Agenda and minutes

Nominations for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Forum are invited at this meeting.

Councillor R. E. Walker nominated Councillor S. Nuttall as Chair of the Bury West Township Forum and this was seconded by Councillor J. Walton.

Councillor R.E.Walker nominated Councillor S. Southworth as Vice Chair and this was seconded by Councillor J. Walton.

It was agreed:

1. That Councillor S. Nuttall be appointed Chair of the Bury West Township Forum for the Municipal Year 2014/2015.

2. That Councillor S. Southworth be appointed as Vice Chair of the Bury West Township Forum for the Municipal Year 2014/2015.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes attached.

It was agreed.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bury West Township Forum held on
13 March 2104 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A representative from Greater Manchester Police will be in attendance.

It was agreed:

A police update would be given at the next meeting of the Bury West Township Forum due to be held on the 24^th September 2014.

Councillor Walker will give a verbal update at the meeting.

Councillor Walker provided members of the Bury West Township Forum with a verbal update expressing concern in relation to the Mile Lane, Local Centre.

Councillor Walker reported the following concerns in relation to Mile Lane; uncertainty about the future of the local retailers; closure of the post office; numerous planning applications made in relation to the site and concerns with regards to the general disrepair of the surrounding land.

It was agreed:

The Township Co-ordinator would liaise with the planning department and the post office in relation to the concerns raised by Councillor Walker.

Members are invited to take part in round-table discussions on the key priorities contained within the Action Plan for 2013/14

Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator, provided an overview of the Bury West Township Forum Performance report. The report outlines the Township Forum’s progress towards the vision for Bury West to promote better outcomes for the social, health, economic and environmental wellbeing of people in the community.

  The Township Co-ordinator reported that the Township plan is split into six areas of work:

·                     Improved employment opportunities

·                     Community safety

·                     Improved health and wellbeing

·                     Educational Attainment/Learning

·                     Improved Road Safety & Public Transport

·                     Community Pride and Belonging

The Township Co-ordinator reported that contained within the performance report were a number of Township forum success stories, including;

·                3 young people from Bury West successfully completed the initial 6 week placement with Connecting Provision Training. All 3 went on to secure a 6 month paid placement with Bury Council.

·                Daisyfield Job Club has supported 19 families

The Township Co-ordinator asked members present at the meeting to consider what issues they may want to see incorporated into the Bury West Township Forum Action Plan 2014.15; the following issues were suggested:

·           Access to library facilitates within Bury West

·           Healthy Eating for Children

·           Highways – street signs and general cleanliness of the area

·           Pot holes

It was agreed:

The Township Co-ordinator will develop a revised Bury West Township Forum Action Plan for consideration at the next meeting of the Township Forum due to be held on 24^th September 2014.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters about the work or performance of the Council or Council’s services.

The Chair, Councillor S. Nuttall, 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 Councillor Kerrison reported that, she had spoke to representatives from the Council who had reported to her delays in spraying the kerbside and pavements with weed killer.  Councillor Kerrison had received a commitment from the Council that the work would be undertaken imminently.

Councillor Southworth reported that she would highlight concerns raised in relation to the bins on Woodlands Estate with the Assistant Director, Operations.

Minutes attached.

Councillor Walker provided members of the Township Forum with an update in relation to issues discussed at the Highways sub group.

·      20 mph scheme on the Brandlesholme East area was currently out to consultation.

·      Consultation has now concluded in relation to Haig Road and a formal notice for the proposals will be advertised in the press in the Autumn.

·      Ten further schemes in the Borough will be the subject of informal consultations during June/July, three of which will be in Bury West: the Brandlesholme East, Woodhill Road and Lower Ainsworth Road areas.

·      Hunstanton Drive a 20mph zone would be re-visited within the next 12 months.

·      Haslam Hey Close would be considered in year three of the StreetSafe initiative.

·      Members of the Board discussed the proposal to extend the parking prohibition around GreenHill Primary School.

           In response to a question from a member of the public, Councillor Southworth, reported she would highlight new and additional concerns in relation to the Bus lane on Bury/Bolton Road as a result of the opening of the new Aldi supermarket.

           It was agreed:

           The update be noted.

Funding report is attached.

The Township Co-ordinator reported that funding was still available in Elton and Church Wards.

It was agreed:

The report be noted.

Any other business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business reported.

Wednesday 24^th September – Elton Youth Centre – 7pm start

It was agreed:

The next meeting of the Township Forum will be held on 24 September 2014 at Elton Youth Centre.