Author: John Brace

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Area Forum Bidston & St. James/Claughton 2/2/2011 Part 1

The papers and reports for last night’s Area Forum can be read here. Present were a representative from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Mark Smith (Streetscene), Lucy Beed (to give a report on the Census), Cllr Roberts, Cllr Smith, Cllr Crabtree, Cllr Foulkes, Alastair Bardsley (representing the NHS Wirral University Teaching Hospitals (Arrowe Park and … Continue reading “Area Forum Bidston & St. James/Claughton 2/2/2011 Part 1”

The papers and reports for last night’s Area Forum can be read here. Present were a representative from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Mark Smith (Streetscene), Lucy Beed (to give a report on the Census), Cllr Roberts, Cllr Smith, Cllr Crabtree, Cllr Foulkes, Alastair Bardsley (representing the NHS Wirral University Teaching Hospitals (Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge), Jim Thompson (Community Safety Team), Jean McIntosh, Cllr McLachlan and Melanie from Warmer Wirral.

In the audience were about sixteen members of the public.

Apologies were received from Dr. Mantgani. No apologies were received from the police. Cllr Roberts welcomed people and asked members of the Area Forum panel to introduce themselves. Cllr Davies arrived a few minutes late during the introductions.

Warmer Wirral explained that they have a team of ten people knocking on every door in Claughton over the next month offering free loft and cavity wall insulation. Cllr Roberts then asked panel members to give their reports with a chance for the public to ask questions at 8.15pm.

The Area Forum co-ordinator Michelle Gray gave a progress report on matters that had been raised at the last Area Forum. On the subject of dog control, she had contacted other councils, the police, the community safety team and environmental health. They had told her that currently there was no bylaw on Wirral controlling dogs and there had to be full consultation before dog control orders. She would find out more and councillors could feedback through their surgeries.

Minimum pricing for alcohol consultation

Wirral Council is currently consulting the public between now and 18th February (along with other Merseyside authorities) on a minimum price of 50p/unit for alcohol.

If you (or any group you represent) have a view on this, you can participate in the consultation online. The results of the consultation will then go to a future meeting of the Licensing, Health & Safety and General Purposes Committee who will ultimately make the decision.

Alcohol related antisocial behaviour is something a lot of residents do complain about. So please feed your views (whether for or against) what effect having a minimum price of alcohol will have for you and your neighbourhood.

Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 31/1/2011 Part 11 – Strategic Change Programme update (continued)

Cllr Brighouse said that he welcomed the report. He said it was “driven by the actions of the Chancellor of the Exchequer”. He said it was also about “how we innovative and find new savings” in removing “the dead hand of bureaucracy”. He wanted to look to simplify systems. He asked how Wirral Council would reward the movers and shakers? He said it was important that the Strategic Change Program Board didn’t fall behind. In relation to the Strategic Change Program Board he asked if they see their role as challenging ideas and pushing people to go a bit further?

Cllr Green said there in relation to the remuneration package that there was public concern about “fat cats”. There were sure methods of identifying talent at a senior level for example people like Dave. He said Dave could answer the key point about bureaucracy and creativity. The approach had been primarily to get everything on the table. Then they would look at capacity and take things forward if they had the right benefits.

He wanted to make sure as some projects originally had no benefits. Things were still moving forward and there was an area for creativity. Space was still available. There were a number of staff on higher education courses.

Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 31/1/2011 Part 10 – Strategic Change Programme update (continued)

Cllr Green continued that that DASS was learning a lesson in how they needed to speak to people earlier enough. Communication was important. Mike was the project manager and could provide added reassurance. He was confident the program had not improperly added undue haste to the timescale. They had to make sure the changes were sustainable.

Previously projects had been thrown over the fence and it was up to someone else to get on with it. It was right to proceed with the process. The benefits were financial and cultural. He was confident, the key thing was proper project review. Lessons would be learnt and these should be put in a common area so other people can learn. It was a continuous improvement cycle. There would be “bumps in the road”.

Cllr Green said “to be honest, as I always am, I think the process is really, really good”. He said he hoped the change and project management would have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge.

Mr. Green said he would give councillors some comfort. The improved project management skills had been signed off on 9th December 2010. The projects were developing no reports or problems. They were being signed off and constantly reviewed.

Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 31/1/2011 Part 9 – Strategic Change Programme update (continued)

Cllr Salter then asked if he was confident of a quality service?

Cllr Green replied that a key element of the consultation had been providing the same if not better. Seven people had been permanently in the respite home. Consulting better as to how to meet their needs meant better placement. A couple were being supported at home.

Cllr Kenny said some of his points had already been covered by Cllr Davies and Cllr Salter. He referred to 4.4 of the report and the £7 million of savings in transforming Adult Social Services. He also referred to appendix C and said the £5.37 million of savings was “very ambitious”. He was not clear on what it means and the difference between item 3 and 33. What was the difference between project 3 and 33? He said he had had a lot of complaints. He asked Cllr Green if he was confident enough to assure him that he had the right people?

Cllr Green replied that he was confident and that he had asked similar questions himself as well as speaking to clients, carers and staff. He had been reassured in some cases. There have been things that have gone wrong but lessons have been learnt. Councillors haven’t heard where things have gone well. To a degree there were cultural issues in DASS.

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