| PTF.580 | Councillor James declared a personal interest in relation to Minute PTF.587 below, Formulating Area Plans for Prestwich, being an allotment holder at Albert Avenue, Prestwich.
Councillors Garner and Quinn declared a personal interest in relation to Minute PTF.587 below, Formulating Area Plans for Prestwich, being members of Prestwich Horticultural Society.
Councillors Quinn declared a personal interest in relation to Minute PTF.587 below, Formulating Area Plans for Prestwich, as a serving Magistrate.
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| PTF.581 | Leigh Webb, Democratic Services Officer, informed the meeting that under the terms of the Township Forum Framework there could be up to nine Advisory Group Members on the Township Forums, with one place allocated to a young person. It was reported that since the last meeting there had been a further 2 applications to serve on the Advisory Group. After a ballot of Elected Members it was reported that the following
applicants had been elected:
Mr C Millington (Young Persons Representative)
Ms L Roper Prestwich Independent Business Group
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| PTF.583 | Ged McGee, Head of Community Safety, attended the meeting to update the Forum on the Council’s CCTV provision, with particular reference to Prestwich. A presentation was given setting out information on the systems in place and CCTV development in Bury. The presentation also included recorded footage from CCTV cameras in Prestwich.
It was reported that 12% of the Borough was covered by CCTV, with Prestwich accounting for 22 of the 85 cameras installed boroughwide.
Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Township Forum and the public present and the following issues were raised:
• In response to a question concerning the camera sited at the top of Church Lane, the Head of Community Safety gave an assurance that the camera did move and was not fixed in one position.
• With regard to fly tipping it was explained that it is worth reporting a persistent problem area that is covered by the cameras.
• In response to the issue of trees obstructing the view of the cameras, the Head of Community Safety acknowledged there was a balance between pruning trees and ensuring camera views are not obstructed
• Councillor Quinn acknowledged the good work done through CCTV but stated that the system did need some updating.
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| PTF.584 | Inspector Kenny provided an update on Policing within Prestwich. The meeting was informed that from baseline targets, crime was down within the area by 12%. The update included a breakdown of the crime
statistics in relation to particular types of crime.
With regard to current initiatives, it was reported that a Community Speed Watch Scheme was being looked at and that Crime Reduction Surgeries were regularly held across the Borough.
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| PTF.585 | Mike Bent, Parks and Countryside Manager, submitted a briefing note setting out details of a proposed free music event to be held in St Mary’s Park over the weekend of 1 June 2012. The promoter of the event, Mr Tim Ross, attended the meeting and responded to questions concerning the festival.
During discussion of this issue, the proposed event was positively received as an opportunity to promote Prestwich and support local businesses, with some potential concerns raised in relation to noise, parking, and in particular, the clash of dates with Prestwich Carnival.
It was reported that a formal consultation would be held in relation to the proposed event. The Chair, Councillor D’Albert encouraged people to make their views know either through local Councillors or directly to the Parks and Countryside Manager.
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| PTF.586 | The Chair, Councillor V D’Albert, 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.
• Alf Wentworth enquired about the status of the meeting held with Councillor Isherwood and Prestwich Councillors regarding development proposals for the Longfield site. Councillor D’Albert explained that what had been relayed to the Councillors at the briefing was the same as was reported in local press. It was stressed that any proposals would need to meet the vision set out in the Love Prestwich Strategy
• Kevin Hodges enquired about any proposals to strengthen the position of Township Forum in respect of resource allocation and decision making responsibilities through Section 106 monies. The Chair, Councillor D’Albert, referred to a recent Council Motion and explained that this issue is being considered as part of the review of Township Forums
• William Brown raised concerns in relation to dangerous driving through drivers mounting the pavement at the bottom of Highfield Road in order to jump traffic queues. Further concerns were also raised at the meeting regarding traffic on Fairfax Road and the sequence of the traffic lights at the top of the Road. The Chair undertook to ensure the issue was raised with the Highways Department.
• William Brown also complained about the excessive pigeon muck on the walkway between Fairfax Road and the shops.
• David Stanley highlighted the issue of motorists parking on the Longfield car park to go to shop in Manchester and the detrimental effect this has on local businesses. The Chair requested that the Car Parking Manager be invited to the next meeting of the Forum to discuss this issue.
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| PTF.587 | Kim Griffiths, the Township Co-ordinator gave a brief presentation on the purpose of Area Plans and used demographic and other background information relating to the Prestwich Wards to demonstrate this.
As part of a co-ordinated approach across the borough, other Township Forums would be undertaking the same work. The members of the audience present were invited to choose a subject area work group in which ideas and suggestions would be discussed and list the main priorities agreed for inclusion in the Area Plan.
The subject areas discussed were:
• Employment/Worklessness/ Income
• Crime
• Health and wellbeing
• Educational Attainment/ learning
• Environment and living conditions
• Community pride and belonging
The Chair asked that the Members and public present split into six groups to discuss the issues and then feedback at the end of the session.
The feedback given included:
Employment/Worklessness/ Income
• Further development and links with the Backing Young Bury initiative
• Jobs Fairs to promote local opportunities
• Skills Training
• Promotion of the area as a location for filming
Crime/Perceptions of Crime
• Encourage reporting of crimes
• Engage on the ground with estates where crime is high
• Partnership working through Police, Youth Service and Six Town Housing to reduce anti-social behaviour
• Understanding actual crime statistics and the perceived levels of crime
Health and wellbeing
• Focus on Childhood obesity
• Increase awareness of health diet
• Promote sport and exercise, look to increase the number of play areas
• Improve the provision of cycle lanes
• Further promote healthy eating in schools
Educational Attainment/learning
• Local business opportunities for people not in education, employment or training (NEET)
• Increased use of library provision
• Increased use of civic suites and school facilities by the community
Environment and Living
• Focus on reducing litter and dog fouling
• Increase enforcement through CCTV and Civil Enforcement Officers
• Address issues of neglected homes and land
• Work with schools on litter prevention
Community Cohesion/Pride and Belonging
• Promotion of faith activities to bring together different groups
• Increase the level of community work and volunteering
• Foster strong links with Park Rangers
• Work to tidy up shop fronts through the involvement of community groups
• Encourage schools to be involved with community projects
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