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.

Mr S Hughes declared a prejudicial interest in relation to Minute PTF.456 below, as the representative of an organisation, Simister Village Community Association, awarded funding

Minutes of the last meeting, held on 17 September 2015, are attached.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting, held on 17 September 2015, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A copy of the Township Co-ordinator’s Action Checklist is attached.

In respect of item 1 on the Action Checklist, the Chair, Councillor Black, reported that the re-surfacing of the Longfield car park walkway had now been completed.

In respect of item 3 on the Action Checklist, Alan Manchester, Principal Health and Safety Adviser, attended the meeting to report on measures to ensure people with limited mobility are safely evacuated in the event of a fire. It was explained that a solution to the problem had been reached which involved assistance from staff at the Longfield Suite. Eddy Finch welcomed the pragmatic solution that had been arrived at.

Update and plans for consultation.

The Chair, Councillor Black, reported that Council Officers and Prestwich stakeholders had been working to bring forward a range of proposals for Bury New Road in line with the Prestwich Regeneration Strategy. Proposals were on display at the meeting and it was reported that a consultation process on the proposals will start on 16^th November and run until 23^rd December.

David Fowler, Assistant Director Localities, provided a summary of the proposals which include:

·         wider pavements and the extension of pavements at key crossing points

·         improved environment (such as street trees, lighting and paving)

·         the provision of single lane running

·         bus stop relocation and the provision of bus lay-bys

·         provision of parking bays and dedicated cycle lanes

·         the closure of the Warwick Road junction and the introduction of one way working along Clifton Road.

·         Provision of a shared northbound bus and cycle lane (towards the M60)

The plans will be available in Prestwich Library Foyer and a consultation questionnaire, seeking the views of all interested parties, forms a key part of the consultation process aiming to gather feedback on the proposals.

A report summarising all of the consultation responses will be considered by the Council in February 2016 and an update will then be provided to Prestwich Township Forum in March 2016. It anticipated that works will start during summer/autumn 2016.

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

·         Jay Lieberman suggested local businesses be directly made aware of the consultation period.

·         Councillor Pickstone welcomed planned improvements to the pedestrian experience but highlighted that the primary focus of the proposals needed to address the issue of traffic flow. Concerns were expressed about the proposed new bus lane and dangers of cycle lanes next to parking bays and bus lay bys.

·         Concerns were raised in relation to enforcement of double parking along Bury New Road.

·         De-cluttering of street furniture and signage along Bury New Road was welcomed.

·         Frank Adam raised concerns about side roads and highlighted that the proposals needed to be mindful of not creating more “rat runs” off Bury New Road.

·         A suggestion was made to link the operating times of bus lanes with school closure times.

It was agreed:

That all residents and stakeholders be encouraged to take part in the consultation process.

Inspector Cottam and Sergeant Wightman-Love provided an update on policing matters in respect of Prestwich.

Statistical information relating to crimes in the area were outlined and it was reported that the figures were available on the GMP Website.

Inspector Cottam reported on the outcome of recent joint PACT meetings and highlighted the positive response to the online PACT meetings.

Updates were provided in respect of recent Operations and initiatives, including: Operation Pickton; Operation Treacle and Be Safe Be Cool.

In response to a question concerning alleged drug taking in St Mary’s Park, Inspector Cottam reported that he would ensure a Police presence.

In response to a question concerning street cleaning, an undertaking was given that the township Co-ordinator would provide details of street cleaning rounds.

                   It was agreed:

                   That the update be noted

The Township Co-ordinator will report at the meeting

Ruth Shedwick, Township Co-ordinator, reported that the Be Safe Be Cool anti-social behaviour workshops had been well received and had demonstrated that the partnership working was having a positive effect in reducing anti-social behaviour figures.

With regard to the Prestwich Parking Strategy the Chair, Councillor Black reported that an update on actions would be submitted to a future meeting of the Forum.

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.

·         Sian Crosby stated that changes to Children’s Centres, which were implemented in September, did not reflect a number of the main issues raised during the consultation process and referred to the unpopularity of targeted services. In response to a request from Ms Crosby, Councillor Heneghan, Cabinet Member for Children Families and Culture confirmed he was happy to discuss the issues and requested precise concerns be emailed to him in advance.

·         A member of the public requested a dog bin be provided in the Highfield road area.

·         In response to concerns raised about inconsiderate parking and overhanging trees, Councillor Heneghan highlighted the functions on the Council website which allowed residents to report problems   

Report attached for information.

The Council has allocated £8,000 to each Township Forum to be allocated through a sub group of the Township forum four times a year in June, September, November and March. A maximum of £250 individual grant is available for formally constituted organisations.

Additionally, a borough-wide allocation of £8,000 is available for “cross-ward” applications for activity that takes place across more than one ward. The “cross-ward” applications are determined by the Council’s Small Grants Panel.                     

The Township Co-odinator submitted details of applications for the August and September rounds of funding.

The Forum were informed of an application from Prestwich Methodist Youth Assoc which had not been permitted for consideration as a result of the costs including payment of salaries.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.