Agenda and minutes

Members of Radcliffe 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.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting of the Township Forum held on 7 November, 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the following amendment to Minute RTF.410, to read:-

?“Barbara Law from Chapelfield Village Association informed the meeting of the new Community Choir which meets weekly at Chapelfield United Reform Church, Stand Lane.  Along with Abbey Close and Redbank, Chapelfield “Grow Your Own” had been recognised at the North West “In Bloom” competition, where it was also announced that Radcliffe had won a Gold Medal”.

A presentation will be given at the meeting.

The Township Forum received a presentation from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Connolly and the Executive Director of Resources setting out the details of revised financial savings requirements for 2014/15 along with details of how the proposed savings would be met.  The presentation provided a breakdown of internal savings that would contribute towards the additional £2.2m savings target for 2014/15.

With regard to 2015/16, the Leader of the Council outlined the scale of the challenge facing the Council that would mean £16m being cut from the budget.  In planning for this, the Leader explained that the aim would be to minimise the effect on residents and employees but stressed that all options would be explored, including:-

• Service Changes – closures and/or a reduced range of services

• Explore alternative ways of delivering services

• Increased waiting times and/or reduce quality of services

• Severe limits to what the Council can afford to do

• Review how the Council is structured

?The Chair invited questions, comments and representations from members of the Township Forum and from members of the public present at the meeting:-

• A question from a member of the public as to whether or not the 2014 budget was still intact?  The Leader explained that the 2014 budget would meet all of the commitments agreed by the Authority when the budget was set, this included commitments agreed in relation to the refurbishment of Radcliffe Market.

• A member of the public asked for clarification on the timescales for the Radcliffe Market improvements, the Executive Director of Resources explained the planning issues arising from the initial planning application for the scheme, in particular the highways issues which had led to a slight delay in the initial planning application being considered by the Planning Control Committee.  These issues had now been addressed and the application would be considered at a meeting of the Committee in February 2014.

• A member of the public asked for clarification in relation to proposals for the reduction of grounds maintenance standards, as part of the internal efficiency savings.  It was reported that some sites would not be cut/trimmed as regularly as they had been in the past. 

• Another resident suggested that residents of Six Town Housing properties be given the responsibility for the maintenance of not only the rear outside areas to their properties, but also to front garden areas?  In response, the Executive Director of Resources explained that whilst this would be a good idea in principle, it would be impossible to enforce residents to maintain front garden areas to a required standard, within the law.

• A member of the public enquired as to whether or not Council vehicles were all fitted with tracker systems as they had witnessed Council personnel in charge of Council vehicles taking unofficial extended breaks in these vehicles in a particular area of Radcliffe.  It was reported that not all vehicles were fitted with trackers, however the information provided at this meeting would  ...  view the full minutes text for item RTF664

Inspector Kenny will provide an update at the meeting.

Sergeant Ian Campbell, on behalf of Inspector Mark Kenny attended the meeting to provide an update on local police issues since the last meeting of the Township Forum.  The meeting was informed of the following issues in Radcliffe:-

• There has been a slight reduction in overall crime in Radcliffe

• Violent Crime – 20 less victims

• Burglary – 10 less victims

• Vehicle Crime – 14 more victims – risk area

• Robbery – 1 more crime

• The key threats at this time are House Burglary, Shed Burglary and  Vehicle Crime

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Sergeant Campbell provided residents with some general crime prevention advice as part of the presentation.

?The Chair invited questions, comments and representations from members of the Township Forum and from members of the public present at the meeting:-

• Concerns relating to the increase in anti-social behaviour at Mulberry  Close/Hutchinson Way.

It was reported that more police resources had been placed in this area.

• Greater clarification was requested in relation to the crime figures provided as part of the presentation.

It was reported that the figures were compiled on a month-by-month basis.  Future presentations to the Township Forum would incorporate the request for more detailed information in relation to the crime figures.

• A question regarding the local police’s use of social media.

• Were Neighbourhood Watch schemes still in operation?

