Agenda and minutes

Members of Bury East 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.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July and the matters arising from the meeting are attached.

Delegated decision:

                        That the minutes of the last meeting held on 9 July 2013, be approved as a correct record, with the amendment that Lesley Wildeman (Topping Fold TRA) had offered her apologies.

Mr Ainsworth reported that there had been a big improvement to the shops on the old Co-op site but there is still a number of ‘for sale’ boards fastened to the front of the buildings which created a bad impression. 

                        Mr Ainsworth also asked why there was nothing in the minutes regarding his query about people parking on pavements. The Township co-ordinator informed the Forum that at the next meeting in November, an Officer from Highways would be attending and would address this issue.

                        Councillor Rothwell stated that parking on pavements was in fact a level 1 offence which people could be fined for and one which could be enforced by the Police.

                        The Township co-ordinator reported on BETF.177, Bury East Alcohol Prospectus Scheme (BEAPS) update and stated that a presentation was held on 4 September 2013 and that 6 groups involved with lowering alcohol related anti social behaviour were awarded funding.  The progress of the groups would be reported back to further meetings of Bury East Township Forum.

                        Councillor Walmsley asked in relation to BETF.178, Public Question Time, regarding the bus lane at the bottom of Bolton Road and what the outcome was of the query from Tim Boaden, Seedfield TRA.

                        The Township co-ordinator reported that he, the Chair of the Township Forum, Tan Ahmed, Tim Boaden and a resident had met with Ian Lord and Tina Glover from Highways regarding this query.  He stated that Ian Lord would attend the next meeting to brief the members on these issues.

                        Councillor Holt referred to the issue of foliage obscuring residents’ only parking signs on Primrose Drive and stated that it was actually not too bad but would be monitored.

A presentation will be given on the evening.

The Township Forum received a presentation from Planning Officer, Fran Smith.  The presentation provided an overview of Bury’s First Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The strategy will form the framework within which communities can have a greater say in local risk management decisions. The Local Strategy will encourage more effective risk management by enabling residents and the Council to work together.

Fran explained that local flooding can have a significant impact on the people and economy of Bury and it is predicted to increase due to climate change, increasing pressures and changing land use practices that affect the way the land is able to naturally respond to rainfall.

Although it is not possible to prevent all flooding it is possible to consider the risks faced and ways to manage the risks.  The Flood and Water management Act 2010 places a responsibility upon the Council, as Lead Local Flood Authority, to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a strategy for local flood risk management.

The Council is taking its responsibilities for flood risk seriously and in the development of the Local Strategy, the Council has sought to balance the needs of communities, the economy and the environment and it is important that residents offer their views. The consultation started on 2 September 2013 for 6 weeks and was available to view on line.

Questions were invited from those present at the meeting and the following points were raised:

Lesley Wildeman stated that certain areas that were prone to flooding had been reported in the past and yet not remedied.

Fran stated it was important for these areas to be recognised in the Strategy as a starting point and encouraged that they be reported.

Harry Reed (Pimhole TRA) asked who was responsible for the funding of this consultation scheme?

Fran explained it was a Government Initiative.

Mr Ainsworth stated that there were going to be more houses built which would aggravate the flood risk possibilities.

Fran replied that there were strict guidelines with regards building regulations and there would have to be flood risk assessments completed before any building took place.

Mr Ainsworth asked whether the volume of water would be utilised in an economic way and it was reported that hydro electricity could be a possibility.

Councillor Walmsley stated there were residents in vulnerable areas that did not live near to rivers, why was this?

It was explained that this was due to surface water flooding.  There were ‘hotspots’ around Greater Manchester prone to this kind of flooding but in Bury Borough, only 1 area in Radcliffe was under threat.

Lesley Wildeman asked if it was Bury Council who could demand that United Utilities or the Environment Agencies resolve these issues and Fran explained it was for the Council to investigate and identify whose responsibility it was.

The Chair, Tan Ahmed reiterated how important it was for residents to feed back into the consultation.

It was agreed:

That Fran Smith be thanked for her presentation.

The Township Co-ordinator will give a presentation at the meeting.

Dave Thomas, Township co-ordinator, explained that following the round table discussions in June, the plan devised outlines the vision for the Township to promote better outcomes for the social, health, economic, and environmental wellbeing of people within the

community, whilst working together with communities and partner agencies such as the Council, Police and Fire service, health services, faith groups and so on.

