Councillor Steve Williams

This morning I attended Foxfield school’s presentation “Breakfast TV”.  It was their annual production in which every pupil takes part. Most are performing on the stage and a few that do not wish to perform play an important part assisting in the production and front of house staff, assisting people to their seats.

The show today, played to a packed audience of proud parents, school supporters and staff.  We were treated to the Foxfield take on News, Weather, Nature, Astronomy, Cooking, Sport, X-Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and a Nostalgic TV Quiz.

The pupils were great, especially seeing they have ony been rehearsing together this week.  A big thanks to the staff who had obviously put in a tremendous amount of effort into making the show such a success.

Last night I went to ‘Spotlight on Youth 2011’ at the Floral Pavilion Theatre. What an excellent night out.  The performers were aged beteween 5 and 19 and all were extremely talented.  There were 33 separate acts with a total of about 300 youngsters.  The acts were so diverse with singing, dancing, drama, comedy, gymnastics, opera and a rock band.

The event was attended by Cllr Alan Jennings, the Mayor of Wirral, as all the proceeds for the evening go to his Special Charities.  The 800 seat theatre was full and I think I can say that everybody thought the show was fantastic and a tribute to the youth of Wirral.  Each act was polished to perfection.

These days when there is so much said against youngsters, it was good to see the hard work and dedication of those performing last night. 

At Last!  I think I have had more complaints about the road surface on West Kirby Road, than any other issue.  Well today the work has been completed and the road resurfaced with new road markings.

West Kirby Road from the Saughall Massie By-pass to the Saughall Pub has been the most complained about stretch of road in the ward.  I have been constantly onto the engineers to get it repaired as it is in a terrible state.  The work was supposed to start today but has not.

I have spoken with the Streetscene Manager and have been told the road should be repaired next Saturday, (19th March) and resurfaced on Sunday. 

I recently wrote about the decline of Moreton Town Centre, and a meeting I had with Council Officers together with my colleagues Cllrs Chis Blakeley and Simon Mountney.  The council have now commenced a consultation into this.  A survey can be undertaken by clicking on this link. 

Please help by completing the survey, and telling anyone else you feel may be interested.  We want money to come to Moreton and not all go to other parts of the Borough.

She is awaiting an operation in St Louis, Missouri, that will cost £60,000.  Presently the charity fund stands at just under £15,000. 

Today I attended a Charity Football Match at Thornton Hough between the local village club and Radio Merseyside.  The proceeds will go jointly to Ariella and to Claire House.  The match was an entertaining game with the locals winning 3-1.  Then it was to the Village Hall for Scouse, drinks and sandwiches.  I will report back when I know how much was raised today.  

A big thanks for the locals of Thornton Hough especially Colin Jones and Sue Kay who organised the day, and to the Radio Merseyside presenters and staff for taking part and supporting the event.
 

Many residents have commented about the apparent decline in Moreton Town Centre.  Following the recommendations of the council budget,  town centres will soon be given a ‘deep clean’ carried out with high presure jet washing, repainting of railings. Broken bins and benches will be reapired, pavements upgraded and  more patrols to issue fines for people who drop litter or don’t pick up after their pets. Additionally  the reintroduction of daytime use of CCTV cameras – not only to discourage crime but also to identify those who drop litter and do not pick up after their pets.

Last week Cllrs Chris Blakeley and Simon Mountney and myself held a meeting with three council officers to discuss what can be done to assist Moreton.  Car parking, empty shops and cleanliness were the main topics.  We are looking to help in forming a Traders Association as in other Town Centre areas. 

I was disappointed when Sweet Image, another Moreton Business closed on Hoylake Road, but am delighted to find they have just relocated to Barnston Lane.

The shop is a gift shop, sweet shop  and coffee shop.  The first floor is being developed as a training studio which will run various courses.  Also it will be available to companies and organisations throughout the Borough to hire as  a fully equipped training facility.  Let’s hope this is the start of the regeneration of Moreton.

Last night saw a marathon Budget Setting meeting with us leaving the Town Hall at 12.45a.m.  Those seats in the council chamber may look comfy…..   Despite early interruptions from a small number of protestors the meeting progressed with all proposals being approved.

Although Council Tax has been frozen, the budget has protected services across the board with many enhancements.  One of the most important points is the further funding of Sure Start Centres with an extra £32,000 for additional equipment.  Other extra funding is to go to Foster Carers, Children with Disabilities, School budget, Youth Hubs, Adult Social Care, Anti Social Behaviour, Street CCTV and Highway Maintenance to name but a few.

Extra funding has been made available for regeneration of High Street Shoppping Areas.  This afternoon together with my ward colleagues Cllrs Chris Blakeley and Simon Mountney, I will meeting with  the Interim Director of Corporate Services to discuss Moreton Town Centre.