methods of construction.
A detailed summary of resident’s views was tabled showing favourable reactions to all the schemes, but with a clear preference for the traditional style. BL said that the detail design for the scheme has yet to be developed, but the design for Church Road will be bespoke rather than imitating any of the schemes viewed on the study tour. JK said that many of the people moving in to the new housing will have their own aesthetics and the scheme will have to appeal to them. The scheme design will have to be market driven.
30 – 32 Seymour Street
EF outlined four different options for dealing with these properties, i.e. Refurbishing
them and selling them on, demolishing them and leaving them as an open space, demolishing them and rebuilding a couple of new housing units or converting them into four flats. The costs for all these options was discussed and it was agreed that the properties would be renovated and used as Homeswap properties if any families came forward from the clearance area.
Progress with Acquisitions
The housing acquisitions are moving ahead steadily with only ten properties yet to reach an agreement with the Council.
It was reported that the closure of half of the carriageway on Church Road in front of the fire-damaged shop at 40 Church Road was affecting trade on Church Road. JH said that the facade would be re-built as soon as possible to allow the scaffolding to be taken down and the highway to be reopened. JH is hoping that negotiations to acquire the properties in this block may be accelerated in the circumstances.
HR would like to see more communication with the retailers. It was suggested that JH contacts them all again individually, and a retail specific newsletter of fact sheet could be sent out to them to confirm timescales for the new development.
Demolitions / management of Empty Properties
It was reported that the area could do with another clean-up day as there was fly tipping in the alley behind Seymour Street and many of the gardens of the empty properties were again becoming overgrown. EF to liase with Dave Morrel, manager of the Environmental Wardens to organise a Clean-Up day and ensure effective day to day management is in place.
The demolition contractors are on site in Harland Road demolishing 1-7, which is due to be completed in the next couple of weeks.
Youth Provision
JK said he was grateful for AK attending and said that there had been previous discussions regarding youth provision in the area and there was a need for a mapping exercise to record what activities were being provided by the various organisations in the area. He said that the TCP had a valuable physical resource and the group was keen to find out more about what youth facilities were provided there.
AK said that there is a Youth Club two evenings a week (one for juniors and one for seniors), Women’s Group, daily playgroup, luncheon club and an occasional trampoline club all of which were well attended. HR said she had heard from residents that these facilities were not always open. RW said that the Young peoples Thematic Group which meets monthly would be a better Forum to consider youth issues. It was agreed that a separate meeting could be arranged by RW to look at resources available in Tranmere for the provision of youth services.
AOB
RW suggested that an open meeting should be called for the retailers. It was agreed that businesses will probably prefer to discuss personal issues on an individual basis rather than at an open forum. It was agreed that JH will revisit all of the remaining businesses and a newsletter will be sent out in the next month or so confirming timescales for the new retail development.
Date of Next Meeting
3.00pm on Tuesday 15th August 2006 at Royal Standards House
Thursday, August 25, 2005
letter to Frank Field MP
The following letter is self explanatory. It follows a visit by Frank Field MP to James Kay to discuss next steps in the TRACE campaign to persuade Wirral Council not to make demolition the only option in the Chiurch Road Masterplan.
Frank Field MP
The Houses of Parliament
25th August
Dear Mr Field
Thank you for calling by this week and for your support in TRACE's campaign.
In advance of our meeting tonight with Cllr Phil Davies and colleagues to discuss renovation alternatives to demolition in Tranmere, I am writing to tell you about an incident which happened last night which you might like to share with the Minister when she visits you to discuss HMRI in Tranmere.
At 11.35 last night (the 24th of August) my telephone rang. It was my neighbour across the road who told me that he had just witnessed a young man steal one of the hanging baskets from outside my front door. I went outside and was told by the neighbour that the thief had gone onto Church Road with the basket in his hand. I jumped into my car with my partner and we went down onto Church Road. 100 yards away was a young man in his twenties walking along with my hanging basket in his hand. I drove down, jumped out and grabbed the basket from him. We exchanged some heated words and he punched me on the jaw and ran off. I went straight home and called 999. I told them that I had been assaulted and that the assailant was last seen running down out of Tranmere and gave a good description. The person who took the call said that she would do her best to get a squad car to deal with this but that they were very busy.
