| WUTF.399 | The Chair introduced himself and invited those around the top table to introduce themselves and indicate their role in the meeting of the Township Forum.
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| WUTF.400 | There were no declarations of interest declared in relation to any items of business considered at the meeting.
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| WUTF.401 | The Chair informed the meeting that following a ballot of the Township Forum core members, Mr Miles Hilton had been appointed as an Advisory Group Member to the Township Forum to represent young people.
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| WUTF.402 | The Minutes of the meeting of the Township Forum held on 13 September 2011 were submitted. The Chair invited comments and updates.
Mr Gladwinfield referred to the condition of garages on Welbeck Close and suggested that the colony should be demolished to prevent the area being used for anti-social behaviour. The land had become an eyesore and the ownership was unknown.
The Township Co-ordinator reported that Six Town Housing would be holding a meeting on 25 November and this would be brought to their officer’s attention.
Councillor Grimshaw referred to charges being made to residents for the replacement of damaged refuse bins. Damage in some cases had come about through day to day use causing the base to split and as a consequence of being lifted for emptying into the refuse collection truck.
Councillor Vincent reported that bins were also going missing on bin collection days when bins were being left by refuse collection personnel at a distance from the owner’s property.
The Township Co-ordinator reported that this would be forwarded to the Environment and Development Services Department for attention.
The Township Forum was asked what the position was regarding the Whitefield House building façade and proposed planning development.
Councillor Matthews reported the Planning Committee had recently refused an application to extend the time limit for the demolition of the existing façade to be completed.
The Township Co-ordinator undertook to include the Whitefield House development as an item on a future meeting of the Township Forum.
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| WUTF.403 | A presentation was given by Councillor J Smith (Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Resources) and Mike Owen (Executive Director of Finance & Corporate Resources) on the findings of the Plan for Change Consultation.
Mike Owen outlined the financial challenges facing the Council and the outcome of the consultation that had taken place with the residents of Bury. The public was invited to input into Phase 2 on the budget consultation, which would feed into the proposals for the budget setting process for 2012/13 - 2014/15. The Budget would be set at the meeting of the Council on 22 February 2012.
A special public budget roadshow meeting would be taking place in Millgate, Bury on 7 December 2011 and all were welcome to attend.
The Chair invited questions from the audience.
Sharon Bannister stated that the library service was invaluable to vulnerable adults and noted proposals to change the service. Also, how would the Council fill those vacant posts where it was necessary to do so rather than freezing them?
Councillor Smith stated that the Home Library service would continue to be provided and service users would be advised of any changes to be made to the service.
Mike Owen reported that requests would be made by managers to fill a post where it was necessary and that request would then be considered.
John Manning asked what representations were being made to the Government about localisation of Business Rates.
Mike Owen explained that it was vital to keep businesses within Bury as well as attracting new business.
Councillor Vincent asked for clarification of the income to the Council from Council Tax.
Mike Owen reported that Council Tax provided 53% of the Council’s income.
A member of the audience referred to the Council statutory obligations for certain services such as community safety and how this may be compromised if posts were not filled and responsibilities were past to staff members without the appropriate skills.
It was reported that the Council would continue to work closely with partner organisations such as the police to ensure community safety services were continued. This may have implications for staff workloads.
John Manning asked what figures were available so far on the Councils reductions in refuse going to land fill.
It was reported that so far the figures available had indicated a reduction in the amount of refuse going to land fill which would result in significant savings to the Council.
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| WUTF.404 | The Chair 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.
Question - There is a property on Elms Close which houses a young family with four children which is in the middle of a sheltered housing scheme. The property could have been turned into two flats.
Response - This will be forwarded on to Six Town Housing to attention.
Question - Councillor Cohen - What provision is in place to protect vital services during the day of industrial action on 30 November 2011?
Response - All non-union staff will be in work as well as staff who are union members and provide essential services.
Question - There is no public transport to Blackford House and a lot of elderly people cannot get there for appointments. Will public money be used to help provide a service?
Response - Representations have been made to Transport for Greater Manchester with the response that no changes are proposed at this time. Councillor Grimshaw suggested a campaign is organised to raise the issue with the bus companies concerned. The 138 could have three additional stops added to provide a service to Blackford House.
