Agenda and minutes

Gill Stainthorpe and Carol Kemp declared a personal interest as members of the Withins Community Association and Radcliffe Heritage Society in relation Agenda Item 8. Funding Panel.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting of the Township Forum held on 22 July, 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Deputy Chair.

PS Mark Reed and PC Phil Flanagan attended the meeting in order to provide an update on key police issues in Radcliffe, as follows:-

•   Figures for burglaries in Radcliffe East were down on last year, in Radcliffe North the figures were slightly up (Bradley Fold/Ainsworth Road areas). The police were actively investigating and had increased patrols in this area.  The numbers of reported robberies resulting in violence/injury had also decreased slightly (reduction in 18 incidents on last year). In response to a question from Councillor Walker regarding Bradley Fold, the Officers reported that one person had been arrested in connection with a couple of the incidents, however the police suspected that this person would not have been responsible for all of the incidents. 

The police asked for residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity in the area.

•   A member of the public informed the meeting that they had arrived for the PACT meeting at 4.45 pm and that no personnel had been present at the Civic Suite at this time.  There was no signage on arrival at the Civic Suite regarding the meeting.  It was reported that the PACT meeting was scheduled from 5 pm in the Charter Room. Officers were in attendance at this time.  An assurance was given that this meeting had been advertised by the police and Council and that, subject to the availability of Officers on the evening of the next Township Forum meeting, they could see no reason why a PACT meeting would not be held prior to the start of the next Township Forum.  This would be duly advertised in advance, to include signage on the doors of the venue.

•   Police/Fire Fun Day - Sunday 20 September at Radcliffe Borough FC, Stainton Rd, from 11 am. £3 entry for adults, children free. Lots of family activities including a 5-a-side football tournament between the police/fire personnel and ex Man City players.

It was agreed:

That the police officers be thanks for their attendance and that the information provided be noted.                         

The Chair invited questions/comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting. The Township Co-ordinator undertook to obtain a reply to matters that could not be dealt with directly at the meeting:-

•John Grayson, local resident and patient at Red Bank addressed the meeting with a number of concerns relating to the withdrawal of the contract for physiotherapy services to a number of local GP practices, by the CCG. John was also supported by Harry Howarth, also a local resident and Dr Flascher, local GP based at Radcliffe Primary Care Centre.  John had written to Dr Patel, Chair of the CCG on 30 July detailing his and other residents concerns about the cut to this service and had received an acknowledgment of receipt of the letter, but no formal reply. Councillor Shori reported on his concerns relating to this issue and that he had been contacted by a number of constituents who shared these concerns.  Councillor Shori had requested that this matter be considered by the council's Health Scrutiny Committee at a meeting on Tuesday 22 September and Health and Wellbeing Board, on Thursday 24 September, at the Town Hall.  The Township Forum were requested to endorse the concerns raised at the meeting and for the issue to be included on the agenda for the next Health and Wellbeing Board and Health Scrutiny meeting.

• Eugene O'Donnell, Chair of Radcliffe Business Group provided feedback on the 'Radcliffe Live' event which had taken place on 1st August in the town centre. The group had investigated the idea of providing funding for the dusk-till-dawn lighting on the cherry trees in the square.

Following a meeting between Eugene and the Head of Street Lighting at Bury Council, a number of health and safety issues were discussed and the group were now investigating the possibility of installing solar powered lighting and the costs involved.  Eugene also raised concerns relating to the amount of litter in the Town Centre.  Councillor Isherwood gave an assurance that this issue be raised with relevant Council Officers and that the Township Co-ordinator be copied into the response received. Eugene raised the issue of Metolink users taking up car parking spaces in the Town Centre.  Councillor Shori reported that the Council could investigate 'hot spots' with the possibility of introducing time restrictions on some parking spaces.  It was suggested that this issue be included on the Township Forum Plan as part of an overall Radcliffe Parking Strategy.  Eugene also raised concerns about the old Radcliffe Times building, the doors had been left unsecured for days and that he was unaware who was responsible for the building.  Councillor Shori stated that it was privately owned but he would inform Six Town Housing.

It was agreed:

That, in respect of the decision by Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to withdraw the contract for physiotherapy services at local GP practices in Radcliffe/Whitefield, members of Radcliffe Township          Forum request that this the issue be included on  ...  view the full minutes text for item RTF306

To approve the attached report from Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator.

Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator presented the draft report which included the issues raised by those who had taken part in the general round table discussions on each of the key priorities contained within the Township Action Plan for 2014/15, for approval by members of the Township Forum.  

 It was agreed:

1.  That the report be approved.

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

Colette Jones, Friends of Close Park provided the following update:-

·      The recent RSPCA event in the park had been a great success although the 'Friends of...' had been unaware of the event.

·      A meeting had been scheduled to take place with the Council         regarding the future of the 'Friends of..' Group following the withdrawal of the Rangers Service and to discuss funding issues.

·      £500 had been donated by the group towards the volunteer Rangers towards storage provision.

David Lewis, Chapelfield Village Association provided the following update:-

·      A trip to Tatton Park to attend the Christmas Fair event had been         arranged for residents.

·      The leaflet, funded by the 'Our Place' initiative and produced to promote the setting up of the nature reserve and detailing the circular walk  was distributed at the meeting.

·      People could still attend the photographic exhibition in the Market Hall, aimed at promoting mental health wellbeing, until 17 September.

Carol Kemp, Radcliffe Heritage Society enquired the provision of an allowance to the gardeners at St Mary's to open the toilets and gates to the Tower Heritage site at weekends. Councillor Shori informed the meeting that all options were currently being considered to find a sustainable solution. An update would be provided at the next meeting of the Township Forum.

Gill Stainthorpe, Withins Community Association provided the following update:

·      Voluntary Rangers, Rotary and residents had all being involved with clearing saplings around Bury Road. Thanks to the Council for recovering the Green waste.  There were plans to hold another event on Sunday 27 September.

Gordon Hartley, representing Ainsworth Community Association informed the meeting that the work undertaken to upgrade the path around Delph had been completed in the past month.  The plans to restore the seating area had been put on hold as the grass was no longer being cut.

Councillor Walker reported that the recent fun day event at the new nursery in Radcliffe had raised £500 towards ‘Grace’s Place’.

It was agreed:

That the information provided be noted, with thanks.

The Township Forum Funding Panel had considered applications for grants from the Community Fund from the following organisations:-

Withins Community Association - £250 towards the purchase of planters.

Radcliffe Heritage Society - £250 towards the production and distribution of a Calendar.

It was agreed:

That the applications for funding be approved by members of Radcliffe Township Forum.

A report from the Programme Support Officer is attached, for information.

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.

The Chair allowed the following information to be presented to the Township Forum under ‘Urgent Business’, following a request from Councillor Walker.

Councillor Walker reported that the first ‘Fine Food Market’ would be taking place in Radcliffe Market from Saturday 19 September from 11 am to 3 pm, then each Saturday until further notice.  The event was being held by Manchester markets.

The next meeting of Radcliffe Township Forum will be held on Monday 11 January, 2016, at 6 pm, at Radcliffe Civic Suite.

Members considered a proposal from Councillor Isherwood to reinstate the November meeting.

It was agreed:

That the next meeting of Radcliffe Township Forum would take place on Wednesday 18 November, 2015 at 6 pm, at Radcliffe Civic Suite.