One hour later at 12.35 I was called back by the police control room and told that it would be several hours before an officer could attend. We arranged that an officer would come to see me this morning and take a statement from me. I was given a log number for the incident - 1529 on 24/08/05 - and she rang off.
My point is not to criticise the police. No doubt they were unable to attend because of more serious criminal activity at the time. My point is that this incident is typical of what happens in Tranmere and it is what leads people to want to leave the area. If Tranmere is to be revived as a happy and healthy community we have to feel confident that when we make even such minor improvements as putting up a hanging basket it will not be ruined by some barbarian deciding late at night that he can steal it and assault anyone who tries to stop him - with impunity.
We need a lot more money spent on policing in this area so that when a citizen calls 999 they get a response, reliably within minutes of the call coming in and not be told that because of lack of resources the police will not be able to come "for hours". Instead of our taxes being spent on this critical service we find that millions of pounds are to be spent in Tranmere (£52 millions according to the Echo recently) - on knocking down perfectly good houses against the wishes of those living in them - and then building newer houses which are no better than the ones they are pulling down. They are doing this in the belief that it will improve the area.
This is very disheartening.
Yours sincerely
James Kay
cc. TRACE Ctte members, local Councillors, Tranmere Together and the TRACE 'blog
Frank Field MP
The Houses of Parliament
25th August
Dear Mr Field
Thank you for calling by this week and for your support in TRACE's campaign.
In advance of our meeting tonight with Cllr Phil Davies and colleagues to discuss renovation alternatives to demolition in Tranmere, I am writing to tell you about an incident which happened last night which you might like to share with the Minister when she visits you to discuss HMRI in Tranmere.
At 11.35 last night (the 24th of August) my telephone rang. It was my neighbour across the road who told me that he had just witnessed a young man steal one of the hanging baskets from outside my front door. I went outside and was told by the neighbour that the thief had gone onto Church Road with the basket in his hand. I jumped into my car with my partner and we went down onto Church Road. 100 yards away was a young man in his twenties walking along with my hanging basket in his hand. I drove down, jumped out and grabbed the basket from him. We exchanged some heated words and he punched me on the jaw and ran off. I went straight home and called 999. I told them that I had been assaulted and that the assailant was last seen running down out of Tranmere and gave a good description. The person who took the call said that she would do her best to get a squad car to deal with this but that they were very busy.
One hour later at 12.35 I was called back by the police control room and told that it would be several hours before an officer could attend. We arranged that an officer would come to see me this morning and take a statement from me. I was given a log number for the incident - 1529 on 24/08/05 - and she rang off.
My point is not to criticise the police. No doubt they were unable to attend because of more serious criminal activity at the time. My point is that this incident is typical of what happens in Tranmere and it is what leads people to want to leave the area. If Tranmere is to be revived as a happy and healthy community we have to feel confident that when we make even such minor improvements as putting up a hanging basket it will not be ruined by some barbarian deciding late at night that he can steal it and assault anyone who tries to stop him - with impunity.
We need a lot more money spent on policing in this area so that when a citizen calls 999 they get a response, reliably within minutes of the call coming in and not be told that because of lack of resources the police will not be able to come "for hours". Instead of our taxes being spent on this critical service we find that millions of pounds are to be spent in Tranmere (£52 millions according to the Echo recently) - on knocking down perfectly good houses against the wishes of those living in them - and then building newer houses which are no better than the ones they are pulling down. They are doing this in the belief that it will improve the area.
This is very disheartening.
Yours sincerely
James Kay
cc. TRACE Ctte members, local Councillors, Tranmere Together and the TRACE 'blog
Friday, August 12, 2005
United Communities Group July 05
These are the minutes of the Tranmere and Rock Ferry United Communities Group. This brings together all the community groups in the area.
Minutes of Meeting
Thursday 21-7-05
10am Prospect House
Present: Hazel Roberts, Len McCormack, John Steele, Steph Reid, Steve Lally, Simon Petris, Ann Adams, Mr Bentzen, John Chesworth, Lorraine Norris, Pat Haynes
Apologies: John Davies, Mary Petris, Pat Tyson
Guest Speaker: Jean McIntosh – B&NBEAG
Lowell Williams – Fire + Rescue Service
Jean talked all through her presentation on the B&NBEAG project (see attached). She is happy to liase with those interested in how it was brought together and invited all to attend their next meeting at the Gautby Rd Community Centre on Friday 14th Sept 1pm-3pm. Contact Jean on 201 8610.
