Agenda and draft minutes

Nominations are sought for the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2015/16

Delegated decisions:

1.           That Councillor Black be appointed Chair of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

2.           That Mr David Stanley be appointed Vice Chair of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

Leigh Webb, Principal Democratic Services Officer, will report at the meeting.

Delegated decision:

That the following Advisory Group Members be re-appointed to serve on the  Forum for a 2 year period:

Mr D Stanley - Prestwich Clough Centenary Group

Mr F Adam – Manchester and District Jewish Representative Council

Mr J Barrett – Prestwich and Whitefield Heritage Society

Mr P Gresty – Churches Together Prestwich and Kersal

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.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Minutes of the last meeting along with an Action Checklist are attached.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting, held on 12 March 2015, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Inspector Cottam  provided an update on policing matters in respect of Prestwich and referred to an ongoing incident on Castle Hill Road.

During discussion of this item, the Inspector reported that plans were being developed to hold joint PACT meetings prior to Township Forum meetings.

David Stanley highlighted the problem of drug use and youths congregating at Prestwich Clough and requested a Police presence.

Other issues raised included the measures used to combat anti-social behaviour through the use of off road motorbikes

All those present are invited to take part in round table discussions on the key priorities for the Township Forum for the coming year.

There are currently 6 key thematic priorities contained within the Prestwich Township Action Plan for 2015/16:

·                    Improved Employment Opportunities

·                    Community Safety

·                    Improved Health and Wellbeing

·                    Improved Educational Attainment/Learning Opportunities

·                    Town Centre Regeneration

·                    Community Pride and Involvement

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 Forum. 

It was agreed:

That the suggestions and ideas raised be collated and reported to the next meeting of this Forum.

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.

·         Hannah Cropper reported that the walkway on the Longfield Centre Car Park was in a state of disrepair and needed to be relayed.

·         Sian Crosby referred to the issue of mid wife provision within Children’s Centres. It was reported that Pennine Acute and the Council had not reached agreement on the issue which would have major implications for users of the vital services in the community. Councillor Simpson acknowledged the concerns and reported that discussions would take place with relevant officers.

·         Ann Huchinson requested an update on the following areas of Rainsough: Cussons site; Plough; Chapel; and the empty property at 16 Kersal Road.  Mrs Huchinson also highlighted that the pathway off Kersal Road needed re-surfacing, widening and plants cut back.

·         Autumn Defoe-Hughes highlighted the poor condition of the play equipment in Kershaw Rd Park. The Chair, Councillor Black, undertook to follow up the matter.

·         Leanne Elsworthy, I Will If You Will Locality Officer, reported that funding for the initiative had been extended until the end of 2016. A locality network is to be developed to embed the scheme into the community.

·         Paul Campbell reported on events taking place to mark the one year anniversary of Village Greens on July 11^th 2015.