Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest

Minutes from the last meeting held on 4^th June 2015 are attached.

          Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the last meeting held on 4^th June 2015, be approved as a correct record.

Action log attached.

Jimmy Hill, Pimhole Residents Association highlighted continuing concerns with regards to HGVs and fly tipping in an around the East ward area.

Janet Edwards informed the meeting that the Older People’s Forum had ceased to meet and therefore she could not continue as an advisory group member.  Janet would still when able attend meetings of the Bury East Township Forum.

 In respect of Minute BETF.56, Councillor Connolly reported that the work is still ongoing with regards to the Street safe 20mph initiative all work will be completed by March 2016.

In response to an issue raised by a member of the public the Township co-ordinator confirmed that he would gather further information in respect of the success of placing a SMART Car outside Bury East Primary School.    

A verbal presentation will be given by Glenn Stuart, Head of Waste Management at the meeting.

The Head of Waste Management Glenn Stuart gave a verbal presentation on current initiatives to encourage recycling within the Borough, in attendance also was Luke Solczak, Waste Regulatory Officer, Bury East area.

The presentation contained the following information; at the start of October the Council changed the way it collected household waste to help boost recycling, reduce carbon emissions and save money to protect other public services.  The recycling rate has already risen to around 55% an increase of over 7%.  

The Head of Waste Management reported that a new scheme will be rolled our across the Borough identifying residents that continually fail to recycle properly.  Green, Amber and red tags will be placed on recycling bins to alert residents.  The Recycling Education and Awareness team will be visiting areas across the borough where we know some people struggle with recycling.  The team will work with these communities to make sure they have the recycling bins they need and to help remove any barriers they have to recycling so that it can become a part of their daily life.

In response to a question from a member of the public the head of waste management reported that across Greater Manchester the only plastic items that can be recycled at the kerbside are plastic bottles.  Plastic yogurt pots, plastic margarine containers and plastic food trays are all made of lower grade plastic.  There is much less demand from recycling companies for lower grade plastic items and a more cost effective way of dealing with these items is to burn them to generate energy. 

 The Head of Waste Management reported that in partnership with Greater Manchester Waste the Council are actively lobbying government to increase the variety of plastics that can be recycled. 

In response to a question from a member of the public, the Head of Waste Management reported that fines would only be issued to those members of the public that persistent reoffend.

Harry Reed raised concerns that the recycling bins in Openshaw Park have not been emptied for over two years. 

In response to a comment raised in relation to engagement with the Black and Minority Ethnic community, the Head of Waste Management reported that the education is ongoing and will be rolled out across all of the Borough, with officers working specifically with the BME community.

In response to concerns raised about the lack of enforcement action taken, the Head of Waste Management reported that the officers would want to work with residents in the first instance to try and educate them and enforcement and any subsequent fines would be a last resort.

In response to criticisms and comments made by some residents in regards to the officers in attendance, Councillor Connolly reported that all employees should be treated courteously and respectfully.

It was agreed:

                  The presentation be noted.

Peter Firth, Chief Officer attended the meeting to provide the township forum with an update on the Mosses Centre Reaching Communities bid.

The Mosses Centre is a large Community Centre situated in the middle of Bury.  It provides a meeting place for over thirty clubs and groups (Activities & Groups) including a Youth Club, Martial Arts Classes and Line Dancing as well as an Ofsted Outstanding Pre-School.   The Mosses Centre is managed by the  Mosses Community Association Ltd .

The Chief Officer reported that the Mosses centre have submitted a Lottery bid to re-develop the centre, the plans submitted would include developing a dedicated cafe area, extended the reception area as well as the installation of a lift.  The bid process is in three stages and the Chief Officer reported that they have been allowed to proceed to stage two.  If funding is successful, the proposed refurbishment will be completed by 2017.

Peter Firth asked that members of the public took time to complete the Building Lives questionnaires, the responses would be collated and submitted as part of the bid process.

It was agreed:

1.   The Mosses Community Centre – Building Lives questionnaire would be circulated.

2.   An update in respect of the Big Lottery bid would be provided at a future meeting of the Bury East Township Forum would be provided at a future meeting.

A presentation will be given at the meeting. 

Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator reported that the Council along with other partners are promoting a Safe 4 Summer campaign.  The campaign aim is to get Bury's young people to have fun with family and friends. Leaflets were available which provided a list of events as well as details of a website which provides information on fire, water, road and general safety advice and to find out what events and activities are taking place throughout the summer holidays. 

It was agreed:

Safe 4 Summer leaflets would be circulated at the end of the meeting

Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator will report at the meeting.

Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator reported that following consideration at a meeting of the Councils Cabinet held on 10^th June 2015, a number of changes were proposed to the Township Forums:

·         Reduce the number of generic presentations

·         Formalise Police involvement in the Forums

·         Reduce the frequency of meetings & harness wider engagement mechanisms

·         Community Funds - The Council already has a process for awarding small grants to organisations and it is proposed to delegate these community funding decisions to Township Forums to better align funding to township plan priorities

The Township Co-ordinator reported that prior to each meeting, stalls/market place environment will be established providing information on partner organisation and consultation events.

The agreed changes are a result of extensive consultation with members of the public, stakeholders, elected members and Council officers.

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.

Mick Ainsworth, member of the public asked if information could be provided to the Township Forum on the Borough’s Mobile Air Monitor.

In response to a comment with regards to establishing a Community Speed Watch volunteer group, the Township Co-ordinator reported that schemes have been established in other areas within the Borough but the onus would be on members of the public/a community groups to facilitate this.

Report attached.

Members of the Township Forum reviewed the Bury East funding report.

There was no urgent business reported