| PTF.355 | Councillor Bayley declared a personal interest in Minute PTF.358 below, Stone Roses Concerts, as a Manchester City Council employee. |
| PTF.357 |
In respect of Minute PTF.213, Prestwich Township Area Plan, Councillor O’Hanlon queried whether the Plan had received approval at the last meeting. It was reported that the initial approval had been agreed but was subject to a full update being provided at the next meeting. The Chair reported that as result of the Stone Roses Update at this evenings meeting, a full comprehensive update would be given at the November meeting of the Forum.
In response to a question concerning the request for a Special Meeting, Leigh Webb, Democratic Services Officer, explained that agreement had been at the discretion of the Council Leader who had concluded that any
future meeting on the issue could not take place before a full de-brief had taken place between both Manchester and Bury Council along with the partner organisations and event organisers. The Chair, David Stanley, explained that all efforts had been made to ensure all relevant parties were present to allow full and comprehensive consideration of the issues at this evenings meeting.
With regard to issues raised during Public Question Time in respect of First Buses, Councillor Bayley reported on the outcome of a meeting with the Bus Company and informed residents that issues could be raised with
himself or Transport for Greater Manchester. With regard to a question from Mr Barrett relating to the amount of subsidy paid to First Bus, Councillor Bayley undertook to find out an report back to Mr Barrett.
In response to a question raised at the last meeting concerning the new CCTV Control Centre, Ged Mcgee, Head of Community Safety, reported that a centralised operation at Bradley Fold would result in expenditure being reduced by £50,000 per annum. It was explained that a one-off investment of £110,000 would be used for improvement works.
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| PTF.358 | Representatives from Manchester City Council and SJM promotions attended the meeting to report on the issues raised as a result of the recently held Stone Roses concerts. A presentation was given which set out the following reasons behind holding concerts in Heaton Park:
• Attract new park users and develop repeat visits.
• Increase visitor numbers from outside the region and encourage visitors to stay longer
• Attract major music events of national and international reach; nurture and develop music events indigenous to Manchester, maximising their economic and social potential.
• Add value to the city-region’s music venue portfolio and to the cultural offer of Manchester.
• Augment and improve Heaton Park's capacity and resources to facilitate and deliver high quality events of all sizes and create a legacy in terms of the Park’s improved infrastructure and services.
• Manage Heaton Park efficiently and effectively, particularly by improving its financial base and developing private sector partnerships.
The presentation responded to issues raised in respect of Communications; Traffic and Transport; Security; Cleansing; Anti-Social Behaviour; and Noise Management. Following a full post event de-brief, the following targeted areas of improvement were highlighted:
• Review of controls in external environment / management of access and egress of audience to reduce potential for anti-social behaviour
• Additional traffic and transport measures - review of enforcement operation or controls that can be implemented to reduce pick up and drop off from taxis, mini-buses and private vehicles on highway external to the park.
• Review of extending road closure options in immediate vicinity of the park for egress
• Options to be explored re: viability of a Residents Parking Scheme for major events at identified locations
• Communications - review of controls for letter drops and expanding communication channels pre event.
• Cross Authority liaison and working practices including event day communication and problem solving to be reviewed.
Questions and comments were invited from members of the Township Forum and the public present at the meeting, and the following issues were raised:
• A number of residents expressed concerns and anger about concert goers urinating in nearby streets and gardens. Issues were raised about the numbers of toilets provided and the lack of enforcement by the Police.
• Mrs Gilbert reported a lack of stewarding and security in the Sheepfoot Lane area and commented that better stewarding was in effect during the Oasis Concerts.
• Concerns were raised in relation to stewarding, security and policing levels. It was suggested that the event organisers should have employed more security and stewards due to the limited Police presence.
• Mel Abrahams commented that lessons were not learnt from the first night and that problems encountered on the first night still occurred on subsequent nights.
• James Reeve reported that he had sent three complaint letters to SJM and AMG Directors and was yet to receive a response. Mr Reeve highlighted that the main trouble occurred after the concert had ended and Police and security were unable to prevent anti social behaviour.
