On behalf of the Committee, the Chair wished to express thanks and appreciation to Councillor Peter Rush, for his past role as Chair of Heywood Township Committee.

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Hodgkinson.

Members are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary, personal or personal and prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests relating to items on this agenda and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.   

There were no declarations of interest.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items of business.

To determine any items on the agenda, if any, where the public are to be excluded from the meeting.

There were no items for the exclusion of the public and press.

To receive an update from Greater Manchester Police.

Sergeant M. Honey provided the Committee with an update on local policing matters within Heywood.

Members were advised that a number of additional officers had recently joined the Heywood policing team.  

Heywood local policing team officers were:

Inspector - Jennifer Partington

Sergeant - Matthew Honey

Police Constable - Charlotte Williams

Police Constable - Christopher O'Neill

Police Constable - Jonathon Cross

PCSO – Brady

PCSO – Gregory (Hopwood Hall)

PCSO – Chowdhury (North Heywood)

Sergeant Honey explained that during the first quarter, 35 arrests had been made for a range of offences, including murder, car crime, drug offences and burglary.  A number of Criminal Behaviour Orders had been issued in response to anti-social activities within the town centre.

The Committee was informed of a new community messaging system ‘Bee in the Loop’ which allowed residents to receive updates from the police regarding crime and incidents in their local area.  Sergeant Honey encouraged Councillors and residents to sign up to the website to keep up to date with what was happening in the community.

In response to a query regarding public engagement and attendance at police surgeries held in Morrisons supermarket - Sergeant Honey explained that consideration was being given to alternative venues, and how best to promote the sessions and communicate with residents.

The Chair thanked Sergeant Honey and the local policing team for their work and encouraged all attendees to sign up to the ‘Bee in the Loop’ messaging initiative.

RESOLVED - That the Greater Manchester Police update be noted.

Half an hour has been set aside for members of the public to raise any issues relevant to the business of the Committee and the Township.

The Chair invited members of the public in attendance to submit questions.

During the Open Forum session, the following matters were raised:

Car parking on Agincourt Street - A member of the public reported that the car parking issues on Agincourt Street had improved. Councillor P. Malcolm explained that if agreed by 80% of residents, the wording of the parking notices on the street could be amended to strengthen the restrictions.

Anti-Social Neighbour - A member of the public raised concerns about an anti-social neighbour.  Sergeant M. Honey agreed to discuss the matter further outside of the meeting.

Fly-Tipping - A member of the public, firstly wished to thank the Council’s Environmental Management Team for the positive work and improvements undertaken around the Hopwood Hall ward.  He then raised concerns in relation to fly-tipping on Tower Street, Heywood and requested that an environmental team be deployed to clear up the alleyway on Marlborough Street, Heywood. 

In response, Councillor B. Place reported that a mobile community safety camera was due to be installed within the Tower Street area, and this could be used to monitor the fly-tipping situation.  In addition, it was highlighted that the Council offered three free bulky waste collections to all residents.  

Sergeant M. Honey requested that the details of the community litter picks be forwarded to him, as he was keen to get police cadets involved with this activity.

Loss of a bank in Heywood - Concerns was raised regarding the loss of the bank in Heywood and the oversaturation of takeaway outlets and discount shops in the high street.  Councillor O’Rourke agreed to raise the concerns with the Council’s Regeneration Team.

Canal Street - damaged wall - It was reported that a wall on Canal Street, Heywood had been damaged and was in need of repair. 

To consider the minutes of the Heywood Township Committee meeting held on 13^th February 2023.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Heywood Township Committee meeting held on 13^th February 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a presentation from Your Trust.

The Chair welcomed Your Trust representatives to the meeting and invited

Mr C. Coleman and Mr P. Gardner to introduce themselves.

The Committee was provided with a presentation which outlined the services and activities provided by Your Trust throughout the borough.

The Chair thanked the Your Trust representatives for the presentation and invited comments and questions from Members.

During the discussion the following points were raised:

• Holiday Activity and Food Programme – there was discussion about the Township using some of its funds to either subsidise the programme or fund a ‘universal scheme’ available to all children in Heywood to access the activities during school holidays.

•  Youth Services – it was suggested that Your Trust engage with youth services to encourage children to take up activities as a way of diverting them away from any engagement in anti-social behaviours.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Your Trust Presentation be noted.

2.    That further information regarding the number of families in Heywood just above the income threshold to access the Holiday Activity and Food Programme be provided to the Committee. 

The Township Committee is required to confirm its delegated decision making arrangements for 2023/24 and to make appointments to various other bodies.

Consideration was given to a report which sought confirmation of the Committee’s delegated decision arrangements for the municipal year 2023/24 and requested appointments to the Township Sub-Committee and various other bodies.

RESOLVED

1.    That all Township Committee Members be appointed to the Heywood Township Delegated Sub-Committee with Councillor A. Brown and Councillor P. Malcolm appointed as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for 2023/24.

2.    That Councillor P. Malcolm and Mr Brian Davies be appointed to the East Lancashire Railway Trust for 2023/24.

3.    That there were no appointments to the Heywood Magic Board.

4.    That Councillor L. Robinson be appointed as Older Person Champion for 2023/24.

5.    That Councillor P. Rush be appointed as Township Highways Champion for 2023/24.

6.    That all Councillors who were not Members of the Planning and Licensing Committee be appointed to the Heywood Township Planning Panel for 2023/24.

7.    That Councillor A. Brown, Councillor L. Robinson and Councillor P. Rush be appointed to serve on the Road Safety Group for 2023/24.

8.    That Councillor B. Place be appointed as Township Environment Champion for 2023/24.

To review revenue and capital expenditure during 2022/2023 and options for the allocation of funds in 2023/2024.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which reviewed the revenue and capital expenditures during 2022/23 and provided options for the allocation of funds in 2023/24.

Members were requested to approve Heywood Township Funds allocation to funding streams, terms and conditions, and to agree delegated arrangements in relation to funding decisions.

RESOLVED

1.    That the expenditures, commitments and balances for Heywood Township revenue and capital funds at financial year end 2022/23, as set out in  Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report be noted.

2.    That the findings of the review of Township Funds 2022/23, as set out in  Appendix 3 of the report, and evaluations received to date for funded projects, as set out in Appendix 4 of the report be noted.

3.    That the allocations of Heywood Township Funds to funding streams in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 5 of the report be approved.

4.    That the terms and conditions for Heywood Township revenue and capital funds for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix 6 of the report be approved.

5.    That the delegation arrangements for Heywood Township Funds for 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 5.6 of the report, be agreed.

Reasons for recommendations

Management of the Heywood Township Fund was delegated to the Heywood Township Delegated Sub-Committee. Heywood Township Funds were allocated to projects that benefitted the Township’s community and environment, and realised the Township priorities.

The decision would enable the Township Committee to monitor and review the use of the Heywood Township funds to ensure continued efficient and effective use.

Alternatives considered

Not to approve the recommendations for the allocation of funds in 2023/24 – it was considered that the proposed terms and conditions and allocation of funds to funding streams would ensure the most efficient and effective use of the Township funds.