All were welcomed to the meeting and introductions made.

Forum members were made aware of the Code of Conduct and Terms of Reference of the Area Forum.

PC’s Marvell, Giblin and Butterwoth attended the meeting for this item

GMP presented crime statistics for the Ward. The figures given were in comparison to last year.

Links to these statistics can be found below.

GMP crime statistics - Healey Shawclough Syke.pdf (rochdale.gov.uk)

GMP incidents statistics - Healey Shawclough Syke.pdf (rochdale.gov.uk)

Recent operations undertaken:

·         Operation Dragster aimed to target the problem of off-road biking in Rochdale. This initiative resulted in seizures of stolen bikes and a youth being referred to the Youth Offending Team.

·         A plain clothes operation specifically targeting the Syke Areaa following a rise in the number of burglaries occurring. Although no offenders were caught during this operation the initiative assisted with intelligence gathering and also helped with raising the visibility of GMP locally.

·         Increased number of Stop and Searches.

GMP plans going forward for the area include:

·         Continue with Operation Dragster

·         A more visible police presence in Healey, Syke and Shawclough.

·         Develop positive community relations.

·         Introduce surgeries.

·         Continue plain clothes operation in Healey

The following issues were raised:

·         Concerns over drug dealing and suspicious vehicles in the vicinity of Brookdale and Crawshaw Drive.

In response GMP advised that issues of this nature should be reported via 101 or Crimestoppers. Targeted operations could be set up if intelligence demonstrates this particular problem in an area.

·         Although a meeting had been arranged (14 Deember 2023) with GMP to discuss officer resource levels in the Ward residents expressed concerns that it had taken a long time to arrange a meeting and that the number of Officers covering the Ward had been reduced for some time.

As a consequence of these feelings Councillor Ayrton agreed to write to Tony Lloyd MP regarding this matter.

·         Concerns that residents that had suffered from burglary did not receive adequate support following incidents of this nature.

It was accepted that victims of burglaries should be visited, although it was acknowledged that visits may not happen on every occasion.

The Community Safety Officer commented that he would bring some crime prevention information and material to the next meeting. The Crime Prevention Officer can also be contacted on Charles.Cordingley@rochdale.gov.uk

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

The following updates were provided

Falinge Park Overhanging Trees

Although it was reported that the trees had been cut back a resident commented that the work undertaken was poor and that they still represented a hazard for the public. It was agreed to report this.

Buckley Wood / Walton Angling Club

No progress to report. It is understood that the ain of the Council is to remove the fencing, however this issue is now with the respective legal representatives.

Knowsley Street Junction

Ongoing

Taylor Street No-Entry Sign

Highways investigating potential options

Bentley Street / Taylor Street 20mph Signs

Signs reinstalled

Falinge Park High School Parking

All schools are patrolled. Parking Services does not have the resources to patrol all schools all of the time. Consideration could be given to introduce more restrictions and / or educate parents visiting the location.

The Head and Teachers are aware of the problem.

Falinge Park Path Flooding.

Gullies in the vicinity have been cleaned.

Dell Side Way / Dell Road Cut Through

The area has been cleared

Matters arising included

Fallowfield Drive / Shawclough Road – Extension of Waiting Restrictions

A resident expressed his frustration at the length of time it has taken to implement the above.

Councillor Wazir agreed to obtain a timeline in relation to this project.

Fallowfield  Drive / CFS Care

A resident raised concerns about the lack of progress on this matter. It was explained that the issue is with Planning and an update is awaited.

The Township Officer agreed to contact the respective Planning Officer for an update.

TBA

In response to a question The Township Officer stated he had recently requested an update from Public Protection regarding this matter. Once received the updated would be circulated.

Residents raised the following issues:

It’s All In The Image – Turnpike Close

Residents who reside in the proximity of the above business raised concerns in relation to a number of operational issues at the site which had been ongoing for some time. It was also commented that the kitchen manufacturer had not

actioned a number of operational practices that was agreed at a meeting with residents and Councillors recently.

The Forum was reminded that the business is currently in the process of submitting a retrospective planning application and any comments of support or objection should be directed via the planning process.

Some residents argued that they were not aware of the planning application, as in their opinion it had not been advertised widely enough.

In response to a question it was advised that reference to all the communications against and in support of the retrospective planning application will be included in the report that accompanies the application at Committee.

Following a lengthy debate on this matter Councillor O’Neill stated that subject to the agreement of the Planning Committee Chair he would call this matter in which meant the application would be presented to the Committee. Councillor ONeill also stated that although he was agreeing to do this he would approach the matter with an open mind.

Resident from Dell Side Way

A resident from Dell Side Way had submitted, prior to the meeting reference to three issues he had asked to be raised. Two had been discussed earlier in the meeting – Fallowfield Drive / Shawclough Road and It’s all in the Image.

The resident had also asked that the tree on the right hand side when you exit the estate requires cutting back. This would be reported to the Environmental Management.

Parking at Rochdale Railway Station

A resident raised concerns about the lack of provision of parking spaces in and around the above location.  He was advised that this issue should be raised elsewhere as the station is located in Milkstone and Deeplish Ward and Rochdale South. The Township Officer agreed to provide further details.

Shops on Shawclough Road

A resident asked if Ward Councillors could visit the shop keepers on Shawclough Road .

Councillor Ayrton agreed to do this.

GMP Parking Enforcement Bay

A resident asked if the above bay could be removed from Shawclough Road. Residents were in general agreement that this is under utilised.

Councillor Wazir agreed to investigate this further.

The Chair of FOSAC provided a brief overview of the group, the projects completed and planned and encouraged others to join the group.

The Forum agreed that it was not necessary to set up a sub-group to progress this matter as Ward Councillors were already taking the initiative in overseeing this project.

It was explained that funding was still available and anyone with a project in mind should complete an application form.

Following a brief discussion is was agreed that the defibrillator project continue.

No time was remaining for this item, therefore Ward Councillors were asked to circulate information by email.

Thursday 15 February 2023, commencing 6.30pm at Thrum Hall Metodist Church.