Record of Open Days and AGM 2023

Report of Annual General Meeting

Following a successful Open Days which were attended by about 150 people people, the Forum held its AGM. The meeting was attended by approximately 35 people.

Dave Burke, director of Hylgar Properties was present and gave an update on the current state of play with the Beacon Project before the AGM began. He assured all those present that he is doing everything possible to expedite the next stage of the project development and is in constant contact with the council and the relevant government department, along with the various partner operators, who he reported remain committed to the project. He explained that COVID, along with subsequent economic challenges in the F&B and cinema industries had inevitably impacted both the timeline of the project as well as investor confidence. He was unable to answer some questions on the grounds of commercial sensitivity but his presence and communication with the community was much needed and appreciated. Hoylake Vision will continue to request more regular updates.

Management Group members were asked to introduce themselves by a member of the audience.

The Chair opened with a reflection on “long termism vs short termism”. The forum aim to respond to immediate issues such as planning applications as they come up, but there is also an opportunity through the creation of the NDP for the community to apply some “legacy thinking” for future generations that would not otherwise happen. Around the country, too many short term planning decisions are made that result in missed opportunities, potentially degrading quality of life for residents and businesses over time with negative impacts for future generations.

Management group member Andrew Snell spoke about emerging ideas for a sports village concept in the hinterland behind Hoylake that was formerly assigned for the council’s “Golf Resort” project, much of which lies within the NDP boundary. On behalf of the management group, he had made contact with a number of investors, in particular to bring Padel Tennis, one of the world’s fastest growing sports, to the area. He is also in contact with “Golfit”; a company specialising in introducing golf to a more diverse group of people, especially young people, and is hoping to visit one of their sites in Scotland in the coming months. Additionally he has been exploring ideas with local sports and fitness company UTS in Carr Lane. He is in contact with most local sports clubs (eg Football, Hockey, Rugby and Tennis), within which there is significant interest with some investment available. A question was asked about how this might connnect with the environment and protect the natural environment in the area; any plans would need to improve biodiversity. There was broad support for the ideas among attendees.

Mark Howard spoke briefly about how this could combine with the ideas for a Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre and eco golf resort, which have already been explored and community, and broad anecdotal organisational support had been expressed. It was pointed out that the site is functionally linked to the North Wirral and Dee Estuary SSSIs and so protecting its environmental significance is paramount.

A question about the Gilroy Scrape which was put forward; these ideas are still very high level and there is no defined boundary for the project at this stage.

Concern was expressed about potential for commercial investment to “take over” public space and that the ideas are too vague; may more advanced ideas already in hand?

Andrew Snell assured the audience that the land must remain accessible and that the ideas work for everyone; the plans are very high level, no “smoke and mirror” strategy, we are simply looking for the community to engage with the process and put their ideas forward, and to gauge the level of support.

An audience member pointed out that £100,000 has been set aside for the upgrading of the two football pitches behind Sandringham Avenue which will be available for use by Holy Trinity School in Hoylake as well as West Kirby Junior Football Teams; this was essentially a Section 106 type agreement between the council and the developer of new housing on a part of the Kingsmead School playing fields site.

Tom Hutchinson explained that the NDP and the forum can propose and include aspirational plans as well as land use policies.

The conversations about Sport and Promenade improvements are relevant;

The Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy provides wider context about the strategic role of Hoylake. The forum will be making a series of representations at the Local Plan Hearings. Wirral’s new Local Plan is seeking to encourage better use of land along the Promenade to attract visitors, which is encouraging. The Draft Masterplan identifies more detailed opportunities for improvement. This will all be informed by ongoing Conservation Area work.

New conservation area appraisals and management plans also to identify areas in need of enhancement, such as the triangle of land adjacent to the Old Lifeboat Station.

A new beach management plan should provide a better understanding of how the beach will be used, potentially accommodating both “amenity” beach and naturalised areas.

A member of the audience questioned why the forum were talking about beach management when it is not “in the remit”. It was agreed that we do not have a remit on beach management but the NDP boundary does have an interface with the beach, and therefore any public realm works will need to respond to whatever beach management approach is taken.

Drainage issues and flood risk need considering, slipways need clearing and are currently badly managed; the forum can have some degree of influence over that. Consultation has identified ideas such as cycle lane, signage, facilities and maintenance.

The triangle of land adjacent to the Old Lifeboat Station was shown on a slide; a member of the audience asked what could be done with it. Possible landscaping, seating, and making it a more attractive public space.

A member of the audience pointed out that the site could be a more valuaed part of the Wirral Coastal Trail which will result in more facilities being needed.

A member of the audience then mentioned the Local Pan is aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the ambitions of the World Economic Forum to “get rid of cars”; 20 MPH zones; reduced parking; CCTV and fines; had we taken that on board? Who was going to come to Hoylake when we have problems with public transport; trains and buses?

Alex Woods then presented about engagement; it was good that people came to the AGM.

In order for consultation to be meaningful, we recognise that we need to improve engagement, but it is really difficult. Leaflet drops are a great idea but they are expensive and require a lot of volunteer time. We have a very linted budget, but we can’t ignore the issues. A key target could be to get membership to 1,000 people within 12 months.

We plan to engage with schools, to get younger children interested. We cna also engage with older teenagers, and we could have a few events in Market Street where we will be able to have conversations with people who may not normally engage in the process and to explain how the process works, and to encourage people to get involved.

The audience were encouraged to speak to friends and family and if they are not engaged, to contact Alex who would do what she could to help the,.

The Treasurer Jon Morgan then gave a brief financial report for the year summarised as follows:

The Chair reported on achievements of the last year including:

• • 12 management group meetings
  • Two meetings with Council Officers
  • Published four member newsletters
  • Put in five representations to key planning applications
  • Prepared four representations to Local Plan examinations
  • Assisted the Conservation Areas Asociation to develop the new CA Appraisal for a new Management Plan.
  • Met with various local sports organisations and key stakeholders
  • Met with representatives of One West Kirby
  • Published press releases (Wirral Globe, West Kirby Today)
  • Organised this Open Day and published materials

Plans for the next year include:

• • Hold a Workshop day
  • Hold more public meetings on the Key Issues
  • Collate and analyse consultation results
  • Update Masterplan and Design Guide and Codes
  • Draft outline NDP
  • Produce Basic Conditions Statement
  • Produce Consultation Statement
  • Undergo independent examination and make changes
  • Arrange referendum
  • Organise and fundraise for referendum campaign
  • Hold referendum

The meeting was then concluded.

CANDIDATE TOTAL STATUS

ELECTRONIC AND PAPER FORMS WERE COUNTED AFTER THE AGM AND THE RESULTS WERE AS FOLLOWS:

TOTAL NO. OF VOTERS: 49