Everyone was welcomed to the Forum meeting and reminded of the need to adhere to the code of conduct for the duration of the meeting.

The Ward Councillor, Rochdale Council and GMP representatives introduced themselves

Apologies had been received from Councillors O’Neill and Ayrton.

Pam Hodgkinson was elected Chair of the Forum.

No Vice Chair was elected.

Sgt Brendan Walsh, PCSO Fran Cottam and PCSO Rebekah Renshaw attended the meeting for this item.

The Forum was informed that since the last meeting PC Maghdour has been selected for a different role on the division. However all efforts will be made to support the local PCSO’s whilst a replacement Beat Officer is being recruited.

Crime Figures for the past three months were reported has being:

Residential Burglaries – 8

Commercial Burglaries – 2

Robbery – 1

Vehicle Crime – 20

Public Order (often resulting from anti-social behaviour) – 30

Shoplifting – 8

A breakdown of offences was then related:

-       Residential Burglary  – 3 in Syke, 1 Thrum Hall, 1 Cronkeyshaw  2 Shawclough. Various methods of entry used - smashed window, removed lock, false identification.

-       Vehicle Crime – Main areas are Syke, Shawclough and Fallowfield Drive. Number plates have been stolen, vehicle entry and some vehicles have been stolen by unknown methods.

-       Public Order – Anti-Social Behaviour (including neighbour disputes) -Thrum Hall, Syke Area and Whitworth Road.

-       Shoplifting – Hot spot is Tesco’s on Whitworth Road.

GMP then provided an overview of practices / initiatives that had been put in place to deal with incidents.

Burglary / Robbery / Vehicle Crime –

• Neighbourhood Task Force (NTF) set up to improve response to and bring more offenders to justice for burglary offences. Now expanded to include robbery and vehicle crime

• Every burglary, robbery and vehicle crime will have a PCSO attend to conduct enquiries to maximise potential of bringing those responsible to justice

• NTF and Neighbourhood Officers have increased patrols in hot spot areas and are encouraged to increase the amount of stop searches  carried out to try and disrupt offenders

• Operation Valiant –  Provides additional patrols from other teams to crime hot spot.

• Targeting Offenders –  Many convictions have resulted from this initiative over the past six months

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• NTF continue to review old crimes to gather evidence.

• Our offender management team work closely with the Neighbourhood Team to advise when offenders are to be released from prison, where they are being released to and any licence conditions that apply. This information helps the team to disrupt these individuals as much as possible and also point them in the right direction if they want to get help to change their ways.

Anti-Social Behaviour –

• Neighbourhood staff have ASB patrol plans which are adhered to as much as possible.

• Operation Dragster was set up by volunteers in the Norden / Spotland Area with local and Lancashire Police has now been extended to cover the Syke moorland areas. Operations have been undertaken since the last forum

• Youths identified for causing ASB can result in School Education Officers intervening which could result in referrals to our Youth Offending Team to divert them away from such activities

• Operation Valiant incorporates drug dealing hot spots to increase stop searches

It is planned to deploy the mobile police station at ASB hot spot locations around the Rochdale North  ...  view the full minutes text for item 278.

Residents raised the following issues:

1.    The areas on the Common that Cadent had undertaken work requires attention.

2.    The forum was advised that Cadent have not replaced the tree near to the road with no name.

3.    It was commented that the pontoon in Syke pond is loose. However it was acknowledged that the local ranger had been looking at this prior to the forum.

4.    It was commented that whips had been planted recently on the Common, however a number had been damaged as a result of Environmental Management mowing the area.

5.    It was commented that the fencing just past the cattle grid was an eyesore and required attention.

6.    Fly posting is becoming a problem in the area.

7.    A cable close to the bowling club / Binns Nook Road needs removing.

8.    Water is leaking onto the footpath from a property on Shawclough Road.  

9.    A cable attached to lighting column 20 needs removing as it is a potential trip hazard.

10.Is it possible to amend the funding application form to include a request that additional information is provided in connection with the funding sources of projects.

11.Lighting column 31 on Syke Road is constantly on.

12.A resident raised concerns about the investigation / evaluation Environmental Management are undertaking in connection with the use of cut or planted Christmas trees at Healey triangle and the lack of updates provided.

The Township Officer explained that Environmental Management had informed him that the exercise was almost complete.

