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.

Councillor Sheerin asked all in attendance to pause in memory of the late Harold Appleby who recently passed away.  Harold made a massive contribution over the years to the Castleton Community Centre and he will be sadly missed by all.  Thanks for his dedication, commitment and years of service.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 June 2022 were approved and the following updates given.

Royle Road/Tetrosyl litter issues
A resident previously requested the forum escalate the litter issues on Royle Road near to the Tetrosyl area and clarification was requested from the Council’s Environmental Management Department on if they have an anti-litter campaign.  Townships raised the matter and the local Ward Councillors intend to fund a new litter bin to be located in the area of concern.  There are no formal specific litter campaigns running at present by the Council’s Environmental Management Department but the area can still be monitored.

Officers were not present at the forum.  Residents expressed their disappointment with their absence and requested it was raised with GMP.  The response from the local area sergeant after the forum was he expressed apologies on behalf of GMP for not attending, stating that he had been on a period of leave and nominated a representative to attend, however, due to a major incident, that officer was diverted to assist.  He reassured that GMP will be in attendance at the next meeting.

Speeding
Residents expressed concerns about speeding vehicles in and around the ward particularly on a route from Sandbrook Park area through to Slattocks via Queensway and Manchester Road, stating it was dangerous ‘timed racing’.  A discussion took place with residents, Councillor Sheerin and a representative from Highways regarding road layout adjustments, requirements necessary before the introduction of speed cameras and also community speed watch initiatives in order to tackle the problem.

Planning updates
Residents in attendance requested an update from Councillor Sheerin on the developments discussed at the last forum.

Land off Royle Road
Countryside are well on their way now with this development.  The previous issue regarding contractors parking vehicles on Royle Barn Road is now resolved.  Residents raised concerns about sub-contractor vehicles accessing Gypsy Lane which carries a weight restriction.  Highways Officer in attendance agreed to escalate this matter.

Land at Nixon Street
This development is due to start imminently.

Trub Farm
Councillor Sheerin advised the consultation period for this plan for 450 homes on the site has now ended.

Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan
As previously updated at the forum, the Places for Everyone (PfE) Plan is currently going through Examination in Public with hearing sessions expected to commence in the autumn.

The Sidings
Residents expressed concerns over the access/egress routes of this potential development of approximately 550 houses which would take traffic past a nursery, school and elderly residents’ home.  Concerns can be emailed to strategic.planning@rochdale.gov.uk

Concerns were raised by residents about the number of new houses proposed for the ward with no plans for additional infrastructure.  Councillor Sheerin updated residents on the plans for a new primary school to be built on the site of the former Carcraft.  He also stated that the Council have government set targets to meet with regards to the number of new houses built.  Residents felt that there was more clarification needed on what will be done to answer concerns on the lack of infrastructure to support the future housing growth.

Crescent Road/Clovelly Street/Kingsland Road fly tipping/ASB issues
This matter was raised again by a resident in attendance.  An update is required from the Council’s Environmental Management Department regarding the previous suggestion of a barrier to the area of concern in relation to the issues experienced by residents in the area.  Also fly tipping (mattress) needs removing.
Action: Township Officer to raise the matter again with the Council’s Environmental Management Department

Rear of the Top House/Heywood Road litter and fly tipping
Litter and fly tipped rubbish was reported at this location.
Action: Councillor Sheerin will investigate and escalate the matter

Woolworth’s Social Club overhanging trees
A resident raised this matter again concerning overhanging trees to the rear of their property from Woolworth’s Social Club.  The Council is not responsible for matters regarding private property.  Any remedial or legal action should be taken by the house/landowner in order to resolve matters concerning the adjacent trees.

Any residents or organisations wishing to put forward any initiatives or ideas for improvements which would benefit the community and ward of Castleton to speak to the Ward Councillors or Township Officer about funds.

Highways Officer attended to update the forum.  Works will commence on site as of Monday 5 September.  A recent site clearance of trees at land opposite Nixon Street to provide a car parking area has resulted in complaints being made, however, it was explained that a full ecology study was undertaken beforehand and no trees of good condition or those with a Preservation Order attached to them were removed.  It was also stated that of the 28 trees removed, 56 will be replaced in a ‘2 for 1’ reallocation.

Works will be delivered in three phases over a ten month delivery programme.  The delivery of phase one will take it up to July/August of next year.  Residents again questioned the necessity of a cycle lane.  The officer explained that the scheme is a GM initiative coupled with the Council’s policy to prioritise stable road sustainability.  The scheme may provide residents some relief in terms of speeding vehicles through the village, due to the introduction of narrower lanes and raised junctions/plateaus installed to provide a traffic calming effect for the cycling/walking users.  It will also provide new road surfacing, footways, new street lighting and a 130 space, 3 hours free off-street car park facility.

Councillor Sheerin updated the forum that Rochdale is up against Canterbury in the ‘Small City’ category and results will be given at the event in London in October.

Castleton EC Residents
No update.
 
Friends of Carnegie Castleton
A member of the group attended the forum and they advised that a formal letter from the Lord Lieutenant had been received confirming the official recognition of the Castleton War Memorial.  Thanks were given to Councillor Sheerin and the landlord of the Commercial Inn for their support for the group’s initiatives.  Residents are welcome to get in touch to join the Friend’s group which is £4 per annum.

Friends of Castleton Station/Support the Oldham, Rochdale & Manchester Rail Lines/East Lancs Railway
Councillor Sheerin gave a brief update to state that he and his fellow Ward Councillors will continue their fight to ensure the frequency of two trains per hour through Castleton Station.

St Gabriel’s
No update on St Gabriel’s but Councillor Sheerin advised that its ‘sister’ church, St Johns, Rochdale, is currently having works totalling three quarters of a million pounds lottery funding spent on its mosaic.

Chair resignation
The Chair advised the forum that she intends to resign from her position and thanked everyone who has attended and supported her over the past 4+ years.  Councillor Sheerin thanked the Chair on behalf of the residents, community and Council for her service, commitment and dedication to the forum.

Expressions of interest was sought for another member of the local community to take up the position of Chair of the forum.

Councillors’ surgeries
Surgeries are held on Saturdays at 10.30am–11.30am at the following venues:
First Saturday in month - St Aidan’s Church Hall
Second Saturday in month - Castleton Community Centre
Third Saturday in month - Thornham Cricket Club
Fourth Saturday in month - Carnegie Library

Thursday 15 December 2022 at 7pm