Agenda and minutes

Apologies were detailed above.

Members of Bury West Township Forum are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters on the agenda and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes are attached.

It was agreed.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bury West Township Forum held on
20 November 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Community Support Officers will be in attendance.

PC Peachy, Sue Ecksersley and Shelly Flitcroft, Police Community Support Officers provided members of the Township Forum with a verbal update in relation to police issues in Bury West, the update contained the following information:

PC Peachy reported that there had been an increase in the number of shed burglaries reported in the Brandlesholme and Lowercroft areas.  Plain clothes police officers have been dispatched to monitor the situation.

PC Peachy informed the meeting that there had been a change in legislation in relation to scrap metal collection.  All persons wishing to collect scrap metal must display a scrap metal licence in their vehicle, failure to do so could result in the confiscation of the vehicle.

PC Peachy reported that the recent changes to the way policing is conducted in the Borough has resulted in police beat officers spending less time in outlining townships and more time policing the Town Centre.

Questions and comments were invited from the Township Forum and members of the public present at the meeting and the following issues were raised:

A member of the public reported that there had been a number of instances of anti-social behaviour on Tottington Road/Hayward Street; bus shelters and cars have been vandalised.  In response to the concerns raised, PC Peachy reported that he would increase patrols in the area.  Members of the public were encouraged to report instances of vandalism to the police.  

It was agreed:

PC Peachy, Sue Ecksersley and Shelly Flitcroft, Police Community Support Officers be thanked for their attendance.

Philip Jones, Brandlesholme Residents Association will provide a verbal update at the meeting.

The Bury West Township Forum considered a verbal presentation from Philip Jones, Brandlesholme Residents Association. 

It was reported that the Association had received a grant from Viridor of £75,000 to spend on a children’s playground.  A decision with regards to a £25,000 grant from Asda, is expected in mid January. 

Phil Jones, Brandlesholme Residents Association reported that estimates for the work on the children’s playground have now expired and would have to be re-tendered. 

It was agreed:

A further update would be provided at the next meeting of the Township Forum meeting.

Derek Burke will be in attendance.

The Bury West Township Forum considered a verbal presentation from Derek Burke, Chief Officer, Bury Third Sector Development Agency (B3SDA), the presentation contained the following information:

B3SDA is a charity which seeks to support and develop third sector organisations, social enterprises, charities and cooperatives.

The Chief Officer reported that the B3SDA offers a range of products designed to help third sector organisations:

A funding and organisational development service

Volunteer centre

Forums and networks

Training courses and factsheets.

The Chief Officer reported that additional funding had been made available for Bury residents via the Forever Manchester initiative.  The funding is available for small locally led organisations based in Bury (the Streets Ahead scheme) and the Cash4graft scheme which is designed to release small amounts of funding (between £50 and £250)  for community groups of local people and neighbours who want to run local projects for the wider community benefit.

The Chief Officer reported that B3SDA also provides support to Healthwatch.  Healthwatch is the new independent consumer champion for both health and social care.  Healthwatch works to help local people get the best out of their local health and social services.  The Chief Officer encouraged members of the Township Forum to get involved with Healthwatch either by being a member or a volunteer.  

It was agreed:

Derek Burke, Chief Officer, Bury Third Sector Development Agency be thanked for his attendance.

A report from the Township Co-ordinator is attached.

Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator, provided an overview of the Bury West Township Forum Area Plan. The plan outlines how the Council and its partners will continue to make progress towards the vision for Bury West to promote better outcomes for the social, health, economic and environmental wellbeing of people in the community.

Twenty young people will be interviewed in mid January for a 6 week placement which will hopefully result in an apprenticeship.

The South Partner Action Group continues to meet monthly.

A Township Forum Area Plan performance report will be developed.

It was agreed:

The Bury West Area Plan would be a standing agenda item.

A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions or raise issues of concern relating to the provision of local services.

The Chair, Councillor M Hankey, 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.

In response to a question from a Member of the public, the Chair Councillor Hankey reported that, the Council’s Core Strategy has been developed and submitted for approval and planning inspectors are expected imminently.

In response to a question from Councillor Walker, Councillor Sounthworth reported she would raise the issues of Bridle paths in Elton Vale Park with the Assistant Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods.

The next meeting of the Township Forum will be held on Thursday 13^th March 2014 at Bolton Road Methodist Church.  

It was agreed:

The next meeting of the Township Forum will be held on 13 March 2014 at Bolton Road Methodist Church.