All were welcomed to the meeting and apologies were noted.  Attention was drawn to the code of conduct, a summary of which was read out.  All attendees were asked to abide by the code for the duration of the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and the followingupdates were provided.

Croxton Avenue No HGVs signage
A request for signage at the bottom of Croxton Avenue to state ‘No HGVs’ is still not installed.
Action 1: This sign has been on order with the Council’s Highways Department and Townships will chase this matter up again.

Weston Avenue speeding vehicles
Residents reported that vehicles are regularly speeding on the approach to Broad Lane from both Weston Avenue and Stiups Lane.  Townships have escalated the matter with GMP who carried out a speed operation on Broad Lane.

Croxton Avenue – Truck parked on corner causing visibility issues
A resident requested GMP speak to the driver of a delivery truck regularly parked on the corner of Croxton Avenue/Higher Wheat Lane causing an obstruction.  Townships raised the matter with GMP and residents reported the issue is now resolved.

Street lighting issues
Residents advised street lights were continually switched on at Higher Wheat End and also on Tollgate Way and also a street light on Elder Street was out.  Townships contacted the Street Lighting Department who have now resolved all matters.

Royds Street - Refuse bins and rubbish issues
It was previously reported that refuse bins and rubbish are being left out regularly between 101-113 Royds Street.  Environmental Management inspected and cleared the area of concern.

Sandfield Road and Moss Mill Street – Contaminated bins and infestation of alleyway
Residents previously reported issues concerning contaminated bins and evidence of rats and syringes in the alleyway.  Environmental Management inspected and cleared the area of concern.

Woodbine Street/Oldham Road (near Wellfield Surgery) - cars parking on double yellow lines
It was requested previously at the forum that this complaint be raised with Parking Services for enforcement action.  Parking Services confirmed that parking contravention notices are regularly issued in the area and CEO’s do patrol on a regular basis.

Oldham Road/Broad Lane/Albert Royds Street speeding
Residents advised speeding had again been witnessed on Oldham Road/Broad Lane areas.  It had also been witnessed on Albert Royds Street and a question posed regarding the traffic light cameras and who controls them.  Townships escalated the matter with GMP who carried out a speed operation on Broad Lane and they advised residents at the forum that the overall control of all safety cameras in the Rochdale Borough is the responsibility of Drive Safe, the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership.

Community Speed Watch request on Milnrow Road
A resident requested a community speed watch operation is carried out by GMP and residents to assess the speeding on Milnrow Road.  GMP advised they will consider this request and they are currently in the process of setting up the ‘Newbold Partners Meeting’ whereby the matter can be discussed along with other areas of concern.

Royds Street West littering in alleyway
Rubbish was reported in the alleyway to the rear of Royds Street West and around a bin.  Environmental Management inspected and cleared the area.

Woodbine Street East Car Park drug dealing
Concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Sgt. Walsh gave the update and he apologised for not being able to produce the crime statistical figures for the ward due to the new Police computer systems still experiencing problems.

He stated that residential burglaries had recently occurred around the Buersil area and they were still experiencing reports of beggars at Morrison’s to which GMP advised they were providing as much help and support as they could deliver to all affected parties concerned.

Councillors and residents raised other matters regarding anti-social behaviour noted within the ward to which GMP stated they would visit the areas concerned and monitor accordingly.  GMP advised residents to always note as much as possible when witnessing any instances of drug dealing, ie descriptions of people involved and car registrations and ring 101 or use the live chat facility on GMP’s website.

Other queries raised were driving the wrong way on Prince Street, to which GMP advised officers would up patrols in the area, and also the indiscriminate parking encountered on Milnrow Road (and the adjacent side streets) causing visibility issues for drivers.  GMP advised an officer will liaise with the Council’s Parking Services Department to see if any more steps can be taken to address the issue.

Kingsway Ward and Members Funds are now fully spent as the Council reaches the close of the current financial year.  New funding streams will become available late June 2020 after being agreed at the first Township Committee which occurs after the local elections in May 2020.

Burchall Field – Missing fencing
Councillor Ali raised the issue of open fencing at Burchall Field again stating the area is attracting criminal activities to be carried out on the land, ie drug dealing.
Action 2: Townships to raise the matter with the Council’s Estates Department to see if they can get involved in tackling the private owners of the land in question.

Council website – Inaccessible pages
A resident requested a complaint is raised with the Council’s IT Department as the Council’s website, in particular Council Tax section, is inaccessible.
Action 3: Townships to raise the matter with the Council’s IT Department.

Milnrow Road and Wood Street - bollards removed
A resident raised a query about bollards which had been previously sited at this junction and they had been removed in order to allow works access when development was taking place at Wood Street.  These bollards have not been put back and as a result an increase to the level of heavy traffic has been noted.  The request was could they be reinstated?  The Ward Fund has been spent for this financial year with new funds available towards the end of June 2020.

Road surface issues – Micro asphalt
Residents raised concerns about the use of this type of road surfacing stating that it is not good enough as it is ineffective over long periods of time and causes a lot of surface grit to gather on the pavements.

Woodlands View sinkhole
Ward Councillors updated the forum that residents affected by the recent ‘sinkhole’ situation at Woodlands View are being supported by the Council’s Highway Department and they are being updated continually on any support available to them.  The hole has now been stabilised and it should not deteriorate any further.  The Council’s contractor will now be removing as much equipment as possible away and will securely fence the location.  The site will be regularly monitored by the contractor and all affected parties kept up to date.

Robinson’s Common – Section 106 monies
Councillor Ali advised that an amount of Section 106 monies has now been released and it will be used to install a children’s play area at Robinson’s Common.

Bulky Waste Amnesty
Ward Councillors have used Township Funds to pay for a bulky waste amnesty for the Kingsway ward.  Leaflets have been distributed and three dates are available to book on a first come, first served basis on the Council’s website using the link www.rochdale.gov.uk/bulkyamnesty.

Monday 8 June 2020 at 6.30pm
Newbold Baptist Church, Milnrow Road, Rochdale