All were welcomed to the meeting and introductions made. The Chair reminded forum members of the need to adhere to the code of conduct for the duration of the meeting.

The forum also agreed that the code of conduct be amended to include a reference to cultural differences and behaviour.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Rashid and Alex Whittaker (Highways)

The following information was provided by GMP:

·         The Forum was informed that configuration changes had resulted in the Neighbourhood Team not being responsible for the Town Centre and inheriting Spotland and Falinge Ward. These changes had also resulted in the team receiving two additional PCSO’s.

·         Numerous warrants, County Line investigations and speed operations had been undertaken in the Ward. All exercises had resulted in positive outcomes with arrests being made, traffic offence reports being actioned and substantial amounts of cash and drugs being seized.

·         Street Watch would not be supported although Neighbourhood Watch would. Work was underway to progress this.

Residents raised the following issues:

·         In response to a comment about a beggar in the Ward GMP advised that the individual had recently been taken to Court but was not prosecuted as Magistrates had taken the view that the individual was a victim rather than a perpetrator.

·         A resident commented on an incident whereby he had dialled 999 to report a burglary in progress that GMP did not respond to. In response GMP advised that call centre staff are usually very good at categorising calls, however on this occasion the procedure seems to have failed.

·         Operation Dark Nights is currently active which aims to promote safety during the Winter months.

·         A discussion took place regarding the recent graffiti incident at Rochdale Cenotaph. In general the Forum was of the opinion that charging the perpetrators, which would result in a criminal record for the young people, was disproportionate and education may been a more advantageous option.

·         A resident commented that he had recently provided photographic evidence to GMP regarding a theft at Asda but in his view GMP had responded poorly. It was commented that  under normal circumstances he should receive a visit from GMP.

·         In response to a question residents were reassured that GMP had not experienced a rise in Islamaphobia reports. This view had also been supported by feedback from local Mosques.

Forum members agreed to adopt the revised constituition.

The Forum was informed that the only traffic schemes in place as a consequence of the Active Neighbourhood initiative was a number of one-way traffic projects. It was explained that these schemes were introduced as part of an 18 month experimental Traffic Regulation Order and that a decision on the schemes continuing or being removed had to be made by summer 2024. It was also confirmed that any decision would have to be made by Rochdale South Township Committee.

A lengthy discussion followed concentrating on the Castlemere Street and Mere Street one-way schemes. Residents put forward arguments for and against the schemes. It was also acknowledged that two petitions had been received in relation to these initiatives, one in support and one objecting.

It was explained that residents that had comments about any of the current schemes could contact the Council with their views - traffic.orders@rochdale.gov.uk  

It was also possible that representations could be made at Committee at the time a decision is being made on the experimental Traffic Regulation Order.

The Township Officer agreed to inform contacts on the Milkstone and Deeplish Area Forum database when the experimental Traffic Regulation Order report was listed on the agenda.

Residents raised the following issues:

1.    A business owner stated that his business was suffering due to the introduction of the one-way system on Castlemere Street. He was advised to contact the Council – traffic.orders@rochdale.gov.uk

2.    A resident commented that the resurfacing of Bosworth Street was poor. This would be reported to Highways.

3.    Concerns were raised about pigeon dropping causing slippery surfaces in certain parts of the Ward. In response it was explained that work has been ongoing with Environmental Management to reduce this from happening.

4.    It was reported that the car park on Henry Street is being used as a workshop by the garages in the vicinity.

5.    In response to a comment it was acknowledged that Enforcement are dealing with the ongoing issues of abandoned vehicles and traders using the car park off Mere Street.

6.    A resident referred to the recent exercise which was undertaken to identify an alternative use for the redundant platforms at the railway station and why the Area Forum was not involved in this consultation. The Township Officer agreed to obtain an update on this.

7.    Dog fouling concerns were raised.

The minutes of the area forum meeting held on Monday 7 August 2023 were approved as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

Paragraph 221 add:

A resident also asked if the Council would be monitoring air quality following the introduction of the one-way system on Castlemere Street / Mere Street.

Updates given included:

1.    The garage issue reported on Lloyd Street is in the ownership of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and not the Council. The resident has been informed.

2.    Overt Street parking and speeding concerns have been reported to Highways

3.    The forum was informed that the basket swing on Stoneyfield Park had been removed because of vandalism. The Township Officer agreed to investigate when the swing would be replaced.

4.    Funding has been received to install CCTV at Stoneyfield Park.

Forum members were informed that a small amount of funding for projects in the Ward was still available.

Councillors present informed the Forum that they had been involved in the following issues over recent months:

Councillor Mohammed

-       Housing issues related to accommodation standards, private landlords and no fault evictions.

-       School admissions

-       Fly Tipping plan

-       Discussions with Transport for Greater Manchester concerning the R6/R7 bus service.

-       Working with the recently appointed Commercial Waste Officer.

-       Re-directed planters used during In Bloom

-       Obtained funding for CCTV in Stoneyfield Park

-       Various casework

-       Regular walkabouts

-       Attending surgeries

Councillor Arshad

-       Obtained funding for CCTV in Stoneyfield Park

-       Working with Environmental Management about replacing the fencing at Stoneyfield Park

-       Sparthbottom Road has been resurfaced

-       Various footways and carriageways in the Ward have been identified for improvement

-       Discussions concerning the upgrading of Eid Lights

-       A number of changes have been made following the Bee Network Consultation.

Monday 4 March 2024, commencing 6.30pm at Deeplish Community Centre