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Publication date:- 2017-09-12

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Community Grant fund supporting local projects in Pensby and Thingwall

A ₤5,000 community grant fund has been shared amongst a number of local charities and community, voluntary and faith groups in Pensby and Thingwall. All of the groups had to show to how their individual project would improve the quality of life of residents or positively impact local places. The successful groups will use the extra money to help tackle social isolation at a local luncheon club, provide a Christmas celebration for carers, increase the number of books at Pensby Library and much more. Cllr Phillip Brightmore, Wirral's Cabinet Member for Environment said:- "The community fund will provide support to a diverse range of projects across the West of the borough. The application process highlighted the fantastic work of many voluntary, community and faith groups in Pensby and Thingwall and I am delighted that so many local groups will receive some extra cash to help them grow."

Groups could apply for up to 2 projects with maximum bids of up to ₤500 for each project. 11 different groups applied for funding with 15 projects successful in their bids for financial support. From 2013 to 2016, Wirral West Constituency Committee made ₤10,000 per ward available for local organisations in Wirral West to bid for funding. However, the ward of Pensby and Thingwall was left with money left over from that bidding process and it was decided to open up a new bidding process to ensure those communities received the full amount.

Group Name	Project Summary	Amount Granted
Pensby Library Volunteers	To install Christmas lights along Pensby Road to brighten up the area for the festive season.	₤500.00
Pensby Library Volunteers	To increase book stock at Pensby Library	₤250.00
Kylemore Luncheon Club	To provide entertainers / speakers for the Kylemore Luncheon Club, which tackles social isolation in Pensby.	₤250.00
Kylemore Luncheon Club	To cover hall hire costs to help keep the Club running.	₤480.00
Carers Get Together	To provide a Christmas celebration for local carers (38 in group).	₤370.00
Carers Get Together	To provide an outing for local carers.	₤200.00
Wirral Community Narrow Boat Trust	To provide narrow boat cruises for disabled Pensby and Thingwall residents.	₤400.00
Pensby Recreational Centre	To repair fencing at the Pensby Recreational Centre.	₤400.00
Friends of Pensby Library	To provide festive lighting at Pensby Library.	₤500.00
Friends of Pensby Library	To increase book stock at Pensby Library.	₤250.00
Holidays At Home	To provide support at Christmas to lonely and isolated residents.	₤400.00
Irby Thurstaston & Pensby Amenity Society	To refurbish benches in Pensby.	₤338.00
Irby Thurstaston & Pensby Amenity Society	To refurbish benches in Thingwall.	₤292.00
2nd Thingwall Scout Group	To improve exterior / security lighting at the scout hut.	₤400.00
Heswall Operatic Society	To provide a new keyboard for use at the Kylemore Centre.	₤250.00

Offender caught on camera at fly tipping 'grot spot'

TARGETED surveillance at a fly tipping 'grot spot' in Wirral led to the successful prosecution of a 24 year old local man. Specially installed CCTV cameras captured the evidence which resulted in Shaun Clarke, from Bidston, pleading guilty to offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He admitted being the driver of a borrowed van captured during the course of 2 incidents of illegal dumping on Wilding Way, Bidston Hill, on 24 October 2016. Clarke identified himself as the person responsible for dumping items, which appeared to be the contents of a house or shed clearance, from the van during the 2nd incident. In mitigation, Mr Clarke told the hearing at Wirral Magistrates Court, on 30 November 2017, that he had agreed to dispose of the items as a favour to his girlfriend and had intended to take them to the tip, but it was closed. As he did not want to return the van still full of waste, he decided instead to leave it on Wilding Way where, he claimed, he had seen other items dumped and believed he was not committing an offence. In deciding on the penalty, the court took these factors into account, along with the early guilty plea, and handed Clarke a ₤290 fine, a compensation order in respect of clean up costs of ₤250, prosecution costs of ₤250 and a victim surcharge of ₤30. In total, the financial penalty was ₤820.

Cllr Phillip Brightmore, Wirral Council Cabinet member for Environment, said:- "We don't accept there is ever any excuse to dump waste illegally in Wirral and we will always investigate incidents and bring offenders to justice, whenever we are able to gather enough evidence to do so. In this case, officers were using all the powers at their disposal to address an area that had been particularly targeted by fly tippers so to see their efforts result in a successful prosecution is not just satisfying, it is vindication for all their hard work. We have a beautiful borough and we will not shy away prosecuting those few who would seek to spoil it. Wirral Council will not tolerate environmental crime."

