| BETF.519 | Tan Ahmed (Chair) declared a personal interest in items 524 and 526 on the Agenda, South Asian Mental Health Cluster Report and Community Fire and Safety Update, as ADAB was involved with both organisations.
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| BETF.520 | In respect of BETF.369, Openshaw Park Veterans’ Bowling Club, Neville McWilliams, Treasurer of the Club, explained to the Forum that since the last meeting, he had met with Neil Long regarding the future upgrading of the pavilion but no date, as yet, had been confirmed for any work to begin.
In respect of BETF.366, Highways, a local resident asked for an update regarding the replacement of road markings on Bell Lane and Walmersely Road, as discussed with the Officer from Highways at the last meeting on 20 September 2012.
Councillor Walmsley asked if the Township Forum could be updated on the Highways issues that were raised, at the next meeting of Bury East Township Forum in February 2013.
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| BETF.521 | David Wiggins, Planning Officer, was available at the Township Forum meeting to answer questions from local residents if they required information regarding the core strategy consultation, which runs until Friday 30 November 2012, which may affect the area in which they live and how they could make comments.
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| BETF.522 | Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator, gave a presentation at the meeting regarding the key outcomes which had been identified for Bury East, which included:
- Improved Employment Opportunities
- Improved Community Safety
- Improved Health and Wellbeing
- Improved Community Cohesion and Integration
This meeting would be concentrating on Health and Wellbeing and Dave informed the Township Forum about the identified outcomes and agreed actions regarding improved Health and Wellbeing, including:
- Develop a programme of sustained activity to reduce the alcohol related A & E admissions at Fairfield Hospital
- Develop a participatory budgeting model to enable the community to address issues around alcohol misuse
- Encourage young residents to take up regular exercise
- Work in partnership with community groups and individuals to deliver accredited paediatric training courses
- Work with children’s centres to develop initiatives encouraging healthy eating amongst local families
Dave also reported to the Forum the successes of 2012, including securing £80,000 funding in a successful alcohol prospectus scheme bid and delivering a successful partnership presentation night as part of the project.
Six groups have been awarded funding through the pioneering community lead project to tackle health issues fuelled by alcohol and three people, so far, on Hornby Street had completed a programme which was on offer. There was also to be a mini Olympics at St. Marie’s Primary School.
Dave reported on the next steps for improved Health and Wellbeing which were:
- Build the South Asian Mental Health Cluster Project in the Township Plan
- A meeting had been scheduled with extended services to discuss involvement of Bury East Children’s Centres
- There was to be a further round of Bury East Alcohol Prospectus Scheme (BEAPS) funding promotion
- To work with colleagues within Public Health to analyse A & E data
Questions were raised following the presentation, including:
Councillor Connolly asked if this was to be a regular item on the Bury East Township Forum Agenda and if so could there be some feedback on the outcomes achieved?
The Township Co-ordinator stated that at the Forum there would be themed meetings giving updates around the key areas and that he would include within the agenda updates on all activities and promotions that have taken place.
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| BETF.523 | Safina Rashid, BME Mental Health Co-ordinator, attended the meeting and gave a presentation on the South Asian Mental Health (SAMH) Cluster.
Safina explained that the SAMH Cluster is a new partnership that has been formed to work together on mental health and well-being in Bury, which is made up of ADAB as the lead organisation, along with Bury Asian Women’s Centre, the Jinnah Centre and Project 29.
The aim of the SAMH Cluster is to:
Provide a co-ordinated response and delivery of the SAMH Community Awareness Programme (CAP); to build strong inclusive communities; promote independence and choice for mental health service users; provide support and protections to the most vulnerable in the community and provide a link between the BME community and mental health services.
Safina explained that the SAMH CAP programme was a 12 month pilot project targeting the South Asian community in particular and also working with the wider BME communities in Bury on mental health and dementia. The project has been funded through Bury Council’s Age of Opportunities funding.
There would be a programme of promotion, to raise awareness of mental health needs and issues within the community and wider partners and to reduce the stigma and isolation around mental health.
