Here's a paper I saw today published by Liverpool University. It is on the themes of regeneration, community engagement and social exlcusion and here is what it says about itself in the introduction ...
Merseyside Social Inclusion Observatory (MSIO) has produced a research report that offers a detailed insight into the extent to which ‘socially excluded’ communities, including Black and Racial Minority (BRM) communities, are able to engage with the development and regeneration policy initiatives at local area / neighbourhood level.
It is an 8 page report in .pdf format. It is written reasonably clearly although there is a mixture of bureaucrat speak and plain English. The plain English comes in the quotes from residents and the bureaucrat speak comes whenever the researchers are 'analysing' what the residents have said. Here's an example of both, which as far as I can see means exactly the same; it's just that the bureaucrat needed twice as many words to 'explain' what the resident had said.
Resident said ...
‘If they’d start from the point of view of saying ‘We want to… what do YOU think?’ and take it from there, we’d have better outcomes. They’d be upfront about their intentions and we’d know from the start what we were dealing with.’
Bureaucrat's analysis of the above ...
(v) Defining the parameters of community engagement
A further joint message to emerge was a need for local delivery agents to be clear as to the parameters of community engagement in respect of policy development and implementation and for this to be communicated at the earliest opportunity to individuals and communities being targeted in order to help define realistic expectations of the outcomes of consultation and participation.
Oh dear!
Anyhow if you want to see the whole report it is the following URL
http://www.liv.ac.uk/civdes/msio/Briefing_Papers/Briefing_Paper_7_-_HMRI.pdf
Monday, February 19, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Health issues - breast screening
This is the first of a series of posts to the blog about health issues which affect people in Tranmere - thanks to Lin Danher at the NHS Primary Care Trust. (PCT)
Breast screening provides an opportunity for women to be assured that they do not have any of the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Every year some women find that they have small lumps that they would not have noticed if they had not attended for their breast screening appointment. This then allows them to get prompt treatment and have excellent chances of a full recovery.
The PCT recently carried out a project to try to increase breast screening uptake in areas of Wirral where it was low. Women who had not taken up the offer of attending for breast screening were sent a questionnaire. The womens feedback was used to design new posters and promotional materials, new invitation letters and various small changes were made to the way the service was provided. Interviews on radio were also given and PCT staff visited womens groups to try to explain the process for breast screening, answer any questions and motivate as many women as possible to attend when they received their appointment.
Evaluation of the project found that so much was already being done to encourage women to attend (such as provision of public transport information, ability to claim back travel expenses, ability to change appointments to any time to suit) that the most likely reason for women to have not attended was a fatalistic attitude to developing cancer.
A lot of women felt that getting cancer was down to chance and therefore, they would rather not know. Of course this is not true as some people are more likely to develop cancer than others and screening aims to pick up very early signs and symptoms which could not be detected just through self examination. Once detected early, the chances of treatment leading to a full recovery are very high whereas the longer breast cancer is left untreated, the poorer the outcome is likely to be.
The survey found out that women were embarrassed about taking off their clothes in front of others. Now invitation letters sent to women explain that they will be dealt with by female staff and their dignity and confidentiality is respected.
If you would like more information about breast screening, how it works in your area and how to examine yourself - go to talk to your GP.
Breast screening provides an opportunity for women to be assured that they do not have any of the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Every year some women find that they have small lumps that they would not have noticed if they had not attended for their breast screening appointment. This then allows them to get prompt treatment and have excellent chances of a full recovery.
The PCT recently carried out a project to try to increase breast screening uptake in areas of Wirral where it was low. Women who had not taken up the offer of attending for breast screening were sent a questionnaire. The womens feedback was used to design new posters and promotional materials, new invitation letters and various small changes were made to the way the service was provided. Interviews on radio were also given and PCT staff visited womens groups to try to explain the process for breast screening, answer any questions and motivate as many women as possible to attend when they received their appointment.
Evaluation of the project found that so much was already being done to encourage women to attend (such as provision of public transport information, ability to claim back travel expenses, ability to change appointments to any time to suit) that the most likely reason for women to have not attended was a fatalistic attitude to developing cancer.
A lot of women felt that getting cancer was down to chance and therefore, they would rather not know. Of course this is not true as some people are more likely to develop cancer than others and screening aims to pick up very early signs and symptoms which could not be detected just through self examination. Once detected early, the chances of treatment leading to a full recovery are very high whereas the longer breast cancer is left untreated, the poorer the outcome is likely to be.
The survey found out that women were embarrassed about taking off their clothes in front of others. Now invitation letters sent to women explain that they will be dealt with by female staff and their dignity and confidentiality is respected.
If you would like more information about breast screening, how it works in your area and how to examine yourself - go to talk to your GP.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Lees Residents Newsletter Feb 07
Volume 5 No 7 February 2007
Thanks to Malcolm for sending this out.
No 37 and 39 Howson Street
At long last, after 5 years of letter writing and a lot of help from your M.P. Frank Field and your local councillors, work has finally begun on renovating the two eyesores in Howson Street. When the work has been completed, the properties will be sold, hopefully to owner occupiers who will maintain them in the condition they will be brought to by the contractors carrying out the work.
Funding Success
We have successfully applied to The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund for funding to carry on the Kangoo exercise classes on a Monday and Wednesday evenings for a further twelve months. The total sum awarded was £4,320.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the staff of Tranmere Alliance for their assistance in completing the application forms. Without their help the application may not have succeeded. Thank you all at Tranmere Alliance, in particular Stephanie Reid.
The kangoo classes are proving to be a great success, they are good fun, an excellent form of low impact exercise and ideal for weight loss. So why not come along and have a go? You never know you may like it. The classes are held on Monday nights from 7pm until 8pm and Wednesday nights from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.
If you are interested in having a go, please call 07977 111 697 to pre book your boots and avoid disappointment.
