Agenda and minutes

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.

Councillor Connolly declared an interest as his partner was an employee at Bury Council.

Minutes of the meeting and matters arising from the meeting held on 3 February 2015 are attached.

Delegated decision:  

                              That the minutes of the last meeting held on 3 February, 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair with the following issues and amendments to be recorded:

                         Mr Ainsworth stated that the Older People’s Forum has been disbanded and no longer exists.

                     In respect of Minute BETF.680  ‘Police Update’, Kath Bond asked why there were no questions to Sergeant Livesey in the minutes.  It was explained that there had not been particular questions to Sergeant Livesey but that he had updated the Forum on Police matters in the 3 wards of Bury East.

                  Councillor Holt welcomed Kath back to the meeting after her fall prior to the

                  Township Forum in February and explained that the lighting on the Street outside St. Paul’s Primary was poor and this may be a venue to be reconsidered in the dark winter months. 

                  Councillor Connolly informed the members of the Township Forum that

                  following the last meeting, in relation to item BETF.681 ‘Public Question Time’, he had stated to Victor Hagen that he would facilitate a meeting with him and with Chief Officers of Six Town Housing and that the meeting had taken place that afternoon which Councillor Connolly had Chaired.  Mr Hagan had been given the opportunity to voice his concerns in relation to housing within the Borough and the outcome of the meeting had been extremely positive and it was hoped that the issues Mr Hagan had raised had been addressed.

                  Also under the item of Public Question Time, Harry Reed (Seedfield Residents’ Association) stated that he had been informed that the flooding grid on Rochdale Road was to be sorted shortly after the last meeting; however this had not been the case.  Mr Reed explained that he had been complaining about this particular grid for 2 years and the problem had still not been resolved. 

                  Councillor Connolly stated that in a related issue, at the last meeting Mr Iqbal had brought to the attention of the Forum the flooding grids on Heywood Street and Fletcher Street and that following the meeting, he had informed Highways but no action had yet been taken.  Mr Iqbal stated that he had also mentioned the ditch which was not in the minutes. 

                  Several local residents reported certain areas in Willow Street, Hurst Street, a number of areas in Redvales Ward and at the main junction at Walmersley Road which were prone to flooding, sometimes not just by blocked grids that were causing problems.

                  Councillor Holt stated that he could understand the frustration of local residents and the Township Co-ordinator, Dave Thomas, reported that he would endeavour to have a representative from Highways present at the first meeting of Bury East Township Forum in the next municipal year.

                  Harry Reed stated that he would like the minutes amending as although he had queried about money being available in relation to road maintenance he had not specifically stated £10 million as recorded in the minutes.

The Chair will read out a statement regarding the importance of Electoral Registration and how to ensure residents check that they are registered to vote and what to do if they are not.

                  In the lead up to the General and Local Elections on 7 May, the Chair, Councillor Holt, read out a statement regarding the importance of ensuring Bury residents are registered to vote.

                  Letters, which had been funded by Central Government, had been delivered to all households in the Borough in February 2015 to confirm whether or not those listed are registered to vote and what individuals must do if they are not registered or need to be added to a property.  For those who need to register, the simplest way to do so was online at www.go.uk/register-to-vote or to telephone the Council on 0161 253 5252.  Residents would need to provide their date of birth and National Insurance Number.  Poll cards would be sent out in early April to each individual on the register.

                  Mike Harling stated that he had been approached by a 17 year old who would be 18 by 7^th May, and clarified if he would be eligible to vote?

                  Councillor Holt reported that as long as he registered to vote he could do so as he would be voting age by 7 May 2015.

                  Tan Ahmed (ADAB) stated that he was working with a number of people within the ethnic minority community who were having difficulties with registering to vote and that he had contacted Democratic Services regarding the process. Councillor Holt stressed the importance of all residents being registered to vote.

The Bury East Township Plan is attached for information.

                Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator, explained to the members of the Forum that the Township Co-ordinators along with Councillor Lewis, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, had put together a form for residents’ views on how to provide a better service delivery to local communities, including:

§  Introducing a local ‘market place’ format which would involve stands around the room providing details of any ongoing consultations and relevant community information.  These would include Officers from 6 Town Housing, the Fire Service, Police and Highways to give the public extra access to Partner agencies.

§  Opportunities to formalise Police involvement in Township Forums.

§  Reduce the number of meetings from 6 to 4 per year.

§  Delegate decisions to Township Forums relating to combined small grants/community fund pots.

Dave explained that the residents’ views on the Township Forums were important and asked that they complete the form and provide any further comments.

o   Mr Ainsworth stated that reports should be provided within a time limit and that the general public were not attending these meetings. Councillor Holt stated that this was a good way of residents having their say in a way to refresh the meetings.

o   Tan Ahmed asked if, as a trial, one meeting could be held during the day instead of evening.  Councillor John Smith stated that Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum does hold 2 of their Forums in the winter months in the afternoon and their public attendance was high.  They always had Police Officers in attendance at the meetings and often Officers in relation to local Public Transport issues.

o   Councillor Walmsley stated that it would be prejudice to young people, students and those at work who would not be able to attend if the meetings were held during the day.  A number of retired residents attended the Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum but the meetings needed to be open to a wider demographic community who could attend the meetings outside school and work hours.

o   Councillor Holt asked if other Township Forums moved to different venues as Bury East held their meetings in turn at each different ward.  Dave stated that Whitefield and Unsworth, Radcliffe and Prestwich Township Forums mostly stayed at one venue.

o   Mike Harling commented that Redvales Children’s Centre did not have a direct bus service and that residents could only access the venue by taxi or walking.  It was acknowledged that certain venues did have better access than others.

o   Kath Bond asked if the meetings could be held on Saturdays.  Councillor Connolly stated he thought that was a good idea and Dave Thomas queried whether this could be trialled.

o   Mr Ainsworth stated that the PACT meetings were relevant to each ward and individually were better attended than the Township Forum.  Dave stated that through the Township Forums it was more possible to reach the wider community.

