Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Minutes of the last meeting held on 5 July, 2016.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting of the Township Forum held on 5 July, 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Deputy Chair.

Matters Arising

Minute RTF.87: a member of the public present asked why a number of the 'Concerns for Radcliffe' listed in the minutes were not also listed as key 'priorities' for Radcliffe.  The Township Co-ordinator explained that the lists minuted formed the feedback from the groups present at the last meeting who were taking part in the round table discussions.  The information collated from the round table discussions would be presented at the Radcliffe Community Event being held on 1st October. 

A presentation will be given at the meeting.

Dr Victoria Moyles and Margaret O'Dwyer, representing NHS Bury CCG gave a presentation on the current work with Stakeholders and engagement with the public to support the configuration of the     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 were being made in the right areas in order to provide a more simpler and efficient service.  The presentation focused on the following key areas:-

An explanation of what constitutes Urgent Care Services;

The key reasons why the CCG needs to redesign Urgent Care Services in Bury;

The CCG's vision for Urgent Care Services;

What national guidance suggests;

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

The implications for existing services;

How the public can have their say on the proposals.

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

-    Councillor Cathcart asked if the presentation was part of a formal consultation process or an exercise of public engagement.  Dr Moyles explained that the was an engagement exercise, an opportunity to receive the views of the public. The decision in relation to the closure of the walk-in centres in Bury had not yet been made.

-    The Chair, Colin Jones commented that it was difficult for those present at the meeting to fully digest the amount of information provided in the presentation and provide instant feedback.  It was explained that there were a number of ways people could provide feedback. The proposals were being presented to Township Forums and were available on the Bury CCG website.  The consultation period would last until the end of October.

-    What were the costs of the Walk-in centres compared with the costs in patients accessing walk-in at an A&E department?  Dr Moyles explained that the two services were difficult to compare in terms of costs as the CCG use block contracts - they pay the provider an amount of money to provide the walk-in services as opposed to A&E funding and costs.

-    Is there enough capacity to provide services to those groups who are able to access GP appointments and those who don't often use GP services and who subsequently rely on walk-in services?  Dr Moyles informed the meeting that in Greater Manchester, the CCG's services are provided in conjunction with the Primary Care standards. That is a minimum of 75, 10 minute-appointments per 1,000 patients per week which may generate up to 50,000 to 60,000 additional appointments - this is the capacity that they have signed up to provide.

-    A member of the public present commented that demand for services is increasing yet funding for services is not, is Bury CCG overspending  ...  view the full minutes text for item RTF243

A presentation will be given at the meeting.

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

Katie Wood, Community Network Officer gave a presentation providing an update on the new features of The Bury Directory which was  introduced in Bury in 2014. 

It was reported that the Directory was an online one stop information point incorporating a wide range of resources under one directory.  Contents of the site could be shared on social media, completely optimised for smart phones and tablets. Statistics were showing that hits to the directory were increasing with a projected forecast of 111,160 hits in 2016/2017.  It was reported that the next steps were going to be dedicated to supporting neighbourhoods and would include NHS Choices, consultation groups and You Tube ‘how to’ videos. Community groups would be welcome to join the directory and events being carried out locally could be promoted. Anyone who wished to be included on the site could do this by contacting her or her colleagues within the Social Development Team.

- Councillor Preston was very pleased with the growth of The Bury Directory and asked if there were plans to introduce an App of the directory for the public to download. Katie explained that the directory works in the Web browser on mobiles/tablets, therefore an app is not necessary.

It was agreed:

That the information provided be noted, with thanks.

Inspector Jones attended the meeting in order to provide an update on key police issues in Radcliffe, as follows:-

•    Following a number of incidents involving illegal use of off-road bikes, the police had managed to serine 4 bikes during the Summer. The public were asked to report any incidents and note any of the property addresses of off-road bike users.

•    Hampton Street - A gate had been erected. At the main entrance to the tow path which would help prevent illegal access.

•    The former Rangers hut on Close Park had now been assigned to the police.

•    Trading Standards had been involved in investigating the sale of illegal tobacco in 2 shops in the area.

•    Drugs warrant had been issued in Compton Place.

•    1 dangerous dog had been seized in the area.

•    ASDA Radcliffe - Women's triage set up as part of a scheme to address issue of female shop lifting offending. Female offenders were treated disproportionately by the criminal justice system and this scheme, supported by a local charity would involve an assessment process of those detained for shop lifting offences, to identify and address the issues of why these women are involved in offending.

•    Mobile devices - the increase in use of mobile devices was having a positive impact on local policing.

•    GMP were looking at a recruitment programme of introducing 2,000 new police personnel over the next 4 years.

•    Police and Bury College - joint working initiative with 1st Year Engineering students who would be working on police vehicle maintenance.

•    Spring Lane school - Restorative justice initiative with older children mentoring younger children.

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

-    Councillor Cathcart welcomed the restorative justice initiative and explained the number of other projects involved in this work locally such as 'Holding Families' and asked if projects like these were being signposted.  Inspector Jones confirmed that they were involved and provided an example of a recent case the police and agencies had been involved in which had led to a positive outcome for the family involved in the case. Inspector Jones would email a list of agencies and partnerships to Councillor Cathcart.

It was agreed:

That Inspector Jones be thanks for his 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:-

Flooding - concerns raised by a member of the public that the plans unveiled by the Environment Agency at a recent meeting held with Radcliffe and Bury residents would be inadequate in the event of future flooding in the area.  Councillor Cathcart, on behalf of Radcliffe Flood Action Group provided an update on this meeting and reported that over 100 residents had been in attendance at the meeting with the Environment Agency.  Funding had been signposted; temporary flood defences for 3 locations - at Wharf, Morris St and Close Park to be erected in emergency situations although discussions were continuing on ensuring that the flood defences would be housed nearer to the area.  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Shori reported that the Section 19 report into the floods had been issued this week which had including a detailed analysis of all culverts and grits in the area.  Due to the experiences in Radcliffe, the area had risen in the pecking order to receive flood defences and it was hoped that adequate flood defences would be in place by 2021.             

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, community and voluntary groups.  The Township Co-ordinated

informed the meeting that there was still money available and encouraged constituted community groups to apply for funding.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.

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

Friends of Radcliffe Manor - £500 awarded towards wider promotional material

Redeeming Our Communities - £500 awarded towards cinema and ballroom dancing for Over 60's clubs.

It was agreed:

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

Carol Kemp, representing Friends of Radcliffe Manor, provided the following update:-

- The Friends of Radcliffe Manor Heritage Weekend had been a success with approximately 200 in attendance, the Church was open and there were now plans in place for it to remain open over the Christmas period.

- Discussions were being held regarding proposals to do bi-monthly exhibitions in church with plans to promote the heritage trial in that section.

It was agreed:

That the information provided be noted, with thanks.

The next meeting of Radcliffe Township Forum will be held on Tuesday 10 January, 2017 at 6.00 pm at Radcliffe United Reform Church, Blackburn Street, Radcliffe, M26 3WQ.

It was agreed:

That the next meeting of Radcliffe Township Forum would take place on  Tuesday 10 January, 2017 at 6 pm, at Radcliffe United Reform Church.