Agenda and draft 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.

The Chair, Councillor Black, declared a personal interest in respect of Minute PTF.245 below, Town Plan Update, in relation to cross township funding as a member of the Prestwich Book Festival Committee.

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

                          Mr E Finch -  Patients Council

                                          Mr S Hughes – Simister Village Community Association

Minutes of the last meeting held on 4 June 2015 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.

In respect of Action Point 3 it was reported that 5 people had been hospitalised as a result of legal highs during the Parklife Festival

Members of the forum and the public present at the meeting stressed the need for young people to be educated on the issue. Mark Jones, Phoenix Centre Manager, referred to the work done by the Centre and explained that they were looking for funding to carry out outreach work in this area.  

In respect of Action Point 4, Mr Finch highlighted the lack of progress with regard to pot holes along the pedestrian walkway through to the car park in the Longfield Centre. The Township Forum placed on record its concern over the lack of action on this matter and requested a date for the works to be undertaken.

In respect of Action Point 1 Mr Stanley reported that there had been no response from Legal concerning the Barn Countryside Centre.

In respect of Action Point 1 Councillor Heneghan reported that midwife services would resume at Children’s Centres from September.

In respect of Action Point 6 an update was requested on the Old Plough public house.

In respect of Action Point 7, Councillor O’Brien referred to the £40,000 spent on Kershaw Park. It was reported that there were broken swings within St Mary’s Park which required repair.

The Township Co-ordinator will report at the meeting.

Ruth Shedwick, Township Co-ordinator, referred to the outcome of the consultation process on the Township Forums and highlighted the new arrangements in terms of funding awards and the planned reduction in formal meetings.

          It was reported that a Community Funding Sub Group had been formed comprising the following Members:

Councillor D’Albert

Councillor Heneghan

Councillor O’Brien

Councillor Quinn

Mr P Gresty

          A report was submitted setting out details of funding applications for the June round of funding that had been approved by the Small Grants Panel. The Panel had considered the applications as there had not been time to form a the Sub Group of the Township Forum before the applications required approval. During discussion of this item, a request was made for the membership of the Council’s Small Grants Panel.

          It was agreed:

          That the update be noted.

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.

·         Sarah Goodwin whether there had been any progress in improving the lighting on the Longfield Centre. Councillor Quinn undertook to refer the matter to the Group Engineer for Lighting.

·         Jay Lieberman referred to the resurfacing of Butterstile Lane and highlighted that more was needed. Councillor Heneghan highlighted the reduction in the Council’s highways budget. Councillor O’Brien suggested that pot holes in the road could be looked at as work progresses on the 20mph zone.

·         Mark Jones requested a Police presence at St Mary’s park to prevent anti social behaviour.

·         Sarah Goodwin expressed concern over a shop in the precinct selling spray paint and it was reported that Trading Standards had been made aware of the matter.

·         With regard to encouraging young people to participate in Forum meetings, Mark Jones highlighted the need to look at the format of the meetings.

·         Eddie Finch highlighted that the lift in the Library was not accessible due to a lack of trained staff. Councillor Heneghan undertook to raise the issue with Head of the Library Service. 

Sian Crosby reported that on occasion the car park at St Mary’s park had been locked. An undertaking was given to look into the matter.