Dave also reported that the Bury East Township Plan was attached for information and that he was currently in the process of producing an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 836.

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.

§  Mr Ainsworth stated that the hospital buses, 468 and 469, which used to take the public directly to the hospital had been stopped due to parking issues.  There had been no public consultation in relation to this.  Councillor Cassidy stated that the buses were unable to manoeuvre round due to the traffic which really needed enforcing.  Mike Harling explained that the 475 bus still went to the hospital but that this bus only ran every hour whereas the 468 and 469 had been every 10 minutes.

§  Mike Harling asked in relation to parking restrictions on Market Street and Councillor Connolly asked that Mike emailed him with specifics.

Councillor Holt reported that parking restrictions now ran from the Rochdale boundary to Lea Mount Drive so public parking was not available on the Streets around the hospital which had been causing concerns for local residents.

§  Mr Ainsworth asked about a ramp between the car park where the large home bargains shop was on Moorgate Retail Park, to the smaller car park to the NHS Walk-In Centre, as it was difficult for people in wheelchairs and with prams.

Councillor Connolly reported that public who parked on the Moorgate Retail car park were supposed to be shopping on that particular site and that the car park for the Walk-In Health Centre was a private car park and not the responsibility of the Council.

§  Kath Bond reported that she had hoped to put to the Police Sergeant at the last meeting, the major concerns with people parking on the pavements.  Kath stated that pedestrians were supposed to walk on the footpaths but vehicles were constantly obstructing and pedestrians had to walk in the road.

Councillor Walmsley replied that Police allow vehicles to park on the pavements if they would be obstructing the flow of traffic on the road.  There were streets of terraced houses in Bury and if residents didn’t park on the pavements they would be causing traffic obstructions.

Mike Harling stated that in certain areas of the Country, pavements were built wider to accommodate vehicles as well as pedestrians.

In a related issue, Councillor Holt reported that a shop off Silver Street in the centre of Bury had put furniture on the pavement which was forcing pedestrians into the road, which needed to be addressed.

§  Mr Ainsworth asked why, when most retail shops were open on Saturdays and Sundays, the Town Hall and Council were not.

Councillor Connolly agreed that people’s shopping habits have changed and that many people now shop online and that this was something that was being considered also for Council Services to be available 7 days a week for people to make payments.

§  Harry Reed stated that there had been a break in at Openshaw Park and flags had been pulled up.  Harry had phoned security but was concerned as this was Council property that local residents were looking after and it would be an added charge to the Council if the flags  ...  view the full minutes text for item 837.

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

                Councillor John Smith informed the Township Forum of the ‘Big Gig at Gigg Lane’ which was scheduled for June 2015 from 3 pm – 11 pm on a particular Saturday and Sunday and the concerns of such an event taking place and that the organisers don’t actually have a Safety Certificate at this stage.  Councillor Smith stated that the event could be detrimental on the surrounding area in relation to noise, parking, anti social behaviour and people leaving the site late at night with no public transport available. 

                Councillor Tariq had contacted the football club and had been told to speak to the organisers of the event directly.  There was only 1 exit and 11 ½ thousand tickets were available and this was a major concern to all the Ward Councillors and they would be writing to the organisers of the event as they had not applied for the Safety Certificate at this stage. 

                Mike Harling reported that there was a nursing home right next door to the site with flats on the opposite side.

                Councillor Connolly reported that he has been liaising with the Head of Trading Standards and Licensingin relation to this and if the organisers don’t secure the Health and Safety Certificate the event cannot go ahead.  He explained that he is meeting with the Chief Executive of the Football Club who also needed to take some responsibility for this event and he will make it quite clear the concerns that had been raised.

                Tan Ahmed reported that this Sunday, 22 March, ADAB in partnership with 2 Mosques would be involved in a cleanup operation to get over the seriousness of dumping in rivers and the dangers of flooding.  Tan explained that everyone was welcome to attend and they would meet at South Cross Street at 10.00 am and travel across the area.  Lunch would also be included and he hoped residents would attend.

                Councillor Holt informed the Township Forum that this was in fact the last meeting of Bury East TF for Councillor John Smith who after 16 years as a Councillor for Redvales Ward would be retiring after the election on 7 May 2015.  Councillor Holt thanked Councillor Smith for his dedicated years of Service as a Ward Councillor, Deputy Leader of Bury Council and for his serving as Mayor for Bury.  Councillor Stella Smith was appointed Mayor for 2015/2016 and Councillor John Smith would be her Consort. 

                Councillor Holt also explained that unfortunately Councillor Rothwell was not present at the meeting tonight but that he would also be retiring as Councillor for Moorside Ward and thanked him for his loyalty and dedication to Bury Council during his time as Ward Councillor. Councillor Holt gave Councillor Smith and Councillor Rothwell his heartfelt thanks and wished them both all the very best for the future.

                As this was the last meeting of Bury East TF for 2014/2015, Councillor Holt thanked Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator and Democratic Services for their involvement and also Lesley Wildeman for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 838.

The Bury East funding report is attached for information.

                A copy of the Community Funding report for Bury East was submitted setting out details of the funding allocations to date in support of the work of local voluntary and community groups.

The date of the next Bury East Township Forum is to be confirmed.

                   The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum will be held in June 2015, date and venue as yet to be confirmed.