The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.  Recently elected Councillor Angela Smith was congratulated and welcomed.  She is the Shadow Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Business Skills and Employment and sits on the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health, Schools and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Councillor Sullivan is Shadow Portfolio Holder for Children's Services and amongst other Committees sits on the Rochdale Township Action and Resources Sub Committee.  Councillor Howard is the Shadow Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and amongst others sits on the Planning and Licensing Committee.

Many thanks to ex Councillor Ian Duckworth were expressed for all his hard work whilst serving the Ward over many years and raising in excess of £30,000 for charity during his Mayoral Year.

A copy of the code of conduct was circulated with the papers, and all were asked to abide by the code for the duration of the meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 5 March 2018 were agreed as an accurate record and the following updates were given.

Blocked drains
No further updates from Drainage Engineers have been received on any plans to improve drainage on Clay Lane following the sealing over of the drain near the Treatment Works.  The recent heavy downpours again saw a river running down the lane which eventually drained away.

Norden Road junction traffic lights
Transport for Greater Manchester have provided a response to the further request to have the synchronisation of the Automated Traffic Signals in the area checked:
“Following your email, I have liaised back with our Urban Traffic Control Team and I have been informed that the junction is over capacity during the morning peak period and there are queues towards Bury along Norden Road, Bury Old Road and Rochdale Old Road.  I can confirm that this junction is linked along Bury Old Road and Rochdale Old Road to the next junction with Queens Park Road.  However, this may not be apparent as there is a constant flow of traffic due to Norden Road also feeding traffic onto Bury Old Road and Rochdale Old Road.  The staging of the junction is at its most efficient and the timings are increased during the morning peak period to maximise traffic flow”.

Air pollution
Transport for Greater Manchester have investigated air pollution with Rochdale Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department who advised that they are currently monitoring air quality in the Borough along with the other authorities within Greater Manchester and there is no current evidence that the air quality in this area is a cause for concern.  Environmental Health asked for any additional information, such as the process, frequency or recorded levels against the norm.

Malvern Street West closure
The closure of Malvern Street West cannot be introduced until a parcel of land required to create a turning head is purchased from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.  Rochdale Council’s Estates Manager is working on the transaction, and once complete construction works with Balfour Beatty and an operative date for the Traffic Regulation Order set.  It is not likely to be introduced until the summer.

Norden Road potholes
Norden Road is on the 2018 to 2020 Resurfacing Programme and shown in three sections, up to Jowkin Lane, from Jowkin Lane to War Office Road and from Martlet Avenue to Springbank Lane.  It was asked if Quiet Tarmac could be used and Highways will be asked to consider.  The potholes near Porritt Close and Burnthorpe Close were repaired.

GMP was unable to send a representative to this meeting.  It was confirmed that PCSO Colin Taylor still covers the area but is currently on annual leave.  Disappointment was expressed that no GMP staff turned up for the last two Police And Community Together Meetings.  This forum is a Council meeting and not a Police meeting and for many reasons, operationally or otherwise, GMP staff cannot always attend but will whenever possible.

Speeding in the area still remains a great concern and requests for the results of both the recent traffic survey and any GMP enforcement activity were made.  Councillor Sullivan asked for anyone wanting to take part in community speed checks to contact her and she will arrange it.

GMP are securing the area off Roch Valley Way, Rochdale Riding Club area, where some off road bikes have been reported by local residents.  This initiative is being delivered jointly by GMP and the Council.  GMP is aware of off road vehicle nuisance in Queens Park, Heywood.

Vehicles parking on the footpath and causing an obstruction, particularly around the Oulder Hill precinct area, has worsened, and one vehicle was clamped by the DVLA due to no Vehicle Excise Licence.  It was reiterated that a Residents Only Parking Scheme will not happen on the main road and Councillor Sullivan will chase up the introduction of the three hour restricted parking which is expected to be introduced imminently.

Potholes
Several complaints were received about the poor state and maintenance of some roads.  All locations will be reported:

·      A very large and dangerous pothole, which was marked for repair three months ago, on the Bamford bound carriageway on Bury Road near Mellor Street.

·      A hole appeared on Tyrone Drive at the junction with Woodtop Avenue.  Three barriers have been put round the hole, and it appears to be getting bigger and residents are concerned the road could sink.

·      A very large and dangerous pothole on the roundabout at Edenfield Road and Bagslate Moor Road.

·      Martlett Avenue is rutted and grooved along the length where the tarmac is joined and some of the gulleys have dropped and need making good.

Rochdale Town Centre regeneration
The regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre was discussed with varied opinions and thoughts on the current state of it and the merit or benefit of the proposed development leaving other parts empty, given the change in shopping and retail trends.  The new Rochdale Market should open soon and the ex-Santander building should be complete in 2019 with every unit let.  Longer term Business Improvement Districts were discussed including bringing residents in to Town Centres.  The first Lottery bid was approved today for the Rochdale Town Hall improvements for which consultation will be undertaken.  Broadfield Park has seen an increase in drinkers and beggars.

Marlett Avenue planter
The planter on Martlett Avenue has been fully planted up and looks fantastic following the report of someone removing a lot of plants.

Queen’s Park Bridge
The finials on Queen’s Park Bridge, Heywood are in a very poor state and look a disgrace.  The bridge was last worked on in 1977 and it is in desperate need of upgrading.  A request for work on the bridge will be made.

Bamford in Bloom
The Friends of Bamford funded by the Ward Councillors are working with Environmental Management and Rochdale In Bloom to place three octagonal planters on Martlett Avenue and Norden Road and saddle planters on Norden Road, which will all be maintained throughout the seasons and watered by Environmental Management.  The new Amelanchier tree at the top of War Office Road is establishing itself.  The existing triple planter will be moved to outside of the Post Office on War Office Road and the bottom end of War Office Road will be cleaned up.  The back of the Green will be strimmed and cleared and a walk way in to the woods created.  Balfour Beatty may potentially provide some plannings.

The area will be entered in to the North West In Bloom “It’s Your Neighbourhood” category.  Anyone is welcome to join the Bamford In Bloom Committee or to volunteer.  Sponsorship will be sought from local businesses.

The placing of a ‘Welcome to Bamford’ sign on Bagslate Moor Road was questioned as one was expected.

The Lancashire Night went very well and all proceeds will go to improve the area by the group.

Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Following on from Rochdale  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Monday 20 August 2018 at 6.30pm in Bamford Chapel