| BWTF.530 | There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting. |
| BWTF.531 | The Minutes of the meeting of the Township Forum held on 23rd of November 2011 were submitted. |
| BWTF.532 | The Township Forum considered a presentation from the Executive member for Children and Families, Councillor Nick Parnell. The presentation contained the following information:
The Priority School Building Programme would be an opportunity for the Council to revamp some of the Borough’s schools. The scheme had been established to address schools in the worst condition that had lost out when Building Schools for the Future and the primary school capital programme ended.
The council conducted a buildings audit of all of the Borough’s secondary schools and Elton High had been identified as a school in need of immediate renovation. The Department for Education and Employment also visited the site.
The Executive Member reported that there had been a very short timeframe in which to submit a bid to the Department for Education and Employment. The bid application contains a caveat allowing the Council to withdraw from the Priority Schools Building programme, even if the application is successful.
The Executive Member reported that the Council had been expected to be notified in December by the Department for Education and Employment, however, the decision had been delayed. The Department of Education and Employment would continue to review applications to the Priority Schools Building Programme and a decision would be expected in February.
The Executive member reported that the new build would take approximately eighteen months to complete, some of the old buildings would be retained and a dedicated bus turning circle would be situated within the school.
The Executive Member reported that if the bid for the Priority Schools Building money was successful the plans would still have to approved by the Council’s Executive.
Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Township Forum and the following issues were raised:
• In response to a question from a member of the public, the Executive Member reported that Voluntary Aided schools had not been invited to apply for funding from the Priority Schools Building Programme at this stage.
• Councillor Walker, requested that any building plans for the school should take into consideration the provision of an increased number of car parking spaces.
• In response to a question from Councillor Creswell, the Executive Member reported that Elton High would still retain the right to buy in, its own services. The question of ownership of the new build would be clarified once the application had been approved.
• In response to a question from a member of the public, the Executive Member reported that there had been a large reduction in the amount of money available for buildings maintenance.
• In response to a question from Councillor Walker the Executive member reported that there were no plans at the moment to develop a floodlit playing field on the grounds at Elton High School.
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| BWTF.533 | The Bury West Township Forum considered a verbal presentation from Reverend Simon Cook and Sergeant Grant Adams, the presentation contained the following information;
Redeeming Our Community is an umbrella organisation based in
South Manchester, the organisation works to empower groups to establish drop in sessions and youth activities within the local community.
Working in partnership with the police, the church and other partner organisations the ROC group would want to establish a ROC café at the Elton Youth Centre. The ROC café would be open on Thursday from 7pm to 9pm.
Reverend Cook reported that the café would provide an opportunity for different generations to interact with each other. Reverend Cook would like to encourage members of the community to volunteer to assist with the project.
Sergeant Adams reported that the closure of the former youth club at the Elton Centre had resulted in an increase in anti-social behaviour incidents.
Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Township Forum and the following issues were raised:
• In response to a question from a member of the public, Reverend Cook reported that the ROC group may look to develop a similar project in Radcliffe.
• In response to a question from Councillor Hankey, Reverend Cook reported that Criminal Record Checks for volunteers would be funded.
• The Health Kick Co-ordinator reported that there would be opportunities to apply for funding from the Sport England Olympic Legacy project.
• In response to a question from Councillor Hankey, Reverend Cook reported, that the ROC Café, if successful, could operate on additional nights, however the priority in the first instance would be to ensure the viability of the project.
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| BWTF.535 | 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.
• A member of the public reported that as part of the preparation for the Olympic games this year, the Diocese of Salford have arranged a “Torch Relay of prayer,” to strengthen the link between sport and religion. The Torch will pass through Bury between the 23rd February and the 1st March 2012.
• Councillor Walker requested that Highways information be a regular agenda item at the Bury West Township Forum.
• The Health Kick Co-ordinator reported that as part of the National Olympic legacy, Bury would hold an international youth festival between the 21 and the 23rd of June 2012.
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| BWTF.536 | Thursday 15th March 2012, at Chantlers Primary School. |