Following discussion the forum agreed to wait until the service had completed the exercise before reviewing the situation.

13.An update on the faulty barrels of the locks on the noticeboard at Shawclough was requested.

The forum was informed that the supplier of the noticeboard would be visiting the site next week.

14.A debate took place concerning the cost of the installation of flags at Shawclough noticeboard and if this represented value for money.

The Forum was informed that the project costs £710 with labour costs accounting for £465.

Following discussion it was agreed that investigating this further would serve no practical use at this stage as the work had been completed and would not result in a meaningful use of time and resources. However it was agreed that future funding applications presented to the forum should be evaluated thoroughly.

Representatives from Walton Angling Society attended the Area Forum to explain to residents why an application has been submitted to the Council to install a fence at Syke Fishing Lodge.

It was explained to the Forum that the Society is the leaseholder of the area in question and is therefore responsible for maintenance and health and safety related issues on the land. To support this the Society has maintained and developed the area by securing funding from a variety of sources for a range of initiatives over the years.

It was explained however that the area and anglers had experienced numerous anti-social behaviour incidents. These incidents included verbal abuse, criminal damage, fish being stolen, air rifle incidents, trespass and drink and drug related anti-social behaviour.

It was explained that the fence would be approximately 50 metres in length and 1.9m in height. The fence would be sited at the end of the lake which abuts the circular walk at Syke Woods. It was further explained that gates would also be installed at either end of the fence and keys could be made available. 

Residents were also informed that no planning permission is required, no rights of way are being affected and the Angling Society are self-financing this project.

It was also explained that fishing as a past time help’s users with their health and mental health.

The Society has also been reluctant to hold open days because of health and safety fears.

The Society accepted that the Environment Agency should take more of a lead in ensuring safety in the area, however the Agency is underfunded. As a consequence the Society has decided to act.

In response to this forum members made the following points:

-          Challenged the validity of the view that anti-social behaviour was as problematical as described.

-          The installation of a fence would diminish this key asset.

-          Commented that very few anglers use the site.

-          The fishing lodges and Syke Woods are registered as a site of biological importance. The installation of a fence would bring into disrepute this classification.

-          Government Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation states that it should normally allow freedom of access to all land and water of natural beauty, amenity or recreational value.

-          In response to a question it was explained that the fence would be open in construction and would not create an obstruction.

-          There is a contradiction saying that the fence will prevent access by youths but won’t affect access by wildlife such as deer who roam the area.

-          In response to a question it was commented that the farmer in the area is supportive of this proposal.

-          In response to a question it was explained that the leaseholder had approached the Council to gain support.

-          The fence should not be allowed because the public has had access to the whole site since 1993.

-          In response to a question it was explained that no night fishing is allowed.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 280.

The Chair of the Friends Group provided the following updates:

1.    Whips had been planted around the Common, however many had been damaged due to Environmental Management mowing the area.

2.    The herb garden has recently been planted up.

3.    Plans are in place to upgrade the History Garden, at the south end of Syke Road.

4.    Consideration is being given to reinstate Limersgate (historical Pack Horse Trail).

5.    Tree, flowers and shrub planting will be undertaken in the future.

6.    Consideration is being given to identifying areas on the Common that can be mowed less frequently.

7.    Although discussions have taken place about reducing the footprint of FOSAC it has been agreed to continue with the existing area for the present time.

8.    The constitution of FOSAC has been amemded.

9.    Discussions are planned with the Council regarding conservation area status.

10.The Common’s management plan requires reviewing to encompass the role of FOSAC.

This item was withdrawn.

The minutes of the Area Forum meeting held on Thursday 3 February 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Councillor Wazir informed the Forum of the following issues:

1.    Highway maintenance services has been brought back in-house. It is hoped this will result in greater efficiency and effectiveness.

2.    The work on the Town Hall is ongoing and on schedule.

3.    In response to a question it was explained that trees at St Chads Church had been cut down because they had become dangerous because of a collapsed channel. However they will be replaced. It is also intended to replace every tree removed from behind the Town Hall with two newly planted ones.

4.    A resident asked what would happen to the local archives and study facilities at Touchstones during and following redevelopment. This would be investigated.

The next meeting of the Forum will take place on Thursday 15 September 2022 at Thrum Hall Methodist Church, commencing 6.30pm.