Minutes of Meeting
Thursday 21-7-05
10am Prospect House
Present: Hazel Roberts, Len McCormack, John Steele, Steph Reid, Steve Lally, Simon Petris, Ann Adams, Mr Bentzen, John Chesworth, Lorraine Norris, Pat Haynes
Apologies: John Davies, Mary Petris, Pat Tyson
Guest Speaker: Jean McIntosh – B&NBEAG
Lowell Williams – Fire + Rescue Service
Jean talked all through her presentation on the B&NBEAG project (see attached). She is happy to liase with those interested in how it was brought together and invited all to attend their next meeting at the Gautby Rd Community Centre on Friday 14th Sept 1pm-3pm. Contact Jean on 201 8610.
Lowell gave out Home Safety Check leaflets, last year there had been 30-40 deaths this has been reduced to an average of 10 per year now (contact 0800 731 5958). He then talked about the moves to make Wheelie bins fire-proof over next 10 years (advised not to put wheelie bin fires out with water unless at a safe distance of 20yds). If you want to report dumping of abandoned cars or fly-tipping contact him at office on 606 5499 (07970661443) lowellwilliams@wirral.gov.uk
Minutes of meeting 12-05-05: Read and agreed
Matters Arising from last meeting:
Church Rd Regeneration –
TRACE (James Kay) will be submitting a resident’s petition to the Select Committee end of July regarding the proposed plans.
TAG (Hazel Roberts) has liased with Frank Field to set up an open meeting between residents and relevant Council representatives to discuss concerns, date and venue to be decided. If you have questions to put to them please contact Hazel or Steph Reid on 644 1100,these can then be brought together for the meeting. SR to inform Andy Beech –5 Ways RA.
Rock Park Esplanade – Peter Riley looking into funding possibilities
General:
Together Update - The Health Impact Assessment held on 30th June at Tranmere Alliance Community Hall substituted the last UCG meeting, Karen Stratford has completed a report on the views given about the key themes discussed from the Together Delivery Plan, if you want any further information contact Together on 649 1690. The new Community Engagement Officer is starting on 5th Sept. Next Together Residents Group meeting will be held in October at Tranmere Alliance Community Hall, date to be confirmed.
Resident Group Reports
Lees Ave - Sure Start are moving into Rock Ferry Primary
School this month. This is going to put an extra
strain on the parking in the area especially at school
drop off and pick up times. Council have not taken
any of their solutions on board to date, Ian
Ramsden (Technical Services) has visited but not at
peak time.
- 116 properties - 89 can park – 27 can not
- Primary School 15 spaces – 6 for Sure Start -51 will not have spaces to park
- Whitfield Street RG They have a similar parking problem with
visitors/staff of Tranmere Community Project
Neighbourhood Wardens - Reports of bogus ‘Tree Surgeons’ coning money from people (white van red lettering) - police need their descriptions.
Alleygates for Between the Parks area will start in August.
Any Other Business
Expert Patient Programme – The NHS are running courses to help long term patients manage living with their illness’ more effectively. The first of these will start on 7th Sept. at Tranmere Alliance Community Hall, if you or anyone you know is interested in taking part contact Lisa on 651 3865
Streetcage Soccer – New activity being offered for local young people during the Summer Holidays by Together and Tranmere Alliance, contact Wendy Hartley on 644 1100.
Date of next meeting:
Thursday 9th Sept 2005 10.30am Prospect House
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Liverpool Echo Story Aug 5th 2005
The following story was run in the Liverpool Echo on the 5th of August after Echo journalist Sam Lister visited the area with a photographer. It is reprinted without amendment.