The SAMH CAP has 3 themes which the programme will deliver, which are:
Befriending scheme - This will involve young and older volunteers from the South Asian community, with the aim of bridging the intergenerational gap and providing support through shared activities.
Volunteering - Through the project, it was hoped to encourage volunteering within the community and training and support would be provided for volunteers.
Community awareness - This would be through a comprehensive programme of promotion and publicity within the South Asian community, the wider BME communities and partners through leaflets, posters, newsletters, website, workshops and events.
Safina explained that the key outcome of the programme would be a better informed and supported community able to access appropriate mental health services.
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| BETF.524 | Grant Adams, Acting Inspector for Bury East introduced himself to the Township Forum and explained that he has now taken over from Charlotte Cadden, former Inspector of Bury East. He would be in the position until Bryn Williams takes over in March, following a re-structure.
Grant informed the Forum that it was hoped to continue the crime prevention strategies in Bury East in areas such as anti social behaviour, alcohol awareness and burglaries.
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| BETF.525 | Pete Riley, Borough Commander, introduced himself to the Township Forum and explained his responsibilities within Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Pete presented a DVD to the Forum which was a joint production between Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and ADAB, on fire hazards and prevention within the home and explained what the Fire Service was responsible and acknowledged for, including fire Safety, Community Safety, working pro-actively within the community to ensure fire prevention and corporate social responsibility.
Fire stations were placed at the heart of the community to be valued and used by all and Bury’s new station, which had now moved from the Rock and was accessed off Peel Way, was the community fire station and the facilities could be used by people of the local community.
Questions were asked by members of the Township Forum and local residents, including:
Were smoke alarms still available and supplied to the public?
Pete explained that free home fire risk assessments and smoke alarms were available to the public and smoke alarms could also be fitted. There were numerous ways to acquire a smoke alarm including contacting the fire station directly by phone or via the website. Councillor Cassidy stated that residents could also contact the customer contact team at the Council.
A local resident asked why the premises had moved as it was not as accessible as the previous location.
Pete explained that the building on the Rock was basically falling down and the new location was the best compromise regarding cost and accessibility. It was also noted that the premises fell within a national cycle route, people could drive in or walk and if required help with buses could be provided.
The Chair, Tan Ahmed, reiterated to the Forum the availability of the Community Fire Station and if anyone should require the use of the facilities, they should contact the Fire Service directly.
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| BETF.526 | The Chair, Tan Ahmed, 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.
A local resident asked why there had been no information regarding the recent Police Commissionaire Election.
Councillor Connolly replied that the Council had not been granted any funding from the coalition government towards the Election and it was not something that he supported, however, as much contact as possible had been made to try and promote the Police Commissionaire Election in the form of posting through leaflets in every ward in the Borough.
A local resident asked whether money had been made available for a return to weekly bin collections and the possibility of block buying gas and electricity.
Councillor Connolly replied that there were weekly collections of the different bins. He also pointed out that recycling had increased to 46% from 28% which was fantastic, however, Bury need to get to 50% by April 2013, in order to save almost 1.5 million pounds which could be spent within the Borough.
Regarding the block buying of gas and electricity, Councillor Connolly stated that this was something being discussed within The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) and that Bury were to be involved with this proposal
A local resident raised the issue of the road where Fairfield Drive meets Broad Oak Lane. People are driving far too fast and irresponsibly and it was now a major cause for concern.
Acting Inspector, Grant Adams, stated that he would investigate the issue.
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| BETF.527 | Councillor Walmsley informed the Township Forum that there was still some funding available for Bury East and applications should be completed and sent as soon as possible.
A local resident asked if there was any information on the refit of the kitchen at Hoyles and Clarence Park. The Township Co-ordinator, Dave Thomas, said he would investigate and report back.
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| BETF.528 | Councillor Holt brought to the attention of the Township Forum that
The Pimhole Regeneration Action Group (PRAG) would soon be disbanding and he wanted to thank Judith Appleby, the Chair of PRAG, for all her hard work and dedication shown to the local community.
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| BETF.529 | The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum is to be arranged and will hopefully be held within Redvales Ward.
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