BBQ - last chance to book
Every property in the area received a flyer advertising the planned Association barbecue for the May Bank Holiday Sunday. You were asked to fill in the tear off strip at the bottom of the flyer and push it through No19 Lees Avenue if you wanted to attend. Regrettably, the response has been somewhat disappointing. So I have been asked to re-advertise the event in this newsletter. If you want to go to the barbecue, please write down your name, address, the ages and the numbers wishing to attend and push it through the door of 19 Lees Avenue. If there are insufficient numbers wishing to attend then unfortunately we will have to cancel the event. You have until Monday to do this, the event will not be re advertised.
Next Meeting.
The next meeting will be held in the school sports barn on Thursday 8th February at 7.30pm. Please come along and tell us what you want for your area. We need your input to improve things, so come along and have your say.
The next meeting will be held in the school sports barn on Thursday 8th February at 7.30pm. Please come along and tell us what you want for your area. We need your input to improve things, so come along and have your say.
As usual there will be free tea, coffee and biscuits available to anyone who wants to have them.contractors carrying out the work.
Friday, February 02, 2007
New Housing signs to go up in Tranmere
This is an example of signs that are to go up in Tranmere over the next few weeks.
There are two very similar designs. This one will be used near Holt Hill and on the Abakan site.
A similar one which just says "New Housing Development" will go up at Hillside Court and Whitford Road. The artwork has now been approved by the various partners - see the HMRI notes below for a note of our grumbling about these delays a few weeks ago.
I am told that the signs are 4ft x 3ft and along Church Road these will be placed as chevrons (2 signs together at an angle so that pedestrians and traffic in both directions can see them clearly.
What do you think?
Bebington Dramatic Shortlisted for Award
Bebington Dramatic Society have been shortlisted for the 'Best Play' award at the forthcoming annual National Association of Drama Associations (NODA) award dinner at Blackpool's Hilton Hotel. Many of the cast and backstage team will be at the award ceremony in May to cheer on their Director Nick Sample for his great work with the play Accrington Pals.
If you want to see some still photographs of the play and read some of the great reviews it got - go to http://www.bebingtondramaticsociety.co.uk/Accrington%20pals%202006.htm
Or you might want to have a look at the next BDS production at the Gladstone Theatre in the first week of March. It is Alan Bennett's The Madness of King George the 111rd and it's going to be excellent - which I know of course because I am in it!
Seriously it is well worth a trip to the Gladstone. Go to
http://www.bebingtondramaticsociety.co.uk/Madness%20of%20King%20George.htm
for more information about the play dates and tickets.
If you want to see some still photographs of the play and read some of the great reviews it got - go to http://www.bebingtondramaticsociety.co.uk/Accrington%20pals%202006.htm
Or you might want to have a look at the next BDS production at the Gladstone Theatre in the first week of March. It is Alan Bennett's The Madness of King George the 111rd and it's going to be excellent - which I know of course because I am in it!
Seriously it is well worth a trip to the Gladstone. Go to
http://www.bebingtondramaticsociety.co.uk/Madness%20of%20King%20George.htm
for more information about the play dates and tickets.
Is this a typo - or did she really mean it?
The award for most entertaining typo goes to Lorraine at Together who sent out the recent report on Children and Young People in Tranmere and Rock Ferry (see below) in an email which said ...
Dear Colleagues
>
> Apologise for any incontinence I may have caused but the Children and
> Young Peoples plan that I sent to you on 1st Feb was not complete. I
> have attached the relevant one for the Children and Young Peoples
> Thematic Group meeting on Tuesday 6th Feb 3pm, Lairdside room, Royal
> Standard House.
Some of these documents are quite distrubing but I was surprised to see that they had that sort of impact!
Thanks to John Chesworth for pointing this out.
Dear Colleagues
>
> Apologise for any incontinence I may have caused but the Children and
> Young Peoples plan that I sent to you on 1st Feb was not complete. I
> have attached the relevant one for the Children and Young Peoples
> Thematic Group meeting on Tuesday 6th Feb 3pm, Lairdside room, Royal
> Standard House.
Some of these documents are quite distrubing but I was surprised to see that they had that sort of impact!
Thanks to John Chesworth for pointing this out.
What young people think about Tranmere
This a quote from a new strategy document from Together. It is from the proposed CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S PLAN FOR TRANMERE AND ROCK FERRY 2007 - 2011.
If you want the full document - 18 pages long but actually quite interesting - email me on jameslkay@ntlworld.com and I will send it to you. After some chilling statistics about the high levels of deprivation that affect the 5,500 children and young people aged between 0-19 who live in the Tranmere/Rock Ferry area, the report goes on to document what some of these children have themselves told the researchers.
" Children have told us that they like living in the area and generally find people in the area friendly. They like being near the shops in Birkenhead and they use the local facilities, especially the swimming pools and the football cages. Children in the Bedford Drive area appreciated the local parks (Victoria and Mersey) and are aware of attractions further afield, eg the museums in Wirral and Liverpool. Many of them used local clubs and activities. They feel safe in the area during the day and when they are with their parents but they do not feel safe in the evenings.
Most of their immediate concerns revolve around not feeling safe in the evenings and about the rubbish including broken glass left lying in public places and the parks; about drug dealing in the area (primary age children reported that they had seen this happening); about being bullied; and about teenagers being drunk and behaving in a threatening manner. Young Moslem children felt particularly intimidated by young men who called them names and threw stones. In a survey of young people in Victoria and Mersey parks in 2006, two-thirds said that the streets are dangerous and 7 out of 10 felt that young people hanging around drinking alcohol is a serious problem in Tranmere. They are also concerned about cars speeding on the main roads although they appreciated the traffic calming measures in the side roads. Teenagers are concerned that the police are interpreting their Section 30 powers too rigidly and breaking up small groups of young people who are doing no harm.
