Agenda and minutes

Venue: Castleton Community Centre, Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 3AF. View directions

Contact: Rachel Hudson - Tel: 01706 924343 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions and Apologies/Code of Conduct pdf icon PDF 15 KB

Minutes:

Introductions were made and all were welcomed to the meeting.  The code of conduct was circulated.  All attendees were asked to abide by the code for the duration of the meeting.

2.

Minutes of last meeting/Matters arising/Updates pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Minutes:

Smalley Street flooding to residents’ cellars
Residents from Smalley Street previously requested the forum escalate their issue of flooded cellars again to the Council’s Highways Department and also contact the adjacent Comrades Club as the delivery drivers to the site regularly bounce large heavy barrels on the newly laid concrete surface which could be adding to problems.

Highways advised
that the flooding in cellars on Smalley Street has been investigated and as previously stated in correspondence to residents the issue could be ground water or a natural spring.  It could also be a defect in an asset belonging to United Utilities. All assets belonging to Highways are functioning correctly and as dye tests have confirmed, the water is not entering the basements from highway drains.  Concerning the matter of dropped barrels at the Comrades Club, the Highways Officer stated they would investigate the matter, but it was thought the club may have constructed a barrel drop which would not have any effect on drainage.  N. Rogers (Public Protection, Rochdale Council) attended and suggested Council Officers could take a couple of water samples from affected houses to test for THM to check if it is mains water or not.  If not and it is ground water, they can provide advice regarding tanking cellars, anti-flood values, etc.

3.

Greater Manchester Police

Minutes:

The remaining PACT date for 2019 is 17 December 2019 at Castleton Community Centre (7-8pm).

PC Farmer gave an update to the forum.  October saw an increase in residential burglaries in Castleton; the hotspot area being Leander Drive.  Officers from GMP carried out plain clothes patrols around the estate through the evening and stopped several people.  There have been no burglaries since this operation was carried out.  November has so far seem an increase in vehicle crime mainly centred on the Norton Grange car park.  GMP have been working closely with the hotel to give advice on new CCTV and patrols have been carried out.

Another safe number plate initiative event was held on the car park of Castleton Community Centre and it was well attended.  There will be more of these initiatives carried out next year.  GMP have recently served two drugs warrants and a number of house warrants and also dealt with the seizure of a large number of dogs from unlicensed dog breeders, one of which from Castleton.  An ‘Op Considerate’ will be again carried out by Officers in the ward this week to target speeding, use of mobile phones, non-use of seatbelts, etc.

A resident asked about patrols for moped activity around Chesham Avenue.  PC Farmer advised her team had not witnessed any recent activity, but she asked for any information to be noted and forwarded to her in future so patrols can try and monitor any issues.  Other matters raised included drivers using Partington Street in the wrong direction, speeding vehicles on Smalley Street and a request for a speed camera on Manchester Road.  GMP advised they could look at all issues but that they had already had discussions with Highways regarding a speed camera and the road does not qualify under the nationally set guidelines using the point’s criteria.  Smalley Street cannot have any additional speed restrictions implemented according to Highways and GMP have leafletted houses in the area to carry out a community speed watch initiative, but they have received no responses.

Residents are reminded at this time of the year to keep all valuables out of sight, to keep doors and windows securely locked and to use alarms and security lighting.  Also keep an eye on neighbours’ homes and report anything unusual.

Mobile Police Surgeries will be held at the Co-op on 29 November 2019 from 5-7pm, Tesco on 6 December 2019 and also at Chamber House Drive on 11 December 2019 at 11-1pm.  A crime prevention table will be at the Tesco store on 25 November 2019.  The GMP Castleton Community Centre Christmas party will be held on 19 November 2019 from 11.30-2pm and is open to all.  There will be food, a raffle and singing.

4.

Tetrosyl

Minutes:

Residents again voiced their ongoing concerns.  N. Rogers (Public Protection, Rochdale Council) attended and suggested Council Officers could try to assist in discussions with Tetrosyl to improve the current poor relationship with neighbours.  Tetrosyl could be asked to engage more and behave in a manner that is more responsive and responsible to their neighbours.

It will be raised that residents would like general improvements to the visual amenity of the Tetrosyl site, i.e. removal of razor wire, improvements to boundary walls and general tidy up of the yard area.  The Council will try and communicate that residents would like a named contact person at Tetrosyl who they can speak with to raise concerns and have a dialogue with.  All of these suggestions will be raised via negotiations with the company, but it was stressed that the Council cannot require or force them to engage.

5.

Open Forum

Minutes:

Former Castleton Hotel
A resident queried the current use of the former Castleton Hotel.  The building is now used as temporary accommodation housing homeless families until they secure permanent housing.

Slattocks roundabout lighting
A resident requested the lighting at Slattocks roundabout be looked at as at night he had witnessed vehicles coming off the slip road and flipping over as they have reached the roundabout.  He felt the area was badly lit and it didn’t give drivers enough warning of the road layout ahead.
Action 1: Townships to ask Street Lighting to see if the column has all lights working and give their assessment of the area.

6.

Reports

Minutes:

Castleton EC Residents
Signage at the end of the lane is being addressed to ensure large vehicles are not directed up to Hillcrest Road in search of the industrial estate.

Friends of Carnegie Castleton
Historical research is still being carried out on residents who served in the First and Second World Wars and residents are welcome to submit any information or request genealogy information.

The annual ‘Lancashire Night’ will be held at The Blue Pits Inn on Saturday 23 November 2019 at 8pm.

Friends of Castleton Station/Support the Oldham, Rochdale & Manchester Rail Lines/East Lancs Railway
The Friends are hoping to get a history board installed at the station along with two water butts, using sponsorship monies from a variety of sources.  Discussions are also progressing to get together with other local stations in a common purpose as part of the Community Rail Partnership aiming to gain better backing and results with any future issues.  The station also recently won an ‘Outstanding’ award from ‘Britain in Bloom’.  The station’s timetable will be changing again in December and residents are advised to write to their local Councillors/MPs regarding the lack of adequate services within rush hour.

St. Gabriel’s
Auditions are being held for the role of Cinderella for the panto in February 2020.  The Christmas fair is to be held this Sunday 24 November 2019 and the Civic Carol Service on 15 December 2019 at 3pm.

Rochdale Township in Bloom
The full Rochdale borough did brilliantly well winning 32 awards including approx. 13 golds.

7.

Any Other Business

Minutes:

No additional matters were raised.

8.

Date and time of next meeting

Minutes:

Tuesday 10 March 2020 at 7pm at Castleton Community Centre