Agenda and minutes

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Venue: St. Paul's CE Primary, Porritt Street, Via Huntley Mount Road, Bury

Contact: Nicole Tilly 

Items
No. Item

747.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members of Bury East Township Forum are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters on the Agenda, and if so, to formally declare that interest.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Rothwell declared a personal interest in item BETF.754 on the Agenda, Funding Report, relating to Bury Society for the Deaf as he is a Trustee; Bury Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted, as he is the Directorate and Trustee and First Light Film Training on the basis that two of the People involved in the Management of this Group are known personally to him.

 

748.

MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Minutes of the meeting and matters arising from the meeting held on 25 November 2013 are attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Delegated decision:

 

                That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2013, be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

 

                Mr Ainsworth enquired as to minute BETF.551 in relation to Highways issues and what could be done regarding the Traffic Enforcement Officers being abused and unable to target certain areas.

 

Councillor Walmsley stated this issue had been raised in relation to Walmersley Road at the junction on Peel Way, where Officers had been verbally abused and intimidated.  Previously they had been accompanied by PCSO’s, however with the changes in the Police financial budgets, this was no longer possible.

                Sergeant Mark Livesey reported that he would arrange a team to target this area and to work with the Traffic Enforcement Agency.

                Jimmy Hill, Chair of Pimhole Residents’ Association stated that he had complained on many occasions in relation to traffic issues on Heywood Street and Cooke Street but didn’t feel these issues were being addressed.

Dave Thomas, the Township Co-ordinator, explained that Highways had been present at the last meeting of Bury East Township Forum to listen to the Residents’ concerns and hopefully they could work with Sergeant Livesey to try and address these issues.

 

                Lesley Wildeman (Topping Fold TRA) asked for the whereabouts of the ‘no entry’ sign on Yarwood Street as requested at the last meeting.

                Councillor Holt reported that the sign was on order and would soon be enforced and Councillor Tariq stated that the sign was finally now in place.

                Kath Bond asked that it be noted that she had requested for 20 mile speed limits to be painted on the road on Willow Street.

 

749.

CARERS CENTRE PRESENTATION

A presentation will be given at the meeting.

Minutes:

Scott Alker, Senior Development Worker for Bury Carers Centre attended the meeting to explain to the members of Bury East Township Forum about the support the Centre offers to Carers. Scott explained that there are 7 million unpaid Carers in the UK today, saving the economy over £119 billion every year and that there are rights that they are entitled to, including:

 

o   a life of their own outside their caring role

o   an assessment of their needs

o   to be able to work and their employers recognise their status as a Carer

o   equal access to health and education

o  to be able to have a break from their caring role

There are 19,954 people providing unpaid care in Bury and Bury Carers Centre provides support to 2,950 registered adult Carers.  The Carers Centre works in partnership with Bury Council, NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and other voluntary organisations offering support in areas including:

 

o   To listen

o   Offer 1 -1 support

o   Referral for a Carers assessment

o   Support groups

o   Drop in facilities

o   Outreach support

o   Social events and activities

o   Training courses and sessions

o   Computer access

o   Newsletters

o   Access to counselling services

o   Information to Carers rights and legislation

o   Access to benefits advice

Bury Carers Centre is based on Silver Street and an information point in Fairfield General Hospital and the aim for the Carers of Bury is that their role as an unpaid Carer is recognised and they have access to the quality support and services they need to live their own lives and look after their own health and wellbeing.

 

Mr Ainsworth asked if it was a private company and Scott explained that Bury Carers Centre is part of the The Gaddum Centre and is a registered charitable Company funded by the LA and NHS.

 

Councillor Holt asked about the recognition from employers for Carers and Scott stated that it could depend on the business size but the legislation dictates that there has to be flexibility for Carers.

Councillor Stella Smith asked what the situation was if a Carer lived outside Bury but they cared for someone in Bury.

Scott explained that neighbouring authorities also have Carers Centres, however Bury would support a Carer under these circumstances.

 

It was agreed:

That Scott Alker be thanked for his informative presentation.

 

750.

BURY EAST ALCOHOL PROSPECTUS SCHEME - UPDATE

The Township Co-ordinator will give an update at the meeting.

Minutes:

Project proposals were invited from organisations and needed to be focused on the Bury East area and deliver ‘added value’ and do not replace services that are being provided through mainstream budgets.

