The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and reminded members of the need to adhere to the code of conduct for the duration of the meeting.

Apologies had been received from Councillors O’Neill and Wazir and one member of the public.

John Kennedy was appointed Vice Chair

Ben Greenwood was added to the Area Forum Sub-Group.

Other members of the Sub-Group are:

Pam Hodgkinson (Chair), John Kennedy (Vice Chair), Councillors Ayrton, O’Neill, Wazir, Jim Murphy, Neil Dixon, Donald Barnett, Richard Lord. And Sheila Acton.

It was explained that the focus of GMP’s neighbourhood policing going forward will be on enforcement and increasing the number of arrests made. GMP will be targeting drug dealing hot spot areas with stop search tactics and will be obtaining warrants wherever possible acting on informationlocal community.

Crime figures for the Ward for the last three months were reported as follows:

Burglary Residential - 16 (8 previous three months) – 8 were in Syke and Fieldhouse, 5 Healey, 3 Shawclough

Commercial burglaries – 2 (2 previous three months) – 1 in Shawclough / 1 Healey and Syke

Robbery - 2(1 previous three months) – Syke & Shawclough

Vehicle Crime – 23 (20 previous three months) – Syke and Shawclough were the hot spots

Public Order (ASB) – 39 (30 previous three months) Majority in the Syke area

Shoplifting – 13 (8 previous three months) – All Syke Area

Since the last forum it was reported that:

One male has been arrested having been found inside a cannabis farm on Shawclough Way. Intelligence for this arrest was community led. The individual arrested for this offence has been charged and remanded to court for cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity

Two prolific burglars have been recalled to prison after being identified shoplifting at Tesco Express

A Male who was having his home invaded on Whitworth Road, near to Gale Street was re housed by the housing provider. This has led to a reduction in incidents in the area

A motor bike was seized on Syke Moor land after a young male made off from police and abandoned it

Operation Dragster which focusses on off-road bikes across the moorland from Norden to Whitworth recently chased off a group of 10 bikers.

A young person has identified as causing anti-social behaviour near the Post Office on Gale Street. GMP are liaising with the Community Safety Team to invite her in for an Acceptable Behaviour Contract meeting once sufficient evidence has been secured.

A week of action in July focussed on Healey, Shawclough and Syke with hot spots areas being patrolled. One person was arrested for speeding.

Anti-social behaviour still seems to be a problem around Gale Street.

Tesco continues to be targeted for shoplifting offences

GMP have seen an increase in people riding dangerously on electric motor bikes.

Residents were encouraged to report drug dealing via 101, the live chat or the online reporting portal. This information is crucial in identifying hot spot areas and can provide a link to the bigger picture of organised crime.

The following issues were raised:

A resident reported that she had recently experienced a car burglary which had been reported to GMP. However no one from GMP had responded to the report and the resident has been informed that the case is now closed.

In response GMP apologised for this and asked that the resident speak to them in private. The forum was also informed that burglary is now being treated as a priority and procedures around these type  ...  view the full minutes text for item 288.

A group of residents from Fallowfield Drive attended the meeting to highlight the problems they are experiencing in the locality on a regular basis.

In brief it was explained that supported living accommodation had been established in the area by a private care provider. This has resulted in numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the property many of which have resulted in police attendance.

It was explained that incidents are impacting negatively on the neighbourhood and some residents are fearful of what will happen next.

It was also commented that Building Control and Planning Enforcement had been contacted to enquire if correct procedures had been followed in connection with the extensive alterations that had been made to the property and change of use for the premises.

Although it was explained that these concerns had been brought to the relevant authorities, including Ward Councillors recently it was agreed to forward the information provided to the appropriate service.

A resident raised the following issues:

Lack of enforcement of the one hour parking restriction outside the shops on Shawclough Road.

Can consideration be given to introducing double yellow lines on Shawclough Road opposite Harridgebank. Double yellow lines are currently on one side of the road in this vicinity, however cars are parking on the opposite side which is causing passing problems.

Over hanging trees/bushes, etc at the following locations:

Left hand footpaths on Shawclough Road/ Falinge Road going towards Rochdale.

Properties at 4 and 6 Shawclough Road.

Former Nursing Home, just after Bentmeadows

Falinge Park opposite Chaseley Road

A resident praised the two events that had recently been organised at Falinge Park.

It was asked if the action/update sheet could be reintroduced. This was agreed.

A resident submitted questions concerning …

Concerns were raised about speeding on Shawclough Road/Falinge Road.

Firework incidents were reported.

A resident reported that a car had been parked on Shawclough Way for a considerable amount of time. It is thought the vehicle is neither taxed or MOT’d.

In response to a question the forum was advised that Environmental Management had undertaken a review into the advantages / disadvantages of installing real or cut Christmas trees at the requests of Healey Forum.

Although the investigation had not been formalised it was understood that the service agreed that from an ecological, environmental and financial perspective the installation of a real tree would be beneficial. However these benefits would only be accrued long term, for example a tree could take 10-15 to become established.

As a consequence of this the Forum was asked if it wanted to continue with the installation of a cut tree for the time being. It was reported that Environmental Management had quoted £2099.95 for the purchase, installation and removal of the tree. Ward Councillors had agreed to contribute £1500 (£500x3) from their Members Funds. It was agreed that the shortfall (£599.95) could be sourced from Ward Funds.

It was also explained that no progress had been made with the defibrillator  ...  view the full minutes text for item 289.

The Chair of FOSAC provided the following update:

Briefly explained that FOSCA was concerned with………

An herb garden has recently been established on the Common.

Work on the historic garden is ongoing.

Funding has been received for the planting of additional trees on the Common.

Funding has been received for the planting of bulbs near to Joy Street.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the upgrading of footpaths around Syke Woods.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the establishment of a wildflower meadow on Greenbank Road.

Plans to identify Limersgate footpath are ongoing.

It was reported that Conservation Area status for the Syke Area is progressing. It is hoped that the appraisal document will be available mid-October with a report going to Rochdale North Township later the same month.

In response to a question the Ward Councillor present stated that the Ward Councillors were in support of this application.

The minutes of the Area Forum meeting held on Thursday 26 May 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Matters arising included:

The pontoons in Syke Pond still require attention.

Trees/ Bushes along Syke Road require cutting back.

The following issues were reported:

In Bloom judging took place in August.

A fly tipping working group has been established.

Residents were reminded of the Free Bulky Waste Collection Service.

The public footpath that runs from …. has been cleared.

The Town Hall slopes are being improved with planting taking place.

It was explained that no decision had been made regarding the relocation of the local studies facility at Touchstones.

Two issues of any other business were raised.

A resident asked the Ward Councillor present what the approach of Healey Ward Councillors is in connection with Spodden Park (formerly TBA).

The Township Officer suggested that Ward Councillors should be made aware of the Council’s response to the request to set up a TBA Working Group before commenting.

A resident commented that the introduction of gates to inhibit off-road bikes entrance to Rooley Moor seem to be having the desired outcome. It was also stated that there are plans to extend this project to parts of Milnrow and Wardle.

It was suggested that this issue be included on the next Area Forum agenda with the view to establishing a working group.