Cllr Shori will give a presentation at the meeting.
Minutes:
Councillor Shori gave a presentation on the recent decision taken by the Council to close Radcliffe Civic Suite from April 2016 and on the proposals to redevelop the site.
Councillor Shori began by putting into context the reasons for the decision which related directly to the current financial situation of the Council, that the Authority had lost 60 % of the Government Grant and were having to priorities Council spending.
The decision to close the centre and the redevelopment proposals were linked with the need to improve the health of Radcliffe residents. Radcliffe had areas where, within a 2 mile radius of two GP Practices life expectancy levels were significantly different and the Council had a duty to tackle health inequalities in the area. Subsequently, the Council would be applying for funding to support proposals for a new £10 million leisure facility in Radcliffe which would include a conference/civic facility.
Councillor Shori acknowledged concerns relating to the loss of the Civic Suite as a heritage asset for Radcliffe, but stated the importance of looking towards the future and the positive and exciting opportunity to consolidate one building for future generations of Radcliffe.
Councillor Shori also raised concerns relating to the lack of trust some people may have with the Council. Councillor Shori highlighted the recent investment schemes that the Council had been able to deliver for Radcliffe such as the Bus Station and Market investment and the temporary swimming pool facility. There were also other welcomed investments such as the Dunelm Call Centre and proposals for a new supermarket. Radcliffe was now in the top 10 Greater Manchester wards for the construction and sale of new houses. The new leisure facility would help break the cycle of deprivation and inequality in Radcliffe and would encourage more private investment which would lead to more jobs opportunities as well as a healthier community.
The Chair invited questions/comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting.
? A Green Party Member raised concerns relating to the lack of openness and transparency in relation to the Radcliffe Regeneration leaflet distributed by the Council which had made reference the redevelopment of the Civic Suite site when the Homes & Communities Agency bid could have related to “any land”. Councillor Shori responded by confirming that the initial bid for funding from the Homes & Communities Agency had the Civic Suite address as the Grant would be linked to this site. The Green Street site could not accommodate a new leisure facility and new housing and the new housing could not go ahead without the subsidy from the Homes and Community Agency Grant.
? Concerns raised that a new leisure facility would improve the life expectancy of people in Radcliffe and that the residents within the 2 mile radius referred to earlier would have use of the same facilities. Councillor Shori reported on the clear link between increased exercise and increased life expectancy. Radcliffe also had high the levels of childhood obesity. Car ownership in some areas of Radcliffe were the lowest in the Borough. 140,000 people had used Radcliffe Pool prior to it’s closure and the current temporary pool was proving a huge success in Radcliffe.
? Concerns relating to the proposals for new housing on this town centre site - would prefer to see more investment in bars and restaurant businesses on this site as there is currently nothing for local residents at night in the town centre. Councillor Shori agreed on the need to encourage private investment in the centre of town, however, this is not an option for the Council on this sire as the new homes would only be built because they were being heavily subsidised. The Council have to prioritise their spending and cannot control everything. Any form of investment, including new housing should draw in further investment into the area.
? Concerns raised that if it is all social housing new residents may not have the spending power to use in Radcliffe town centre.
? Concerns relating to the lack of transparency in relation to the decision already made to close the Civic Suite and the lack of consultation with residents. Councillor Shori informed the meeting that there was no Statutory Duty on the Authority to consult on this decision. It was a democratic decision taken by democratically elected Councillors and the consultation on the proposals for the new leisure facility was now underway. Much had changed for the Council in terms of the loss of £60 million funding in Bury in the last 5 years and the Council needed to consolidate its Assets and make a Business Plan for 2016 and beyond.
? Councillor Lewis provided background information in relation to the the closure the Pool in Radcliffe 18 months ago. Councillor Lewis also confirmed that the Civic Suite building usage was the lowest in the Borough, at 18 % and that the Council did not have the funding to keep subsidising the facility and incur the losses.
? At first there were concerns over the loss of the Civic Suite, now the proposals seemed exciting and inspiring.
? What would happen to existing bookings for events currently held at the Civic Suite? The Council were currently looking at using other assets more productively and were being proactive in working with centre users on possible venues for future events whilst the proposals were being considered for the new leisure facility.
? Colette Jones commented that Radcliffe residents had been consulted at meetings of the Township Forum during the last 18 months on proposals for the temporary pool.
? Councillor Walker informed the meeting that thousands of leaflets had been delivered to Radcliffe residents inviting residents to complete a consultation form as part of the consultation process for the new leisure proposals.
? Concerns relating to the levels of childhood obesity and the need to encourage children to take more exercise. The new facilities would help to tackle this issue in Radcliffe.
? People do not like change but they need to embrace it to look towards a more positive future and the regeneration would be part of this.
Councillor Shori and the Chair, Colin Jones thanked the audience for their contributions to the debate. Members of the public were invited to view the exhibition on the proposals for the new development of the Green Street site and to take part in the Consultation by completing the questionnaires. There was also the opportunity to take part in a discussion with a representative from Great Places after the meeting and a Questions and Answers section was available for residents on the Council’s website.
It was agreed:
That Councillor Shori be thanked for his presentation and thanks to all those who had contributed to the debate.