| BWTF.408 | There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting. |
| BWTF.409 | The Minutes of the meeting of the Township Forum held on 15 September 2011 were submitted. |
| BWTF.410 | The Township Forum considered a presentation from the Council Leader, Councillor Mike Connolly. The presentation contained the following information:
Between April 2011 and March 2015 the Council would have to find savings of £32 million.
The Council would expect to make savings of £7.9 million in 2012-13 and although the Council has not been given firm grant figures for 2013-14 and 2014-15 the Council would envisage these savings to be in the region of £4.1 million and £5.7 million, respectively.
The possible Council Tax freeze for next year may also have a big impact on the level of savings, without the Government cuts the Council would be have been able to invest £8million into services.
Bury’s Government grant is also being cut by £21.0million between 2010-11 and 2014-15. Bury would have a bigger grant cut than other Councils. The average grant cut across England for 2011-12 would be 7.4%, Bury’s grant would be cut by 9.0%.
The budget plans assume a Council Tax rise of 3.5% in line with the Government’s own forecasts, the Government would be asking the Council to freeze the Council Tax level again for 2012-13. If the Council agree to this the government would give the Council cash to the equivalent of a 2.5% rise, this money would be a one-off amount for next year only and the Council would lose the money, in the future; this would result in further cuts of £1.9million in 2013-14.
The Council would constantly strive to identify efficiency savings. The Council would intend to make £10.4million of efficiency savings in the next 3 years, these initiatives would save 270 jobs.
During August and September 2011 the Council undertook a large consultation exercise. The Choices Consultation asked residents and visitors to prioritise the range of services that the council deliver. Bury West residents prioritised a strong local economy and supporting vulnerable people.
The Council Leader asked that residents of Bury West took time to participate in the budget consultation.
The Council Leader reported that he had spent the last two weeks meeting with Council Staff to discuss the budget proposals.
Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Township Forum and the following issues were raised:
• The Council leader reported that the review of car parking charges would be a genuine review and the Council would be mindful of initiatives in other nearby Town Centres when considering proposed changes.
• In response to a question from Councillor Walker, the Head of Policy and Improvement reported that the monies awarded through the achievement of Local Area Achievement targets would be allocated at the next meeting of the Local Strategic Partnership, due to be held in public. In was explained that many of the targets had been achieved as a result of multi-agency partnership working.
• In response to a question from Councillor Cresswell, the Assistant Director of Finance reported that the council would consult with Bury residents on the rate of the Council Tax raise.
• In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Hankey, the Council Leader, reported that the Council are disadvantaged by the central government funding formula.
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| BWTF.411 | The Bury West Township Forum considered a presentation from
Paul Allen, Head of Planning Policy and Projects, the presentation contained the following information;
The Core Strategy comprises two main elements; firstly the Spatial Development Strategy - which sets out: how much development the Borough needs to accommodate to 2028; where this development will be focused; and areas of the Borough where built development will be restrained.
Secondly, the Development Management Policies, these policies would primarily be used as the basis for determining future planning applications.
The Head of Planning Policy and Projects reported some key issues and aims pertinent to Bury West contained within the strategy, these included; Support and enhance Bury Key Centre to serve the needs of the Bury West community and to reflect the ‘Bury but Better’ Vision and Development Strategy - including the redevelopment of the Western Waterside.
The Head of Planning Policy and Projects reported that there would be limited opportunities for significant employment growth within Bury West but would want to encourage new high quality, office-based employment opportunities in and around Bury town centre, such as at Chamberhall and Townside areas accessible to Bury West Area.
The Bury West area would accommodate around 15% of the Borough’s housing target largely as part of mixed use schemes on the edge of Bury town centre.
Contained within the flood strategy would be information relating to managing the flood risk; particularly that associated with the River Irwell to the west of Bury town centre (Chamberhall and Western Waterside) and Kirklees Brook.
The Head of Planning Policy and Projects reported that the Consultation on the draft Publication Core Strategy would run from 18 November 2011 to 13 January 2012; copies of the Core Strategy and supporting documents would be available at the Town Hall, the Planning Office at Knowsley Place and in all public libraries.
Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Township Forum and the following issues were raised:
• In response to a question from Councillor Hankey regarding the protection afforded to green belt land following changes to the planning law, the Head of Planning Policy and Projects reported that the National Planning Policy framework indicated that Councils should have an up to date development plan, development would then be guided by this plan.
• In response to a question from Councillor Walker regarding the protection of the Spen Moor land, the Head of Planning Policy and Projects, reported that this land would not be classed as green belt land but rather as other protected land.
• The Head of Planning Policy and Projects reported that the Spen Moor land is owned by Peel Holdings, the Council had previously sought to have the land categorised as green belt land, however Peel Holdings objected through the Courts. Peel Holdings are advocating the site for development through representations on the Core Strategy.
• In response to a question from advisory group member, Mr Ian Pilling, the Head of Planning Policy and Projects reported that the Green Space Strategy provides the evidence for the recreation proposals contained within the Core strategy.
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| BWTF.412 | The Bury West Township Forum considered a presentation by Helen Sigsworth, NHS Patient Experience Manager; on the proposed changes to planned cardiology and stroke rehabilitation services within Bury and Rochdale. The presentation contained the following information:
Proposals for planned cardiology would include: improved local provision for the prevention and early detection of heart disease;
relocate complicated and high risk planned procedures from Rochdale Infirmary to Fairfield General Hospital where access to anaesthetics and critical care would be available; maintain outpatient services on all sites; improve the early diagnosis of heart disease via the development of less invasive diagnostic techniques; continue to develop cardiac rehabilitation services.
Proposals for planned stroke services would include two options, Option A:
Stroke rehabilitation will be delivered in a specialist stroke unit that deals with the medical treatment needed immediately after a stroke. For the majority of Rochdale residents, this will be at Fairfield General Hospital. For those patients that are ready to go home, they will receive rehabilitation care from a community (local) team.
Option B
This is exactly the same as option A, but with the
addition of a ‘step-down’ facility in the borough for Rochdale patients. This offers care for a short period in a residential environment and would mean potentially cutting services elsewhere.
The NHS patient Experience manager encouraged members of the public to get involved in the consultation.
Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Township Forum and the following issues were raised:
• In response to a question raised by a member of the public, the NHS Patient Experience Manager confirmed that parking availability had been raised as an ongoing issue and this would be fed into the consultation response.
• Councillor Walker sought assurances that the Ambulance services would be involved in the consultation process and that they would be properly informed of the consultation outcome. The NHS Patient Experience Manager confirmed that representatives from the Ambulance service would be involved in the consultation.
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| BWTF.413 | The Township co-ordinator reported that the next meeting of the Township Forum due to held on the 19th January 2012 would be a round table discussion. The purpose of the discussion would be to collate feedback to identify four of five key realistic and achievable priorities to incorporate within the draft Bury West area plan.
The Township co-ordinator reported that the plan would be agreed at the meeting held on the 15th March 2012.
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| BWTF.414 | The Chair, Councillor M Hankey, 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.
• Members of the Township Forum discussed ways of improving the public attendance at Township Forum meeting. The Township Co-ordinator reported that the meetings are publicised extensively. The Police representative, present at the meeting suggested working together, to encourage greater public attendance.
• In response to a question from Beryl Park; Woolfold Tenants and Residents Association, the Chair, Councillor Hankey, confirmed that Section 106 money would be an agenda item at the next meeting of the Township Forum.
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| BWTF.415 | Thursday 19th January 2012, at Elton High School. |