Stoneacre Meeting

I have arranged a follow up meeting at Stoneacre Garage on Saturday 21 November at 10.30am.  We’re meeting to discuss how the ‘action plan’ is working and whether there has been an improvement for local residents and neighbours.

Licensing Issues

The last few days have been taken up with licensing issues which are interesting , complicated and varied.  Yesterday the Licensing Sub-Committee dealt with a variation of hours for a pub in Eastham and two new applications for an alcohol licences in Hoylake and Bebington. This morning the Licensing Panel sat and dealt with three over-age taxis and several new driver applications and renewals.  For the afternoon the Committee headed over to Thurstaston with the Police to take a look at the proposed site for a music festival.  Due to the recent wet weather, it was a mudbath and we were all knee high in wet mud and cowpats after tramping through the fields to see the layout of the site and access roads.  The ‘Sunset at Thors Rock’ event is proposed for May 2010 but is obviously meeting with much local opposition.  The licensing hearing will take place at Wallasey Town Hall on Friday 27 November 2009 at 10.00am.

Canvassing in Wallasey

Tonight the Action Team were out in the streets of Wallasey.  Good job I got a lift with Cllr Ian Lewis as I thought it was in Moreton! Despite the chilly weather, it was the usual good turnout and we split up into three teams.  I was in ‘Team Lewis’ , together with Cllr Denis Knowles, Eve Sorrell and our candidate for the Moreton West and Saughall Massie by-election, Steve Williams.  We canvassed Leasowe Road and roads off and got the usual pleasing welcome on the doorstep.  Thanks to all those who took the time to chat.

Weekly Diary 16-22 November

• Monday Evening – Canvassing in Wallasey
• Tuesday Morning -  Taxi Joint Consultative Committee / Tuesday Evening – Vale House Joint Management Committee
• Wednesday Morning – Newspaper Review on City Talk FM / Wednesday Daytime – Licensing 2003 Sub-Committee / Wednesday Evening – Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee
• Thursday Morning – Licensing Panel / Thursday Afternoon – Licensing Site Visit
• Saturday Morning – Public Meeting at Stoneacre Garage 

Lifeboat Thanksgiving Service

This morning, Ian and I attended the Lifeboat Thanksgiving Service at St James, New Brighton.  It’s always a popular service, with the  New Brighton lifeboat crew and the service has a distinct nautical theme.  It was also one of the first outings for their brand new, state of the art lifeboat.  The new vessel, named  Charles Dibdin is an Atlantic 85 B Class vessel and cost in the region 0f £166,000.  If you’re wondering who Charles Dibdin is, he was the founder of the Lifeboat Fund in 1866.  The current vessel, Rocklight has been in service for 13 years  and has played a major part in numerous rescues off our coast but now they need a more advanced boat with radar systems.  Rev. Frank Cain’s sermon reminded us all of the importance of the RNLI , especially in communities such as ours with such strong connections to the River Mersey and Irish Sea.  After the service, the ladies provided coffee and biscuits and we all got a chance to have a mingle. The service was also attended by the Mayor & Mayoress,  Andrew  & Kathy Hodson.

The Ellan Vannin

On the 3 December 1909, the Isle of Man Steam Packet vessel, the S.S. Ellan Vannin left Ramsey, bound for Liverpool.  During hurricane conditions, the vessel went down just off the Mersey bar with the loss of all on board.   I remember being taught about the Ellan Vannin disaster at school as many Liverpudlians  have strong connections with the Isle of Man, including me!  There is to be a special commemorative sailing to mark the centenary on Thursday 3 December 2009 on the 10.00am Mersey Ferries service from the Pier Head.  Andy Ball from Radio Merseyside will be Master of Ceremonies for the event and Hughie Jones from folk group, The Spinners will sing the song he wrote about the disaster.  Flowers will be thrown overboard to mark the memory of every lost soul.  No need to book, just buy your ticket on the day – £6.30 adults / £4.85 concessions.  Read more about the Ellan Vannin  here:  http://tinyurl.com/y9trgyy

On The Knocker

Last night the Action Team was out in the Wallasey Village ward, knocking on doors and listening to views of local residents.  We covered a huge area and walked miles but the welcome on the doorstep made it all worth while!  It was a horrible damp evening and I must admit, I was glad to get home.

Malcolm Laycock – RIP

As a fan of the big band and the music of the 1930s & 1940s,  I was saddened to hear the news that Radio 2  stalwart, Malcolm Laycock had died.  I have listened to his evening show for many years and it was a Sunday night ritual, early bath, bed, book and the lovely Malcolm and his big band tunes.

Road Safety in New Brighton

On Thursday morning I am going on a whistle-stop tour around New Brighton with Highways Engineer, Joey Smith.  We have some funding money available which can only be spent on road safety measures or improvements and if we don’t use it, we’ll lose it, which obviously I am not prepared to do!  However, I don’t want the money spent on anything that the Council should be doing anyway.  I know there’s plenty of missing street name plates and faded road markings but this is additional money which needs to be spent wisely.  I am open to suggestions so if you know of somewhere within the New Brighton ward where the money could be spent on improving highways, please give me a call 07736 927201

Licensing Meeting

Last night I chaired a very productive Licensing, Health & Safety & General Purpose Committee at the Town Hall.  Many residents of Bradman Road, Moreton came to support the recommendation for a gating order on a footpath to Wastdale Drive to prevent anti-social behaviour.  A gating order was also approved for Kelvin Road/Citrine Road in Seacombe in an area with high crime rates.  Other items on the agenda were the approval of a price increase for hackney carriage fares, vehicle testing arrangements, a review of polling districts in Pensby & Thingwall and approval of nominees for the Wirral Award.  More details of what was discussed at the meeting is available here: http://tinyurl.com/yl3w88b