 

                Lisa Harvey Nebil from the Youth Service attended the Township Forum to explain about the ‘Madhouse Project’, which began four years ago and is a dedicated service for Bury Children and Young People in care.  The Project offers diversionary activities throughout the holiday periods providing information, advice, guidance and support for young people and to understand the consequence of alcohol and substance misuse.

 

                Councillor Stella Smith stated it was unclear as to whether the project would be predominantly for Bury East young people.  Lisa stated there was no guarantee as although the young people may start in Bury East they can move in and out of the area.

                Dawn Cretney from the Youth Service attended the Township Forum to explain about the ‘Seen in New Light Project’, which responds to the issue of alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour amongst residents.  It will be delivered using an arts medium, engaging young residents and the wider Community within Chesham Fold Estate.

 

                Both project proposals had been submitted to The Elected Members of Bury East Township Forum in advance of the meeting.

 

                   Delegated decision:

 

                That following a vote from the Elected Members of Bury East Township Forum:

 

The request from the ‘Madhouse Project’ for the sum of £2,373.00 be agreed.

 

The request from the ‘Seen in New Light Project’ for the sum of £6,000 be agreed.

 

 

751.

POLICE UPDATE

Sergeant Mark Livesey will be in attendance at the meeting.

Minutes:

Sergeant Mark Livesey and PCSO Read attended the meeting to give an update and answer questions on Police issues within Bury East, including:

 

§  Anti- Social Behaviour

§  Burglary

§  Burglary Other (sheds/Garages)

§  Theft from Person

§  Robbery

§  Theft From Motor Vehicle

 

Sergeant Livesey also explained about the Community Youth Projects within Moorside, Redvales and East Wards and current operations on going.

 

Various questions were asked from the members of the Township Forum including:

 

What recognition did the street pastors receive?

Sergeant Livesey explained that the street pastors were held in very high regard and did an excellent job of helping in Bury Town Centre and had been recognised at a Police presentation only the week before and Councillor Tariq also reported that the Council had recognised their valuable work with a Community First award.

 

Were the Police involved with traffic offences such as parking on double yellow lines and on pavements?

Sergeant Livesey stated that the Police do not have the resources to deal with traffic offences and that Community Safety was paramount for the Police.  Councillor Holt explained that although it was frustrating, dangerous and costly for people to park on pavements, unfortunately, in reality, it was very difficult to address every issue.

 

It was agreed:

 

That Sergeant Livesey be thanked for his presentation.

 

Tan Ahmed (ADAB) arrived at the meeting.

 

 

752.

TOWNSHIP PLAN/YOUTH ISSUES UPDATE

The Township Co-ordinator will give an update at the meeting.

Minutes:

The Township Co-ordinator, Dave Thomas, gave a presentation and update on Bury East Township Plan and the successes of 2013 around the following key themes:

 

Improved Employment Opportunities – including launching the connection provision scheme; 3 Bury East based young people having completed 6 week placements and then secured 6 month paid placements within Bury Council.

 

                   Improved Educational Attainment – including the launch of the Community Learning Partnership (CLP) with 2 Advisory Group Members being involved in the CLP meetings.

 

                   Improved Health and Wellbeing – including a successful application for Sportivate funding by Bury Council SAPAS; the launch of the ‘I will if you will’ initiative to engage with Bury East Communities and attract more female residents into regular physical activities.

 

                   Improved Community Safety – including establishing the Bury North Action Group – a fresh focus on Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour issues in Bury East; establishing the Bury Town Centre Partnership Action Group; the ‘Be Safe Be Cool’ initiative successfully delivered in local schools.

 

Improved Community Cohesion and Integration – including stronger links developed with local faith groups to encourage attendance at Township Forums; key faith groups represented on the Advisory Board and Youth Priorities discussion to be held at ADAB on 14 March 2014.

 

The Township Co-ordinator then explained about the focus for 2014 which includes a new Youth Involvement Task Group to focus on key issues for young people with initial sessions booked for 7 March 2014 at Streetwise 2000 and 14 March at ADAB;

The Township Forum to further develop links to the Backing Young Bury Scheme;

Getting more 16 – 24 year olds from Bury East into employment and spreading word of Bury East Township Forum.

 

Councillor Rothwell brought to the attention of the Forum, Tony Beasley, a youth worker involved with young people in Bury East who could provide a link to the young communities. 