They are aware of what is meant by a healthy lifestyle and healthy food. They are concerned that healthy food often appears to be more expensive than less healthy alternatives. They enjoy games and sports and would like more opportunities to play football, netball, badminton, skateboarding and so on, and to take part in dance and drama activities. They asked for toilets in Mersey and Victoria Parks.
They would like to see the area cleaner with fewer outlets for the sale of alcohol; more security (specifically more police and CCTV) and better lighting; and more sports facilities close to the area. Teenagers asked for an attractive and stylish coffee shop preferably with internet facilities."
quote ends ...
If you want the full document - 18 pages long but actually quite interesting - email me on jameslkay@ntlworld.com and I will send it to you. After some chilling statistics about the high levels of deprivation that affect the 5,500 children and young people aged between 0-19 who live in the Tranmere/Rock Ferry area, the report goes on to document what some of these children have themselves told the researchers.
" Children have told us that they like living in the area and generally find people in the area friendly. They like being near the shops in Birkenhead and they use the local facilities, especially the swimming pools and the football cages. Children in the Bedford Drive area appreciated the local parks (Victoria and Mersey) and are aware of attractions further afield, eg the museums in Wirral and Liverpool. Many of them used local clubs and activities. They feel safe in the area during the day and when they are with their parents but they do not feel safe in the evenings.
Most of their immediate concerns revolve around not feeling safe in the evenings and about the rubbish including broken glass left lying in public places and the parks; about drug dealing in the area (primary age children reported that they had seen this happening); about being bullied; and about teenagers being drunk and behaving in a threatening manner. Young Moslem children felt particularly intimidated by young men who called them names and threw stones. In a survey of young people in Victoria and Mersey parks in 2006, two-thirds said that the streets are dangerous and 7 out of 10 felt that young people hanging around drinking alcohol is a serious problem in Tranmere. They are also concerned about cars speeding on the main roads although they appreciated the traffic calming measures in the side roads. Teenagers are concerned that the police are interpreting their Section 30 powers too rigidly and breaking up small groups of young people who are doing no harm.
They are aware of what is meant by a healthy lifestyle and healthy food. They are concerned that healthy food often appears to be more expensive than less healthy alternatives. They enjoy games and sports and would like more opportunities to play football, netball, badminton, skateboarding and so on, and to take part in dance and drama activities. They asked for toilets in Mersey and Victoria Parks.
They would like to see the area cleaner with fewer outlets for the sale of alcohol; more security (specifically more police and CCTV) and better lighting; and more sports facilities close to the area. Teenagers asked for an attractive and stylish coffee shop preferably with internet facilities."
quote ends ...
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Minutes of January HMRI meeting
These are the minutes from the latest meeting of the HMRI consultation meeting held in the Together offices on the 10th January 2007. The most disappointing part of these mintes - see highlights below - is that there are again delays. This means that the earliest projected date for starting building on the Abakan site is now September 07 and it could well be later than that.
In the minutes below I have deleted the numbering from the original minutes but left the text intact. Where I have added a comment I have highlighted my comment in bold - like this.
Present
Hazel Roberts Together
James Kay TRACE
John Steele Together
Bruce Lister Lovell
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance
Lesley Gibbons Together
Cllr Phil Davies Wirral Council
James Hurley Wirral Council
Emma Foley Wirral Council
Apologies
Chris Bowen Wirral Council
Jill Quayle TCP
Anne Keggin TCP
Minutes of Last Meeting
Agreed. There were no matters arising.
HMRI Programme Update
JH advised that due to additional funding received by the North West Development Agency (NWDA), further acquisitions on Church Road have been able to be agreed including the gym and SRT Motorcycles premises.
Development Update
BL reported on the development timetable. It is hoped that the outline planning application will be submitted next week. This has been delayed from just before Christmas due to the need for further clarification from the planning department about the procedure for making working amendments to the application once it has been submitted. It has also been delayed to continue negotiations with local property owners.
JK asked how long it would take to make a decision once the application has gone in. JH said that 13 weeks is the usual timescale for applications of this scale. Cllr. Davies suggested speaking to the Planning Department to see if it was possible to fast-track the application. EF commented that the amount of documentation supporting the application is considerably higher than for most planning applications, and would consequently take longer to process.
JK was keen to influence the time frame and asked if there was any other ways of speeding up the process. BL said that once the outline application has been submitted, if early feedback is positive, then it may be possible to start work on the detailed design for the scheme – even before a formal decision has been reached on the outline planning application. BL said the revised start date was now looking like September. (Highlighted in this blog only)
Project Update
JH said there have been a number of meetings on 15th November 2006, with surveyors from Legat Owen acting on behalf of Atmore, with Hursts, the Chemist, Hairdresser and Post Office. Further meetings would be beneficial with a couple of other retailers.
It was agreed that Atmore appeared to be cautious in their approach to the Co-op and it was difficult to open negotiations at this early stage in the development process. JK said that if it is likely to take 6 months to negotiate an agreement, we should be opening negotiations now.
JS said that he and HR were planning to visit a convenience store in the Beechwood Estate which he believed to be considerably cheaper than the Co-op.
JH reported that at the meeting on 15th November all the retailers in attendance seemed to indicate that the rental figures suggested were reasonable.
JK asked when the Waterloo Bathrooms building would be coming down. JH confirmed that their lease was due to expire on 31st March, but they may move sooner, subject to fitting out their new premises. EF said that service disconnections couldn’t be organised until we have vacant possession of the building, [JK comment - So we could be looking at May/June before the buildings are demolished. [this blog added the comment]
EF reported that demolition contractor is currently on site in Thompson Street and that the vacant properties would be coming down over the next 4 weeks.
It was reported that some old furniture had been dumped in the front of a property in Seymour Street. EF said that the Environmental Warden Scheme has been set up to provide a fast response to such issues in the Church Road area; while their number has been widely published it would be useful to remind residents. Their phone number is 638 5888 and residents are urged to use the service. If problems persist EF will invite Dave Morrell, the Wardens Manager, to the next meeting.
