Agenda and minutes

Delegated decision:

1.   That Councillor Jones be appointed Chair of this Forum for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

2.   That Councillor Fitzgerald be appointed Deputy Chair of this Forum for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

The Members of Township Forum are requested to consider the appointment of Advisory Members. The appointment would be for a period of two years (2015–2017).

Delegated decision:

That the following Advisory Group Members be re-appointed to serve on the Forum for a 2 year period:

Leonard Lott – Whitefield and Unsworth Homewatch Assn.

Marlene Dawson (Victoria Estate TRA)

Pamela Taylor (Hollins Village Community Assn) Yvonne Moore (Old Hall Park Residents Assn)

Mrs T Heyworth (ELMS TRA)

Mrs S Bannister – Jewish Representative Council

No declarations of interest were made in relation to any items to be considered.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2015.

Delegated decision:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.       

The meeting was attended by PC McCondichie who provided information on Policing matters in the Whitefield and Unsworth area. It was reported that 124 crimes had been recorded within the month of May across the 3 wards of the Township Forum. During discussion of the crime figures a request was made to provide comparative figures from the same period last year.

David Moore expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the irregular receipt of crime reports for Homewatch Groups. PC McCondichie undertook to feed the issue back to the Inspector.

In response to concerns relating to Anti Social Behaviour on the Metrolink, PC McCondichie referred to new dispersal powers due to come into effect under  new legislation.

It was agreed:

That the update be noted.

The Chair invited questions from the members of the public present about the work or performance of the Council or Council’s services relevant to the Whitefield and Unsworth area.

·         John Knight, Bill Lane Homewatch Co-ordinator, raised a number of questions relating to inconsiderate parking on Bill Lane from non residents which results in restricted access for refuse and emergency vehicles. Mr Knight referred to the lack of enforcement in respect H bars and yellow lines. The Chair highlighted the problems associated with un-adopted roads and undertook to look into the legalities over enforcement issues.

·         Mrs Hill highlighted a lack of action after reporting pot holes and referred to particular problem roads, namely Manchester Road; Mersey Drive; Calder Crescent and Hollins Lane.

·         Pam Taylor highlighted that action promised on Melton Drive had still not take place. The Chair, Councillor Jones, undertook to ensure the issue is raised with the Highways Department.

·         John Levermore raised the issue of a potential wind turbine planned for the Golf course, adjacent to Park Lane. Concerns were highlighted about insufficient sound testing and the suitability of having a 45m turbine in a suburban area. The Chair reported that at present no planning application had been received by the Authority.

·         In response to a question form Marlene Dawson, Councillor Fitzgerald confirmed that improvement works would be carried on the Victoria Lane Park.

·         In response to questions concerning the ownership of land next to Porada, the Chair confirmed that the Council and the Restaurant were currently in dialogue about the issue.

·         Sharon Bannister raised concerns about taxis from Tandra parking outside the taxi office on double yellow lines. An undertaking was given to raise the issue with the Parking Manager.

·         A local resident highlighted the issue of speeding traffic on bury New Road opposite the Mormon Church and requested that a speed camera be sited in the area.

There are currently 5 key thematic priorities contained within the Whitefield and Unsworth Township Action Plan for 2015/16:

·           Improved Employment Opportunities

·           Community Safety

·           Improved Health and Wellbeing

·           Improved Educational Attainment/Learning Opportunities

·           Community Pride and Involvement

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.