Agenda and minutes

The Chair reported that Reverend Caroline Greenwood was unable to continue and had stepped down as an Advisory Group Member representing Hillock and Oakgate Residents Association. The Township Forum was asked to consider the appointment of Dawn Schofield (Hillock and Oakgate Residents Association) as an Advisory Group Member to the Township Forum.

Delegated decisions:

That Dawn Schofield (Hillock and Oakgate Residents Association) be appointed as an Advisory Group Member to the Township Forum.

Councillor Grimshaw declared a personal interest in respect of Minute number WUTF 276 Future Urgent Care Provision for the reason that she is a member of the NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group Patient Cabinet.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2016 and details of the issues raised and action taken were submitted.

The Chair reported that now the new school term had started arrangements would be made to contact local high schools to gauge interest of students in standing as an Advisory Group Member.

Delegated decision:

1.   That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 5 July 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.    

That the action taken on the issues raised from the minutes be noted.

To receive an update on Police related issues in the Whitefield and Unsworth area.

The Chair reported that Inspector Carl Peterson was unavailable to attend the meeting to present Police Updates.

A presentation will be given on Future Urgent Care Provision and the Township Forum will be asked for feedback as part of a consultation process.

Representatives from Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Dr. Patel and David Latham attended the meeting and gave a presentation as part of a public engagement in order to support the configuration of Urgent Care Services in Bury. A review of current service provision had concluded that the system was disjointed, had areas of inequality and supported duplication of some services in Bury.  It was reported that the new model of service provision would not be about saving money but was about public engagement, ensuring that investment in services was being made in the right areas in order to provide a more simpler and efficient service.  The presentation focused on the following areas:-

·         The CCG's vision for Urgent Care Services;

·         What the proposed model of service provision 'might' look like and why it would be better for patients;

·         The implications for existing services.

               The Chair invited questions/comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting, as follows:-

Q.  How can the CCG be sure that the NHS 111 will be able to provide the support and advice to best inform the public on how they should deal with a condition?

A.   The service within Bury started in December 2015. There were initial teething issues but calls are now completed quicker. Bury CCG would continue with the NHS 111 service and calls would be redirected to a Bury virtual hub. Callers would then be advised on a course of action based on their need.

Q. The cost of a visit to a walk in centre is less the cost of a visit to A&E. The numbers using walk in centres may be falling but the number of people presenting at A&E is rising.

A. The numbers of A&E visits are reducing due to the availability of others services.

Q. The new service will rely heavily on the NHS 111 which on a national level has not performed well. If the decision is taken to close walk-in centres the virtual hub will need to be ready by March 2017.  In some cases patients want to see and speak to a practitioner rather than explaining symptoms over the phone.

A. Extended working hours are already in place at GP practices in place, advice is available in pharmacies and newly established wound clinics were already in place. The hub will bring these services together for a more efficient service.

Q. In view of the issues with the NHS 111 service, can we be confident that the correct advice will be given from the virtual hub? If people are going to use the service they need to feel reassured about the advice they are given.

A. The virtual hub or the existing BARDOC service will provide the support and advice.

Q. Why was the Patient Cabinet not informed about the proposals before the announcement was made known to the public?

A. The discussions held have included a member of the Patent Cabinet.

Q. What happens when no transport is available?  ...  view the full minutes text for item WUTF.288

A presentation will be given which will include the showing of a video for the Bury Directory with direction to new ‘How to Video Guides’. An update will also be given on progress made in the last 12 months.

A Presentation was given by Katie Wood on the progress of the Bury Directory since its launch a year ago.

The Bury Directory is a One-stop information point bringing together a vast range of resources that are updated and in one place. It’s easy to use and available 24/7.

The Chair invited questions/ suggestions.

Q. How do you know the information held on the Directory is kept up to date.

A. It is intended to put a time stamp on each page to indicate when it was last updated. Alternatively if a user sees the information is no longer accurate they can contact the Council.

The Chair summarised that the system was a cost effective and useful tool with a large number of users.  One key issue was the need to keep the information in the directory up to date and relevant. 

The Chair thanked Katie for her attendance and presentation.

A presentation will be given.

A presentation was given by Ruth Shedwick on the future work of Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum for the purpose of determining the key priorities for the Forum for 2016/2017.  The presentation made reference to the work done by the Forum over the past 12 months in relation to the key priorities set by the Forum with the input of residents who had been involved in the round table discussions in 2015 and the progress made in meeting the key priorities.

In view of the limited time available the Chair suggested that a separate meeting be arranged to hold a round table discussion on the Town Plan.

It was agreed:

That a meeting be arranged in October or November to allow a round table discussion to take place on the review and development of the Town Plan.

Updates will be given, where available, on: Health Centre Development, Uplands, Former Town Hall, Hickory Grange, Porada and Pilsworth.

The Uplands

An update was provided Clare Postlethwaite NHS Bury CCG Associate Chief Finance Officer – Strategic Projects. It was reported that options were being considered and progress had been made on land purchase options. A traffic impact analysis would also be undertaken to determine a point of access. The completion date for the proposals had been reassessed with an estimated completion predicted as late 2018.

The use of the current site for development was still under consideration with two possible options on the site.

Whitefield Town Hall

Councillor Caserta reported that an agreement to purchase land from the Council by the owners of the Whitefield Town Hall site was close. Discussions were also ongoing regarding the entrance to the site on Pinfold Lane. It was anticipated that the land transaction would take place to allow work on the site to start in 2017.

Hickory Grange

Councillor Kersh reported that he had been in contact with the owner of the site and had been informed that there may be a new owner of the site by January 2017 with a completion of the existing development by the end of year.

Pilsworth – Proposed Development of Retail/Leisure Site

Councillor Adams reported that proposals for the site were ongoing and the developer had arranged a public meeting to display plans and layout for the site.

(Councillor Caserta left the meeting for this item for the reason that he sits on the Planning Control Committee.)

Pam Taylor referred to the Community Structure Levy and requested that more information needed to be available on the Council web site to explain what the levy can be used for.

Porada Restaurant - Parking

It was reported that an area of land concerned had been declared surplus to requirements. The Council’s Property Services were exploring terms for a lease with the owners of Porada to use the land. It was anticipated that a planning application could be submitted in due course and would include conditions. If negotiations were to breakdown the owners of Porada would have to vacate the land and reinstate it.

Mr Marshall made the point that local residents of Whitefield did not want a car park and for the area to be returned to its original state. He had made a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman and was now in the process of making a complaint through the Council’s own process on the way the matter had been handled.

It was agreed

That the updates be noted.

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

Boz Park – the park is currently in a poor state. Could the Council consider adopting the park? A fund raising event is taking place and a park clean-up is also being organised.

Councillor Whitby reported that a site visit would be taking place at Boz Park by the Leader of the Council and senior officers of the Council at 1:00pm on 29 September 2016. Local residents were encouraged to attend. Also a fund raising evening for Boz Park would be held at Unsworth Social Club on 11 November 2016.

Reference was also made to the availability of funding from the Township that could be used to support the proposals to improve the appearance of the park.

Mr Lott welcomed the proposal and stated that provision was need for young people in the area.

Victoria Park – could the Council take action regarding the overhanging tree branches that are going into residents gardens on Livesy Street

The Chair reported that there was currently £6500 available to apply for.    

It was agreed:

That the Funding report be noted.

There was no urgent business reported.