Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the last meeting held on 13 November 2013 are attached.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting, held on 13 November 2013, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A copy of the Action Checklist is attached.

A copy of the Action Checklist was submitted. Further to Minute PTF.503, Mr David Stanley reported that the issues relating to the Eruv were not yet resolved. The Chair, Councillor Heneghan, undertook to follow up progress with the Parks Department.

Inspector Kenny will give a brief update at the meeting.

Inspector Kenny provided an update on policing matters in respect of Prestwich and highlighted concerns in relation to a recent increase in rates of burglary in Bury South. Inspector Kenny stressed the importance of working with the public.

In response to Inspector Kenny’s request for engagement with residents and the public, Councillor James requested that PACT meetings be re-instated in the Sedgely area. The Inspector undertook to keep the issue under review.

With regard to a Police presence in the library, Inspector Kenny reported that there would not be a permanent drop in arrangement and that Officers would visit the library as a part of their beat.

Jay Lieberman raised concerns on behalf of a Sedgely resident concerning the need for improved street lighting. Councillor James referred to the ongoing roll out of LED lighting across the Borough. The Chair, Councillor Heneghan undertook to ensure a local ward Councillor would liaise with the resident.

In response to concerns about the capacity of the Police to cope with an increase in the numbers attending the upcoming Parklife event, Inspector Kenny stated that early planning and liaison with organisers and stakeholders would take place. During discussion of this issue, Councillor Quinn stressed the importance of Bury Division having a presence within the control room.

It was agreed:

That the update be noted.

Derek Burke will attend the meeting.

The Township Forum considered a verbal presentation from Derek Burke, Chief Officer, Bury Third Sector Development Agency (B3SDA).

The Agency is a charity which seeks to support and develop third sector organisations, social enterprises, charities and co-operatives.

The Chief Officer reported that the B3SDA offers a range of products designed to help third sector organisations, including:

·      Volunteer Centre

·      Communication Data Service

·      Funding and Development Service

·      Partnership and Engagement  

Reference was made to additional funding that  had been made available for Bury residents via the Forever Manchester initiative.  The funding is available for small locally led organisations based in Bury (the Streets Ahead scheme) and the Cash4graft scheme which is designed to release small amounts of funding (between £50 and £250)  for community groups of local people and neighbours who want to run local projects for the wider community benefit.

                   The Chief Officer reported that B3SDA also provides support to Healthwatch which acts as the new independent consumer champion for both health and social care.  It was explained that Healthwatch works to help local people get the best out of their local health and social services. 

It was agreed:

That Derek Burke be thanked for his presentation.

George Heron will report at the meeting.

George Heron, representing Incredible Edible, gave a presentation setting out the ethos and achievements of the organisation since its formation in 2008. The presentation included details of the following aims and aspirations for Incredible Edible in the Prestwich and District area in the future:

•     Focus on new community volunteers + corporate + institutional + JobCentre

•     More small cooking events

•     Project maintenance and growth; better signage, planters and CLC role

•     Polytunnel and allotment links?

•     Beer Festival, (no Big Dig, no Spring Fair) Apple Day

•     Feeding Manchester project and the Greater Manchester Food Charter

•     Fostering new links

•     Staffed and funded projects: show garden and learning, land-based work training (Veg People), food poverty

It was agreed:

That George Heron be thanked for his presentation.

The Township Manager will report. Plan attached.

The Chair, Councillor Heneghan, formally welcomed Ruth Shedwick as the new Township Co-ordinator.

During discussion of the Plan, Councillor Black provided a brief update on the work of the Regeneration Group and reported that officer support had been allocated to the Group through the Council.

In response to a question concerning any plans to extend the fitness equipment within local parks, the Township Co-ordinator explained that the installation of the equipment was part of a rolling programme and suggestions were welcome.

It was agreed:

That the update be noted.

A period of up to 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions or raise issues of concern relating to the provision of local services.

The Chair, Councillor Heneghan, 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.

·      In response to a request Eammon O’Brien, concerning the replacement of bus shelters, Councillor Bayley explained that replacements were taking place across the Prestwich area.

·      In response to a question from Councillor O’Hanlon, Councillor

Bayley undertook to find out about the possibility of real time information being provided at bus stops in Prestwich.

·      Councillor Quinn reported that developers had stated that work on retirement homes at Park View/Bury New Road would commence this year.

·      Jay Lieberman raised concerns in relation a sink hole and speeding problems on Butterstile Lane. It was reported that Highways Officers were aware and dealing with the issue. With regard to the issue of speeding, Councillor Black highlighted that Butterstile Lane was a priority 1 scheme for 20mph zones.

·      Robert Atkins expressed concern about the ability of Butterstile Lane to cope with the high volume of bus traffic and referred to the level of vibrations suffered by adjacent properties and obstructions caused by cars parking on both sides of the road. The Chair, Councillor Heneghan, undertook to raise the issues with the Principal Highways Engineer.

·      Tony Carter reported that a leak on the Prestwich Hills estate had caused danger as a result of the road not being gritted. Mr Carter reported that grids needed clearing on Lowther Road and Church Lane. The Chair, Councillor Heneghan, highlighted that such issues could be raised through the Customer Contact Centre.

·      James H Reeve raised a number of concerns in relation to the upcoming Parklife Festival, based on the experience of last years event. Mr Reeve highlighted problem issues from last year, namely, illegal alcohol sales; petty crime; illegal taxi ranks; and numerous public order offences including urination and drinking in public places. Assurances were sought in relation to the need for a residents parking scheme, which were not put in place last year.

·      Councillor Black reported that there was a lot of local support for a community based campaign around the issue of dog fouling, which she will be looking to take forward. In relation to the issue of dog fouling, David Stanley highlighted the issue of inappropriately sited dog bins

·      Members of the Township Forum and the public present at the meeting placed on record their thanks for the hard work and valuable contributions of Kim Griffiths during her time as Prestwich Township Co-ordinator.