Month: July 2011

Public meeting on NHS (Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)

I’ve just returned from a meeting about the Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust that runs Arrowe Park Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital).

It was chaired by Frank Field MP, also Alison McGovern MP and Cllr Chris Blakeley representing Esther McVey MP were there.

In total (including these three) there were at least forty people there when the meeting started (possibly more as some arrived late). It was held at the Charing Cross Methodist Church starting at 7pm.

Frank Field MP opened the meeting by introducing Alison McGovern MP and Cllr Chris Blakeley. He outlined the concerns about staff morale and the worries and fears that had been expressed about change. He said two members of the Board (Tina Long, Director of Nursing and Jean Quinn, Non-Executive Director) were present who they were grateful to.

The meeting would last 1½ hours. He said the changes “need to be patient-led” and the staff had a legitimate role about being involved in the formal program of changes. He said how the Board responds and the role MPs play would be more obvious.

Alison McGovern MP also spoke. She said she agreed with the remarks of Frank Field MP and had an interest in health issues. The first issue was about the quality of care where people expected dignity and respect. Care was about the person giving it and receiving it. Staff morale was also an issue following the staff survey and feedback from the trade unions and the staff representatives.

Three previous related articles from this blog:

Election for Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Governor (public) Bidston

Health and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 20/6/2011 – Part 4

West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 9 – NHS (emergencies, out of hours, management)

Election for Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Governor (public) Bidston

There are two candidates in the contested election for NHS Governor (Bidston). Wirral University Teaching Hospital is the Foundation Trust that covers Arrowe Park Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital.

Thank you to those people who said they’d voted for the Liberal Democrat candidate so far.

The candidates are in alphabetical order (along with political party):

John Brace (Liberal Democrat)
Jean McIntosh (Labour)

When the results are known, I’ll post them here. Voting is by post.

I will be at the meeting at the Lauries Centre, Birkenhead tonight at 7pm.

Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting (21st July 2011) – the highlights – Grange Road West Sports Centre to transfer to Birkenhead Community Development Committee

Highlights of decisions of Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting of the 21st July 2011

Here’s a quick rundown of what has been reported to ( the Labour Cabinet (Wirral Council) of the 21st July 2011:-

  • Under-age sales of alcohol during test purchases up (22%), which is 7% above target
  • % reduction in under-18 conception rate (-13%), target is -50%
  • Energy efficiency using software to shut computers down when not in use to save £80,000. Software hasn’t been installed but it costs £50,000.
  • Disposal of assets (expected to save £481,000) delayed (Pacific Road, Tramway Museum, Beechwood Community Centre etc)
  • Electronic payment for procurement delayed
  • Office rationalisation not meeting expected savings targets
  • % of council invoices from SMEs paid by Wirral Council within 10 days 45% (15% below a target of 60%)
  • Budget projected shortfall up to £25 million (from £20.8 million)
  • Mapleholme, Poulton House and 96 Manor Road to be auctioned off
  • Meadowcroft to go to Age UK (formerly Age Concern)
  • Westminster House to be sold to Wirral Partnership Homes for less than the £1.9 million originally agreed
  • Wirral Council’s contract procedure rules changed as the previous ones were criticised by the Audit Commission for not promoting fairness, quality, value for money and competition and to allow in-house bids (something the unions have been lobbying for for some time)
  • An extra £267,447 to resurface the Dock Links Road bringing the cost of this project to £1.1 million.

So where are Labour going to find £25 million of cuts or is that a mystery to be solved on another evening?

Planning Committee 19th July 2011 – Delegated Decisions, AOB (guidance on solar panels, glossary) – Part 11

The Chair asked if everyone was happy with item 16 Planning Applications Decided Under Delegated Powers Between 11/06/2011 and 07/07/2011. Cllr Kenny said he was happy and it had been a quick meeting.

Item 17 (s.106 agreement Reeds Lane) was deferred to a later meeting of the Planning Committee.

Matt agreed to come up with a glossary of terms as he had missed a few off. It was a work in progress but a draft copy would be circulated to councillors. The Chair as an item of any other business said he had been approached as to whether planning permission was required for solar panels on a roof. He said there was confusion as to what the procedure was in a Conservation Area. However, for areas that were not in a Conservation Area it would be helpful to have guidance. It was something they needed to know about. He asked if councillors were happy with a report coming to a future committee? They were. He closed the meeting by thanking people for their attendance.

Planning Committee 19th July 2011 – NO EXPEDIENCY FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE ERECTION OF A SLIDE AT 105 PRENTON FARM ROAD, PRENTON, WIRRAL – NO EXPEDIENCY FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE ERECTION OF A REAR DORMER AT 3 CROFT DRIVE, MORETON, WIRRAL – Part 10

The next item was item 14 NO EXPEDIENCY FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE ERECTION OF A SLIDE AT 105 PRENTON FARM ROAD, PRENTON, WIRRAL.

The officer said it had resulted from a complaint and they had requested a planning application from the owner. However this had been declined. If there had been a planning application they would have recommended approval.

Cllr Salter said he thought it was a “slippery slope”. Cllr Boult said that he should suggest a site visit so he could have a go. The Chair asked if everyone was happy? Cllr Salter and Cllr Mitchell proposed the report be accepted and no enforcement action taken. All councillors voted in favour.

The last enforcement item was item 15 – NO EXPEDIENCY FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE ERECTION OF A REAR DORMER AT 3 CROFT DRIVE, MORETON, WIRRAL.

The officer said it had been an enforcement enquiry about a dormer window due to the height being increased by 5 centimetres. If it had formed part of the original planning application it would’ve been approved. Cllr Realey said she thought it was sad that someone had measured it. Cllr Mitchell and Cllr Salter proposed the report and its recommendation be accepted. All councillors voted in favour.