Question - The roundabout on Radcliffe New Road and Dales Lane is causing potential traffic problems and accidents through vehicles in the right turn lane going across the roundabout and ending up in the lane on the wrong side of the road opposite.
Response - The matter will be forwarded to the Highways Section for attention.
Question - Vehicles are speeding on Sunnybank Road and ignoring the 20mph signs. This could get worse if a TESCO opens. There is also a child’s play area close by. A motor bike is often speeding in the area on a Sunday. A temporary camera was located for a short time but has now been taken away.
Response - This is an issue which is happening across Bury. The portable camera is used for a limited time at locations across the Borough. 20mph zones are difficult to police. Inspector Kenny stated that he was aware of this situation and police officers are trained on speed detection. The police need local intelligence to focus resources on hot spot areas, so the public are requested to report incidents.
Question - The Cenotaph at All Saints Church has been damaged by young people. Who do we contact to notify of this.
Response - The Township Co-ordinator will undertake to contact the relevant officer or organisation.
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| WUTF.405 | The Township Forum received a presentation from Helen Sigsworth from NHS Healthy Futures. The presentation focussed on a heart and stroke consultation which had been programmed by Healthy Futures in the North East of Manchester (Bury, Oldham, North Manchester, Rochdale and parts of Rossendale).
The Chair invited questions form the meeting.
Questions were raised regarding the problem of transport to hospitals across Greater Manchester.
It was reported that a bid had been made for funding to deliver a pre-bookable service and a transport service between hospitals. Feedback was needed to better inform the NHS on the scale of service need.
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| WUTF.406 | The Township Forum received a presentation on the Bury Local Development Framework - Core Strategy from Paul Allen (Head of Planning Policy and Projects. The presentation outlined the purpose of the Strategy within Bury and the key issues and aims for Whtefield and Unsworth.
The public were welcome to make comments on the proposals up to 13 January 2012 and copies of the draft document are available in the Town Hall and Knowsley Place and all public libraries. The proposals can be viewed on the Council web site and arrangements can be made to meet with local community groups and resident associations.
The Chair invited questions from the meeting.
Mrs M Dawson made the point that transport was integral to developing employment areas within the Borough and Pilsworth did not have good transport links with the Besses area, which had high levels of deprivation.
It was reported that employment land opportunities such as Pilsworth were good for employment because of its location near to the motorway or public transport if possible. Developing transport options for workers would be considered.
Mrs P Taylor stated that the previous LAP had been involved with the production of the Bury Local Development Framework. She asked if the submissions made before on the effects to Hollins Village of the employment land area and vehicle weights were still valid.
It was reported that the policies were in place to ensure the best design was achieved and the same approach would be made for the Core Strategy. Officers will try to ensure that employment is targeted in the key centres.
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| WUTF.407 | Inspector Mike Kenny provided an update on Policing within Whitefield and Unsworth. The meeting was informed that from baseline targets, crime was down within the area by 14%. The concern areas were burglary and car crime. The audience was reminded to keep homes protected by making sure doors and windows were locked and to use light switch timers when they were out. When parking a car always do so in a well lit place and look out for neighbour’s cars. The police were running a campaign to stop licence plate theft through the fitting of licence plates using security screws.
Anti-social behaviour had reduced by 27% and work was ongoing with local associations to help maintain this level. The public could now use ‘Twitter’ to place calls to the police.
The Chair invited questions from the audience.
A member of the audience referred to the figures quoted on crime reduction and asked if these absolute of relative based over a period of five years. It would be helpful in understanding the figures through the presentation of figures on a graph or histogram.
It was reported that a base line figure was set in April each year and then the police for a particular area would work to reduce the level to a set percentage through initiatives.
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| WUTF.408 | Kim Griffiths (Township Co-ordinator) reported that at the next Township Forum meeting the formulation of area plans would be the main subject for consideration. Attendees would be asked to consider what their priorities were for Whitefield and Unsworth, with a view to formulating an action plan for the next 10 to 18 months. These would involve four or five keys tasks and from the discussion that had taken place at the meeting so far it was apparent that local transport was a key task.
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