Homes to be razed in £52m facelift
Aug 5 2005
By Sam Lister, Liverpool Echo
HOUSES in a run-down community will be wiped out after two thirds were condemned unfit for habitation. Around 50 homes in Tranmere have been earmarked for demolition. Many have not been occupied for more than a decade and have major structural problems. They will be cleared, along with shops, as part of the £52m Housing Market Renewal Initiative. Planners then want to turn the area into an "urban village". Although residents are behind the plans they have objected to some of the homes being bulldozed.
James Kay, chairman of Tranmere Residents Association Church Road East, (Trace) said:
"Some of the homes don't need demolishing. They've had thousands spent on them and many of the owners have lived there for years. We're all for the Church Road front being pulled down but in some of the other areas it's totally unnecessary.
They'll have to spend around £100,000 of taxpayers' money on buying each of them, then rebuild them when all they have to do is spend a little money on renovations. The system is also unfairly skewed against older people. Many of the couples have paid off their mortgages and are too old to get a new one so it will be difficult for them to move into somewhere as nice as the homes they've spent years doing up."
The plan would also see 35 shops pulled down along with six other business units. A new town centre would then be built with 4,600sq m of retail and office space and 133 new homes.
Ward Cllr Phil Davies said:
"The transformation will be tremendous. Everybody is agreed on the fact regeneration is needed, some of the buildings are in a terrible state. "We've agreed to meet the residents to listen to their concerns and will try to reach a conclusion where everyone is happy. "The problem is, much of the money to finance this depends on clearance and redevelopment."
samlister@liverpoolecho.co.uk 0151 472 2488
Homes to be razed in £52m facelift
Aug 5 2005
By Sam Lister, Liverpool Echo
HOUSES in a run-down community will be wiped out after two thirds were condemned unfit for habitation. Around 50 homes in Tranmere have been earmarked for demolition. Many have not been occupied for more than a decade and have major structural problems. They will be cleared, along with shops, as part of the £52m Housing Market Renewal Initiative. Planners then want to turn the area into an "urban village". Although residents are behind the plans they have objected to some of the homes being bulldozed.
James Kay, chairman of Tranmere Residents Association Church Road East, (Trace) said:
"Some of the homes don't need demolishing. They've had thousands spent on them and many of the owners have lived there for years. We're all for the Church Road front being pulled down but in some of the other areas it's totally unnecessary.
They'll have to spend around £100,000 of taxpayers' money on buying each of them, then rebuild them when all they have to do is spend a little money on renovations. The system is also unfairly skewed against older people. Many of the couples have paid off their mortgages and are too old to get a new one so it will be difficult for them to move into somewhere as nice as the homes they've spent years doing up."
The plan would also see 35 shops pulled down along with six other business units. A new town centre would then be built with 4,600sq m of retail and office space and 133 new homes.
Ward Cllr Phil Davies said:
"The transformation will be tremendous. Everybody is agreed on the fact regeneration is needed, some of the buildings are in a terrible state. "We've agreed to meet the residents to listen to their concerns and will try to reach a conclusion where everyone is happy. "The problem is, much of the money to finance this depends on clearance and redevelopment."
samlister@liverpoolecho.co.uk 0151 472 2488
Thursday, August 04, 2005
TRACE submission to Housing Select Ctte
This is an excerpt from a submission from TRACE to the Housing and Community Safety Select Committee 26th July Wallasey Town Hall
The submission reflects the views of local residents directly affected by the HMRI and living as it were under its shadow. A petition signed by local residents will be presented at the Select Committee meeting which will confirm their support for the position it advances.
What do local residents in the Church Road Masterplan area think of the proposals?Almost all of the residents consulted by TRACE were in support of the regeneration of Church Road. Many residents took the view that it was long overdue and must go ahead now without any further unnecessary delay. Several of those speaking at our meetings said that they had been involved over many years with previous attempts to establish a “Tranmere Urban Village” and had been greatly disappointed when this did not go ahead in the past. They were very keen that regeneration go ahead this time. This is why the supporting petition calls upon Wirral Council to “continue with their improvement planning” for the Church Road Masterplan.
Does support from local residents for Church Road improvement include support for demolition of homes in the areas behind Church Road against the wishes of those living in them?