Bury Council has a number of key outcomes and delivery of this plan will contribute to the following outcomes:

·         Improved Employment Opportunities - Assist those young people in Bury East who face barriers entering into employment through Connecting Provisions Initiative.

·         Improved Health and Wellbeing - Main issues identified focus on Alcohol misuse, in particular hospital A&E admissions related to alcohol. Areas of concern also exist around mental health and the impact of worklessness.  The current position was that Bury East has the highest number of alcohol related hospital admissions within the borough (975 in 2011/12). East ward has the highest proportion of ESA (Employment Support Allowance)claimants in the borough and figures show that 43% of ESA claims are due to mental health issues.

·         Improved Community Safety - In Bury East significant issues exist around alcohol related anti-social behaviour (ASB), with the main concentration around the Town Centre. Perceptions of crime continue to be relatively high which indicates that more needs to be done to reassure people.

·         Improved Community Cohesion and integration - The Bury Council Community Cohesion Plan is now in place. There is very limited representation in the Township Forum from the different faith groups in Bury East and it was hoped to Improve understanding between partner agencies and local Mosques                                                                                                                                                                 

·         Educational Attainment/Learning - Improve information sharing between local community and central organisations regarding learning needs locally.

Various questions and comments were invited from those present at the meeting and the following points were raised:

Mr Ainsworth stated something must be done to try and get a bigger attendance for the Township Forums as there now appeared to be less people at the meetings.

The Chair, Tan Ahmed and the Township co-ordinator stated that there were a lot of initiatives taking place in between meetings to address this issue.  Also the advisory group members would feed back from the meetings to local residents to also promote the Forum.

Councillor Holt stated that in these challenging times it was important to engage young people to attend these meetings and Councillor Walmsley stated there had never been a more important time for people to have their say.

Kath Bond stated that at the local PACT meeting there were a number of younger people in attendance and she would mention the Township Forum there.

The Township co-ordinator explained that local democracy week was nearing and he, Tan Ahmed and the Head of Democratic Services would be working with engaging young people and information around the Township Forum could be included in this.

Mr Hill informed the Forum that as Chair of Pimhole Residents’ Association he has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 407.

A Greater Manchester Police Representative will give an update at the meeting.

Apologies were sent from Greater Manchester Police and members of the Forum stated their disappointment at the lack of representation and requested that this be an agenda item on the next meeting of the Township Forum in November.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on issues of concern relating to the provision of local services.

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time if required.

The Chair, Tan Ahmed, 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.

                        Mr Ainsworth asked about the Mosque on Church Street and whether there was a planned extension to the building as the traffic was already an issue in the area.

                        Councillor Holt stated that he was aware of this issue but that the Ward Councillors had not received any request for a planning application.  He would investigate this matter further.  Councillor Stella Smith explained it would be normal procedure to consult with neighbours over a planned extension.

                        Mr Ainsworth reported that he had been unable to access the Township Forum agenda and minutes on the Council’s website and it was stated that information on how to access the Township Forum page would be arranged for him.

                        Mr Ainsworth asked if there was any further information regarding Credit Union?

                        Councillor Stella Smith replied that plans are now being developed for an established union, possibly Manchester Credit Union, to start opera-ting in Bury, subject to approval by the Financial Services Authority.

                        Councillor Walmsley stated that six town housing would financially support the set up but that it would be Borough wide.

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

Derek Burke from Bury Third Sector Development Agency attended the Forum and explained about Community First, which is a Government funded Inititative to help communities and that Bury East and Moorside are two of four wards in Bury eligible for funding.  Derek advised the Township Forum of an event that was taking place in the Elizabethan Suite on Wednesday 25 September 2013 for people to get to know their Local Voluntary and Community Groups and invited members of the Forum to attend the meeting.

                        Councillor Tariq informed the Township Forum that Ann Clayton (New Springs Community Project Group) was resigning her position as she would be joining Greater Manchester Police.  Councillor Tariq, on behalf of Redvales Ward, thanked Ann for her hard work and dedication as a Community Development Worker in Springs.

The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum is on Monday 25 November at 7.00 pm at Redvales Children’s Centre, Dorset Drive, Bury.

The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum is on Monday 25 November, 2013 at 7.00 pm at Redvales Children’s Centre.