Agenda and minutes

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

Any person nominated needs to be presentand 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 and 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

Delegated decision:

1.   That Lesley Wildeman be appointed Chair of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

2.   That Councillor Holt be appointed Vice Chair of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

The Chair began by welcoming members of the public, Councillors and advisory group representatives to the meeting.

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 Attached.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the last meeting held on 18 March 2015, be approved as a correct record.

In respect of Minute BETF.837, the township co-ordinator reported that he would chase a response in respect of furniture obstructing pedestrian access on Silver Street.

Julie Gallagher, Democratic Services Officer, reported that the Township Forum has the following organisations listed as advisory group representatives:

Tan Ahmed (ADAB)

Tim Boaden (Seedfield TRA)

Darren Durham (Freedom Church, Bury),

Janet Edwards (Older People’s Forum)

Becky Mayo (Young Person’s Representative)

GemmaPhilburn (Streetwise 2000)

Lesley Wildeman (Topping Fold TRA)

Harry Reed (Pimhole Residents Association)

It was reported that, Darren Durham and Becky Mayo no longer wish to be advisory group members.

It was agreed:

1.   The existing advisory group representatives would continue to serve for a two year period from May 2015.

2.   Malika Street would be appointed as the Bury East Township Forum Young Person’s representative.

3.   Jimmy Hill would be an advisory group member representing Pimhole Residents Association

4.   The Township Co-ordinator would issue a press release in order to fill the remaining advisory group vacancy.

A verbal presentation will be given at the meeting followed by round table discussions.   

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 2014-15. 

There are currently 5 key thematic priorities contained within the Bury East Township Action Plan

·         Employment Opportunities

·         Health and Wellbeing

·         Community Safety

·         Educational Attainment/Learning

·         Community Pride & Belonging

The report provided a summary of the overall performance for each of the themes and the projects which contribute to their delivery and 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 Bury East Township Forum. 

 It was agreed:

1.   Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator thanked all those present who took part in the discussions for their invaluable input in helping to identify key priorities for Bury East.

2.   A refreshed Bury East Township Forum Plan will be considered at the next meeting of the Bury East Township Forum.

There was no urgent business reported

Members of the public present are invited 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.  The Township Forum Co-ordinator undertook to obtain a reply to matters which could not be dealt with at the meeting.

Harry Reed, Pimhole Residents Association reported that plans for this years Party in the Park were progressing well and a planning meeting would be held on Tuesday 9^th June 2015.

Jimmy Hill expressed concern about the levels of rubbish/fly tipping in and around Bury East as well as the increased number of HGV vehicles travelling via Kershaw Street damaging parked cars.

In response to concerns raised about speeding and inconsiderate driving near East ward primary school; the Leader of the Council reported that the Council is nearing the end of a three year Street safe programme which has included the introduction of a number of 20 mph speed zones within the Borough.  The Leader has also spoke to the Head teacher at Bury East

School and asked that they speak to parents and staff asking them to be more considerate when driving/parking near the school.

Members of the Township Forum raised concern about the perceived lack of residents knowledge in relation to what can and cannot be recycled within the Borough.  The Leader of the Council reported that the waste management department are very proactive in educating residents and suggested a presentation at a future meeting of the Township Forum.

It was agreed:

That a representative from waste management would be invited to attend a future meeting of the Bury East Township Forum.

The next meeting of the Bury East Township Forum will be held on Monday 13^th July at the Mosses Centre commencing at 7pm.