 

Harry Reed asked if there was a charge for the activities in the ‘I will if you will’ initiative.

 

The Township Co-ordinator was unsure but would report back on this query.

 

Harry Reed stated that out of the £2 million from the Government for this initiative, £50,000 was available for Community groups to be spent within 12 months.  Councillor Tariq explained that the initiative was to encourage as many people as possible and the maximum bid was £500, therefore many bids were needed in order to spend the £50,000.

 

Tan Ahmed stated that a lot of work had been taking place in order to secure all the successes of 2013 within different groups and organisations working together.

 

It was agreed:

 

That Dave Thomas, the Township Co-ordinator be thanked for his presentation.

 

 

753.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on issues of concern relating to the provision of local services.  Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time if required.

Minutes:

Mr Ainsworth asked if any planning application decisions and their reasons for decisions were available to the public.

                   Councillor Stella Smith reported that they were.

 

                   Lesley Wildeman queried an issue that she had raised to the Highways Officers at the November meeting regarding the condition of the cushions on speed bumps and the cost implications to the Council of hitting these and also the failing yellow markings on the roads, such as double yellow lines and yellow boxes in the roads.

                   Councillor Holt stated that these issues would be raised again with Highways.

 

                   Christine Arrowsmith, a local resident, stated that she had written to the Bury Times regarding potholes in the road and that some holes had been filled on Inman Street but not Waterloo Court and Arden Close.

Councillor Tariq reported that the potholes in Waterloo Court and on Arden Close would be filled next month and that apparently they are to be treated with different machinery; hence they weren’t filled when the holes on Inman Street were.

 

Tan Ahmed reported that people were driving over a grass verge on Brookshaw Street and Hilton Street for a short cut, where there is a children’s play area.  PCSO Read stated that they would investigate this issue.

 

Mr Ainsworth asked how the Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum fared being held at 1.00 pm in the winter months, as oppose to 7.00 pm?

Councillor John Smith reported that there is a very good attendance at the meeting from the public and also from outside bodies reporting at the meeting.

 

754.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Any other business which by reason of special circumstances, the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

Harry Reed brought to the attention of the Township Forum Members, ‘Party in the Park’ on 10 August 2014 and a rounder’s tournament on 29 June 2014 both at Openshaw Park.

 

                   Mr Ainsworth pointed out that there was no chewing gum on the ground within the rock new development.  Sergeant Livesey stated that this could be possibly because it was private land with separate cleaning arrangements.

 

                   Derek Burke from Bury Third Sector Development Agency attended the Forum to explain about funding opportunities for people in Bury, including:

 

§  ‘Streets Ahead Cash 4 Graft’ which is designed to release small amounts of funding (between £50 and £250) into Communities supporting groups of local people and neighbours who want to run local projects for the wider Community benefit and is available only to residents in the Borough of Bury.

 

§  Moorside Ward Community First which is to benefit Moorside residents, by allocating small amounts of grant to local groups who operate in Moorside Ward.

 

§  Healthwatch Bury, which works to help local people get the best out of their local health and social care services, which is member lead and funded by but independent from, Bury

Council.  There was a meeting being held on Monday 10 February 2014 in the Peel Room between 5 pm and 6 pm.

 

Councillor Holt stated that it was nice to see a number of young people present at the meeting and it was important to hear their feedback on how the Township Forum meetings are held.

 

Neville Mcwilliams, Treasurer of Openshaw Park Veterans’ Bowling Club, explained to the Forum that double glazing had now been completed at the Club which was appreciated with a view to further work being completed in the future.

 

755.

FUNDING REPORT pdf icon PDF 115 KB

A funding report is attached for information.

Minutes:

A community Funding Report for Bury East had been circulated to members prior to the meeting for information.  Councillor Tariq stated that there was still an amount of Ward Funding still available for this year, £1,400 for East ward, £1,525 for Moorside and £1,275 for Redvales and stressed it was necessary to get any bids in from constituted organisations as soon as possible as the money was  only available until the end of March.  Also, there was still a small amount of cross ward funding left.

 

756.

VENUE, DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum will be held on Wednesday 19 March, 2014 at 7.00 pm, at the New Kershaw Centre, Deal Street, Bury.

Minutes:

The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum will be held on Wednesday 19 March 2014 at 7.00 pm, at the New Kershaw Centre, Deal Street, Bury.