Agenda item

The Chair invited questions from those present.

·         Mr Graham explained that two posts had been erected on the pavement on Tottington Road near to Scobell Street. Mr Graham had written to the Council to ask why the posts had been installed only to receive a reply stating that the question would not be answered.

Mr Graham asked if somebody could explain what the posts were for and why they had been installed.

·         Anne Booker representing Friends of Hunt Fold explained that the Council were currently consulting on selling three parcels of land on the Huntfold Estate in Greenmount. The Friends of Huntfold had been established to raise awareness of this issue and ask as many people as possible to object to it. The Friends were hoping that the land could be managed by the residents of the estate which would save the Council the money for maintaining it. Mrs Booker explained that the 3 areas were designated as protected recreational purposes. Those present were asked to have a look at the website that had been set up and sign up for e-mail updates. The website also has information on how to support the campaign.

·         A member of the public explained that she had witnessed two burglaries in Ramsbottom that were being carried out in the early hours. She had telephoned the police and they had responded quickly but had not been in time to catch the perpetrators. The lady asked that businesses be advised to take in their signs before closing as this was what the burglars had used to gain entry. She also stated that it had taken the Police 5 days to carry out a follow up after the incident.

Inspector Magnall stated that sometimes the Police do get things wrong and that if the service isn’t up to expectations then it should be reported.

·         Mr Nally explained that since the parking review had been undertaken in Ramsbottom he had noticed that a lot more cars were parking on the pavements. This was causing issues for pedestrians and people with pushchairs and wheelchairs.

·         Mr Nally also asked whether something could be done with regards to the bus service through Ramsbottom. The timetables had been changed which now meant that there was a bus at 9pm and then nothing until 9.45pm

·         A member of the public asked whether the yellow lines opposite St Andrew’s School could be re-instated. Parents dropping off children at the school were regularly parking on the pavements obstructing access to the pavement for other parents.

·         Mr Schwartz stated that the Toby Carvery (Bulls Head) at Greenmount was now charging for parking. The first fifteen minutes of parking were free but this wasn’t advertised anywhere. Mr Schwartz asked whether the  pub should be advertising this.

·         A representative of Friends of Bury Folk explained that an e-petition had been submitted which has been signed by 2700 people asking why Bury had been allocated such a high figure for residential properties in the GMSF. He stated that the Council had refused to ask the question.

·         Councillor Bevan explained that this was the last meeting of the Township Forum for the Municipal Year and thanked Councillor Gunther for her role as Chair to the Forum. He also reported that Councillor Gunther would be the Mayor of Bury for the 2017/2018 Municipal Year and asked that congratulations of the Forum be recorded.

It was agreed:

1.That Councillor Gunther be thanked for her hard work as Chair to the Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Township Forum for 2017/2018.

2. That Councillor Gunther be congratulated on her appointment as Mayor of Bury for 2017/2018.