No it does not. That is why the petition presented tonight will call on Wirral Council “not to make demolition the only option” for those in the target property zone. Amongst those consulted by TRACE the overwhelming majority were opposed to anyone’s home being demolished against their wishes. Several residents who had been in the previous options one to three at the first stage of consultation, spoke of their relief that their properties were no longer targeted for demolition and of their support for those who were now under the threat. Other residents whose properties are in the targeted 52 properties also spoke eloquently at the meeting.
One resident in Seymour Street explained that she had lived there for many years and had seen the area deteriorate. To be under threat of demolition now just as the area is finally looking like it might be on the way back - was described by her as “cruel”.
Another resident in Thompson Street described the many improvements to her home that had been made over many years. She talked of her home with pride and that it had no need of any further work of improvements. It seems her home was now just in the wrong place. She had got a valuation of her home from a local estate agent that was in the region of £130,000. She had been visited by Council officers who had offered her considerably less than this but still a large amount of public money. She did not understand how it could make any sense to spend public money in this way to buy up and then demolish an attractive sound home and then plan to build a new house to a lower specification and with a smaller garden on the same site.
Another resident higher up in Thompson Street in the target zone described how he moved to the area with his seriously ill wife because he could afford the house, which also had a garden even though it needed quite a lot of renovation work. He has been doing that work at his own expense over the last two years and in the midst of this was visited as part of the NRA.
He and his wife have now been told that their property failed the NRA assessment for the 1985 Housing Act and has been therefore deemed unfit for human habitation. This is despite the fact that he was only part way through renovations when the assessment was made and the work now complete makes the house perfect for his needs and fully compliant with the 30 year standard. He and his wife are very determined not to leave a home they have worked very hard to make their perfect. A picture of their home is given at the top of this article.
James Kay the Chairman of TRACE who lives in 21 Seymour Street recorded an identical experience. A council officer failed this property on the grounds that the internal decorations were substandard after visiting it in the midst of the renovation process. Renovations have now been completed fully at the owner’s expense. This property was scheduled for demolition under the previous options but is now not in the target zone. The new demarcation line for demolition has now been redrawn to end at the edge of number 19 - one property short of number 21.
A resident in Warrington Street spoke at the meeting and explained that he had received conflicting reports on whether his property had need of any structural work. As far as he was concerned it did not need that work. In a previous visit by council officials he had been told that minor settlement had occurred many years previously. Now it seems he has been told that his property needs major structural work. He refutes this but in any case cannot understand how it makes more sense to spend a lot more money knocking down rather than supporting him to improve his home if it does need any more work.
Many others spoke at the meeting against compulsory demolition and could not understand why it was necessary to knock down all these homes in the streets behind the main development area.
What do local residents think should happen instead of compulsory demolition?Local residents believe that people living in the streets behind Church Road shopping area who wish to stay in their homes, should be supported to do so and helped to improve their homes if they are in need of further work to achieve the 1985 Housing Act standard. That is why the petition calls upon Wirral Council to “support residents who want to stay in their own homes and improve them.”
Why should Wirral Council support local residents who want to stay in their homes rather than see them demolished?
§ Because no one should be forced from their homes against their wishes unless the only alternative is a very real community harm. Such harm has not yet even been adequately defined let alone proven.
§ Because the case has not been made yet that the improvements on Church Road depend on the wholesale clearance of streets behind. The developer (Lovell) who is being considered for this work has not been briefed yet to explore a renovation option for these streets. A Lovell senior representative told James Kay during the consultation process that demolition is the only option that the council is considering for the target areas.
§ Because even where structural problems exist they can be dealt with for much less than the cost of demolition. Most houses have received only a cursory examination and before a case is made - for example that they are structurally irreparable - more work should be done involving the residents concerned in making this assessment and considering the various options.
§ Because the Human Rights Act (s8) protects citizens to live peacefully in their homes and protected from arbitrary authority. This right can be overwhelmed under s1 of the Act if there is a compelling public interest in doing so. That ‘public interest’ case should be made and debated before the decision to demolish has to be confronted. Failure to do so before the renovation option is abandoned will leave the authority vulnerable to a successful challenge to the Inspector at the CPO stage and possibly to a legal challenge later.