Bidston Hill is a local beauty spot and a site of biological importance, popular with walkers, dog owners and other visitors, but it had become blighted by illegally dumped waste. In response to concerns raised by residents, local Councillors and Wirral Council Rangers who manage the site, the Council's Environmental Enforcement Team began an operation to identify those responsible for the fly tipping in this location.

Part of this operation involved the deployment of CCTV cameras. After new dumped waste was discovered on 25 October 2016, environmental enforcement officers inspected the area for evidence and commenced an investigation. CCTV footage recorded on Wilding Way was reviewed and it had captured the 2 incidents of fly tipping that occurred the previous evening. Enquiries traced the van back to the owner, who told officers that he had lent it to the boyfriend of his daughter and it was from here that they were able to identify and interview Mr Clarke in relation to the offences, which he admitted.

Cyclists take note!

IF you are buying a bike for your children / yourself or anyone else this Christmas, please remember to get lights. It is illegal to cycle on a public road after dark without lights and reflectors in the UK, yet sadly too many accidents happen due to riders not having lights on bikes. You might think it is ok, but you not only put yourself in danger but pedestrians and other road users too. But it is also worth noting that when you have seriously reduced visibility, after rain or in fog, even in summer, having lights on your bike will keep you more visible to predestines and other road users.

Other complaints we have been getting are about the increasing numbers of people, of all ages, riding on the pavements. This too is a prosecutable offence, plus, should you have an accident that seriously hurts or kills someone, you are looking at the prospect of facing a jail sentence, not just a fine!

This Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone and not only keeps you safe, but also it keeps others safe.

The Code clearly says:- "At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp. Law RVLR regs 13, 18 & 24."

It also clearly says:- "You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement. Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129."

How many times do you see cyclists, or in some cases don't see cyclists, at night or in low light and /or in poor weather conditions, dressed in dark clothing? Oddly unlike other vehicles, pedal cycles are not legally required to light up when conditions of seriously reduced visibility occur in daytime, within the UK But, the Highway Code does recommend you should wear fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in dimmed daylight plus light reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark. It goes on to add that you should wear a cycle helmet, which conforms to current regulations, that it is the correct size and wear securely fastened appropriate clothes for cycling. It also suggests you should avoid clothes which may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights and reflectors.

If you do not know the UK's Highway Code visit:- HighwayCodeUK.Co.UK. If you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence!

Other things readers have contacted us about over 2017 has been the rise of people of all ages riding dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner So it's worth noting that the code clearly says:- "You MUST NOT carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one, hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer, ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner, ride when under the influence of drink or drugs, including medicine. Law RTA 1988 sects 24, 26, 28, 29 & 30 as amended by RTA 1991 69."

Plus the report about cyclists riding through red lights, again it is clearly stated:- "You MUST obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals". Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD reg 10(1)." But some Toucan Crossings allow cyclists and pedestrians to share crossing space and cross at the same time. In those case cyclists are permitted to ride across.

Your front light, must be a white light, emitting at least 4 candelas, positioned centrally or offside (the right hand side of the bike), up to 1500mm from the ground, aligned towards and visible from the front. If capable of emitting a steady light, it must be marked as conforming to BS6102/3 or an equivalent EC standard. It might be a fashion for helmet lights to be used, but it doesn't conform and is therefore not legal. It is also worth noting that 1 candela is approximate to 12 lumens. It is also worth noting that in 2005 for the Regulations to be amended to allow the use of flashing bicycle lights, as long as it flashes between 60 and 240 times per minute (1Hz to 4Hz). It must also be positioned centrally.

Your back light must be a red light, or sited centrally offside (the right hand side of the bike), between 350mm and 1500mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind. This light must conform to BS3648, or BS6102/3, or an equivalent EC standard.

Your bike must have 1 rear reflector, coloured red, marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside (on the right hand side of the bike), between 250mm and 900mm, from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.

If you're going to ride your bicycle in the dark, you should also have 4 pedal reflectors; coloured amber, marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), and positioned so that 1 is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each of your pedals. Reflective ankle bands etc which are not fixed to the bike, and the like, are not seen as replacements.

Oddly, pedal reflectors are not required if you have a pre-1985 steel framed bike as the law is not retroactive, so you can ride it in the dark without fear of prosecution; only fear a very nasty accident.

If you are 1 of the growing numbers of cyclists using Cycle Trailers, you must also have a rear lamp and a triangular rear reflector with an ECE mark III or IIIA.

Please do share this information on your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Merseyside Police have informed us that they are making notes of riders who they spot breaking the law and will soon be taking action very soon. So this Christmas, please stay safe. Just because you are not in a car, does not make you exempt from the UK's Highway Code. So cyclists, if you are not yet properly equipped, please ask Santa for lights this Christmas!

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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