Agenda and minutes

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

The Chair reported that an application had been received from Reverend Caroline Greenwood for her appointment as an Advisory Member to the Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum. The Application had been circulated to the members of the Township Forum.

Reverend Greenwood would represent the Hillock and Oakgate Community Association.

Councillor Matthews moved the appointment of Reverend Greenwood. This was seconded by Councillor Whitby.

Delegated decision:

That Reverend Caroline Greenwood be appointed as an Advisory Member to the Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum. The term to run for a period of two years (July 2017).

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2015.

Delegated decision:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.       

The Township Co-ordinator reported that a report on the Review of Township Forums had been considered by Cabinet (10 June 2015) and at the meeting of Council (1 July 2015). The review had produced a number of recommendations to enhance Township Forums in view of budgetary challenges, local partnership working and advancement digital technology.

The recommendations included:

·         A reduction in the number of generic presentations at meetings of Township Forums;

·         Formalising Police involvement in forum meetings;

·         Reducing the frequency of meetings (from 6 to 4 per year) and harnessing wider engagement mechanisms. Use of other digital technology to share views and get feedback on matters. Details of the dates of which meetings would be lost would be notified to members and the public;

·         Utilising the Localism Act 2011 – community ownership of council assets;

·         Community funds - £8000 allocation for each Township Forum and the appointment of a Sub-Group to consider applications of up to £250.

The Township Forum was requested to approve the appointment of Sub-Group as follows:

Councillor J Grimshaw

Councillor B Caserta

Councillor A Matthews

Councillor M Whitby

Pamela Taylor (Hollins Village Community Assn)

Councillor P Adams moved the appointment of the Sub-Group membership and this was seconded by Councillor D Jones.

Delegated decision:

1. That the report and the recommendations made be noted.

2. That approval be given to the appointment of Councillors J Grimshaw,

B Caserta, A Matthews, M Whitby and Pamela Taylor (Hollins Village Community Assn) to the Township Forum Funding Sub-Group.

To receive an update on policing issues within the Whitefield and Unsworth area.

The meeting was attended by PCs Linton and Taylor who provided information on Policing matters in the Whitefield and Unsworth area. It was reported that there had been:

3 cannabis warrants within Whitefield – 2 people have been charged

7 burglaries

8 thefts from motor vehicles

The meeting was informed that the Division was going through changes in the way that policing the area is undertaken. From 1 August response officers would be based in the south of the borough to respond to issues within the area and not across Bury as is the current arrangement.

The Chair invited questions.

Marlene Dawson asked if the police were concerned about the Victoria Estate area in Whitefield. It was reported that the police had no major concerns about the area which, it was considered, had improved.

Pam Taylor asked why there are currently CCTV cameras located on Croft Lane. It was suggested that the Highways Agency was undertaking a survey of traffic movements.

The Chair asked if the police had any initiatives planned in Whitefield and Unsworth to address Anti Social Behaviour issues during the school summer break.

It was reported that nothing had been planned. Anti Social Behaviour is an issue that come and goes. At this time there was nothing to show that issues in the area were out of the norm. At the moment there was one vehicle between five officers. The alternatives transport available was either bicycle or walking.

The Chair asked for an update on the levels of recorded domestic violence, alcohol related incidents, hate crimes and missing persons.

It was reported that there in the region of 45 domestic abuse reports each month. The alcohol related incidents were not at a serious level of concern. Hate crime figures were not available and missing persons were usually reported found within 24 hours with the occasional missing person report extending beyond this timeframe.

The Chair requested that a more detailed report on the levels of the different categories of crime reported in the area be presented to each Township Forum or be passed on the Township Co-ordinator.

It was agreed:

1.   That the update be noted.

2.   That GMP be requested to report or pass on the statistical information for reported crimes in all categories within Whitefield and Unsworth with a comparison to the previous years figures.

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.

Planning application for a proposal to erect a wind turbine at Whitefield Golf Club

It was reported that a local meeting had taken place last week. Local residents had been notified and had 2 weeks to lodge comments on the proposal.

The Chair suggested that local residents should approach their local Councillor to raise their concerns.

Councillor Wiseman recommended that residents write individual letters to the Planning Department rather than sending a petition which would only count as one objection.

Councillor Mallon encouraged residents to raise their objections/comments through the proper process. It was also important that objectors meet in advance to select a spokesperson that could raise resident’s concerns at the Planning Control Committee meeting.

Radcliffe New Road – Tree branches

Mrs Garratt reported that a branch had fallen from an ash tree into a garden and as a result it was not possible to park in the garden due to the size of the branch. The Council had been contacted but nothing had been heard since. Councillor Mallon had been contacted on the matter.

Councillor Mallon reported that he had visited that site and after consulting with the Council’s arboriculturalist he was advised to obtain the DNA sample of the tree in order to test the roots. There were a number of issues connected with this matter. Motorists were parking on Thorpe Street because residents parked there and instead were parking on Nipper Lane. Removing the tree would reduce the problems.

M66/Croft Lane

Pam Taylor reported that the road markings on the junction of the M66 and Croft Lane had been worn away through traffic using the road. It was difficult for motorists to know the correct lane to enter especially if the driver didn’t know the area. The area needed to be remarked and a replacement road sign for the one that been lost. The matter had been reported to the Council twice but no action had been taken.

Seat on Hamilton Road

Marlene Dawson reported that trees had overgrown to the point that the seat on Hamilton Road could no longer be used.

Banners on Railings – Bury New Road

Marlene Dawson requested that the banner on the railings sited on the boundary between Victoria Playing Fields and Bury New Road be removed for the reason that the banner had become shredded and was in pieces.

Whitefield Town Hall

Mr Norman requested action to be taken to improve the old Whitefield Town Hall facade behind Slattery’s on Bury New Road.

The Chair reported that this matter had been running for a number of years due to a dispute between the Council and the owner of the site which is also located within a conservation area.

Councillor Wiseman reported that the recently appointed Chief Executive had identified this as an issue he would look at.

Mr Marshall requested  ...  view the full minutes text for item WUTF.143

A copy of the funding report for the funding of projects and activities within wards was submitted. It was reported that a Sub Group had been appointed of the Township Forum which would meet in June, September, November and March. A maximum of £250 individual grant was available for formally constituted organisations to apply for.

Mrs Marshall thanked the Sub-Group for the grant of £250 to the Whitefield Community Graveyard for the purchase of equipment and soil.

It was agreed:

That the Funding report be noted.