The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.

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 19 November 2018 were agreed as an accurate record and the following updates were given.

Links View fencing
Work to secure the fencing to prevent off road vehicle access off Links View has been completed.

Oulder Hill area trees
Environmental Management met Mr Moss and Councillor Sullivan regarding the like for like replacement of the removed Apple Blossom and Cherry Blossom trees from the Oulder Hill Drive.  The trees have been replaced and look good.

Proposed bridleway - Bury Road to Northdene Drive
The Rochdale and Bury Bridleways Association application to have the signed footpath from Bury Road to Northdene Drive reclassified as a bridleway was an  agenda item at the Rochdale Township Committee meeting on Wednesday 23 January 2019.  The committee approved the recommendation in the report to upgrade the footpath to a bridleway, and if no objections are received the Order will be confirmed as an Unopposed Order under The Wildlife and Countryside Act.  If relevant objections are received, the Order will be referred to The Secretary of State.  Minutes of the Rochdale Township Committee on 23 January 2019 were made available to all.

Street sweeping
Springbank Lane was swept again.

Wordsworth Way to Bury Road condition
Councillor Smith arranged to have the footpath from Wordsworth Way to Bury Road inspected by Highways as it has dropped in places by 30 centimetres.  She has had no response and it will be chased up with Highways Maintenance.

Potholes
Rochdale’s share of the £420m of Government funding to repair potholes is £1.084m.  Councillor Smith reported a bad pothole on Bury Road in the vicinity of number 617 and the Ward Councillors are chasing up numerous repairs as some have not been touched.

PC Phil Jones and PCSO Sana Haider presented the crime statistics from the date of the last forum on 19 November 2018 to 18 February 2019 and presented the following information:

Burglary
A reduction in the number of burglaries was reported.  One local male juvenile offender, responsible for burglaries and theft from motor vehicles in the Rochdale area, was arrested in January and is serving a nine month custodial sentence.  Another prolific burglar has just received a four year custodial sentence.  No stolen property from these offenders was recovered and any information regards handlers is being sought.

The Neighbourhood Team will continue with high visibility patrols, leaflet cocooning in areas of demand at peak times, covert operations and targeting known offenders.  In addition, the team have provided updates and crime prevention advice to the area, Home Watch Coordinators, Whats App Groups, and GMP social media.  GMP would like to remind residents that due to the nature of the burglaries consideration should be given to changing their routines.  In addition, review their home security, in particularly access points, lighting, alarms and ensuring all keys are kept in a safe place.

New Neighbourhood Inspector
Inspector Andrew Fern is the new Area Inspector.  He is very experienced, worked Rochdale for many years and he is very proactive.

Drones
The potential use of drones was raised by residents at the last forum.  At the current time, Rochdale Police Station does not have its own designated drone, but has access to the GMP force wide drone which is deployed incident specific.  It is still unknown if Rochdale will have its own  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Bamford Way footpath
Public Realm Inspector, Diane Lodwig, was dealing with builders continuously storing items on and completely blocking the footpath on Bamford Way opposite the school and it is currently blocked with slates and dustbins.  An update will be sought and also the issue passed on to Mick Ball who has taken over the role of Public Realm Inspector for the area from Diane.

Wordsworth Way grass verges
Councillor Sullivan is looking for solutions for the churned up grass verges on Wordsworth Way due to vehicles driving on to and over them.  Residents must have dropped kerbs installed to access their driveways that are approved by Rochdale Council’s Highways Service.

Bury and Rochdale Old Road parking
Vehicles are constantly parking along Bury and Rochdale Old Road near St Michael’s School and where central solid white lines are in place in contravention of parking regulations.  Enforcement visits will be requested.  The school does conduct initiatives to deter such parking.

War Office Road grass verge
The grass verge on War Office Road near Bury Road is constantly being driven over and damaged by vehicles and buses turning into War Office Road from Bury Road.  Highways will be asked to assess the location to make good, possibly installing grasscrete to keep the green look or put in measures to prevent it being driven over.

Greater Manchester Spatial Framework
Following the publication of the second draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, which includes the building of 450 homes on the last of the publicly accessible and some privately owned Bamford Green Belt, The Save Bamford Green Belt Action Group held a well-attended and coordinated public meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 28 January 2019 at Bamford Chapel.  The Action Group liaises with other Area Action Groups and they have been monitoring traffic flows, and there are problems with the existing infrastructure which will become bigger with an additional 450 houses and they state the idea of adding a bus lane to Norden Road is far-fetched.  Bamford Academy School has been involved in the campaign and some of the pupils wrote letters to the Prime Minister.  Greater Manchester Combined Authorities Executive Summary was available to all, the second and latest draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework can be viewed on the Greater Manchester Combines Authorities website or printed copies are available at the following Libraries: Rochdale Central, Middleton, Heywood or Littleborough.  Ten thousand leaflets have been produced and distributed, banners put up in prominent places, information on social media and Streetwise Magazine with monthly updates and anyone can join the Action Group to keep informed.  A protest walk will take place on Saturday 2 March 2019, starting at 10.30am on The Village Green, going along the Green Belt in question and ending at Bamford Chapel for refreshments.  Rochdale Council ran engagement sessions in February 2019 and the consultation period which started on 21 January 2019 closes at midnight on Monday 18 March 2019.  There is an online petition.

Marland Golf Course
Bamford Ward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Mondays at 6.30pm in Bamford Chapel
13 May 2019
5 August 2019
28 October 2019
20 January 2020