§ Because demolition is not the only option. Demolition should only be used as a very last resort when all other alternatives have been exhausted. In most cases these alternatives have not even been tried. In other areas affected by HMRIs renovation has now been brought back on the agenda. This has now been done in Liverpool after resident reaction to demolition plans. In Preston imaginative renovations and redesigns have been implemented for much smaller and older terraced blocks than are evident in Tranmere. There is a practical alternative to demolition.
§ Because forcing residents out of their homes will damage community cohesion. Those who most want to stay include many of those who are most active in local community spirit and activity. They have demonstrated already by their campaigning how lively and constructive is the Tranmere community. This spirit should be nourished and encouraged but it is at risk of being soured and demoralised if the Council demonstrates that it is not prepared to keep the renovation option alive.
§ Because forcing owner-occupiers out of their home will worsen the ratio of owned to rented properties. The Council has committed itself to improve the tenure ratios in favour of more owner-occupiers. The current ration percentage is 62:38. After compulsory demolition that ratio will worsen.
§ Because it will effectively discriminate against the elderly. The people most cruelly affected by the plan to demolish properties are those over the age of 55 who even if they wished to do so, cannot take out another mortgage. Many of them will be forced either back into the rented sector or into substandard housing in other low value areas not in the NRA area. This is because they will not be able buy another property in the same condition as their own for the ‘market’ price that Wirral Council will be able to offer them. This older group of people are the backbone of the Tranmere Community and vital to its continuing identity and future cohesion. They are the ones who hold the community memories and will be a very important conduit to the past when the new urban village community takes shape.
§ Because it will worsen inequalities. Those least able to afford the new housing in Tranmere will include those owner-occupiers of all ages whose houses are demolished. They will also be pushed further down the housing ladder. They will be in a similar position to older residents. They will be replaced in Tranmere by those who can afford the entry-level costs – predicted by Lovell to be in the region of £135,000 for the 3 bedroomed properties they are planning for Church Road. Tranmere is at the moment one of the few areas on the Wirral where starter homes exist at prices that people can afford. The net effect of this change will be to widen and not narrow housing inequality in Tranmere.
§ Because it will be a great deal more expensive. Even if the existing owners were to get substantial grants and/or equity loans to make improvements it would still only cost a small portion of the demolition alternative. It is not at all certain that much will need to be spent on the properties where the owners want to stay. Most are adamant that they do not require much improvement and have not had other than cursory examinations by council officers.
This financial imbalance and lack of value for money is worth an extra paragraph. Even according to the papers submitted by the Housing and Regeneration department, the average spend needed to reach the 1985 standard on the target properties is under £30,000 per unit. This is about a third of the cost of demolition and rebuild. TRACE is now asking you “How can the renovation option be swept away at this stage in the face of such obvious cost improvements from a viable alternative?”
§ Because it is the right thing to do at this stage. It will bring local residents and Council officers together into a creative team committed to making a practical success of the improvement plan that the community wants and the area desperately needs.
What action is needed by Wirral Councillors?
You have the overwhelming support of the local residents for the suggested improvements on Church Road but not for compulsory demolition of resident’s homes in the area behind Church Road.
We urge you on behalf of residents in the Church Road Masterplan Area, to keep alive the renovation option where residents wish to stay. This will need a clear message from the Select Committee to the Council’s officers to work with the developers and with local residents to work out how that can be achieved on a block-by-block basis.
TRACE will continue to work with local Council officers and with staff from Tranmere Together to support and represent the views of local residents and to advocate their continued involvement in decisions about their properties
For more information on any of the above please contact
James Kay
TRACE
21 Seymour Street
Tranmere
0151 647 1903
07976 839 054
jameslkay@ntlworld.com
www.tranmereresidents.blogspot.com
Monday, August 01, 2005
Article from the local paper
Dot's dilemma - From the Wirral Globe
WIRRAL mum Dorothy Smith could be saddled with a bill for £27,000 if she wants
to remain in the home she has treasured for the past 30 years. Having paid off the mortgage on the Warrington Street house in Higher Tranmere, Dorothy, 58, was looking forward to a comfortable retirement.
But her dreams were shattered by a call from a local authority structural
engineer surveying the house in connection with a major housing regeneration
plan for the area as part of the Government's multi-million pound Housing
Regeneration Initiative.
