Agenda and minutes

Members of the 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 made at the meeting.

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

Any person nominated needs to be present and seconded in order for the nomination to stand.

If there is more than one nomination then the matter will be determined by vote.

The positions of Chair and Vice-Chair may be filled by either a core member or an Advisory Group Member.

If the position of Chair is taken by an Advisory Group Member, the position of Vice-Chair must be taken by a core member.

A core member may take the position of Chair or Vice-Chair.

It was agreed:

1. That Councillor Jackie Harris be nominated a Chair of the Township Forum for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

2. That Councillor Susan Nuttall be nominated as Vice Chair for the Township Forum for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

The Minutes from the Meeting held on 8 March 2016 are attached.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting of the Township Forum held on 8 March 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Walker referred to BWTF.600 – First Bus Update and asked that the representatives be invited to a future meeting of the Township Forum to give another update.

An update will be given at the meeting.

Inspector David Ryecroft, Sergeant Simon Aston and PCSOs Karen Crookes and Sue Eckersley attended the meeting to update those present on police issues across Bury West.

It was reported that there had been a small rise in burglaries across the area and at repeat locations.

The Police were carrying out 'cocooning' in areas where burglaries were occurring to inform neighbours of the incidents and  advise on prevention methods such as ensuring that windows and doors were lclosed and locked and houses looked like they were inhabited by leaving lights and radios on.

Car theft was low across the area but residents were reminded not to leave their car keys in view as car thieves would enter properties in order to steal keys.

Nuisance calls had reduced and it was felt that this was due to the recent bad weather.

There had been 8 shed break ins reported over the past 3 months as well as some commercial properties being targeted and it was reported that since the opening of the new stores around the Crostons Road retail area there had been an increase in shoplifting.

It was explained that the crimes outlined were still quite low level and Bury was one of the safest places to live in Greater Manchester.

There were due to be Police and Community drop in sessions every 4 weeks on Saturday mornings and these would be advertised on Twitter and Facebook. These would also incorporate advice on crime prevention. As well as the drop in sessions it was also reported that a monthly e-news letter would be produced which would be sent to partners and crime watch groups for them to forward on.

Those present were given the opportunity to raise issues or ask questions and the following points were raised:-

·         A member of the public referred to the ongoing issue of vehicles parking dangerously at the junction of Elton Brook Close and Newbold Street. It was explained that this occurs every time there is football at Whitehead Park and also the local church congregation.

Residents were concerned that there would be an accident in the area due to this issue.

·         A resident of Foulds Avenue explained that at evenings and weekends there were regularly children meeting at the gates of the school to play football. They constantly kicked the ball at the gates causing a very loud crashing sound. The resident had complained to various people but the incidents continued.  The noise created was so loud that it was disturbing the residents that much that one had moved his living room from the front of the house to the back.

The police stated that they had attended the site to speak with those involved.

Councillor Harris stated that she would meet with the resident and invite the ASB co-ordinator along as well.

It was agreed:

1. That The Police Team be thanked for their attendance

2. That the update be noted.

A presentation will be given at the meeting.

The Township Co-ordinator gave a presentation setting out how the Township Plan for Bury West would be developed. The included an introduction from the Leader of the Council Councillor Roshi Shori.

This was followed by round table discussions with the aim of identifying what was good about Bury West  and what were residents concerns and to put these forward as priority areas.

Some of  the issues highlighted were:

·         Excellent Community Spirit

·         Hard working residents and Councillors

·         Good amenities – clean

·         Low crime rates

·         Friendly people

·         Some fly tipping ‘grotspots’

·         Public transport could be improved

·         Roads need repairing - potholes

·         Weeds

Those present were asked what could be done about the issues highlighted and it was suggested that groups such as tenants and residents associations and neighbourhood watch groups could be invited to host community days to raise awareness. Volunteers should be sought to help out and maybe look at other groups such as schools and guides and brownies.

The priorities suggested would be considered and three would be chosen for inclusion in the new town plan and this would be fed back to the September meeting of the Township Forum.

Councillor Walker explained that he was standing down as the Chair to the Highways Sub Group.

Councillor Harris stated that she would like for the group to continue to meet and she would be more than happy to take Councillor Walkers place.

It was agreed:

That the Highways Sub Group would continue to meet.

A meeting would be arranged for September

Those present are invited to ask questions or raise issues of concern relating to the provision of local services.

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:-

A member of the public asked how the Township Forum Meetings could be better promoted to advertise them more. It was suggested that the Meetings could be themed  to deal with specific issues affecting the two wards.

The report is attached for information.

The report was presented for information

An update will be given at the meeting.

It was reported that two applications had been successful in Bury West:-

All Saints Elton Amateur Operatic Society - £500

Fusiliers’ Court Residents Association - £500

Report attached

The funding report was attached for information.

The next Meeting of the Township Forum will be on Monday 19 September 2016 at The Elton Centre.

It was reported that the next meeting of the Bury West Township Forum would be on Monday 19 September at 7pm at the Elton Centre.