• It was suggested that mobile toilets should have been cleaned on an ongoing basis throughout the concerts.
• Luci Roper highlighted the positive impact on the local business community of large events being held in the town.
• A number of residents commented that the local infrastructure surrounding the park was not sufficient to support such large scale events.
• Mrs Linda Brown highlighted the need for better consultation with the local community in advance of concerts being held in the park.
• In response to questions about how much revenue was received by Bury Council, Eammon O’Rourke from Manchester City Council commented that the holding of such events allowed Manchester City Council to invest in the Park which benefits Bury residents who use the Park.
• A majority of the public present at the meeting indicated that they
had not received information leaflets in advance of the event.
• With regard to consultation with the local community, Kirsten Warren, Heaton Park Manager, reported on the work and make-up of the Heaton Park Event Community Consultation Group. Members of the public highlighted the need for the work of this Group to be widely shared and suggested the minutes of the meetings be posted on the Manchester City Council website.
• A representative from SJM concerts who was present at the meeting undertook to examine the issues raised at the meeting with colleagues, particularly the points over which they have control.
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| PTF.359 |
The Chair, Mr David Stanley, invited questions, comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting. Questions were asked and comments made on the issues detailed below. The Township Forum Co-ordinator undertook to obtain a reply to matters which could not be dealt with at the meeting.
• Mr Husain, representing Simister Village Homewatch, reported on recent accidents in the Simister area on Heywood Road and requested that the area be given priority as part of the Council’s roll out of 20 mph zones . An undertaking was given to raise the issue with Highways to determine the priority for Simister.
• A resident of Sheepfoot Lane highlighted that the parking facility had resulted in bottlenecks being caused and requested that the facility be re-thought. The Area Co-ordinator undertook to raise the issue at the Heaton Park Community Group.
• Hannah Cropper reported on the recent flooding in parts of Prestwich and highlighted the issue of blocked grids and drains in the area. Councillor Campbell explained the drain cleaning programme undertaken by the Council and undertook to look into the specific issues raised and report back.
• Pat Gorton enquired about outstanding Section 106 monies in respect of essential works required at Bailey Street Bowling Club. Mrs Gorton asked if there was any indication of when the work would commence and whether there was a time limit to spend the outstanding monies.
• In response to a question concerning the recently held Festwich event, the Chair, Mr Stanley, confirmed that organisers would be invited to attend the next meeting of the Township Forum.
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| PTF.360 | Members of the Township Forum considered a presentation from Ian Davenport, Service Development Manager on Bury’s proposed Council tax Support Scheme. The presentation set out t the following information;
The Council currently administers on behalf of the government, a scheme for providing support with Council Tax costs, to people on low incomes; Council Tax Benefit.
The Government is legislating to ‘localise’ the scheme whilst at the same time imposing a 10% reduction in the amount of funding provided. The Council would lose funding of around £1.4 million a year.
The Government has stipulated that benefit must not be reduced for pensioners, cuts in funding would have to be concentrated on the remainder of the caseload.
The scheme would be operational by 1st April 2013 and the final scheme needs full Council approval by 31st January 2013. Public Consultation would take place between 4th September and 31st October 2012.
In addition to the Council tax freeze and the cost of the cut to the Council Tax Support, the Council must find an additional £9.8 million of savings.
The local scheme should aim to protect vulnerable people in the borough from the effect of the changes. The new scheme should contain a mixture of measures with the aim of spreading the effect of government cuts.
During discussion of this item, the Chair, Mr Stanley, suggested that the benefit be protected in respect of widowers to allow for finances to be adjusted following the loss of a partner.
In response to a question from Tom Gribben it was explained that the empty property exemption was for a period of 6 months.
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| PTF.361 | Kim Griffiths, Township Co-ordinator, had submitted an updated Area Plan for Prestwich at the meeting. The Plan had been formulated and contained a number of key issues for the area. Councillor Campbell requested that the Forum re-affirm its approval of the document and stressed the importance of the Plan to the work of the Township Forum |