JS said he had seen pigeons flying into 30/32 Seymour Street. EF said she would follow it up with the Empty Property Team.
EF said that letters had been sent out to all eligible properties who were eligible for a 50/50 improvement grant. Out of almost 50 properties, 30 possible responses have been received. Dave Newman will be visiting people in their homes over the coming weeks to get a more accurate picture of the likely grant take-up for budget planning purposes.
It was agreed by all that site signage would improve local morale and confidence in the scheme and needed to be actioned as a priority. Cllr. Davies suggested a target to get them erected before the next meeting. EF will do everything possible to organise this.
A.O.B
HR asked EF to find out in time for the next meeting what has happened to the CCTV which used to be on the Post Office.
EF mentioned the Strictly Regeneration Awards for successful regeneration projects, and asked if anyone would like to be on the Judging Panel to represent Wirral, to let her know.
The Art Regeneration Project has been a great success with over 400 local residents getting involved. An Exhibition to view the work will be held at 35-37 Church Road from 1st-3rd February, but all present were invited to a private viewing on Thursday 25th January, 6:15-8pm.
Cllr. Davies asked if progress had been made finding alternative premises for AJ Motors. HR said there have been problems with AJ Motors causing a nuisance to adjacent residents for years. All residents present agreed that the proximity of a garage business to houses and shops must not be replicated in the new scheme, especially not the Abakhan Site where the new retail units and bungalows are to be sited. JH said that the Council would be undertaking an Options Appraisal process to try to resolve the issue of relocating AJ Motors as soon as possible.
Date and Time of Next Meeting
Wednesday 7th March at 2pm.
In the minutes below I have deleted the numbering from the original minutes but left the text intact. Where I have added a comment I have highlighted my comment in bold - like this.
Present
Hazel Roberts Together
James Kay TRACE
John Steele Together
Bruce Lister Lovell
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance
Lesley Gibbons Together
Cllr Phil Davies Wirral Council
James Hurley Wirral Council
Emma Foley Wirral Council
Apologies
Chris Bowen Wirral Council
Jill Quayle TCP
Anne Keggin TCP
Minutes of Last Meeting
Agreed. There were no matters arising.
HMRI Programme Update
JH advised that due to additional funding received by the North West Development Agency (NWDA), further acquisitions on Church Road have been able to be agreed including the gym and SRT Motorcycles premises.
Development Update
BL reported on the development timetable. It is hoped that the outline planning application will be submitted next week. This has been delayed from just before Christmas due to the need for further clarification from the planning department about the procedure for making working amendments to the application once it has been submitted. It has also been delayed to continue negotiations with local property owners.
JK asked how long it would take to make a decision once the application has gone in. JH said that 13 weeks is the usual timescale for applications of this scale. Cllr. Davies suggested speaking to the Planning Department to see if it was possible to fast-track the application. EF commented that the amount of documentation supporting the application is considerably higher than for most planning applications, and would consequently take longer to process.
JK was keen to influence the time frame and asked if there was any other ways of speeding up the process. BL said that once the outline application has been submitted, if early feedback is positive, then it may be possible to start work on the detailed design for the scheme – even before a formal decision has been reached on the outline planning application. BL said the revised start date was now looking like September. (Highlighted in this blog only)
Project Update
JH said there have been a number of meetings on 15th November 2006, with surveyors from Legat Owen acting on behalf of Atmore, with Hursts, the Chemist, Hairdresser and Post Office. Further meetings would be beneficial with a couple of other retailers.
It was agreed that Atmore appeared to be cautious in their approach to the Co-op and it was difficult to open negotiations at this early stage in the development process. JK said that if it is likely to take 6 months to negotiate an agreement, we should be opening negotiations now.
JS said that he and HR were planning to visit a convenience store in the Beechwood Estate which he believed to be considerably cheaper than the Co-op.
JH reported that at the meeting on 15th November all the retailers in attendance seemed to indicate that the rental figures suggested were reasonable.
JK asked when the Waterloo Bathrooms building would be coming down. JH confirmed that their lease was due to expire on 31st March, but they may move sooner, subject to fitting out their new premises. EF said that service disconnections couldn’t be organised until we have vacant possession of the building, [JK comment - So we could be looking at May/June before the buildings are demolished. [this blog added the comment]
EF reported that demolition contractor is currently on site in Thompson Street and that the vacant properties would be coming down over the next 4 weeks.
It was reported that some old furniture had been dumped in the front of a property in Seymour Street. EF said that the Environmental Warden Scheme has been set up to provide a fast response to such issues in the Church Road area; while their number has been widely published it would be useful to remind residents. Their phone number is 638 5888 and residents are urged to use the service. If problems persist EF will invite Dave Morrell, the Wardens Manager, to the next meeting.
JS said he had seen pigeons flying into 30/32 Seymour Street. EF said she would follow it up with the Empty Property Team.
EF said that letters had been sent out to all eligible properties who were eligible for a 50/50 improvement grant. Out of almost 50 properties, 30 possible responses have been received. Dave Newman will be visiting people in their homes over the coming weeks to get a more accurate picture of the likely grant take-up for budget planning purposes.
It was agreed by all that site signage would improve local morale and confidence in the scheme and needed to be actioned as a priority. Cllr. Davies suggested a target to get them erected before the next meeting. EF will do everything possible to organise this.
A.O.B
HR asked EF to find out in time for the next meeting what has happened to the CCTV which used to be on the Post Office.
EF mentioned the Strictly Regeneration Awards for successful regeneration projects, and asked if anyone would like to be on the Judging Panel to represent Wirral, to let her know.
The Art Regeneration Project has been a great success with over 400 local residents getting involved. An Exhibition to view the work will be held at 35-37 Church Road from 1st-3rd February, but all present were invited to a private viewing on Thursday 25th January, 6:15-8pm.
