All were welcomed to the meeting and apologies were given for those absent.  A copy of the code of conduct was circulated with the agenda papers and all were asked to abide by the code for the duration of the meeting.  Attention was also drawn to the Terms of Reference document for all non-constituted local area forums in the Rochdale area.

PC Giblin provided the update on behalf of GMP with the following crime statistics for the area of Brimrod, Marland and Sudden for the last quarter:

A summary of policing activities were reported.

Drugs
A meeting was held with officers from GMP and the manager of Jannat House to discuss issues regarding drug dealings observed outside Derrick Walker Court area.  As a result GMP are attempting to arrange a surgery at this location on 4 December 2023 at 6-7pm.

Burglaries
The high numbers of reported burglaries across Rochdale, especially involving the theft of Asian gold, has recently decreased over the past 2-3 weeks.

GMP Team – Update
PC Giblin advised the policing team for the area now consists of himself, Sgt Walsh and two Neighbourhood Beat Officers along with PCSO Kiran, following the departure of PC McClusky.

Drinking – Manchester Road
Following reports of anti-social drinking witnessed on Manchester Road recently, GMP have been a presence in the area in order to remove alcohol and direct people to go home.  Residents are advised to report any incidents and officers will again attend.

Darker evenings
Residents are reminded to keep all property, vehicles and valuables secured and out of sight with the darker evenings.

Speeding
Residents were again urged to advise GMP of any areas of concern with regards to speeding vehicles so that resources can be allocated accordingly.  Birchfield Drive area was discussed as an area of concern by both residents, Councillors and GMP.

‘Bee in the Loop’
This initiative by GMP which is a messaging service, in addition to their social media channels, to communicate with residents/businesses in each area regarding incidents/emergencies, to pass on crime prevention advice and to help shape local priorities for officers to concentrate on.  Residents can sign-up to it via the website www.beeintheloop.co.uk

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 August 2023 were approved as a correct record.  Updates were provided to actions previously raised at the last forum as follows:

Derek Walker Court entrance planter
Residents previously advised that plants from the planter situated at the entrance to Derek Walker Court are covering up the cul-de-sac sign and requested the planter be relocated.  Councillor Smith has liaised with the Council’s Environmental Management Department to see if this planter can be relocated elsewhere.

Alex Whittaker from the Council’s Highways Department attended the forum to update residents and local Ward Councillors on Phase 2 of the Beeline Cycle Lane Scheme works.  He advised that the Castleton part of the scheme is due for completion by January and Phase 2 of the works carry on from the area near the Royal Toby Hotel through to the Town Centre.  This section will run via the junction at Tesco and then go on to utilise the Old Manchester Road section, allowing cyclists to share the road space with motorists and all parking will be maintained in this area.

As a result of the Beeline Cycle Lane Scheme all junctions along the A58 will benefit from the works and provide greater safety for pedestrians and a better performing road network for moving traffic with an average 20% capacity of improvement.  Footways will be resurfaced and some routes/streets will be 20mph with traffic calming measures implemented.

Questions were raised as to whether the subway at New Barn Lane will be filled-in as part of the works.  Alex confirmed the subway will be filled-in and replaced with a push button facility for pedestrians to safely cross the road.  It was explained that residents’ access on to their streets whilst works are ongoing will always be maintained.

No issues raised.

Residents were advised by Councillor Anstee that the current Township funding for this financial year is now coming to an end and it has been successfully spent on local improvements in the area and also to give benefit to community groups and associations.

Funds this year have been used to increase parking capacity across the ward, provide improvements to Springfield Park and the Mere and install two new traffic/speed signs which will capture data and speeds of vehicles providing intelligence for future initiatives.  Also grants have been awarded to support the film club, Christmas fairs and activity groups facilitated at the church.  Councillor Anstee thanked residents for all of their suggestions over the past financial year.

Councillor Anstee provided the update to the forum as follows:

·           Litter picks held on the first Sunday of the month are now finished until February 2024.

·           The first Councillors’ surgery after Christmas in January 2024 won’t take place due to the time of the year, but will then resume after that.

·           Rochdale Cemetery has opened the new Hall of Remembrance resulting in a great improvement to the facility.

·           Oulder Hill mini masterplan – schemes along with costs have been presented to the group for consideration.

·           Sandy Lane Junction improvements will commence works in January 2024, having experienced delays due to TfGM.  Works will take approx. 12 weeks to complete and will cause a level of disruption, but hopefully the amendments will improve the junction significantly.

·           Repairs to Queen’s Park Bridge will commence in January 2024 and they will take up to 12 months to complete.  Residents are advised to plan journeys and allow for extra time.

·           Ongoing issues are still being dealt with regarding the Higher Birch site and Councillors will continue to work with Council officers in order to represent residents’ views and get the owner to cooperate.  Councillor Anstee spoke about the land ownership issues concerning a strip of land between the adjacent residents’ houses which contain trees covered by tree preservation orders.  Residents are particularly concerned about the trees stability in relation to the proximity to their houses.  He also advised that the Council’s Estates Department are looking into the size of the former playing fields of the site as it has been reduced to a quarter of its former size.  The developer is ultimately responsible for bringing this area of land back into its former use.

·           Councillor Smith advised that the ladies at Jannat House intend to open the facility for emergency provision to anyone who requires help or assistance leading up to the Christmas period.

·           For any planning related enquiries residents are requested to approach Councillors Anstee or Sullivan, as Councillor Smith is on the Planning Panel and cannot comment.

·           Your local Ward Councillors are always pleased to meet with you for a chat or to hear your concerns.  Surgeries are the first Thursday of each month at Bamford Chapel from 10am to 11am and Brimrod Methodist Church from 11.15am to 12 noon.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ward Councillors:
Councillor Stephen Anstee
Telephone: 07870 172144
Email: stephen.anstee@rochdale.gov.uk

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

Councillor Pat Sullivan
Telephone: 07967 985240
Email: patricia.sullivan@rochdale.gov.uk

Rochdale Borough Council Officers:
Rachel Hudson, Township Officer
Telephone: 01706 924343
Email: rachel.hudson@rochdale.gov.uk

Mick Ball, Public Realm Inspector
Telephone: 01706 922634
Email: mick.ball@rochdale.gov.uk

Mark Reynolds, Community Safety, Crime and Anti-Social Behavior Officer
Telephone: 01706 924979
Email: mark.reynolds@rochdale.gov.uk

Greater Manchester Police
PC Martin Giblin

Telephone: 0161 856 8549

Email: martin.giblin1@gmp.police.uk

PCSO 72831 Kiran Kazmi
Telephone: 07814 072902
Email: 72831@gmp.police.uk

Wednesday 28 February 2024 at 6.30pm