Along with many others Dorothy's home could be under threat in plans for a
massive revamp for the neighbourhood. She is adamant that she will fight to
save her property. But following the visit of the engineer she recognises
that she is in a "Catch 22" situation.
She said: "According to him the house needs underpinning at a cost of £27,000.
If I move I will have to take out a mortgage to get a similar house, plus all
the upheaval and distress of moving."
The mother-of-three's plight has been recognised by Wirral Council housing
chief Cllr George Davies, who this week pledged to provide Dorothy with all
the financial advice at the council's disposal.
He said: "Mrs Smith has got quite a conundrum; but if she takes out a new
mortgage and has a shortfall of, say £30,000, the council can provide 'gap'
funding under the terms of the Government initiative.
"If she has financial worries the council can help out."
Dorothy disclosed: "We were told that because the house next door had been
propped up for 15 years the whole street was at risk from subsidence. But my
house doesn't look as if it is subsiding and I am determined to stay.
"My home is worth fighting for and I will fight."
Dorothy has spent hard-earned cash on her home over the years to get it the
way she wanted. The house has been pebble-dashed front and back and all windows are
double-glazed. The toilet, bathroom and kitchen have been re-plastered and ten new internal doors have been fitted. A wrought iron gate and railings add a touch of elegance to the property and a small lawn has been added at the back.
She observed: "I have finally got my home the way I wanted it. It is my little
palace, if you like, but it seems as if all my years of scrimping and saving
to buy these things have been wasted."
Cllr Davies said: "I am convinced that an agreement will be reached which is
acceptable to both Mrs Smith and the local authority. "We have a tremendous record in this respect. We have never yet had to compulsorily purchase anyone's home."
He said that following a neighbourhood open day to test local reaction to the
regeneration scheme, more than 65% of residents had indicated approval for
redevelopment; a further 25% had expressed approval with reservations and
less than 9% were against the scheme.
WIRRAL mum Dorothy Smith could be saddled with a bill for £27,000 if she wants
to remain in the home she has treasured for the past 30 years. Having paid off the mortgage on the Warrington Street house in Higher Tranmere, Dorothy, 58, was looking forward to a comfortable retirement.
But her dreams were shattered by a call from a local authority structural
engineer surveying the house in connection with a major housing regeneration
plan for the area as part of the Government's multi-million pound Housing
Regeneration Initiative.
Along with many others Dorothy's home could be under threat in plans for a
massive revamp for the neighbourhood. She is adamant that she will fight to
save her property. But following the visit of the engineer she recognises
that she is in a "Catch 22" situation.
She said: "According to him the house needs underpinning at a cost of £27,000.
If I move I will have to take out a mortgage to get a similar house, plus all
the upheaval and distress of moving."
The mother-of-three's plight has been recognised by Wirral Council housing
chief Cllr George Davies, who this week pledged to provide Dorothy with all
the financial advice at the council's disposal.
He said: "Mrs Smith has got quite a conundrum; but if she takes out a new
mortgage and has a shortfall of, say £30,000, the council can provide 'gap'
funding under the terms of the Government initiative.
"If she has financial worries the council can help out."
Dorothy disclosed: "We were told that because the house next door had been
propped up for 15 years the whole street was at risk from subsidence. But my
house doesn't look as if it is subsiding and I am determined to stay.
"My home is worth fighting for and I will fight."
Dorothy has spent hard-earned cash on her home over the years to get it the
way she wanted. The house has been pebble-dashed front and back and all windows are
double-glazed. The toilet, bathroom and kitchen have been re-plastered and ten new internal doors have been fitted. A wrought iron gate and railings add a touch of elegance to the property and a small lawn has been added at the back.
She observed: "I have finally got my home the way I wanted it. It is my little
palace, if you like, but it seems as if all my years of scrimping and saving
to buy these things have been wasted."
Cllr Davies said: "I am convinced that an agreement will be reached which is
acceptable to both Mrs Smith and the local authority. "We have a tremendous record in this respect. We have never yet had to compulsorily purchase anyone's home."
He said that following a neighbourhood open day to test local reaction to the
regeneration scheme, more than 65% of residents had indicated approval for
redevelopment; a further 25% had expressed approval with reservations and
less than 9% were against the scheme.
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