Yes, residents interested in finding out further information regarding local schemes in operation were asked to provide an email address.

• Concerns raised regarding localised graffiti.

It was agreed:

?That the information provided be noted and Sergeant Campbell be thanked for his attendance at the meeting.

Sheila Blackman, Manager of the Carers Centre will give a presentation at the meeting.

The Chair introduced Claire Rodgers from the Bury Carers Service, based on Silver Street in Bury. Claire gave a presentation on the services and support offered to carers within Bury. The presentation covered the following areas:

• What is a Carer

• What a Carer is entitled to

• Who we are

• What we do

• How we can help

• Our aim for Carers of Bury

• How you can help

?Information packs were circulated for anyone interested in the Carers Service.  ?The Chair invited questions, comments and representations from members of the Township Forum and from members of the public present at the meeting:-

• Is there a transition pathway for young carers who then become adult carers?

Clare informed the meeting that there was support for young carers in Bury and that this is an area currently being looked at within the Bury Carers Service.  Cllr Shori reported that there were, at present, 18,000 carers in Bury and only 3,000 carers that access local support services. 

• Was there support available for carers to receive appropriate aids and adaptations?

Yes, the Bury Carers can refer you to the relevant contacts. 

The Chair, Colin Jones welcomed Derek Burke Chief Officer from Bury 3rd Sector to the meeting to raise awareness of “Healthwatch Bury”, the new independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public. It was reported that Healthwatch will play a role at both national and local level and will make sure that the views of the public and people who use services are taken into account.  A major part of the role of Healthwatch Bury will involve volunteers taking on a range of roles, roles the organisation is keen to involve local people in. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Healthwatch Bury was asked to please contact the organisation at healthwatchbury.co.uk.

The Chief Officer reported that additional funding had been made available for Bury residents via the Forever Manchester initiative. The funding is available for small locally led organisations based in Bury (the Streets

Ahead scheme) and the Cash4graft scheme which is designed to release small amounts of funding (between £50 and £250)  for community groups of local people and neighbours who want to run local projects for the wider community benefit.

It was agreed:

That the information be noted and Claire be thanked for her presentation. The Chair also thanked Derek Burke for his update.

Christine Maksymowski, Radcliffe Township Forum Co-ordinator will provide an update at the meeting.  Report attached.

It was agreed:

?That this report be considered at the next scheduled meeting of the Township Forum, to be held on 26 February, 2014.

Colette Jones provided an update on the work of Friends of Close Park since the last meeting of the Forum, as follows:-

• Radcliffe Tower Dig – two reports had been compiled following the dig.  Anyone interested in receiving a copy of the reports were provide an email address.

• The Vicar at St Mary’s was trying to locate the Old Cross from Radcliffe – this was supposed to be being re-erected in Close Park.  Did anyone have any ideas as to its whereabouts?

• Wishing Well project – designs are being been sort in relation to plans to build a wishing stone in the park, proceeds would be donated to the Children’s Hospice.

?

?It was agreed:

?That the information provided be noted.?

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting about the work or performance of the Council or the Council’s services relevant to the Radcliffe area.

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Open Forum, if required.

Items raised for action at the last meeting held on 7 November, 2013 are attached, for information.

The Chair 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.

The Chair 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.

• Concerns raised regarding highways issues for Morris Street residents.

• An update requested regarding the development of the East Lancs Papermill site.  It was reported that the gates had been removed but the pillars were still on site.

• A request for an update regarding Church Street West and concerns raised regarding traffic disruption.  It was reported that a Traffic Management Scheme would need to be in place prior to any works commencing.

• Stand Lane  - what was happening to the stone sets when the highways works were being undertaken?

• Township Forum Plan – Inter-Faith update requested.  An interfaith group had been set up in Bury East and it was hoped that it would cover the Radcliffe area in the near future.

• East Lancs Gates – contact name requested.  Christine has enquired as to whether the gates can be incorporated somewhere within the Town Centre Regeneration.  Please contact Paul Cooke, Children’s Services for further information.