Cllr. Davies asked if progress had been made finding alternative premises for AJ Motors. HR said there have been problems with AJ Motors causing a nuisance to adjacent residents for years. All residents present agreed that the proximity of a garage business to houses and shops must not be replicated in the new scheme, especially not the Abakhan Site where the new retail units and bungalows are to be sited. JH said that the Council would be undertaking an Options Appraisal process to try to resolve the issue of relocating AJ Motors as soon as possible.
Date and Time of Next Meeting
Wednesday 7th March at 2pm.
Tranmere Alliance February Bash
Friday 23rd February 2007
7.30pm until midnight The Gladstone Liberal Club Church Road, Tranmere
Tickets £4 each from:
Tranmere Alliance Advice Centre,225 Church Road, Tranmere 0151 644 1100
Credit Union, 172 Bedford Road, Rock Ferry 0151 645 2111
Prospect House, 175 Church Road, Tranmere 0151 644 7002
Prenton Residents Partnership, Dickens Avenue,off Prenton Dell Road, Prenton 0151 608 0077
Credit Union, 172 Bedford Road, Rock Ferry 0151 645 2111
Prospect House, 175 Church Road, Tranmere 0151 644 7002
Prenton Residents Partnership, Dickens Avenue,off Prenton Dell Road, Prenton 0151 608 0077
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
New Course! Neighbourhoods on the move
Have a look at this from Steph Reid at Tranmere Alliance
Hello all. Have just received details of this course which seems to fit the bill in being useful to yourselves. Please let me know if you are interested and I can give them a call.
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance 644 1100
-----Original Message-----
From: Site Administrator On behalf of b.watson@traffordhall.com
Sent: 05 December 2006 15:24
To: communitydevelopment@tranmerealliance.org.uk
Subject: New Course! Neighbourhoods on the move
Neighbourhoods on the move - "What's in the white paper?" 22-24 January 2007
Trainers Partners in Change
The Government has now published its plans to reshape local government. It says it amounts to 'a new settlement between central government, local government and citizens' with stronger council leadership and more say for communities. There are changes in how councils are run, and steps to strengthen citizen involvement in decisions, with new opportunities for empowered community bodies ' Tenant Management Organisations, parish councils and community groups'
So what are these changes and how can community and neighbourhood groups prepare to make the most of them?
This course will
· Explain all the changes promised in the white paper
· Give you a chance to ask questions, especially about neighbourhood and tenant management and how the changes might give new powers to these groups
· Consider how and why to set up or develop a front-line council often called a parish council but now to have an enhanced role to go with the new name
· Point you in the right direction to get more support in future. This is a big subject. The course will be tailored to meet the needs of participants. Make sure you tell us what you are looking for and we will try to give you the answers to your questions.
For more information or to request a booking form please contact Lesley Donovan on 01244 300 246 or amill.donovan@traffordhall.com
Hello all. Have just received details of this course which seems to fit the bill in being useful to yourselves. Please let me know if you are interested and I can give them a call.
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance 644 1100
-----Original Message-----
From: Site Administrator On behalf of b.watson@traffordhall.com
Sent: 05 December 2006 15:24
To: communitydevelopment@tranmerealliance.org.uk
Subject: New Course! Neighbourhoods on the move
Neighbourhoods on the move - "What's in the white paper?" 22-24 January 2007
Trainers Partners in Change
The Government has now published its plans to reshape local government. It says it amounts to 'a new settlement between central government, local government and citizens' with stronger council leadership and more say for communities. There are changes in how councils are run, and steps to strengthen citizen involvement in decisions, with new opportunities for empowered community bodies ' Tenant Management Organisations, parish councils and community groups'
So what are these changes and how can community and neighbourhood groups prepare to make the most of them?
This course will
· Explain all the changes promised in the white paper
· Give you a chance to ask questions, especially about neighbourhood and tenant management and how the changes might give new powers to these groups
· Consider how and why to set up or develop a front-line council often called a parish council but now to have an enhanced role to go with the new name
· Point you in the right direction to get more support in future. This is a big subject. The course will be tailored to meet the needs of participants. Make sure you tell us what you are looking for and we will try to give you the answers to your questions.
For more information or to request a booking form please contact Lesley Donovan on 01244 300 246 or amill.donovan@traffordhall.com
Fuel Poverty Newsletter
Thanks to Steph Reid from Tranmere Alliance for a copy of the Fuel Poverty newsletter which can be found at the following link. It might take a little while to download.
http://www.wirral.gov.uk/atoz/documents/Fuel%20Poverty%20Newsletter%20Dec06.pdf
I have reprinted below the local news from this newsletter.
Review The Strategy!
The fourth Wirral Fuel Poverty Forum will include a full review of the Wirral Affordable Warmth Strategy with the assistance of NEA (National Energy Action) and we would like your views on how the Strategy should be delivered over the next three years. This will take us up to the Government’s first fuel poverty eradication target of 2010 amongst vulnerable households and so it is a crucial time for everyone involved in affordable warmth.
Wirral have made great strides since the local Affordable Warmth Strategy was launched in 2004 and more households than ever are being assisted in making their energy bills more affordable. However, with the steep rise in average fuel bills over the past few years, it is estimated that a million extra households nationally are now in fuel poverty compared with 2003.
The Forum is taking place on Tuesday 5th December 2006, 9.30am – 12.30pm at Wallasey Town Hall. A complimentary buffet lunch will follow.
Rock Ferry - High Profile Take-up Campaign Begins
Rock Ferry is being targeted throughout November and December for a high profile energy efficiency take-up campaign. A Cosy Homes road show was held outside the One-Stop Shop on 22nd November where the Council’s insulation partner, APS Limited, and Merseyside Energy Efficiency Advice Centre were on hand to provide information and to book residents in for insulation surveys. The road show was preceded by a mail-shot of around 1700 Rock Ferry homes to promote Cosy Homes and will be followed with door-to-door visits to talk to residents about the initiative.
