The Chair introduced herself and  welcomed all to the meeting. She referred to the Code of Conduct and asked all to abide by the Code for the duration of the meeting.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed and L. Wardle (Enforcement Officer).

PS Sutcliffe and PCSO Whitehead attended the meeting for this item.

GMP reported that a traffic operation had recently been undertaken on Entwistle Road. This exercise resulted in a number of motorists receiving fixed penalty notices/warnings for a variety of offences including using a mobile phone whilst driving, not wearing seat belts, no insurance, no road tax and defective tyres. It was commented that this operation had been actioned as a result of concerns raised by residents.

The Forum was also informed that a Homewatch Group had been set up as a result of problems being experienced on the Leisure Centre Car Park.

It was also commented that the young people who had been causing a nuisance at the rear of Oswald Street had been spoken to by GMP, who were of the opinion that the incidence of ASB in this area had reduced. The Council Officer present also informed the Forum that Highways would not support the introduction of bollards to deter people from congregating in cars in the area. However other options were being considered.

GMP also informed the Forum of the following:

-       Women’s Welfare Celebration Event was held at Castlemere Community Centre on the 15 August.

-       A partnership community fun day will be held at Falinge Park on Sunday 1 September – 11am till 4pm.

-       GMP stated they are willing to meet and engage with residents at a variety of venues in the Ward and encouraged residents to come forward with suggestions.

-       A police surgery will be held at St Andrews Church, Entwistle Road on the 19 September. Time will be confirmed via social media.

-       GMP also reminded Ward Councillors that they were willing to organise walkabouts in the area.

Forum members raised the following issues:

-       It was commented that several reports had been received concerning highway issues in the Jermyn Street / James Street area. It was commented that Council Officers had visited the site on a number of occasions witnessing double parking, heavily congested streets, parking on pavements and parking obstruction. Because of the lack of traffic regulations in the area there is very little the Council can do. GMP were asked if they could visit the site to see if there is any action they can take.

-       It was reported that cars are being parked on the grass verges on Park Road.

-       Site alarms keep going off on the RBH development in Lower Falinge.

-       A Councillor reported that the Falinge area is suffering from ASB nuisance caused by off-road bikes.

GMP thanked residents for their continued support and reminded the Forum of the need to report incidents.

The minutes of the Area Forum meeting held on Monday 10 June were approved as a correct record.

The following updates were provided;

-       It was reported that the recent floods in the area had caused some damage. Residents affected had been signposted to the appropriate services.

Flood resilience work still continues, however dates for commencement and completion are still unknown.

-       It was reported that the Council does not intend to use the land to the rear of Unique Enterprise Centre as a temporary or permanent stopping site for travellers or any other group.

Residents raised the following issues;

-       A Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) tenant addressed the Forum circulating a leaflet asking for justice for Lower Falinge residents. He commented that RBH had not kept its promises to Falinge people and that there had been no proper consultation with residents.

In response to this it was commented that because no representative from RBH was present at the meeting it was unfair to continue as no reply on the night could be given

Following further discussion it was agreed that the main purpose of this item being raised was to raise awareness. However the Township Officer stated he would attempt to obtain a comment from RBH in relation to the comments made.

-       The Forum where asked if they would support, from Ward Funds the introduction of grit bins on Sheriff Street, Aboukir Street and Margory Close. The cost would be approximately £3018.

This was agreed.

-       A resident asked if it would be possible to install yellow lines on a small stretch of Taylor Street to reduce parking congestion in the area.

This would be investigated.

The Forum was also informed that Ajnabi Community Garden had organised an open day on Friday 23 August 2019 (3pm – 5pm) and Saturday 24 August 2019 (11am – 4pm)

All Ward issues had been previously covered.

11 November 2019, commencing 6.30pm at Wardleworth Community Centre

3 February 2019, commencing 6.30pm at Wardleworth Community Centre