| WUTF.37 | No declarations were made in respect of the any items on the agenda.
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| WUTF.38 | Nominations were invited for the appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair of the Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum.
A nomination for the appointment of Councillor K Audin was received from Councillor Grimshaw and seconded by Councillor Matthews.
A nomination for the appointment of Councillor A Audin was received from Councillor K Audin and seconded by Councillor Matthews.
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| WUTF.39 | The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum. The Chair also thanked Mr Derek Boden for his attendance and on behalf of the Township Forum expressed his appreciation for Mr Boden’s commitment and hard work to Whitefield and Unsworth and Bury during his years as a Councillor.
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| WUTF.41 | The Township Forum received a presentation from Clare Tymon regarding the Olympic Torch relay which would take place in Bury on 23 June 2012 and would pass through Whitefield during the afternoon between 4:10pm and 4:30pm.
The whole of the relay was being televised by the BBC and it was intended that the people of Bury did their part to make this once in a lifetime event an enjoyable and memorable one. Arrangements were in place for local Bury heroes to carry the torch.
The same weekend Bury would also be hosting the Youth Games which would involve the participation of 500 young people from Bury and other European countries. A free souvenir event guide for the games would be available
Around fifty volunteers were needed for the event to work as stewards on the day of the Torch Relay which would travel 8 miles through Bury. Details were available at olympictorchrelay@bury.gov.ukon the Bury Council web site.
The Torch would start its journey by torch bearer on Manchester Road, Sunnybank Road and Bury New Road. Sponsor vehicles would be giving out free items prior to the start.
Other events were being co-ordinated to take place in Whitefield involving local businesses and organisations. Clare invited people to contact her with details of their proposed events.
The Chair thanked Clare for her attendance.
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| WUTF.42 | The Township Coordinator introduced a report of a Statutory Partners meeting for the Whitefield and Prestwich areas. |
| WUTF.43 | 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.
Mrs A Marshall referred to the war memorial site at St Ann’s Church in Whitefield and requested an update. Kim Griffiths reported that she had been informed by the Council’s Parks Manager that only the grass/garden area would be maintained around the memorial. Any works needed to the memorial would not be undertaken by the Council. The legal agreement made with Whitefield Urban District Council was not specific.
Mrs Marshall stated that an agreement had been made with Whitefield Urban District Council and referred to the term “hereafter”. It would be expected that Bury Council would honour such an undertaking when the district council’s were merged into Bury Council. Local Authorities are encouraged to care for local memorials. Local people contributed to the cost of the memorial. The Bury Council web site refers to the maintenance of 10 war memorials within Bury and this is one of the memorial sites listed. Grants are available from the war memorials fund to help fund maintenance.
Mrs Marshall requested that Council to reconsider the decision not to maintain the memorial. The memorial was important to the people of Whitefield and to the memory of those people who had given their lives during the war. People assemble at the memorial each year in November and we should ensure it is kept in good order for future generations. Mrs Marshall also read out the email she had received form the Township Coordinator regarding the response from the Parks manager.
Councillor Grimshaw expressed support for the view that the memorial should be maintained.
Councillor Matthews stated that all Councillors should be involved with this issue because it related to the whole of Whitefield. He also agreed that the memorial should be maintained.
The Township Coordinator stated that she would go back to the Parks Manager and report the views expressed by the Township Forum and request him to reconsider the decision.
The Township Forum was addressed by Jake Perry, Nick Jones and James Holland regarding their proposal to raise money for the building of a skate park/bmx park in Whitefield.
The point was made that there was currently no provision in Whitefield for the 30 plus young people who wanted to use their skate boards of ride bmx bikes. Using local car parks was not a long term solution. The costs of provision had been considered and a suitable location had yet to be identified. The proposal also had the support of the local police officers.
Alex Stacey suggested a short term solution by using the tarmac area in Hamilton Park when a market was not on. Also joining an established local group such as the Friends of Whitefield Parks could help in applying for sources of funding because of the experience and connections it has. Being part of a bigger group would help with locating a suitable site or property for a skate park.
The Township was informed that the skaters would be willing to get involved in local events to raise awareness and raise funds.
The PCSO informed the meeting that there was little provision for young people around the Sunnybank area and the Junior PACT meeting had worked with the young people to help develop this proposal and generate support. Complaints are made by residents about young people and it was important to ensure that some kind of provision was available locally. Other skate facilities were located in other parts of the Borough and involved travelling. This proposal would benefit the community and help to reduce the level of youth nuisance. The young people involved were demonstrating a commitment and interest in their community.
Lisa Hanley (Youth Service) reported that projects were coming for skate sessions and contact would be made with young people next week. A mobile skate park could be set up to gauge the interest of young people to skate.
The Chair thanked the three young people for their attendance and their presentation to the Township Forum. The reaction from the people present to the proposal for a skate/bmx park was very supportive with many offers of help being made.
Mr A Taylor requested the 138 bus service to Hollins be placed back on to the updates for future meetings because the matter was still ongoing.
The Township Coordinator reported that she had received an email from Mr J Devlin regarding a proposal to open a pharmacy in the Besses Ward area. He had asked if the Township Forum would agree to endorse a new pharmacy for Whitefield and had offered to attend a future meeting to speak on the matter.
It was agreed that the Bury PCT be contacted regarding the proposal.
It was reported that an event involving the opening of a local residential garden to the public to raise money for Bury Cancer Support, Speak Easy and Project Smile would take place on Sunday 10 June.
Alex Stacey reported that he had received a proposal to update the current legislation for markets within Bury. The proposals would restrict markets within parks to one per year.
The Chair requested further information be sought from the Markets Officer.
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| WUTF.44 | The Township Coordinator introduced a progress report on ongoing matters for the Whitefield and Unsworth area.
Councillor Jones reported that Bury needed foster carers and carers and more information was available on the Bury Council web site for anyone interested in being involved.
Alex Stacey reported that a meeting of the Halloween Festival had taken place which had been helpful. An update will be given at the next meeting. The festival would start on 12 October and end on Halloween.
Councillor Wiseman made the point that holding the event on Friday would exclude a section of the local community.
Alex Stacey reported that the event would take place at 2pm however, he would consider this issue and report back.
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