Rock Ferry was chosen for the campaign due to the low take-up of Cosy Homes grants compared to other areas and its high prevalence of fuel poverty. If you would like any further information or would like to assist in getting the message out to households in Rock Ferry, please telephone Kate Alcock at Energy Projects Plus on 0151 637 3674
http://www.wirral.gov.uk/atoz/documents/Fuel%20Poverty%20Newsletter%20Dec06.pdf
I have reprinted below the local news from this newsletter.
Review The Strategy!
The fourth Wirral Fuel Poverty Forum will include a full review of the Wirral Affordable Warmth Strategy with the assistance of NEA (National Energy Action) and we would like your views on how the Strategy should be delivered over the next three years. This will take us up to the Government’s first fuel poverty eradication target of 2010 amongst vulnerable households and so it is a crucial time for everyone involved in affordable warmth.
Wirral have made great strides since the local Affordable Warmth Strategy was launched in 2004 and more households than ever are being assisted in making their energy bills more affordable. However, with the steep rise in average fuel bills over the past few years, it is estimated that a million extra households nationally are now in fuel poverty compared with 2003.
The Forum is taking place on Tuesday 5th December 2006, 9.30am – 12.30pm at Wallasey Town Hall. A complimentary buffet lunch will follow.
Rock Ferry - High Profile Take-up Campaign Begins
Rock Ferry is being targeted throughout November and December for a high profile energy efficiency take-up campaign. A Cosy Homes road show was held outside the One-Stop Shop on 22nd November where the Council’s insulation partner, APS Limited, and Merseyside Energy Efficiency Advice Centre were on hand to provide information and to book residents in for insulation surveys. The road show was preceded by a mail-shot of around 1700 Rock Ferry homes to promote Cosy Homes and will be followed with door-to-door visits to talk to residents about the initiative.
Rock Ferry was chosen for the campaign due to the low take-up of Cosy Homes grants compared to other areas and its high prevalence of fuel poverty. If you would like any further information or would like to assist in getting the message out to households in Rock Ferry, please telephone Kate Alcock at Energy Projects Plus on 0151 637 3674
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Baskets and pots pinched
I have had a couple of comments about stolen hanging baskets and pots. Mine (that is the one pot that the council left for me) was stolen within about 5 days and so it seems were others. Anyone else had the same experience?
I caught someone last year trying to pinch a hanging basket from my front door. I chased him down the street and traded punches outside the post office before he ran off. I got the basket but I don't think he intended to use the basket for his own home.
He was just drunk and being stupid.
I caught someone last year trying to pinch a hanging basket from my front door. I chased him down the street and traded punches outside the post office before he ran off. I got the basket but I don't think he intended to use the basket for his own home.
He was just drunk and being stupid.
Wirral Waters - Peel Holdings
Peel Holdings have now established an amazing web site with tons of data on their proposed £4.5bn development in Birkenhead docks. The website shows they are serious about this development which they claim will create 27,000 jobs. Bring it on!
Here is a sample of the graphics on this site.
Housing sales in Wirral - graphs' source
I have had a couple of requests from blog readers to post the contact information for the source of the two housing sales graphs below. They came from the following paper.
A Market in Two Halves – Enhancing Housing Intelligence in Wirral - A paper presented to The Housing Studies Association Conference April 19th – 20th 2006
By Joe Bickerton, Chris Young and Michael Lloyd
http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/chp/hsa/spring06/pdf&ppt/bickerton.pdf
A Market in Two Halves – Enhancing Housing Intelligence in Wirral - A paper presented to The Housing Studies Association Conference April 19th – 20th 2006
By Joe Bickerton, Chris Young and Michael Lloyd
http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/chp/hsa/spring06/pdf&ppt/bickerton.pdf
House prices and sales
Here are some interesting charts that I came across. Click on each to expand them and then use the back button on your browser to read the rest of this text.
One shows prices paid (red is high and blue is low) and the other is the numbers of house sales with red being very popular housing areas and blue being much slower sales. Both are for early 2005.
In summary the prices are lowest in East Wirral, particularly around Tranmere and Rock Ferry whilst the sales activity is also highest in the same areas.
By the same token you can see from these maps that the highest prices - West Wirral and in particular areas around Gayton and Caldy are also the places where the house sales are slowest.
Now call me a ninny if you like but isn't this what housing markets are supposed to do - encourage sales where prices are lowest and discourage sales where they are highest?
Nothing wrong with that you might think. But then you have the problem that we are in the midst of our HMRI which is supposed to be justified on the basis that the housing market has failed in Tranmere and Rock Ferry. Makes you think a bit.
Have a look at the graphs for yourselves. They are from a York University paper to a housing conference earlier this year.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Madness of King George 111rd
You can see a bigger version of this poster if you double click anywhere on the image.
This is the next play at the Gladstone Theatre with TRACE members in it. It is being rehearsed now at the Theatre in Port Sunlight and will be running at the end of February. For more information contact jameslkay@ntlworld.com
Mobile Phone Hoax
I got an email - sent in good faith - yesterday about an alleged risk to mobile phones. It is a hoax - there is no way that your SIM card be attacked in the way suggested in the email. Whoever started this off - 15 months ago according to Lancashire Police - obviously gets off on winding people up. - and the more get wound up - the better. So, score one for the sad guys!
However there are a lot of mobile phone scams at the moment - the most popular being calling your phone and ringing off after two rings. You get to your phone - and hit the call back button to find out who has missed you - only to discover that you have called a premium rate number and paid someone £1.50 a minute or more to listen to an automated message.
There are others but the general advice is don't respond to anything coming to you unless you know who it has come from.
The hoax email follows ...
Subject: Mobile phone fraud
Message from: Phil Corris, Police Constable/Crime Prevention Officer If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that, he or she is a company engineer, or telling you that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number. End this call immediately without pressing any numbers. There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your "SIM"
A phone number for "Phil Corris" was then given ... I called it and spoke to a police officer who confirmed that it was a hoax.
