The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded members of the need to adhere to the code of conduct for the duration of the meeting. Officers and Councillors introduced themselves.

Apologies had been received from the Chair of the forum and two members of the public.

GMP provided the following information:

Burglary dwelling 

-       11 recorded incidents since November.

-       Of the above 7 were in Shawclough, 2 in Healey and 2 in Syke

-       Various methods of entry used

-       Increase in burglaries across the district where Asian households have been targeted for their gold. However this has reduced significantly over the last 10 days.

-       Several burglary operations undertaken in lead up to Christmas which resulted in the majority of high risk burglars in custody over the Christmas period. This resulted in figures for burglaries leading up to the Christmas period 2022 seeing a reduction when compared to the same period for 2021.

Vehicle Crime

-       Significant reduction in incidents of this nature compared to same time last year

Shoplifting

-       Tesco Express on Whitworth Road is a hot spot.

Public Order

-       Significant reduction since last period (56 down to 38)

-       Several anti-social behaviour operations undertaken, Dispersal Orders actioned and joint working carried out with schools and Youth Offending Teams to identify and divert children becoming involved in public order offences.

Other Issues

-       Continuing to increase proactive work.

-       Several warrants across Rochdale North actioned which caused serious disruption to cannabis supply in the area. Cannabis has been seized and destroyed.

-       Police surgeries have been organised at hot spot areas across the district. Future surgery dates are:

Monday 13 February – 1700-1830hours – Tesco Express – Whitworth Road

Sunday 12 March – 1300 – 1500hours – Syke Common

Residents commented as follows:

In response to a question GMP informed the forum that the district does not have a dedicated Neighbourhood Beat Officer. In response a resident repeated his request for Ward Councillors to meet with the Divisional Commander to discuss this issue.

     It was asked if GMP could produce a chart for future meetings which plotted

     incidents on a map of the Ward.

     A resident asked if GMP were providing information onto the national emap

     system. This would be investigated.

     GMP were informed that Healey Surgery Car Park and Turnpike Close are

     anti-social behaviour hot spots.

Residents raised the following issues:

-       The limb of a tree near to 74 Mizzy Road requires attention.

-       There are six Christmas trees at the collection point on Bentley Street

-       A no left turn sign has been requested near to the pelican crossing at the junction of Taylor Street / Whitworth Street.

-       Soil has been dumped on Council land adjacent to Foxglove Court

-       Fly tipping problems still exist at Tulip Grove.

-       A resident raised concerns that plans to present  the Syke Conservation Area Appraisal report at Committee have not happened and that attempts should be made to have this item on Rochdale North’s Committee Agenda in March.

It was explained that the Conservation Officer had recently gone on maternity leave and that a recruitment process was in operation. The Township Officer agreed to investigate this further,

-       A resident asked what is happening to the TBA site.

In response it was explained that more would be known once a planning application had been submitted.

It was also asked if more information could be obtained about why the Council has determined that the site does not meet the definition of contaminated land. A response will be requested.

-       A number of residents attended the forum to raise concerns about the noise being caused by a business in the area. Residents explained that a generator being used by the business is causing most concern although other operational activities carried out by the organisation result in excessive noise. It was also alleged that the business has contravened planning permission. Parking problems in the locality were also highlighted.

A representative from the business challenged these views and the Township Officer explained that Environmental Health has investigated the complaints which were not substantiated from a legal perspective. In addition it was believed that the generator would not be in operation in the coming weeks.

The Township Officer agreed to arrange a site visit which would be followed with a meeting with residents.

-       In response to concerns raised about sheep roaming free on the highway in the area Councillor Ayrton asked residents to contact her if incidents of this nature occur again and she will contact the farmer.

-       Residents from Fallowfield Drive attended the meeting expecting an update on the concerns they have raised about incidents emanating from and around the supported living accommodation in the area. Due to a misunderstanding an update was not provided.

Residents reiterated the views that from a Community Safety perspective there is no improvement in the area and that drug use and deals are occurring within the community.

Residents were also critical of the response from Children’s Services which is regarded as inadequate

It was also commented that although the response from Planning has been slow some progress has been made.

Councillor Ayrton commented that she had been working in conjunction with the Children’s Services Portfolio Holder at Rochdale Council. It was also commented that Rochdale’s MP has been made aware of this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 306.

The minutes of the area forum meeting held on Thursday 10 November 2022 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair of FOSAC provided the following information.

-       Bulb planting carried out on Fieldhouse Road and is planned near Syke Base.

-       Trees are to planted near to Syke Pond.

-       Looking to agree which parts of the common should be mowed / unmowed,

-       Discussions are ongoing in connection with the re-marking of Limersgate (Pack Horse Trail)

-       A litter picking event will be taking place on the 4 February. Anyone interested should meet on Greenbank Road, near to the school at 10am.

-       The next meeting of FOSAC has been organised for 22 February, commencing 1pm at Syke Base.

Councillors O’Neill and Wazir joined the meeting during this item.

The Township Officer explained that Ward funds had been committed for 2022/23 and that allocations for 2023/24 would possibly be in place by June 2023.

It was also explained that the projects referred to in minute 301 of the previous meeting are progressing – footpath and drainage at Coptrod Meadows, community noticeboard on Cronkeyshaw Common, grit bin on One Ash Drive/Ashmount Drive, kissing gate at Bentmeadows.

Ward Councillors informed the forum of the following:

-       The local studies section at Touchstones will be relocated to Number One Riverside whilst the redevelopment is carried out.

-       The pedestrian crossing on Heights Lane is progressing.

-       The gritting operation at Princess Street has recently been viewed.

-       A grit bin has been requested for Harling Close.

It was also explained that the cost of a grit bin (£1050) includes purchase, installation and 25 refills. Although the filling process is done in a planned and structured way it is important to report when grit bins are empty.

The next meeting will take place in May/June 2023.