Agenda and minutes

Members of Prestwich Township Forum are asked to consider if they have an interest in any matters on the agenda and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

Councillor Simpson declared a personal in respect of Minute PTF.266below, Healthier Together, as an NHS employee.

Mr David Stanley declared a personal interest in respect of Minute PTF.268 below, Prestwich Heritage Update, as a member of the Prestwich Heritage Society

Minutes of the last meeting held on 23 July 2014 are attached.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting, held on 23 July 2014, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A presentation will be given at the meeting

Councillor Tony Isherwood, Cabinet Member Environment, attended the meeting along with Neil Long, Assistant Director Operations. A presentation was given setting out changes to the ways that bins would be collected across the borough and why the changes were necessary.

It was explained that the Council had to find savings of £16m for the 2015/2016 financial year and many options were being considered. The recycling figures had risen from 27% in 2011 to 47% currently but it was hoped that by encouraging more residents to recycle their waste more efficiently the percentage could be raised to 60% or more. This would then help to achieve a saving of over £1m and also help the borough to become greener.

The Council was paid £25 per tonne for green bin waste (paper and card) and £25 per tonne for blue bin waste (glass, plastics and metal) it also raised income by producing compost from the brown bin waste (garden and food waste).

The new collection rounds would commence in the second week of October and all residents would see a change to their current service.

Brown bins would be emptied every two weeks, blue and green bins would be emptied every three weeks as would the grey bin. The days on which the bins were emptied would also change for some residents.

It was explained that all of the information relating to the days on which the bins would be emptied was currently being delivered to every household in the borough along with information on what to put in each bin.

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:

·      Concerns were raised about bins not being replaced in the correct place. The Cabinet Member explained that staff briefings would take place about this issue.

·      In response to a question about the number of plastics that can be recycled, the Cabinet Member explained that work was ongoing with Virridor and Greater Manchester Waste to increase the number of recyclables.

·      With regard to the issue of trade waste, it was confirmed that the Council did offer a competitive service to remove waste from businesses.

·      The Cabinet Member confirmed that where necessary, an assisted bin collection service was provided to residents who had difficulties in putting out their bins.

It was agreed:

That the presentation be noted.

Sergeant Trevor Reid provided an update on policing matters in respect of Prestwich and referred to operations underway to reduce crime.

An outline of crime statistics in the area was provided which highlighted concerns in relation to an increase in the number of burglaries in the Prestwich area. Sergeant Reid referred to a Specialist team of officers that were based at Whitefield with specific responsibility to reducing the number of burglaries.

During discussion of Policing matters a number of issues were raised, including:

·      The issue of parking on the pavement and who enforces this matter. Councillor Bayley explained that if yellow lines were in the road it was a Council matter, otherwise it was for the Police to enforce if an obstruction was caused. Councillor Black suggested the wider issue of parking be considered as an agenda item at a future meeting of the Township Forum.

·      Concerns were raised in relation to cycling on the pavement and the lack of enforcement . Sergeant Reid undertook to take the issue back.

·      With regard to reviving the number of Homewatch schemes in Prestwich, Mr David Stanley stressed the need for a consistent strategy in respect of the initiative

·      Mr Husain requested that future Police updates should include information in relation to conviction and detection rates.

It was agreed:

That the update be noted.

Representative from Bury’s Clinical Commissioning Group will give a presentation at the meeting.

Dr Kiran Patel, Chair of the Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, attended the meeting to explain the current Healthier Together consultation and to ask those present for their comments and feedback on the proposals.

It was explained that the way in which healthcare was provided across Greater Manchester was undergoing change. The three areas that were affected were:-

·      GP services

·      Health and Social Care

·      Specialist Surgery (Abdomen and Bowel)

Work is currently taking place to look at how services between health and social care could be integrated. It was reported that some schemes were already in place to bridge the gaps. This ongoing work is bringing together lots of different organisations to provide joined up services across health and social care and bring more community based services to people outside of a hospital based setting.

The current consultation is asking all Greater Manchester residents to look at the different options for specialist hospital services (relating to abdomen and bowel surgery) across the conurbation and give feedback on them.

It was explained that there were currently hospitals providing specialisms in areas such as stroke and heart surgery and these would not change. All hospitals that currently had an Accident and Emergency department would continue to have one and the changes being consulted on would effect a very small number of patients but would improve the service they received and help save lives.

The consultation was asking for views on which of the eight options set out was preferred. Copies of the consultation questionnaire were available at the meeting.

Questions and comments were invited and the following issues were raised:

·      Sian Crosby highlighted concerns about the potential closure of Children’s Centres, which currently offer a number of community health services under one roof.

·      Hannah Cropper raised concerns about the possibility of outside agencies having access to patient records. Dr Patel explained that the proposals were for patients to have access to their own individual records.

·      Councillor Simpson highlighted the resource and capacity issues within General Practice. It was reported that with regard to 7 day working, data would be examined from the Radcliffe pilot scheme.

·      In response to a number of questions from Catherine Preston, concerning the rationale and data behind the proposals, Dr Patel reported that the initiative was driven by clinicians and based on national standards developed through best practice. It was explained that standards had been externally verified and been subject to a National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT) assessment.

A revised Plan is attached.

Further to Minute PTF.183 of the last meeting of this Forum,Ruth Shedwick, Township Co-ordinator provided details of a refreshed Township Plan. The Plan had been updated as a result of suggestions arising from round table discussions at the last meeting.

An updated Plan was submitted which included actions relating to the 6 key thematic priorities contained within the Prestwich Township Action Plan:

·      Improved Employment Opportunities

·      Community Safety

·      Improved Health and Wellbeing

·      Improved Educational Attainment/Learning Opportunities

·      Town Centre Regeneration

·      Community Pride and Involvement

It was agreed:

That the updated Plan be noted

An update on plans for St Mary’s Flower Park will be given.

Amanda Smith provided an update on the works at St Mary’s Flower Park. Work has been ongoing since 2012 through volunteers in the community. It was reported that Lottery funding had been applied for to          

provide 2 extra benches. Amanda explained the difficulties faced as a result of vandalism and theft and requested more of a Police presence in the area. Looking to the future, further grants will be applied for with the hope of restoring the bandstand area.

It was agreed:

That the Township Forum places on record its thanks and appreciation for the hard work and commitment of Amanda Smith and all volunteers involved in the upkeep and development of St Mary’s Flower Park.

A period of up to 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions or raise issues of concern relating to the provision of local services.

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.

·      Pam Meachin expressed thanks for recent funding allocations in respect of Village Greens in Prestwich. A request was made to re-site the waste bin from outside the front door to prevent flies. It was also requested that a pavement cleaner be used in the area.

·      Concerns were raised that signage used for the “I Will if You Will” campaign did not reflect the older community.

·      Ron Kelly-Brown reported on the overgrown state of Barnfield Park. Councillor Quinn undertook to report the matter to the Parks Department.

·      Keith Bardsley, Chair of Governors at Butterstile Primary School, expressed concerns about the consultation process and data used in respect of Children’s Centres in the borough. Councillor Campbell stressed the importance of any queries or anomalies about the data used being raised as part of the consultation period as future decisions will be based largely against the data. With regard to the rationale behind the proposals, Councillor Campbell explained that as a result of drastic funding cuts, a targeted approach to provision was having to be looked at.

·      Concerns were raised in relation to the level of litter and rubbish at land on Rectory Lane, opposite St Mary’s Primary School.

·      In response to a query concerning road markings at the 20mph zone on Highfield Road, Councillor Black undertook to look into the matter.

Report attached.

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

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.