| RTNM.701 | There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.
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| RTNM.703 | Inspector Bryn Williams attended the meeting to report on police issues across the wards of Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor.
Inspector Williams explained that there had recently been a high number of higher value vehicles vandalised in Ramsbottom Town Centre. Inspector Williams reported that 150 vehicles had been damaged since December 2011.
The Police were investigating the crimes and had issued an image taken from CCTV. It was explained that it was very difficult to detect the vandalism being carried out and there had as yet been no eye witnesses to any of the incidents. The offender also carried out the vandalism in different locations and at different times of the day and night.
There had been some covert work carried out to try and catch the offender in the act but as yet this had not been successful.
Inspector Williams explained that the police were treating the crimes as serious and they had liaised with the National Police Investigation Team to seek advice on any similar crimes across the country.
Those present at the meeting were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:-
• A member of the public asked if any advice could be given out to drivers coming into the town in relation to the incidents.
Inspector Williams explained that it was difficult to offer any kind of advice as the incidents were random and carried out by somebody who didn’t draw any attention to themselves.
• A member of the public referred to the picture that had been in the local press and explained that the picture had been small and difficult to make out. Would it be possible to circulate a better image?
Inspector Williams explained that the image available on the internet was of a better standard. The size of the image published in the press was something that the police had no influence over.
• A member of the public asked whether a bait car could be used to catch the person responsible.
It was explained that the criminal was targeting high specification vehicles. The cars that were available for the police to use would not fit into this category.
• Councillor Hussain referred to a similar case where the criminal had been caught when he took his key into the local key - cutters and there had been remnants of paint on it. Councillor Hussain asked whether the local key cutters had been asked to keep an eye out.
Inspector Williams stated that the tool used to damage the vehicle may not be a key bit could be something else.
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| RTNM.704 | Rukhsana Haq, Community Engagement Worker for BARDOC (Bury and Rochdale Doctors on Call) gave a presentation providing information regarding the recent changes to BARDOC’s Out of Hours GP Services in Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Bury.
As well as informing the meeting of the range of Out of Hours Services provided by the organisation, it was a reported that BARDOC had become a Community Benefit Society and under the new constitution, were looking to elect members of the local community as part of their Council of Governors in order to ensure that BARDOC’s vision and strategy meet the interests of the Community.
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the work of BARDOC were invited to complete a membership form.
Those present at the meeting were given the opportunity to ask questions and the following points were raised:-
• A member of the public present asked how the Bardoc service was funded.
It was explained that the service was funded by the PCT. All doctors’ surgeries had to provide some sort of out of hours service. The Bardoc service was associated with a number of different surgeries across Bury and Rochdale. If a surgery did not use Bardoc they would have to provide an alternative out of hours service for their patients.
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| RTNM.705 | Dave Thomas the Township Co-ordinator gave a presentation explaining work that had been undertaken to date in formulating the area plan for Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor and the next steps.
It was explained that the information gathered during the workshop event at the last meeting of the Township Forum had been reviewed and collated the next stage of the process was to Next stage is to decide which 4 or 5 priorities should feature in Area Plan and this would be done in consultation with the Councillors, Advisory Group Members and other key partners.
It was anticipated that the Plan would be published in April 2012.
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| RTNM.706 | • A member of the public referred to the news that Sainsbury’s may submit a planning application to open another supermarket in Ramsbottom and asked what the Township Forum Members thought of this.
Councillor Bevan explained that he had already commented on this issue in the local press and reported that he would not support another supermarket being developed in the Town.
The other Councillors present did not comment on the issue.
• Mr Walkden referred to the issue of dog fouling in Hawkshaw which was a problem. Some signs had been erected to try to prevent this but Mr Walkden asked if other signs were available.
It was explained that there were some signs available to download that could be printed off. This had been reported at a recent PACT meeting.
• Mr Schwartz reported that the Rossendale run 476 bus service had stopped running through South Greenmount. The company had promised to review the situation in January but as yet there had been no news. Mr Schwartz asked whether Rossendale buses could be contacted over this issue.
• Mr Walkden explained that the shop on the main road through Hawkshaw was the only shop for the villagers to use locally. As with all retailers in the current climate, the shop had been negatively affected. There was a car which parked on the right directly outside the shop all day on a Saturday
obscuring it from any passing trade that may want to stop.
Mr Walkden asked whether anything could be done such as restricted parking to stop this from happening.
The Chair reported that she would discuss this issue with the Highways Officers.
• Mr Walkden reported that a 220ft wind turbine had recently been erected at the point where bury, Bolton and Blackburn meet behind the old Bulls Head Pub at the top of Turton Road.
Mr Walkden asked if the local authorities liaised with each other about issue such as these and whether consultation should have been carried out with the local Bury residents.
• Mr Farlow asked if any members of the Township forum were aware of any celebrations locally for the Queen’s Jubilee.
It was reported that Greenmount Village would be holding a village party on Tuesday 5 June. The party would be spread over four sites; Greenmount Church, Greenmount Old School, Naylor’s Field and Greenmount Cricket Club. There would be a range of activities including stalls, food stalls and a stage with live acts. It was also explained that the event would be free for all to attend.
There was a planned family day in Ramsbottom.
Hawkshaw Gala would be held during the Jubilee weekend
A beacon would be lit at the top of Holcombe Hill.
It was also reported that the Woodland Trust were giving away trees to plant for jubilee celebrations.
•Deborah Gregory from Groundwork reported that a community spirit project was currently taking place involving 8 streets across the borough. One of the streets involved was Fir Street in Ramsbottom. There was a range of activities available including youth activities and health activities.
•Mr Waddell explained that the signs leading into and out of Greenmount Village were either not there or not legible. He explained that the village had been attempting to get some new signs effected for a number of years but had been told that it was not a priority. Mr Waddell asked whether it would be possible to get the signs in place before the jubilee party in June.
• Councillor Gunther explained that she had been disappointed with the numbers of public attending the first meetings of the Township Forums and asked for ideas to make more people want to attend the meetings.
It was suggested that there needed to be more publicity of the meetings - Local businesses could be asked to display posters advertising the meetings and notice boards should also be used.
Local schools have newsletters where the meetings could be advertised.
A highways representative should be in attendance at all of the meetings to answer questions relating to highways issues.
A member of the public suggested using a venue that had a bar so that people attending could get a drink -this would make the meetings more sociable.
Councillor Wright asked that the Minutes accurately reflected the numbers of public in attendance as she felt that this was not always the case.
Ask people to bring a friend with them.
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