Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Nominations were invited from members of Radcliffe Township Forum to appoint the Chair and Vice-Chair for the Forum for the 2014/15 Municipal Year.

It was agreed:

1.  That Colin Jones, Advisory Group Member representing Radcliffe Girls and Boys Club, be appointed Chair of the Radcliffe Township Forum for 2014/15.  This was moved by Cllr Bury and seconded by Cllr Parnell.

2.  That Cllr S Briggs be appointed Vice-Chair of the Radcliffe Township Forum for 2014/15.  This was moved by Cllr Parnell and seconded by Cllr Bury. 

Minutes of the last meeting held on 26 February, 2014.

That the Minutes of the last meeting of the Township Forum held on 26 February, 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising:

Minute RTF.808 Open Forum - Councillor M Bailey asked if the Open Forum item could be moved higher up on the agenda.  The Chair explained that this had been considered at the Chair’s briefing meeting and would be happy to move this item on the agenda if members of the Township Forum felt that this would be more appropriate.

It was agreed:

That the Open Forum item on the agenda be considered at Item 4 on the agenda at future meetings.

Members are invited to take part in round-table discussions on the key priorities contained within the Action Plan for 2013/14.

Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator, submitted a report which outlined the performance of the Radcliffe Township Forum and the progress on each of the themes contained within the Radcliffe Township Action Plan for 2013-14.  It was reported that the information provided had been gathered from a number of qualitative sources including Bury Insight, Index of Multiple Deprivation, Area Profile Data and various local community intelligences.

There are currently 6 key thematic priorities contained within the Radcliffe Township Action Plan for 2013/14:

·      Improved Employment Opportunities

·      Improved Community Safety

·      Improved Health and Wellbeing

·      Improved Educational Attainment/Learning Opportunities

·      Improved Public Transport Links

·      Improved Community Pride and Belonging

The report provided a summary of the overall performance for each of the themes and the projects which contribute to their delivery and 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 Radcliffe Township Forum.  Christine thanked all of those present who took part in the discussions for their invaluable input in helping to identify   key priorities for Radcliffe.

It was agreed:

1.     That the report be noted.

2.     That further ideas/comments on the Plan be forwarded to Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator.

A copy of the Community Funding report for Radcliffe was submitted, setting out details of the funding allocations to date in support of the work of local voluntary and community groups.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.

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

·      £1,000 had been received from the Forever Manchester fund which would contribute to the Owl Youth Work project. This would involve relaying the forest path and the purchase of story chairs for children.

·      £250 funding had been obtained from the Township Forum which would pay for new notice boards.

·      The remaining £2,500 Sustainability Funding would contribute to work with the “I Will if You Will” project on keep fit activities in the park.

·      The Bury Hospice Party in the Park was taking place this Saturday 5 July from 11 am, including the pilot of the Tower Tours where volunteers had been trained as walkers and the Recycling stand.

·      Volunteers were required to help produce a number of information panels for the church, park, tower and tythe barn.

·      HLF bid – 10 research reports has been undertaken in different areas.  All of the 10 reports had been collated (by local volunteers) and would be issued soon.

·      War graves – volunteers were now looking for the necessary permissions from families of approximately 40 soldiers buried in St Mary’s churchyard.  The Friends were interested to hear from any local families in order to gather information about the soldiers, including photos. The Army Cadets were holding an event on 30 October and would like to do some work on the war graves.

·      The Tower Beer was about to be launched.

·      Radcliffe Tower – plans to plant bedding plants to show where the workers houses had stood.  Also hoping to do some work with “Incredible Edible” scheme.

·      The Friends were looking for groups who would be interested in working on the “River of Flowers” planting scheme in the park.

Carol Hayden, St Mary’s Parish Churches Together informed the meeting that the recent Archaeological Dig had been in collaboration with Salford University, not Manchester University as previously stated.

Barbara Law representing the Chapelfield Residents Association informed the meeting of the following news and information:-

·      Nicky Fox & Friends musical event would take place on Saturday 5 July at 7.30 pm at Stand Reform Church.  All welcome – tickets available on the door or from Stand newsagents.

·      Grow Your Own  - agreement had been made to dedicate a bed to the Lancashire Fusiliers.  A dedication ceremony would take place on 20 July.

·      Members would be involved in the “River of Flowers” Borough-wide planting scheme.

Gill Stainthorpe representing Withins Community Association informed the meeting of the following news and information:-

·      The group had been successful in obtaining Community First funding to tackle the Balsam problem in the park – work would start on 2 July.

Volunteers had cleared the area so that work could begin along Withins Lane.

Councillor M Bailey asked for an update on the recent successful Radcliffe Carnival event.  The Chair gave an assurance that this was provided at the next scheduled meeting of the Township Forum in September.

It was agreed:

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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:-

·      A member of the public asked for an update on Radcliffe Baths.

Cllr Shori informed the meeting that the asbestos issue had been dealt with and of the structural issues relating to the replacement of steel beams.  Any work required would take approximately 6 months and following the installation of the temporary pool at Broad Oak, this was being considered for Radcliffe.  If a temporary pool was not a feasible option, then the Council would consider introducing incentives for Radcliffe residents to utilise facilities in town which could involve free parking and free leisure sessions. Colette Jones asked about the costs involved and why these costs could not be spent on brand new facilities for Radcliffe rather than spend considerable money on upgrading existing facilites.  Cllr Shori gave an assurance that all options were currently being considered, of the importance to consider all short, medium and long term options and for the need to develop a workable contingency plan.

·      Gill Stainthorpe asked for clarification regarding a recent report in Radcliffe Times relating to a survey being sent to parents in Radcliffe as part of a consultation process to assess views on local need/demand for a high school in Radcliffe.  Gill raised concerns that this action would be too little too late and could raise false hopes for parents in the area.

Cllr Shori informed the meeting that Ivan Lewis, MP had met with a number of Primary School Headteachers in the area to identify the demand for a High School which had been confirmed following these meetings.  Local schools were now looking at consulting parents via a survey on the desire for a High School in Radcliffe.  Following a debate by members of the Township Forum, the Chair, Colin Jones concluded by asking members present to support all positive actions towards getting a High School for Radcliffe and asked those present to formally re-affirm their support for this.

·      Colette Jones raised concerns regarding the closure of Hollins Lane for a number of months.  Many elderly residents accessing the Health Centre could incur extra costs in terms of transport to/from the area.  Colette

felt that pressure needed to be put on United Utilities to provide additional transport arrangements.  Cllr Daisy Bailey commented that business continuity plans had not been finalised in relation to the Health Centre and asked if a letter could be sent on behalf of the Township Forum to the CCG requesting details of any special measures in place regarding works and closures.

·      Colette Jones enquired about information for local residents regarding the implementation of the new registration of electors procedures. Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator confirmed that letters were being sent out in August to all residents in the Borough.

It  ...  view the full minutes text for item RTF76