| RTF.352 | There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting. |
| RTF.355 | A presentation was given by Councillor M Connolly, Leader of the Council, Councillor J Smith, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Finance and Mike Owen, Executive Director of Finance & Corporate Resources on the Draft Programme of Savings from 2012/13 to 2014/15.
The presentation included details of the results of the Council’s Choices Consultation, undertaken in August and September 2011, which asked residents and visitors to priorities the range of services delivered by the Authority and details of how the Authority plans to make the required savings and the new proposals to deliver the savings.
In terms of the key financial issues for the Authority, it was reported that between April 2011 and March 2015 the Council would have to find savings of £32 million. In 2012/13, the Council would expect to make savings of £7.9 million and although the Council had not been given firm grant figures for 2013/14 and 2014/15, it would envisage these savings to be in the region of £4.1 million and £5.7 million, respectively.
The meeting was informed that Bury’s Government grant is also being cut by £21.0million between 2010-11 and 2014-15 which would be a bigger grant cut than other Councils. The average grant cut across England for 2011-12 would be 7.4%, however Bury’s grant would be cut by 9.0%.
The possible Council Tax freeze for next year could also have a big impact on the level of savings and without the Government cuts the Council would have been able to invest £8million into services.
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.
It was reported that 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.
Questions/comments were invited from those present at the meeting and the following issues were raised:-
• The in-cab technology which was being used to support the Council’s waste collection service had been developed in-house and had attracted the interest of other local authorities. It was possible that this could result in income to the Council.
• The Council would actively seek to tap into any Government grants for specific services, such as public health.
• The Council’s commitment to protect vulnerable people will not be jeopardised by planned savings in the Adult Care Services budget. These were around efficiency and would not threaten front line services.
• The Council had over the years not fared well in terms of the Government Grant allocation despite representations being made.
• The Government commitment to freeze Council Tax would have a negative impact upon service provision and it was important that people understood this.
• The current Administration had initiated a review of the Youth Service, which would involve young people, and seek to rebuild the service.
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| RTF.356 | Paul Allen, Head of Planning, Policy and Projects, gave a presentation on the Local Development Framework - Draft Publication Core Strategy.
It was reported that 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 and secondly, the Development Management Policies, these policies would primarily be used as the basis for determining future planning applications.
Mr Allen also reported some key issues and aims pertinent to the Radcliffe area contained with the strategy in terms of regeneration, employment, retail and flood risk. In response to a question from a member of the public present at the meeting, it was reported that the Core Strategy will identify suitable sites for housing provision within the Borough and that, in terms of the next stages of development of the Strategy, the Consultation would begin on 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.
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| RTF.357 | Helen Sigsworth, NHS Patient Experience Manager gave a presentation setting out the proposed changes to planned cardiology and stroke rehabilitation services within Bury and Rochdale.
Questions/comments were invited from those present at the meeting and
the following issues were raised:-
• In response to concerns raised in relation to the approximated cost of £1million in relation to option B re the Step-down facility and the cost of transport, it was reported that the NHS have successfully won a bid to secure funding to commence the delivery of a ‘pilot’ transport solution that will support options for the development of sustainable public transport solutions for patients and visitors travelling between Rochdale, Oldham and Bury. This would also be available for any community provided service. North Manchester has not been considered at this point.
• A resident asked if there were any intentions to eventually extend the opening times of the Stroke Unit at Fairfield? It was reported that the NHS are currently reviewing all options, one will be to extend opening during weekday and opening at weekends - this is however in its infancy and needs to be modelled to ensure that the Primary centre can cope.
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| RTF.358 | Cllr Parnell reported on the continued commitment for a new High School to be built in Radcliffe. An update on progress in terms of a possible consultation would be provided at the next meeting of the Forum in January 2012. |
| RTF.359 | The Chair, Councillor M Bailey, 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.
• There were problems associated with rat infestation at Blackburn Street. It was reported that Environmental Services were aware of the problem.
• Radcliffe Hall School was currently submitting a bid for funding under a Government initiative Priority School Building Programme.
• There was evidence of footpaths becoming difficult to negotiate through overgrown and overhanging trees and bushes.
• There was concern at the dangers posed for pedestrians of a repeat of the Winter conditions endured last year. Details of the Council’s Winter gritting policy were available on the Council’s web site, including the location of grit bins which would be replenished when conditions dictated.
• It was asked that members support and assist in any way they can to secure the cleaning up of parts of the Bury/Bolton Canal within
Radcliffe. Cllr Shori provided further information in terms of the timeframe for work due to begin on the canal.
• It was reported that attempts to secure improvements to local parks were ongoing. Cllr Harris to look into this.
• Reference was made to problems being caused through parking underneath the bridge next to the Metrolink station. This was causing problems for buses and it was asked that consideration be given to introducing a Traffic Regulation Order to prevent parking. Cllr Parnell to look into this.
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| RTF.360 | Christine Maksymowski, Township Forum Co-ordinator reported that the next meeting of the Township Forum 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 Radcliffe Area Plan.
The Township Co-ordinator reported that the plan would be agreed at the meeting held on the 29 February, 2012.
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| RTF.361 | It was reported that the next meeting of the Township Forum would take place on Thursday 12 January, 2012 at 6 pm, at Radcliffe Civic Suite. |