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 two members of the public.

GMP provided the following incident figures.

Residential Burglary 12

It was explained that all burglaries result in a visit by an officer and Scenes of Crime review all incidents.

Due to an increase in burglaries additional nightly patrols were put in place which has resulted in a number of arrests being made.

Commercial Burglary 1

Robbery 2

Vehicle Crime 21

Public Order 58

Anti-Social Behaviour hot spots are recognised as Gale Street, Newark Street, Whitworth Road and Syke Road. Issues of this nature have been exacerbated recently due to Halloween and Bonfire events.

A dispersal order was recently put in place which enabled GMP to move on any groups of youths.

Shoplifting 18

The majority of these incidents have been at Tesco Express. A prolific offender has been arrested and is currently in custody.

A brief overview was provided of the joint operation (Operation Dragster) that is undertaken periodically to deter off-road bikers using Rooley Moor.

In response to questions GMP advised that intelligence regarding off-road bikers is communicated by residents usually via the Whats App group that has been established for this particular nuisance. It was also explained that Rooley Moor has a lengthy history of suffering from this nuisance which has resulted in the area becoming a focus of attention in recent years.

GMP also stated they would support the setting up a volunteer group in the Syke Area to combat this problem if one was established. It was added that this would support and complement other groups that have been established to combat this problem.

A resident commented that she believed the incidence of drug dealing on Syke Road had decreased. GMP acknowledged that this could be down to a change of emphasis in the force that has seen stop searches becoming more commonplace.

A Councillor asked if the contact details of Ward Councillors could be put on GMP’s newsletter. It was also asked if Police Surgery’s in the Ward could be reinstated.

A resident raised concerns about speeding on Whitworth Road.

GMP were made aware of an individual with a gun who was shooting into the bushes close to Ironwaters. It was advised that any issues of this nature should be reported.

In response to a question GMP advised that no progress had been made with the recruitment of a PC for the Ward.

Residents raised the following issues:

1.    The Chair suggested that a note be sent on behalf of the forum to Sheila Acton congratulating her on the recent Freedom of the Borough award she had received.

This was agreed.

2.    A resident from Fallowfield Drive provided an overview of anti-social behaviour incidents that had occurred in the locality and stressed that action was required to address the problems being experienced.

In response it was commented that a meeting had been arranged for Thursday 24 November at 4.30pm at Syke Community Base with stakeholders.

Although residents welcomed this it was commented that it was crucial that a Planning representative attend this meeting.

3.    A resident informed the forum that the current owners of Spodden Park (formerly TBA site) had proposals to build 500 houses on the site.

A discussion followed which included comments in connection with the history of the site, the owners’ plans, previous air sampling investigations that had been undertaken on the site and the fact that no planning application had been submitted.

It was also asked why the site has not been determined as contaminated land.

The Head of Public Protection was also invited to a future meeting of the forum to provide an update.

4.    Fly tipping was reported on Tulip Grove and Paton Street.

5.    A resident commented that he felt that the current process in place whereby a non-response from sub group members in relation to funding applications are counted as supporting the request is undemocratic.

A discussion took place, however no changes to the current system were agreed.

6.    It was reported that lamp post number 21 on Shawclough Way is constantly on.

7.    A resident raised concerns about the annual installation of a cut Christmas tree at Healey triangle and the costs that this incurs. It was commented that it may be more cost effective to introduce a real tree in the area.

Ward Councillors agreed to investigate this further.

8.    A discussion took place regarding concerns that had been raised about cars parking on Shawclough Road (close to Harriagebank). It was explained that this was causing significant problems as the road is busy, the highway in question is quite narrow and many lorries’ frequent the area.

Options put forward to mitigate the problems being experienced included; double yellow lines, speed cameras.

Nothing was agreed as to how this issue could be progressed.

9.    A resident highlighted that littering and fly tipping was problematic in the Brookdale area.

Residents were encouraged to report issues of this nature.

10.A resident congratulated the organisers of the recent Halloween and bonfire events at Falinge Park.

11.A discussion took place concerning littering and fly tipping in the Ironwaters area. It was explained that a bin could not be sited in this area as it is not Council land. However it was agreed to re-visit this issue.

12.A resident commented that some of the paths on Syke Common suffer from flooding and additional lighting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 297.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16 August 2022 were approved as a correct record.

It was explained that the Conservation Area report will now be going to Rochdale North Township Committee in January and not October as stated in the minutes.

An update sheet for the actions raised at the previous area forum meeting had been circulated prior to the meeting.

It was mentioned that the bushes identified on the above update sheet had not been cut back.

The Chair of FOSAC provided the following update.

1.    FOSAC had recently been awarded ‘It’s your neighbourhood’ In Bloom award.

2   A plan will be produced to identify the areas on the Common that should / should not be mowed.

3.    A meeting has taken place with Spodden Valley Revealled to discuss the re-instatement of Limersgate (Pack Horse Trail).

4.    A bulb planting exercise will take place on the 24^th November.

5.    It is planned to plant whips and more established trees during November / December in line with the Common’s Management Plan.

6.    Regular litter picks will be organised going forward.

7.    A telecommunications mast proposal near to the road with no name has been received by residents. FOSAC and residents have contacted the organisation concerned to object to this plan.

8.    Christmas lights switch on – 17^th November at 6pm.

A resident asked if members were willing to set up a sub-group of the forum to support the work of other groups in the locality in their attempts to deter off-road bikers visiting Rooley Moor.

Following discussion it was suggested that this issue be raised again at the forum meeting in February 2023.

It was explained that due to a funding application being de-committed by Rochdale North Township additional funds (£2715) had been transferred into Healey Ward Funds. The amount in Ward Funds totals £9475.05.

The following funding applications were considered:

1.    An application had been received from Environmental Management to improve the footpath and drainage at Coptrod Meadows. It was explained that this scheme would cost £29864 and that a number of funding streams, including Healey Ward Funds would be approached to support this application. Ward Councillors had agreed to contribute £1550 (£500x3) to support this application. It was agreed to allocate £1500 from Ward funds to this project.

2.    A request had been made to install a community noticeboard on Cronkeyshaw Common close to the junction of Mizzy Road and Heights Lane. It was explained that no costings had been received for this application at the present time. However it was suggested that £4000 be taken as an estimate at this stage. Funding was agreed.

3.    A grit bin had been requested in the vicinity of One Ash Drive / Ashmount Drive. It was explained that a grit bin would cost £1050. Funding was agreed.

4.    It was explained that a request had been made for the installation of a kissing gate on Bentmeadows. It was explained that no costings had been received for this application.  However it was suggested that £3500 be taken as an estimate at this stage. Funding was agreed.

Members were informed that should there be any need to circulate further information in connection with the above schemes this would be done via the forums sub-group.

The following issues were raised:

The fence at Walton Angling Club will not be installed.

Dell Road has been re-opened.

Healey triangle has recently been tidied up. Residents were informed that a brief ceremony will be held on site tomorrow for Armistace Day.

The Highways contract has been taken back in-house. The service appears to be working more effectively.

Various sites across Rochdale (Number One Riverside / Community Centres) can be used by residents to off-set costs during the cost of living crisis.

A foodbank is in operation at Syke Base.

Members were informed of the Rochdale walk to Pakistan Charity.

In response to a question it was confirmed that Your Trust will be contacted to enquire if any decisions had been made concerning the siting of the local studies section at Touchstones.

2 February 2023 at Thrum Hall Methodist Church, commencing 6.30pm.