However there are a lot of mobile phone scams at the moment - the most popular being calling your phone and ringing off after two rings. You get to your phone - and hit the call back button to find out who has missed you - only to discover that you have called a premium rate number and paid someone £1.50 a minute or more to listen to an automated message.
There are others but the general advice is don't respond to anything coming to you unless you know who it has come from.
The hoax email follows ...
Subject: Mobile phone fraud
Message from: Phil Corris, Police Constable/Crime Prevention Officer If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that, he or she is a company engineer, or telling you that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number. End this call immediately without pressing any numbers. There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your "SIM"
A phone number for "Phil Corris" was then given ... I called it and spoke to a police officer who confirmed that it was a hoax.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
HMRI Nov Residents Meeting
Church Road Residents Consultation Planning Meeting
Royal Standards House Wednesday 8TH November 2006 2.00pm
Present:
Hazel Roberts Tranmere Resident
John Steele Tranmere Resident
James Kay Tranmere Resident
Steph Reid Tranmere Allaince
Chris Bowen WMBC
Emma Foley WMBC
Apologies:
Royal Standards House Wednesday 8TH November 2006 2.00pm
Present:
Hazel Roberts Tranmere Resident
John Steele Tranmere Resident
James Kay Tranmere Resident
Steph Reid Tranmere Allaince
Chris Bowen WMBC
Emma Foley WMBC
Apologies:
Bruce Lister, Lovell
James Hurley, WMBC
Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed
HMRI Programme Update
CB reported that Cabinet had agreed to bring forward £3 million from next years budget to help keep up the momentum of acquisitions that have already been agreed. A priority list has been drawn up, with preference being given to properties which are needed for the first development phase in Tranmere and Rock Ferry. Some owners with whom we have agreed a price will still have to wait until further funding comes through in April 2007.
Development Update
The outline planning application will be submitted towards the end of the month with four outline applications being submitted for the following schemes which make up the Church Road Development Area.
* Church Road (main development area)
* Whitford Road
* Hillside Road (former Hillside Court site)
* Pearson Road site
If the Scheme is submitted at the end of November, it is unlikely that it will get before a planning committee until February. A detailed planning application will then have to be submitted for the first development phase which includes the already cleared sites on Hillside Road and Whitford Road and the Abakhan site on the corner of Seymour Street and Church Road.
We also plan to have a further community consultation event before the detailed plans are submitted. It was therefore suggested that the summer would be a more realistic timetable for starting on site to allow for adequate consultation.
Project Update
CB said that Atmore had organised a first meeting with some of the traders on 15th November 2005
Venture and Family Housing Associations were in the process of agreeing a price with the Council to acquire the site on Leighton Road / Thompson Street which is now cleared. The agreed price will have to go to Cabinet in December for approval.
Work on the Homeswap properties is progressing well with completion due on most of them by the end of the month. There has been interest in a couple of them from residents in clearance areas, however if they are not all sold to residents in clearance areas, they will be offered for sale on the open market.
It was reported that 30/32 Seymour Street were open to access. This will be passed on the Environmental Wardens / Empty Property Team to action.
JS highlighted the problems with pigeons and rats around one of the large properties in Seymour Street which has scaffolding up but is in a serious state of disrepair. It was reported that Environmental Health weren’t prepared to serve a notice pending a decision of an outstanding grant application. EF to Check with Jim Ashley, Home Improvements Team manager to check the status of this application.
Youth Issues
Rob Walsh has been unable to broker a meeting between some of the providers of youth services in the area. He is about to go off on leave for several months so it will have to be picked up again in the New Year.
Art Regeneration Project Update
EF gave an update on the Art regeneration project which was launched successfully on 18th October. Since then it has been open on Tuesdays and Thursdays an has been working with residents from Prospect House, the Methodist Church Luncheon Club, Tranmere Alliance, a young mums group, excluded kids programme and Prenton High School. The artists will remain in residence at 35-37 Church Road until Christmas and will be displaying the work in an exhibition in January 2007.
AOB
Steph reported on a Biodiversity Forum she had attended on 3rd November, in particular a talk by Matthew Frith on Greening the Cities. She will try to get a copy of his presentation for the group.
EF said that the HMRI Team were making a film about how the HMR Programme is being delivered in Wirral. She asked for volunteers to talk about their experiences of HMRI. HR and JS kindly offered to participate.
Date of next meeting
Wednesday 10th January 2007 @ 2.00pm, Royal Standards House
Thursday, November 23, 2006
UCG minutes Nov 06
Thanks to Steph Reid for these notes from the recent meeting. I have changed the layout a bit to fit the blog and taken out people's email addresses and phone numbers.
United Communities Group
Minutes Thurs 16th Nov 10.30am Prospect House
Present:
Hazel Roberts Chair, Tranmere Action Group
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance Community Development Officer
Ann Adams TRAC 644-7002
John Steele Together NMP/ Wirral Federation of Tenants + Residents
Les Neish Clifton Park RA
James Kay TRACE
Graham Williamson Friends of the Parks/Tranmere Methodist Church
Terry Neill Whitfield St. RA
Andrew Wilson Whitfield St. RA
John Chesworth St. Paul’s + St. Luke’s Church
Colin Clayton WBC Environmental Health Officer
Apologies:
Malcolm Birchall (Lees Avenue RA), Hugh Langford (TRAP), Marilyn McDougall (The Meadows RA)
Last meeting minutes: 21st Sept. 06
Read and agreed
Matters arising:
SR. Health Walks in Parks will be every 2 weeks now, they will vary days to include more people, next one Friday 17th 11 am from Tranmere Alliance Community Hall Albany Rd.
