Have you smelled it?

People in South Liverpool have been noticing odd smells - sort of like TCP - in parts of Speke and Garston.  It's not all the time but when it's there it is noticeable.

It's possible that a particular factory is responsible and the Council's Environmental Health department is investigating after a series of reports (including from me but also from other people who live nearby)

They will be checking on the area in the next week or so but are particularly keen to be aware of when people are noticing the smell so that they can try to visit when the smell is actually there.

If you live in the area and notice the smell you can alert environmental health by either using their on line form which you will find at this link or by calling them via 0151 233 3000.

Grants for local groups - deadline looming

There's a grants scheme linked to Health and Wellbeing that could be useful for local groups looking to apply for funds.

The deadline for this next round is 23rd August so there's not a huge amount of time left

Here is the link if you want to follow it up.

24 hour alcohol sales - St Mary's Road - update.

We now know the date of the licensing committee meeting about whether or not the petrol station on Garston Way/St Mary's Road will be able to sell alcohol 24 hours a day. This is the filling station by ASDA where St Marys Road starts going down into Garston village.

The meeting is on the 5th September.  Richard Oglethorpe and I will be there on behalf of local people (thanks to those who signed the petition asking us to represent you).

Richard appears to be  the only Councillor to have sent in an objection ( which means effectively that two of the current three Cressington Councillors and all of the Speke Garston Councillors have not bothered)

Obviously at the moment we can't predict how this will turn out although we will use all the arguments about potential noise nuisance and anti social behaviour etc.  Many people have said to us that they are worried about this, particularly as there are so many houses very near this place.

Anyway, the paperwork in advance of the meeting is on the Council's website at the moment which you can find at this link.

We will update as soon as we can.

Work on Cressington Station

Merseyrail is looking to put a toilet into the station at Cressington and to do a bit of work on the pavement immediately outside the building. 

The details aren't all published yet but when they are you'll be able to find them with the planning application here

Garston way alcohol sales?

The deadline has now gone for objections or comments on whether or not the petrol filling station at Garston Way (the bit where St Mary's Road starts going into Garston village) should be able to sell alcohol late at night and in the early hours of the morning.

Richard Oglethorpe and I have sent in objections and a large number of residents have sent in objections and comments too.

We don't know yet when the licensing committee is likely to make a decision on this but I will post updates when I have more news.

Meanwhile, thanks to the people who signed our petition on the issue. The licensing section will by now know about the strength of local feeling.

Cobblestone corner - new development?

Cobblestone corner is a little cul de sac off Ivy Avenue in Garston.  Ivy Avenue itself is off Garston Old Road.

A few years ago Cobblestone corner was basically some student accommodation buildings round a yard.

Since then it's changed with family houses along one side and empty properties along the other.

A developer has just sent in  plan to create "supported living" homes in part of the "corner".

The idea is that these would be for people with disabilities.

The full details of the plan aren't published yet, but when they are you will be able to see them at this link.

When I have more information on this I will blog again, but if you are a local resident who might want to comment it's worth you checking the link over the next couple of weeks so you have the detail you need.

ATM Campaign update

I've blogged before about my campaigning for more fee free cash machines (ATMs that don't charge you to get your own money) in Liverpool (and elsewhere for that matter)

Back in May, as a result I suspect of some of the media coverage, the people from LINK came up to Liverpool to discuss things but also to have a look around the various areas which were local cash deserts. There were quite a few of these and many were in areas of deprivation, making the problem not just annoying but a real tax on poverty.

Anyway, the good news is that another tiny step foward is being taken in that the visit has now been written up and is on the agenda for a Council committee next week (Wednesday's finance committee).

So hopefully this will mean the problem gets highlighted again and some action gets taken.

Its not a problem the Council can solve on its own (although it does own buildings that in some cases would be great ATM locations) but the Council can help create situations which make it more likely that fee free cash machines will be put in.

One of the cash machines in Cressington that charges takes £1 80 for each withdrawal.  If you think about someone taking cash once a week that mounts up considerably.  And even if you only pay the price once, that's £1 80 that you could spend on something like bread and milk, or orange juice, or cereal.

So what on the face of it sounds like a small issue can actually be a big problem if you are cash poor and at a time when many people are strugging surely this is a problem we ought to crack.