Agenda and minutes

It was agreed:

1.   That Lesley Wildeman  be appointed Chair of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

2.   That Councillor Holt be appointed Vice Chair of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

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.

Councillor Connolly declared an interest in any item which related to staffing as his partner is an employee of Bury Council.

Minutes of the last meeting, held on 19 March 2014, are attached.

Delegated decision:

                              That the minutes of the last meeting held on 19 March 2014, be approved as a correct record subject to the inclusion of a question from Mr Ainsworth Buryregarding whether the Council had a mobile air quality monitor within Minute BETF.901, Public Question Time.

                   In respect of Minute BETF.899, Bury East Alcohol Prospectus Scheme, it was reported that questions had been raised in relation to costs and a response was awaited.

                  In respect of BETF.901, Public Question Time, the Township Co-ordinator undertook to follow up the issue concerning the synchronisation of the traffic lights at Moorgate.

In response to a question from Mr Boaden, the Township Co-ordinator explained that the role of Advisory Group Members was to be a link between their Community Group and the Forum and vice versa. The Township Co-ordinator reported that he was looking at the development of themed working groups which could be led by Advisory Group Members.

                  Mr Boaden made a request for Lawnmowers to be used to clear small areas of long grass in the Seedfield area.

A presentation will be given by the Township Co-ordinator

          The Township Co-ordinator gave a presentation which outlined a number of positive outcomes in Bury East for each of the themes contained within the Township Plan for 2013-14. 

There are currently 6 key thematic priorities contained within the Bury East Township Action Plan for 2013/14:

·      Improved Employment Opportunities

·      Improved Community Safety

·      Improved Health and Wellbeing

·      Improved Educational Attainment/Learning Opportunities

·      Improved Youth Engagement

·      Improved Community Cohesion and Integration

              With regard to the Youth Engagement theme the Township Co-ordinator highlighted the work done with Streetwise and expressed his hope that future agenda items could be brought forward that reflect the issues that are of concern to young people in Bury East.

Following the presentation, all those in attendance at the meeting were invited to take part in round-table discussions on each of the key priorities contained within the Plan.  It was reported that all of the ideas raised at the meeting would be collated, written into the draft Plan and presented at the next scheduled meeting of the Forum. 

It was agreed:

                     That the suggestions and ideas raised be collated and reported to the next meeting of this Forum.

Up to 30 minutes is set aside for members of the public to ask questions or raise issues of concern relating to the provision of local services.

The Chair, Lesley Wildeman, 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.

·         Harry Reed placed on record his thanks for recent successful funding applications which had enabled the purchase of a number of gazebo’s, planters and hanging baskets. Mr Reed informed the Forum of the planned events in place for the “Party in the Park” which will be held on 10^th August.

·         Mick Ainsworth raised the issue of parking on pavements and highlighted the lack of enforcement of this issue. Councillor Connolly undertook to raise the issue with the Police. With regard to Mr Ainsworth’s area, Councillor Holt reported that he had arranged to discuss the issue of inconsiderate parking.

·         In response to a question concerning the use of zero hours contracts, Councillor Connolly confirmed that the Council did make use of these contracts which allowed flexibility for employees employed in areas such as school supply and casual catering positions.

·         Martin Reynolds raised the issue of cars parking in cycle lanes on Manchester Road and highlighted the lack of enforcement. Councillor Connolly reported that steps were underway to implement double yellow lines in this particular area.

·         Jimmy Hill highlighted his previous concerns in relation to Cook Street and Heywood Street and warned that action was needed to prevent a  serious accident occurring.

·         Kath Bond expressed concerns in relation to parking on pavements and the blocking of driveways by Six Town Housing vehicles. A request was made for posts to be erected either side of her driveway to prevent cars from blocking the drive.

·      Mick Ainsworth raised the issue of the synchronisation of the lights at the bottom of Walmersley Road and requested that cameras be installed. Councillor Connolly undertook to raise the issue with Transport for Greater Manchester who are responsible for the control of traffic signals.

·      Councillor Cassidy requested that a letter from the Township Forum be sent to the Licensing Department highlighting concerns about Royal Taxi cars parking at the bottom of Walmersley Road. Councillor Connolly raised further concerns in relation to Star taxis on Rochdale Road.

·      In response to concerns raised by Mr Reed in relation to a damaged sunken grid at the crossing of Rochdale Road, an undertaking was given to raise the issue with the Principal Engineer.

·      The Chair, Lesley Wildeman, informed those present about a free event to be held at Topping Fold Community Centre on 26 July. The event is being held to encourage people to knit blankets for homeless people.

·      The Township Co-ordinator reported that the Council were seeking Purple Flag accreditation for Bury Town centre. Purple Flag is a national accreditation scheme for the management of town centres and the night time economy.

·      The Township Co-ordinator took the opportunity to thank Brenda Headley for her hard work in assisting with the running of Township forum meetings over the last year.

The Bury East Township Performance Update had been included in the Agenda for Members’ information.

It was agreed:

        That the report be noted

The Bury East Funding Report had been included in the Agenda for Members’ information.

                  During discussion of this item, Members of the Forum highlighted the need for applicants to provide feedback on how monies had been spent.       

                  It was agreed:

                  That the report be noted

The next meeting of the Forum will be held on 18 September 2014 at the Jubilee Centre.

The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum will be held on 18 September at the Jubilee Centre.