Guest Speaker:
Colin Clayton – Environmental Health Officer WBC
Colin works as Section Manager on the Team dealing with Public Health Enforcement Services 691-8370/8344/8278– Pest Control 606-2020, Public Toilet maintenance + cleanliness, Disrepair in privately rented properties, Landlord harassment, Filthy and verminous premises.
Colin is happy to deal with referred complaints/issues made through Hazel as chair of UCG
20 Seymour St. Tranmere
Large opening in roof around 80 Pigeons have been accessing and breeding in side for years. Excrement inches deep in front of house. They are congregating on other properties causing problems and possible transference of viruses to children and elderly. HMRI Team aware that a grant application is being processed which includes the repair of the roof, but this has been the case for the last 9 months and the situation is detrimental to the area and neighbouring properties, the team have been asked to expedite matters.
Asked for a Case Study to be done to set a president for similar situations that blight neighbourhoods –This property is not scheduled for demolition. It is occupied. In Grant process. Vermin reports made, no action taken against cause of problem. Other properties have had numerous infestations.
Entry behind shops on Church Rd./Seymour St. Chip Shop 49,51,53
Rubbish up to top of wall level and needs removing.
53 Church Rd. Tranmere
Two premises owned by WBC (purchased by HMRI) have pigeon problem and should not be left to worsen and degrade the area until they are demolished, surely the council should put their own house in order.
57 Church Rd. Tranmere
Vandalised some time ago, window has not been made safe or repaired.
Railway Bridge St. Paul’s Rd Rock Ferry + Green Lane Bridge
Pigeon droppings are a concern, make pavement surface slippy/unsafe, obviously preventative measures are not effective enough to stop the pigeons landing Who is accountable? Wall of property at top of Bedford Drive not safe, bank of soil against it. Members of UCG are eloquent enough to complain but most residents don’t feel able and are unaware of the route to do so.
Hamilton Square has become a “no go” area since seemingly homeless people have been moved on from precinct shopping area. Muggings and verbal abuse from aggressive beggars, drug and alcohol users is occurring and the benched landscaped central part is littered with cans, bottles and rubbish.
Can anything be done to act against anti-sociable families who live a life of grime in our area in privately rented accommodation to help the landlord secure eviction quicker which is backed and supported by judges? Also that the families are tracked effectively to stop the cycle re-occurring with next landlord and neighbours going through same lengthy process and costs.We have had previous experiences with such families and presently one in Elmswood where it is not suitable for children living in the property.
Details handed over from Lees Avenue R A
[ends]
United Communities Group
Minutes Thurs 16th Nov 10.30am Prospect House
Present:
Hazel Roberts Chair, Tranmere Action Group
Steph Reid Tranmere Alliance Community Development Officer
Ann Adams TRAC 644-7002
John Steele Together NMP/ Wirral Federation of Tenants + Residents
Les Neish Clifton Park RA
James Kay TRACE
Graham Williamson Friends of the Parks/Tranmere Methodist Church
Terry Neill Whitfield St. RA
Andrew Wilson Whitfield St. RA
John Chesworth St. Paul’s + St. Luke’s Church
Colin Clayton WBC Environmental Health Officer
Apologies:
Malcolm Birchall (Lees Avenue RA), Hugh Langford (TRAP), Marilyn McDougall (The Meadows RA)
Last meeting minutes: 21st Sept. 06
Read and agreed
Matters arising:
SR. Health Walks in Parks will be every 2 weeks now, they will vary days to include more people, next one Friday 17th 11 am from Tranmere Alliance Community Hall Albany Rd.
Guest Speaker:
Colin Clayton – Environmental Health Officer WBC
Colin works as Section Manager on the Team dealing with Public Health Enforcement Services 691-8370/8344/8278– Pest Control 606-2020, Public Toilet maintenance + cleanliness, Disrepair in privately rented properties, Landlord harassment, Filthy and verminous premises.
Colin is happy to deal with referred complaints/issues made through Hazel as chair of UCG
20 Seymour St. Tranmere
Large opening in roof around 80 Pigeons have been accessing and breeding in side for years. Excrement inches deep in front of house. They are congregating on other properties causing problems and possible transference of viruses to children and elderly. HMRI Team aware that a grant application is being processed which includes the repair of the roof, but this has been the case for the last 9 months and the situation is detrimental to the area and neighbouring properties, the team have been asked to expedite matters.
Asked for a Case Study to be done to set a president for similar situations that blight neighbourhoods –This property is not scheduled for demolition. It is occupied. In Grant process. Vermin reports made, no action taken against cause of problem. Other properties have had numerous infestations.
Entry behind shops on Church Rd./Seymour St. Chip Shop 49,51,53
Rubbish up to top of wall level and needs removing.
53 Church Rd. Tranmere
Two premises owned by WBC (purchased by HMRI) have pigeon problem and should not be left to worsen and degrade the area until they are demolished, surely the council should put their own house in order.
57 Church Rd. Tranmere
Vandalised some time ago, window has not been made safe or repaired.
Railway Bridge St. Paul’s Rd Rock Ferry + Green Lane Bridge
Pigeon droppings are a concern, make pavement surface slippy/unsafe, obviously preventative measures are not effective enough to stop the pigeons landing Who is accountable? Wall of property at top of Bedford Drive not safe, bank of soil against it. Members of UCG are eloquent enough to complain but most residents don’t feel able and are unaware of the route to do so.
Hamilton Square has become a “no go” area since seemingly homeless people have been moved on from precinct shopping area. Muggings and verbal abuse from aggressive beggars, drug and alcohol users is occurring and the benched landscaped central part is littered with cans, bottles and rubbish.
Can anything be done to act against anti-sociable families who live a life of grime in our area in privately rented accommodation to help the landlord secure eviction quicker which is backed and supported by judges? Also that the families are tracked effectively to stop the cycle re-occurring with next landlord and neighbours going through same lengthy process and costs.We have had previous experiences with such families and presently one in Elmswood where it is not suitable for children living in the property.
Details handed over from Lees Avenue R A
[ends]
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