Ernie has posted a link of the forum to here: http://wkirbyml.epetitions.net.

to gather as many names, as is possible, on a petition opposing the lake changes.

If you are in agreement with the petition please take a few minutes to sign it

Thanks

Minutes from the last cabinet meeting.

Apparenly Mr I Sparks, sailing school manager supported the proposal, he stated something on the lines that the lake is mostly used when the weather is bad when demand for parking for west kirby is less. Even though the hotel will create its own all weather demand.

WEST KIRBY REGENERATION - THE SAIL PROJECT
Further to minute 390 (19/3/09) the Director of Corporate Services presented a report
providing further details in relation to concerns expressed by members relating to the
loss of car parking , the hotel design, and the specification for the sailing school.
Carpenter Investments had also provided financial details about the scheme in the
form of a development appraisal which was currently being reviewed by the Council’s
appointed independent consultants.

The final report from the appointed consultants in respect of the independent
assessment of the development appraisal would be available for the Cabinet meeting
on 23rd April. As the lock out agreement expired on 10th April 2009, it was
recommended that a further extension of the lockout agreement to 23 April be
agreed.

This sailing school element of the scheme was considered by the Culture Tourism
and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee (minute 24 – 31/3/09) when it was
resolved:

“That this Committee recommend to Cabinet that the officers be asked to liaise with
the scheme’s architects to ensure that the design issues identified by Members are
addressed with specific attention drawn to the need for disabled persons’ toilets and
the provision of a chandler’s boat repair facility.”

With the permission of the Chair, Councillor John Hale (Scrutiny Committee Chair),
Mr Dalglish (West Kirby Working Group), Mr I Sparks (Sailing School Manager), Mr
Brewitt (Developers) and Councillor Jeff Green (Conservative Group Leader)
addressed the meeting.

Mr Howard Mortimer, Head of Special Initiatives, responded to issues raised by the
speakers. He reported that the case for economic benefits associated with this
scheme in providing a modern boutique type hotel and the re-provision of the Sailing
school, fully funded by the private sector, had not changed since its inception in
2006.

The Leader acknowledged the benefits of the scheme in providing a much enhanced
sailing school which the Council would run and manage. However, the financial
appraisal was needed before Cabinet could progress matters any further.
Resolved –

(1) That Cabinet notes the content of this report, and will further consider this
information together with the representations made tonight and the report that
will be provided to Cabinet on 23 April, outlining the outcome of the
independent assessment of the development appraisal.

(2) Cabinet also notes that the lock-out agreement has now expired and
considers that the terms of the lock-out agreement have been met.

(3) Cabinet notes the views of the Culture Tourism and Leisure Overview and
Scrutiny Committee.

Robbie is correct, I attended the cabinet meeting and the sailing school manager seemed to be supportive of the new plans and gave no suggestion of any problems that they might cause.
You can't blame him really though, the sailing school is in need of attention, and as an employee of Wirral Council I would think it hard to comment adversely on a report drawn up by the Council, especially when it relates directly to your job. Perhaps the council need a little more independent advise, or may to consult more than 1 person.

Sarah Beer, from CI has placed an article in a freebie magazine, Wirral view, it states "what you read above is all true", and goes on to say that there will be "170 public space 80 of which will be on the current site", "with the remainder behind the sailing school" [or the marine lake car park],"The car park will cope as well as it does now with the influx of visitors on sunny days. The spaces will be open to all, but carefully managed to ensure lake licence users and windsurfers can always rig, depart and sail with priority and without fuss. These people people are the spirit of the lake and the reason for the school;they have our absolute guarantee that we have thier interests at heart and we will continue to consult with them as work goes on"

They certainly did not consult about the new parking arrangements, and how is possible to prioritise cars already parked, push them onto beach to make way for lake users?

And is it really true that there will be no impact on peak parking with additional demand generated by hotel customers?

It also mentions the possibility of space for a chandlers, ie Giff, not in the last designs.

You can view the full scanned article here by zooming in, it's on two images. http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Stopthesail/SailArticleCropped#5358771255318720354