Dow Lane
A verbal presentation from Neil Long, Assistant Director, Operations, Department for Communities and Neighbourhood, will be given at the meeting.
Minutes:
The Bury West Township Forum considered a verbal presentation from the Assistant Director, Operations, Department for Communities and Neighbourhoods, with regards to Dow Lane Park.
The Assistant Director reported that the Council has had to make significant savings to the grounds maintenance budget. As a result of which, the Council have agreed that some park areas would not continue to be as heavily maintained and instead would be naturalised. In respect of Dow Lane the Council have reached an agreement with a local farmer to remove the grass cuttings and reduce the number of times the grass is cut.
The Assistant Director reported that he had visited this park this week and the park compares well, with other parks in the local areas. The Assistant Director reported that it would however, be necessary to undertake some ground stabilisation work.
The Assistant Director reported that the Council employs seasonal gardeners in the majority of its parks and the number of gardeners has been reduced.
Questions were invited from those present at the meeting and the following points were raised:-
Mr.Griffin, a member of the public reported that Dow Lane Park has had its funding cut from £6000 to £3000, a significant and disproportionate amount of money. There are a number of broken fences and the footpaths have been reduced in size. There also continues to be a problem with large holes in the footpaths caused by horses and no park benches.
The Assistant Director reported that in the east field the Council are considering separating and segregating the bridal path, to alleviate some of the problems caused by horses on the public footpath.
The Assistant Director reported that a number of parks across the Borough had established ‘friends of’ groups and that residents of Dow Lane may consider doing the same.
Councillor Walker asked that the legal position in relation to the bridal path at Dow Lane Park be clarified.
Mr. Griffin submitted a petition to Democratic Services on behalf of members of the public.
It was agreed:
1. The Council would consider progress in relation to work on Dow Lane Park at a future meeting of the Township Forum.
2. The legal status of the bridal path in Dow Lane Park would be clarified.
3. Democratic Services would register the Dow Lane Park petition submitted on behalf of members of the public and residents of the Dow Lane Park area.