The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.  The very best wishes for a healthy recovery from a serious illness were given to Ian Sturrock who is in hospital, long standing Chair of the Forum and very active in the community.

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 20 August 2018 were agreed as an accurate record with the addition that Sally Cook from Our Rochdale gave a presentation and answered questions.  The following updates were given.

Malvern Street West closure
Rochdale Council’s Legal Services report that they have approved the draft documents and notified Rochdale Boroughwide Housing of the need to proceed as quickly as possible.  They are waiting for a couple of points to be clarified and then can proceed towards completion.

Queen’s Park Bridge
Following the concern expressed about the inspection of Queen’s Park Bridge, particularly in the wake of the Genoa Bridge collapse, it was confirmed that there is a programme of inspection and the Bridges and Structures Section supplied copies of the most recent inspections which were available to all.

Links View fencing
Public Realm Inspector, Diane Lodwig, arranged the removal of the fly tipping in the area of the damaged wooden fencing on the footpath between number 17 and 19 Links View.  Work to secure the fencing to prevent off road vehicle access is to begin shortly.

Queen’s Park Road automated traffic signals
Transport for Greater Manchester were informed of the massive queues forming on Queen’s Park Road and Environmental Health were asked again to supply details of air pollution readings and the monitoring process, particularly in respect of the area of the junctions of Bury and Rochdale Old Road with both Norden Road and Queen’s Park Road, to which the reply was:

“We do not currently monitor pollution levels at this junction (Bury Road/Rochdale Old Road/Bury and Rochdale Old Road) as it is not considered to be in an area of poor air quality and the numbers of receptors (people living close to the road/junction) is low.  Although the traffic is busy at rush hour times the overall levels of pollution should not breach the standards for NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) as set down by government based on a monthly average.  The traffic levels are monitored by TfGM and the pollution levels have been modelled based on these and readings from NOx tubes in similar locations and these have not highlighted the area to be a problem.  Further information on the areas that have been highlighted to exceed levels of NOx (40µg/m³) can be found at https://www.cleanairgm.com/“

Councillor Howard has strongly expressed the view to have readings taken as several community requests have been made and it is a key walking route for the local primary school.  Transport for Greater Manchester has since entered in to discussions with Rochdale Council’s Highways to investigate the timings of the Automated Traffic Signals which will include a traffic survey.

Oulder Hill Drive area trees
Environmental Management have arranged to meet Mr. Moss and Councillor Sullivan regards the like for like replacement of the removed Apple Blossom and Cherry Blossom trees from the Oulder Hill Drive area on 23 November 2018.

Cleaning of street signage
The cleaning of street signage does not fit the criteria of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

PC Giblin introduced himself as the new Neighbourhood Officer for the area.  Since 7 November 2018 he is part of the new Neighbourhood Team including a new Inspector and Sergeant, to coincide with a change in response shifts to maximise staffing levels and allow targeted policing.

He presented the crime statistics from the last Forum on 20 August 2018 to date:

A targeted Burglary Operation is ongoing involving staff from other areas, plain clothes patrols and both liveried and non-liveried police vehicles, hi visibility patrols, leaflet cocooning, liaison with Home Watch coordinators, use of social media, Force Intelligence Officers and analysts and a lot of CCTV attained.

One prolific male burglar in the Norden and Shawclough areas was arrested on 22 October 2018 and remanded in custody and due for sentencing next week.  Over the weekend of 11 November 2018 two males, from out of the area, were arrested in Norden for an attempted break in.  They are believed to be part of a bigger team using two vehicles.  There have been no burglaries since these arrests.

Burglaries will remain a priority for the foreseeable future.

The need to be aware of vehicle security was expressed; do not leave valuables or any item on display and check the vehicle is locked.  Also ensure during the winter months not to leave vehicles unattended whilst defrosting.

Online PACT meetings will continue; the next date is yet to be set.

The potential use of drones was discussed.  GMP have utilised drones belonging to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service previously in such cases as High Risk Missing Persons.  When further is known about the drones and deployment, PC Giblin will report back.

The lack of response and waiting time from the Police 101 telephone number was discussed with examples, together with the use of the emergency 999 number and graded response based on threat, harm and risk.

Bad experiences of being burgled were given and talked about and a good example was also given where one victim had low expectations but thanked the Police for their actions and support and urged the Government to increase Police Resources.  The more security measures anyone takes such as lighting, gating,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Proposed Bridleway - Bury Road to Northdene Drive
Councillor Sullivan confirmed that The Rochdale and Bury Bridleways Association have applied to have the signed footpath from Bury Road to Northdene Drive reclassified as a Bridleway.  This path is heavily used by pedestrians and when used by horse riders they wholly obstruct the path; cannot turn their horses around causing pedestrians to retrace their steps along the entire length of the footpath.  This is an agenda item at the next Rochdale Township Committee at 6pm on Wednesday 23 January 2019, and both for and against parties can attend and voice their reasoning and objections.  If not approved at that Township Committee, the process will go to Tribunal.

Street sweeping
Rochdale Council has a programme of street sweeping but if a request is made to have a street swept, it can be done.  A request will be made to have Springbank Lane swept again, including the cobbled area.

Wordsworth Way to Bury Road condition
Councillor Smith will arrange to have the footpath from Wordsworth Way to Bury Road inspected by Highways as it has dropped in places by 30 centimetres.

Potholes
It was asked how much of the recently announced Government £400M to repair potholes that Rochdale would get and when.  The standard of pothole repairs has not been satisfactory with numerous examples given.  Rochdale Council’s Highways are taking the contractors to task and checking the quality of repairs.  Councillor Smith will report a bad pothole on Bury Road in the vicinity of number 617.

It was confirmed that Furbarn Road is on the programme to be resurfaced.


The Ward Councillors hold a surgery from 10am to 11am on the first Thursday of each month in Bamford Chapel, although they often go beyond 11am.  Ward Councillors contact details are available on the Council website:

Councillor Jane Howard
Telephone: 07870 172144
Email: jane.howard@rochdale.gov.uk

Councillor Angela Jennifer Smith
Telephone: 07710 297377
Email: angela.smith@rochdale.gov.uk

Councillor Pat Sullivan
Telephone: 0161 762 1129 or 07967 985240
Email: patricia.sullivan@rochdale.gov.uk

Rochdale Borough Council Officers:

Stuart Hay, Township Officer
Telephone: 01706 922230
Email: stuart.hay@rochdale.gov.uk

Diane Lodwig, Public Realm Inspector
Telephone: 01706 922226
Email: diane.lodwig@rochdale.gov.uk

Monday 18 February 2019 at 6.30pm in Bamford Chapel.