Agenda item

All present are invited to take part in round table discussions on the key priorities for the Township Forum for the coming year.  A copy of the Radcliffe Township Action Plan – Performance Report 2015-16 is attached.

Christine Maksymowski, Township Co-ordinator gave a presentation on  the future work of Radcliffe Township Forum in terms of determining the key priorities for the Forum for 2016/2017.  The presentation put into context the work done by the Forum over the past 12 months in relation to the key priorities set by the Forum in collaboration with residents who had contributed to the round table discussions in 2015 and the progress made in meeting the key priorities. The Forum representatives were introduced as Councillor Shori, Leader of the Council; Councillor Tariq, Portfolio Lead and Councillor McKay, Portfolio Deputy with Councillor Briggs as the flagship Trailblazer for Radcliffe.

The overall aim of the Forum's work, "To improve the Health and Wellbeing of our residents and deliver a better quality of Life for our Communities" would be based upon the 6 key themes for revitalising Radcliffe:

•    Improved Employment Opportunities

•    Improved Community Safety

•    Improved Health and Wellbeing

•    Educational Attainment/Learning

•    Improved Public Transport

•    Community Pride & Belonging

It was reported that Locality Workshops would help to improve the way        we communicate with our community and would help to develop the list of assets in identifying the priorities for the Township.

All those present at the meeting were asked to contribute to setting the priorities for Radcliffe Township Forum for 2016/17 by discussing, in groups what is good about Radcliffe; what are the concerns; to identify 3 key priorities to take forward and what people can do to help?.

Feedback from the discussions was provided as follows:-

Positives in Radcliffe:

Radcliffe Market; new retail outlets in town centre; good schools; great library facilities; architecture of buildings; heritage of Radcliffe; strong sense of community; good transport links; green spaces and local parks; leisure facilities; active community groups and volunteers; Radcliffe Carnival; new bus station; regeneration; new housing; Empty Property Strategy.

Concerns for Radcliffe:

Barclays Bank and Co-Op Bank closures; empty retail premises in town centre; precinct owners lack of investment and initiatives; lack of positive PR for the town; design of bus station seating; lack of High School provision; lack of parking at Health Centre and misuse of free parking by Metrolink users; health inequalities and 10 year less life expectancy rates compared to other areas of Borough; flood defences particularly in relation to new housing; future of library?; inadequacy of school bus services for pupils travelling to other areas of the Borough; new housing and demand for school places; market regeneration and retail outlet provision; lack of night time economy in town centre;  need pedestrian crossing near Health Centre; fly-tipping and graffiti particularly near to Metrolink; lack of Park Rangers.

Priorities:

Lobby precinct owners to come up with initiatives to redevelop retail - possibly in collaboration with Council in terms of business rate offers;

Report back to GMPTE on issues relating to seating provision in the bus station;

Free school plans - need to support and keep up pressure on DfE re: decision;

Health Centre parking issues - look into possibility of introduction of parking restrictions;

Need to promote Radcliffe as good place to live;

Need to promote green spaces;

Expand use of Market Hall;

Continue to promote Heritage and history of Radcliffe;

Re-establish Radcliffe Arts Festival

Create community hubs to encourage community groups working together more;

Establish stronger links with Town Hall.

It was reported that the information provided at the meeting would be collated and presented at the Radcliffe Community Event to be held in September 2016 where the community would be asked to decide the priorities (date to be confirmed on Council's website) and also be presented at the next scheduled meeting of Radcliffe Township Forum on 13 September, 2016.

All those present at the meeting were thanked for their contributions.

It was agreed:

1.That an update be provided at the September meeting of the Township Forum.